Thank you for your interest in the Elite Training Program offered at Alpha Omega Martial Arts. These students can easily be identified by the blue uniform they wear. What may not be so easily identifiable is the meaning behind our Elite Training Program.
Long ago and in a land far away lived our lineage ancestors whose blood, sweat and tears produced the very martial art we study today. Compared to today the process for becoming a skilled warrior (martial artist) was very, very different. In the past there were no martial arts schools open to the public. If you wanted to become a warrior, but you were not fortunate enough to be born into a warrior clan, the process would be difficult if not impossible.
If you were driven to become a student of the martial ways you would have to find a teacher that was willing to accept you as a student. You might have found a school and asked for acceptance only to hear a simple “No” in return. Even if you were fortunate enough to hear the answer “Yes”, it was still not as easy as putting on a uniform and starting to learn to punch and kick – you still had to prove yourself worthy as a student. Your commitment, desire, discipline, and perseverance had to be strong and unwavering. Your duties for the first year may have been to cut the wood, prepare the food, clean the school, and whatever else needed to be done or was asked of you. You would be tasked also with learning about philosophy, language, and art. After about a year you may have been called on to serve as a training partner for other students. Being a training partner served two roles: to make sure you were committed and to start your physical training.
After this probationary period, if you were still committed to becoming a warrior and your teacher thought you were worthy, you would be allowed to start your formal training. This formal training began with an oath called a maengse - 맹세 (blood oath), this was in no way a mere formality. The maengse was seen as a binding promise, not only between you and your teacher but between you and your community and the very lineage you studied. After this oath you were called Hwarang, which means "Flowering Youth".
We are looking for the same qualities and commitment from candidates for our Elite Training Program here at Alpha Omega Martial Arts. Honesty, loyalty, integrity, virtue, commitment and perseverance are the kinds of qualities we are looking for in our candidates. Once you have achieved the rank of yellow belt you may begin to petition your teacher for entrance into the Elite Training Program. By applying and putting on the blue uniform you are making a serious commitment; a commitment to yourself, your teacher, your community and our lineage. You are saying that nothing will stand in your way. Anything worth achieving will have challenges. You are making a commitment to overcome those challenges and achieve your goal. Please think long and hard before committing yourself to this path.
Elite Program Requirements
Once You Have Achieved Elite Status
Congratulations! You have received your blue uniform and are now a source of inspiration and information for other students. As a member of the Elite you have access to our Elite only classes, which are offered on Select Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. As a member of the Elite Training Program you are also eligible to become a member of our Leadership team.
The Elite Training members are given training at a quicker pace than the other students of the school. They will receive training in Okinawa Weapons, Sword, and other martial arts such as Taekwondo and Judo. More in-depth training is included on topics such as history and philosophy, anatomy, physiology, and even kinesiology at levels that they are able to understand them.
Long ago and in a land far away lived our lineage ancestors whose blood, sweat and tears produced the very martial art we study today. Compared to today the process for becoming a skilled warrior (martial artist) was very, very different. In the past there were no martial arts schools open to the public. If you wanted to become a warrior, but you were not fortunate enough to be born into a warrior clan, the process would be difficult if not impossible.
If you were driven to become a student of the martial ways you would have to find a teacher that was willing to accept you as a student. You might have found a school and asked for acceptance only to hear a simple “No” in return. Even if you were fortunate enough to hear the answer “Yes”, it was still not as easy as putting on a uniform and starting to learn to punch and kick – you still had to prove yourself worthy as a student. Your commitment, desire, discipline, and perseverance had to be strong and unwavering. Your duties for the first year may have been to cut the wood, prepare the food, clean the school, and whatever else needed to be done or was asked of you. You would be tasked also with learning about philosophy, language, and art. After about a year you may have been called on to serve as a training partner for other students. Being a training partner served two roles: to make sure you were committed and to start your physical training.
After this probationary period, if you were still committed to becoming a warrior and your teacher thought you were worthy, you would be allowed to start your formal training. This formal training began with an oath called a maengse - 맹세 (blood oath), this was in no way a mere formality. The maengse was seen as a binding promise, not only between you and your teacher but between you and your community and the very lineage you studied. After this oath you were called Hwarang, which means "Flowering Youth".
We are looking for the same qualities and commitment from candidates for our Elite Training Program here at Alpha Omega Martial Arts. Honesty, loyalty, integrity, virtue, commitment and perseverance are the kinds of qualities we are looking for in our candidates. Once you have achieved the rank of yellow belt you may begin to petition your teacher for entrance into the Elite Training Program. By applying and putting on the blue uniform you are making a serious commitment; a commitment to yourself, your teacher, your community and our lineage. You are saying that nothing will stand in your way. Anything worth achieving will have challenges. You are making a commitment to overcome those challenges and achieve your goal. Please think long and hard before committing yourself to this path.
Elite Program Requirements
- Must be enrolled in the Combat Hapkido Program
- Must be a yellow belt rank
- Must show commitment to the art and to the well-being of your fellow students
- Complete the Elite Training Program application (ask your instructors or front desk assistant)
- Write an essay telling us why you want to be a member of the Elite Training Program and how you plan to achieve your Chodan (first degree black belt)
- Meet with an instructor to discuss your training goals and plans to achieve Chodan
- Wait. Once you have completed all of the steps, you will be awarded with your Uniform during a graduation ceremony when your instructors decide you are ready
Once You Have Achieved Elite Status
Congratulations! You have received your blue uniform and are now a source of inspiration and information for other students. As a member of the Elite you have access to our Elite only classes, which are offered on Select Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. As a member of the Elite Training Program you are also eligible to become a member of our Leadership team.
The Elite Training members are given training at a quicker pace than the other students of the school. They will receive training in Okinawa Weapons, Sword, and other martial arts such as Taekwondo and Judo. More in-depth training is included on topics such as history and philosophy, anatomy, physiology, and even kinesiology at levels that they are able to understand them.