There is something special about stepping outside the familiar walls of the dojang and training beneath the open sky.
Inside the dojang, the floor is level, the temperature is controlled, and distractions are limited. Outside, the environment becomes part of the lesson. The ground may be uneven. The wind may move around us. The sun may test our endurance, and the sounds of the park may challenge our concentration.
That is exactly why outdoor training can be so valuable.
Martial arts is not meant to exist only in perfect conditions. Our stances, balance, focus, and discipline should remain strong even when the environment changes. Training outside encourages us to adapt while still maintaining proper technique. It reminds us that true focus does not come from silence around us—it comes from discipline within us.
A student may quickly discover that performing a stance on grass feels different than performing it on mats. A kick may require greater control. A form may demand more awareness of the space around us. These small challenges give us an opportunity to better understand our own bodies and the principles behind our techniques.
Outdoor training also reconnects us with one of the simplest joys of martial arts: moving together.
When we train in a park, we are not hidden away from the community. Families walking by may see students practicing with confidence. Children may become curious. Others may see the discipline, respect, and positive energy that exists within our dojang family.
We have the opportunity to show that martial arts is about much more than punches and kicks. It is about community, friendship, personal growth, and the willingness to challenge ourselves.
This Saturday, we will take those lessons beyond the walls of Owosso Martial Arts during our 1st Annual Training in the Park at Harmon Partridge Park.
Training begins at 12:00 PM. Students should wear their dobok, but make sure to bring a T-shirt for our water balloon dodgeball afterward. Following training, we will enjoy a picnic and cookout together.
Students and families should sign up at the dojang so we can properly prepare for everyone attending.
This event is not simply about changing where we train. It is about strengthening the bonds between our students, families, and martial arts community. It gives us a chance to work hard, laugh together, and create memories that extend far beyond a normal class.
The dojang is more than a building. It exists wherever students gather with respect, discipline, and a willingness to improve.
This weekend, our dojang will simply have a much bigger ceiling.
See everyone at the park!
—Sa Bom Nim Bradford
Monday & Tuesday: Hand Technique – Rebreakable Board Breaking
Wednesday & Thursday: Ho Sin Sul
Saturday: 1st Annual Training in the Park – Harmon Patridge – 12 PM Wear Dobok, bring t-shirt
