Short Martial Arts Bio.
My name is Paul Hastings and this is a short martial arts bio for you.
I first stepped on to the mat around the age of 4, my father ran the local Judo club and he would take me there a few times a week to watch and play.
I then played for many years, dad had learnt Judo back in the fifties and many of the visiting masters were really still Ju Jitsu, so many years later when I got in to Hapkido, dad was a wealth of knowledge as he already skilled in these arts.
I started my first club back in 1974 while still at school. Later I was lucky enough to find a Hapkido Master Mike Foster and he taught me and my brother, David. When Mike went back to Canada we took over the club and have been teaching in the Warwickshire area since 1982.
We have taught Hapkido to thousands of students, and have conducted courses for children, disabled people and security personal (CQB) in Warwickshire.
Although I have given up teaching publicly I continue practice.
Part of what they directed me to do was to develop the skills of a traditional martial artist and warrior. So not only was I told to acquire the physical skills, but also to learn about, anatomy, physiology, acupuncture and energy psychology. I also learnt to use firearms, and other weapons and how to use the most powerful weapon we have - Our own minds.
As we no longer use horses for transport I learnt evasive and defensive driving, and became an advanced driver. I learned to fly an aeroplane and for a while owned two. I also learnt how to build them, and yes they “both still flying”.
I also studied and mastered Hypnosis, Neuro Linguistic Programming and Emotional Freedom Therapy, and have been in private practice as a therapist since 1991.
During all this time I have used the skills I possess on many occasions. I have often been frightened, scared and had my life on the line.
I have crashed microlights, cars, - and relationships. On occasions I have been attacked for real and had to deal with it, and, yes, I have also failed gradients and had to develop the emotional skills to deal with it, and come back stronger to succeed.
Veni, vidi, vici.
So you could say “ I’ve been there, done it and got the tee shirt”
Below are photographs of some of my life.
It all started a long time ago.
Can still break a brick.
Yoga is still a passion for me.
Early air break.
Early tile break.
Learning the trade.
I don't just dish it out.
Bouncing me around at a demo.
My brother David.
Shooting was a passion.
Kicking.
A joint lock.
Later in life.
Finger bar.
Simple throw.
A wonderful sight, a microlight ready to touch the face of god.
A club in Coventry.
"I have control".
Pilot saying. Flying somewhere over Warwickshire.
Flying a flexi can be fun, but very cold.
A Sky Ranger I helped to build.
Fire breathing is fun.
If you get it wrong it can be disastrous. So you do learn to control fear and develop the necessary skills.
You decide.
Walking on freshly broken razor sharp glass, is a great way to discover?
A hypnotist and Hapkido friend of mine asked me if it was possible to do a head stand on broken glass. I did not know. My First attempt. I just did it. Sometimes life is like that. You just have to go for it and find out what happens.