ninjanurse

Welcome!

Sorry about your back problems. I myself have back troubles since a bad fall and have had many ups and downs with my TKD. When I did PT I did a lot of back extensions and worked on my abs as they need to be strong to support a weak back. It takes a while to get things strong, just be deligent everyday. There are things I cannot do like I did before but I have always managed to find a way to adapt and I would never consider quitting! Good hamstring flexability is also a must as they pull directly on the low back and if they are too tight you will have more pain. Good Luck!

Howdy howdy!!

Welcome!

Welcome!!

Howdy! Welcome to the forums!

Well, a lot if interesting opinions flying around here to say the least! But I think that one can only speak for themselves. I myself feel that the journey is different for each person and they will get out of it what they choose to seek. Each one of us begins the journey for different reasons and each one of us takes a different path to the intended "prize". Sometimes we find that we may take a different path than we originally intended, or take several detours that eventually lead us back to our original goal. Some of us will find our way, others will remain lost. Personally, my journey has been full of experiences that have changed the way I look at myself and the world around me and I am most certain that I would have never experienced these things if it had not been for martial arts. You can kick and punch all you want and it is not going to change your heart or your spirit; or you can take to heart the lessons learned, keep the traditions pure, and live the philosophies of the art. If that changes you for the good...well done!

I am the first. I introduced my husband and children, who I hope do the same for their kids. If not, "grandma" will!!!

I started when I was 15...judo at the Y. It only lasted a few months because the instructor left so I swithced to the "karate" class which was Tang Soo Do (ala Chuck Norris!) I was hooked!!!!! I am now 42 so I guess that makes 27 years all together. Wow I suddenly feel my age....not!

Just going through old posts on this thread and it reminded me that it really annoys me when someone uses their "rank" to demand respect from students....and other Black Belts. Just when I think I have let this peeve go, someone comes along and.....!!!!

My current school would never consider it! However, my old school would frequently have "t-shirt week" during the summer months. Any martial arts t-shirt could be worn. Personally, I see value in both ways.

[quote name="aefibird Seriously' date=' though, why did they change the system? Do you think it has changed for the better?[/quote] It' complicated but I'll try to answer simply: The system is primarily WTF TKD with Shaolin Kung Fu and Chi-na added. My Master Instructor has also studied Shotokan so there is a unique blend of hard styles that I really like(could it be cause I also studied Shotokan ? ). He has altered some techiniques to reflect this but always kept true to WTF ranking, etc. Anyway, on the urging of some of his students (right Laurie!) he brought more of the self-defense aspects down into the colored belt ranks and in doing so added an additional belt level. Also, the one-step sparring was changed to better reflect the skills of each new belt level. I think the change is very good as it builds better on the skills of the students, gives students more exposure to Chi-na skills earlier, and sets his system more apart from other TKD schools. In other words, it's no longer WTF TKD and Kung Fu, it is TKD with Kung Fu. All of the tradition and ceremony remains unchanged from both styles which further sets it apart. Hope that answers the question without being too wordy not that I have a tendancy to run on or anything...

I am on a body building program to increase my strength and get rid of my chicken legs! And, I am working on 2 new Kung Fu forms for my next grading. I am also trying to learn all the new curriculum for all the belt levels as my school has recently undergone a big change in ranking, curriculum, etc. Last year I spent 6 months learning a new system and then they go and change it on me...the nerve!!

Just a note to add here.. not all schools within a particular association are the same. Variables such as teaching style and personal emphasis by the head instructor can make a big difference. This is true(for the most part) no matter what style you study or what association you are affiliated with. The point here is visit several schools in your area , talk with the chief instructor, and watch classes. At your son's age he will most likely have to start over if he changes systems but being that he is a Black Belt he should understand that it is not about the color of your belt, it's about the kind of person you have become; and, his years of experience may allow him to progress faster through the ranks. Good luck in your search!

Isn't this thread supposed to be about BJJ, TJJ, and Small Circle? All I see is a dispute about wether Judo is better than BJJ and vice versa! Not that I mind personally but keep it respectful.

Perserverance and indomitable spirit!! See it, Believe it, achieve it!! KWAN ZU!!!

This gentleman would not be studying in my dojo. It is respect, and nothing more.

Surf Ninjas

Don't mean to offend here but....you're only a white belt. Be careful in thinking that you should be able to defend yourself on the street in ANY style as a white belt. It takes many years of training to become proficient in just one technique. If you are truely unhappy with your chosen style, try another but don't get caught in the same trap or get sucked in by unscrupulous teachers that will teach you one or two advanced techniques and lead you to a false sense of confidence in a self-defense situation. Good luck in your search.

I just have to stick my neck out here and give a plug for Small Circle Jujitsu. Hopefully I can put this into words... Having studied both Small Circle and Brazilian I would have to say that the physics of what makes Brazilian work so well are those that Proffessor Jay brougth forth in his style. The smaller the movement the more intense-which allows a smaller person to use physics rather than strength to defend and overcome. Brazilian uses these same concepts but on a diffrent scale. I make this statement based on personal experience not "expertise" so don't get too tweaked here please !! I originally studied Small Circle and I believe that it is the reason why I was able to grasp the concepts of BJJ and grapple successfully with men much larger and stronger than me ( I am 5'4" and weigh 113 lbs). There is a great frustration in not being able to move or pass on a person much smaller and "weaker" than you. This is not to say that someone who has only studied BJJ couldn't be as successful but I feel that Small Circle offers a different perspective and emphasis that allows the Martial artist to be more adaptable to the situation. In all fairness, had I studiied BJJ first I might not feel this way. I also might not feel this way if I hadn't been introduced to Small Circle by my sensei Clyde Kanekoa and his very dear friend...Professor Wally Jay.

My 2 pennies: The Korean systems I have studied all use a somewhat "square on" fighting stance. In contrast, the Japanese systems I have studied use a stance angled away from front. However, within each system are opportunities to use various stances depending on the situation. Each has its own merits...and downfalls.

Sounds like a "Barrel Roll"... a Butterfly with an extra twist. Good luck but be careful!

Taeguek Ee Jang!

Howdy!!