Luther unleashed

There are so many different form applications. Realistically you can develop your own, I have my mind opened constantly to new applications for even the most basic forms. Here I am teaching a few applications from kichu il bu and one from kichu Sam bu. These are very basic forms, and yet there are still plenty of applications. I usually teach them by showing a few times and then having them partner up to try on each other as I walk around helping them. https://youtu.be/jr30-wDyOfM

Thank you!

Interesting thread! So we had black belts at that age I. Schools I trained in. Also, I have a daughter who just turned 10 a few months ago and earned her black belt about 9 months ago. It's a jr black belt. To some this may simply mean that they are younger black belts. To me and places I have trained however, a jr black belt is really an adult 1st rank in terms of material learned. They do not do the required forms, techniques, sparring, or anything else that an adult black belt would do. The kids program also has a belt less then the adult program. So when people make a big deal out of age of black belts, I often question what exact ally that means, because for me it's not an adult black belt and I see nothing wrong with having a kids black belt. I have a lil ninjas program and try get black belts, it's a black belt for their specific age related material of a 6 or 7yr old. The color of belt isn't what should be focused on, it's the age related ranking we should understand. If a school hands out black belts to 10yr olds for competing the same curriculum as the adults then that's different. If my daughter can perform better then many adult black belts I have seen, does it stand though that because of her age she cannot attain a certain belt around we waist?

As I read this I'm asking myself why there is such a loyalty to organizations. I feel lucky to have been exposed to schools that, for the most part, did not belong to federations and what not. I feel bad as a person, to hear of other people that want to teach but can't because an organization has a standard such as in the case of the original poster. I happen to think that the belt/rank system is every bit bad as it is good. If the standard is third dan, I assume all third dans have the same teaching ability? I have only been open 6 months, I had taught about 10 full classes prior. I taught many assisting however. Some people may say I wasn't ready, per a standard, but I have loved every second of getting my experience in the moment as I go. It's been very fun. In the end I say if you have a passion and ability to teach and wish to feed your family by touching peoples lives through martial arts, I beg you to not allow people, organizations, or anybody else tell you what you should do. I'm not saying any white belt should teach but I'm saying be realistic about your abilities and go for it when you feel your really ready.

Looks like fun!Thanks man. Actually my first week with those techniques so I hope I'm not being judged too harshly if I don't look like GI Joe lol.

Definitely not a mutual agreement. He sent his 2 week notice via a text message which I find immature and cowardly (just my opinion). Our instructor feels blind sided and betrayed. The person that left wanted to take our school in a different direction, more MMA and kickboxing, and less kata and point fighting. Multiple times the head instructor allowed this person to try to get an MMA program going at the school and each time the interest just wasn't there to continue. Also, the head instructor and his family often times helped this individual with bills when he couldn't afford something and provided him with the school's van when he couldn't afford car repairs. This plus the recruiting of students are the main pain points. I knew he wasn't happy, but I feel the whole way he handled things was unprofessional. I've wished him well and thanked him for his work with my sons. I am not sticking up for anybody because I don't know the guy, but sometimes students don't understand exactly what happened because from their perception it may look one way but who knows what happens in private conversations. When I left the other instructors and students all pick a side as if it was a sports team, they all show loyalty to the head instructor. What they did not know if some of the behind the scenes things that happened that would probably have changed their opinion, instead they only saw from their perception which was not a complete truth and decided to take a side. Again it's not my opinion that he was right for leaving or getting a good way, I'm simply saying often times there is much more than meets DI from an outsiders perspective.

His loss, in my opinion. Rec center classes usually serve a different demographic than stand alones-- oftentimes they cater to students who can't afford a more expensive school. I say good for you for jumping in to continue to provide that opportunity for the citizens of your community. Yeah thanks. This is completely true in my opinion as we'll. the city I do it in is more poverty stricken then some others in the area. It's a good feeling to provide for those that wish to learn bit May not be able to afford a stand alone place. I have actually heard it from students parents, that they wouldn't be training if it was the going rate of a stand alone dojo. Thanks for the nod!

I think the most important part of this thread is to recognize that a person with a passion to teach any particular style of these beautiful arts should not be held back by a head instructor, because as somebody pointed out above the main goal should be to spread the love of martial arts to the world and not to spread a particular dojo. The difference between traditional martial arts and things like sports mixed martial arts is the foundation of cultivating character, this alone is very beneficial to our society as a whole and one should not be held back because you did not stay with a particular dojo. Just my two cents of course

I taught for about a year in a studio. Long story but the place I taught for as an assistant instructor had 2 locations, a stand alone place, and a rec center. Btw I had no other experience in teaching, just a passion, drive, and a natural ability I guess. I was set to take over the rec center in January 2015. The master of the school was very happy with my abilities and I ran full classes. He wanted much more training time then I could give and I told him I just couldn't spend 5 days a week there anymore 4hrs a night. He felt I needed to dedicate that much time or I was not going to take over his school. I told him I just couldn't anymore and needed to spend time with my family some evenings. Next thing I know he announced the programs closure on Facebook, that's how I found out. I went looking for a place to teach, after a little over two months I couldn't find a place to teach, but there was a place to teach, it was the rec center he was closing. As insulted as he may be I saw an opportunity to live my dream, no spite for him, not animosity, just going for my passion. So, that was 6 months ago, I started with 7 students in the first month. I am now over 30 students and going strong with 4 seperate classes twice a week. I didn't move up the street from my instructor, I moved into his old place. I hated to do it but it felt like the only way at the time. I'm open to peoples comments or opinions about it weather good or bad, but in the end I speak as the "assistant instructor" the tittle speaks about in a sense, and I feel that any instructor that doesn't support you on your endeavor probably has a greedy or selfish side. As somebody posted above, what was the situation exactly in which somebody left a dojo and opened one up the street. Either way, I would choose to be farther away, just like I would choose to not take over my instructors exact location after he closes it... BUT things happen and sometimes you got to do what you got to do!

I practice tang Soo do. I also practice a few different types of tang Soo do, just as Tae Kwon Do has different "styles" within itself, Tang Soo Do is the same. The Tang Soo Do I practiced to 1st dan is essentially "Soo Bahk Do" and the use of hip is a major study point of the style. Without proper use of the hip, one can't truly grasp the art. I can't speak for every way of generating power but I happened to thing the use of hip, especially when used in kicking is very effective. I also happen to think that the use of speed and follow through are equally important. The "snap" in which you strike with is also a major factor. Think of the type of force you would require to break a board while holding only one end "speed break"! It would require snap, if you didn't have the proper snap you would simply pith the board. Just sharing some thoughts about power generation from my experience because I have never practiced "sine wave" so I can't comment about its effectiveness! Take care.

How about some gun self defense... Working on some stuff with my daughter http://youtu.be/xzhU7Ebz6aU

Bushido_Man that's interesting, I've never heard of that style. Very cool though. I never cared for forms while I did ITF forms, just didn't appeal to me. I started to enjoy the forms once I started tang Soo do, at least the way I learned them which is really Soo Bahk Do. They have a great deal of pace changes which I enjoy. Thanks for the responses man. It seems the general idea of incorporating other techniques into a system is accepted just as jr 137 posted. Some of what I Soo pushes the envelope a bit more though. I actually teach a few taekwondo forms and hung gar Kung fu forms with tang Soo do. I do NOT replace the tang Soo do curriculum for the most part but add to it. I never felt I wanted to make a name for my mixture but again, I don't know that it's a true statement to say I teach tang Soo do, it's not wrong because I do and it's the core, not only of the curriculum but also the mental approach. In the end I try not to overthink it as I'm doing now in trying to discuss much of it lol. I want to be free to build a program that is great, and not restricted by the the politics of style. As to the topic I'm not one to create a style, just blend what I feel I want to Make my program fun and deep.

I like your idea of calling it taekwondo or combat hapkido taekwondo to identify it. For me it wouldn't be as simple to identity the other martial arts because there's about six that I mildly incorporate into the program. 70% or so is Tang Soo Do curriculum so it would make sense to kelp that name alone. Can I ask what style Tae Kwon Do you practice? I incorporate WTF style taekwondo into my program but only a few one-steps because I like that they are kicking oriented whereas my my Tang Soo Do one-steps are more hand strikes as breaks, at certain levels anyway. The first school I ever went to however was and I TF school. So, just curious what you do man. I would have trained in Tae Kwon do solely but over the years of moving around It just did not work that way. I often went with the school that had the best energy and best instruction, which I believe left me with less peer of a style but more growth as a martial arts instructor because the emphasis of quality I was looking for was placed on that not the style. thanks for taking the time to read my long posts. It's a habit to ramble haha.

Thanks buddy appreciate it!

Oh, and one more thing to add about why I personally choose to identify my style with the integration, yes with so many stylists out there and people into a particular style, The style of tang Soo do I do, because there are many variations of his art, are integrated as well. I moved around a lot growing up and as much as I would like to have just gone through my martial arts life with one style or more complete styles I just cannot say that. As a person who has a passion for martial arts, and passion for teaching, it has been my dream to teach since I was 17 and 21 years later I finally started doing it six months ago, if I want to be able to teach I have to teach my experience which is a mixture whether I like it or not is a blend. I guess my point here would be we all have a choice what we want to teach, but we are also bound by our martial arts experiences. And this may be some of the reason people search for a true identity within their style or styles and what they teach. Sorry, I'm aware that I can sometimes ramble when I find these topics very interesting. Thanks!

To the bold above, I absolutely agree with that point. But here again, I ask the question, if you choose to teach some concepts and technical aspects you've learned in other styles, does it really mean you need to "establish your own style," so to speak? I don't think so. If you teach Tang Soo Do with some Hapkido blended in for self-defense, then great. But just say you teach Tang Soo Do with a Hapkido supplement, or heck, say you teach both curriculums if that's what you do. But there is no reason to come up with a new name to call it a new style. At least, that's my opinion. I do t disagree. But there are schools that come up with names to their style based on these concepts. Forgive me for the misspelling of hapkido (hopkido) by the way, one of the coolest looking martial arts, I know a few techniques that were supplemented into my curriculum but only a small amount. I always wanted to learn it but never could find a good place to do so. I was taught a wide range of technique blended in to tang Soo do. It's still 75 percent tang Soo do but when I opened up I felt it was not totally true to what I teach to call it tang Soo do. So instead of call it "tangtaehungkibo" representing some of the martial arts in it lol, I simply call it "integrated tang Soo do". This way nobody is mislead when they are learning kickboxing techniques and thinking it's tang Soo do. I just want people to understand what they are learning. Integrated Tang Soo Do is the truest identifying description of what I teach, if you will. I don't really have a view on what one should do if they do t have a strong base within a mixture because I wouldn't do that personally. In the end I just want to be true to what I teach, and to each their own. Basically I agree with what you are saying exactly the way I read it. At the same time it doesn't. Other me if somebody does make a name and call their mix a style, just isn't the truest way to represent the program IMHO.

Wow that is really awesome THANK YOU. I do t know what I did to come across as having a positive affect in my posts but I appreciate the recognition, very cool. Thanks again to all of you.

There are a few really nicely written posts, this is one of them and I wanted to point that out. It takes on the angle of creating a style as in something new, not a blend of traditional styles that is like a style in itself though. I wish to address the blended topic and hopefully it's best served in this thread. So I hold various degrees in various martial arts. I moved around a lot, I have trained in schools that blend and schools that were pure with a style. I have studied many different martial arts. I was pondering a few days ago about a martial artist who teaches one style but knows many. I saw a website for a school where the owner/instructor had a 4th degree Tang Soo Do, 1st degree jui-jujitsu, 1st degree hopkido, and a few others. I understand teaching one style, but I ask the question... Why not share the other martial arts in a program? Would it not make the program more rich with content, more interesting and fresh? Is there no effective techniques in hopkido that could compliment Tang Soo do? I wonder how much if what we learn we learn for rank/certification purposes rather then for quality technique? I mean I can't imagine a fundamentally sound reason to teach only one way of doing things if you know many! I understand the desire in a sense I suppose because I was faced with this decision to identify my program with a single style or be more free to teach what was useful, useful for self defense, useful for health, useful for focus or many other reasons. I chose to leave one art as a foundation and blend useful pieces of my total knowledge into the program. Does it make it less pure? Yes! But it also makes it more well rounded in my opinion. My website starts out with "we want to share our passion for martial arts with as many people as possible"! This is my goal. If I teach my karate student a king fu form, is it not enlightening or eye opening to the student? Maybe the student decides he/she likes this better and makes the change, is this not the core of a true martial artist that remains open minded? If rank does not exist do we not try to learn everything we can and forget the less useful stuff? Is rank in a style really what keeps us there? Is it a style to teach a mixture of already known styles, if so does it stand to be true even if you keep a base martial arts? If so what percentage makes it too different to identify with the base martial art? I mean, most places mix something, like basic boxing techniques and what not. I don't intend all of these to be answered questions of course, they are more to make a point and trigger a thought process about this topic. Thanks guys.

I absolutely agree with you here. I think there are some good examples out there of Martial Arts changing some people, but I think those are examples of people who want to change, and that makes a difference, too. Agh yes BUT if we place so much emphasis on the parents what's the point. Why should we bother? Some parents simply won't. Parents can be the obstacle to children learning. There's no much can be done about it because....well....I'm not the parent! Certainly, my point though is that if we believe that nothing can be done of the parents don't I force at home then what's the point in trying to teach certain things like disciine, and respect? I have seen unruly children respond well to the instructor who lays down the law, and then respond by testing another or even their parents. The only lesson that is taught seems to be "don't mess with that one instructor" right? In the end though, I look to the future in hopes that I have planted a seed that has the potential to grow, weather te parents water it or not! Sometimes kids go their own way and remember certain lessons, so my point is really that, I agree with the perception that you can't teach a child these things while not enforced elsewhere in their life, but a seed can survive a long time and grow later, too!

I absolutely agree with you here. I think there are some good examples out there of Martial Arts changing some people, but I think those are examples of people who want to change, and that makes a difference, too. Agh yes BUT if we place so much emphasis on the parents what's the point. Why should we bother? Some parents simply won't.

Hey great topic. Many people are still "purists" as I say but much of the world has adapted at least, some type of hybrid adaptation of styles. I have a foundation of Tang Soo Do, however I feel that to provide a program that encompasses a broad experience of martial arts (just as the dojo I learned in) I integrate my other experiences into the program. I integrate hung gar Kung fu, Tae Kwon Do, kickboxing, jeet kune do and a few others to make a very we'll rounded and changing martial arts experience, however I maintain the base art of Tang Soo Do to keep this as the main structure of discipline, and traditional values of the program. I feel having a martial art at the roots helps to give the program a stronger identity, and not so chaotic. Sorry to rant! As to the question I find that rather then questioning weather they blend, I question are they different enough to keep the curriculum challenging and keep it from getting "stale" if you will. Hung gar Kung fu and karate really don't mix from a standpoint of blending seamlessly, at least not the way Tang Soo do and Tae Kwon Do seem to potentially, but like I say they fit in a way that makes my program we'll rounded, rather then distort it. At least this is the theory that I teach with. I came out of a program that was similar and enjoyed the benefits of training heavy in a specific style, while not adhering to it so tightly that I closed my mind to other concepts or ideas. I find that the kids care very little if at all about style, and more about doing something new, so this idea seems to fair we'll amongst the young. Many may disagree with this as traditional practitioners/Teachers, but like I said I enjoyed earning rank in this way personally as did my wife, who earned a black belt with little interest prior to finding that specific studio, says something to me. I realize I went very deep with my response to your question but hopefully my rambling is welcomed haha. Take care.

Yes I would have to agree about the way parents can be, I think this is often true add many sporting events as well. My kids are involved in soccer and cheerleading and I can tell you I see a lot of the issues with the Parents. I do however, disagree with not allowing the parents and for the children's class especially. As a parent, I would not be as comfortable paying for something I could not view to see what my kid is learning. I teach with an open door policy and I encourage parents to stay and view their children hard work and class material. I think this happens to be one of the key points that keeps us successful at keeping students. I also have seen parents that help their kids out at home, because some of the athletic techniques we do as adults are very complicated for children. It's a great way to give them something to do together. I'm definitely not cutting down your place for doing it, I'm just saying it would not be a preference of mine to do so and offering insight as to why, take care. I tell the kids who turn around and look at their parents. Question do your parents go to school with you? They all say no, so I tell them not to look at their parents. We are lucky at my school, because the facility is set up in such a way that we have a separate viewing room for the parents. Our workout room has a security camera in it, and in the viewing room, there is a projector and screen that the parents can sit and watch the class from. No parent feedback during class, and no children distracted by parents during class. I know this isn't feasible for every school, but its something to consider if the school can manage it.I really like the 1-way glass/or CCTV setup, My first dojo was like that as a kid. I hated being watched as I was shy and that helped a ton. @Luther It's really a unwritten rule by the parents themselves. We are a nonprofit and use a school wrestling room so seating is very limited. when parents wanted to talk they went into the hallway. Being a High school and all, most parents decide not to stick around in the hallways as the local sport team comes off the field. new parents see the old ones leaving so it became the common practice. "I also have seen parents that help their kids out at home, because some of the athletic techniques we do as adults are very complicated for children. It's a great way to give them something to do together. " Ugh, this can be good or bad. I've seen parents/siblings uncorrect a technique "because they know it better/saw it on TV" but have zero training. It can be helpful if that parent or sibling trains as well however. You know it also depends on what type of class you run or are a part of I think. As I read the part about being distracted by the parents and being behind glass I thought about a situation I had happen. I was teaching and a parent started to speak to their child, in sort of a "coaching my kid in a sport" type of way. We're not really sport based, but I got it. I teach as I was taught to teach and am still trying to find my personal identity as an instructor, been only teaching on my own for going on 6 months now. I was taught very high energy and loud dominating voice, I just turned up my volume to take control from the parent, didn't need to say anything to the parent or student, just took control. I teach at a rec center so separate room is not an option at the moment. Hopefully I will be that successful one day but I'm just starting out. I hear you about the parents helping at home thing but this far I have yet to see any issues, of course I also have videos on my website for training at home and I have had a good deal of positive feedback on there use, I'm sure it helps with that. In the end a separate room where they can watch would be pretty cool though.

Yes I would have to agree about the way parents can be, I think this is often true add many sporting events as well. My kids are involved in soccer and cheerleading and I can tell you I see a lot of the issues with the Parents. I do however, disagree with not allowing the parents and for the children's class especially. As a parent, I would not be as comfortable paying for something I could not view to see what my kid is learning. I teach with an open door policy and I encourage parents to stay and view their children hard work and class material. I think this happens to be one of the key points that keeps us successful at keeping students. I also have seen parents that help their kids out at home, because some of the athletic techniques we do as adults are very complicated for children. It's a great way to give them something to do together. I'm definitely not cutting down your place for doing it, I'm just saying it would not be a preference of mine to do so and offering insight as to why, take care.

I agree with post above, it must be a phoenix area thing hahaha. I have said it before really great posting there.

I find this to be a very interesting topic... Many schools teach different ways, not just different styles but with more focus on fun, or discipline, or sport/competition or self defense! I personally try and make it fun but I always have a hard time balancing because I'm geared to make the foundation of class discipline, respect, and self awareness! Martial arts in general teach respect, honor, integrity, manners and many other great mental lessons. This is what martial arts teaches the kids I train. I try to never leave a class without saying something about respect and what not. Me: "Why do we bow class", students: "to show respect, sir"! For me this is the focus in class, I focus on a less sport like, real self defense kind of class at times, I focus on traditional techniques at times. But I'm always focusing On Respect and discipline regardless of the other lessons. I recieved an awesome email from a parent about how my class has affected their son, didn't mention how his kicks look, or how we'll he's kicking but. Nope, only about his attitude, and his behavior. Was a great feeling considering I have been teaching on my own for only 5 months. Having high energy is a great lesson i teach. Having a loud voice as we'll. It teaches kids to speak up for themselves. Also my belt tests are physical and teach them the hard work needed to accomplish some things, and of course as I said above, the mental cultivation of the person is the biggest achievement in kids karate. We can teach kids to protect themselves we'll, but I take the angle that to remove oneself from the situation (when possible) is the best way to protect yourself.