singularity6

Our tornado kick involves a front crescent, and a spinning hop with a jumping front crescent to finish.

Educators might already be familiar with this initiative. To sum it up briefly, the research covers the idea of a "fixed mindset" vs. a "growth mindset." Someone with a growth mindset believes they can improve their abilities by trying hard, and not giving up if something is challenging. Those with a fixed mindset believes they were born with a set ability that they cannot change. It is something that we are starting to implement at a large scale in the community college where I teach. I suspect the ideas presented here could easily be adapted in the dojo/dojang (I've made several personal connections regarding how I approach learning taekwondo!) In fact, it probably wouldn't hurt for the kids to hear it from someone other than their school teachers! https://www.mindsetkit.org/ There's some good stuff here, and it's at no cost. Just a thought.

I don't think it's just weapon quality. Overall quality of just about any consumer product (granted, there are some exceptions) has diminished significantly over the years.

You're not alone! Again, I'm in it purely for the art (well, and physical/mental fitness.) So, this is your own school? If so, I'd follow Sensei8's model. Train them in a traditional way. If they choose to take it elsewhere (say, some MMA ring and NOT abusing it on the streets,) then so be it. You may even be able to convince them that pumsae have a place in their training (which they do!)

Very solid, very wise advice, sir!

That would make me want to puke, too! And not consuming alcohol does not make one a dork. It's a choice some of us make. Some drink for the feel. I personally drink for the taste (and I do not care much for the buzz, to be honest - I do not like the feeling of not being in complete control of my body, so I am very careful with quantity!)

Welcome to the forum! Ultimately, you need to be happy with what you're doing. If a school isn't working out, then maybe you'll need to move on and find something else. Our school puts a focus on teaching once you reach first dan, and the second dan testing grades partially on a teaching demonstration. It sounds like your school might be very much the same. I'm personally looking forward to the privilege of teaching others! But I do know that teaching isn't for everyone.

Hi OkamiBlack, and welcome to the forum! Your post indicates that you have a lot of passion for martial arts, and I think you'll find that we all will have that in common. While I can appreciate your stance on sport vs. tradition, I do not share the sentiment. Interestingly, I personally do not have any interest in competing, and I'm learning my martial art for most of the same reasons you are. You're correct that tournament sparring does now truly replicate real-life application, and it shouldn't. Sparring in this fashion provides many folks dynamic situations to practice their skills where the opponent is real and has the approximate skill level. Rules and points are there obviously for safety reasons, and to quantify a "winner" (it is a competition, after all.) Sure, this is hyper-realistic, but chances are, you won't be fighting with someone who's had significant martial arts training. The martial artist will likely have the upper edge in the conflict, should one happen (and the sparring, regardless of its superfluity, will pay off when it comes to nerves, initiative and reaction time.) Regarding MMA and such: We get the occasional "new student" who wants to learn how to fight, and only to fight. The fact that we wear a uniform is a turn-off to these folks. (Some might still join for a time, with the mindset that our style and our teaching will help improve their game in some fashion.) I do not share their sentiment, but their sentiment does nothing to impact our school. We will continue on our path, and they will continue on their own. Now when it comes to holding on to the "old traditions" of martial arts, I AM one of those people who wants to see that survive. I love that aspect of martial arts, and I continuously seek to expand my knowledge of the subject. However, if schools were to cling only to that old way of thinking, many wouldn't be around for long. I feel there's room for both types of schools - the old way, and those who cater more to the sport. In my opinion, opening up a bit to the sport could help the enrollment in traditional styles a bit. MMA fighters can't compete forever. Many may turn to a traditional school once their MMA career is over.

As with anything else, practice makes perfect!

Groin! Always go for the groin! Or eyes and/or throat... those are acceptable targets, too. ALWAYS, re-stomp the groin! Again...again...again... YES!

I like doing that. And stretching in the pool. I can get splits (if that's what we're calling them ) a lot deeper. Kata and the splits in a pool. Sounds like a hoot! Try doing kata or anything else MA in the ocean. Waves do funny things to your balance. Edit: I'd imagine it's not too easy to get to the ocean if you live in Michigan. Motivation for a vacation? I'm about a mile off of Lake Michigan, and 60 miles from Lake Superior. Superior gets 3-5 foot waves fairly regularly. It's probably a bit colder than you'd like, however. I didn't realize the Great Lakes had waves. I learned something new today. I've been on a cold shower after I work out kick lately. I've been to beaches in Maine and New Hampshire; the water can be freezing sometimes, even in August. I ran across this article just now, and thought to share: http://www.mlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/08/dangerous_northwest_winds_expe.html#incart_river_index

Usually no music... but on occasion, I've listened to some Megadeth, Metallica, Devin Townsend or Emperor.

Groin! Always go for the groin! Or eyes and/or throat... those are acceptable targets, too. I try not to do that sparring. But, in real (unrestricted) fights, I can be a bit dirty in what I do. I was being facetious.

Groin! Always go for the groin! Or eyes and/or throat... those are acceptable targets, too.

My former office mate was shot while walking from his house off campus to Wayne State University in Detroit. I used to walk from campus to Comerica Park about a decade ago. I never had an issue. Why? It could be luck. But I'd guess it'd have something to do with the way I carried myself. I was always alert, looking around and not at the ground. No headphones screwed into my ears, either. Your hearing is at least as important as your sight. Use it! I would also say hi to people or nod as I walked by them, or if eye contact was made. For the record: My office mate survived and made a full recovery, and last time I checked, still lived in Detroit. The only thing he suffered from in the long run was his pride. 50 Cent was shot 9 times, and my office mate only 3... so we called him "Sixteen and 2/3 Cent." He lost his street cred, however, when he started wearing bow ties and sweater vests to school. (For what it's worth, he had a good sense of humor about this!)

Yep. I'm learning the hard way from that!

Forms on the prairie? Maybe with tornados in the background as a distraction? LOL! Little Forms on the Prairie! Watch for prairie dog holes, too.

Happy birthday!

I just got the go-ahead to start practicing my round and side kicks again! I have to take it slowly, as expected. This was great news! I was worried I might not be able to continue, as the issue seemed chronic.

Did he give any specifics? If not, I'd pull him aside and ask. Be polite, but direct. Some questions you may take as rhetorical: How long have you been at this school? Have you had other issues in the past? Are you comfortable at this school overall? Has this instructor had issues with how he handles his/others authority? Based on your answers to these questions, I think you can probably come up with a reasonable decision.

I've been going to physical therapy for my hip for the past 3 weeks. When doing balancing exercises, I've been taking off my shoes, as my balance is superior when barefoot. This made me think that I should train in shoes from time to time.

That sounds like your instructor was stuck in the 5th grade and reading too much into the "ninja myths."

In my experiences, the best and worst thing about martial arts can be summed up in one word. Tradition Being part of a tradition gives one a sense of belonging to something bigger than oneself. You're learning from others who've walked that path, and hopefully, if you persevere, you'll teach those who come after you. This is how we human beings attempt to operate, after all. Tradition is also what holds many martial arts schools back, however. The "We've always done it this way" or the "Back in the day we used to..." mindsets can be counterproductive and can deter new students. People's learning styles and needs have changed over the years. It is important to be fluid and adaptive. How many schools have Water Principles that they try to instill in their students when it comes to technique, forms or sparring? Is that not good advice in other aspects, too?

I am currently reading A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do by Alex Gillis. About half way through, I'd say it's a fascinating and relatively easy read, and very much worth the time.

I'd say age can be a bit arbitrary. Someone who's grown up in a dojo (starting at age 5 or 6) would probably do just fine teaching, even at age 16 or 18, though legal reasons would dictate that 18 should be a minimum. It really boils down to maturity and experience, and not age for me.