swooshfinn

Makes me want to get back into the studio after almost a 6 month leave of absence and keep working towards my black belt

I have found that some of the rebreakables tend to lose their strength after a period of time... in other words they don't hold together like they are supposed to. Losing their beneficial value as a training tool, because they break with very little pressure/ interia/ momentum.

I have to admit Doug, that was a very comprehensive and thourough explanation of KSW. I missed 2 possible visits of Kuk Sa Nim, my original school in Knoxville, Illinois and my new school (if I ever get a job that will allow me to get into the studio 4 nights a week to get my behind back into shape) in Saint Charles, Missouri. But I really need to work on all my techniques and forms that I know already before I start back and try to learn new stuff. Darn, another 1.5 yrs or more before I can even consider black belt.

I think that whenever I get the chance to (depending on work schedule) that I will at least check it out, maybe the guy i have been talking to might be over hyping that aspect of it up a little too much

I must be teh exception.... cause I have been talking to a guy here at my apartment complex the last 2 nights... and he is a green belt and says that classes won't cost me a dime, except if I decide to stick it out and we all decide to pitch in for a big weapon that the group doesn't already own. I think I might give it a try.... not sure if I'll stick it out without some health insurance..... broken bones and some serious bruising going on there..... I can't afford a broken bone.... that is one reason I was so comfortable with Kuk Sool Won, I knew my limitations and pushed myself just a little farther than those limitations, but never to the brink of seriously hurting myself.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY Be and be RESPONSIBLE!!! Don't and DRIVE! EVERYONE HAVE A SAFE FOURTH!

I concur... I admit that I am constantly working on better stances and that my footwork needs improvement.

Well I have the stealth of a ninja.... maybe I should look into this a little more.... kind of amazing that at 240+ pounds (or 110 Kilos) that I have any stealth at all, but I sneak up on people all the time and give them the fright of their lives cause when they turn around they really dont expect to see me standing there!

nope...we just did light sparring and point sparring... nothing too serious

I spent a year in Finland as an exchange student... I lived in Kotka on the Southeastern coast. That experience lead me to earn a Bachelor's degree in International Business from Illinois State University. I still have many friends in Finland, and was hoping to make it over there for a third time in September for a wedding, but I seriously doubt that will happen as I have quite a few bills to take care of and am not really making a ton of money.

United States.... but I consider myself to have some Finnish heritage too since Finland has played an important part of my life so far

That is an AWESOME cartoon!

I guess if I had to choose a sword weapon.... katana!......but I havent trained with a sword yet....so I dont know what I am exactly looking for in a sword

ok I have to set this one up for you.... my sister's fiance's name is Jeff Myer, and my family is partial to female dachshunds.... so she thought it would be cute to get a dachshund (female of course) and call it Oscar.... she registered it under her fiance's name, so she has: Oscar Myer the Wiener Dog! (INSERT RIMSHOT HERE)

4 nights a week for most of that year and a half.... then there were extra Saturday morning classes for the Knox College kids when their schedules permitted.... I had nothing better to do at the time..... so why not put that much time into training?

http://www.tigerclaw.com Click on retail store, then sparring gear.

http://www.kswstlouis.com

I would have to say aikido

Hey Davison, where are you at in GBurg... and which studio(s) do you attend? I am originally from the Burg and studied with KJN Zefo at the Knoxville KSW studio

Kuk Sool Won is not really animal based, but it does incorporate some animal styles, especially the bear, crane, mantis, tiger, dragon, and snake just to name a few. The animal styles do not dominate Kuk Sool Won, as KSW focuses more on the human aspect of the art, the animal styles are minor parts of techniques (Maek Chi Ki 11) and are found in various forms (Joong Geup Hyung on up).

Welcome!

If a hockey forum is In The Boards.... Then shouldn't a Martial Arts forum be "Break the Boards"?

Yikes, another KSW member on the forums. That might make it five total. In Hyuk Suh would be proud. Tessone, and Pocket Ninja (if we ever see her post in here) are from my original school back in Illinois, so does that make it a total of 6? As for blocking the punches, I don't know how I forgot to mention Ship Ja Mahk Ki, a basic four-directional block.

What other forums do you post in? I am a member of a hockey message board, we have a lot of smilies that we use! http://itb.inthecrease.com

I have to agree that the Bo or Korean Bong is definitely my favorite weapon, also like the double short staff.... those are the only weapons I have had the chance to practice with, but the versitility of the Bo makes it very attractive. You are more likely to have a Bo-like weapon wherever you are (with a little improvisation) than anything else. At the KSW Tournament in St. Louis back in April, KJN Jack Harvey broke 8 boards with his bong, really impressive demonstration, as I am sure that will be what everyone wants to do for the next tournament!