jakmak52

One of my past instructors, Glenn LaPlante, 3rd Dan, earned his 1st degree in eighteen months under the direction of John Graden and Joe Lewis. He is an exception to the rule, it would normally take 3 - 5 years to achieve Cho Dan level. Glen went on to be Middleweight Champion in ISKA. He now does professional boxing locally here in Tampa, Florida. There's different timelines in all styles/disciplines. My attitude was whatever it takes. Time was not an issue. Black Belt was an enormous, almost unattainable goal, so I took it piecemeal at a time, which made it more doable for me.

Absolutly, 100% correct! If you're taking an art simply for the enjoyment..then it makes no difference what you take as long as you enjoy it. I'll second that notion

Good: Top notch Instructors Old School training Excellent curriculum Short drive from home Classes everyday except Sunday Clean Facilty Diverse instruction in other martial arts, i.e. Shootfighting and Shotokan, Kempo Karate Not so good: High monthly fees Too many mixed Adult/Children classses

Try this site for searching for a reputable dojo: http://www.napma.com/index.cfm?tp=finddojo&sd=data/home&template=tmp_main&CFID=7245423&CFTOKEN=49920822

I believe today, XMA has become the most popular, then TKD and Karate.

My wife and I are planning to relocate to Panama in the near future and was looking for some info on any ITF TKD schools/dojos or organizations in that region. Any help is greatly appreciated

1st Dan in American TKD , currently preparing for 2nd, and I'm definately crazy, at 52 you'ld think I would have taken up lawn bowling

I think Mr. Hall and Englon may be misinformed, Kukkiwon is WTF TKD specific, and that is not Mr. Lewis's style, it's American Kickboxing. Joe Lewis is a 10th Degree/Dan BB. http://www.joelewisfightingsystems.com/index.php?page=about

Try this site for ITF Chang Hon Forms: http://www.natkd.com/chang_hon.htm

Well, there you go, I love hearing that

I agree, I've seen some spectacular younsters truly deserving of Black Belt rank, but I'm from Chicago as well

I understand completely, good to hear your back at it

Good for you, keep at it and thanks for your post.

1st Degree Cho Dan - American Tae Kwon Do (Chang Hon) ITF. Started training under the tutledge of Mr. John Graden, Mr. Joe Lewis, Mr. Bill "Superfoot" Wallace at USA Karate in St. Petersburg, Florida on November 10th, 1993, at age 41. My known Katas/forms as follows: Tan Gun - Legendary Founder of Korea To San - Philosopher & Educator Yul Kuk - Confucius of Korea Toi Gye - Pen name of a Noted Scholar Choi Gye - Iron Horse Hwa Rang - Korean youth movement to reunite the 3 kingdoms of Sila Choong Mu - Admiral of the 1st Korean Armored Battleship Kwan Gye - 19th Emperor of the Koguryo Dynasty Bat Sai Dai (Major) - Breaking through the Fortress Competitions/Tournaments: 1999 PMTA Gold Tour, Orlando, Florida - 1st Place Executive Men's Classical Forms 1999 US Open, Orlando Florida 1st Place - Executive Men's Forms 2003 5th Annual Suncoast Open, Clearwater, Florida - 1st Place Executive Men's Forms 2004 GSO Open Bradenton, Florida - 1st Place - Executive Men's Traditional Forms 2005 US Open, Orlando, Florida - Did not place – Executive Men’s Black Belt Traditional Forms Martial Arts Affiliations: North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) American Martial Arts Union - Dr. Jason Hunt (AMAU) World Black Belt Bureau (WBBB) American Karate Association (AKA) United States of America Dan Registry (USADR) I've also had in training shootfighting and Shotokan Karate. I'm open to and respect all systems, there's a cover for every pot I also slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night

I think I saw Bob Wall do it with a pine board.

I heard it was a myth, I believe it's a myth, Dim Mak or something similar.

Good question, for me it's deeper than just physical or defensive activity, my outlook on human life has become more full, it developed more respect for myself and my fellow MA's, it has built up my self-esteem and confidence, and has given the opportunity to control my temper. It's given me skills to confront myself of my own shortcomings and share my knowledge with others as well. It's not just an activity, but a way of life. People ask me if I've had to really use my martial arts training in a real situation, yes, everyday

The gentleman can't speak for himself? Are you his lawyer too

Just curious Sir, what style do you train in?

No, I'm 6 ' even and it was a pain in the * getting it into the car in Orlando and driving back to St. Pete with it People would ask what the H**L is that trophy for, I'd smile and say "bowling"

I thought the topic was effective ways of improving speed when fighting? My bad

My only regret is I did not start sooner, I started at age 41 (spring chicken)

I was raised Roman Catholic as well, I also believe in a higher power greater than myself, I would say that it's more of a spiritual aspect as opposed to religous based ideology. I medicate...I mean meditate every day to help me be a better human being

This is how I bow at tournaments, please be patient, it's 26 megs, hope you have cable http://escapetophotography.com/NVEExport.mpg I'm the one in the black Gi with John Graden's name on the back. Now that's just how I was taught, different styles/disciplines have there own way of showing respect.

That's a big dude, you go girl