DLopez

Heh. How would a TKD practitioner know anything about KSW unless they studied it? They're not similar at all. I just love how you seem to alwasy go to the wrong sources for your information. I read (on this board even) how some Karate practitioners have little regard for other different styles of Karate. Are some Karate styles more legit than others because of that? According to your logic, I would be inclined to think so, but I'm not so closed-minded to accept that conclusion. From your posts, it's become obvious that you are basing your opinion of KSW on biased and prejudiced hearsay, and not any actual knowledge of the differences between KSW and TKD, or even Karate, and where those differences stem from. Not that it bothers me or anything - you'll believe what you want - but I just like to know where opinions like yours come from. They aren't based on any knowledge of KSW, they are just more of the same worn out slams against KSW drummed up by KSW's "competitors". Like I said, ain't the first time, won't be the last.

Why thank you, aefibird! I appreciate that!

I'm in there... look for the one titled 'Kuk Sool Won Promotion Time', in the 'Gi/Uniform Pictures' section.

As hard as I try to imagine what it takes to win just one Tour de France, he does it six in a row! The closest I ever came was a two day ride from Houston to Austin, called the MS-150 (sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society), which is ~180 miles long. That was rough!! It boggles my mind how easy he makes it look!

This is pretty funny... It's as if you are asking the Koreans what is and isn't actual Korean history, and you're refusing to believe what they tell you. You would rather believe the Japanese version of Korean history instead of getting it straight from the Koreans for some reason. It wouldn't be because you practice a Japanese MA, now would it? If the only sources of information you're going to believe are the "foriegn' ones that would better suit their interests if they discredit the Korean ones, then what possible other conclusion could you draw than the one you have? Oh well,... There are those that still refuse to believe men landed on the moon too.

The guy is amazing! He's looking stronger and stronger each year now. Way to go Lance! Oh, and be sure to wave that Texas flag on the Champs Elysse!

That is true - the system of KSW put together by In Hyuk Suh, was started in 1958. Where was that ever denied? Too bad that isn't the issue. If the age of the World Kuk Sool Won Association is your "proof" that KSW is derived from Japanese martial arts, then that is weak. You aren't the first one to claim you know more about KSW and it's roots than the Koreans, and you won't be the last.

Obviously, you read into KSW with a closed mind, not willing to accept the possiblility that you didn't know as much as you thought you did. Why would you say KSW is "under the same influences as the rest", without giving a reason? Have you even seen it? Do you understand what is meant by "indigenous"? Do you know what those ancient techniques looked like? In fact, how do I know you even have enough martial arts skill and knowlegde to be even judging the merits of a particular style? See, the doubting game is very easy to play. Have a nice day!

I appreciate all the tips and advice. I've been taking a couple hundred milligrams of Ibuprofren a day, and icing down my knees every evening. (I just can't find time to do it 4 times a day tho... my workplace is funny like that ) It's feeling much better, so I think I'm on the right track. Thanks again!

Yes, he claims he said the "a", but what was recorded appears to be just "for man". When I worked at NASA's Johnson Space Center right after I graduated from college, it was often a lunch time discussion as to what did Neil Armstrong actually say. Even some of the current astronauts (early 90's) think Neil goofed. Those silly astronauts, they're always trying to prank each other.

Hehe! More famous Britspeak: I still, to this day, have no clue what the heck Lewis Carroll is trying to say...

Yep! You got me there! Actually, now that I thought about it a little more, I guess Math is really just an abbreviation for Mathematics, which is plural. Guess I'll follow the Brits and start calling it "Maths" too! All my fellow engineer co-workers may look at me funny, but hey, all the Englishes are doing it!

Quick question to the Brits. Why do you pluralize math as "Maths"? Isn't Math both singular and plural, you know, like one deer, two deer. Or when Neil Armstrong said from the moon, "That's one small step for man..." when he should have said "That's one small step for a man...", thereby changing the entire meaning of his statement making it redundant: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". ("Man" is synonymous for mankind, thus plural) I should say, you Englishes are funny with your English. Hehe!

Darn Darn Darn!!! I think I have come down with a case of Runner's Knee. This is where there is (at the moment), discomfort-to-mild-pain whenever I bend my knee close to 90* with weight on it. It's my left knee, and I feel it on the top, inside part of my nee, right below where the big quad muscle meets the knee. I don't think it's a muscle strain, and the knee doesn't hurt to the touch, but when I get into a low stance, I feel some discomfort. The last time I felt this type of discomfort in my knee was when I rode the MS-150 - a two day bike ride from Houston to Austin. Also, I noticed a little more 'popping' in my knee the previous couple days. I wonder if I was too aggressive during a stretching session? I iced it down last night after class, and plan to do that from now on (I always see pro athletes doing that even though they have no injury) and try to take it easy on my stances and stretching for a few days to see if the discomfort subsides. Anyone dealt with a similar experience? Should I also be taking some Ibuprofren or Aspirin for any inflammation? Any advice or tips are welcome!

Interesting dilemma! One thing that might help put things in a little more perspective (or maybe just confuse you even more), is to consider what if the situation were reversed. What if you were going from KM to MT? You would have spent all that time and money learning all the KM techniques and the KM instructors would (naturally) claim that their techniques are "the best", only to have you new MT instructors tell you that theirs are the best. The purpose of that exercise is to identify in your mind your own biases and prejudices towards the new style. I think I would at first, overlook those sorts of claims, and try to keep an open mind. You'll probably enjoy your new style a lot more that way.

Hehe! If you listen to it so loud in your car that I can hear it a block away, then ya, I guess I'd have to conclude that you haven't grown up yet.

Here is another link that explains in more detail, KSW's links to the ancient traditional Korean martial arts. KUK SOOL WON: A Brief History This particular paragraph relates quite nicely to our discussion.

Reading this thread, I have to ask... Is it that uncommon to wear a t-shirt underneath your dobak/gi? I believe it is required for KSW students to wear a black t-shirt under their dobak, so I just automatically assumed all other martial arts did the same. The dobak top coming open and exposing... emm... anatomy is just not an issue for us.

Just curious Beka... What self-defense art do you suggest to someone who is around 40-50 and can't outrun a 18 year old male in the prime of his life, or worse, is charged with protecting a small child who also cannot run? That's easy. Glock-Do. You make an excellent point though, tommarker... There eventually comes a point where knowing how to avoid getting into certain situations is far more valuable than knowing how to extricate yourself from that situation.

I don't claim to know anything about TKD's history, but I would also submit that TKD is not wholly representative of traditional Korean martial arts. Therefore, using TKD as evidence that all Korean martial arts are all derived from Japan is flawed from the beginning. I don't know if that's true or not, but Choi's name is not specifically mentioned as one of the biggest influences in In Hyuk Suh's studies on the World Kuk Sool Won Association website's "history" synopsis. I have also heard the story that he studied with Choi, not under him. I don't know for sure, and I may be thinking of a different Choi. The World Kuk Sool Won Association website describes In Hyuk Suh's journey to learn all he could about the ancient Korean martial arts - those that existed before the Japanese occupation (Royal Court, Buddist, and Tribal martial arts), studying under many masters that continued to teach the ancient Korean martial arts in secrecy. These masters received letters of recommendation from Suh's grandfather, who was a Royal Court martial art master himself to allow In Hyuk Suh to study under them. Kuk Sool Won (click on the history link, then the "ancient" and "modern" buttons for a summary of KSW's roots and foundation) It's interesting reading, and takes great care to illustrate that Kuk Sool Won is a system of traditional Korean martial arts, not Chinese, Japanese, or Okinawan. I would find it hard to believe that KSW is the only representative of traditional Korean martial arts.

When I was 16, I rode a Continental Trailways bus for 3 days from San Antonio, TX to Washington DC... What an experience! Our bus broke down in a little town called Center, TX, in the middle of the night. Took a couple hours before a diesel mechanic was found and the bus was fixed. That caused me to miss my connection in Shreveport, LA! I had to stay awake so I wouldn't miss the next connection leaving at 7:00 am. I was half-dozing when I heard the boarding call for my bus. When I got to it, I found there was only one seat left, and there was an hugely overweight woman taking up half of it along with all of hers. I squeezed into my seat, and before long, let me tell you, I was so tired, and this obese woman was so soft and warm, I fell asleep on her like she was some big giant pillow or something!! I met a lot of interesting people those 3 days. I'll never forget that bus ride!

I'm sure that is true for the Koreans that were still practicing 'Karate', but there were many masters of the traditional Korean martial arts still alive that started teaching again after the Japanese occupation. That was part of the wave of nationalism of Korea, to resurrect all things 'Korean' that were suppressed during the occupation. There are many Korean martial arts that derive nothing from Japanese/Okinawan martial arts. Kuk Sool Won is one of those. (Shameless plug! )

SAT = Scholastic Aptitude Test it's a "standardized" test that universities use, along with other criteria, to rank students considered for admission. The maximum possible score on the SAT is 1600, so scoring a 1350 is pretty darn good! (84th percentile) I only scored 1100 myself, but that was sufficient for acceptance into the university I was applying to. University of Houston - Go Coogs!! The thing to remember about college is, it's one thing to get accepted into college, it's quite another to stay in! Study, study, and study some more, is the best advice I could give.

Taking "the best" martial art never even crossed my mind when I decided to take it up. In fact, I was of the ignorant opinion that they were all the same. I happened into Kuk Sool Won because a good friend of mine decided to open his own dojang, and invited me to take a few free lessons to see if I liked it. Even then, I had no idea how the various martial arts differed, but after reading many, many posts here about folks who feel the need to cross-train in other martial arts to complete their education, I feel very fortunate to have found KSW, as it covers so many different aspects, including weapons. I think I was just flat out lucky to find my martial art.

I appreciate the tips WW. I'll try to keep them in mind! "Jool Bong" is Korean, meaning roughly 'tied sticks', or 'tethered sticks'.