DLopez

I think it bears repeating that the majority of American's health problems probably stem from not eating healthily. I think it's a moot point whether vegetables are grown organically or genetically enhanced if they're not even being eaten instead of fast food burgers, fries and chips.

How do you measure the height of the kick, and what kind of kick is it? Jumping front kick? I watched Sa Bum Nym Joe Foster (Kuk Sool Won) do a back flip from a standing position, and kicked and broke a board as his feet passed over the top, then he landed on his feet. Seeing as I probably won't excel at high jump kicks like those, I'll wait 'til the person comes down before kicking them.

Hehe! Isn't there some Federal law against transporting alcohol across state lines? Key KSNDoug, I'll help you "dispose" of the evidence if you make it down to H-Town with a trailer full of Sam Adams!

I was talking with a friend who brought up a subject he'd been hearing about... that athletes today are getting bigger, stronger, and faster, and one of the prevailing notions for the reason why is that our food sources, animals and plants, are given growth hormones (animals) and fertilizers (plants) to stimulate growth. Interesting notion, but what about the non-athletes I asked? I think athletes today are just training to a higher standard and many are just secretly using steroids or other performance enhancing substances.

I tend to think that the organic versus non-organic debate is a bit overblown. I'm sure 'organically grown' foods are a good idea, but the higher prices they command have essentially put them in the "gormet" class of groceries. Organic vs. non-organic vegetables is like filet mignon vs chuck steak to meat eaters! Besides, is there any real, hard proof that non-organic foods are causing health problems? Not only that, but wouldn't everyone agree that the majority of health problems in the US stem from eating high fat, high cholesterol, fast foods and snacks, and not non-organic vegetables? I really believe many US health problems would drop considerably if more folks "ate their veggies", whether they are organically grown or not!

Heh... I get a chuckle out of the thought that some countries are so worried about the possible health of their population due to genetically enhanced food, that they'd rather let their people STARVE, a known health hazard.

Hey, I love cats!! They taste like chicken!!

Awesome pics ZR440! Looks like some folks got promoted too? That would be so cool to snag a medal or two and a title of Jo Kyo Nym! Are you in any of those pics?

I think you just have to ask yourself one question: "Is it worth it?" The simple yes/no answer to that question will tell you whether to find another school or stay put and pay those fees. I have no qualms about paying my testing fees, especially my black belt testing fees. To me, it's worth it.

Sweet! I've always liked Buicks... but deep down, I've been a Poncho man ever since I can't remember when! My current license plate reads RUN 11S, but I'm hoping I'll have to change that to RUN 10S so it will be "accurate"! Dean

Engine building is my other hobby! I have a '98 Trans Am that I'm building a new motor for. It's going to be BIG too! 408 c.i.!! Oh, the sound of a big V8... Sweet! Should be done in a few days... I can't wait to get out of this PT Cruiser rental I'm driving in the meantime!

Wow, am I the only Texan here? Houston, Texas to be precise. It rarely gets cold here, but you gotta be able to take the heat! My favorite place to escape? Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico!

My instructor, currently a 2nd degree black belt, started his school two years ago when he was just 1st Dahn. He was 1st Dahn for quite a while too because he stopped training for a couple years before getting back into it. He was promoted to 2nd Dahn approximately one year after opening his school. Now, if we are to believe that belt ranking is truly the only indicator of one's ability to teach, then what is the explanation for the following events? Last October, 18 of his students, myself included, attended our very first Kuk Sool Won World Championships tournament. Along with individual competition in techniques, forms, and sparring, each participating school is in competition for recognition as a "Top 10" points winner. Schools from across the US and even other countries were represented at the tournament. Our 18 students excelled in the competition, and our little school placed 8th in the Top 10 points winners, beating out many other schools with many more students competing. 2003 Kuk Sool Won World Championships Results There is no way we could have accomplished that if our instructor was not competent in his instruction and guidance, regardless of his belt ranking compared to instructors of other schools. BTW - our instructor won 1st place in his category of 2nd Dahn Senior. Looking back, I have no qualms about the fact that he was just a 1st Dahn when I started training under him, because he still knew far more than I did, and what he did know, he knew very well. I believe he trained us very well too. That should have been impossible if we are to conclude that 4th Dahn is the magic rank where you're now suddenly capable of teaching well.

I don't know about all other "traditional styles", but the pool of ancient Korean martial arts that mine (Kuk Sool Won) draws from were used in "actual combat", and I wouldn't be surprised that most others - Chinese, Japanese, Okinawan - were all used in actual combat too. Where does this notion that "traditional styles are useless" keep popping up from anyway?

I'm probably in the minority these days, but tattoos don't really do anything for me. I know they have become quite popular, but I've always been into the less popular things, so maybe that's why I refuse to get one... I almost feel more unique for not having any! No piercings either. My body's a virgin canvas, so to speak! Gonna keep it that way too.

Kuk Sool Won is my first ever martial arts... and will be my only martial arts because the curriculum is so complete. Striking, kicking, grappling, joint locks, throws, pressure point attacks, hyung, weapons, healing techniques... Hmm... I'm sure I've left something out. I feel very fortunate that I made the right choice in martial arts for me the first time.

I don't know if there is an 'official' Kuk Sool Won way to tie my belt, but here's how I was instructed how to tie my belt: I take one end of my belt and hold it against my stomach while I wrap the other end around my waist twice. The belt travels from my stomach, left side, back, right side, stomach, repeat. After the 2nd wrap, I then adjust the two ends so that they are equal in length. I then take the right end and from the bottom, loop it under the left end and the part lying against my stomach. Then I take the end that I just looped under, over just the left end (which is now dangling to the right ) and pull tight. Not sure how clear that is to visualize. The reason I don't start with the halfway point of the belt across my stomach is that doing it that way the belt makes an 'X' in the back. Looping it the way I do makes the belt lie nice and neat, straight across the back. I've done it from the left as well as the right, and I think as long as the knot looks like it should, it doesn't matter which way I start.

One little piece of advice... and I know you're getting lots from here... If you're the one that's calling her a lot, then you're sending her the signal that you are desperate. I think most girls find it a turnoff if you sound 'desperate'. It's all about the confidence that others mentioned before. Try not calling her for a week or so and see if she doesn't call you, or at least sound more interested in you when you do call... after a week. If she doesn't call or doesn't seem more interested, then that's a pretty obvious sign right there.

OMG! Those are great 'tips' for finding a shallow, materialistic, bimbo! According to that site, it's all about the Benjamins. Finding a date shouldn't feel like going on a job interview.

It is an excellent defensive manuever in boxing I believe, but probably because in boxing, there is no danger of a knee or front kick coming up to greet the bobber's head. I think you are right that you must choose the right time to employ it, and if you can get away with it, you're then in a good position to counter or even get in close to grapple your opponent. My $.02

Okay, since we're tossing out MA's for consideration, here's the one I take: Kuk Sool Won Covers hand striking and kicking techniques, along with self-defense techniques of joint-locks, throws, and pressure point attacks. Emphasis is placed on body conditioning, so performing forms (hyung) correctly is also an integral part of KSW. I think KSW forms are some of the most beautiful forms I've seen, BTW. Later, as you advance in rank, weapons training is part of the standard curriculum, not some optional extra cost. And yet, even further down your journey in KSW, healing arts are taught (accu-pressure, accu-puncture)! I don't know about your requirement that it not take long to learn self-defense techinques though... You might be able to learn a couple techniques quickly, but mastering any technique so that it's employment is automatic and reactive, not something you must think about, takes years of training. Otherwise, if you insist on something relatively quick, you might just consider taking classes to obtain a CHL if it's available in your state/country.

I guess it's all relative... I'd never taken MA before the one I'm in now, so the belt testing fee of $25 and the stripe testing fee of $10 between belts seemed reasonable to me. I accepted it as part of the school's business. Hehe, but those fees really look insignificant with my black belt testing fee of $350. I'll be taking at least 6 black belt tests once I become a black belt candidate, so that $350 is spread out over all those tests. One thing is for sure, it's worth every penny!

Getting back to the original poster's complaint of the boy she was seeing not pleased about having to share her time, I'm thinking that it probably had nothing to do with the fact that it was martial arts that pre-occupied her time, but just that perhaps this guy was just overly posessive, and would have complained even if she was taking knitting class. Life has a way of re-arranging our priorities, and when you think you've found "the one", you might find that you are adjusting your time to fit his/her schedule. Life is funny that way! Enjoy!

Holy Toledo bustr!! I have never heard or or read tales of such stuff before, and I gotta admit, some of the descriptions of "Rough and Tumble" really blows my mind!! I guess "Rough and Tumble", even as savage as it sounds, might qualify as an American Martial Ar... well, hehe, a martial something! Dunno if "art" is the right word for it! That's fascinating reading! Thanks for the links!

I wouldn't worry about that kind of stuff. It seems like it's mostly the younger and teenaged students in our school seem to fit that description - doing their forms and techniques sloppily and not seeming to care at times... but I've come to look at it from the perspective of, I don't care how much or how little others try to be their best, I will always give 100%, and then give some more. I am only in control of myself. The temptation to judge others about whether they are trying their best or are not enthusiastic about being there is very great indeed, but since I am not an instructor (although I assist with the kids classes), I consider it not my place to be judgmental on who is and who isn't trying their best, so I simply dismiss those thoughts. I suspect though, that you already know whether putting up with all the distractions are worth it or not, else you wouldn't be back in training! Stick with it, you're too close to earning your black belt to give it all up now. I can't imagine quitting Kuk Sool now that I'm only 2 tests away from becomming Dahn Bo Nym.