DLopez

Don't use the price of classes to judge whether you should join a particular dojang. Would you think going to the local Community college is just as good as going to an Ivy League university because the community college costs less, and after all, they are teaching the same subjects, right? Of course you wouldn't. It's equally silly to make similar judgments about a martial arts school. But YOU will have to check out the "pricey" dojang to find out if it's really worth the cost or not, or even whether you can afford it.

OMG!! BRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! She looks like she's having fun with the snow but that looks waaaaaaay to cold for me! I was sorta expecting to see a picture of her doing a spin kick to a snowman's head though... with the head exploding!!

32 lbs?!?! That ain't a turkey, that's an Emu!! Something that big needs to go into the smoker anyway!! Texas mesquite smoked turkey and Cajun injected fried turkey. Those are the only two ways of cooking turkey that God endorses. Heretics!!

BRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRrrrrRRRRRrrrrrrrr!!! You snow lovers are NUTS!!! In the winter (yes, Houston has winter... for a few weeks!), all I can think of is how nice Cozumel is this time of year!

I dunno... something was missing from this year's Thanksgiving for me. I can't put a finger on it, but I just have a sense of 'incompleteness' this year. Thanksgiving was still fun and all, but... <---- see? There's something missing! The closest thing I can think of is that our WHOLE family didn't get together for TG this year like we usually do... or maybe I'm just missing my mother's special, one-of-a-kind, can't-be-outdone, super delicious turkey stuffing?

Having a lot of students does not equate to poor quality of teaching. Students don't need one-on-one training 100% of the time. Spend some time teaching them and then let them practice what they learned on their own. You can monitor them, sure, but they will generally not get new techniques down perfectly right away, so why watch them like a hawk ready to let them know at every instance when they're not doing it perfectly? This teaching style lends itself to having many students as you can deal with the questions as they arise while they're practicing, and periodically correct mistakes as you observe. But you must let them learn on their own for a bit so they can gain confidence in what they're doing. As for demanding a certain amount from your students, the size of the group should have no bearing on that. IMHO, what makes an instructor appear to be a "quality" one is the end result of the students - do the students "get it"? Well, most of that is up to the students and how hard they apply themselves. If any student doesn't want to try very hard, then it will only take them that much longer to advance (while still paying tuition! ). But ultimately, it is up to the students to work at becomming their best, not the instructor. The instructor only shows them how to do it, but the students must do it for themselves.

I'm thankful that the Cajuns invented spice injectors and the deep fried turkey! YUMMY!!! Dangit! I just drooled on my keyboard...

I think it's a smart business move to have a website, and if you have the expertise to do it, or can afford someone to do it for you, pack it with as much information as you can to attract students. Folks, running a martial arts school is a BUSINESS, contrary to some opinions expressed here of what a school is expected to be like. I think too many people are too quick to equate placing emphasis on the business aspects of running a school with being a McDojo or McDojang. Maybe the "old masters" could pick and choose their students WAAAAaaayyyyy back in the day, but I think the notion of a master teaching one or two hand-picked students just out of pure love of his/her MA is just a figment of Hollywood's imagination. I would love to open my own school in another year or two, and if I do, I'm going to be trying to attract as many students as I can, every way I can, to ensure the success of my school. I think that the notion that the quality of the MA will sell itself is hogwash because most people starting out in MA's don't have the necessary knowledge required to distinguish a quality school from a McDojo. I think the majority of people starting out in MA's take it up as an "activity", not as a goal in life, and that the genuine appreciation for the quality of the MA comes later. If your school is a quality school, you will retain the majority of your students. When it comes right down to it though, student tuition puts the food on the table for your instructors, so it's in both the instructor's and the students' best interests for the school to succeed. If I had my own school right now and had a flashy website, the way I'd look at it was that if you think a flashy website indicates a McDojo to stay away from, well you are entitled to your opinion, but if it brings in other students besides you, then YOU are the one missing out, not me.

Are most brand new black belts in TKD able to perform the really "fancy" kicks (that being a very subjective term)? For example, I don't consider a jump spin kick a "fancy" kick, it would have to be used in some sort of combo or have multiple twists to qualify as fancy. That video that was posted of the Korean Tigers demo - that had some FANCY kicks!! But I kinda believe that those weren't brand new black belts performing those.

There might be a Kuk Sool Won school near you... check out this listing of schools in the UK: Kuk Sool Won in UK

I haven't read the book, as I already own the KSW textbooks , but here's a link regarding Dr. Kimm: Han mu do I would be very interested in reading this new book (whenever it's published)!

From the pics in the Photo Album, and your descriptions of her events, she sounds like a real dynamo! Congrats to her on her tourney success, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO!!

Hehe! What about when you're on the receiving end? The flip side to your frustration of point sparring, is the frustration of not being able to train 'cuz you got your butt whipped and now your knee is damaged, or your face is damaged, or you hand/arm is damaged... A lot of good knowing martial arts will do you then. Maybe it's an age thing, but I don't need to get beat up to know I'm learning some skills.

We use rattan staffs, but they undergo a "special" treatment of soaking submerged in linseed oil for 3 months and then a good couple weeks of drying out before they are actually used. This makes the rattan MUCH more resilient and less prone to splintering.

What about some othere 'strict' rules, like assualt, bodily injury, etc. Don't they have those in Hawaii, or do "surfer rules"... er... like, rule... dude?

I am by no means an expert, but my interest in Korean history, specifically as it relates to martial arts was piqued when I started learning KSW 2 1/2 years ago. When I first viewed the "Korean martial arts history" link on the KSW website, it contrasted with what I had heard before, which was mostly that martial arts influence flowed from Japan into Korea, that Korean martial arts like Tae Kwon Do are mere Japanese rip-offs. It is extremely difficult to find information specifically on Korean martial arts history, so my interpretations are based strictly on elements I've found that corroborate what is posted on the KSW site. It's much like putting pieces of a puzzle together, as I'm sure you know. Here is one online reference that talks about Korean Buddhism, how it survived even during the rise of Confucianism, and how it came back into acceptance when a "monk army" repelled the Japanese in the late 1500's. This is a reference I was able to quickly find again that corroborates Kuk Sa Nim's claims of Buddhist monks possessing martial arts skill. Monk Armies Anyhow, to answer your question, no, I am not using KSW's interpretation of Korean history as my sole source. It was merely the kindling that got me started. My interpretations are open to evolution though. Now, about this: I'm not so sure that plays a big factor into deciding what martial art to take. I'd say 90% of my classmates have no idea of the history of martial arts, or even Kuk Sa Nim's claims that KSW is based on a culmination of traditional Korean techniques. They just like what we do. I myself thought all martial arts were basically the same as Karate when I started KSW, and it wasn't until a few months after I started that I became interested in where KSW "came from". No, not the style that was borrowed, but the style it was incorporated into would still be. Let's say if native American indian back in the "wild west" days practiced "Cherokee-Do" (humorous example!) and then learned some Kung Fu techniques from some Chinese, and incorporated it into his own "Cherokee-Do". Would not the Native American and all his "Cherokee-Do" still be considered indigenous to America, even though some techniques were influenced from "outside"? Mabye we'll have to agree to disagree on this one too. Aye caramba! I have no idea! But, lessee... they do practice coordinated warfare according to Animal Planet, and it's ususally about territorial possession. I've never given that much thought before, but now that I'm thinking about it, what would prevent you from believing they are NOT practicing a form of martial arts? Does one have to be human to be able to practice martial arts? RE: Korean swords Yes, that is what I have found too. One of the first things I read that made me dig deeper into Korean sword making was this claim: taken from this site: martialinfo.com Admittedly, it isn't very detailed, but it did make me curious about that claim. But I began to find other references that echoes those beliefs about the direction of the flow of swordmaking technology. Here's one more detailed: Development of Korean Swords And you'll pardon me if I post a link featuring a Black Belt magazine article about one of KSW's masters studies of Korean sword making and sword arts. Master Harmon had studied much Korean history while he was stationed there, so although he is with KSW, I think his interpretations on Korean history, especially with regards to swords, are valid. Korean Swordsmanship This is just some obscure reference I just did with a google search to see if I could find anything more... Swords of Yamato Well, I don't know if we've settled anything, but I do appreciate the exchange, as it forced me to review what I'd discovered before just to make sure I wasn't mis-re-hashing (is that even a word?) what I'd read. I hope you feel the same.

There seems to be quite a bit of disagreement over interpretation of Korean history here, which is fair enough. You've adequately justified your reasons for believing the way you do. Kudos to you for putting actual research into it, and not just parroting something you read on a web board. However, I still contend you have failed to conclusively prove that what Kuk Sa Nim, and other Koreans have related about their knowledge of Korean martial arts history, is incorrect. I see no advantage to be gained by Kuk Sa Nim in being untruthful about what he learned, in the manner he learned it, and from whom he says he learned it from. KSW stands on it's own merits, as you have already agreed - (all except for your "family" arts remark earlier, which I'm not sure whether to interpret as "good" or "bad"). There were some other issues in your latest post I disagree with, but I'm willing to agree to disagree on those, but this one I have to take a stand on: Firstly, anything that is indigenous, CAN be influenced by outside factors at a later time, without disqualifying it from being indigeous. The key part of the definition is "Originating and living or occurring naturally". Being indigenous has no bearing on how something evolves. Your example with the Chimp is therefore incomplete. Chimps always fight against other Chimp "tribes", and although you might not appreciate their "indigenous" methods of combat, they exist. If you teach a chimp how to kick and punch, do you not agree that those techniques would simply be incorporated into their "indigenous" fighting style? IOW, they are probably not going to give up the use of their teeth as a fighting weapon or stop breaking tree limbs as a display of strength (and whatever else chimps do in "combat") simply because they were influenced by an outside factor and their fighting style "evolved". They would probably still fight like chimps. Anyhow, I'm not sure how you can conclude that despite having to fight against foreign invaders and even amongst themselves for millenia before any alliances with China were formed, without putting "together organized systems of fighting", that Korea could have possibly survived intact after all that time (albeit as tribes and factions rather than a unified Korea). My interpretation of this part of Korean history, is that they must have developed their own methods of fighting and millitias for protection. Not only that, but it's quite possible that any particular skills may have flowed OUT of the Korean penninsula. One example of this that is becomming accepted, is the Koreans' skill in sword making. It is now accepted that Korean sword making predates that of Japanese sword making, and that this technology found its way to Japan where it was refined and perfected. Of course, this isn't a popular idea with the Japanese, but the evidence there suggests it. Man, I think I'm going blind now from staring at this monitor so long while writing all these responses.

Ahem... Dude, the way you post, I'd have thought it was gonna be bigger... I'll spare the readers any more silly references to your shortcomings... I snipped this out because the rest of the paragraph because I detect a particular strategy of yours; that of "making up" points just to shoot them down. I am well aware that Confucianism became the dominant religion in Korea, but Buddhism did not die, Buddhist monks did not disappear, and nobody said the buddhist monks traveled about teaching their martial art moves. What is known is that Buddhist monks were sometimes called upon to help fight in battles, and were extremely skilled in MA. If you want to believe that the knowledge they posessed simply died out, then that would be a weak interpretation of history on your part. Now, as for your assertion that only soldiers knew martial arts, then you must be placing some artificial qualification on what constitutes a martial art. Quite frankly, SahDoh MuSool predates the Shilla Kingdom by millenia. It was what "ordinary thugs" used to protect their clans and tribes from invaders and warring neighboring tribes. Yes, much of Korea's written history is lost forever, but nevertheless, evidence of such martial art has been depicted in paintings and other artwork, which I'll admit are not as hard-fast evidence as written works, but it is still very compelling. It makes it extremely difficult to say all that died out, when there is evidence it survived (in TaeKyon for example). Moving on to KSW in particular, if you believe what was written in your little snippet regarding Kuk Sa Nim's training, then believe the whole, and not just one tiny part removed from context. Yes, Kuk Sa Nim travelled throughout the Far East, but you left out the part of where he specifically says he visited - Korean Buddhist temples. He also studied under these other masters you named, but here's the part you seem to have not understood: You have concluded that everything he learned from everyone he studied under went into KSW. Kuk Sa Nim has only ever said that what has gone into KSW is what he filtered into it. KSW does NOT contain everything he learned from everyone he trained under. He judiciously chose what techniques and forms would become KSW, with the eye on keeping it as traditionally Korean as possible. This is most notable in his inclusion of Ki breathing, meditation, and pressure point knowledge, which he attributes to the Korean Buddhist monks. If you believe such an endeavor is impossible, that reflects more on your own shortcomings. I find it a remarkable feat myself. That all being said, I am not claiming that none of the indigenous Korean martial arts were never influenced by Chinese or Japanese. But what I find most revealing is that you seem to think this exchange of ideas was all one-sided, that MA knowledge flowed only from China into Korea. That is a very contemptuous position to take for someone claiming to be so well-versed in Far East history. There was simply too much interchange of knowledge passing back at forth at various times. On the contrary, I am merely scoffing at your inference that Chinese martial arts are at the root of Korean martial arts, and in particular KSW. I must say though, it is refreshing to not be dealing with someone that insists that all Korean martial arts are Japanese derivatives for a change. BTW - I hope you didn't get any on your leg, and uh... don't shake it too many times. You know what they say.

Well, hate to break it to you, but you aren't the first one with the opinion that KSW isn't what it claims, or that indigenous Korean martial arts died out during the Korean occupation. Usually, those opinions are always expressed as if it was truth, when actually, they are merely parroted opinions heard from those wishing to believe the Japanese version of Korean history rather than the Korean version of Korean history as told from Koreans that lived through it. I find that very humorous! But let's examine your assertion a little deeper... Kuk Sa Nim (KSW Grandmaster - In Hyuk Suh) grew up during the Japanese occupation of Korea. That was a time at which Japan was also at war with China. Now if we are to believe that the Japanese outlawed martial arts, and were so successful in enforcing that, that the indigenous martial arts simply died out, then Kuk Sa Nim would have been left with only the choice of learning either Japanese or Chinese martial arts. Since the Japanese were at war with the Chinese, we can conclude that Chinese martial arts were also outlawed during this time as well. That means that Kuk Sa Nim would only have had one practical choice in learning martial arts, and that would have been Karate. But wait, why doesn't KSW look like Karate, even in the remotest way? Because it isn't derived from Karate! And that can only be because martial arts were indeed successfully being taught and preserved in total secret from the Japanese. So now that we have established that the door was open for propagating martial arts during the occupation, it is no stretch to assume that national pride was still intact despite the best efforts of the Japanese, and that traditional Korean martial arts were indeed being preserved. No, these aren't some "long lost" martial arts. In fact, they were never lost; they were preserved. Your reference to an art reserved strictly for the "royal families" shows you have only a cursory knowledge of the basics of Korean martial arts history. In fact, you are trying to refer to the Royal Court martial arts (KoongJoong MuSool), but that wasn't reserved for the "royal families", but rather was practiced by the private armies and bodyguards of the ancient Kings and government officials. KoongJoong MuSool was but one of three indigenous Korean martial arts still alive in Korea. The other two being Tribal Martial Arts (SahDoh MuSool - from which it is considered where TaeKyon was derived), and Buddhist martial arts (BoolKyo MuSool). You also toss out some vague reference - "they had most of their training from the Chinese government"... Who are "they"? The Korean general public? Was this during the Japanese occupation?? Fascinating!! Lastly, the Chinese were not the only ones that mimicked the movements of animals, and if you are going to say KSW is very similar to Chinese Mantis style, then you are focusing on one extremely tiny part of KSW. In fact, KSW utilizes various other animal traits, from the Crane and Tiger as well. I'm surprised you didn't call KSW a Chinese Mantiggerane style! Nope, there's too many inconsistencies abound in your assertions, but I'm sure that won't dissuade you from believing what you think you know. It all sounds plausible on web boards until you start listening to what those that lived through the Japanese occupation of Korea have to say about it.

Heh! You teenagers complain about EVERYTHING! You're not getting the point if you think you're being excluded. As a 17 YO, you are not empowered to vote, therefore it's not the same thing if you complain, as compared with someone who could have voted, but didn't, and then complains about the outcome. See the difference?

Sounds like it's gonna be a fun 2 weeks! You should play up the injury thing. Chicks dig scars. I dunno though... you say you want "real sparring", yet you injured yourself in point sparring? Dude, just hang out with that "reciprocating" hottie, and forget about sparring for the next two weeks.

Well, it could be argued that what "foreigners" are REALLY complaining about, are those Americans that are empowered to vote and change things, yet choose inaction, thus perhaps resulting in an outcome that is undesirable from the foreigner's perspective. IOW, it's your fault things are how they are if you did not vote. Why you list this with the others is sorta odd. Serving on a jury seems so un-political anyway? I've served on a jury; hated the inconvenience; but when dealing with the trial, the question of how the plaintiff and defendants voted didn't even cross my mind. Besides, if you really want to get out of jury duty, just take a stand towards the plaintiff or the defendant during the Voir Dire. You'll be struck from the list by one side or the other, as they don't want jurors that already have made up their minds.

So, tuf, are you taking Hapkido for the first time just recently, or have you taken it before? The reason I ask, is because your previous post asking if 'falling' in Hapkido (without mats!) should be a concern for you made me think you had not ever taken it before.

No, it would never have gotten to the ground. You grab my wrist, and I have you where I want you. Clearly the guy that was getting pounded had no fighting skills at all, and that's why he got tore up, not because Mr. Surfboard Stomper had any impressive skills (at least he didn't demonstrate any in that video). Any half-decent KSW'er or Hapkido'er or Aikido'er would have had him pleading and crying for his arm back like Uma did in KB2. Ya.

I agree, people will complain whenever they want to, but it's pretty pointless to complain about something without trying to do anything about it. Still, some folks are just too lazy to try and do anything about it, but instead, would rather rationalize their inaction by claiming it wouldn't matter anyway. Sounds like a self-fulfilling prophesy to me.