SBN Doug

Like I said, I like some of the differences... And you can't prove I said otherwise.

Agian, that is the normal observed rules in most KSW schools. For some reason (I know why but I refuse to say ), the schools in the Southern part of New York state (and I would guess by now the area around Georgia ) have been brought up with a much more physical style of training. As an example, there used to be open tourneyments at West Point, sponsored by Kuk Sool Won. In this sparring competition, you have three minutes non-stop. Below the waste is still off-limits, and the points are scoed the same as above, but you don't stop after each point. "With the joint" sweeps were allowed, as were throws/takedowns. The throw/takedown scored a point, as did the follow up strike there-after. A rather "intense" sparring competition to participate in, but I actually liked it.

Unless you live in the NE, where no amount of black will absorb enough to keep you warm in the winter. And please keep these comments civil and to the point. Of all the issues in the world today, a person's opinion (whichever side) of dobak color is reason to get angry.

DLopez's schedule is the norm for most KSW schools, esspecially in Texas. There are schools, perhaps isolated here in the NE, that don't spar as much. But when they do, it for 1-3 minutes non-stop, with no observation on points. After you reach 1st dan, you start training in multiple attackers.

That is a very valid, and respectfully put question. The fact is that they do all have the same roots. Hapkido may be a little more removed than the other two. However, they still all have a major influence from much older Korean martial arts. Our Grandmaster is quite open about the fact that he learned from a number of different Korean masters, and he developed an integrated system of rolling what he felt were the best pieces of each. However, he took the time to make sure they all do flow together, and complement each other. There is a greater difference between KSW and Hapkido than KSW and HRD. The most obvious difference is the absence of hung from Hapkido, while both KSW and HRD incorporate them. A great many of the grappling techniques are very similar, if not the same, but the same can be said for Tang Soo Do, which I have compared notes with as well. The link between KSW and HRD is a subject I'd rather not discuss, because I have no first hand knowledge of it. There have been pictures of the Grandmasters together back in the 60-70s time frame, and I've seen textbooks that are virtually identical. However, if there was a solid link way back, and it got severed for whatever reason, I don't care. I feel very comfortable with KSW, and I know it works. I've heard students of HRD say the same of their art, and I feel like that's all that matters. So, in conclusion of what feels like part two to this article ( ), Hapkido, Kuk Sool Won, Hwa Rang Do, and Tang Soo Do are all extremely similar, but they have created their own individuality over the years. Much the same way Tae Kwon Do's ITW, WTF, USTF, and however many other split off organizations have, where they all teach extremely similar material.

Pretty much all the above, as far as the staff work goes. We start with the 15 basic spinning techniques, where we focus on movement of the bong around our body. Then comes the 3 moving techniques, where we train to move our body around the bong. Last the two come together in the hyung, where typically its held with the staff in thirds, but we slide to one end or the other for stabs and spinning back strikes. (I assume since the first part was about the staff, your sparring question is about staff sparring and not empty handed sparring) After black belt, we learn a series of pre-arranged staff sparring routines. While they are pre-arranged, we are expected to eventually perform them at full speed. Some of us at higher levels do occationally tray some free staff sparring with some padding on, but it's way harder than I originally thought.

Black is also a killer if you're practicing in direct sunlight.

What? You didn't read my article? And I worked so hard on it too. http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=5250 This will give you some info as well. Go to the "About KSW" area. http://www.kuksoolwon.com/NewLook/Main.html A short answer to your questions would be: On average, I'd classify it 30% striking and 70% locking & throwing. It's primarily open hand, as you (normally) don't start using the staff until brown belt, and open handed techniques continue up through the black-belt levels. However, as you said, you need solid basics in open handed before the weapons should begin (in our curriculum anyway).

What seperates ITF from WTF? The organization's founder and/or Grandmaster. There were documented attempts to combine some (or all) way back, but the attempts failed. Personally, I don't care how valid any art's claim to ancient history is. It works, and I like it. Also, I'd prefer to study with an art like KSW, where they demand consistancy from all schools across the globe. I assume the uniform you're referring to is our demo uniform, as our standard dobak is no differenct from TKD except for color. I wear a suit when attending a formal occation. So I appologize if our formal uniform displeases you, but we like to dress a little formal for special occations. I have been training in KSW for over 10 years and I can't remember it ever having a claim of being original. Besides, if memory serves me, most of the modern Korean MA organizations were formed all around the same time. So, who's to say who influenced whom. However, we all make it a point to not let any art on these forums be openly disrespected and insulted. Therefore, this topic has been off track far too long. Closed

Congradulations. It's always interesting to hear testing requirements from different schools. As standardized as KSW is, there is still some obvious differences from school to school. If you're breaking single boards (which I hope you are if you're only testing for yellow), then it's all mental. Just follow through and you won't feel a thing.

Is this one anywhere near you? http://www.kswdallas.com/

I start testing for 3rd this summer, that will probably take two years. Then I'll begin learning the material for 4th, but have to wait 4 yrs before starting to test (that brings us to 6). Another 2-3 yrs testing gets me to 4th dan by around 10 yrs. Then the looong road to 5th (master), if I ever get there.

I'll alow it to stay, since Natural just learned how to do a poll. Moved to Karate forum.

Did you check your PMs for an explanation? I didn't move them, so I can't say exactly what you had in the first round, but you should see that two other posts were removed as well. An "*" is automatically inserted when someone violates the profanity filter. If you actually typed a "*", then your post was thought to have included profanity as the other two truely did. At which time, the post will be immediately removed, and a PM warning sent. A similar action will occur if someone attempts to work around the filter with $pecial ch@racters. Rather than asking this type of question in a thread, next time send a PM to either Patrick or one of the Sensei.

I would ask your all to keep you comments directed toward the subject of the thread, and not continue the personal jabs at one another. Otherwise, I will have to close this thread.

I know, just playing around.

Ummm, is there a point to this one? Or just being humorous? Also, please watch the language.

What? You didn't find the 1st year and a half interesting? (j/k)

Maybe we need to get an anatomy model to demonstrate. http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:wiosyh2S9N4J:www.surgery.usc.edu/divisions The red below the lungs is the diaphram, and the dashes along the sides and above the lungs are the ribs. See how the lungs are trapped when the diaphram is not allowed to pull down? The lung expansion is limited to that small area between the ribs all around and the diaphram below. When you allow the diaphram to pull down, as it was intended, it allows the lungs to expand downward to their full capacity.

Definately talk to your Sensei. Explain to him your issue with this other guy (because he might not even realize you feel "questioned"). Ask him what it would take to earn the cetificate from his school, and ask him to help you get there.

Bows to you all. Thank you. Dark, I love your avatar!

This is an exercise to train your abdominals to let the diaphram pull down. I'm not suggesting you spar with your stomach pooched out. That'd be a pretty funny sight anyway. You can perform the correct breathing with an tighted stomach, once you've got the hang of it. The key is not to let the abs pull back toward the spine, they should only tighten (well, actually they should already be tight from training).

Make sure no belts or restrictive clothing are keeping you navel from pushing out. Tighten you stomach muscle and breath in at a slow steady rate, until you feel your ribcage expand. Remember how long it took. Now, relax you stomach and breath in at the same rate, concentrating on only the area below your navel expanding first, then your navel, then your ribcage. It takes me approximately 2-3 extra seconds (at a slow steady rate) to inhale all that I can by the second method over the first. More air volume=more oxygen.

That is exactly correct. As you breath in, and allow the stomach to pull down, it allows the diaphram to pull down and expand the lungs to capacity. If you tighten your stomach, the diaphram is held in place, and your capacity is limited to whatever you can pull in before the lungs are pushing against the ribs and diaphram. That's basically part of our ki breathing training.

Well, there's nothing necessarily wrong with that, even if he was. Although, you may here a different story from some of the more rigid rule followers. That's always an advantage to studying directly under a higher level belt, sometimes you get some "extra" training.