SBN Doug

Well, since you're in "the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania", you might not have some of the problems I see everyday in this nutcase I call Connecticut. However, the best advise I can give is: Never take anything for granted! You come to a stop light, it turns green for you. Don't trust that the crossing traffic will stop. You're following behind a car on a clear day. Don't trust that he won't slam on his breaks. And most of all, don't trust that 2 tons of steel, surrounding airbags, and a Star Trek teleporter will be enough to protect you in any accident. About 10 years ago, I was proceeding through a light that had just turned green for me. I was in a Mazda MX6 and he was trying to beat the red at about 70 MPH in a full sized Branco. Next thing I knew, they were removing me from my red sardine can with the jaws of life. Always be aware of the other guy.

Oops, he did sneak in his response while I was typing. I was asking you.

Welcome, and choose carefully.

Welcome, and good luck with your decision.

I had to put "other" because about the first three all apply.

Connecticut, USA. Your English is a heck of a lot better than my Chinese. We can understand you fine. Check out users location, under our screen name. A lot of us sign where we are from.

Thanks Laurie.

We do pre-arranged sparring with any number of combinations of our weapons. No official free-sparring, but the strikes are real and the speed is full (after a lot of practice). Staff, short sticks, sword, short sword, fan, cane, rope, spear, etc.

Forgive me if you've stated this before, but it's hard to keep up with everybody posting here. Which organization(s) of TKD was the school(s) you have experience with affiliated with? I ask because I have heard the opposite for at least one of the organizations. Also, my question still holds true. Even if it does take the instructor adding it to the curriculum, it's the instructor that's buying the sign advertising self defense. Therefore, there is still no proof that the majority of TKD instructors haven't started adding those aspects. That said, I do understand the point you're trying to make. I'm just a chemist that needs to always see the data.

Ahhh, but this is when you need to use the calming techniques your "traditional" art has taught you. If you're confident in your art, and in what you are learning, then no one's opinion should be able to get to you. I too am tired of everyone starting out with TKD can't do this or that. Personally, I think it's beacause it's one of the largest, well known arts, so the "Jack's" are always looking to fell the "Giant". However, take a second read through the post. He's stating that he doesn't like schools promoting "Self Defense" when they don't incorporate the list he gave of techniques. Notice the praise for a TKD school. Granted, the use of the word "majority" insinuates there was some study done of every single TKD school out there and that at least 51% didn't incorporate those techniques. However, his statements are really all that bad when looked at a little objectively.

This is interesting. I see by your sig that you're 4th dan in TSD, and I'm interested in learning at what level TSD considers to be a master level. In KSW it isn't until 5th dan. Next, do you have knowledge as to whether your statement holds true for other arts as well, or can you only speak for TSD at the moment?

Welcome. Way too much work for me to want to compete. Good luck.

True. Lets move any additional comments over there.

Yeah, we do those frog leaps occationally, also a low front stance walk (whatever you want to call that). I'd be interested in hearing details about the "alligator walk". For push ups, we do palm, fist, back of the hand (fingers pointing in all 4 directions), 5 finger, 2 finger, and an attempt at thumbs.

http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=5586 for type of material. We use long staff (described above) for spinning practice, and middle staff (about to one's shoulder) for forms. I think the rule usually applies to "uncontrolled" staff touching the floor. If it's a decisive move that's supposed to touch, then it's o.k.

In any KSW school I've visited/ trained in, those type of attitudes are not tolerated. And, I'm happy to say they all have been instilling the type of moral teachings that the writter was referring to.

Not totally accurate. As I said, we have stripes, and Kuk Sool Won is a huge world wide organization that every school instructor must conform to our Grandmaster's curriculum. The stripes are used as an intermediate testing step where the cost of a new belt is not required, but still allows those short sighted student to see their progress and not get discouraged.

MTF, I closed your "ballet" thread because it did nothing but start a new thread discussing the same topic, is kata useful. I can assure you that I received no complaints, yet, and that I am in now way "jealous" of anything. There are already two threads full of debate on this topic, and you are more than welcome to continue posting your views in either or both. http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=2406 http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=5901 Threads will also be closed if they get too far off topic, as this one is bordering on doing. Everyone please keep to the topic of how kata and shadow boxing are similar/dissimilar, and keep the "effectiveness" discussion to the afore mentioned topics.

The warning is well placed. However, he doesn't usually lead tests other thatn BB tests.

Of the ones you listed, I would suggest the Hapkido of Shotokan. Now do you prefer emphasis on joint manipulation, throwing and controlling (Hapkido), or striking (Shotokan)? Regardless what you choose, make sure you sit on the side and watch a few classes first. Talk to some students and the instuctor before making a final decision.

Central Connecticut. 2 hrs from NYC, 3 hrs from Boston, and too darn far North to keep from also becomming a giant snow cone!

Welcome.

Yeah, I was wondering that too. 1200 kick exercise they just started from headquarters. (ex.) 10 front kicks 10 front kicks without putting the foot down 10 double front kicks 10 triple front kicks Repeat with other leg Repeat for all other basic (non-spinning) kicks.

Never had the pleasure myself, but good a time as any to revive this thread. http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=4256&highlight=bunny