SBN Doug

I assume your relatively young? Take the Muay Thai for the quick return now, IF you HAVE to have a quick return. There are plenty of choices that you can take up that will allow you to continue training until a much later stage in life. But you've got time to investigate those later.

Let's stay calm. SD, I think you may have taken Taezee's comment slightly out of context. He was simply stating that since you train alone, he has no suggestions on how to train the same as with a partner when it come to hapkido techniques. Everybody remember this medium does not allow for facial gestures, shugs, and so on. Take everything with a grain of salt. Doug

I wouldn't leave them there, I could definately be charged for that. I'd probably do as G95 said. Call the police, then, depending on his injuries, posssibly call an ambulance.

Hi, and welcome in.

Ooo, Kempo-Jedi! Yoda would love you choice of names. Haven't seen him around lately though. Welcome

I'm sorry to say I don't know for sure. Most bamboo staffs I've worked with have lasted on their own.

Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do. We use meditations to visualize them, and make the moves in our mind to be lightning fast. However, without a real joint to lock, or pressure point to activate, you'll never be sure to have it right. You can always look into getting together with some classmates outside of the dojang. Just be extremely careful.

Welcome. And Monkeygirl, there's more family men out here than you think.

Good luck in school, and welcome to the forums. Be sure to take the time to look through all of them.

Hi, and welcome. Kickchick.... They're only a delicacy where prople can hold them down.

We learn a decent number of weapons in Kuk Sool Won, but they aren't the emphasis. You get to staff, short sticks, and sometimes jool bong before black. Sword, more staff, and more short sticks after 1st dan. More sword, cane and rope after 2nd, double short sword, fan, and some others after 3rd, etc. We also learn archery and throwing knoves, but they aren't part of the official curriculum. I'm about to start spear, but I'm not sure were it "officially" falls in the curriculum. I think after 3rd.

We start off with a long staff (6' for me) to learn the basic spinning techniques. Then, we move to a middle staff for forms and sparring. Don't get anything too heavy to start. You need to work on technique first. Besides, if it gets too easy, just spin faster and more reps. You can find them in most MA magazines. If you want to invest in a long lasting staff, go for bamboo, it's damn strong. I wouldn't use metal or PVC, they're too slippery for your grip.

I'd go for Hapkido. It's influence in KSW is what I'm most comfortable with.

Hey, I've been in it 10 yrs, and I'm still new to it all too. Welcome aboard.

Hey, welcome in. Hope you enjoy it.

So that's why I kept getting dumped in high school. Can't wait for the next reunion so I can rub it all in their face. Just kidding.......mostly.

Wow, you're renting space from an existing MA school!? I wouldn't think he'd want the competition. I know of sharing space with exercise places, yoga, etc. But I don't think I've seen tow MA schools peacefully co-exist. Hope all continues to go well.

Hey G95, A master (5th degree or higher) must be at every black belt test. The Grand Master and founder, In Hyuk Suh, promotes every black belt personally. You can either make a road trip to Texas for this, go on the trip this October to Korea with him, or wait for him to make his once per year tour of the U.S. I believe he makes a couple stops in Europe as well. If you live around Houston, like I did, you test every quarter for a minimum of two years. Since I moved up here, you only go through the riggors of a black belt test 1-2 times a year, but try and make it up with in school tests.

I usually pay little, if any, attention to them. I've seen some of that stuff coming out of Japan and it starts to remind me of "The Running Man" with Arnold S. Like the Climbing for Dollars commercial where dobermans were knawing at the guys heels. Really, what some people find entertaining is beyond my comprehention.

Awwwwwwwwwwwww, that's sweet. But isn't he a little short for you?

When I promoted to 1st dan, it was $250, which included an instructors uniform (gold tassles) and the belt. Now I think it's $350. My second dan was $500. I believe my third will be $750, but they may be re-thinking it. I'm not sure. I've got another 2 yrs before I can begin test for 3rd anyway.

It's more likely that he doesn't pick up the bills. You will probably get to use his name, lesson plans, paperwork, logos, etc., and he will get a percentage of what you bring in. You may not be able to call it exactly what he calls it without him, but you can still open a TKD school and teach what you were taught. I will tell you that in KSW it's like one huge franchise system. Headquarters gets a small slice of what the school brings in for promotions, not monthly fees. It's seemed to work well, as I can go into another Kuk Sool Won dojang anywhere in the country and find essencially the same things being taught in the same order.

You need a little flash to look good for pictures. Pictures you can now post in our photo album! Welcome

The hunted, eh? Just don't lead them close to me!! Welcome