SBN Doug

I'm glad you did. I missed it the first time around.

All excellent points. You forgot the one where you are looked upon as "looking for trouble" because you were in a certain type of environment (like a bar) and you were carrying a weapon. I don't carry any weapons (as such). I do wear a flexible belt that could be used for defense, and I usually keep an eye out for any object I could use if necessary should I accidentally happen into a less than safe environment. I first use common sense wherever it is possible, and steer clear of any environment that would lend itself to assailants carrying weapons. Second, I keep a constant observance of my environment, attempting to prevent entering an area where a confrontation is likely. To the comment about throwing knives, I do train in throwing knives. Once you have the principles down, you can throw just about any kind of knife, spike, dart, etc., not just the ones specifically made for throwing (just an FYI). So in theory, if he's close don't throw it. If he's far, and you have more than one knife, then you could opt to throw one IF you are prepared for the possibility of him pulling it out of himself if you didn't hit a vital area. (if, if, if, if) I'm certainly no superman, nor do I ever want to come up against someone with a weapon of any kind. However, my response to my friends who make the motion of pulling out a concealed gun (finger) to show me how they would "deal" with someone with MAs training has always been: You assume that I didn't already evaluate the chance that you had a gun, or that I would move in closer if the possibility was there. So, if I'm within 6 feet of you, you better be Clint Eastwood fast on that draw, or you might find that gun facing back at you. I sometimes have them repeat the motion with me treating them as an actual threat. Typically they don't get their hand out from under their arm. Not intended as a boast. Just a fact that having a gun doesn't automatically mean you'll beat an un-armed man either. You need the proper training just as with any weapon.

Yeah, but I don't think he has a shotokan dojo nearby. He posted a list of is choices on the first page.

Nak bub in Kuk Sool Won is used for "Falling Techniques". I don't know if this is the same as yours or not, as I am not fluent in Korean either.

Hey! Sorry, I didn't see where you had gone through surgery. Here's my "Hope you get well soon" and "Hell no you better not be testing!" all in one.

Make sure you over-hydrate yourself before the test. Lots of water and little salt. It always helps me get through the test easier when I don't dehydrate.

I'm shooting for Master level (5th dan) by the time I am ready to retire. Aside from that, my goal is to stay in the martial arts for the rest of my life. Victoria, TX!!!!! I used to live in Cuero (30 miles away for the rest of you )

Yeah that's what I figured. Seems expensive. Always nice to see. Pretty typical. You can't let us make your decision. It quite expensive compared to my fees, but he may be quite good. It sounds as like if you're interested in learning competetive TKD, then it will be a good one, but expensive. Visit a couple others, and compare what you've seen. Usually a gut instinct is the best call. See if one has an introdutory rate, where you get a cheaper price to try it out for a month or two.

I can't speak for Hapkido. However, if you remain disillusioned you could visit a Kuk Sool Won dojang. The Grandmaster has laid out the structured curriculum, so you know what you must learn to be eligible to be promoted to each level. However, even if you've know all the material for 1st dan for years, you will not promote until the upper belts testing you grade your performance as adequate, and your school Master believes that you are ready.

Olympic will most likely focus on Olympic style TKD, which means a "focus" on point sparring. Training you to fight by the rules of the Olympics. Traditional style TKD will be more focused on self defense. Some even incorporate some Hapkido-like grappling.

As a GENERAL rule: Kenpo = Majority of (fast) hand strikes with some low kicks TKD = Majority of (fast) kicks with some hand strikes Watch The Perfect Weapon with Jeff Speakman. The fight scene in the gym shows Kenpo vs. TKD. Don't use it to comapare them, just to see the techniques used (after all it is just a movie). I repeat, that's just a general description. It is by no means accurate for every school. You'll have to sit in and watch a couple classes to be sure. However, it gives you something to think about and decide what you think you're more comfortable in. If you decide to watch a TKD class, try the one that's not Olympic first. (IMO)

Unfortunately no. That training was out at headquarters and was for school owners and advanced instructors only. KJN Harmon was there for the weekend as well, as was a PSBN that started at our dojang and recently opened her own school a few miles away.

Very glad you liked it. I'm sure you will enlighten quickly.

6 empty handed hyung (kata) to 1st degree. After that, there is an average of 1 empty handed hyung and 2 weapons hyung per belt.

And thank you as well.

I don't know what your dojang's floor is made of, but we are on carpet with a thin pad. I also practice in shoes outside and we test on the concrete floor of a gymnasium. Trying to perform hyung on those thick falling mats is difficult, due to how you sink into them, they can slide a little, and they give differently in different areas because of inconsistant wear. Just making an allowance for the "oops" we saw.

It's also tough to do ANYTHING well on those mats.

I have not had te opportunity to be taught internal techniques by KJN, but I know he does train in them. He mentioned one time in Korea when Kuk Sa Nim had him meditating in an icy stream, clothless. He was also explaining how when your two staffs are crossed at the beginning to part four of staff sparring, than you can feel your opponent's ki and heartbeat. It was my unfortunate timing that when I moved to CT, he moved back South. So, I only got to train with him when he came back up for weekend long workshops.

If you like that, then I suggest you take a class with KJN Simms. He neither holds back, nor worries about you not getting your block in place. The one difference I see is that it is never his staff doing the bending! Watched his tree truck of a staff bend my staff by about a foot, when he downward stuck toward my head as I blocked.

When in doubt Google it! http://www.kswcbl.co.uk/videos3.htm#2 Quite a few good videos in there. Staff sparring is the one you want for your answer.

Thank you very much, I appreciate that. Bows

To that you could respond, "have someone try to figure out how Jean Claude Van Damme is still making movies." Its bond to give someone an anurism. Or Steven Segal for that matter.

Quite possible. However, soon after that move you return to open handed motions (Ssang Sa Ma Gwi, Ssang Pyeong Soo, etc.). So, I'm at a loss as to why you would be without the weapon so soon after picking it up.

Didn't think to post a link to our homepage, so you can research further if desired. https://www.kuksoolwon.com

"I can do more than I think I can!" Is one of our mottos. Sure you could. You lean over, touch your hands to the ground at as much of an angle is needed, then barely lift your feet off the floor. (You body remains in a horseshoe shape). Or, you find another adaptation that will allow you to reach the same spot in the same fasion (would need to be worked out with your school master).