TangSooGuy

According to most Body Mas Index tables and calculators I've seen, that puts you in the light end of "normal"...not underweight, but VERY far from "fat", so if you think you are fat, you probably have something of a distorted body image for yourself, but it's been my experience that most girls do. It does NOT mean you are anorexic though. If you think you are fat, and are starving yourself (not taking in any or enough nutrition) in order to lose weight, then you are anorexic. A lot of people use the term for people they think could stand to gain some weight, or people who don't eat much, or people who think they are fat but obviously aren't, but it's usually used in jest. So, as long as you are eating enough, you're not anorexic, but you may have a warped self image if you think you are fat...

My first break ever was probably just a a stomp... my favorite break now would probably be a spear hand...but I only do that once in awhile, as doing it too often would be a pretty good way to do permanant damage to my fingers...

I hate to say it, but if Mondat, Tuesday, Wednesday AND Thursday evenings are out...you're going to have a hard time. At least that's the way it is here in the states...I'm not saying you aren't going to find anything, and I definitely encourage you to keep looking...it's just probably going to be hard to find something fitting that schedule. here in the states, most classes don't even start until 4 Pm or later, and most instructors I know don't even teach on Fridays, because no one shows up. There are a lot of Saturday classes, but they're ussually in conjunction with weekday classes, and the price usually reflects that. I wish you luck, but it might be hard to find what you are looking for.

15? Are you kidding me? I understand when people in their 40s ask this question (they're still wrong...there is NO too old)..but 15? The only thing you have to worry about is whether school, part-time jobs, and hanging out with friends is going to interfere with your training schedule. If you can commit to it, you're at a perfect age to start training. I knew a guy who didn't start training until he was seventy....you have nothing to worry about, but I would suggest at your age that you try to train with a group of older kids or adults, and not with 6 year olds....

I employ games to teach concepts to kids (and even adults) occasionally, but I don't use them every class, nor do I think I should. The students are there to learn traditional martial arts, not to be baby-sat. the core of my lessons will always be traditional martial arts drills, lessons, etc... Any game you incorporate should have a martial arts lesson in it, and you should share that lesson with the group...I tend to play the game first, and then ask the kids what it teaches them, and how it relates to their martial arts training. this way they discover more for themselves, rather than always being spoon fed everything. never play a game solely for the purpose of "having fun"...Fun is a by product of the training, and training should be fun...but fun is not the focus. It sounds like you're on the right track, really... Remember kids are kids, and there is nothing wrong with games that also teach a lesson, but it's the lesson that the kids should be focusing on, not the game itself. You have to have passion for what you do, and be excited about what you're teaching...and the kids will share that. Not every kid will want to put the work required into real training...and if they don't want to do it, they can leave. When I first started teaching, I'd agonize over every student that left. I don't do that any more. I analyze the student and see if I did anything in particular that made them leave...but 99.99% of the time it comes down to the fact that some kids just don't want to work that hard.

I'd say a level of understanding is almost a given, but I really do think teaching is important ...the numbers of students thing is just a arbitrary thing set by our association to ensure that a school is viable. Anyway, taking your analogy...Yoda WAS a teacher. He taught Luke, and before the Jedi were killed, he taught them too. Not trying to derail the topic...I just think that one who has the understanding is obligated to pass it on...

This can be a problem if allowed to go too far. I've been both an assistant instructor and now a Chief Instructor, and in my opinion it is the Chief Instructor's job to ensure that the assistants are teaching the material the way he wants it taught. In short, standardization and uniformity is the Chief Instructor's job. Many instructors I know have Instructors Classes or Leadership classes expressly for this purpose- to teach assistants how to teach. In fact, I am required to attend Instructors Classes mysel, periodically, led by senior masters or our Grandmaster, to ensure that we are holding to the standards, as well as to share new teaching methods, new curriculum options, etc. I am a strong proponent of this. I used to chafe sometimes when my instructor would tell me that I had to teach something a certain way, but now that I have my own students, I understand better, and understand the need for uniformity within a school. Now if it run as a complete dictatorship, that will obviously be too far the other way. The instructors classes need to be a forum for open discussion sometimes, as well. All in all, though, confusion created by a lack of standardization is a problem, and one that should be avoided as much as it can be.

I'm a big fan of Tekken as well, and actually really like Tekken Tag...huge number of characters, and playing two at once...what's not to like?

"Living the Martial Way" by Forrest E. Morgan "The Art of War" - Sun Tzu "The Unfettered Mind" - Takuan Soho "Tao Te Ching" - Lao Tzu "Kodo: Ancient Ways" - Kensho Furuya "Karate-Do: My Way of Life" - Gichin Funakoshi "Traditions" - Dave Lowry "The Martial Way and Its Virtues: Tao De Gung" - FJ Chu "Zen in the Martial Arts" - Joe Hyams "Be Like Water: Practical Wisdom from the Martial Arts" - Joseph Cardillo "The Way and the Power: Secrets of Japanese Strategy" - Fredrick J. Lovret "Beyond the Known: The Ultimate Goal of the Martial Arts" - Tri Thong Dang "Toward the Unknown : Martial Artist, What Shall You Become" - Tri Thong Dang That's all I can think of at the moment. In terms of bunkai, I happen to think you're better off learning it initially from an instructor, and by experimenting with what works for yourself....

In our organization, "Master" is atitle, and it is bestowed upon thos who have completed the rquirements for 4th Dan, and have at least 25 registered students of their own. A Master in our association is someone who has sacrificed their time to contribute to the well being of others, to the association, and to the art, and has taken it upon himself/herself to teach the art to another generation as well. Teaching others at one's own studio location is a primary requirement for becoming a master. If you have not made a sacrifice to do so, you do not become a master. You have to be at least 22 to reach 4th Dan as well, although I don't know anyone who has done so at that age. You are required to submit an application which basically asks to to list every contribution you have made since you began your training. It is a minimum of a three year testing process, and the tests happen at night, after several days of training. In addition, it is required that you submit a 20,000 word hesis hat you have researched on some aspect of the martial arts. I don't share this out od any need to boast, or say "look what I've done", just to illustrate that this is not something that is awarded just because you spent your time in rank. 5th Dan is a minimum of another 5 years off, but more realistically 7, 8, or 9 years. It also requires a minimum of two years of testing , and an additional thesis. Requirements for time and contribution increase from there I'll be 31 in a few weeks, and am a 4th Dan "Master"...I'm certainly not going to ask that any of you adress me that way, and there are people that may scoff at the title, but being a master is more than just the title. Becoming a black belt means you are truly ready to learn. To me, becoming a master means that you are ready to continue learning, but are now truly ready to teach as well. I'll submit an article I wrote on this topic in the Articles forum...hopefully it will better explain what I mean. I'll link to it once it is up.

I've been running a studio for 3 years now, and I havenot personally had any of my students fail a test yest, but that doesn't mean it won't happen. I have held back students who weren't ready to test, though, and I'd say that is a more common practice. I have however been to tests where people have failed, and, sitting on a testing panel, have been forced to fail people who were not ready for the rank they wre testing for. I often sit on the testing panel for black belts in our region, and it is very rare that everyone will pass the black belt test, partially due to sheer number of people testing, and partially due to the fact that some just aren't ready. I go through a fairly rigid pre-testing/ preparation period before I even allow my students to test, and honestly, I think it is best. I have seen entire groups fail, and I have seen individuals fail, and if someone cannot preform to expectations, I won't hesitate to fail them, but I'd rather be fairly sure they will pass before they even set foot on the testing floor.

Hey juan...don't worry too much about the qustions, it's just to get an idea of where you're coming from, how much we have in common with you, etc... you don't need to feel pressured to answer anything you don't want to. I tend to avoid telling much about myself as well... ..but just for the sake of an intoduction... I am a 4th Dan with the World Tang Soo Do Association, under Jae Chul Shin. I'll leave it at that. And Master powlette is right about the rank thing...it just takes time, and a WHOLE lot of persistence. I'm at the level I am because I didn't quit, when a lot of my peers did....so keep training. The rank is a by product of your dedication, perseverance, and knowledge you obtain with time.

There are loads of similarity, but is that such a bad thing? Regarding one specific technique, who's to say who came up with it first? Does it even matter? Isn't this similar to asking who came up with the bow and arrow first? Or the sword? Or the knife? Or the sling, spear, hammer. axe, or any one of hundreds of weapons or tools that bear striking similarities but were developed in completely separated cultures that evolved independently of one another? Sure there are variances between the way they are made, and in some cases how they are used, but the basic mechanics and form of each of these tools is the same, across all cultures. Personally, I think a better question is why WOULD the punching mechanics be any different? If form follows function, doesn't it stand to reason that the punching mechanics of most arts will be, and should be, similar?

Sorry I didn't adress you directly, but that's because I pretty much agree with what you said. I think our posts are more directed toward the original question posed, than anything else.

Oh she is definitely my better half....and I'd have a hard time running a school without her. At my last test, for one of the questions we had, we were asked to tell who our heroes were, in three words or less. My answer was very easy - my wife. She ALWAYS does the right thing, no matter how hard it is, or how easy it would be to do something else instead...

Congratulations! I just received my 4th Dan Master's rank last year, so I know how she feels. It's a huge step, and a humbling one, as well. I had the opportunity to watch others test for 5th and 6th Dan, and realized how much further I really have to go. My wife tested for E Dan last year as well, so I know what it's like to have a partner who shares your passion for the martial arts, and how proud you are when she succeeds. I've been teaching my own students for a little over 3 years, and should have my first couple of Cho Dans by the end of this year, so congrats on having some new Cho Dans as well. Tang Soo!

Oh, don't get me wrong...I actually totally agree with you, and I don't think it was very likely that it did happen...I'm just saying it's POSSIBLE. Extremely improbable, yes, but I try very hard not to discount anything as a possibility. A better question to ask might be why we have flying kicks at all, if their application is so "limited", and "impractical" as most people would have us believe. Flying kicks do accomplish a few things: 1. Help you gain distance 2. Help you gain height 3. Lend additional power to a technique by delivering the weight of the entire body, when done correctly. I think a flying technique can be executed successfully in a one-on one sitution, but they, like most techniques, are specialized for certain reasons. I'm not going to sit here and say "I would do a flying technique if such and such happened", because we all know that's not how a fight works. I don't think that there was always such an emphasis on how high one jumped, nor on the "beauty" of the technique. I've actually found that flying kicks can be a successful way to tackle someone, or to over power them...and that in certain situations, they make sense... It is very rare that I would execute a flying kick to head, but sometimes they can be used effectively to the body to knock someone down, or away...and even a small jump would lend quite a bit to an attack to the foot or knee or leg. Watch Muay Thai fighters, and you will see that on several occasions, they do "jump" into their techniques, if not very high. Honestly, though, even after 20 years, I'm still working on their correct application. So, even in a one on one confrontaion, I wouldn't always use them, but they have applications, and can be effective. I just don't think they are really meant to be used the way people classically picture them, like in the pictures above. So why do them that way at all? It is a great way to train the body for one thing...and it is impressive, too. Lets's not forget that there are a lot of techniques in which it can be argued that part of the reason they existed was to demonstrate superior skill before a fight ever took place, thus insuring that the fight never happened. There is also something to be said for impressing people enough to get them in the door, and then show them what the reality is... If your focus is all flash, then you aren't going anywhere, but a little flash here and there may actually be beneficial to getting/ keeping interest. I know I'm going to catch some flak for that statement, but it's a tool. My art isn't about flash, and neither is my school. But there isn't anything wrong with testing your limits once in awhile either, nor with demonstrating what you are capable of doing. There are things that impress ME far more than high jumping techniques, but that's because I know the difference. The general public does not... Okay, I realize I'm rambling, but I tend to write in a stream of consciousness, so I'm sorry if that is not very cohesive. I'm just trying to say that I don't believe that flying techniques were used to knock people off horses, but the questio remains, why do we do them at all? I happen to think there are several reasons, whether I articulated that or not, I don't know.

I'm a korean stylist, and even I don't think this was a common practice....it is a legend, and even legends have some importance...I believe this has already been discussed at some length, so I'll try to dig up the old thread. I always tell my students that it is a legend. It is possible that it happened at some point, but considering the weight of weapons, armor, etc...it's certainly not all that likely, and if it did happen, it wasn't very commonplace. I actually don't know any Korean stylist that believes this was commonly done... However, it is possible to jump fairly high... This is me, and I'm not even considered a particularly good jumper... http://www.homestead.com/nebucron2/files/flyingside.jpg I put that in only to show that it is possible to jump fairly high...and I've seen plenty of people jump higher, and over things.... So I'm just saying it MIGHT have happened...once...and became a legend...not that it is my first choice of techniques, nor that this is an even remotely intelligent means of fighting cavalry...much easier to just attack the horse, or use polearms to drag the rider down. More than likely you would get killed if you tried to attack someone riding a horse with a flying kick...

I've been doing one steps for 20 years, and I definitely think they are a valuable bridge between basic techniques and full out fighting. I don't think anyone who teaches one steps claims that that is the way you will fight in a realistic situation.....just that they are a tool to help get you there... I have fought: full contact to knockout, in more controlled "point" situations, and, more often, somewhere in between, and I think one step drills have made me a better fighter in all of the above situations. As for "practicing to miss", not at all...the intent of one steps, once one becomes proficient with them, is to practice full speed and power with control.....it is actually harder to stop the technique at that speed than it is to make contact. I stand by that, as sometimes when practicing at higher levels, I have occasionally made contact with my opponent, or he with me, and one of us has gotten injured, hence why compliance is important at early levels. Now, the other side of the coin... If you ONLY do one steps, and are not practicing non-compliant drills as well, and are not training, with the same techniques used in the one steps, to hit things ranging from targets to bags to people, then you are doing yourself a disservice. I happen to think you are also doing yourself a disservice by not practicing compliant drills as well, which help to also practice focus, help you learn the anatomy of striking, teach you footwork, etc... I don't have a problem with people who don't want to use one-steps as a training tool. However, there are a lot of people that do find them useful, and those pictures don't even come close to telling the whole story behind one steps. I try very hard to accept that every martial art, traditional or otherwise, has something valuable to teach me. I personally believe that one-step training is one of those valuable things. I'll admit, the "lemon" comic is funny...and if that is the only way one steps were ever practiced, they really might be a waste of time. However, that simply isn't the case, as several people here have pointed out. I try to make it clear to my students that what they are practicing is merely a training tool, and make it a point to have an assistant instructor help me demonstrate the techniques at something close to full speed. I say something close to full speed, because at full speed, one of us could easily get hurt...I know it sounds like a cop-out, but it's true, and I've seen it happen. I also know that the techniques used in one-steps work...once my instructor asked me to try to hit him...and not in the standard one step application form you see depicted, but from a regular fighting position...so I tried to hit him..the key being "tried", and the first thing taht hit the ground was the back of my head...good thing I have hard head. I've done the same with my students, and at this point one-steps do become more non-compliant. if I don't believe they are trying to hit me, I stop them, and tell them they better try to hit me. Actually, advanced one steps often work BETTER when some one is trying to hit you than they do when someone is standing there like a lemon. We also vary up the attacks...kick instead of punch, attack with either side, grab instead of strike, etc...if the techniques are effective, than you should be able to make them work against multiple types of attacks, and from either side. What types of non-compliant drills do you suggest? I'd wager that we already do most of them, in addition to our one steps, but I am genuinely curious, and would like to know what you suggest to replace one-steps as a bridge between executing techniques and applying them in a fighting/grappling situation. Thanks.

The take down on the video is indeed executed higher on the video than I would have done it, but that's the great thing about application from forms... It can be applied in many different ways, including different levels, and still be effective.

In my interpretation, you are on the right track.. It is far easier to demonstrate than it is to explain though... Anyway, one possible application comes if you think of the move in terms of wrestling/grappling/ tackling... If you postion one arm across the chest and the other behind a knee, and then execute your turn out of it...it makes a very effective take doen...but as I said, it is very hard to explain without being able to show.... It is only one of many applications, though.... The "double punch" itself can be a throwing technique...it can be a reaching and grabbing technique, etc...

Soo Bahk Do is the Traditional name for Tang Soo Do. In recent years Hwang Kee's original association went back to using Soo Bahk Do again, perhaps as a way of differentiating themselves from other TSD associations, but I'm not sure. At any rate, if you see Soo Bahk Do and/ or Moo Duk Kwan, you can pretty much be guaranteed that there is some tie back to Hwang kee's Tang Soo Do.

While I personally believe ADHD is one of the most over-dagnosed disorders on the planet, there are a few kids that legitimately have a problem, and require outside help from medication and other treatments. I actually have a student who has a severe form of ADHD, and could literally not look at anyone or anything for more than 1 second without diverting his attention elsewhere, and could not keep still for even half a second. His doctor recommended martial arts training, and they found me...and it has been a challenge, but I really feel that kids like these are the ones that need us the most. He has just been awarded his brown belt (an intermediate level in our system), trains in my advanced youth class, and his progress has been amazing. he still struggles from time to time, but he is doing better at home and in school as well, and his parents attribute his progress directly to his training... Martial Arts may not be able to solve every problem...but it comes close, sometimes.

Well, the guy in the pic doing the technique, is CS Kim...Grandmaster of the ITF. I'm not affiliated with teh ITF, but we have a similar one step technique, and the pictures are very problematic in that they don't show the real application of the technique in question.. The parry/ grab is really meant to be done as the attacker is still attacking, and is meant to pull them very much off balance. The hook kick would never be executed with the attacker standing upright in that position... I also often teach students that the height doesn't matter, it's the concept that they need to take with them. That hook kick could be applied to the ankle as a swwep, back of the knee, kidney, etc... If I were kicking to the head, the attacker would already be bent over at a 90 degree angle from teh pull, and the kick would be executed to the base of the skull. Not a technique I'd probably use, but knowing different applicationsfor it is important. You don't get the whole story from snapshots, which is why books should only be used as supplements. I actually use the block/grab and pull frequently, just usually into a different technique...

Normally, I would just choose to ignore you, however, I just want to say that I am truly sorry if this is your experience, in that you have never had the honor of training with good traditional martial artists who make use of the belt system...