Kai_Hwarang

While I can understand that there are some shady buisnessmen type Instructors, etc. the way she describes them and comes off is that they are TRYING to teach all they know, but to her it still isn't satisfactory. Yes, there are bad instructors who try to scam you and just give you belts, but she wasn't just attacking them, she was attacking the methods of teachers as a whole through those people. It was disrespectful, regardless of her "good" intentions by many of you. And any traditional Master, Sensai, Shifu, etc. would have her try to prove them wrong before she mouthed off like that...and then she'd probably be in the hospital for her ignorance and arrogance. -Kai

Yes...you can learn how to hit your opponent and where etc. but not so indepth that the applications will actually work. Unless of course you're a god at it I find it good for hitting the appropriate areas within a certain amount of time...but in a real fight I would never "spar" with an opponent. -Kai

"Point sparring is a waste of time, it will never work on the streets" Actually I almost find that to be 100% true...point sparring is more like "tagging" rather than fighting. It may teach you how to get in on someone, but power wise and all it's nothing but tag with pads on. -Kai

Well, there are many instances where subduing is more difficult...and I wouldn't reccomend it either. I'm just stating that while one must take it upon themselves to be cautious towards another...they must also be cautious in their own actions. -Kai

This is a letter I wrote her... I read your articles about your experiences with other Dojos, Dojangs, Temples etc. and one on your thoughts about the concept of "art" within Martial Arts. You said at the bottom of your page to contact you and tell you what we think...well I think the following. First and foremost I don't really see you as a Martial Artist. The way you write makes you come off as a fighter who thinks she's got it all and then some. You come off as rude, egotistical, and furthermore, disrespectful. Your experience within the arts may have given you some insight into certain things, but to actually sit there, writing off and discretiding others styles and methods just because they don't work for you, doesn't make them "wrong". While I agree that there are some schools out there that teach in a ridiculous manner and more for sport than actual art, many styles and teachers do try to do their best to teach what they can. It is not always the teacher that cannot teach the students...many more times it's the students who do not wish to learn in the proper fashion that the traditional Martial Arts world promotes. It's either because of lazyness, cowardness...or the simple fact that their parents or their girlfriends/boyfriends or whatever don't want them to get hurt. Then you move on to belts. Yes, I do see the belt system being abused as just a way to "move up". But that is not because the belts exist, it's how they are percieved. When a teacher says "just to hold your pants up" they're trying to inform the students that the belt is not just something to achieve and it is not the only goal. Into more detail, my Master used to tell me that the belt is what you make of it...it can either strangle you or show you off...the belt is not you...you are the belt. While rank does have significance, he also pointed out that it can be the unveiler of masks and truths. And I also don't see the Martial Arts as a "craft". It is not a tool that someone whips around for their own enjoyment or benifit. While it can be percieved as so, it was not intended for that. It is an art because one can learn the basics of the "craft" but go off and do what they please with it by their imaginations unlimited creativity. A craft is something you do...the art is how you do it. Now I hope that you take this as criticism rather than insult...as you have shown so respectfully to the other places you have visited before... -Kai[/i]

I just read a few of her "reviews" and "articles". Someone needs to write this woman a letter and tell her out it is. She claims to be a Martial Artist, but in fact she's a sorry excuse for one. She's not humble, she's rude, and she's an egoist. She claims as though she is the "know it all", yet she doesn't realize her own flaws. It's so evident by the fact that she acts like a * and tried to belittle people just to make herself look better. She's truly a bitter and very pathetic person...seems like she needs the Martial Arts just to even be anything. -Kai

I was kicked in the jaw by a front kick when I was coming in to nail the guy in a tournament...snapped my neck back. I was paralyzed for 3 months from the hips down. Later I walked on a cane...and at times I still do. I'm hoping for a full recovery soon. -Kai

Well you can't really judge the danger level until you get a good idea on what may or may not be done. I'm not going to snap a guys neck just because I percieve he might be able to kill me. That's like prejudjing someone and saying, "Well he/she looked like a killer, that's why I killed him/her" It's the situation that really presents what level of danger there is. Yes, you can run and not see that danger, but at times when people persist and want to fight...and there is no running, it is usually very evident on what level they are about to inflict upon you. Yes, they may have a concealed weapon, and yes, they may have something else that makes them more dangerous, however, that is only something you can react to, not try to prevent. I'm sorry, but because I percieve that they might be more dangerous, doesn't mean I'm going to inflict more than I should to stop that "percieved" danger and find out later that I hurt or killed the person without just cause. Yes, protecting yourself comes first, but also allowing yourself to be in control of your emotional state and state of mind is also a first. To overuse or abuse your abilities to hurt someone just because you can doesn't mean that you should...even in protecting yourself. With every level of danger I feel there is an equal and balanced level of protection. This also constitutes a certain amount of awareness. If you aren't aware of certain things, than you cannot judge the level of danger...and if you continuously use the same amount of force in every conflict, than you are blind to the true intentions and capabilities of many...which in turn can not only hurt them more, but also yourself. -Kai

I'm just going to ask you, Jerry...so you find it okay to hurst someone excessively even if they are doing little to you? So you believe a broken nose is a good exchange for a push? Death is a good exchange for a punch? -Kai

The mental aspects transfer over much moreso than the physical... -Kai

Just a tip I guess for anyone interested in knowing, but I find that the elbow is best to use in the process of a punching combo. This is ideal to me though, so it may not be so comfortable for others. Anyways, I would find it effective during a real fight, to use the jab/elbow strike. After the jab, proceed to move in with the same arm and hit with the elbow in a horizontal striking manner. So it's like, hit, then move in closer for a smack across the face, either supporting the fist with your other hand or alone. Sort of like a hook punch but with the elbow instead. I just think it might be alot quicker as a follow up...especially if you want to get in close or knock the opponent out. -Kai

Thanks Monkeygirl...I'll do that. -Kai

Sorry, but I don't find that to make any sense. While I'm not telling you to not listen to your father...these rules apply to most Martial Arts practices. I don't see why you would hit someone just because you believed they were going to hit you...as in like telling you....not throwing the actual punch. Pretty much all of the rules are a balanced situation. Use force necessary to counter their own...not more for their little or little for their more. Most people aren't going to just hit you unless they try to surprise you like coming up from behind. Most people will threaten you with soft physical force (like a push) before going all out. It's provoking...that's usually what occurs. These rules aren't something to think about either. Most things will happen within a few seconds, but these rules can also be applied within that time as well.

Hell, I've lost before...back in the day. I think with experience you rarely lose as much. It might also be the fact that so many passionate good Martial Artist come to this forum... But I assume everyone has at least been beaten once in their life time... -Kai

"I don't need Martial Arts, I have a gun!" ^---- Worst comment ever...and I hear it all the time... -Kai

I found it to be better than the second one...not as good as the first. There are some confusing things at the begining of the movie, but they are fully understood at the end if you think about it. I thought the ending was truly fitting and I was really satisfied with it. I think too many people were expecting "good wins over evil" and not the actual practicalities of it all. Neo was a badass...Neo was the savior...Neo brought freedom... Just because it wasn't "Total Anhilation" doesn't make all that he did and the results that less "rewarding"... He did what he had to do...he made the choice to do it as well. He knew what had to happen and he did it right...and in the process created good for everyone and everything. -Kai

"If you die it's not my liability..." -Kai

I was reading up on how political/government laws restrict the use of Martial Arts in even what one would claim a "defensive" situation. Well, I would have argued some points, but they would be more from a Philosophical standpoint and they were speaking in a more realistic sense. Anyways, in my humble opinion there are "Natural Laws" to self defense, and are very general. Please debate if you feel otherwise, this is simply an opinion on my part: 1.) If one is practicing the Arts, one must abide by the rules of that art. This includes not attacking an opponent unless in self defense of ones body or self defense of ones loved one. 2.) A person who provokes you orally should never be the target of your self defense techniques. 3.) One who provokes you using soft physical contact should never be the target of your self defense unless warned first. For example: "Please do not push me again or I may have to defend myself." 4.) Never provoke the one wanting to fight you. Never tell them to come after you...never ask them to come after you...and never threaten them. 5.) If an opponent still wishes to fight and comes after you physically, try to put them down FIRST before causing bodily harm to them. Meaning...try to push them off...put them to the ground...and continue to warn them. 6.) If an opponent continues regardless of even those soft physical warnings...proceed to the next step and cause bodily harm as much as you think is necessary. 7.) In the wake of protecting a fellow loved one or peer...use soft physical force FIRST...if the action continues than proceed to bodily harm. If the attacker is vocally attacking a loved one or peer and they are unable to handle the situation...make yourself the target of the attackers agression. 8.) If the attacker has a weapon either run and seek help...or if unable to run and seek help, use EXTREME PHYSICAL FORCE or other means to get the weapon(s) out of the opponents grasp or physically disable them from using the weapon. 9.) Remain calm at all times in any situation! My 9 "Natural Laws" of self defense. It may make you look like a pansy...but these laws, IMO, should hold true to many of ya'lls Martial Rules within your arts and protect yourselves and your loved ones as needed. -Kai

Buisness Management, Philosophy, Kiensiology, and Physical Therapy are all good... -Kai

Hook kicks can be effective against taller opponents...and of course the round house. Generally don't try to aim too high unless you know you have it...I personally like to wear them down first...Taller people tend to "reach" and bend foward to hit you if they're bunching or kicking...so it's easy to counter. -Kai

Being in Martial Arts for over 8 years now I have seen alot in my young life. First starting out at a Japanese school of Shotokan, I earned the nick name "Kevlar" for my ability to get beaten and still keep coming (maybe not a good attribute, but hey...what the heck). Later I joined a traditional TKD school which adopted the name "Ja Yeon Do" or "The Natural Way". After many years of intense training and under the belt of my Master...something occurred. No matter how many broken bones I've seen, blood, or injuries that have been inflicted unto me, I will always feel this pain much more. One day, my Master left...he just left...without telling anyone and took all the money and ran. I was close to quitting my love and passion after that...heartbroken. Later, I quelled all this anger and entered another tournament, one that I had thought would be my last. I suffered a terrible injury during the match in which my head was snapped back from a front kick to the jaw...later I felt the full blast of it all and was paralyzed from the hips down for 3 months straight... After intense recovery I began walking on a cane...and now...after 6 months, even though doctors said I may never walk again...I went on and walked. There I also thought I was to quit forever...but I overcame it. The passion I had and still have...the goals I set to give TKD a new and better name...still kept me going. The spiritual essence of the Martial Arts, TKD, and my own passion is what drove me foward. So what does this story show? For me to gather sympothy...no. Rather, this is a story that proves to me that the Martial Arts...regardless of popular belief...is not just a technical manual to hurting others nor is it just a sport to gain fame. The culture, the spirituality, and the philosophies of the art expressed through our bodies is what it is truly made up of. This is all in opinion...but I feel it so strongly. I suppose one of the main reasons I bring this arguement up is that another community of grapplers and other assortment of fighters from the "bullshid0.com" website gather that Martial Arts is simply a tool for hurting others and protecting ones self. While I agree that many of the applications are intended to hurt and protect...I was appalled by the fact that only those things were their primary focus...and in them (at least most of the people there) held, that there was no "art" in fighting...there was no philsophy, culture, or anything...it was simply a manual. Maybe I cannot comprehend this sort of thinking after all of my experiences...but I do feel strongly in all of true Martial Artist out there...that our lives and others lives around us are better because of what we learn and how we apply them. That is the way of the Martial Artist...that is the essence...and that is why we are here. -Kai

Hello, names Kevin, but ya'll can call me Kai I'm 18 years of age and study a traditional style of TKD known as "Ja Yeon Do" which means "The Natural Way". It was created by my Master to counter the commercial TKD and bring back what TKD is all about etc. Sadly, though...my Master, being a great teacher, I have to sadly say, was not a good person. After training with him for almost 3 years he ditched me and the school and left with the money. It was very shocking. Recently I have tried to look into other arts, but I am continuing my path with TKD, hoping that one day I can reshape the way it is viewed and bring it back as it should be...not as a sport...but as an art and state of mind. I hope I am welcomed nicely...I would appreicate that Thanks. -Kai