pknox

David: What town in Northern NJ do you live in? I live a couple miles from Morristown so I know that area pretty well - there are plenty of Isshinryu schools around me. Pete Knox

Makes sense, as kata and drills definitely have the intense start-stop flavor of interval training (not even to mention kumite which can be even more intense). If you're doing basic conditioning, to me that combination fulfills the definition of a complete workout, and one that can be done virtually anywhere to boot.

The axes remind me of African axes. The topmost one a throwing one (I think I saw a variation of it in a weapons catalog a few years back), and the next below a handheld one. Here's a link for comparison; look in particular at the "Songe Prestige Axe", which looks a bit like the second axe from the top: http://eriksedge.com/category.php?catid=0148e11109f015a&category_name=African%20Swords Given the elaborate structure of that axe, I wonder if it was more of a "parade" weapon than one designed for combat? Not sure, but here is a picture of a "status axe" that is a bit similar: http://www.ezakwantu.com/Gallery%20African%20Axes%20-%20Status%20Axes%20-%20Currency%20Axes.htm The construction on the spears looks more medieval/renaissance europe, imo, but they could also be African, wither traded or constructed - I guess it depends on the time period they're from. I'm assuming not all of the weapons in the photo are necessarily from the same era/locale? The bottom two weapons look markedly different than the others, in terms of both design and construction. I would think they were more modern than the others, at least from what I can see in the photo. Very interesting - let us know what you find out!

+1 for that...if you are concerned about bodybuilding/appearance, then by all means, train the weak side so as to make them more similar looks-wise. However, if you are more concerned about functional strength, as I think you might be, then yes - compound, multiple joint exercises are the way to go. Your weaker arm, as well as the stabilizing muscles around it, will eventually catch up, and you'll be less likely to create a further imbalance that will lead to injury.

2003? Can't be that long...that means I'm a white belt going on 8 years. I need to post a lot more and read a lot less I guess.

Kettlebell circuits (lower reps), going over basics to get some cardio, and long walks when I can fit them in (usually 2-3 times a week at least). I stretch a little bit, but probably should be stretching more.

Thanks!

Just curious, as I haven't heard much about the style. If you had to say, which of the Okinawan/Japanese styles is it most similar to, in terms of techniques, strategy, and kata? I don't mean in terms of lineage - you've already mentioned the Tuite connection, and most arts that are based in the Naha, Shuri, or Tomari "root forms" are today often vastly different. I'm really just looking for a basis for comparison.

Very true. Used effectively, the chains/cord on a nunchaku can do nasty things to a wrist when it's wrapped properly, and the butt end can do a lot of damage when thrust into soft targets. I've rarely seen it trained in a self defense-oriented way like that though (might be due to legal carry concerns in many states) - it's always more slated towards flashy forms with lots of flips, catches, and elaborate figure eights. It does looks cool, but not super useful (at least in my opinion). To the OP - one word of advice. If you're simply playing around (which you shouldn't be) go with the softer, rubber or foam coated variety, as you're much less likely to get hurt (or hurt a partner).

It should also be less prone to wrinkling too, even at the lighter weight.

Ah, wasn't sure what Tokon was, but Kamikaze I remember. Thanks.

Has anybody here lost a decent amount of weight practicing TSD twice a week? I'm planning on practicing on my own at least most of the other days (if not every day) and trying to keep the diet reasonably clean (it already is), but was wondering if adding TSD could help me lose a fair amount of weight and/or bodyfat. Thanks!

Patrick: Harbinger is near Norfolk, right? My sister-in-law lives in Norfolk, married to a Navy guy. I lived two years in NC: one in Moore County (Aberdeen) and the other in Wake (Morrisville). Great to see the board is so active...looks like it's going to be fun.

Mr. Knox...I didn't realize my father was standing behind me.

Thanks!

Hello all: I just wanted to take the time to introduce myself. My name is Pete Knox and I live in Edison, NJ. I have previously studied Shaolin Kempo, freestyle grappling (a mix of wrestling, bjj, and judo), Shukokai Karate and TKD. I am not actively training now, as I am getting ready to begin Graduate School (Environmental Policy and Economics) in the fall at Rutgers. I am planning on starting TKD again in the next few months, as soon as my schedule is set. I look forward to learning from all of you, and hope to be able to add some value to the discussions when possible. Pete Knox

Excellent. Than I would advise anyone checking out a KSW dojang (or a HRD one, or a Bujinkan dojo or training group) to please ask to see a current membership card or passport if the instructor claims to be affiliated with any of the above organizations. Hopefully this will reduce the number of people who claim to be members of these orgs when they clearly are not. I'm sure other orgs have identifying documents as well; but I do know that the above listed ones come from one central organization, so it should (at least theoretically) be harder to pass off fraudulent ones. If there is a question even after seeing the docs, ask for the number to hq so you can check out the instructor's references -- if they balk at that, I would be wary.

That's unfortunate. Living in northern California, I'm sure you'll be able to find a Kuk Sool Won school if you decide to study it in the future. It definitely seems to be a very worthwhile art. To the KSW people on the board -- is their an id or passport type system in KSW that can help weed out the "fakes"? You can always just contact HQ, but that may not always be convenient for some people. I know that in Hwa Rang Do you get a passport, and it must be stamped with each testing. In the Bujinkan, you have an id card, and teachers have a Shidoshikai card. This helps eliminate at least some of the fakes, as a potential student can simply ask to see the documentation if they have a question about the instructor's qualifications. If the instructor can't provide a current passport or card, and is still claiming membership in the org, I would be wary. That might have helped BLH28 out in this case, as because of the fact that we were most likely dealing with a "club" here as opposed to a formal dojang, they possibly wouldn't have been listed on the website (as rightly pointed out by Doug).

Actually, that's false. Because Aikido techniques go with the natural range of motion of the joint, as opposed to against it (like in some more classical styles of Japanese Jujutsu), the pain caused by the technique is temporary - a technique that is in line with the philosophy of Aikido would only cause temporary pain, as opposed to permanent damage - you can therefore practice full force, and without the extensive padding needed to do so in a striking style; the one caveat would be that the person receiving the technique would have to know how to fall and/or roll correctly so as not to be injured by hitting the ground improperly. Also realize that we're talking about a trained Aikidoka here - if someone with little knowledge tries to execute an Aikido technique, can't get it, and muscles through it, permanent damage to the person on which the technique was applied on can definitely result. Sparring, or randori, can be done against one person or vs. multiple opponents. When you are being attacked by more than one assailant, you learn the importance of positioning, and why constant movement is essential. In a multiple opponents scenario, the defender often uses his attackers as "shields", or even throws them into the other attackers. It is usually not something done by a beginner - they graduate from static postures ("here, grab my wrist"), to telegraphed attacks ("I'm going to punch at you, starting from way over here"), and then to randori. Depending on the state of mind of the defender and what they are attempting to accomplish, Aikido can be relatively gentle, or extremely brutal.

First off, Doug - that was an excellent post. Very informative, as well as well-written. For at least a partial answer to the comment above, check out this link from the Hwa Rang Do World HQ site, where they have a lineage tree: http://www.allmartialarts.com/KIXCO/History/history/map.htm There is generally held to be some similarity between the techniques of the two systems, as both evidently got their Hapkido from the same source. Incidentally, according to the lineage posted at the link above, at one time (1962-1966) the Lee brothers were in an organization called the Kuk Sool Hwe. From 1962-1964, In-Hyuk Suh was part of the same organization. That might help explain some of the similarities. Many of the people I have known to train in both systems have commented on how similar they were. In my opinion, they are both excellent, comprehensive systems, and very worthwhile of study. I happen to live about 15 min from the eastern HQ of HWD, and am planning to start training there shortly. If a KSW school had been nearby instead, I would not have hesitated to train there either. For some reason, it just seems there are not a lot of KSW schools (actually, none that I know of, according to https://www.kuksoolwon.com ) here in my neck of the woods (central NJ), but there are a couple of HWD ones.

eanels68: How's the training going? Is the school what you thought it would be?

Is the founder of your style Jhoon Rhee?

I would think the "mental aspects", as well as ki exercises, help a practitioner develop concentration and focus. Not all styles of traditional hapkido have forms, but some do. Some styles of traditional hapkido also tend to include certain weapons, such as the belt, sticks of various sizes, cane, and kumdo sword. And yes, while your mileage may vary depending on the school, traditional hapkido almost always gives a good workout - especially if the school emphasizes repetition of the basic kicks and hand strikes, uses focus pads, and does a lot of rolling and breakfalling, which most schools seem to do.

I haven't seen any thing that comprehensive online. Grandmaster Ji Han Jae's site does have one video, I believe, as well as a list of the kicks in the system. It also has information about a complete tape set that will be coming out soon, so you'll definitely have plenty of video to watch if you buy those! http://www.sinmoohapkido.com/