MichiganTKD

Sasori-Te raises a good point. No credible Instructor refers to himself as a Master Instructor, even if rank-wise he is one. Our Instructor told several times " If I am talking to non-Tae Kwon Do people, I tell them that I am 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do. When I am talking to other Tae Kwon Do people, I tell them that I am a Tae Kwon Do Senior Instructor." Obviously he feels it inappropriate to tell people he is a Grandmaster Instructor. He also told us that it is inappropriate to tell what rank you are or ask what rank someone else is (to other TKD people). Simply ask them how many years they have practiced. If they are true Masters or Instructors, it will come through in their manners.

Koreantiger, It is unfortunate you feel that way. I have been practicing Tae Kwon Do for 20 years and I never get tired of it. There is always a new way to look at a technique and different ways to practice. How do you know, if you decided to start training in a new style, that you wouldn't get tired of that too? I see two problems here: 1. Instructor doesn't keep you excited about training and make you proud of TKD 2. Lack of motivation, or burnout Sometimes, if an organization doesn't communicate with its members and keep things interesting, it is easy to start questioning why you practice. Unfortunately, when member motivation goes down for whatever reason, it is easy to lose students to other styles.

I will not disagree with the idea that you can take some bits from an opposing organization (i.e. if you are WTF, there are things from ITF, such as self defense you can learn). But as far as practicing both at the same time? No way. Each organization has a different approach. Not better or worse, but different. If you were in ITF and wanted to practice WTF-style free fighting, you would have to radically change your technique to adapt to new free fighting rules and the way they execute their kicks to accomodate the scoring system. How could you possibly practice ITF-style and do this at the same time? You are forcing your body and mind to practice two separate, not complimentary, methodologies. I have a problem with students, notably Westerners, who feel the need to pick and choose techniques and styles as they see fit, like a buffet. I can't be a TKD student, I have to practice WTF and ITF, along with BJJ, aikido, tai chi, and kung fu because I want to be well rounded. Why can't you just pick one, be loyal to it, and stay with it?

I would like to make two points that some may have missed: 1. I do not believe it is possible to train in WTF and ITF simultaneously. Can you be a Catholic and Protestant at the same time? If you can't tell your Instructor because of what he might say, don't do it. 2. One of the reasons WTF fighters keep their hands down is to bait the opponent into attacking so they can counter. If I have my hands down, and my opponent thinks it will be an easy point, he is much more likely to try to attack. This opens the door for a counter on my part (back sidekick, axe kick, back roundhouse). Obviously my timing must be superb or I'm going to get kicked in the head.

Nope. Unless your Instructor is some no-name that either organization could care less about, I feel it is not possible to practice WTF and ITF simultaneously. Why? Aside from the fact that they are antagonistic organizations, the technical approaches are different. Could you be a member of the Catholic and Protestant Churches at the same time? Absolutely not. Same here. No self respecting WTF or ITF Instructor with any credibility would allow his student to be a member of the other at the same time. Leaving one and joining the other are different. You would still have to relearn technique and form Keep in mind, each organization also has a different approach to doing technique. If you try both at the same time, your body and motor skills cognition will get confused since you are forcing them to practice two different methods concurrently. The Instructor at the University near my school does this (claim WTF/ITF membership) but he is a jack-off anyway. One of my students joined us from ITF, and he is still in the process of changing his technique over.

In traditional Tae Kwon Do, up til BB you can leave any time you want to-no explanation necessary. You might have a harder time in schools that use contracts. We don't. Up through color belt, you are always free to leave. Although if you have a serious problem with the way the class is taught you might want to tell the Instructor WHY you are leaving. But be civilized and courteous. However, there is a difference between the way a class is taught and the way a style is taught. Tomiki aikido is more competition oriented. You might have wanted to research it before joining to get an idea of what you were getting into. The Instructor shouldn't be expected to apologize for the way a style is taught. If he were a jerk that would be different. On the other hand, once you attain Dan level, in many organizations you will always be a member of that club, even if you never practice again, as long as you don't have differences with the Instructor. However, if you attain Dan level and quit a club because of differences with the Instructor or because you want to try something else without permission, you run the risk of being cut. In which case you still have your Dan rank but are not allowed back and will not receive a recommendation to test. Something to think about. We also were told you may only practice a different style after 4th Dan. Before that, stay with one.

Years ago, before I joined, two (now) Senior Instructors started dating. Our Grandmaster told them: Either break up or get married. They ended up getting married and have been together ever since. Obviously this approach doesn't work for every one. There were times when attractive women joined our class befor when i was a student. Believe me, staying disciplined toward good looking broads in class when you're 18 and single ain't easy. But I wanted to stay professional and listen to my Instructor. Staying true to traditional MA is similar to staying true to a religious faith: Very difficult because the bar is so high, but designed to make you a better person because of it.

I've always believed that MA Instructors are held to a higher standard because of what we do. Much like priests (theoretically), teachers, police officers etc. If we misbehave, we give MA a bad reputation. This is why we were always told 1. Do not cause trouble 2. Live an honorable life. There is a difference between being human (drinking, swearing etc.) and engaging in dishonorable behavior like this clod did. He should never be allowed to teach again. Certainly his students will never trust him again. Who in their right mind would ever practice under him again?

Speaking for myself, there is something refreshing and natural about practicing outdoors in a clean white uniform. I realize black hides dirt better, but to me white seems more natural for outdoors practice and bonding with nature. I just couldn't see myself doing that in a black uniform. Maybe a sky blue uniform...

I can tell students not to date in my class, and I will. My class my rules. If someone wants to date a fellow student, let them join a karate class where those things happen There's an old saying: Don't crap where you eat, or words to that effect. I will not lower my standards to accomodate students who want to have a romantic relationship. Being an Instructor is a BIG responsibility, more so than many of you are willing to admit. I am responsible for the well being of the entire class, and I will not let personal politics interfere with the main agenda-to train. Besides, I already said after BB it was possible. Just call me Mr. Hardass

I didn't bash KSW. I said that I didn't care about KSW, Hapkido, and the others, because I meant this as a thread about non-white uniforms in Tae Kwon Do. I don't care what the others wear. It wasn't meant to be anti-other styles, it was just focusing on Tae Kwon Do. I realize that KSW and HapKiDo wear different uniforms.

What Lee helped do through his screen performances was open the doors for Westerners to learn directly from Orientals. I think before that time, MA was still more or less below ground. It hadn't really caught on in the mainstream. After Lee appeared, and Westerners really created a demand for MA instruction, Oriental teachers were forced to open their doors to them. Before, I think it was harder, especially for Kung Fu students, to find a Chinese teacher willing to teach non-Chinese.

I agree to a certain extent. Noone says you have to absolutely accept everything in a style no questions asked. I do think any legitimate style and any legitimate Instructor can stand up to questioning. However, as a beginner/color belt you have a responsibility to trust your Instructor and do what he says. He/she has the obligation to teach and guide you properly. Since you do not know or understand technique and application, it is not a student's place to question everything a student does. It is okay to ask HOW to do something (at the appropriate level) or what he/she is doing wrong. It is not okay to ask WHY the Instructor does something, or ask them to justify their reasons. As Mr. Miyagi told Daniel-san in The Karate Kid, "Daniel-san we make sacred deal. I say, you do, No questions." And getting back to my original point. I believe you can be unbeatable in one style if you study it enough. Doesn't matter what it is. Not only that, you can only truly be a Master in one style. These idiots that claim to be Masters in 8 different styles are full of it. Not only do I think this is impossible, considering the time and effort involved in becoming a Master in one style, but I would never go to a person claiming to be a Master in more than one style. How good are they really going to be?

I think if you absolutely HAVE to wear to a non-white uniform, it should be after black belt. After Dan level, you have a little more leeway in how you present yourself. There are exceptions to this. I know black belts who are told in no uncertain terms how they may conduct themselves and proper dress. Before black belt, when you are still 100% responsible to your instructor, I don't think there should be a choice in what you wear. You wear what your Instructor tells you. Kinda like school. Before the age of 16, you go to school, and sometimes wear a school uniform whether you want to or not. Choice does not enter the equation. If you are a color belt and decide to wear a different uniform on your own, this means your choice and decision outweighs your Instructor. As a traditionalist, I would find this unacceptable. After Dan level, I would present options of acceptable dress. In our organization, after BB, if you wanted to wear a traditional uniform you could, or a WTF-sanctioned pull-over. Non-white does not enter into the equation.

Even my Instructor liked Karate Kid. And he normally feels about MA films the same way a mother of young kids feels about sugar (avoid at all costs!). He was quite impressed how accurate it was and the lessons it taught.

I respect the teachings of Christians (usually), but Jesus as a religious figure means nothing to me. To me, the Pope is just the guy in the funny white hat who is out of touch with reality. And don't me started on the Catholic Church sex scandals I don't have a problem with Christians practicing martial arts. But Christians who use martial arts to promote their religion, to me, are beneath contempt. Keep the two of them separate.

I used to watch Bruce Lee films with a friend of mine who was also a Black Belt in our class. We used to go through his fight scenes frame by frame to marvel at Lee's speed and technique. We didn't use Bruce Lee films as instruction manuals like so many uneducated "students" who thought they practiced martial arts, we just watched them to marvel at the way they were done. For instance, when Lee was fighting Chuck Norris in the Colliseum, my friend made me watch one scene about 20 times because he couldn't believe Lee was that fast and wanted to see exactly what he did. Still, it beats the times he made me rewind the home videos he was in so he could admire himself. Always makes me laugh whenever someone claims to be a martial arts student because they've seen all of Lee's films, all the ninja films, and read Black Belt or Tae Kwon Do Times Magazine

Women also tend to dislike sparring for a couple of reasons, I've found: 1. Since many women are taught to shun confrontation and violence, it is not surprising that free fighting, the most confrontational aspect of class Tae Kwon Do, tends to make them nervous. Many women do not have the warrior mindset that would allow them to free fight and defend themselves effectively. 2. I think many Instructors subconsciously or not steer women away from free fighting and into forms-the more graceful activity. Guys are perceived as the free fighting stars and encouraged to pursue that activity. Keep in mind, I'm not condoning it, just stating what I have observed and believe to be true. In our organization, many people know who the star male fighters are, but I doubt if any know who the best female fighters are. Personally, I'm proud of the fact that one of my female students loves to spar and contact. In fact, one of my male students was complaining about the fact that she hits him too hard.

If you stick with one style, focus your energy on that, and really understand it, you will be unbeatable.

Bruce Lee: Amazing ability, especially in Enter the Dragon, to fluidly go from style to style without looking forced or incompetent. Only person I ever saw able to do that. Don Wilson: Unwatchable. I physically cannot watch his films, and I can watch about any martial arts movie around. Is he capable of acting in a film without "Blood" in the title? Jet Li: Amazing. A little too wushu-ish for me though. Van Damme: Decent technique. Victime of horrible editing. Needs to speak better English so he can play characters besides Frenchmen. Chuck Norris: I'm sure he's a nice guy. But he can't act and he makes horrible films. Technique never impressed me. Jackie Chan: Amazing to watch, stunt-wise. Tries to be too funny and cute. Martial arts films are about excitement and fantasy. They aren't supposed to be real. Who'd pay $6.00 to watch a guy use one kick and the fight's over? One other thought: If it weren't for martial arts films, how many of us would be practicing in the first place?

The reasons why I started practicing Tae Kwon Do could fill a book. It wasn't just self defense, though that certainly played a part. I've often felt that if all you want is self defense, just buy a gun or a dog. I remember being 14 years old, and being really unhappy inside. Not Columbine unhappy, just really unhappy. You know Ralph Macchio's character in the Karate Kid? That was me. After I started practicing, TKD gave me something I really needed. Not just self defense, but also a sanctuary from life. The only thing I can really compare it to is when someone discovers religion and is truly changed by it and discovers how much he really needs it.

Well, aside from keeping me out of prison and the lunatic asylum and providing me with some of the greatest friends anybody could ask for, not much

The rule I follow is this: My job is to maintain professionalism in the class and keep everything above board. I cannot and will not allow myself or any student to turn the class into their own personal dating pool. I have seen Instructors do that, and I have nothing but contempt for them. What that means is that sometimes we have to put aside whatever personal feelings we have for somebody, whether prejudice or wanting to date them, and get on with training. Self discipline, remember. Otherwise Tae Kwon Do or karate or aikido becomes a social club. If you want a social club join your local Y-Center. Sounds narrow-minded, but the only way to preserve the dignity that traditional martial arts deserve is to follow this path. Yes, I know feelings happen. But you have to take into account what is good for the school and your fellow students. Using class as your dating pool is just plain selfish and low class.

I thought kickboxing was a sport. How can you be a grandmaster in kickboxing? Kinda like being a boxing grandmaster.

In our Organization, we don't have a minimum age for receiving a black belt. When a student can demonstrate the required techniques to the satisfaction of the Instructor and the judges, they are eligible for black belt. We do follow the Kukkiwon guidelines as far Dan testing ages for 2nd Dan on up. However, I expect to see Instructors and myself use a little common sense when recommending for promotion young kids. A 10 year old kid, no matter how exceptional, is still 10 years old. I would really have to be impressed with their technique and attitude before I allow them to test. Otherwise you get a bunch of grade school kids wearing something that implies good basics and effective technique. In fact, I've told student that Black Belt means your technique, as demonstrated in form and free fighting would work. Meaning you can effectively show speed, accuracy, stopping power, and control. If I feel that your technique would not work against somebody your size or bigger, I will not recommend you. And yes, I've seen more than a few Black belts in our Organization that I would not have promoted.