benkendrick

I was under the impression that the change to the name Soo Bahk Do was made more to distinguish the USTSDMDK from the many off-shoot TSD organizations that have sprung up over the years (I may be wrong though...). Does anyone know whether or not the Soo Bahk Do organization still uses the older base forms (i.e Pyung Ahn, Passai, Naihanchi, etc...). When I left in the early 90's they were just rolling out the Yuk Ro hyungs... At that time I thought they we were just expanding the curriculum to show more of the chinese influences... However the wording of your post makes me wonder if the intent was to eventually do away with the Japanese influenced forms...

If you read Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee's first book (The English Version), he attributes the creation of the Pyung Ahn Hyungs to a "Mister Idos" (in the back in the section on Hyungs). It's my understanding that this is simply a mistranslation of the name from Japanese to Korean to English of the last name mentioned earlier "Itosu" Sensei. (Probably because the two names sounds so similar) There have even been articles published in MA magazines (I believe the article I saw was in BlackBelt Magazine) that dispell the explanation you've presented. In fact, I read an interview w/ GM Hwang Kee where he said that he found a book on Karate (most likely Okinawan Karate) in a library while working in China that outlined the 5 Pyung Ahn hyung which he later decided to incorporate into his TSD. From my research and experience the base forms (The forms you mentioned) of MDK TSD are most likely Korean Versions of Shotokan kata, which were nothing more than Japanese versions of the older Okinawan Kata. Now the Chil Sung and Uk Ro(sp?) Hyung are a different story entirely...

As one who has kind of been there done that (cross train/ranked in multiple systems) I've always felt obliged to change my technique as applicable for the art I'm training/testing in. (as they say, when in Rome...) IMO It doesn't take anything away from what I've previously learned, it just gives me a new/alternative perspective on the techniques... I do agree with the comment that the other judges should take the previous training into consideration. However if the technique isn't performed correctly for that particular Ryu it should be judged accordingly... I'm having a really hard time adjusting to the way Shikko Dachi is done in my current system - But I understand the principles behind the difference and the training has made me a better MA for it...

I have done Tang Soo Do, then TKD. I did find that the WTF forms are easier till Taegeuk 7. For some reason that form was hard for me to learn. Taegeuk 8 as well. Anyways, my fav form of all time is Pyung Ahn (Heian .... sp?) Ee Dan. I was actually practicing it yesterday. It's cool to go back to my old TSD forms at times. For TSD forms I always liked Chil Sung Sa Lo (from the USTSDMDK) & Dol Poon(sp?) 9 (from the United Federation).

Currently I'm quite partial to the Seibukan kata, Wanchin. I also like the Naihanchi kata, though I used to think they were useless kata - until I had some logical (and painful) applications shown to me (w/o the usual * explainations you see...)

I have, although it was not your regular ITF/WTF style. I found the forms of Sohng Ahm TKD to be "technically" more challenging than most of other Japanese/Okinawan Kata (& TSD Hyungs) I'd previously learned... However as with all things (i.e. large MA organizations) I could have done without all of the politics of the ATA - but that's a different thread entirely...

I know of a good dojo about 25 miles from you in Cumming, Ga. However, it is a Karate dojo. The style is Seibukan Shorin Ryu and the dojo is run by Kyoshi Dan Smith. From the tone of your post I take it you don't put too much stock in "traditional" Karate training. However, I'm sure that if you checked out Kyoshi Smith's school your opinion would change... Let me know if you think you might be interested. I'll see if I can get you the contact info and directions offline...

A quick fix for this would be UNDERWEAR... (Sorry couldn't pass that one up...)

I'd have to agree with you, and I know who Herb Perez is... (No disrespect to him - BTW.) Simply put: F = m * a F = net force, m = mass, a = acceleration p = m * v p = momentum, m = mass, v = velocity W = F * d W = work, F = force, d = distance P = W/t P = power, W = work, t = time Anyway you look at it, it's gonna hurt...

Excellent post, that was the point I thought I was trying to make - before I got sidetracked. BTW - you wouldn't be associated with the Yoseikan Aiki club in Huntsville, AL would you?

In the karate dojo's I've trained in the following kata are taught first: Style / Kata Okyuno Ryu / Nijushichi Undo (27 Movements). A stationary kata in horsestance that has you go through most all of the hand strikes & blocks in the system. It really emphasizes the horse stance and using your hips for power. Nippon Shorinji Kempo / Taikyoku #1 Matsubayshi Shorin-Ryu / Fukyu kata #1 Seibukan Shorin-Ryu / Wansu (though when I started, the first kata was Seisan) In the Korean styles I've trained the following kata are taught first: Style / Hyung(Poomse) US Tang Soo Do MDK / Kicho Hyung Il Bu, E Bu, Sam bu(Basic Form #1, 2 & 3 -3 forms similar to most I-pattern Kihon kata you see in a lot of schools. These were followed by the Pyong Ahn series Which we all know are Korean versions of the Pinan/Heian Forms) United Federation TSD / Kicho Hyung Il Bu, E Bu, Sam bu (These are the same forms taught in MDK TSD. However the United Federation follows them with their own set of 9 forms called the Dolpun(sp?) series.) Sohng Ahm Taekwondo / Sohng Ahm #1. (To me this is the coolest "white belt" form I've seen.)

well said...

It would seem then that with the exception of the patchwork gi, the "cerification" and the PhD, I'm well on my way to becoming a grandmaster. Anyone know how I can teach my border collie to bow to me on command? (right now, he only does this when he want's to go p**p)

Agreed... With that said now, two names that come to my mind are Kyan Chotoku and Motobu Choki... I would really like to see their karate first hand (if only to see how much it has or has not been changed over the years...)

I'm a front leg front kick man myself. It works really well for me because I usually fight from a southpaw stance to begin with. Though I learned a kick in TSD that is great for getting your opponents attention. It's called Peek(sp?) Chagi. It's basically a cross between a front kick and an inside crescent. Works almost all the time cause they usually don't see it coming - but kills the knees if your not flexible...

mmmm carved ham If you've got a knife, touch anything and everything you can with it; that's what it's good at. If you are inside the middle upper arm (the bicept area) there is a loveley artery. Lower it's inside the elbow, and higher in the armpit. I had a sempai many years ago who used to love doing the one you mentioned that is on the lower part of the bicep inside the elbow. However he did it in combination with a spot just above the wrist on the outside. It looked like he was simply slapping both spots simultaneously. (though the bicep point was actually a knife-hand). Believe me it always hurt like hell. (I was one of his favorite uke's)

If you don't mind me asking, who did you train with in Orlando? I live in AL now, but originally began training in FL (just north of Cocoa Beach). If your looking for more contact I might know of a few schools, that is if they're still around (I been gone a while...)

The article I refered to came from a book I read many years ago. It was written by John Corcoran(sp?) & Emil Farkas. I believe the title was something like "The Complete Martial Arts Catalog". It was a Q.A. type book answering FAQ's on various facets of the MA and MA personalities. Although I don't disagree with you. I was merely relaying what I had read.

I was gonna add this but you beat me to it.... Anyhow, I agree this is an excellent read.

This is a popular myth brought on mostly by hollywood's glamorization of the martial arts. I've read that this misconception was most likely started back when martial arts were first receiveing wider coverage in the media (probably late 40's - early 60's - my best guess). ANyhow, the article went on to state that the only folks who are required to "register" are folks who become licensed professional fighters (ie. Boxers). I don't know if this also applies to professional MMA fighters but it seems to me that it would.

I'm sorry but ur very wrong.... Taekwon-do is not karate, it is Taekwon-do. Plz dont get the 2 confused they are very different. Oh and kenpo is not one of the "big 3" as u call it, although shotokan is the most popular style of karate in the western world. Kenpo is simply a popular style in the US but still not that popular. U do realise that TKD is korean and not japanese, it revolves around kicking and is NOT a style of karate, thats a typical comment a mcdojo would say, somtimes they call kickboxing or TKD karate, those kind of misconceptions are what are killing karate and MA's. If you must know TKD could be classed as part of the tang soo do family, but again its still not tang soo do. I agree wholeheartedly with your main point (ie, Modern TKD is not Karate). However, both TKD and TSD primarily evolved from the same main root - Shotokan Karate. So loosely speaking, I can see how they could be considered karate (on one level or another). In fact through out much of the 60's & early 70's they were (quite aptly too) referred to as Korean Karate by many martial artist in the US. (I know it's comming - so let the stoning begin.... )

I agree, however to be more precise it's one word Taekwondo In the context of the Olympics you are correct WTF spelling is “Taekwondo”, ITF uses the more precise spelling “Taekwon-do”. DOH! I should have seen that one commin' I stand most humbly corrected... Kom'sumida (My Japanese is rusty but it's always been better than my Korean....)

Practise each technique until you know what its for, the correct way to do it and can use it effectively. Once you can do this with each technique put it all together. I agree with cross, if you feel like you're comforatble with going through the movements of the forms then now id the time to start considering exactly what it is that you are doing (or could be doing) with these techniques. Once you get GOOD & comfortable with that you can try including some of the techniques in your kumite (if you're not already). There really is a lot more to kata taining than just going through the motions... have fun...

I agree, however to be more precise it's one word Taekwondo

I've found I can do all kind of "flips".... It's amazing what you can do when Sensei grabs a hold of you.... (sorry couldn't resist that one...)