Mu Ryuk

Alright, we all have a few...a time when our Instructor just lapses into a moment of stupidity or immaturity that ends up absolutely hilarious. Here is our chance to share with the world (or at least our fellow Karate Forums members ). Alright, this was just yesterday. A Cho Dan Grading had just ended (Congratulations to Roland and Erich by the way, for enduring a brutal five hour test) and we were cleaning up (we usually have pizza and drinks after Black Belt testing). A big SUV drives by with rap music playing. It sits at the stop light for a minute and as it's moving on Mr.Durney, a six foot, hundered and fifty pound very very white man, waves his hand ridiculiously and says "Yeeaaah boooy". We just stared. Alright, who's next?

How about a choke? Or lethal injection?

Yes, I know, however before I begin to "wing it" and just figure things out on my own, I would like to familiarize myself with the dummy and learn some basic drills that would help me do so. Thanks for the article, Pvwingchun.

Hey all, We just got a Wing Chun Dummy for the Dojang, my Instructor knows a good amount of Wing Chun, though he hasn't had formal training...just videos...and teaches us a small amount. I am one of the only people to have remembered the first sequence of the Wing Chun Dummy Form he has gone over with us. I was trying it out on the Dummy and...guess what...IT'S FUN!!! So, eventually I'm sure Mr.Durney will teach me more of the form, but are there any other drills anyone can suggest? One of my favorite aspects is that the Dummy is good for conditioning, so things that apply directly to that are great, but anything else is excellent as well. Thanks in advance. Tang Soo!

that's funny Well, we know Mu Ryuk has something to sing about. When the next tournament anybody else is competing in? There are two in my area coming up this fall. One in October, and my dojang's tournament on Nov 13 (I run the brackets for our tournaments). I don't know if I'll be competing in any, but I'll let you know if I do. Unfortunately there aren't many tournaments in our area. The Salinas Valley Karate Championships in November is next I believe, then the new season starts in January. While at the tournament the guy in the room across from me was a referee at the tournament, guy named Cecil Peoples. He gave me some teaser flyers for a tournament he does in L.A. called March Madness, hopefully I'll be going to that. And since I took 1st and 2nd, I qualified for the National Karate Alliance Nationals. Just like pretty much EVERYONE ELSE In our area: Salinas Valley Karate Championship Silicon Valley Karate Championship Yong Do Won Martial Arts Tournament Earthquake Karate and Sport Jujutsu Championship That's all I can think of off the top of my head. I think there may be a few more. At the Earthquake they sometimes give out giant stuffed tigers as trophies, we have four

I'm in 100% agreement. If you walked in and watched the kids class at my Dojang, you would think it was complete crap. But the advanced kids (most of them anyway) and all the adults are very focused and dedicated. You can't compare any kids class to Muay Thai, because Muay Thai is fighting...period. Nothing else, just fighting.

A bit of trivia: Leaving on a Jet Plane was written by John Denver, which became a big hit when recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary in 1967. Denver was born Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr on December 31, 1943. *Bangs head into desk* You're bored dude. Anyway, I'm back from Las Vegas! I took second out of four in my sparring division...but we watched the tape, and while it may sound like I'm being bitter...I should have won the match. We watched the tape five or six times. My opponent ended up winning the match 6-4. The problems were this: Twice, he was given a point for lead hand punches to the body, which is not supposed to be worth anything. I very, very clearly hit him in the head with a Hook Kick, and I wasn't given any points for it, though I should have received two. Overall, however, I am feeling great about the whole thing. I NEVER thought I would do well at all at a tournament this size, much less taking first and second. Now I've got something to brag about Thanks again everyone for all the support! Tang Soo!

Yeah...Chantel Kreznauviak...I think I spelled that right. Anyway, I'm in my hotel room in Las Vegas right now, my room mate brought along a lap top. Today I competed in my forms division, Traditional Hard Forms, Intermediate. I performed the form Pyung Ahn E-Dan. There were eight other people in the division, including my friend Jessica who did the same form. My final scores were: 8.86 8.87 8.89 I took first. I think my technique was good but it was close, so the deciding factor ended up being that I had a lot more power than anyone. I'm stoked. Roland made a video so if possible I will post it when we get back, as well as pictures. Tomorrow is point sparring. Wish me luck! Tang SooHey all, I'm in my hotel room in Las Vegas right now, my room mate brought along a lap top. Today I competed in my forms division, Traditional Hard Forms, Intermediate. I performed the form Pyung Ahn E-Dan. There were eight other people in the division, including my friend Jessica who did the same form. My final scores were: 8.86 8.87 8.89 I took first. I think my technique was good but it was close, so the deciding factor ended up being that I had a lot more power than anyone. I'm stoked. Roland made a video so if possible I will post it when we get back, as well as pictures. Tomorrow is point sparring. Wish me luck! Tang Soo!

Yeah, unfortunately there's nowhere around here to buy Dit Dat Jow. I've been using this stuff called Traumeel. Don't think it'll be ready in time. Oh well...there's always next year. Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Hey all, Just wanted to let you know, early Friday morning I will be leaving for Oakland Airport with my Instructor and some other students and flying out to Las Vegas to compete in the Las Vegas Legacy Internationals. I will be competiting in Sparring, Traditional Empty Hand Forms, and if a miracle occurs and this bruise on my forearm disappears, Breaking. Wish me luck! Tang Soo!

Okay

Dude, dude, dude...Okay. On Sunday I bought a Judogi...I've been wanting one and I saved for almost two months...it cost me $55.00. I just took it out of the dryer and it's shrunken. Does anyone know a miracle remedy or something to this? I've heard that soaking it and stretching the fabric and ironing it works...is this true? Please help, I saved up every spare penny for this thing Whoa, I'm a Yellow Belt! Still need to fix my poor Judogi though.

Hey all, Well, I've realized that I need to put in a lot more work with my hands. I try to do focus mitts with my friends between classes and I do heavy bag work, but that's not enough. I'm going to do Shadow Boxing, but I really don't know if there's anything specific to it. Any drills or anything, or just basic guidelines? If anyone can suggest any other kind of drills, focus mitts, heavy bag, speed bag drills, anything and everything is much appreciated. Thanks. Tang Soo!

Hey all, looking for some advice here. At the moment I am talking to my friend Jackie. She takes Tang Soo Do at my Dojang, and is a higher rank than me...but she, like (unfortunately) most of the kids at my Dojang, is not a serious Martial Artist. So she messages me asking for help, with a girl who wants to fight her. I tell her the secret to self defense: run away. She starts talking about how everyone will call her a loser. I keep telling her it doesn't matter what people call her, think of her, etc, it's not worth physical confrontation. Fighting should be avoided at all costs. No matter what I say, she just keeps saying "I'll have to fight, I can't just walk away, people will call me a wuss." I don't know what I should tell her. Advice or personal experiences anyone? Thanks, Tang Soo!

Hey all, I'm bored, so, inspired by a video I saw about Ramon Dekkers, this is simply a place for everyone to post some people they would never want to mess with, living or dead. Here are a few of mine: Mas Oyama- The man killed bulls...enough said. Ramon Dekkers - Just an animal. Morihei Ueshiba - What good would it be? I'd never be able to touch him. Randy Couture - Once again, the man is an animal. Ken Shamrock - I just don't think I could hurt him. Mike Tyson - Come on...who would want to slug it out with Iron Mike? So, any takers? Who would you just not want to tangle with? Tang Soo!

http://www.poekoelan.com/ Gotta love Google Tang Soo!

Well...here's what I can gather...note that I'm speaking about the majority of Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do Dojangs, not ALL of them. Tradition: Tang Soo Do has part of it's basis in Tai Chi Chuan, while Tae Kwon Do tries to eliminate anything non-Korean from it's curriculum. I'm sure there's other things but I don't know enough about Tae Kwon Do to tell you what they are. Physical: Different forms. Tang Soo Do tends to concentrate on all kicks equally, while Tae Kwon Do focuses heavily on the Roundhouse Kick, partially due to it's now sport oriented population. The Tae Kwon Do Roundhouse Kick tends to be thrown at a somewhat upward angle, while the Tang Soo Do Roundhouse is traditionally thrown from a flat 90 degree angle. Note that the Tae Kwon Do Roundhouse I speak of is the modern, sport oriented one. The tradtional Tae Kwon Do Roundhouse was the same as the Tang Soo Do one. Sport: Aside from Tae Kwon Do being more sport oriented, there are different rules. There are so special rules for Tang Soo Do sparring, it's done by normal point sparring rules. Tae Kwon Do has it's own set of rules, which include not being allowed to strike the head with hand techniques. If I was mistaken about anything, please feel free to correct me. As it has been stated, it all comes down to the Dojang and the Instructor. Hope this helped. Tang Soo!

Unfortunately, yes I have been in fights...but they were all against stupid high school kids. You hit them hard in the ribs once and they go home crying to mommy. I really don't know how I'd hold up against someone who can take some good hits. As for the 6-pack thing...well, I'm fifteen...and I don't know what Mr.Durney's favorite beer is Although I've seen some pictures of him camping with his family drinking Bud Light...but shh...it's "Pepsi Light" for the kids... Heh heh, thanks all. When I feel the moment is right, I'll talk to Mr.Durney. Tang Soo!

Rotten- I will ask him. I am just a bit afraid he will get angry or offended. Vito- Tang Soo Do, not Tae Kwon Do. Also, I already stated that I understand that he shouldn't teach full contact sparring to kids. I'm talking about the adult class.

Very true. But it's not just that. I am a perfectionist. Note that we do NOT give away belts. But it's very rare that people fail a test, and it's NOT because they really earned the rank. We place more weight on trying your best. This is important to me. But it's also important to know the techniques, know how to use them, know what it is you're doing. I don't feel I'm getting that.

Hey all...have a problem here, looking for some opinions. Now, my Dojang is a great place...aimed towards kids, the kids almost always come out of it better. It gives them discipline, respect, confidence, and fitness. We're very cheap, $65 a month for unlimited classes, $55 if you pay by automatic debiting. We are not a bad school. But I don't think I'm learning how to fight. I don't think the training is what I need. I KNOW my Instructor is a very good Martial Artist. It's almost as if he's afraid to teach us things that may cause pain...things like full contact sparring. I can understand why he won't teach this to the kids class. They are our main source of income, and the vast majority of them would leave. We're already not exactly in great shape monetarily. But NO ONE in the adult class would leave. And it would be better for us. I could talk to my Instructor, but I doubt he would listen. I know most of you will probably say to just find a new school. But I love my Dojang, the place, the people, everything. I've trained there most of my life. I need advice. PLEASE HELP ME. Tang Soo!

I'm with him. I don't mind colored uniforms, as long as they're not to flashy, just one solid color, but I think they're meant for tournaments and demonstrations...when you're training, plain white. Even when I get to Cho Dan, I'll wear plain white when I'm training in the Dojang. But if you want to wear something else, cool...just don't make it to fancy

Hm...has a nice ring to it

SubmissionFighter- I trained Tang Soo Do for eight years (ages three to eleven) and left for four years, recently returning. I chose to return at 10th Gup (White Belt), but only because of the shape I was in, not because of the knowledge factor. I have already retained the majority of what I knew. I've been doing Escrima for about a month and a half.

Bow into every building you walk into. I bow into: Resturants, Grocery Stores, Shoe Stores, Hardware Stores, Houses, etc, etc...it goes on and on and on...