foreveryoung001

I like to do some running... I don't have a regular routine for anything outside of my MA workout, but I do try to do something different at least once a week. I like to get in the pool too, but I'm a lousy swimmer, so I don't know if you could call that cross-training, as much as trying-not-to-drown training.

well...I didn't EXACTLY tell the people at the store EXACTLY how I broke the mechanism. I just sort of "sat in in one day, and it broke". I wonder if that would work for when my wife dented the side of the minivan. "well, I was just sitting in the van one day, and the side just sort of crumbled in like that. It's the wierdest thing..." Nah, they'd probobly double my deductable.

We work the gauntlet a little bit too. Thats a good one.

Interesting. I haven't done much on-the-ground work with my students, but we do enjoy... well I call it a game, but it works like this. I will have one student leave the room. The rest will more equipment around, there is a gymnastics class that uses the room too, so we take advantage of the giant pads they have. Once everything is set, I will either give the rest of the students their attack assignments, or for the adults, they are allowed to choose their own role, but each one will play a different type of attacker. For example, one will hide behind the pads and jump out and try to grab a bag, or wallet, another may try to use the pads as cover and attack from behind with a knife, still another may just sit on pad like a park bench and never do anything to attack. The student that left the room will then come in and walk around our cunstructed city street and we will work on defense applications for the different attackers. I don't know how much practical knowledge this teaches, but I do think it helps them translate some of their techniques from theory to application... plus it really is a lot of fun

I enjoy competing in some of the local tournaments in my area. I would never fool myself to think that I could compete at any kind of national level. Even after 18 years, I still know my limits... maybe I know them better now than I did as a teenager.

Okay, since you are so "bored", I'll be glad to pass along my theory... TKD has gotten the impression of "going down hill" because of many different forces. #1: The Korean Government named it theitr national sport, and since then, the focus has shifted, in general, away from traditions. #2: The United States was introduced to TKD at a tie when MA's were really a strange and new idea. With the American Servicemen that were returning from Korea, armed with TKD training, and with the number of Koreans that came to America, specifically looking to expose the world to their art, an abundance of schools began. If there were only a handful of TKD schools, with the same dedicated practitioners that first began them here in the States, then you would see a completely different beast. But what you have is a growing number of people, growing exponentially, that want to open up their own schools... some are better at marketing than they are at TKD, and the art has suffered. And #3: Wright or wrong, the impression that people have has grown and become stronger over the years, because of statements like your opening comment. What you say does not have to be true in order to make people believe it.... just look at the rhetoric coming from the presidential candidates.

A small price to pay in the interest's of science!

I thought he looked like one of my students at first.... Much better looking though (sorry Jack, but you know it's true ) I wonder if this chimp can actually translate using his MA in a defensive situation against another chimp, or does he go right back to flinging his own waste around, and revert back to normal chimp behavior. If he goes back to normal chimp behavior, then I think it just goes to show that it's only for show.

I certainly have a more difficult time blindly accepting a persons MA claims if they are not in decent shape, but after I work out with them, they either prove they have the abilities they've claimed, or they prove just the opposite. My Grand Master has put on a few pounds since I first started training back in the 80's, but even at 60+ he is still amazing. Looks can be deceiving. I myself would like to be about another 20 pounds lighter, but the weight is coming off slower as I get older. Not all of us can look like your new Avatar DA... Although, I never saw Superman throw propper side kick...

I'll be glad to hold Musse down for a paltry 1%.

Yo, Nick. Thanks for sharing a border with the United States

Okay, on the serious side... My chiropractor has a nifty gadet that measures the PSI from squeezing it. The gauge holds the highest reading until it is reset. I don't know the name of this cantraption, but it seems like whatever is making this thing work, could work to gauge a punche's PSI if you built the right kind of frame and striking pad for it. It's not a big thing... sort of looks like a pair of pliers with a gauge sitting on top. The nice thing about this, is that unike a scale that will go back to zero right away, is that you need to manually reset the gauge to zero after each time you use it.

Hey, I was just trying to help with your science project. I din't want to lose money on this deal.

Hey, for $150 I'll let you hit me, and I'll tell you how hard you hit.

you know... I think I have taken part in turning this thread into a sickening (if not tasty) joke. Back on topic: I think changing up the routine will help keep the kids interested and excited about coming back. We'll play some different games that involve stretching, some running... anything that will get their blood pumping a little harder. There are a few games that they like better than others, but I try to use something different every couple of classes, just to keep it fresh.

Maybe 50% power... like you were warming up left over chicken?

1st Dan in TKD Chung Do Kwan. Very traditional, but over the years we have added some grappling to our curriculum... I'm not sure what style our grand master gleaned the grappling from. We do not teach use of weapons, although we do teach incorporation the use of keys, pens, etc, in the use of self defense. and we do teach defense against weapons. My school is associated with the U.S. CHung Do Kwan Assoc. As an organization, I can not speak on how open they are as a whole, but in my own school, I enjoy having people from other styles come and work with us in different areas of training.

Do they ever get crispy that way?

Hmm..I learned it the other way around...lead hand lower at stomach/chest, blocks whatever comes in, back hand at chin level...blocks whatever passed my lead hand. If I need to block low with my back hand, lead hand then goes up to chin level. I know fighting ability will vary from person to person, not necessarily from style to style, but I have a guy, who visits our class from time to time, he was trained in TKD, but fights in the same kind of stance you just described, and I have a devil of a time trying to land anything on him. When I have practiced with this type of stance, I just can't comfortable... I guess it still comes down to do what works for you.

Wow that's deep. I was scared you might say that.....

What an interesting topic. I do have to agree with those that say it would be a bit foolish to toe to toe with a boxer, and only use punches. The concept of most MAs, as is my understanding, is that they try to teach a fighting style that will make use of various weapons on your body... hands, feet, knees, elbows, etc... I like to think I have good punches, but I wouldn't kid myself into thinking that I would be able go head to head with a boxer if I wasn't able to use all of the weapons that I have been trained to use. That includes the mind, and the different stratagies for fighting.

Hey Vito! I'm a TKD guy. No hard feelings though. IWIHAPOCCRNMOWFFAS, that way we could share it and begin to understand our different attitudes towards the best MA in the entire know world...

people may not always understand, but you could just start making your own up... IWIHAPOCCRNMOWFFAS "I wish I had a piece of chocolate cake right now, maybe one with fudge frosting and sprinkles" Well....... maybe not.

I've never heard of the group. It reminds me of what a friend of mine did too. When I moved to my current location, A friend who worked at the same radio station, who was a legitimate 3rd degree (don't remember what style), tried to begin his own TKD association here in Northern Michigan. He tried to give me an instant promotion from 1st to 2nd degree if I would join his group. I never did... I still have the certificate that he gave to me... I show it to my students so they can see that if they want a black belt without training to get one, then they might as well go order one, along with a bogus certificate, and quit wasting my time.

I'm with you on that one. It was opening night last night wasn't it? I think so, but I'm trying to forget right now. Trying to focus on a .500 season with the Lions. They looked good on Sunday I forgot to add one. The way my 4 year old daughter smiles at me when I get home from work.