foreveryoung001

I'll jump in. One........Two..........................Three.........................................................fo...................fo...................FOUR!......... I need a break. I've never been a huge fan of push-ups, but I do know that if you expect to get any benefit, you must do them correctly. I would rather do 30 with good form and a few reps, than to do 150 with poor posture and form.

As soon as I can figure out a good aplication for mouse clicking I'm bringing it to class. Left click! Right Click! Kiaaaaai

I would follow your instructors teaching for each class. If your TKD instructor has a particular way that he would like this technique applied, then do it his way. I can not tell you how anoying it can be to have a student question my teaching during class... "Well my blankety-blank intructor says we should do it this way!" Now before or after class, I, and I think most instructors, would be open to your ideas and thoughts. They may have a particular reason for their aplication, and would be more willing to explain it to you then. In class time, they may prefer that students do what they are asked to do, save the questions for after class. Even if your TKD instructor is not open to explaining his reasons, I would still suggest doing it his way while in TKD class. If you feel that his way is "wrong" and can not get over the fact that you disagree with him, then perhaps you should only concentrate on one particular art, or find a TKD instructor who fits your personality better. Just my thought.

A pretty important detail to leave out. Knowing this... I'd say dump her!!!! Just kidding. Does she know what she has in you? Somebody to stay and help her through the hard times can be a very rare find. I don't care if it is an illness, a depression, or just a hard time dealing with something, someone who will stay with you through thick and thin is becoming a very rare commodity. As for your dedication to her, that is to be applauded. I know you want to jump right back into things, but perhaps you could take it slow for a couple of weeks, and let things build back up. Don't rush things.... don't push things. It sounds like you truly care about her, but without knowing her, it is a little difficult for me to offer too much advice.

Couldn't agree more. I do offer some suggestions on diet and personal workout programs, but I also have a good relationship with a couple of gyms in my area and recomend them to my students who ask about how they can lose weight and get in shape quicker. Although, I have seen some great results from some who have really given it "their all" when it comes to their MA training, never once setting foot in a gym.

Wow, that is a tough one I think I would look at her honesty as a positive. From your description, she seemed to be up front and open about her desires while she was a college. This could be taken as a good sign in a relationship. How often would you be able to see her. I speak from experience when I say that long distance, even if the distance isn't all that long, can be very hard. I made it through mine while a girlfriend was at college, but it was very hard. Then when she came home from college, we realized that we had each changed while apart, and that's when we broke up. If you have an oportunity to see her often, and it sounds like you still care for each other, then it might be worth it... Search your heart...

Okay. it sure sound like a good regular stretching routine will help out. There are many stretches that will effectively target your thighs and calves. Your instructor should be able to help you put together a good stretching routine, and I would do it at least once a day. And yes, I would suggest sitting in this position as often as you can. This will help train your muscles, stretch them out, and should, over time, help to relive your discomfort.

I got a kick out this line with Homer Simpson as your avatar

Okay, yes we do have a similar position for meditating before class. Can you describe the "squished" feeling or where you are feeling the pain? Is it in a particular muscle group or is it in a joint? Depending on what and where you are feeling the pain, there might be some different reasons for the pain, and perhaps some stretches or exercises you could do to help relieve your discomfort. The more specific you could describe where the pain is, the more it might help.

Ah yes, the weekend Let's see. Up early on Saturday. Stretch and workout. Then to work at my side job Then to work at my regular job then back to work at my side job then spend time with my kids eat dinner together stretch and workout stay up late catching up on KF posts to bed late. Ahhhhh, the weekend

I am not familiar with this name, but we might have something similar by a different name in TKD. Could you describe the position, and where your legs are hurting?

I have a 1st dan in TKD, but I recently spent about a year working out with a local Tang Soo Do club. I actually took offense that the instructor was letting me "off the hook" on some of the techniques. A lot of them were exactly the same, but one, in particular, that was different in it's application was an open hand high block. The finished technique looked the same, but how you moved to get there was different. I spent a lot of time retraining my body to move in the way the instructor the teaching, but he kept telling me not to worry about it, as long as it looked the same when it was done. I thought this was the wrong message. I was there to learn a new art, not to be told that I could do it however I wanted as long as it looked good in the end. Just another point of view.

47MM, I am sorry. I actually did write a comment regarding your post. My computer was acting up last night, and I guess it didn't get posted. Where as I do not always see eye to eye with you on every issue, I have come to respect your opinions very much. As a matter of fact I believe your advice, " maybe this person is "not ready" to forgive. Maybe you have to drop the subject, be friendly as usual, and see what "time" has" Is right on. I do not see this woman often enough to worry about her. My only concern is how she will respond with the board of directors. She is the president of the board, but with the way our power structure is based, it is only a title, and now that I have made the other members aware of our problem, I don't even see this as a major porblem. After having a great workout this morning, I am looking forward to getting out of work tonight and heading back up there. I don't hold class on Friday's, so it will just be me tonight, but I think I could use another personal workout.

sorry, I've never heard of him either.

Thanks SteveB. I did, as a matter of fact, send a brief email to other board members indicating that there was some tension between this lady and myself. I had the same thought, and would definetly like this to be kept out in the open. I don't want to go into details with them, and point fingers, but I did make them aware that we were having a conflict. Thank you for your thoughts.

Thank you MJ. I must admit that today it is easier to focus more on the situation from an objective point of view. And I think you are right on with your observation, MJ. I do believe I have done what I can in order to rectify things between us. I will pray for her and her daughter, and hope that they can find peace about things, but I think I am done putting much more of my limited brain power towards this. I've got better things to think about... Now, how do they get peanut butter inside the peanut butter cup? Hmmmm. Thanks again everyone. All of your suggestions have been very helpful

Neat story 47MM. I just goes to show you should never underestimate anyone. On this topic, from my perspective, I have two children that have been training with me for about a year. My 10-year-old daughter, and my 12 year old son. My son loves the training, he loves sparring, and he has taken first in his division in the last three tournys we've been to. My daughter, enjoys sparring, but is not passionate about it. In the last three tournaments, she didn't place in one, and took a 2nd, and a 3rd respectively. But, my daughter's techniques are amazing. Even with the basic strikes and kicks, she has a much more natural ability to grasp them and improve upon them. In forms, my daughter has place 2nd, 1st, 1st respectively, where as my son didn't place twice, and took a 3rd in our last one. I don't think this is particularly the norm, but I think it shows that woman, even young ladies, can excell within the MAs. I myself, much like you 47MM have had my clock cleaned by sever very good woman who I have come up against. Anyone who thinks woman are not just as good, or even better than men in the MA in general (I'll qualify it as a general assumption) are not in touch with reality.

Thank you for all of your responses. It is very interesting to see where people would like their minds and emotions while they train. As of this morning, nothing has changed with my situation, but after a good nights sleep, I did have a great workout this morning. So perhaps the sting of the whole situation is already starting to where off. But, I honestly don't know why I felt so good after my workout. Was it because my workout was more intense because of this whole situation, or was it because I was more focused because I really tried to concentrate on my workout rather than this whole situation? I can't even answer the question I asked in my own post Boy, what a crazy world we live in... sure can be fun though

I find myself in a dilema that is new to me. I am, at heart, a very peaceful person. I do not avoid conflict, but rather, I try to solve every conflict I can. I am in a position, where I am now the cause of conflict. In standing up for my 10 year old daughter, I made a statement that was taken the wrong way, and I have now been accused of attcking the character and integrity of another person's 18 year old daughter. I immediately apologized for the misunderstanding of my comment, and offered to try and explain myself further. This other person, only sees me as someone who verbally attacked her daughter, and is convinced that I did it with malice. She is currently not speaking with me. This poses a problem in that we both sit on the board of directors at the Dance studio where I also teach my Tae Kwon Do classes. With the stress this has caused, I find myself in a mindset that is new to me. I can honestly never remember a single time where I have caused anyone this much anger.... well except my wife, but that's a long story. While in this mindset, I am finding it very difficult to train. I have a very hard time getting motivated to work out. It is difficult to show up to teach my classes, knowing that this woman who now hates me is in the building. I have had people hate me before, but it has never effected my training like this is. Usually, when I get stressed out, i go workout, and it will help reduce the stress levels. Now, I can't even go to the Dojang without feeling my blood pressure rise a couple of notches. And in case the question would arise... no there is no romantic interest between us. We are both happily (maybe a relative term)married to other people. This whole story leads to my question: What is the best midset to workout in? Where are your mind and emotions focused when you feel that you received the most benefit from Training. In the past, I would have said that I got the most benefit when I was stressed and angry, because I would push myself harder, I would force myself to focus more on my workout. I would train harder and longer. But now, I am rethinking that. Do you find that a certain amount of natural anger will help spur your body and mind into action? or, do you prefer to have an absolute peace and calm mind, body, and spirit while you are training? Just curious.

Sorry... I HAVE to state the obvious. If you're in your teens, you really should not be drinking at all. In fact, I think being in MA should give you a good excuse not to give in to the peer pressure of drinking alcohol in social situations. Just tell them it's because you're training and taking care of your body. You've got a good out there... Grrrrr. the voice of reason. Why do have to spoil all of the fun? Just kiddin' I agree 100% woth kbgirl!

I would agree with Aefibird. Having never trained in Goju, I can not speak to the effectivness as compared to TKD, however, I have sparred some Goju students who were visiting the school I was training at once, and we all held our own against each other. Is one better than the other.... that's an old debate. If you do decide to train in both, I would stress again not to compare the two in your mind while in class. I think most instructors are open to comparisons, but before or after class, not during the class. I can't stress enough how anoying it can get when students pipe up during class, "Well, Master so-n-so says we should do it this way..." Try to avoid that, and learn what the instructor is trying to you as to that particular style.

hehe, reminds me of the movie, "Pink Panther." I was just thinking the same thing (calling out in the dark) Kato.....

I think the patch thing can out of hand very quickly. I personally feel that my own association might be just a little over-board when it comes to the patches. They are very regulated, and when the entire class is wearing their full pathed uniforms, it an be a very nice sight, so I can see its usefulness for giving a sense of team... being part of a larger group sort of thing. I do give my students, and the parents of the younger students the option. I do require that they wear on official TKD uniform (I'm not a big fan of the V-necks but that is what the Assoc. wants), but if they would rather purchase one themselves, and try to save a couple of bucks, I have no problems with that. The school is relatively new, but so far, I have not had anyone who did not want to order a uniform with embroidered name and patches already in place. I have had a couple of students join from another MA school in my area, and both of them, once they decided they were going to stay, were quick to order new uniforms. I really try to make sure that they don't feel pressured to from me to do this, so I'm beginning to think its just part of the mind-set of people these days.

Not so. Morals may vary person to person, but this does not imply that each individual will have their own set of morals to suit their environment and personality. I would agree that my statement did not imply this at all. I believe my statement was clear and correct as to the question of morality. Logical reasoning can dictate whether one should start conflict to test themselves, as you will see in the following. The term "logical" when dealing with the topic of morality, can also be quite subjective. What may seem like a logical response to you, may not seem logical to me in any way shape or form When answering such a question, one must consider what is at stake and who is involved. Do you mean pick a fight as in challenging a person? Do you perhaps mean to simply agitate someone to the point of where they willingly fight, ignorant of your true motives? Seems logical If it is the latter, than that is by no means 'right', morally, lawfully, etc.. To manipulate a person in such a manner as to test your own skill at the expense of their body is illegal, and undeniably selfish. Each person has their own individual rights, and without the knowledge of what you are trying to do, tempting them into a fight would be virtually the same as simply attacking them when they are alone and unwary of such an attack. Where as I would agree with you on this statement, there may be others who do not. Is it lawfully incorrect to begin a fight with these motives? The written law would tell us it is. No question about that. Is it morally wrong to start a fight with these motives? According to your morals, my morals, and most likely, I would think, most peoples morals, it would be wrong. But there are those who do not care about the legality of their actions. There are those who do not share our morals, or a belief in an individuals rights. I could argue with them all day long, but because our moralities are not equal, and perhaps completely opposed, niether of us would be able to persuade the other about what is "right or wrong" If the former, that is a totally different matter. Although technically illegal to my knowledge, such an act occurs at both individuals' consent and is substantially different than what I mentioned above, thus being moreso up to you. Remember, though, if you are truly a skilled fighter, their well-being may lie in your hands. If their well-being was something you truly cared about, this point might have some conviction. If you couldn't care less about the other persons well-being, then abviously you live by different morals and values. Perhaps I am playing devils advocate, and if I am coming across that way, then I do apologize. I do agree with you that it is morally wrong to "pick" a fight. However, the point I was trying to get across, is that I can only give my opinion on the subject. I can not answer, definitively, whether it would be morally right to start a fight, because I do not know this persons morals. I could assume that we shared Christian morals and values, but I could be wrong in that assumption. I could assume that, just because he took the time to post the question, that his morals would indicate that he was fighting within himself... that too could be a wrong assumption. I will stand by my orignal statement, "that is a very difficult question to answer"

I would be more than happy to pray for this man. I will have my class pray for him as well. Do you mind if I ask, is he a Christian? I only ask to know if you would like us to offer up prayers for his salvation as well. In His service- Jason