Aodhan

Currently, either double escrima, double nunchaku, or kama. (Or to be more precise, double ssangh jeol bangh, double bangh mangh ee, or ssangh nat) Aodhan

I recommend ordering straight from Shureido, it'll cost a lot less than $250. (I'm not connected to Shureido by any way, I just thought that I'd recommend a less costly alternative). My wish list: A tailor made uniform (Tokaido or Hirota. I'm currently wearing Shureido, but I think that I could try other high quality do-gi as well). A pair of Shureido sai. A trip to Okinawa. Yeah, but then add in 3 judging stripes, logo, name, state championship lettering and patches, shoulder patches, instructor collar ribbon, sewing charges, etc etc. and it gets pricey fast. Aodhan

A winning lottery ticket. barring that, a new laptop and/or some new instructor uniforms. (They run me about $250 a pop for shureidos) Aodhan

I'm not a big freak, and I wear under armor in the gym. I wear it loose enough that it looks like a t-shirt. I don't like really tight fitting clothes. I think they are comfortable because they are so light, and they move with you rather than bunching up. They will wick sweat away, which helps it evaporate quicker, which in turn keeps you cooler. Also, especially with newer doboks, a lot of people get irritation, this would help prevent that as well. I usually completely soak mine when I am doing my cardio, so I wouldn't recommend wearing it out into the cold, because then you will get REALLY cold. Aodhan

No, all it means is that everyone who is a white, orange or yellow belt will be learning the same material. It's a teaching method enabling instructors to give more individual attention to more students. Aodhan

That's really not very good advice. All that coming after them with a bat can do is either encourage them to get something heftier, such as a gun, or get you in trouble with the law for assault with a deadly weapon. You can try to talk to them, if they are in your school you can talk to teachers/principal, and only as a last resort would I turn to fighting them. Maybe they think you wronged them somehow? Communication is highly underrated. Aodhan

Not all of them. Admittedly it is only taught in ATA schools, but Songahm is a TKD set of forms. Aodhan

To test for first degree in our system: 9 forms 5 sets one step combinations 6 sets sparring combinations basic weapons handling Aodhan

Mrs Lee is my school co-owner, and the head instructor at our school. She is a sixth degree, 5 time ATA World champion in forms, and a Master candidate. Master Candidate Kathy Young owns two schools in Tucson, Az, and there are quite a few husband/wife school owners and instructors in our area. Aodhan

Again, it depends on the individual student, not the federation. There are students in our dojangh that will probably never go to a tournament, and there are students such as myself, who live for tournaments and travel to chase ranking points. The students who never plan to go, probably aren't prepared for it if they suddenly HAD to go. That wouldn't matter if you are WTF, ATA, ITF, GBTU, whatever. Is an ATA'er prepared for a WTF style tournament? Probably not. Is a WTF'er ready for a ATA style tournament? Same answer. Aodhan

Unless the hours are more for the job, it shouldn't cut into your workouts. And tons of light lifting (Once your body gets used to it) shouldn't affect your mass gains at all. You work your abs all day long, but you can still punish them for growth 2-3 times a week. You might need to adjust for recovery times, but the light lifting should also help speed lactic acid out of the muscles. If anything, the light lifting should help by keeping the muscles moving, as opposed to sitting sedentary all day long. Aodhan

MEDIC! Yes?? Oh. Wait. You won't need me until the weekend...hehehehehe. Aodhan

Why yes, I would be very offended. As a matter of fact, I'm offended you even suggested it. Just kidding. Ok, I'll give in on the name. 'Chucks are a momentum weapon. When you see a pommel horse routine in mens gymnastics, it's all momentum. Slow down, and you lose control. As you gain proficiency, you will learn how to use the momentum and curves of your body to manipulate the weapon without beating yourself silly. (Just wait until you do an under the arm move and whack yourself in the head!) The SJB can be used as a striking weapon (The original use for SJB was threshing grain), you can grab both handles in one hand and use it like a club, you can grab a handle in each hand and tip or butt strike with it, you can use the cord to wrap forearms/catch weapons, etc. And, if you strike something, just remember the recoil (And thus the momentum) will rebound in the opposite direction. So, if you are doing a vertical twirl with one end going counter clockwise and you strike something, it will rebound in a clockwise direction. Just continue your twirl in a clockwise direction, and you will maintain control. It's when you try to start twirling in a counter clockwise direction again against a clockwise rebound that the weapon gets all tangled. Aodhan

Not to be mean or anything, but think about it. They are participating in a tournament where there is cash to the winner. The more people that enter, the more the prize money. However, they don't want to invite people that they think will beat them. So, either they are very confident/good in their art, or they saw something in your practice that makes them think that you wouldn't win. If I came across a flier, checked it out and it was legitimate, I might consider it. But, just to be approached by some guys in a gym, I'd be very leery. Aodhan

Do well, guys! You know the material, try to relax and take in as much as you can. This is a big milestone, savor the moment! This is something you will remember for life. Aodhan

I want to do the same thing but my instructor insists on the belt he gave me......kind of overdone.......but he wrapped it around my waist so, that's the way it is. I have my original black belt in a case display. I got a new one that I've had for 3 years now. One side is my name, and in Korean on the other is my TKD philosphy: Grace, Power and Precision. Aodhan

Right, but these are modern codifications/refinements. I don't think there is a single MA out there (Although I'm sure someone will pipe up with a different opinion ) that is truly "ancient" in the form it exists today. Also, every martial art can claim ancient roots. The modern version of TKD is just now 50 years old, but has roots and techniques dating from near 0 AD. Same for most kicking/punching martial arts. Aodhan

I'm almost 100% sure chain whips are prohibited weapons. I've never heard anything about this law that you can't move around with a katana if it's sharpened. That's a new one on me, especially since so many swords are sharpened when you buy them. Most of these I think are related to people carrying them around as available weapons. In all the states I've trained it, you are allowed to have them in your house, or in your car if you are on your way to/from the dojang or tournaments, etc. You just can't carry it around as an all purpose kind of thing. Carring concealed, such as a shuriken, expandable escrima/baton, etc. is subject to the regulations of your local constabulary. Oh, and Jussi, in the US, there are laws that limit the length of the blade of the knife depending on whether it is a straight knife or a folding knife. I'm pretty sure a katana would violate most of them. Aodhan

Aerobics, aerobics, and more aerobics. By that I don't mean jumping around on the floor with the rest of the victims while a pseudo sadist in spandex screams at you over her microphone, but aerobic activity such as running, biking, swimming, etc. I would also add interval work, where you sprint once around a track, walk around the track, sprint around the track, etc etc. Sparring is a short burst, anaerobic activity for the most part, so you need to be ready for that, and the longer endurance work will give you the stamina you need. Work on EVERYTHING for the test, forms, weapons, sparring, etc. until they are completely second nature. That way if you get completely stressed, your body can just take over until your mind unfreezes. Meditate, picture your testing and you doing well. Let us know how it goes!! Aodhan

Uhm...NO. The ATA does not pay ANYONE to compete. ATA tournaments are open to any actively training ATA member 5th degree and below. (Once you reach 6th degree, you can no longer compete, although I think that is changing at this years Worlds.) No compensation, just trophies and competitor participation awards. Anyone can make it into the Olympics. Anyone. Olympic qualifying tournaments are run according to WTF sparring rules. The last time I checked, as long as you placed in the top 2 in your weight division at the Olympic trials you were on the team, #3 was the first alternate. Doesn't matter if you are WTF, ITF, ATA, ITI, whatever. As long as you had a valid kukkiwon certificate and sparred according to the WTF ruleset, you could qualify. There is an ATA'er in Colorado that was an alternate for the last Olympic team. I forget the steps to get to the Olympic trials, though. I think they were along the lines of placing in the top 3 at a recognized state championship, top 3 at certain designated tournaments, participation on the last or current national team, placing at Worlds, and a couple other high level tournaments (Such as the Pan Am games). I think if you have medaled at an Olympics you can get an automatic entry into the trials. I'm sure the USTU has the qualifications on their website. Aodhan

True. I was just being a bit pedantic in the morning. Aodhan

http://www.ataonline.com/the_ring/tourschedule.asp Aodhan

yep, and if you hold it so a little more of the kubotan is sticking out the end of your fist, you can use it for wrist locks and things as well. Kinda hard to do with the kubotans that have prongs sticking out though. Interestingly enough, I've had a kuboton on my keychain in my carryon luggage the last 3 times I've flown, and nobody has said a word. Aodhan

Plyometrics is a term for a type of exercise that I can never define well, but can explain. Heres an example exercise- 1- stand on a box, log, anything that will support your weight, and is about a foot off the ground. Get another obstacle that is higher, like 18 inches or 2 feet, and place it just ahead of you. Jump off your box, and then as soon as you land, jump over the second box. Google search for plyometrics, you'll find some great exercises and explanations. As far as your vertical, most of your vertical leaping power is going to come from your calf muscles. Extension of the foot (Pointing the toes) is the prime mover in a jump, and the musles responsible for that are the calf muscles. You get some benefit from quads/hamstrings depending on what type of jump, but the calf is still the basic muscle. Aodhan

No, ATA does not use the sine wave theory for their techniques. Aodhan