Aodhan

One...one broken rib! haaaaaah hah ah ha ah ah ah. (Ok, only if you've ever watched sesame street will that make sense. ) First ever broken bone. Doing a ground fighting clinic this last weekend, was doing heel check drills with the senior master that was teaching, and he happened to catch me with his heel at just the right angle and time, and poof! fractured rib. So, it's a few weeks of very light activity, but it doesn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it might. Right now the only time I really even notice it is when I cough/sneeze. Hopefully I'll be on the short side of the 3-8 weeks I see as a time range for healing, especially since I'm moving this Saturday and have a tournament next Saturday. Aodhan

Can you elaborate on what you mean by isometric and compound? As I understand it, isometric exercise/contraction is muscle contraction against an immovable force, and has been shown to have limited gains in muscular strength, and almost any lifting exercise is compound, since it is very difficult to actually isolate one single muscle. Aodhan

That's what this forum is for. There are a lot of people here that use weights to supplement their training, but I don't think that there is enough separate interest in weightlifiting to have a separate forum. So no, I don't think it's a good idea. Aodhan

LOL....well, that might work. My best advice? Relax. Everything that they are testing on, you have already internalized and can do, otherwise, they wouldn't allow you to test. The more you stress and tense up, the more you will block your training and memory. Get rest, visualize things before you go to bed, lots of mental review and run through your kicks and forms at least once a day, eat well and just have a good mental outlook. If you tell yourself that you are going to freak out and fail, then you will. If you go at it with a positive approach, you've already won 1/2 the battle (The mastery of self.) Aodhan

Hooligans: Yo, I'm gonna rip you apart. You: Can you hold on a sec, I need to call the police. Hooligans: Oh, yeah ok, sure man, take your time. In this day and age, actually easier than you think. Take out the cell phone, press 911 while backing up, watching your opponent, then toss it aside. Most cell phones anymore have a special "911 locator" status, and if the 911 operator gets connected, and hears scuffles, "fighting" type words, then they will send a car. And, if they rush you before you can press 911, then the phone makes a decent striking implement as well. Aodhan

So Orion, found a good dojo/dojangh yet? What styles have you visited so far? Aodhan

What are you looking for? Schedules, videos, training tips? Remember, google is your friend. Aodhan

No, and they don't get a black belt in a year in the ATA. If you're going to keep slamming an organization, at least get the facts correct. 3-7 years old is Tiny Tigers. Most (And there are some exceptions, which is one of the things I disagree with) schools implement tiny tigers to where they earn 1/2 rank each testing, and then when they get to be old enough to move up into the karate for kids classes (7-12), then they usually start a couple belts up (7th, maybe 6th gup). And, since we are on the subject, there are a lot of martial arts organizations that allow young kids (6-10 y/o) to get their confirmed black belt. That is one thing that I disagree with the ATA on, along with some seniors that I know. I don't think anyone should be allowed to get a confirmed black belt rank until they are 12 at a minimum. While the physical skills may be there, I don't think the mental/conceptual side is developed enough until you start getting into the early teen years. I don't know what your specific gripe with the ATA is, but every post I've seen from you on the subject could be applied to probably half the martial arts organizations out there, and many are filled with misconceptions and generalizations. Aodhan

Better ground fighting in BJJ, sure. But it's also better than any stand up striking art. Better striking in boxing, sure, but you don't get the kicks that you do in any martial art. Better self defense in Krav? Possibly, and I don't know scars. You could take the same arguments as above, and apply them to just about any MA. Muay thai? Great striking, but poor ground fighting. As with anything, I would guess that about 75% of the people in it are in the range of just getting by to competent. There are about 10% that just plain suck, and about 15% that are very good, and supplement their training for any perceived lack. Blanketly indicting an entire MA does a disservice to both the art and yourself. Better self defence and fitness from the local football team? Please, at least be realistic. Take a 6', 240 lb 17 y/o center, or any one of the overweight lineman. They know how to hold you up, and push. The only danger any martial artist would be in is if they fell on him. The rest may have speed and power, but they still wouldn't know how to defend/attack against a MA. Fitness is what you make of it. I see overweight people in ALL ma's, not just ATA. Also, ATA is a closed tournament circuit because you must know ATA forms and protocols to compete. We also completely promote sportsmanship, so if you throw your arms in disgust from a bad call or losing a fight, we can address it with your instructor. The typical pouting, cursing, kicking things attitude I see in a lot of open tournaments doesn't fly in the ATA. I will give you this as a perception thing. ATA has one of the highest numbers of total members of any MA organization. Because of that, given the percentages above, there will be more people that are mediocre to average, so the likelihood that you meet one of the average people is greater. Oh, and while ATA tournaments are closed to ATA competitors only, anyone can come and watch. Nationals are March 4 of next year in Vegas, Fall Nationals is usally late October in Florida, and Worlds is in Little Rock each June. Come and watch some of the black belt rings, especially the higher ranks. Oh, and I'm not taking any offense. I know the perception that ATA has, and I understand why it comes about. Aodhan

I can't type that much............ -Adam Oooohh!! why...you...I...OOOOOOH!!!! Aodhan

Well no. As mentioned it is actually what ultimately became the WTF and is still the official designation for the governing bodyof Taekwondo in Korea, while the WTF is the global body intrusted for promoting and teaching Taekwondo world wide. It was the WTF that ws organized by the KTA to replace the ITF after Gen. Choi and the ITF left Korea and the KTA. The WTF was largely responsible for getting Taekwondo recognized as an Olympic sport. Gen. Choi at one time as the president of the KTA, then known as the Korea Tae Soo Do Association first proposed the name of TKD and that is how he is sometimes referred to in some circles as the "Father of TKD." RFB So, the Kukkiwon is not a governing body? Is it just a certifiying body then? Aodhan

My opinion: Camoflague belts = Mc DOjo Did you see the explanation of the camo belt that I posted earlier? And, if that is your only criteria, then I don't really consider it an informed opinion. I know of a very excellent dojangh (Not ATA, karate actually) that has some "non traditional" colors as well. Aodhan

Good luck sir! Hope you reach a mutually beneficial agreement!! Aodhan

Not to correct you you're thinking USTU not the USTF (my uncles a USTF 7th Degree) You're right, I always mix those two up for some reason And you can correct me any time, sir. (As long as you're right!! ) Aodhan

5th degree? Look to the left, Mr. Balrog, sir. You are a white belt!! ::drops for more pushups:: Aodhan

Mr. Balrog, sir! Welcome to the boards! Where is your avatar? Are you slacking again?? ::drops for yet another round of pushups:: Aodhan

Saw a great T-shirt today. Was in the grocery store near my apartment, and saw a Native American wearing a T-shirt that said "Vegetarian - Old Indian word for 'Bad Hunter' " Aodhan

It's not that I "did" like the ATA, I DO like the ATA. They have incredible business support, one of the best instructor certification and education systems around, they offer a good solid style of martial arts, and I think they have the best, bar none, children's program there is. There are some flaws, and there are some things that I don't agree with, but I prefer to recognize the good things and then work to change the things that I can as I advance in rank. I've been in about 4 or 5 different styles and systems, and I think the ATA has the best thing to offer both instructors and students. If I didn't think that way, I wouldn't be in the ATA, and I'm not in it with blinders, either. I recognized the good and work to change the bad as I can. Oh, and if you want to talk corrupt, I'll point you at the recent USTF/WTF scandals, presidential resignations, corrupt governing bodies, etc. etc. Aodhan

Well, you could get Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Brazilian, Thai, French, English/American. Just adjust your diet for the current art. MMMmmmmm.....kimchee. Aodhan

I don't know how many he knows, I know about 24 instructors, about 8 personally pretty well. Out of those 24, I'd peg 3 as all about the money, and about 3-4 more as decent instructors, but nothing awe inspiring. The rest range from pretty good to downright incredible. I'd guess that those proportions are probably pretty close to just about every large MA organization out there. 10-12% in it for the money, about 15-20% just kind of competent, and the rest ranging on up. Aodhan

Other than dealing with certification standards and Olympic type stuff, I have no idea what the WTF governing body does. ATA headquarters administers high rank tests, keeps track of tournament points, runs both national events and the worlds, creates/refines weapons and regular curriculum, certifies instructors, provides tons of business instruction and help to new school owners, regulates form structure (Not necessarily how to execute technique), and I'm sure a lot of other stuff I don't know about yet. However, ATA is somewhat different in that it is a "closed" organization. To teach ATA forms you must be currently in and registered with the ATA, ATA tournaments require current ATA membership and training, etc. My thought was that a governing body should provide basic standards for school operations, covering everything from instruction to operation. Otherwise, why even have it? If you know the Pal Gue or Tae Guk forms and are a 2nd degree, just go off an open your own school. No support, but noone looking over your shoulder either. I personally like having a strong influence from a governing body, that way I am assured that no matter where I go, I have an expectation of training that should be met, and if it isn't met, I have a place to go for grievance. If you go to a WTF school, and get slipshod instruction, is there anywhere you can go to get redress? Aodhan

Ah, I see, and I think I can explain some of it. Yes, the forms are regulated, and taught the same way from school to school. However, there are individual differences that creep in from school to school and instructor to instructor. Let me dig up a post from another board discussing what we call "regional variance". So, there are differences in interpretation of the techniques (Oh, and SM stands for Senior Master, our seventh degree rank). The ATA isn't about producing "cookie cutter" black belts, the reason they maintain control over the instruction is to ensure that the forms don't get distorted away from the base moves, and maintain high standards of instruction. The forms are regulated, the interpretation of how to do the move is not. As long as someone I am judging or teaching gets a side kick into the proper position, with reasonable speed and power, then it doesn't matter if they chambered in front, behind their head, or whatever (Within a reasonable amount, of course.) Aodhan

I recommend Rio during Carnivale. :D Aodhan

Why not just get a two piece bo? Aodhan

For my BB tests (2 so far) Physically: I get myself in the best shape I can. I go over lower ranking material, get sharp on my sparring, any other physical requirements for the test. Mental: I review the goals I set when I started/achieved my last rank, and see when I accomplished them, why I didn't, anything I can change, and my attitude towards my art. I contemplate how MA has change me and my life, and I start looking at new goals to set for after the test. If this is your first black belt test, then I would plan on inviting as many people as you are allowed to, it's always good to test with family and friends watching. (Plus, if you pass, then you get a kick butt celebration!) Aodhan