Rateh

I did not know there was raw eggs in ice cream. *eyes her bowl of chocolate ice cream*

Interesting story... The organization my school belongs to holds a tournament every year. In 2008 I went to the tournament, having been at my current school for one year. Our grandmaster spent most of the tournament in civilian clothes, behind the registration counter. Apparently a computer glitch had screwed up most of the rings, so he was going through all of the ring assignments and making sure everyone was in the right ring. During the entire tournament, until the very end at the dinner, I did not know he was the grandmaster. After finding out, I did feel rude, but not because I was disrespectful. I just wish I would have known who he was, maybe introduced myself, said thanks for putting on the tournament, etc. Had he been in uniform with rank stripes...well I wouldn't have thought he was a parent helper the whole time!

Am I the only one who thinks eating raw eggs is a bad idea? Isn't there a reason why we're supposed to make sure they are fully cooked...like salmonella etc. :S

Currently I now know... Kihon 1 (Known by many names) Kihon 2 (Known by many names) Kihon 3 (Known by many names) Pyong 1 Pyong 2 Pyong 3 Pyong 4 Pyong 5 Taegeuk 5 Taegeuk 6 Taegeuk 7 Taegeuk 8 Bassai Palgwe 7 Koryo Sip Sho Hwarang Do Hung Kusanku Naihanchi 1 Naihanchi 2 Tokomini Bo Kusanku Sai Chon-ji I have forgotten around 10-12 that I no longer practice

Your welcome! I read far too much wiki! In response... Technically correct? I'd say no. Wrong? I'd also say no. Isn't human communication all about successfully communicating between one person and another? And if that communication IS successful, isn't it then, in that instance, right? I would say, that the only time spoken or written word is truly "wrong" is when the intent is not understood from one party to another. Of course it could be argued that there are ways that are MORE right than others for any given situation...ways that more clearly communicate the intent of the speaker. And some of us are more blessed with...eloquence...than the rest of us.

I think rank stripes are useful when multiple schools get together for tournaments or testings. It's easy to figure out who is in charge by looking at the stripes. And when we hold regional black belt tests, those masters who come to judge from outside of the region can have an easy visual identifier which tells them what rank the testers are going for, and also helps them put names with faces. So...if one is a member of an organization, then I say yes, rank stripes are good. If one is an individual school...then it can go either way imho.

Welcome! I have not heard of Kwon Shu, would you might telling us a little bit about it?

Remember that whatever length of time you choose to train, you will become fitter and that amount of time will no longer tire you out like it did when you started. You may be tired out in an hour (depending on the class) initially. If a school offers classes back to back, and you are training mainly for fitness, then training two classes in a row could help you up your level. As far as how often to train...every school I have attended recommended at least 2 classes per week. This was for general skill development though. Whether this would be the correct recommendation for fitness, I don't know. As with choosing a martial arts school for self defense...the best thing to do is personally visit each school and watch some classes to get an idea of what the intensity level is, and if you and the instructor would be a good match.

Congratulations!

This type of repetition with acronyms is actually called "RAS syndrome" which in itself is an example as it reads as "redundant acronym syndrome syndrome" This situation occurs when an acronym is so common that people forget what it actually stands for, and instead treat it as a noun. It is especially common when the acronym comes from another language and is taken up as a noun to begin with. "Bo staff" has the same issue as tautological place names. A tautological place name is a name where the two words are synonyms. One example is Mississippi River...where Mississippi MEANS big river....so translated it is "big river river".

Nah I disagree with lots of people as I tend to be highly opinionated, I just usually keep my mouth shut unless I feel its really worth arguing

Usually I disagree with at least some of your post, sensei8. We just seem to have different outlooks/opinions. But in this, I agree with you completely. Sometimes it is important to step back, and look at how far you have come, and be proud of it! If your climbing a mountain, and you only ever look forward, then you will only see how far you have to go. But if you turn around and look back, you will see how far you have already come, and it will give you courage to continue.

I'd never consider shunning or mental games punishment. I consider that to be complete immaturity of the person doing that, and he or she should NOT be in any sort of position of authority. Withholding rank for poor behavior, when the student clearly knows that good behavior is a requirement to advance in rank, is not a punishment either imho. It is simply enforcing the guidelines set in place to advance in rank, just like not letting a student test who doesn't know their form. I DO give push-ups to students, as a reminder of appropriate behavior. I never have, and never will give push-ups, verbal reprimands, or discussions with a student about their inappropirate behavior in anger. Letting any anger have ANY play in how you relate to students, imho, is completely inappropriate. Also, students who are given push-ups should be told exactly what behavior it was that they are doing push-ups for. Focusing on the specific behavior, not on the student being a "bad egg" or any such concept. It is also important to specifically explain to the student what types of behaviors you ARE looking for, as well as praising students for the behavior you are looking for. (Especially in a student who was just punished/reprimanded/you had a personal discussion with)

IMHO a pressure point is simply a place on the body that naturally has more nerve endings, so that when physical pressure (either in a strike, or just pressing) is applied, it hurts. Nothing more, nothing less. Now, some people will be less sensitive than others, such that any particular pressure point will not cause as much or any pain, or needs more precision to be painful. This is the same way that two people might have the same medical condition (say gallstones) and one will feel immense pain, and the other will not even know that they have gallstones due to lack of pain. Each persons body is a little different. (This should be obvious, or we wouldn't be able to tell one person from another.) I don't believe that pressure points have any sort of magical types of properties. Nor do I believe that they are a "fight stopper". Really, unless you've killed them, nothing can be called a "fight stopper" IMHO. I DO believe that pressure points can be another tool in my tool box. I have used them in classroom situations to create openings for myself in grappling. I don't see why, if the opportunity arose and it seemed like a good option, that I would not be able to similarly use a pressure point on the street to create an opening for myself. But, just like any other tool in my tool box, I know that if it isn't working....I'll try something else! Also, like any other tool, trying to use it in situations where it is NOT a good option, where other tools might be more effective, is likely to get you killed.

Congratulations!

A front kick performed to the side of the body I would call a front kick to the side. A front kick performed at a 45 degree angle (half way between your front and your side) I call a front kick to the 45. In pyong 2 there are two front kicks to the 45. And that is what we call them. I don't think someone who calls any kick to the side of their body a side kick regardless of what type it is, is better informed, rather they categorize their kicks differently. First by the direction, then by the technique. I and everyone else I have worked with classify first by technique, then by direction. Either way works so long as everyone you are speaking with classifies it the same way. Rather than "direction of kick - type of kick" I use "movement - type of kick - direction of kick (if different then normal)". Where movement would be things like "front leg" (kick with the front leg and place your foot back down in the same spot), "stepping" (kick with the back leg and place your foot forward), "pop-up" (bring the back knee up, jump, kick with the other leg, land) etc. So I can be very precise with combinations such as "front leg front kick, standing front kick to the 45, stepping round kick", which means "perform a kick with your toes up striking with the ball of your foot toward the front with your front leg, then put your foot back down where it was, perform a kick with your toes up striking with the ball of your foot at a 45 degree angle with your back foot, then put your foot back down where it was, perform a kick with your hip turned over striking with the the instep toward the front with your back foot, then put your foot down in front of you". When just the "type of kick" is stated without a direction and sometimes without a movement, the direction and movement are assumed based what is most common. (So when performing warm-ups simply stating "front kick" is assumed to be a front kick to the front with the back leg placing your leg back behind you after each kick) For the way you categorize them, WNM, if just the direction is stated without a specific foot position/striking surface, is the position assumed based on what is most common for a kick in that direction?

Welcome!

I got my latest one from century. They have some bo's offered in the more diverse sizes that I listed.

I think it would be awkward in general and could lead to problems particularly if the relationship ended. HOWEVER The dojang which I currently attend is run by a husband and wife. She is a 5th Dan and he is a 3rd. They met in the training hall. I do not know whether or not she was his instructor at the time. I do know that she is now, and in the dojang she is his senior. Another dojo I trained at was also a husband and wife couple. The man was an 8th and the woman a 5th. They taught separate classes so I do not know how they interacted within the context of the dojo. Of the seven places I have trained at, these two were by far the best, both in the physical training, the skill levels of the students, but ALSO in the overall atmosphere of the school and the general feelings of the students and instructors within it toward the art and each other. SO...It could be good, and it could be bad...or it could be neutral.

I have heard and follow the line of thought that a bo should be somewhere between your eye height and your head height. I'm 5'3" and use a 5' bo. The usual bo sizes that I have seen are 4', 4'6", 5', 5'6", and 6'. At 5'11" I'd say you should get a 6 foot, possibly a 5'6", definitely no taller or shorter. (If they made them I'd say a 5'9" would be perfect but those don't exist that I am aware of). I do not know what wood is better. However I did have a bo that had some sort of filler between the wood (the wood had natural cracks and they filled it with something of the same color). After dropping it on hardwood floor many times the filler came out and now I have a bo with holes in it.

I got a regular cotton belt 5 years ago when I got my first degree. It is white along the edges at the belt knot, but it isn't noticeable unless you are the one tying it (IE me). I like it because when I tie it on it reminds me of how far I've come and how far I have to go. So yes, I like a bit of fray, but only as a personal symbol, not something to show everyone else. I actually have a pair of black gi pants that I've worn for about 8 years. The knees in them are tissue thin. When I wear them they remind me of where I have come as an instructor, because those worn knees came mostly from kneeling to teach young children.

I would call ahead of time and find out their schedule. You don't want to show up to watch a class only to find out a kids class is scheduled at that time. When I have started at a new school I've watched a beginners class and an advanced class (If they separate them). You want to see how they treat the beginners, but also if the advanced students actually LOOK advanced. Also if you can, speak with some of the students to get a better feel for the school.

Personally, I see no need to kick trees or train in the snow shirtless. In fact in my mind those types of things borderline on the ridiculous. In general I think they are just plain silly. As a child, I used to run around in the snow without shoes on. Because it made me feel "tough". I didn't need shoes. Now I'm a 25 year old woman. I don't feel the need to demonstrate my "toughness" by engaging in silly activities. I'll spar with the best of them, within reason. I'm not going to risk serious injury, but I'm not going to back down just because someone is bigger or stronger than I am...If I did, I wouldn't be much use in self defense now would I? Whether or not other women do or do not think as I do, I don't know, but these are the reasons you wont see ME participating in some of the mentioned activities.

As part of my religion we are supposed to have a 1 year supply of food and water. I live with 6 other family members, I believe we have 12 1-year supply kits, but it might be 10.

So two years ago I was presented as a 2009 black belt testing candidate. For the last year I have gone through many pre-tests and pre-test classes. On Friday and Saturday was the final test. About 2 hours was spent on Friday night, and 6-7 hours on Saturday morning-afternoon. I passed \o/. Did have some difficulties occur though... First I ripped my toenail half off during some knife defenses and had to tape it back on. Then my glasses got broken during another portion of self defense (lucky me I had an extra pair, but the extra pair was for sparring so I wouldn't break my GOOD pair) Had some sort of asthma like attack during the second of 5 people sparring (5 minute match where they switch the black belt you are sparring at the end of every minute) Also they stole my runner half way through on saturday (every tester needs to choose a non testing student to run their weapons out to them) so my mom tried to be my runner but she didn't know the names of the weapons, and so a red belt girl jumped in as my runner. Good things I was able to keep up my stances and some semblance of power throughout. I broke my 3-board side kick break on the first try I broke my brick on the 3rd try Everyone liked my demo (my made up form with bunkai) and form (just a form I made up) I was unanimously voted to be the most improved over the last two years. Afterward we had a barbecue (those from our dojang who had tested, as well as family members, runners, and next years candidates) I started feeling ill out of no where right before we got there. Ended up having a pseudoseizure in the middle of it. Rode to the hospital in an ambulance and spent a while there. The medication they gave me caused amnesia and paranoid delusions So I don't remember what happened all to well. All in all a VERY eventful weekend! But now I have my 1st Degree in the system! Get to take repeat the whole thing when I test for my 2nd Degree in two years, except for some parts of course! O.o