karatekid1975

I think he means Karen Eden. She studied/studies under GM C.S. Kim. And wrote TKD for dummies. She has really good articles. But they (TKD Times) always puts her stuff in the back ...... ggggrrrrrr

Hey JaseP Another TSD person. Coolness. Be sure to stop by the intro thread to tell us about yourself Tang Soo!

Unfortunately, I didn't yet. But it doesn't stop me from training at my new dojang I'm stuborn hehehehehehe. So the contract will be gone soon.

When I first started, I couldn't do a back kick (or anything backwards) to save my life! Sheesh. One of the simplest techniques and I couldn't do it. I felt like an idiot LOL. I learned the 360 (roundhouse) before I perfected the back kick. Then it was jump kicks, but they didn't take long. About two months ago, I learned the hook kick and spinning hook. Yea, it was hard. I had the flexibility, and all. But I just couldn't get it right. Now I can do both, and they are my favs. Now I'm working on the 540 (trick kick) ..... Actually, I've been working on it for a loooooong time ggggrrrrrr.

Yes, I have. I took two weeks off between the "McDojang" and my new dojang. I had time to re-think my reasonings for MA. After the injuries I also got, and not getting what I wanted out of MA. But training only two weeks in the new dojang, changed my mind (about quiting it all together ..... yes, a secret I didn't tell you folks ..... ooops). I was going to quit, and just admire MA from the "side-lines." But I would let the hard work I did go to waste. Plus the new dojang gives me what I was looking for ...... SELF DEFENSE NOT SPORT! Notice in my sig I don't "credit" the McDojang

I don't like Century doboks either. The ones I had/have shrink. They fit great when you first get them, but they shrink bad. I like Pro force brand. I have two of them (from my TSD school), and they fit great, never shrank, and they can take a beating. I still wear the pants to my Pro Force dobok with my TKD top, because the Century pants got too small. And they are still holding strong. Very good quality I say go with Pro Force

I used to train 4-5 days a week at my TSD school. I trained 3-4 at the TKD school (the McDojang). Now I train 2 days a week (in the afternoon because I work nights ). I'm working on changing my schedule at work so I can train more.

I agree

I like that one also Zero

Inquisitive wrote: I'm female also. What I ment about gaining muscle wasn't in the way of "body building." I was a weakling, no strength at all. But MA changed that. Yes, I have more muscle and strength, but it's not in the way of "bulky muscle." I'm more "lean." Well, except for my "beer gut" LOL. If you want to lost fat, try cardio training as well as MA. They go great together. Kickchick will tell you that I'm sure I hope this helps.

I have to add to this one ...... again. I just switched dojangs. My first class here was great. We did kicking drills, forms, and self defense. They knew I wasn't a beginner, so they threw me right into class. They day instructor is cool. She let me do all my forms (the ones I already knew), and we did the kicking drills together. She was really nice. The second class was with the master instructor teaching the day class. We did all self defense. Man, was that rough, but great. I was sore for a week (lotta joint lock stuff). He was laid back, funny, but strict at the same time. My kind of instructor

Tae Kwon Do Times is your best bet. I seen (and have copies) of an old out-of-print Korean Arts mag called the "Dojang." Good stuff. I wish it was still being printed

I say stick with it! I have over-come cancer (cervical) with Martial Arts. My doc said if it wasn't for my training, I wouldn't have recovered as well without it. So stick to your guns, and go for it. Welcome to the forums

Yes. I did WTF TKD before switching to TKD MDK, and a reverse turning kick is the same as a spinning hook kick.

I agree. Shin block works wonders. I do it in TKD and get in trouble, cause it hurts them hehehehehehe. But it works

I would say Hapkido, or Kempo. Effective kicks, good self defense (both are very effective for self defense), and weapons training. Muay Thai is great, but not much weapons training. Jujitsu is great for self defense and other stuff, but not much for kicking. My advise would be, look around for schools that catch your eye. Make sure it's not a McDojang. Choose a couple of styles that you might like out of those. Then try classes out. Most schools have a free trail thing. Take advantage of that. Then pick from there. Good luck, and I hope you find something you like

I agree with everyone here. I am learning a martial art on my own. BUT, I have two and a half years of the basics under my belt (no pun intended). AND, I am still training under a qualified instructor. So, if I have a question, I can ask my instructor. Hapkido isn't an easy art to learn by yourself (well with the help my man being my "dummy" LOL). I have also learned the basics of Muay Thai boxing on my own, because there isn't any schools that teach these around me. It is best to have an instructor to correct bad technique. Yes, you can learn to do stuff on your own, but if you don't do it correctly, you can either hurt yourself (from poor technique) or not be good enough to defend against an attacker in the real world ..... that's a scary thought. I would advise to learn the basics first from a qualified instructor for, at least, two years. Or reach black belt, then venture off on your own. By that time, you will know enough (or the difference) about other arts, and have strong basics.

Thanks Ramy. Yes, he is awsome. He's funny, laid back, understanding, but yet strict. My kind of instructor. And Yes, I KNOW I will be happy. I got the "feeling" again (the one I had with my TSD dojang). I feel "at home" there Which means, it's the right place to train for me.

It's ok. You can say what ya want. It's basically an open thread about dojangs Just be nice hehehehehe. My TSD dojang was like that, sort of. But for some reason, I got away with learning higher rank stuff I got bored with one form and learned the next LOL. The same with step sparring. I was a green belt (6th gup) and I was up to 3th gup step sparring hehehehehe And always, at least, one form ahead. I also got into tricks at green belt, too. I don't know how this school is, because they let me keep my rank. And I have to learn everything from white belt up to blue (or what ever rank that will be in TKD MDK). Kind of like a "crash course." Eeeeekkkkk. I think I can handle it LOL.

KickChick wrote: ) > You mean the Atlantic City NJ, right? I was at the one in the Tropicana Casino (sp?) in 2001. I forget the date, but it was in August. My school was there, so I went to cheer them on. Anyways, did you go to that one? Sorry, I little off topic. Just wondering

Thanks kchenault. I did Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in NJ. And Yes, I love it! I had to move, and I missed it so much, like you. For me to find this dojang was "heaven-sent." I think it's the only one like it here (in this area anyways). I hope your son is doing better. And I hope you find another MDK dojang. Or I ask the MA gods to send one to you

I wish, Kensai. My new dojang doesn't have contracts. My instructor doesn't believe in contracts. He said "s**t happens" (he didn't say that word LOL). People either loose interest or move, or can't no longer afford it, or something else. It's not right to bind someone to a school when their "problems" are already bad or make them do something they don't no longer enjoy. It's just not fair. He is so right.

Yes, Kickchick is right. My instructor's instructor was one of Hwang Kee's students right before the "split" of TSD and TKD. So, he kept the TSD type stuff, except for the color belt forms. Then it goes back to the Moo Duk Kwan forms. Kensai, it's not "pure" TSD. It's mixer of TKD and TSD (see above). But as far as self defense, joint locks, ect it is very much TSD. The master instructor even wears the black belt with the red stripe through it (TSD thing). We do still practice the "fancy" kicks, but most of our training centers around self defense type stuff. Freestyler, I'm dumping my old dojang like a bad habbit (ok bad humor, sorry LOL). I have to make an appointment with the master instructor to tell him that I'm just not interested anymore. I talked to a lawer about the contract thing already, so if he "plays" games ..... hehehehehe Thanks all for the congrads

Hey all, I just had to share this with KF members. I found a new dojang Woohooo!!! It's very similar to TSD. No contracts, and almost pure self defense (what I was looking for in MA). And they let me keep my rank Not that it's really important, but it just suprised me. And the monthly tuition is cheap. I definitely get my money's worth plus some here. It's great!

Well, I don't do either anymore. I'm back to Moo Duk Kwan forms (new dojang). So, my vote stays with pyung ahn ee dan