IcemanSK

Thanks gentlemen! I went ahead & bought the Spider cup & shorts combo. I should receive it soon. Hopefully, it will be decent. I'll let you know.

I've used tuck under style cups for a very long time. I like them enough, but now I'm using compression shorts to lessen the chance of muscle pulls. I saw this compression short/"new" cup model the other day: http://store.titleboxing.com/spider-guard-compression-shorts-with-cup.html It's supposed to be more comfortable. Anyone have experience with it? Is there one you'd recommend?

You're right GeoGiant! I forgot about them. They are very important!!!

I'm sure that everyone who owns a heavy bag doesn't use gloves, but I would recommend them highly. I would also recommend that you wear shoes while kicking the bag as well. Some MAist will disagree with me on wearing shoes while kicking the bag, but my reasoning is the same as wearing gloves. When you train, you want to be able to punch & kick the bag hard for the length of your workout & do it again tomorrow as well. You need to protect your hands, wrists, feet & ankles from damage. Shoes & gloves reduce the risk of injury & let you train another day. All my best to you.

The question of "how long it takes" varies from belt to belt, how often it's worn, etc. On silk belts, the dye fading isn't the issue, fraying is the issue. While silk belts sort of stand out, they do fray more easily than cotton. That is the reason people prefer cotton. Many figure that if they're going to spend good money on a belt, they want it to last longer.

Among Kukki-TKD practioners (WTF-style folks) there is also Simon John O'Neil (sp?) & his book "The Tae Guek Cipher." Like Anslow, he follows the lead of boon hae (Korean for Bunkai). Like Anslow, some folks buy it, some don't...& many are just confused as to why a block isn't just a block, or a punch just a punch.

That was our experience back in '84 when the 1st one came out. The movie played across the street from our dojang. Folks seemed to get out of the film & come in & sign up. Ah, those were the days

What companies have you tried so far, Jay?

Years ago, I trained at a kickboxing gym where the trainer gave most of the students nicknames. He called me "Iceman." He said it was after the legendary Canadian kickboxer Jean Yves Theriault. I felt quite honored. I said, "Wow, do you really think I fight like him?!" He laughed & said, "Uh no. But ya do kinda look like him....a little." My sister-school's instructor (and good friend of mine) gives a lot of his students nicknames. I can't seem to do that. I don't want a nickname someone doesn't like to stick, I suppose.

Eosin panther belts do not show the negative image through, like some companies do. Look for yourself at EosinPanther.com

You might also try sangmoosa.com Their's feel comfortable to the touch, but I've not worn one. They too have drawstring waist.

As has been said, you really need to talk to senior students and/or your instructor about what is worn in your school. There are lots of choices out there, but in the end, it's what's used there that will be what you'll need.

Chung Do Kwan? Did I read that right? Are you by any chance with the Edward B. Sell group? I am indeed a student of GM Sell.

I read and write Korean, and while I can't say that I've seen any connotation of "Father" in the term Sa Bom or Sa Bom Nim, maybe that's a cultural thing for whatever area he is from like our words have slightly different meanings between various regions sometimes. What I have seen is that Sa Bom seems to be a term for a legitimate teacher, and has no connotations of Master whatsoever. Kwan Jang Nim, which refers to a higher ranked teacher or a president of schools/associations is the typical somewhat equivalent term for senior instructor, and I've never seen it used by a Korean with less than 6th dan, but maybe it is. I like your instructor's ideas. Yes, in English, I don't care for the Master term. Americans seem to want status and rank as quickly as they can get it, even if they have to buy it in order to be "respected." What they've failed to realize is that this isn't respect, its a superficial adoration or submission from people who either don't know enough to make discernments or whose standards are poor themselves. My instructor, who was from Korea and continued to earn rank through Korea until he could go no higher, still uses and very much believes in this title. But his English is still choppy and I'm not certain he understands the term fully in English, nor the history of it in the United States - it's never stood for anything good in the history of this country's peoples. It means to control, dominate, enslave or equally as unhelpful "to perfect." The term was problematic for this country and it's status and rank hungry but work fearing population from the get go. I respect my instructor by submitting, and allowing him and his students to call me this, as I expect my students to follow my traditions. He allows me the freedom to do as I please in my school regarding titles and rank. I've grown fond of hearing him call me "Master" because of our relationship, and the respect he intends when he uses it. As I told my higher ranks, if you do everything you are capable of doing, and if your life reflects that martial art is not just a sport, but a Way, and if you've managed to find hope in the darkest of the world's realities, and if you've offered that hope to others, maybe during your lifetime, but more likely when you are gone, the people will lift up your name and proclaim you a Master, based on what you have done, as they have done with all historical teachers who have touched lives. Thank you for this clarification. I did not remember correctly. This has been such a confusing detail of Korean/English translation for me. In my TKD organization, "master" is a title one is eligible for at 4th Dan. Despite my 28 years of training, I'm not there yet. (Long story). In my org., we wear a braided stripe on our left sleeve for every 4 years of training. I have more braids on my left sleeve than some 4th Dans have years on the planet. They show my deference & call me "sir." I do not ask them to do so. They have learned that, in Korea, the length of time one has trained is more esteemed than rank achieved. My KJN ALWAYS refers to me as "Mr." in every discussion, email or correspondence. He does this out of respect. His custom is to refer to his students by the titles they have earned under him. Regardless of what title I'm given, "Mr." will be what my students call me. I know many masters for whom the title fits. I also know many for whom it does not. It's sad that the Korean terms didn't get translated into English well back in the day. We would have less of these issues.

My first instructor (a Korean gentleman) was a 5th Dan and told us to call him "Mr." His business card read "Mr. _______ Master Instructor." In Korean, Sa Bom is translated "Teaching Father" rather than master. As others have said, master connotes things in English that Korean doesn't not intend. Just call me Mr. It's easier.

I assume he wears cross over uniforms, rather than the pull over v-neck uniforms. I would try try Kwon brand uniforms. They might be able to help you. They're made in a "European fit." (ie. sized for non-Asian folks) Here's their site: http://www.kwon.com/kwonusa/shop_index.asp Hope that helps.

The policy for my students is to not wear their top &/or belt outside the dojang unless it's a school event. I encourage them to change into their whole dobok when they get to class, but I allow them to wear the pants to & from home. Years ago I taught at a community center where both my program & a karate program were run. The karate instructor (a man in his 40's) wore his full gi to & from class as if it were a badge of honor. The really sad part was he didn't wear a traditional gi, but a a demo-type gi. His instructor (a very traditional shihan) used to tell me (someone who is not his student) how ridiculous he thought his own student was. For kids, I think wearing a uniform outside of class can bring unwanted attention. For adults, you're asking for that attention....& it's not a good look at the grocery store.

I'll bring it up to those who aren't MAists occasionally, but not often. But no more often or in detail then I would discuss other things folks have little interest in. I probably wouldn't discuss a friend's stamp collection, because I have little interest in that.

Good one you! Welcome back. Remember...start back slowly. No need to show up the kids

I've had them made in both Illinois & California. $150 seems to be about the norm. I think even that website I gave you sells them for about that. The best things I've found about them (apart from the great protection) is that one can breathe so much easier. I put mine in before sparring class starts & I can teach a whole class without ever removing it. I can talk & spar without fumbling with it. All my best to you!

I second Jeffrey's urging for a dentist made mouth piece. They are not cheap, but worth every penny. There are several types & thicknesses that one can get. From thinner for basketball to very thick for Boxing & MA. I would encourage you to get the thicker ones. Then there are companies like this one: http://www.fightdentist.com/ who add a lot of flash to dentist-made mouth pieces. Either way, $150 US is worth it for a mouth piece when the replacement costs can be three times that. My $.02

I need to correct something in my post. The author of "A Killing Art" is Alex Gillis (not Gilles). I'm sure they will have another printing of the book, but you can find it on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Art-Untold-History-Kwon/dp/1550228250/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268193594&sr=8-1

I can not help with TSD history as such, but there is a great book called "A Killing Art" by Alex Gilles. It's about early TKD history to present & gives a bit of background on early Kwan heads . The book really follows Gen Choi & Un Yong Kim & their quest to rule the world with TKD. That's only a little tongue-in-check The book came out in 2008, but it's not easy to come by. It might be worth a look for you. All my best.

Toptomcat has a really good understanding of KMA history, here. The KMA's owe a great deal to the JMA's. Hwang Kee, Lee, Won Kuk & many other of the founders of KMA's got their start in Japanese Karate. If I'm not mistaken, Hwang Kee learned a bit in China during a time period where he worked on the railroads, there. With the Japanese occupation of Korea, there was a understandable hatred for anything Japanese. Therefore they needed Korean names for their Arts. The link to the Hwarang came about the first time (to my knowledge) when Gen. Choi was standing next to President Rhee in the 1950's during a demo. President Rhee asked, "what is this called?" "Taekyon," Gen Choi replied. Taekyon was at least Korean. Had he said, "Shotokan Karate that I learned from Gichin Funakoshi," that might have stopped the whole movement right there. The 2000+ year old history of the KMA's roots them in Korean history & gives the Korean people a sense that these Arts are their own. There is much value in the KMA history of the founders of the Kwans. They were brave, tough men who worked hard to develop their Arts..even during the Korean & Vietnam wars. Sadly, their stories are not often told.

Satin & Silk do not tend to last as long as cotton belts do. For me, I wouldn't spend money for an expensive belt that won't last long. That's why I get cotton belts. I'm a big fan of EosinPanther.com. Like Shuredo, Hirota, & Toakido EosinPanther are not cheap belts. The quality is excellent. I own two of them & get compliments on them all the time. EosinPanther asks customers if they want a stiff or a soft belt. Korean stylists tend to like a softer belt & Japanese/Okinawan stylists tend to like a stiffer belt. Stiff belt stick out more & softer belts tend to lay flat. I don't work for Eosin Panther. I asked about belts on this same board in 2005 & folks directed me to them. They aren't cheap, but worth every penny. IMO