IcemanSK

A few years ago, I asked the same question on this same board. Several folks said "Eosin Panther was the way to go." I have 2 of them & I couldn't agree with them more. It's a very high quality belt. The embroidery is outstanding....& it's all made in the USA. EosinPanther.com

I highly recommend Eosin Panther. ( EosinPanther.com ) A great quality belt, but not cheap.

I find it interesting that this was quoted on TKDTutor. One wouldn't think that a site that wants to help folks understand TKD would say something like that. I currently to the Tae Guek & BB forms as well as a few older forms from TKD's Japanese roots (Basai Dai, & Empi). I also did the Chang Hon & Pal Gwe for a number of years. I don't find them all exciting as the next, but I wouldn't say any of them are boring. I still wonder why TKDTutor would say that. It makes them look like they don't like TKD....or forms.

My school is affiliated with the Kukkiwon (WTF) & the US Chung Do Kwan, as well as the World Chung Do Kwan. We do the Tae Guek & BB poomsae, as well as a few older forms. (Bassai Dai & Eunbi). I've been a part of some schools that were affiliated with the ITF, yet did ITF forms. It usually goes to the instructor's experience, knowledge &/or choices. If it were up to me, I'd add the Pal Gwe poomsae as well. Maybe someday I will.

I have mine outside, but it's under an awning. It never is exposed to the sun for very long.

Well considering it never really stopped... I find it interesting that the entire reason the Kukkiwon was established, is all but entirely ignored...The kwans are still seperate, and still issueing their own certifications...They still often practice their old Kong Soo Do/ Tang Soo Do material along with the Taegeuk forms, and many have simply kepts the Palgwe...Cant say I blame them...but as a casual observer all I can say is "interesting". I think it's a great way to continue lineage even as the KKW gives out rank. The KKW is quite impersonal. Recognition by the Kwan gives a feeling of connection. IMO. This is quite off the OP, however.

No disrespect intended in my statement. Many folks may not know that many, if not all, Kwans do this. I also pointed out that the head of the KKW is also a Kwan head as the perfect of example that what is "supposed to" happen is really meaningless. GM Uhm will retire at the end of the year. The practice of Kwans giving dan rank will continue under the next president as well....whoever that will be.

*Technically* The Chung Do Kwan* like all other Kwans (except Moo Duk Kwan), support the Kukkiwon, and promulgate Kukki Tae Kwon Do...It was not so in the day... Chung Do Kwan was known for being a very powerful school...I.E. Very strong kicking, punching, and blocking skills. So *technically* all Chung Do Kwan schools should have the same, or a very similar curriculum to all others, being united through the Kukkiwon. Again, *technically* the Kwans are not even supposed to issue certification, but rather support Kukkiwon certification, and exist solely in the position of a "social club"... *Note: I used the romanization Kwan versus Kwon. The hangul (Korean character) is the same (관), however it is generally accepted that KWON refers to FIST (拳) where as KWAN refers to a school or institute (館). FWIW, --josh The current KKW president (GM UHM, Woon Kyu) is also president of the Chung Do Kwan. The Chung Do Kwan still issues Dan rank to this day. With the way that the KKW is going, perhaps the Kwans dan certifications will replace the KKW certs.

Hi Iceman, It wasn't that my Soo Bahk Do instructor taught about these, but when her teacher visits, we get hit with things to think about regarding the martial arts, and that causes people like me to poke around the Internet. Thanks for the info about the side kick and the backfist. Last night, I was helping my instructor with my children, to have my six-year-olds to a backfist, reverse punch, and then roundhouse. It was a good session. I'm sorry I wasn't clear, Joesteph. I, like you, was curious as to why the opening poster hadn't learned the Kwon vs Kwan difference.

Joesteph brings up good questions about history & kwan vs kwon. I'd be interested in what your instructor taught you on these subjects also. I'm not acussing, just curious. Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan is very similar to other Shotokan-based styles of TKD. The main difference was/is the emphasis on the side kick & the back fist as sort of the "trademark" of Chung Do Kwan. Per Wikipedia, GM Uhm, Woon Kyu (current president of the Kukkiwon & World Chung Do Kwan. And direct student of CDK founder GM Lee, Won Kuk) was know as "the sliding side kick god" in his younger days. The emphasis on the side kick is still found in Kukki-TKD today. GM Kang Shin Chul has been known to say, "one can judge your proficiency in TKD by your side kick."

Swallowing the ITF may be what the WTF would have in mind. That was a good point. Regardless of the Olympic status of the WTF, the WTF still has the claim of being "official" as the choice of the South Korean government. I'm not sure that is interesting to the ITF or not. If the idea of being "official" is attractive to the ITF, that might be reason enough. I have my doubts about TKD in the Olympics past 2012.

As our collegue DWX has eludded to, the ITF is split into 3 pieces currently. An ITF/WTF merger would most likely be with only one of those groups (although which one, I couldn't guess) & only the one with something to offer the WTF. The WTF is in the "Power seat" in this discussion. If it sees nothing to gain, it will only be talk.

You're right it doesn't work. I should have checked. Apparently, they're not around anymore. The idea was a tick-tack-toe type window box. It was quite unique. A friend is making something like it foe me.

I think you're talking about this company: https://www.bestbeltboxes.com They look cool to me as well.

After many years of wearing a lot difference kinds, I had my dentist make one for me. The comfort factor alone is worth every penny!

I have a friend (sister school) that has a school built on teaching kids with special needs (physical, mental, emotional). He has training to do it. But most is on the job training. Attitude & willingness to adapt to each student is a key ingredient in teaching special needs students. If you want more info, let me know.

If you want to give you wife official Kukkiwon rank, you need to have tested by a KKW 4th Dan or higher. I looked into this years ago when starting my own school. I was able to connect with an organization that I'm quite happy with to get my students Kukkiwon certification. If you're interested, let me know.

In my Taekwondo bag: 1 uniform 2 belts (I'm afraid I'll forget it) 1 chest protector 1 foam head gear 1 pr forearm/elbow guards 1 pr foam boots 1 pr foam gloves 1 pr cloth shin/insteps pads 1 paddle 1 rubber knife 1 pr TKD shoes 1 towel 1 mouthpiece My boxing bag 2 pr hand wraps 1 pr boxing shoes 1 pr 12oz bag gloves 1 pr 10 oz bag gloves 1 pr 16oz sparring gloves 1 boxing cup 1 kickboxing cup 1 full face head gear 1 regular head gear 1 towel 1 mouthpiece (same one as my TKD bag) 2 rolls athletic tape Can ya tell I'm afraid I'll forget something? lol

I think it's important to talk about the connection that most (yet not all) the original Kwans have to Shotokan. I'm a Kukkiwon (WTF) black belt but acknowledge Shotokan because of the connection I keep to my Chung Do Kwan roots. It would be hard to acknowledge Chung Do Kwan without mentioning the founder, Lee, Won Kuk, was trained in Shotokan in Japan. Since the WTF's blending of the kwans, history has been easily re-written to say that TKD is 2,000 years old & only has Korean origins.

That's a great way to put it. I've trained enough in Western Boxing to really stop caring about what rank I achieve in my art. Like Tori, I want to train until I can't any longer. If rank comes with that, great. But since I went for 19 years at the same rank, I'm not in a hurry.

I'm sure he can make it for you (even tho it's not displayed there). What you're describing is similiar to my organization's master belt. Several masters have had it done there.

I'd try Eosinpanther.com. Mr. Yi, the owner, should be able to help you. He's not cheap, but the quality is excellent.

I love that!

When I was 18, my instructor sold the school to someone I couldn't train under. I left & went to a different school. My instructor never liked the instructor of the school I chose. Yet I didn't like the guy he chose. At some point, we all need to do what's best for us.

My backyard in Los Angeles it good for year-round training (for the most part. I have ample space for my XXL bag & room for forms. I stretch & do my conditioning indoors, usually.