IcemanSK

I don't see why it would be an issue.....even in a grappling class. If someone does something sexually inappropriate during class (& I mean: female, male, student or instructor) it needs to be dealt with. But sexual orientation has nothing to do with a persons MA abillities.

Yeah, my belt has my name on it, so unless I was to find a person with exactly the same name as me, it is unlikely that I'll ever be able to pass my blackbelt onto somebody!! I could see giving a belt that has no stripes on it to a favorite student. I'd wear my a belt with my instructor's name on it proudly, however.

Touche

Thanks for that! I've heard the name, but haven't yet seen him preform. I hope to soon.

Back when I had a mostache, my late kickboxing trainer said I looked, "but not neccesarily fought" like Jean Yves Theriault. Hence the ringname, "The Iceman" after him.

Jill: Were you disappointed or disheartened (or "dis" anything else) when you saw that 1st thru 3rd tests were not that difficult in Korea? Or, how did you feel?

That would be quite an honor to have a belt that was passed down. Sadly, I belong to an organization that uses names & rank stripes embroidered on the belts. So, its unlikely for me.

Well said, Jill

I realized something about my life & this thread. I have a BB key chain from Century made from a real piece of belt. Its easily 5 years old. I carry it everywhere. The beach, work...everywhere anyone would take their keys. While its a bit worn, its still quite black & is in good shape. So whatever is being to these belts to fray them so badly, it probably isn't wearin' em. I'm thinkin'

I've been training for 24 years. Taekwondo, a bit of Hapkido, Kickboxing, boxing & a bit of Kang Chuan Do Karate.

I wear a white top & black pants. Very unusual for WTF TKD. We wear black until Black belt.

Most TKD schools don't have much of a plan for advancement past 1st Dan. I would talk w/ your instructor about it, however. Maybe he/she does.

I have to aggre with most of the posters here. Your instructor has the right to promote anyone to the rank that he/she sees fit. This guy didn't get promoted off the street, he has prior experience in your art. You've valued your instructor's decisions up til now. Trust him on this one, also. Your focus should be on your training, not on what belt the next person has. From what I recall of your background, its pretty deep & rich. Most folks won't ever take the steps in MA that you have. Congratulations on your achievements!

I agree with the other posters. If you just want a workout, the risk of injury is not as great. Sprains & strains mainly. Find a gym that will understand that all you want to do is fitness & you'll be ok. The issue often is, when you get into that atmosphere, you'll wanna get into the ring. That's ok, too. Break it gently to your folks.

I'm not a woman, but it is hard to find boxing gyms that accept women training there. Look around & on boxinggyms.com. They should have a good list of gyms that welcome women. Happy hunting.

I have my 1st Dan in the WTF & my 2nd in the ITF (long story). I recently came back to the WTF after nearly 20 years. I bought a DVD of the WTF forms I used to do. Before I watched it, I tried to do the 1st form (Tae Guek IL Jang) from memory. When I hit that 2nd technique, it clicked & I remembered the form! I can't tell ya what I had for breakfast yesterday, but I knew that form. Practice is the only way I know to "get em". Practice them by the count & only do half of it, til ya get it. That way has worked for a lotta folks.

I think the advantage goes to anyone who can effectively use there height well. I trained with a worldclass TKD featherweight in the early 80's. He was 5'3". Another talented BB at the same school was 6'2". The smaller fighter was always able to get inside on him when few others could. I've found its "who can use their range better." Rather than, "Is it always the advantage goes to the tall person."

MartialTalk.com is a good one.

I agree with pineapple here. If after class you have the energy to still fight, you're not training hard enough. And, there are consequences for fighting on the street that go far beyond "winning & loosing"

I run my school. I'm a 2nd Dan Taekwondo Chung do Kwan. My instructor is a 9th Dan Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan

You might try putting it in the dryer to soften it up. (Or beat it with a rock ). Wear will also soften it a bit.

Yes, I hear that they are. The instructor I work with often wears them around town. (And he's a 61 year old professional person. ).

Wow Red, its a small world! Valley MA is a 20 minute drive from my house. The karate instructor I teach with swears by the 5 star shoes! I've yet to get a pair, but I'm sure I will. And NO, I don't work for them.

It varies so much between arts & styles....Heck, even schools within an art can be different. The best way is to learn how your instructor wants it done & do it that way. JMO

you mean the original green ranger - tommy? he was a tad older then he looked. Back then, he was about 19 or 20. He played a high school student on the show though. However, he's still too young to be a 6th degree bb, which is what he is now.. 6 degree at 20? Apparently MA is no longer requiring a lifetime of learning. Maybe that's the way it should be. I wonder who his instructor is? I think Tommy Franks is in his late 20's. I don't know that he's a 6th Dan. But he bought his 1st school franchise at 17. He has a school near me. I know some folks who have trained with him. He was older than 17 when he starred in Power Rangers.