sk0t

I agree that Korean instructors have a better idea of Korean culture...that too me is an honest fact... but... Do you think that empowers them to be better instructors. Not in my opinion. I dont think that means that there arent any good Korean instructors...but alot of Korean instructors that I have met (in my time) are a little stuck on themselves.

4th Dan Kukkiwon (WTF) TKD

The question posed: DOES MATTER (to some people). Some people feel that finding an instructor who is directly from the country of origin of the art taught is very important. I. for one. do not feel that way. I think that anyone can teach me anything. Doesnt matter culture, race, age...(relatively)...

I am from the ethnic group 'cauc-asian', and when I am in class, everyone is treated equal...first and foremost, because I teach every class, and everyone is treated equally. Some students (reguardless of race) are motivated more to achieve things they havent achieved, and other students are motivated to continue at their pace...and then there are some that are even motivated to slow down (to concentrate on what they are doing)... Race (ethnic background) doesnt have any role in the Martial arts... Now on to your question... Being 'cauc-asain', my motivation seems to be comparable to the other ethnic groups that are at my school. We are all on a hunt for knowledge. Puerto Ricans, African Americans, Czechaslovakian, Russians, Japanese, Chinese, we all choose to do the Martial Arts for different reasons...so a psychological approach to training would be different among even people in the same race who do it for different reasons... I think you could get a broader grasp of your concept if you asked this in an MMA area...

American, Korean, Jewish, Scandanavian, if they can teach me something, I will learn from them...it doesnt matter if they 16 or 96... I learn from people everyday of my life.

I agree, if they wont allow to do a free lesson, imho, they arent worth the time.

At my school, we focus more on performing each technique adequately, than we do on knowing the Korean term for it. We do the basic Korean terms (attention, bow, etc..)...but for the most part all the kicks and strikes and blocks and steps are done in English. Personally, I dont think it takes from the tradition of the art...

Wow, talk to the instructor, and let him know, if he is a worthwhile person anyways, he will let you out.

Chuck did more of a TSD rather than a TKD....

Congrats...

I have the fortune of being a taller competitor (not that tall but I am 6 foot 1), and one of the things I find a smaller opponent has on me is sneakiness. I was sparring one guy about 6 years ago, and he was about 5 foot 3...and the minute I raised my leg for an axe kick (and I am decently fast with my kicks), he was in with spinning hook and spinning back kicks...and he was difficult to spar against because he was fast. There are ways to beat bigger opponents...just train hard and make sure you are better than everyone else...

I prefer a handshake....

Just try and remember that you have done everything before... And obviously good enough for someone to think you are ready to test. Just do your best and you will succeed.

I ordered alot of my stuff through karatedepot.com (before I got my studio discount)...

Tom Kurz - Secrets of Stretching Video is amazing...

well, a timeframe is nice, unless you are at a McDojang, you wont get to test unless your instructor feels you are ready... The question isnt that tho, it is how long should it take you to be ready... 3-4 years is a valid estimate...some schools water down their TKD to make it take longer, some dont have enough material. I am gonna hear flack for saying this, but if a student trains 2-3 days a week for 3-4 years...and tests regularly and is the ideal student, there is no reason they shouldnt have their BB. It should not take 6 years for someone who trains regularly the entire time to earn a BB in TaeKwonDo (which is the only art I am making this reference too)... Anyone agree or disagree...

<<"i think the timeframes should be set on an individual level. you can't expect someone who weighs 450 pounds, stands at a whopping 5'2, to be confident and skilled enough to test for black compared to a 6 feet, 165 pound, former basketball, and soccer player.">> You said it should be set on an individual level...well someone who weighs 450lbs and is 5'2" might not be able to kick as high as you, or move as fast as you, but they know and can perform all the material, they are well versed in sparring strategy *although they lack the physical prowess to be great*, they should be denied their Black Belt because they are physically impaired... So essentially you are saying that (excuse me for being rude here) fat people/cripples/* cant get their BB because they wont be ready... I work with some developmentally disabled kids, and some of them have earner high ranks, I know some large people as well who have earned their BB, whether they are large or not isnt a concern with me as long as they can perform the material to a level I feel they should, and I think that is narrow minded to think otherwise. Just cause you have your BB doesn mean you are a lean 6 foot tall TKD superstar.

not that awesome.

I am more of an OutKast type of guy when sparring...or I prefer to spar with no music whatsoever...

I think you are in the wrong business if your knees are that bad.

Stay off of it...

I once saw 2 masters spar (which is usually out of the ordinary when you have 2 high ranking instructors)... It was pretty fantastic, it was husband and wife, and they were working out. I was thoroughly impressed. They were both around 5th degree at the time (this was about 6 years ago too...

Running will help with your cardio (length of sparring sessions will increase)...as well as other things...

i think that enjoying the martial arts is the most important aspect of your training...if you cant do both, choose the one that you feel in your heart is the best one.

Not a big fan the team aspect of the martial arts...I do like training with a partner, I just dont like anything else about it.