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You're better off than I am! Over 2 years ago I took a ball of the foot to a hand in a chopping position. My pinkie, which was straight as a board of course, was jammed horribly but didn't break. Since then, 100% function had returned but the finger is still deformed!

Bone spur? As far as plantar, I've heard of people taking care of it completely by sleeping with hiking shoes for a while. Not pleasant, but the traditional treatment also involves sleeping with a foot brace.

Judo (or Hindu) pushups are great for upper body strength and back flexibility. If you can't find out about then on the web I can explain. These ain't your daddy's pushups!

As mentioned, the rising "kick" isn't a kick at all, but more a stretching exercise. Axe kick striking point is the foot heel as the leg comes back down. I guess if one were flexible enough they could execute a rising kick, striking with the ball of the foot, targetting someone's face who has them in a headlock or something. Vertical kick sounds like that about which Nurse is talking. Again flexibility, as well as muscle conditioning, would have to be phenominal. I've seen kids with great balance and mobility that, theoretically, could execute a vertical kick. But, they just don't have the strength to lift that leg up in the air. Passive vs. active flexibility, I think it's called.

I second the hamstring stretching suggestion. I would also recommend, when performing splits, always keep your back as straight as you can, arch backward if possible, and tilt your pelvis forward.

See your doctor. It could be plantar faciaitis. I've endured a burning for years now in my right foot, although it only bothers me right after I take shoes off or when I get up at night. It's like a soreness that never seems to go away completely.

Chil Sung I believe means "path of the 7 stars". It is a set of 7 forms created by Hwang Kee and practiced very much exclusively in TSD/MDK circles. Here's a page that summarizes the Pyang Ahns very well: http://www.ronlittlestudios.com/rlma/jujitsu/origins1.html One can find Pyang Ahns being practiced at TSD as well as Shotokan and TKD schools.

The Chil Sungs I like. I only know the first 3 right now but have seen the more advanced ones performed. Awesome.

Sounds like a plan to me, especially if a surgeon is recommending it. In my experience they're too scalpel-happy. Since stretching my hamstrings, I've these bulging, soft protuberances at the tendons just below the back of the knees. Maybe this destresses the PCL during extension.

Oh Mickey you're so fine you're so fine you blow my mind hey Mickey!

Ouch! Turn that non-kicking heel toward the target as you execute. Same thing with round kicks. Listen to your body!

Finally made it. Midnight blue as of August this year.

There are some good caloric expenditure calculators on the internet but as Sohan pointed out they aren't extremely reliable. Sure, you can measure your intake pretty well but what you're burning? Good luck. Small, wholesome meals often, daily training, pretty much what Sohan said.

I've had "energy drinks", but I'm not crazy about them. The ones without sugar are essentially useless in so far as providing useful energy. What I've found best for energy is solid food a couple of hours before training, working out, etc. I drink Gatorade or whatever other sports drinks during.

Feet toughen in time. Mind you, there will still be blisters. About 2 years into training, I went from hardwood floor to mats and started twisting my toes to the side. Had to start using tape.

Hmm, favorite form. I'd have to say Bassai since I've taught and demonstrated it the most. Chil Sung Sam Lo runs a close second. I love sticking those crane stances. Any of you other Tang Soo Do people learned a form called "Ing"?

We always trained as neither hammer nor backfist, but as if the technique was to break a hold.

Who knows of any Tang Soo Do or Soo Bahk Do schools in the Memphis, TN area?

Wow, thanks all. Mid-America Karate, under Rick Bailey. Yourself?

Very much the same here. Takes right at 2 years to earn a red belt and one stays at red for a little over 2. I've seen it done faster but that's with people that show up to class 4-5 nights a week, obviously practice alot at home, have a better than average talent for martial arts, and/or have earned a belt already in another, similar art.

One might want to focus more on training time per belt level as an indicator of a "McDojo" than they do testing fees. I've heard stories, people bragging even, of getting their black belt in as little as 18 months. Excuse me, 18 months? Right. To date, I have paid exactly $200 in testing fees. That's over almost 4 years and covers all the gup levels. Nothing "McDojo" about that.

Wow, and I thought *I* was a Lego junkie. Spiffy!

Greetings to all. Been going strong in Tang Soo Do for quite a while. I'm training hard for 1st dan right now, for which I'll test later this year. My school is very traditional however I am a big fan of tournaments. My aunt's been training since the late 60's and is currently a 7th dan in TKD.