bushido_man96

I don't beleive so. The quality of the training is whats it a McDojo. The term comes from McDonalds, and while greed may be an issue for the company, the main problem most have with McDonalds is the poor quality of their food. Money is a factor, but if a school has irritating (even arguably predatory) billing practices, that doesn't mean their training is lacking. A school shouldn't be judged by how it keeps the lights on and pays the instructors, but on the type of training they provide. Well said. The price shouldn't be the only factor that is considered mcdojo-ish.

I always enjoyed working on a speed bag. Great coordination work, and you can work some different techniques with them if you get creative.

Chuck Norris, at 75 years young, has earned his 3rd degree black belt in BJJ: http://fightland.vice.com/blog/chuck-norris-earns-3rd-degree-black-belt-in-bjj Pretty cool. Congrats to Chuck!

I see what you are saying, and I like your explanation. I don't have any issues with the use of the term "integrated" to describe how your style is different. If I ever get to teach TKD on my own within the organization that I am in now, I will more than likely introduce some of the concepts and things I've learned in other styles into my classes. But, I will also keep the curriculum required by the headquarters school for testing and grading. I guess what I'm getting at is that I wouldn't have a problem with describing what I do as "integrated" TKD, but I wouldn't put that on the sign outside. That would likely just say Taekwondo on it. Unless I get the opportunity to bring back the Combat Hapkido curriculum. If I did that, I'd put "Taekwondo and Combat Hapkido" on the sign. I also wanted to let you know I wasn't digging to you on the spelling of Hapkido. Its all good. It happens.

I agree with this idea, but it has to be kept in context, though. Its good to learn lots of different things, but its also good to try to get a good grasp on a concept first, experiment with it, and if you don't think it works for you, then look at moving on. Overloading with learning for the sake of learning isn't always a great idea.

Thanks for the advise, Alex. I try to get my feet up as close to my butt as possible, so I have a good base on the ground before I bump. Sometimes is works, and sometimes not. If it doesn't, I just sit up and hug, and bring them down and close that way.

Great point. The main thing would be to listen to your body, and make sure recovery is an important part of your program, as well.

That is really cool! I think its says something to how humble the guy is, that he would seek someone's opinion on his performance regardless of the rank of the person he is asking. It sounds like he has a heck of a work ethic, too! I'll see if I can find Ill Yeo footage soon.

Welcome back to the Martial Arts, and welcome to KF!

I believe that this is shared across the board, no matter the style. Having an open class is the bread and butter of most schools of the MA; it has been for me, as it was for my own Sensei. For us, its hard at times to justify separating the classes. We have separate classes for our 4-7 year olds, but otherwise, our classes are mixed kids/adults, because the classes would be so small otherwise.

Rank is arbitrary-skill is definite. Don't let the color of your belt define you and don't let your past keep you from enjoying the ride. Solid post!! Agreed, very well put!

I absolutely agree with you here. I think there are some good examples out there of Martial Arts changing some people, but I think those are examples of people who want to change, and that makes a difference, too. Agh yes BUT if we place so much emphasis on the parents what's the point. Why should we bother? Some parents simply won't. Parents can be the obstacle to children learning. There's no much can be done about it because....well....I'm not the parent! The best we can hope for is that the student follows the class protocols and obeys the rules in class. Outside of class, it becomes more difficult. I can preach and preach about respect and discipline in the classroom, but if the child isn't preached it at home, then the 2 or 3 hours I get to spend with him a week isn't going to be as helpful. The parents have to be involved. The best we can hope for is being a positive role model of how the kids should act, and hopefully they figure that out and try to emulate us. That is what I hope for.

To the bold above, I absolutely agree with that point. But here again, I ask the question, if you choose to teach some concepts and technical aspects you've learned in other styles, does it really mean you need to "establish your own style," so to speak? I don't think so. If you teach Tang Soo Do with some Hapkido blended in for self-defense, then great. But just say you teach Tang Soo Do with a Hapkido supplement, or heck, say you teach both curriculums if that's what you do. But there is no reason to come up with a new name to call it a new style. At least, that's my opinion.

There is lots of good advise already given here. Take a look around at what schools in your area have to offer. Its easy to say, "Kyokushin offers this," or, "TKD offers that," but you never really know what a school has to offer until you get with the instructors and figure out what they specialize in or what kind of classes they have to offer on their schedule. The best advise has already been given; search out a few schools, go visit, watch some classes, and speak with the instructors about their curriculum. That is going to be the best way for you to figure out what you should do. Happy hunting, and please, keep us posted!

Congrats, and well deserved!

With a good GM, its a blast. But time consuming...

Fumio Demura wrote books on just about all the Kobudo weapons. He has one on nunchaku that would probably give you what you are looking for.

I think Mike Tyson said it best, "I had a plan, then I got punched in the mouth."

I think they can have value for other styles. The key is experimenting with movements you do, and then seeing how they can apply to the wooden dummy.

No, there isn't, but I wouldn't hold onto the negative for too long. It isn't productive.

I absolutely agree with you here. I think there are some good examples out there of Martial Arts changing some people, but I think those are examples of people who want to change, and that makes a difference, too.

I think the answer will really depend on what each practitioner's goals are, and why they are looking at the styles they are meshing. Some styles will shore up the shortcoming of other styles. BJJ can fill the grappling void present in TKD. But doing Hapkido and Aikido together could just be convoluting to the practitioner. What one should do before doing this is evaluate what each of the styles has to offer, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and if there is a lot of overlap in the same areas, then it probably wouldn't be as productive for the practitioner to spend his or her time in those styles, and perhaps should look into others. Now, if someone just has the time and money to spend doing as many styles as they possibly can, regardless of overlap, then power to them. I know I can't afford to do that, so I'd need to be more efficient in choosing my styles.

I really think that by the time a practitioner reaches the 4th or 5th dan levels, they probably already have their own "style," or flair or approach to their Martial Art. This is only a natural occurrence, I think. And when they decide to strike out on their own, they like to give it a name and call it their "style." Now, I don't personally think that everyone that comes up with something original in their approach to teaching should necessarily rename what they do and call it a new style. Personally, I think it would be more beneficial for these folks to try to remain under the umbrella of their original style, and just teach their classes by incorporating their new ideas. I think that would be the better process.

Welcome to KF!

It would be just as challenging. Sure, he might be able to fall back on some experience, but by and large, its tough to beat a person who is in their physical prime.