bushido_man96

By and large, I think the lack of its overall presence in these circles has more to do with its lack of popularity and availability. Think about why arts like TKD and Karate have become so popular in America; it had a lot to do with military presence in Korea and Japan, and military personnel bringing it home to America. The American military didn't have that kind of exposure to the Chinese Martial Arts, and by and large, we still don't, when you compare it to the number of Karate and TKD organizations that are out there. I think these factors probably have a lot to do with this, but I'm just spitballing here.

This will come with time. The more you practice and hear the words, the more you will associate them with the proper actions. A quick Google search brought up this website, that has a pretty extensive list of terms you could study up on to help you out in class: http://www.traditional-karate.com/karate/terms.html

I've got Taegeuk 2 learned now, here is a video of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsL8lkiNtVM These Taegeuks are still awkward for me, with the short walking stances in them. I feel like I really have to halt myself from going into a front stance. But with this form, I stay pretty consistent with ending on my starting point. I am also going back to edit the post on the 7th gup material, where I laid out our TTA high orange belt form, Bo Chung. I promise that I will try to get back on track here, and get the 5th dan material up this week. Stay tuned!

That is cool! Maybe he'll have a good chance of making the roster!

Congrats!

I agree with John here. Don't let this situation overtake your training as a whole, and if you let it affect how you train with her when she gets back, it will likely upset her. Its a contact sport, and these things will happen from time to time. You've apologized, and that's all you can do, really. I can understand feeling bad about it, but don't let it consume you. In the end, it will all be alright.

3/23/2015 TKD Forms: Chon Ji, Palgwe 1, Taegeuk 1, Songham 1, one time each. Dan Gun, Bo Chung, one time each. Palgwe 2 x2 Taegeuk 2 x2 Songham 2 x1

Kendall's young; he'll learn as he gets older! Besides, he's a very lucky young man...he's got Vicky and you...great parents!! Thank you, Bob. Kendall had a bit of a setback this week at the District Championships. He had a decent day, and he got 2nd, which I will never complain about. But he was argumentative with the coaches during matches, which isn't a good thing at all, and he just can't do. He also let his temper get the better of him, and long story short, he ended up costing his team a point. He was very upset, and although I wanted to be supportive of him in his loss, I really couldn't, because I had to address the attitude issue, which we did, and he apologized to his coaches before we left that day. After all was said and done, though, he is advancing to the state tournament for a second year in a row, which is a great deal.Now, with the first practice of State week coming on Monday, I had spoke with him throughout the weekend about the incident at Districts, and I told him that he needed to approach the team as a whole before practice got started, and apologize for his actions, and for not representing the club appropriately. I discussed this with him, and was supportive about it, and told him that although it might not feel good to do it, he would feel better about it afterwards, and the main thing was taking responsibility for his actions, and basically "manning up" and owning the incident. So Monday rolls around, and he goes and tells coach he wanted to address the team before they got started. Coach got the team together, and led them over to the other side of the mat room, away from the parents, where he could address the team on his own. At this point, I didn't follow him over to listen in or make sure he said what he needed to say; I let him do this on his own. I watched from a distance, and after he said his peace, his team mates lined up, slapped on handshakes and gave him a hug, and then they did a team breakdown, and warm-up began. I was very proud of Kendall. I asked coach what he said, and coach said he spoke very well, didn't stammer his words and was pretty articulate, and he thought he would tear up and break down a little, but he didn't, and coach said he did a very good job. I told Kendall on the way home from practice that I was very proud of him for doing that. I told him I wasn't proud that he had to do it because of what happened to lead up to it, but I was proud of him for how he handled it, and it showed accountability and responsibility. And now from here on, he knows he needs to work to do better. With all said and done, it was a good learning experience for him.

Congrats!

I think that 3 years old might be a bit too young yet. There are some 3 year olds out there that can focus well enough for a short class, but I think the age of 4 or 5 is a bit better, but each child is different. The best thing to do is talk with the instructor, and see what his/her opinion is. As for the change from Shotokan to TKD, I wouldn't think it would be too much of an adjustment. As with anything, there will be some learning curve, but with diligent work, you will overcome it.

Its hard to do for fans, but taking a step back and looking at the team as a business, which is what it is, you can start to see the wheels turning as to what is going on. As much as we'd like to have our teams keep all of our favorite players forever, it just isn't feasible, nor practical. When Tony Gonzalez left for Atlanta, I understood completely, and wished him well. He's still one of my favorite players, regardless of where he played after KC. The older I get, the less and less I get attached to players.

It was mostly a knowledge test. There were 6 plays that I had to know and demonstrate. I also had to demonstrate all of the Posta stances), both unarmed and with the longsword. Most of it was answering questions about Fiore's history, what certain concepts meant, and what was happening in Europe at the to me Fiore was active. I like that, but the history part of it would interest me. I'd be digging back into the manuals...and that's so much fun.

That's great! Congrats! What did you test consist of?

If memory serves me correctly, I believe all Palgwe forms start and end in the same spot-as do Taegeuk's 2-8, however Taeguek Il Jang (1) is the only colored belt Taeguek form that does not-there is absolutely no way it works! Taegeuk 1 I still have issues with, getting it on the line. But I've seen videos where it does appear to end where it starts. As for the Palgwes, I'm having no luck with them.But, I will say this; starting and ending on the same spot in a form is not, and never really has been, a major point of concern for me. What is, is developing correct technique and sufficient power in the techniques of the forms to make them effective and useful. Footwork and stances are part of that, of course, but when it comes down to self-defense, the starting and ending point of a form is really irrelevant to that. But, since I am trying to learn and improve myself, taking on this task of sharpening up the forms as such adds another dimension to focus on.

What is your explanation for this move Bob? What did your Soke and Dai Soke teach? (I have to say, watching this kata for the first time, this is a very weird movement!) I don't have a better explanation, only assumptions!! I believe that the hops were added because of having an obsessive need for uniformity: to reach the start of the Embusen/performance line!! Surely, as intelligent as one is, a way to reach the same start/end of the Embusen could've been achieved other than adding three bunny hops. Soke and Dai-Soke offered up their interpretations of the three bunny hops "could" be used to escape wrist holds and from freeing oneself from a full-nelson hold!! I just don't buy that either!! For me, it's like saying I can escape a wrist hold and a full-nelson by sneezing, and those movements of a sneeze would be effective. I also don't believe that any kata is gender specific. This is one explanation that's been floating around for as long as I can remember. Chinte is believed to be a kata for females...I doubt that! Why? It would be like saying, this technique and that technique is for females, OR males, only!! Why are women mostly found executing Chinte in tournaments? I've no idea! Possibly because a male karateka doesn't want to be seen doing a kata that has not just one bunny hop, but three. It attacks the male ego, I suppose. Do you think it was a case of "my teacher hopped so I must hop"? And no-one know how it got started. To the ignorant (i.e. me!) if it was to get back to the start point it seems bizarre not have just made it a more purposeful step or single jump rather than bunny hops back.. I'm of kind of the same feeling as you, Danielle. If anything, why not add some meaningful techniques, like stepping backwards in back stances and doing knife hand guarding blocks, or directing back kicks or side kicks to the rear while retreating?

Are you sure on this? Kodokan was the name of Jigoro Kano's Judo school. Kodokan is actually quite a common name for a number of Japanese dojo. It simply means place of learning or place for old ways! K I did not know that, thanks for explaining it. I had just always associated Kodokan with Judo. And thanks for this clarification, as well!

I always have to buy my doboks a couple sizes big, and then have the sleeves and pants hemmed up. If you check companies like Century online, most will have a sizing chart. Don't worry about the heights, though, look for the waist size. Get the appropriate waist size, and then go to the tailor with it.

I spent time on 3/15/2015 learning Taegeuk 2. That form doesn't move much at all, with all the walking stances in it. I did it a few times a piece at a time, and then did 10 run-throughs on it. Maybe next week I'll have a video of it to add, as well. The walking stances are still odd; they feel to narrow, and taking that shorter step feels odd, like I'm choking a move or something.

3/15/2015 TKD Forms: Chon Ji x2 Palgwe 1 x2 Taegeuk 1 x2 Songham 1 x2 Dan Gun x2 Bo Chung x2 Palgwe 2 x2 Songham 2 x2 Taegeuk 2 x10 (I was learning this one today, so drilled it heavy). Stretch.

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Welcome back, Cathal! Its good to see you here, and look forward to your contributions once again!

I don't like the idea of the auto-fail, either. I don't think its right to lead a student on for them to test, knowing that you will not pass them just to test their willingness to stay with the program. To me, its not worth putting in the effort if I know I am going to be failed, no matter how hard I work, or how much I show I deserve it. It would be more ethical, I feel, to just stretch out the time between tests to fit the instructor's philosophy on the rank. Cathal, its good to see you back!

I do agree with you that this individual's actions aren't suited for the dojo, and that it would require a discussion with the head instructor in regards to them. I don't agree with the ultimatum that you presented to the head instructor, though. I wouldn't say that you don't have a right to be upset about the situation, because you do. No one should put up with that kind of behavior, especially in a place where courtesy and respect are so supposed to be standard operating procedure. However, to me, the ultimatum sounds a bit disrespectful, too. It sounds like you are trying to force his hand, and if you are threatening to leave, then it sounds like you probably ought to leave and seek training elsewhere, anyhow. It sounds to me like you don't trust the sensei to do anything about a situation like this unless you present an ultimatum like that, and if that is the case, then its probably not a place you would want to be, anyhow. But that's just my two cents on the matter. Hopefully, when its all said and done, everything comes out ok between the three of you.

Are you sure on this? Kodokan was the name of Jigoro Kano's Judo school.

Another nice run-down. That's the first I've seen a knee bar, so thank you for sharing it. I also noted that its not really a gi-reliant technique, which will be helpful for me. I think the main thing will be making sure to triangle the leg when going back.