bushido_man96

Yes, Bob, I was the only one from my department. I thought the DT instructor with our local PD might try to attend, but he wasn't really able to at this time. Maybe next year, he will. At any rate, he and I will be collaborating on it sometime.

Very nice, thanks for posting this. I like your link to the Bruce Lee quote, too. Its cool how often we see that pop up. I like the breakdown of the 4 stages, and can see where some students fit into various categories. I think a student comes to understand where they are at when they begin looking from what they are constantly doing and into what others are doing, and then comparing, contrasting, and adjusting.

I think they see Tai Chi as more of an exercise in motion, and not for what it really is or was before the Tai Chi explosion recently as a health outlet (for lack of a better way to describe it). Honestly, I don't think anyone has pitched Martial Arts to the BSA in the proper way. Personally, I don't care what the BSA thinks, I'll support my kids in doing any kind of MA they like. As I understand it, basic quarterstaff technique and training was a badge for a time for Boy Scouts. Things just change over time.

6/18/2013 Well, as well as I could teach to a set of guys that are more skilled than I am, I related some of the techniques I worked on in the GRACIE class to them. I basically gave them the rundown I got when training, talking through it and all that to the end. I think I did ok, because they seemed to get what I was talking about. It was good review for me, too.

Good advise from Bob there. I don't think I can add much to it. For starting out, you might consider only taking new students, until you feel comfortable taking in more advanced students. As for the certificates, talk to your current instructor, and see if he can help you with the templates he uses. I wish you luck in opening a school. Its a challenge, but a reward as well.

Do a Google search of the area, or try the phone book. That should get you pointed in the right direction.

That's solid advise. TKD, if its Olympic style, is good for continuous sparring; they usually fight 3 rounds, 3 minutes each. Something more along the lines of Boxing or Kickboxing might suit you better, though, training for more rounds. What are the rules and regs of this ISKA "continuous" sparring?

Sometimes its a bad day at the gym that motivates me more, or something that happened at work that I want to be better prepared to deal with that I want to improve on. It just depends. Some days are easier to get out and train than others.

Sounds like it was a really great, positive experience! Lots of good training!

Awesome stuff, it must have been a great time!

Hey, all. To round out this thread, here are a few pictures that I got to take: http://www.karateforums.com/img/photos/bushido_man96-gracie.jpg This one was after day one, with Royce and Mark. http://www.karateforums.com/img/photos/bushido_man96-gracie2.jpg This was our whole crew. A good bunch of folks in there. And also, here is a video some of you guys might enjoy, in regards to a "choke out." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7I0yotu_Zo

On the flip side, I'm finding that the small amount of BJJ that I've gotten to do is really coming in as a filler for my lack of grappling training. I also think that the stuff I've down with Hapkido will really lend itself to helping me when it comes to getting into those grappling situations.

Welcome, and good luck with your search.

I don't know that it is all as bad as that. There are some that could be the case with, but hey, if parents want to pay me to babysit their kids, then fine. They'll learn some good TKD in the process, and what effort they put in is up to them. But by and large, at least my experiences, is that the parents are pretty good about getting to know what their kids are involved in, and will listen when it comes to advise about practicing at home and what not to get better.

6/18/2013 A good day today... AM Session Elliptical: 30 minutes. Rowing: 5 minutes. TKD: Green belt review, Do San and Won Hyo hyungs, along with the one-steps. A bit rusty there, but got 'em. Also did 2nd dan material of Poe Eun and Gae Baek hyungs, and Do-Kang 2. Finished with Yoo Sin, and then stretching. Probably around 20 minutes of TKD work. PM Session GRACIE/DT work: 12:30 - 1:30. Warmed up with some bag work, then into the DT work. Showed the guys some of the stuff I learned at the GRACIE class, and they also showed me some variations on some stuff that I really liked. We did some of the standing headlock defenses, the umpa escape with some nice variations they showed me, as well as a fix for someone who is mounted well with good balance, and also the takedown from the rear clinch. I am going to learn so much working with these guys.

Welcome to KF, Hawkmoon.

Congrats, Heidi! You set such a great example for us all to follow, and I've learned a lot from you. Thanks for all you've done for KF!

But why? Could you elaborate on your thoughts here?

Yes, protein bar, also make yourself some trail mix or something like that. A few handfuls while you are in the car on the way to the next stop will help fuel you up.

Nice workout there. I'll bet that keeps the heart rate up nicely.

I'd get to a BJJ school, but that's just me. There is so much the style has to offer, I don't think it would ever get boring. As for TKD, like JusticeZero mentioned, the focus of the style tends to be on kicking, and it offers some great physical challenges in the advancement of kicking techniques. Depending on the type of TKD you find will tell you how much hand techniques you get to use. ITF stylists tend to use more hand techniques in sparring, and even allow head contact. WTF style only allows hand techniques to the body in the form of a fist, and none to the head. ATA schools do point sparring, with light to medium contact, depending on the rank, and have forms that are challenging as they get higher ranked. ATA schools will often get the infamous McDojang label, but there are some good ones out there, and you get out what you put into it. Most TKD schools will likely offer a kids program, as well. Good luck in your search, and let us know what you decide on.

"Proof is on the floor," not necessarily around the waist. Does this seem a bit eccentric in regards to this fellow making GojuRyuBahrain wear a white belt? Yeah, a bit. Who knows what the reasoning is. I say, however, if wanting to go learn is the desire, then who cares what you wear. Go to learn. Why let a piece of cloth and some pride stop you from learning something?

I think the main problem with a sport going Olympic like that is that the main concern becomes the saturation of the sport with so many people in order to find the best talent out there. Sure, you get the best, but you also end up like so many TKD schools that are teaching Olympic style, or Judo, which is so focused on sport now that self-defense goes by the wayside. I think these things are what many Karateka would be concerned about. Then you have to deal with being a club or school that is not one of the Olympic style schools, adhering to the IOC rules and regs, and then the draw you might have had drops because you aren't providing that Olympic opportunity. That's just my guess.

6/13/2013 Warmup: 5 minutes of rowing. TKD: Do-Kang 1, Se Jong, and Yoo Sin. Did white and orange belt forms, Chon Ji, Dan Gun, and Bo Chung, then white and orange belt one-steps. Then a nice stretch. About 45 minutes worth of a workout.

Sounds like its going well. Stick with it, and I think you'll enjoy the results. A problem I found with the barbell rows is that eventually, it fits more as an assistance exercise than a primary exercise. A lift like the power clean would probably serve you better in the long run, especially when it comes time to move on to a different progression, like Texas Method, or something like that.