bushido_man96

Thanks, and congrats to everyone else as well! I love this site so much!

What it appears to sound like to me is that if one is studying to learn self-defense, then they aren't studying Martial Arts, and that's what bugs me. Ninjitsu, although a style with a specialized focus, did contain techniques that were combat techniques, whether with weapons or hands. It was a broad skill set, but yes, still Martial Artists. The idea behind a Martial Art, if it is going to be titled as such, was that it has Martial application in some way, shape, or form, for fighting. Otherwise, I just don't see how you can attach the name to it. I do agree that there are other reasons to study Martial Arts nowadays; for personal expression, for exercise, for sport, etc. But, at the very base of it, learning applicable self-defense should be at least a side affect of learning a Martial Art. If its not, then I just can't call it that. Yes, Boxing is a combat sport, but it has evolved over the years, and in its beginning, it was a more inclusive, well-rounded fighting style that was self-defense. Even Medieval Combat styles, including sword combat, can be applicable in the use of sticks in self-defense. I think we have different points of view here. I think that by looking at the moves from a self-defense perspective, you can derive what the moves mean, and how to apply them in self-defense aspects. We both appear to be arriving at the same place, with different points of view. I guess this would sum up my view on this whole argument: it appears that it is ok to learn a Martial Art as "a way of life," and study and cling to all the aspects of the philosophies and ideals of said style (which is really nothing more than the thoughts and beliefs of the person who didn't even necessarily create the style, but was able to codify it to the point of bringing it to the public), with self-defense as a secondary or tertiary aspect, and one is referred to as a Martial Artist. But if one is learning the self-defense aspects of the Martial Arts first and foremost, and doesn't necessarily give a lick about someone's ideals, philosophies, and history, more often than not, many are reluctant to refer to them as a Martial Artist, but rather as just a person who fights. I just don't agree with this, and think it is a short-sighted point of view.

Thanks, Danielle. Good luck with your upcoming testing candidates, as well. Our breaks are set. There are two sets of breaks, and we pick one to go with. Both include a flying side kick over obstacles, and its been so long now, I don't recall what I did. I think I did spin heel kick, jump front snap kick, back leg round kick (power break/3 boards), and the flying side kick. But the choices are a spinning technique, a jumping technique, a hand technique, and the flying side kick. The HQ is supposed to be emailing a new list, because there was supposed to be a hand technique, which none did the last time. So, I'll pick then, and let you know what I decide to do.

Good advise there, Yamesu.

Here's the link: http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/cops-jovan-belcher-kansas-city-chiefs-player-from-long-island-kills-girlfriend-self-1.4281729?qr=1 This is just a terrible tragedy. I always wonder how things can get so bad. I'm a big Chiefs fan, but regardless of that, this is just terrible. Its also a wake up call that as much as we love our sports heros, we just don't really know them. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families and friends affected by this terrible tragedy.

I think there was also mention that he supposedly learned Taek Kyon from some ancient master in secret, as well, but, I just don't feel comfortable with that idea, either.

I'm in a situation where I tend to see ego quite a bit. I just tell myself that I won't be like that, I will be appreciative of everyone around me, and not let it affect my training. Now this doesn't always work, because its just human nature that there will always be those we don't get along with. With the concepts of respect, rank, and such being a part of the Martial Arts, especially Eastern styles, and even competition success in more Western styles, tend to be driving forces in ego production. Now, on the other side of the ego experience, is our friend "humbleness." We take ideas like cleaning the dojo floor after class and other such things as an act of humility. Well, this is the 21st century, and for as much as I pay for monthly memberships, I think those floors should be cleaned by someone other than myself. Now, I won't say this is the case in all schools, because I know some operate on a shoe-string budget, but for the most part, I think notions like this have really died out for the most part. Now, with that said, I'm not too proud to get down on my hands and knees and clean the tatami after getting thrown around. But, this ego/humility exchange is kind of a circle; "I'm of such rank now, and have done my time cleaning the mats. Its time for the new low ranks to earn their keep and clean in my place." Is this ego, or has the senior student earned the right to sit it out? I think there are good arguments on either side. Another question I'd throw out; can one have ego, and still be respectful? I think so. One with ego probably just respects him/herself more.

Congrats! I'm guessing this means you passed, yes?

Testing prep begins! 6 minute warmup on elliptical. Forms Colored belt Chon Ji Dan Gun Bo Chuung Do San Won Hyo Yul Gok Joong Gun Toi Gye Hwa Rang Choong Moo Black Belt Kwang Gae Poe Eun Gae Baek Se Jong Yoo Sin Do-Kang 1, Do-Kang 2, Do-Kang 3, Do-Kang 4 All one-steps, 31 total. Stretch briefly; stretching was painful, as my left heel is severely bruised from the board break on testing night. But, I also had a buddy in the gym lifting, and he was doing dead lifts, and I asked to do just one. Got it. Dead lift: 315 lbs x1. Barefoot, no belt or straps, and haven't lifted since May, and hadn't done a dead lift since April.

Thanks, Dobbersky. I appreciate that. No black and red belt, though. Just a regular black belt for 4th dan.

Yes, true, but many of us have jobs and go places in public that require footwear. I have to wear black work boots for my job. Kicking in those is not fun.

We wear a chest protector, hand and forearm pads, instep and shin pads (these are all one piece, and are cloth), and headgear with no face mask. I don't wear a cup to class. And I hate all of this gear. Mouth guard at tourneys. In my ATA days, it was open faced headgear, vinyl gloves and vinyl foot pads, and mouth guard. Shin and forearm were not required, but optional. Now, from what I understand with the ATA's insurance policies and what not, they wear chest protector, vinyl hands and feet, mouth guard, and head gear with face protection, those with the clear plastic cover. That would suck.

I've found different youtube channels to do workouts from, and they've been great for me. I've got a standing bag at home, so I can either do some free kicking, or work the bag, or mix it up. Its great for me, because at times I'm not very creative. I also get to look at how others do things differently, and how I can change things up a bit.

Yes it is. When I put on the white belt for Aikido, it was just great for me. I was a student again. You're very welcome. So well written. Now you've up the ante for your post quality.

Hello, and welcome to the Forums! Glad to see you've been enjoying the site for some time. Please pop in anywhere you like and join the discussions! Also, good luck with your upcoming grading, and let us know how it goes!

I sat on a testing panel again tonight (11/28/2012). There were 2 white belts, 4 green belts, and 1 brown belt testing. They all did pretty well, for the most part. A couple of the green belt kids needed to shake some things out a bit more, but overall, not a bad testing. And just to show how much I've really been missing out on, we've got a total of 4 students that are preparing to test for the 3rd dan ranks in December. So, I've got to get on the ball now so I can get ready to test for my 4th dan. Time to kick it up! These 3rd dan testers were doing just a sample of what they will have to do at the HQ school to test. They did Gae Baek and Se Jong hyungs, and each had to do one of their required board breaks for the testing. There were some hits and some misses, but I think it was good, because it gave them all kind of an eye-opener as to what to get ready for. The changes in the board breaks between 2nd dan and 3rd dan testing jump up a bit. At 3rd dan, we are required to do a jumping technique, a spinning technique, a hand technique, and a flying side kick over obstacles. When I tested for 3rd dan, I did 4 different kicking techniques, and they left the hand techniques out, but at 4th, I'm likely to have a hand technique in there, too. So, congrats to all our colored belts, and good luck to our upcoming 3rd dan candidates!

You are right there, Bob. But I was impressed with how the defense held up. Not many complaints there.

11/28/2012 Forms Naifanchi Shodan x3 Songham 1 x1 Songham 2 x1 Arm really hurt when busting out moves in Naifanchi Shodan. I really thought my arm was healing a lot better than that. Testing: 6:30 - 8:00 I worked on a section of Yoo Sin prior to the testing, and stretched out a bit, but didn't have to demo the form. I did work with our new black belt gal who was inquiring about breaking with a round kick. Ah, I felt so proud...and she did break with it. At the end of testing, we had a really nasty, heavy board in with all the others that our instructor didn't force on anyone else, so I took the liberty to discard it and one other board with a spin heel kick. I nailed it on the first try....but boy, was it a hard one! My heel is still sore....and bruised. And I am now going to start really focusing on testing for my 4th dan, since I have been eligible for quite some time, and think I might have the time to really focus in on it.

Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to post this information. Most helpful, I think.

I don't think it should have to be. Like JusticeZero said, it would be a school/club decision, most likely, or in the case of an organization, the uniform and belt labeling may be layed out in the curriculum. I think the biggest hiccup is that the major merchandising companies that sell belts and uniforms probably only embroider black belts. I've not seen any company like Kwon, Century, or other sell embroidered colored belts. But I haven't checked a catalog lately, either. So my guess is that one would have to get a colored belt custom embroidered by a local store or at home.

Welcome back to training! I have to say, that opening post was so well written, I thought I was reading the opening chapter of a novel. Seriously, awesome. Now, I want to read the rest of the book... Ever thought of being a writer? Welcome back.

You're spot on about the propaganda. And I do enjoy history, for the most part. I'm more interested in the warrior culture and histories of civilizations more than anything.

Ugh, more misery....losing games just sucks, but when its to the division rivals, like Denver or Oakland, it just stinks even more. The Chiefs were holding their own against Manning and the Broncos last week, but alas, that offense is....offensive.

Sure, and i'm not disagreeing with you. That said, a lot of people start to see everything as being best applied one way, and vice versa. "When all you have is a hammer". This makes for a very useful hammer, but some things need a roundabout way of getting to them to some extent. I need to learn music, lyrics, history, anthropology, and physics to be good at what I do. They all tie together in ways. The person who just wants to be tough isn't going to care about these things - and will miss out on some things that are reflected in combat application as a result.Things like history and all that are important. They are most important, though, to those that it interests most. However, in being a TKD practitioner, I've found that the history that is taught can be a bit suspect at times. I also agree that learning why something has been done a certain way for a time can be beneficial to understanding how something can be done now. I think that's all part of the learning process. I also think this all ties in with self-defense training, and that self-defense training isn't the mind-numbing, brutish road that many would view it as.

You should. It's your quote. You were replying to me about "digging". Most solid post I've ever seen my friend. It speaks in volumes to me. Oh yes, I remember it. And I do dig, constantly, to make my self-defense better.