bushido_man96

Ah yes, back at last! 4-6-10 Jogged 1 mile in just over 11 minutes. 4/7/10 Weights today, worked on the back and legs. Did lots of pull-downs, and some rows. I need to build back up to work more on pull-ups.

The problem with reading history of Korean Martial Arts is that there really isn't much out there. The current styles of TKD, TSD, and Hapkido, are all derivatives of Japanese styles of Karate. As much as other sources want to claim that TSD and TKD are derived from Taek Kyon, Kwon Bup, Soo Bak, or other such past styles, the connection really isn't there.

As mentioned, there are a lot of "what-ifs" here that we don't know. But, there is one thing that you can fill in. Once you decide that it is time to defend yourself, you must committ to it, and then procede to overwhelm that person until they realize what a bad idea it was for them in the first place. Then, once you have overwhelmed them, make sure you don't switch roles and then end up becoming the attacker. If they desist, allow them to do so. But once you start, there is no half-way. My DT buddy uses this line a lot, for when it is necessary to defend oneself in a court of law when using force in defense of self or others: Question: "How hard did you hit him?" Answer: "As hard as I could." Question: "Why did you hit him so hard?" Answer: "So I wouldn't have to hit him again." Ideally, that's the way it plays out. Now, not a lot of situations are going to come down to a one-hit wonder, but this idea I have above still holds true. Hit 'em as hard as you can. If they don't stop, you hit 'em again, as hard as you can. Fight to survive.

I had several "aha" moments while doing DT at the academy. I had a really good partner, and he had some good ideas that I hadn't seen before. I love those "aha" moments. Great post, Bob.

My instructor requests that we do more of an informal bow; more like a head bob in acknowledgement, when we see him out of class. Personally, I don't like it. I think in the class, its fine, but out in the world, its not the same, and requiring it is an ego thing, in my opinion. I just tack it up as one of the things that I would do differently if I were running the school.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I appreciate them.

Good article, NightOwl. The true role of the uke defined very well. I see this all the time in Hapkido, in DT training, and even in TKD. However, I think that some of the worst I have seen in regards to being an "honest" uke has been in the Aikido classes I have attended. But, I think it is getting better, too.

Congrats!

Cold weather doesn't usually bother me too much. Although as I get older, I require more layers to tolerate it. When it gets slick, though, I don't care for that too much.

Hello everyone! I have finally been able to make my re-appearance here at KF. Its like coming home again! It feels like its been such a long time away, and I am so glad to get back into some great discussion with some great people here. I hope that everyone has been doing well. Things have been pretty busy on my end, and the funky work schedule I have climbed back into hasn't helped things much, either. But, I've got my desktop computer fixed at home, we have a new laptop, and I've got a new phone that can really hit media pretty hard, so I may even be able to stop into KF on the go. I look forward to getting back into the swing of things here. See ya all on the boards!

Yes, thanks a lot, Chuck. Finding a Korean master who will actually admit to TKD's roots in Shotokan is tough to come by. I think it is admirable that he does so.

The idea of seeking Zen is one. Releasing oneself from the ego is still a common mantra in Martial Arts circles today.

What attributes, for example?

One would think so, but many females and small framed males, tend to train to get a upper edge. Does this mean because these people are "smaller", that they do not stand a chance against a larger person? I never said that. I simply stated that size and strength are both important attributes to take into account in any encounter.

Oi, sorry to hear that, man.

My current instructor has not sparred with us in quite some time. In the past, my instructors did spar with the students. I think it is important, as well.

Not much. I just try to make sure that it isn't locked out.

12-1-09 Night shoot at the range. I qualified for the first time, on my first official try. Just barely, but I got it done, and that all I wanted to accomplish. Now I can work on getting better.

Sounds like a great experience. He actually went into detail about the relations between TKD and Shotokan?

That is why I like my Combat Hapkido more than my Aikido. I like the strikes, and the shorter, more direct routs that are taken to get to your destination.

Hehehe, thats pretty much the way I see it, too.

Yeah, pretty much.

I don't worry about KI or anything like that in my training. I just train. Let it come to me.

There are some that win, and some that lose. We can point in both directions. But for an instructor to tell students that size won't ever matter, is not a smart way of teaching, in my opinion.

I am at odds with the term "god fearing", as I do not think people should "fear" god, but embrace. However, that said, Bushido was a unwritten code practice at a time when such was practiced within a certain set of moral or behavior obligations. I fear anyone that can help a guy kill a 8 foot giant... But yes Bushido was never anything really religious, most Budoka were buddhists but bushido was never a religion. Its more of a result of the overall culture of the region at the time. Buddhism was the popular religion, and some of the concepts and ideals contributed well to the ideals of warriors. So they stuck.