bushido_man96

Tony, if you are looking for a different perpective to approach the ITF patterns from, check out Stuart Pual Anslow's book Ch'ang Hon Taekwon-do Hae Sul - Real Applications to the ITF Patterns: Vol 1: http://www.amazon.com/Chang-Hon-Taekwon-do-Hae-Sul/dp/1906628041/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248412649&sr=1-1 It might give you a different take on the patterns. It only covers up to Toi Gye hyung, but I think the author intends to add a second volume in the future (I hope so, anyways).

When you watch what is done in the class, look at how the kicking is done, and the footwork that is done in the forms. You can see how it will affect your knees by watching the footwork. Higer kicking will be a bit rougher on the knees, I think, because of more pivoting, and the need for flexibility. Lower kicking will be a bit better for the knees. Also of importance is learning to kick properly; making sure you have good pivot movements with the base leg, not locking the kicking leg out completely upon completion of the kick, and things like that. Quality in kicking is important, regardless of the art you practice.

I always learned it as a 1 in 10 rule, and I have seen it go that way. When I began my training in the ATA in 1993 (I think...), I can remember testing with quite a few peers. For a while, I had from 6 - 10 testing with me, for the same rank, at each testing. But as the ranks went up, the number of the group went down. At our 1st degree testing, there were 3 of us. Later on, the other 2 went on, moved, etc, and as far as I know, neither still train. But, I haven't seen or heard from them in a long time, so perhaps they have got back into it. A pity if they did not, because they both were a lot better and more talented than I am.

I agree with all of the replies here so far. There tends to come a time when the teacher can't teach as much as he used to, because the skill of the students it beginning to catch up with what he knows. Different perspectives can also lead to new learning, so going to a different teacher of the same style may lead one down a different path, as well. I think that there may come a time when instead of being teacher/student, they become peers, and can then rely on each other for learning and teaching.

I see what you are saying here, and I highlighted the last point, to emphasize it, and add to the discussion here. I think one point you have to consider is whether or not the way Qin accomplished his goal was the only means to this end. Take, for example, if Hitler would have emerged victorious from WWII. Germany may have become a very prominent and successful place to live (for some people, anyways...), but in the end, would it have been a good way to come to those reforms? I do think that at times we accept some evils as necessary, but the extent of the evil is what should be evaluated, and whether or not another route could be arrived at; much like you have stated. This is the point I was stating above; thanks for bringing it out. It does make one think. Of course, you also have to consider the attitudes of all other sides involved, as well. Yet, history is riddled with situations like this, on all sides of the globe. These are the points that tend to put a cut-off point on the idea of things being "mutually dependent." Maybe its because of my job, but I can't observe the kinds of charges and read about the things that people do, that are inherently evil, and think to myself as evil and good being "mutually dependant." Karma is an aspect of Eastern thought that I have a tough time clinging to, as well. I hear it typically translated or "Westernized" by the saying "what goes around, comes around." I just don't buy into it. The reason is, because nothing is guaranteed in life. The bad guys don't always get caught; not everyone "gets what's coming to them." Its nice to think that it might work that way, but in my experience, it just doesn't. It does appear that the most of us agree that the concept of "mutual dependence" does work in Martial Arts training: Thanks for all of the replies so far, Kempohands, tonydee, isshinryu5toforever, and joesteph. Your contributions here have been very enlightening to me especially, as I have little knowledge of these subjects.

Thank you for sharing that! Very solid! I second. If half of the talented students in the world worked half that hard....who knows?

Hehe, pretty cool. Very creative.

For the sweaty hands problem, you should look into some chalk powder to help with the gripping.

Welcome back.

I agree. Hopefully, he wouldn't encounter any problems at the school. If he is obvious and open about it, then it is also natural to assume that it might make some members nervous. So, be ready for that. In the end, though, I would think that all involved would be able to handle this in a mature manner.

Yeah, kind of a team recognition thing.

Very nice, tallgeese. Thanks for sharing. It sure sounds like you did your research in putting this together.

Very solid point, Truestar. I think that there isn't enough of that going on.

Thanks for the ideas, Tony and Bob.

I always kihap upon the performance of the specified technique. Its important to bring it from the gut, and not to yell from your throat.

This is a good point. Being a Westerner, I do tend to think in opposites more than I do in mutualities. It is a good point to bring up, because evil is not something that is, or should be considered, ok, at all.

I don't think that point fighting is bad, but I don't agree that winning in point fighting = winning in hard contact fighting. They are two different strategies, and the other guy doesn't have to acknowledge the point you just got in hard contact, continuous fighting. Other intangibles can come into play as well, such as toughness, endurance, etc. Hehe, perhaps that is a way to put things into perspective.

Cung Le has a very effective way of using the side kick in his fights. But, he has spent a lot of time developing it, too. Front kicks you will see at times, used like the tiip of Thai Boxing, but it is used as more of a pushing kick. The main reason that you don't see them as much is because the round kick is easier to set up, and tends to be a faster kick than the side kick. I think that the round kick lends itself to combination use better, too.

Find it here: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Tao-of-Gung-Fu/Bruce-Lee/e/9780804831109/?itm=1 I believe the book I have linked to is a second printing; the one that I have is a first printing from when the Bruce Lee Library was being published by Tuttle Publishing. I don't know what differences there are between the two, so the comments I make are on the version that I have. This book was to be published in 1965, but Lee scrapped the idea of publishing it. Lucky for all of us, he did not scrap his notes, and this book, compiled by John Little, is the outcome. When reading this book, Little notes that it is important to view it as kind of a snapshot in the life of Lee, for it was done in 1964, and many of his training ideas were still influenced by his Chinese influences. The subject matter of this book, concerning Lee's notes and research, tends to relate to Lee's years in Seattle, and a foreward written by Taky Kimura talks a bit of what Lee was like in this time period. I enjoyed the book, and readers of Tao of Jeet Kune Do will notice many parallels to that great book. Some differences will be seen, as well, as The Tao of Gung Fu is more focused on his experiences with Wing Chun, and he speaks of his teacher, Yip Man here and there as well. It is interesting in that you see how his Wing Chun experience permeated his Jeet Kune Do. There is also a section in this book where Lee talks about :gasp: practicing forms!!!! (Sorry, had to throw that in there...) Also included in the book are some bits of Gung Fu history, some masters that he familiar with the histories of, and also some interview Q&A sections to boot. If you are a Bruce Lee historian, or just an enthusiast, then this is a great book to pick up and read. Although it is not the same as the end result of Tao of Jeet Kune Do, the reader can see how Lee begins to move in that direction, and one can see the direction he was coming from.

We did some kicking shield drills in class the other night, and I thought that would be a good topic to share ideas on. What are you favorite kicking shield exercises? What are some that are't so favorite, but are really great, anyways? I'll share a few. We did these the other night in class: Back leg round kick/front leg round kick/switch: Holder holds shield on side, for a round kick. Kicker does a back leg round kick, followed by setting the foot down in front and then bringing it back up for another round kick (or a switch foot round if it was set down behind); the holder then switches the bag to the other side, and process is repeated. We did this for 30 seconds, then switched holders. Stop kick to round kick/round kick, the switch: Like the first drill, but start with the bag to the front. Kicker does a front leg stop-kick of some kind, front or side kick, but with no stepping motion. Holder then moves bag to one side, and kicker initiates the round kick sequence from the drill above. This drill allows more autonomy, as the first round kick may be with the front leg, depending on which foot the kicker starts with, and where the bag is moved to from the initial stop kick.

I was reading some Bruce Lee here recently, and I came across this little bit, and found it interesting. I thought it would make for some good discussion. I was reading The Tao of Gung Fu, and Lee mentioned a few times how the yin/yang of things are not really opposites, and mutually exclusive of each other, but rather compliments, always in co-existance, being mutually dependant. Things like firmness/gentleness. Also thoughts like "to defend is to attack, and attack is to defend" come to mind. Thoughs? Ideas?

Yeah, kind of crazy. One would think one would keep track of one's trip to THE FRICKIN' MOON!

Pretty cool. Another good puzzler. I never was good at the original...

RIP