bushido_man96

Not a bad idea in my opinion. The more I see and here about this, the more I tend to lean toward favoring the idea, as well.

I can understand this situation. What I wouldn't really have a problem with is any kind of technical instruction; any age can have good technique, and if they know how to help others get it, then that is a pretty special talent. And everyone learns differently, too. With that said, in response to Kez's original post, I can see where the problem lies; adults don't really like to be placed in the charge of children. I know that in the dojo it is important to set aside ego, like sensei8 said, but at times, our upbringing makes it tough for us to do so. If it were me, I imagine I would just go through the class, listen, and try to learn. Some of it would depend on the attitude the 13 year old was taking with me, too. If he was having a rank-pulling power trip, then I would have a serious issue with that. If not, then I think I could manage just fine.

Thanks for sharing the story, Sensei8. I liked it. There is a lesson there. Good things come to those who wait, right? I do kind of look at it in an MA sense as the road to mastery sort of thing.

Those are interesting points to ponder, Truestar. Thanks for sharing them.

I would take John's advise here. However, in the past, I was under the impression that ballistic stretching wasn't bad, as long as it was done properly. I always thought of the stretch kick as a ballistic stretch, but I guess it isn't. If one was going to do ballistic stretching, then I would think that it would not be done at max stretch, like with other flexibility exercises, which would minimize the chance for injury. I don't do ballistic stretches, though, so I would go with John on this one. I just kind of view it like the old-fashion sit-up; is it bad for you, or do that many people just do it wrong?

It's Soo Bahk Do, and its web site is: http://www.soobahkdo.org At one time, Grandmaster Hwang Kee called it Tang Soo Do, but then in pressing for a more "Korean-rooted" origin, he renamed it Soo Bahk Do. Not all the organization went along, so it's no surprise to see both Tang Soo Do and Soo Bahk Do with similar hyungs, particularly the Pyung Ahn series, which the Soo Bahk Do organization refers to as being from "Mr. Idos," but other organizations say refers to "Master Itosu." Interestingly, Grandmaster Son has a Pyung Ahn series, based on his own interpretation of Itosu, although in his 1968 book, "Korean Karate," he doesn't refer to him. The book I have is written by GM Chun Sik Kim, who is the President of the International Tang Soo Do Federation. Does he have a link to your organization in some way, past or present? 12-4-08 Aikitaisos Tenkan: 10 each side Irimi: 10 each side Shomen: 10 each side Push-ups: 3x15 Floor side kicks: 2x10 each side Doggie side kicks: 10 each side

Past and present, it's been a problem for me to find the right size gi/dobak. By clicking on the links Fu Man provided, size charts come up. Sure enough, as my height is 5'6", size four is what I get (for 5'6" to 5'11"). But when it comes to the reference of Medium and Large for size four, frankly, all my shirts are large, and T-shirts & sweatshirts are XL. So should I get a size five? Then there's the bodyweight. I'm on the edge, usually 170 lbs, but I can't always stay there (e.g., my present weight is 180 lbs). (BTW, it's all muscle. ) These sizes really seem to go by height, and then you go to the tailor for sleeve and leg lengths. I've wondered if I shouldn't go for size five, and see if the tailor can make it look decent on me (that I'm not wearing a tent). What do others do who might also have a husky (I'm avoiding saying "stocky") build like me? Joe, I feel your pain; I am the same. I have found that I have to buy larger sizes, and then hem and taylor to suit. I usually go with an 8, for the leg room. Then, its off to the dry cleaners for tayloring.

Even though I'm not a Karate guy, I'll throw in the TKD hyungs I would keep: Do San Yul Kuk Toi Gye Hwa Rang Se Jong

Our school has this problem, too. I wish we could get more, but with the way the economy is right now, I don't see the attendance jumping any time soon.

My dad took me to his class when I was around 4. I only went a few times, but of all my childhood memories, it is one that sticks out the most. After first grade, we moved, and I didn't pick up TKD until I was in the 8th grade. Its been my thing ever since. I guess I would say that now I am kind of like tallgeese was; I would like to be able to handle myself well in a fight. Since I am not always so sure, I make sure that I keep going back, so that I can keep getting better. My family has always understood and supported me in my MA endeavors, too. My dad got me interested, and my mom and my brothers got into it for a while, too. So we have all had experience in it, but I feel proud that I have been the one to continue on. I'll keep on, too, and I hope to get my son into it as well. I hope it can be a thing we do together.

For your part, do you like this, dislike this, indifferent to it, or wondering why it should have even disappeared like it did for a while? The way you talk about Judo here sounds very similar to some TKD discussions that I hear alot. The Olympic focus, although increasing exposure, tends to present a more limited view of these two Arts, and many schools fail to expand the view to prospective students.

I think any time you change your range, it is a transition, isn't it? For example, striking range could be broken into kicking range and punching range. Then, you get into infighting, then into clinching, grappling, etc. Maybe?

I think that in the Karate circles, one of the older masters, I think Gogen Yamaguchi, was nicknamed "The Cat," and was known for his quickness, and he used that stance very exclusively in kumite. I think that is where the stance got its nickname. Karate guys, let me know if I totally botched this.

Isn't your daughter carrying on the Martial Tradition for your family, sensei8?

2008 was a good year for me. I tested for and earned my 3rd dan in TKD. A personal highlight of the testing was nailing all of my board breaks on the first try, and I think I was the only one to do that at the testing. I also started working with Combat Hapkido regularly again, and plan to test in the spring for my next rank. I also kicked up my amount of DT training, doing so on a fairly regular basis until this last month. It has also paid off for me at work once. You just can't beat being prepared. Last, but not least, I started taking Aikido classes this year as well, and I have enjoyed them. Overall, I have been pleased with my MA training in 2008.

I don't really see this as an issue at all. Case-in-point; Wrestling is already a sport option in most school systems. Other Martial Arts can be taught in a similar premise without any concern.

I agree 1000%. If don't have that level of force used against you, and you think that you'll hit them in the throat to get it over with, you might have problems come your way. It might be slim, but if the person can determine that you in some way intentionally tried to strike his throat, then he might be able to push it onto a defense attorney that may try to press charges on you for aggravated battery or something similar. Like tallgeese said, articulating the threat that you perceived is so important. Don't just think "I'll hit him in the throat." You have to think "I hit this guy in the throat because..."

These are good ideas. I can honestly say that our school has never proferred anything like this. I like what I see so far, and see the value in coming up with something like it. What I like about both examples is that they are short and sweet; only 4 parts each.

I would guess that there probably isn't much difference between the two. Most swords work the same way, and I imagine that the two are fairly close. I'd say its the Korean incarnation of Kendo.

Knife work is something that I would love to have more experience in. If I were to try anything, it would most likely be from the sword grip position, due to my inexperience with the weapon.

Well, your muscles adapt to the amount of work they can do. So, you should be able to keep increasing, to an extent.

You could try to secure a mattress to a wall somehow, and use that.

Sounds like a good time, both ways. Out of curiosity, what was the name of your organization again, Joe? I have a book on Tang Soo Do, and in reviewing it, I see the same names fo the Pyong Ahn forms that you do. Just wondered if they were connected.

I'm trying it out by starting in a right stance, looking over my left shoulder, doing a fast hop of the right leg to about where the left was, and shooting the left straight back. I've also tried it in the left stance. I can see it's for closer quarters when you want to back kick but there isn't the room for a regular one. Yeah, I really like it, and it doesn't require much of a jump. I refer to it as a switching stance kick, or "switch kick." You can do it with a round kick, too; you just switch forward instead of back. Nice variations. 12-1-08 Chest/triceps Bench press: 155x10, 185x8, 205x4 Triceps push-downs: 90x10, 105x8, 8 Biceps Dumbell curls: 25x10, 30x8, 35x4 Legs Lunges: 2x10, alternating FL front kick chamber and hold: 2x10 each side Abs Cable crunches: 70x20, 105x15, 10 Combat Hapkido class: 10:00 - 11:00. We worked off the beaten path today. We did some kicks on the ground from the lying power position, and also did some trips from the position. We also did a bag kicking drill where we worked pretty hard to keep the bag holder from getting close to you while on the ground. We then worked on some scenario stuff a bit, back to the wall, from a fence position. It wasn't anything overly impressive, but it was a start. TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. I taught class tonight, but I got some work in, too. Broke a little sweat, and reviewed some stuff. Changed up basics a bit, too. Toward the end of class, I worked with the students (mostly kids) on how the knife hand strike we do in basics can transition into its very own self-defense technique, complete with blocking, seizing (if there), and the strike itself. I thought it went well. If anything, maybe it'll give them a reason to see why its so important to practice the basics hard. 12-3-08 Side kicks on floor: 2x10 each side. I also have been working on breaking down the push-up portion of the burbee, as I don't bounce off my chest and explode up very well. Burpee push-ups: 6, followed by 6 regular push-ups. 2 sets.

I don't know about your program, but my wife has the Bisk program (I think). She plans on sitting for it within a year or two, I think. It sounds like you have set aside plenty of study time, so good luck!