bushido_man96

That's good stuff, James. You have some good experiences there.

I know those schools are out there, Baron. However, we have to do our duty to help keep those who are looking for quality MA to be informed on what they are getting into.

Mine has my name on one side, and the name of the organization, along with TKD in Korean on it.

I don't know for sure. I wonder if that would be a way for them to do internships?

Good thread, Baron. I feel that my weaknesses are being somewhat out of shape (round) and having bad knees. I don't have a lot of endurance. As far as fighting goes, I don't have a lot of experience, and that is a disadvantage. Groundfighting is a range of combat that I have very little experience with. Another problem I have is with the adrenaline dump. Again, this comes from lack of experience. On the plus side, I think I have pretty good technique. I usually do well in forms competitions, and I enjoy them. I can block decently in sparring, but this leads to a lack of lateral movement, as I just assume block or brush off a technique, and then move in. I can kick ok, but I like to punch. I won't blow anyone away in the ring, but I can exchange some blows, I think.

You never know until you try.

I agree with you completely. I feel that it is important to get out of the "comfort zone" that we all get used to at our regular stomping grounds, so that we can open our minds up some.

I did not care for the show at all. The weapons section especially. It was a show of stylization, and that was really it. The "ninjitus death punch" is not really a "ninja technique." It is a punch to the heart essentially, and the results of such a technique are neither secret nor Eastern in origins. These things have been around for years.

Very cool. More and more schools are realizing they need to mix it up if they want to keep students. This is true, however, this is also why I just assume use the English terms for the techniques, places, names, etc. If you do a Korean form, and want to use the Korean name, then fine. That would be the equivalent of calling a Korean city by its Korean name. However, calling the school a dojang, and then the instructor sensei, just because it sounds like the cooler name, doesn't make much sense to me.

Ringing the bell was interesting. However, I don't think that anyone can cause internal damage to me by yelling at me. The guy chopping at the pipe was impressive. I think that is more of a result of conditioning the hand as opposed to chi-transfer.

James Bullock made some good comments on this already. I'll see if I can add to it. The martial arts have helped me to become somewhat more confident, in my abilities and as far as self-esteem go. As a kid, I didn't have much. The martial arts have helped me to see what I can and can't do, and that helps me to keep things in perspective. I have seen those that are big-headed, with ego problems and such. However, it is sometimes hard to tell if these people were this way prior to studying the martial arts or not. I imagine both can happen. Extensive levels of success can boost the ego. This is ok, as long as it stays in check. Sometimes, it gets out of hand. I find comfort knowing that in any class that I attend, there will be those that I can learn from, because they are better than me, and those that I can teach, because I may be a little better than them. In the end, it comes down to each individual's attitude toward the activity, no matter what it is.

I think you have definitely thought about your goal in the martial arts, and you are well on your way to becoming what you want to be. I agree that teaching is not for everyone, and not everyone should have to do it to earn a black belt. I think that it can be an important aspect of learning, but not necessarily required.

Well put, guys.

I agree with you here. This is a good philosophy, and you are fortunate to find it all under one roof. What if you talked to your instructor about studying under another instructor at the same time? That is the focus here.

Very well put. This how I feel about people in the martial arts as well. Not everyone has the same level of abilities, and it should not be expected that everyone can do the same things. However, by pushing them to the edge of what they can do, and then going over, everyone wins in the deal.

Hehe, that looks kind of cool! I gotta get me one of them!

Cung Le is an animal!

Good points, Baron. However, I don't think fast belt advancement is the key. What is the key is some kind of indicator that the kids are improving and development. Not a belt, necessarily, but a stripe, different patch, or something.

Very nice, James. By "Neutral stance," do you mean standing in a natrual stance, with legs parallel, and arms at the sides? 3-17-07 Today, the wife, daughter, and I went for about a 40 minute walk. We took the little man for a pull along in the wagon. It was a nice evening for a walk, and the wife loves to walk. We enjoyed it.

That's the way to go, then. Well done on 3rd place! Good luck at regionals.

Good explanation, James.

Very true! No denying that one!

Very cool. Thanks, baron!

Welcome to the Forums! Things I noticed: Foremost, what about your left side? I saw a lot of right side techniques, but not many left side ones. Use both sides equally. Your punches looked good, technique wise, but I would try to penetrate more. Also, try doing them while standing still. Your side kick technique looked good, but when you hit a bag like that, make sure that you are still going forward when you hit the bag, and not falling backwards, like you were. Drive the kick through, and behind, the bag. You won't hurt your partner...that is why the bag is there. Also, after you finish a technique, really concentrate on what you do after it, as far as where you set your foot down, and what your body does. Don't just practice the technique, but practice what happens after the technique....like sitting down in front in your fighting stance, ready for the next move. I liked the video, and keep up the good work!

I am not sure that it is fair to label it a McDojo, just because they have a cheesey commercial, and target kids. The order of the list does not necessarily indicate the order of importance, either. However, if a parent sees Self-esteem first, then it may catch their eye, stating that the instructor cares about the well-being of the children. Sure, it may be taking advantage of the advertising process, but that is what advertising is all about...getting responses. Although the commercial did show a lot of black belt kids, which many adults/purists would not like to see, I don't think we should just jump straight into conclusions. BTW, I didn't care for the commercial, either.