bushido_man96

Well done, Tom!

No problem, and thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work, too!

Good explanation, James. Yup! I agree 100% also. Overall, the type of instructor you have influences when you begin to learn to use them in a "soft" manner. Often they are taught as "hard" at first. I think you make a good point here, ps1. I think it is easier to teach it this way in the beginning. As humans, we find it natural to meet force with force in the beginning, and therefore it is easier to learn initially. Then, later on, we can adapt it.

This has been quite an interesting explanation and comparison of forms. I like it, although I am not very familiar with these forms systems. It is still quite enjoyable.

Very nice. That form seems very simple, but effective, too.

I think if you just got into it, Baron, you would be surprised at what comes back to you. You may surprise yourself.

I still have a temper, but the MAs have helped me to control it better. I have also learned better patience through the MA practice, and especially from teaching.

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.