bushido_man96

1-31-07: I thought I was done training for today, but we had a small colored belt testing, and then, SURPRISE!!! An improptu black belt workout! We did a basics warm-up, and then 30 minutes worth of forms: Chon ji, Dan Gun, Bo Chung, Do San, Won Hyo, all back to back with no rest in between. Then, we took a break, to let the other half of the class do the same forms. Yul Gook, Jung Gun, Toi Gye, all together, then break. Hwa Rang, Choong Mu, then break. Kwang Gae, Po Eun, and Gae Baek. During the breaks, I stretched. All done, and my conditioning day is now complete!

ITF members could qualify for the Olympics, as long as they pay to become members of the WTF as well. They just have to play by the WTF rules, as far as sparring goes. Each region of the WTF around the world has it's own regional governing body. The USA is governed by the USTU (or it used to be....they had a political fall out a while back, and I don't remember where it stands right now). The USTU is the United States Taekwondo Union. Essentially, if you are a member of the USTU, you are a member of the WTF, and are certified as a black belt through the Kukkiwon. Hope that clears things up a bit. I used to compete against a guy out of Colorado who is a black belt through the ATA. He went to the Colorado state qualifier for the USTU, and qualified for nationals. He trained at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for a while, but is still an ATA black belt. As long as you pay the dues to the governing body of the WTF, then things are all good, I think.

That is cool, Tom. I'll bet that was quite a meeting. Thanks for sharing. It sounds like you keep pretty good martial company.

Well, in short, mixed martial arts is the best thing thats going to teach you how to fight. Its not the perfect style because MMA is not a style. I don't know, I think MMA could be a style. You see MMA gyms opening up, and they teach fighting from the stand-up, clinch, and the ground. I think that in time, you will see more trainers who have experience in all 3 areas, and will consider themselves of that style, as opposed to being of 3 different styles. Personally, I think it is kind of cool, that we get to see this kind of evolution of the Martial Arts, happening right before us.

I think you are correct, ps1, as long as the officer can provide some certification of abilities (i.e., rank, years of experience) in court, and articulate it well.

Initially, I don't think everyone trains in the same styles. Georges St. Pierre, for example, started with TKD. He is a black belt of some degree. I am sure that some of this influence exists in his fighting. Chuck Liddell, I think, was into Kenpo. I do think that Royce was/is a world class BJJ fighter. However, I am not sure that his stand-up skills are. Hughes is great as well, although Royce is 40, isn't he? I think Royce can still be competitive. However, he will need to round out his other skills (striking).

Hello, I am going to move this topic to the General Chat forum. Thanks!

Although MMA may be synonomous with events like the UFC, Pride, etc., I don't think it means that you have to compete in those venues to be an MMA practitioner. What you are describing is a rule set, rather than a fighting style or art, so to speak. Here is an example: I train in Taekwondo. However, I do not always compete in Olympic style events for TKD. I have competed in point sparring events with hand targets to the head, and I have competed in tournaments with no hand contact to the head allowed. Also, when I train self-defense, it does not resemble my sparring training for competitions, including Olympic rules events. I still practice TKD, but it is not limited to the rules of a competition environment to say so. I like your defenition, but within it you don't mention anything about competition events like the UFC. A TKD practitioner can enter into an MMA event. That won't really make him a Mixed Martial Artist, though.

I have heard both of what bearich has mentioned. In TKD, we are always told to bow with the eyes down, because looking at them as you bow demonstrates a lack of trust. From what I have been told, this is universal in the Korean culture. Even before sparring, they still look down when they bow. That is how I have done it in all of my TKD events.

These two are supposed to begin filming a movie in April of 2007. From what I read, it is to be a family movie. Li will play two characters, one of whom comes into conflict with Chan's character. This has potential!!!

Well, this is the big week! Ok, give my your scores and picks for the Super Bowl!! Also, where are you going to be watching at? Are you having a Super Bowl party, or are you meeting at the pub? I think.....the Bears. Grossman will manage the game well, and the defense will come through. 35, 28.

I used to play Magic a lot. I don't have the time anymore. Or the funds!

That is quite interesting. That fellow has quite a few videos on YouTube. He seems to do a good job of explaining things. Welcome to the Forums!

Is there anyone you can work out with that isn't affiliated with an organization?

I'm glad to hear that things seem to be resolved. Still keep an eye out, though. You never know.

If you use a back fist strike, you can fake the back fist, and do a crossover step as you fake, and then execute a side kick to the body.

I think that 'hitting girls' and sparring in class don't really fall under the same category. Maliciously striking females is not right, I agree. However, this is hardly what is being done under the supervision of an instructor in a dojo. It is a learning environment, and everyone in the dojo should be subject to the same learning experiences.

Have them start doing simple combinations. You can't stress true, proper technique quite as much as you would in an MA class. Just make sure they can do it well enough that they don't hurt themselves. Pick up some 8 Minute Abs DVDs, and some of Billy Blanks TaeBo DVDs; those will give you some ideas.

Good points, Elky. I had not thought of that. I think it is important for Ryan to know that he will not be in trouble with you, Kerry, regardless of whether or not his actions get him in trouble with the school.

I never thought about this, but I know that WTF style sparring has been referred to as Olympic Style since I've been involved in TKD, even before TKD became an Olympic sport. I guess the Kukkiwon just had a better lobby? Currently, ITF style sparring is only light contact (at least in every tournament I've ever been to) which I'd like to see changed, but I honestly don't know how WTF style rules made the Olympic games while ITF didn't. Again: politics. Politics, maybe. Perhaps they just gave a better pitch?

I think I would opt for more classes a week with less time. However, that is because I think I would survive them better. Also, each class may be a bit different, with something new to gain. With only 2 classes a week, although for more time, you may not get those little differences that keep you enticed. It is also nice to know that if you will have a busy week schedule, that you can go with the optional schedule, if need be.

These may be tough to do while seated. Standing, you could do knee raises. The faster you can do them, the better, though. Here's one: Scooch your butt to the edge of your seat, extend your legs out a bit (doesn't have to be straight), keep your body upright, and grab the sides of the chair by your hips. Heels just off the floor. Using controlled motion, draw your knees into your chest, keeping them slightly bent. Lower them in a controlled motion, barely touch the floor with your heels, and then repeat. Hope that helps!

1-31-07: Conditioning today (a little, anyways). Sledgehammers: 3x1:30, 1 minute rests. Burpees: 3x10 (although they were kind of bad) Stadium stairs: Ran up 32 steps, charging hard, and then walk back down and over to the next row of stairs. Did this 8 times.

I have heard of it, and seen a bit of it on a TV special once (Discovery, I think). I think it looks like a lot of fun; however, I am not a runner, so it doesn't interest me that much. I think it would be great exercise, and it would definetely make running more fun. Much akin to the stunts that Jackie Chan pulls in his movies, like running up walls, etc.

Pictures of what??? Pictures of what he builds, I think.