bushido_man96

That is a good point. Makes sense. That is interesting. I would think that more would train with shoes, give the chance. Also some good points by the Baron. Putting on shin pads would be tricky with shoes on. Getting kicked by a heavy tennis shoe would not feel good, either.

Thanks, I'll give them a read when I get some time. The merger is between the ITF headed by Ung Chang. My guess is its the North Korean branch?

Its great to hear that you are improving. That double spinning heel just seems a little tough to me. I will have to try it, though.

I would personally feel more confident if I could box 12 rounds than assuming that one of my techniques might end a fight. However, that is just my opinion.

At 12+ hours a week, you may be better off backing off a few hours here and there. The extra rest may work wonders for you.

I have been fortunate thus far. Even at work, I haven't had too many scraps, yet. The ones I've been in on have included several officers, so it was pretty easy to control.

I have seen many pictures of him, doing his completely vertical round kick. Very cool. I have not read his book, though. I would like to know more about his style of Hapkido as well.

Well, it is an actual Bachelor's Degree. I don't what else would accredit it? I will have to look to see if it is the equivalent of a state university or a private university. It would probably be great if you are going to plan on running a school after graduating.

Thanks, I would appreciate that!

Welcome to the Forums!

Welcome to the Forums, Blakey!

The living room walls are done, and it looks great! Now, to finish up the other 3 projects!

I knew that the ITF had several different regions around the world. These aren't just the heads of these regions? Very strange.

I don't think the katana is the ultimate weapon, and I don't think they can cut through anything. The katana was a very well made blade, but in the end, it is just another sword.

I would stay on your sensei about having him not bring them. An accident sounds eminent.

In Western Martial arts, most weapons training began with the long sword or quarterstaff, and then moved into other weapons. However, they may be easy to learn, but difficult to master.

This is interesting. You do both the WTF and ITF forms at black belt level? If you say so (I'm not sure which are WTF and which are ITF, but our school is 'officially' WTF, so I suppose that the required ones are the WTF ones right?) That is what I would think. I do Gae-baek as a my 2nd degree form. Is that the same form you mention, Gae-bak, just a different spelling? That is the one that caught my eye.

I think that the reason they are starting with this committee is to try to figure out what they will do with the technical apects of each style. As for rank and such, I imagine that everyone would retain their rank, but they may have to learn some new stuff. I don't imagine that the old form sets would be thrown out, but who knows? I think that would cause an uproar, for sure. The ITF I am referring to is the Interantional Taekwon-do Federation. I know there are others, but I don't know what the intitials stand for. Isn't one a Tang Soo Do organization?

In the end, if you are not happy with your orgainzation, you can always change.

Sign up for the lesser extension, and see if you get any better. Hopefully, you do, and this will all be an afterthough! Winter is just rough at times. See how it goes as it gets closer to spring.

I think this mainly has to do with most practitioners' "traditonal outlook." I don't think training in light sport shoes would be much more difficult, and they are light enough to kick someone with, I think.

In order to compete Olympically in TKD, you first have to win state qualifiers. If you place in the top 2 (I think) in a state qualifier, then you are eligible for national competitons, I believe. I don't know what you have to place nationaly to make the National Team, though. I think once you make the National Team, you are then invited to train at the Oympic Trainin Center. Then, you are pretty much on their training schedule. However, they pay for your competition fees, and travel fees, for national and international events (including the Olympics). However, you have to stay on the team. The AAU also does something similar, although they can't get you into the Olympics. However, they do have a National Team as well, that will compete internationally. However, I don't know if there is an age requirement, or not. The AAU does hold the Junior Olympics, but I don't know if they have a National team for adults. Check their website to find out for sure. I hope this helps!

The University of Bridgeport, in Bridgeport, CT, is the first American college to offer a bachelor's degree in MA. They have a curriculum set up for the students, who have to obtain 120 credit hours in order to graduate. They can study Karate, Taekwondo, or Tai-Chi at the university, and have a balance of liberal arts courses along with courses on Eastern religion, philosophy, and cultutal history as well. Also required are 12 credit hours in either Korean, Japanese, or Mandarin Chinese languages. What do you think? I think it would be interesting. I am not sure I would seriously consider attending a school like that before I had another bachelor's degree, but it would be something to hang on the dojang wall. More certification oppurtunities.

I read that GM Bong Soo Han, Hapkido practitioner, passes away this year. I have met him once, at a Certification Camp while I was in the ATA. He was a guest of GM H. U. Lee at the time. They actually set at the table I was eating breakfast at that morning. I am sure the MA world will miss him.

I have read that the ITF and WTF are working on a merger of sorts. They have formed a Taekwondo Integration Coordination Committee, and will deal with technical and administrative aspects of the two bodies, for now. What do you think? How will this go?