MBP

Does anyone know who Ed Gruberman is? I think we just found his online ego. I think this is what is called "small genital syndrome" It's O.K. though, everyone hits puberty at some point.

I think that I could, but I feel as you guys do. There is a local gymnastics center that has an open night for just about anyone who wants to go and play around on their equipment. It costs $6.00 for an hour and they give you all the instruction you need to do whatever you want. I am going starting this week. I'll let you know how it goes. Of course if you don't hear from me then it probably did not go very well as I will probably be in traction!

Hmm, you are a very interesting person Long Wong. I think that in all parts of our lives we see what other people do and say and want to understand why. Why do they say what they say? Why do they do what they do? What is going on in their mind? I feel that many people compare what they view about other people to themselves and try to make sense of what they see or hear. Why? A basic human need is to understand and be understood. We do this to grow as people and to hopefully help others grow as well. Wether we realize it or not, our minds are constantly working to acquire new information and process that into our own personalities. Each person I come into contact with has some affect on my life no matter how small or how large it may seem. I take what happens to me and use what I like and discard what I don't. Most times this happens on a subconcious level unless there is something that is quite serious and very recognizeable that I either like alot or dislike greatly. You appear to me someone who has taken this idea and used it in your martial arts style. To say that you don't care and pretend that you are totally apathetic of what other people say or do is wrong. You have contradicted yourself through your posts in several ways and I believe exposed yourself for who you really are. I recognize the stage of human developement that you are currently in right now and hope that soon you will find who you want to be and be happy with your descision. What anyone else says or does and how it affects you is up to you. What you do with that gift is directly related to how other people treat and view you. Hate in not the antithesis of love, indifference is. You cannot pretend to not care through hateful actions or comments.

I think that when you are sick it is all relative. If you really listen closely to what your body has to say as you train through various stages of illness, then you will be able to better determine when you CAN train depending on how you feel. So the next time you feel under the proverbial axe kick, you'll know how your body will react. I agree with everyone else in saying that safety should be your first concern, for yourself and others. That doesn't mean you can't train at home or with someone else who is sick though on those days where you just gotta kick/punch/throw/choke someone!

Thanks for the advice. Could you let me know what books you like the best and if you would recommend them?

Mamutti, Welcome to the forum and I can't wait to practice again with you. Keep me up with drills from Joe!

second dan b.b. in tsd and brown belt in ghdwck. Total of about 8 years of playing...err training

Welcome. Hope you have a good time here.

Thanks. I appreciate the reply. This really is a pretty good site!

Our school is a member of NAPMA. In a recent video lesson sent in on the benefits of martial arts, it was presented that as we advertise, the main theme is that we WILL teach and encourage the benefits the martial arts has to offer. For most schools, as they advertise they say that they will develope self-discipline, self-esteem, courtesy, honesty and a miriad of other mostly mental abilities. It has been our practice that this is a major focus area and more and more is expected of each student as they progress. As to testing them, all of our graduations are open to the public and all who are there pass. This is used as a tool to build trust in us that we know what we are doing for the students and the parents, and a confidence builder for the students. We actually pre-qualify each individual on their performance and attitude before they test. We give the under-adult students a report card for their teachers and parents to fill out with a lot of character performance being the main focus. The adults also have a report card, but it is used as a self-evaluation and we compare where they think they are to where we believe they are. Yes, we also fail students. This is done before the graduation during the evaluation of their skills. This is the real test. The graduation is for showing off what they can do. It has proven for us to be a HUGE self-esteem builder for the students to graduate in front of their friends and family at all levels. There are some people that get upset when they find that they cannot graduate, however it is explained to them exactly where their opportunities lie and what we can do to help them. I feel that not letting people graduate can be a positive experience, albeit a bit hard to swallow when you want them to move to the next level but they are lacking in one area or another. It can be tough to be the "Bad Guy" sometimes, but shouldn't truth come before harmony most of the time anyway? Sorry so long, I get carried away pretty easily!

Is this just for Black Belt testing or all tests?

Our school has Sip Soo Hyung as well as Basai Dai. Sip Soo is a form for our first dan b.b.'s . For our first dan we learn chilsung samro. As a first dan we learn sip soo and jin do. As second dan we learn ro hai , chilsung salo, and san chin. We also have weapons forms that are learned with these. What other forms does anyone else have out there?

I think that I can honestly say that they are all my favorites. At first, they all seem almost impossible to perform as the instructors do. Then with patience, practice and good instruction, you can rock anyone with any kick! (O.K. , I do like the power and versatility of the front kick. And the feel of the whip of the spinning hook kick. And the height and speed of the tornado kick. And the sheer power and force of the side kick. And the angle and deceptiveness of the reverse roundhouse. And... see what I mean?!)

You bet there are some other tsd members here. It seems to me that there are more and more as I go through the list of replies. I agree with the others in saying that I hope we all stick around to learn and experience what each of us has to offer.

Could someone help me find some information or a site that shows pressure points and also gives some instruction on using them in a safe manner?