Heather Smyth

While practicing any kata of form that I am not very confident I always think of the movements, proper stances, and good technique. When doing those that I am very comfortable with I think of nothing. I clear my mind completly and move wihout thought. From doing this I gain almost a spirtual experience. Now when competing I usually visualize my children and their desire to see mommy do good. I think that if I tried to perform while thinking of protecting the lives of my boys then I simply could not focus on technique, stances, or even the movements. It is my personal opinion that katas are training tools, and it is impossible to actually defend yourself or someone you love doing any form or kata. More than just a training tool they put the word Art in Martial Arts, because they are also a means of artistic expression. Heather

I learned in my TKD school that you run less of a risk of injury to the knees when you pivot the full 180 degrees. I also notice a pulling sensation in my knee when only pivot only 90. Just tried it to see Anyone else have any opinions on this. I just do not see how 180 degrees is bad on the knees..

I have actually done this. I broke away and started an afterschool program for kids. This is just the beginning. We are called Martial Arts 4 me. We pull skills from a variety of stlyes with a concentration in TaeKwonDo. I don't imagine it is a typical name for a style, but it suits what I do perfectly. We individualize a students teachings based on their needs. We offer classes for cheerleaders that incorporate Martial Arts traing that will also benifit them in their cheering. We do the same for football players and all other athletes. We also have some classes with emphasis on the mental aspects for the kids that are interested in this. I literally am teaching all kinds of different things and constantly adding different classes. My goal is for someday to offer classes to suit the specific needs of any individual. Heather

For me one of the most helpful books in my MA training has been the Bible. Even though it does not relate to karate so to say, but it has helped to engrave the morals and values which makes me who I am. It is my opinion that to become a true Martial Artist one must possess knowledge, control, and confidence with not only ones physical skills, but also within an inner peace of the mind and soul. I do not wish to preach christianity to anyone. What I will reccommend to anyone of any faith to use the teachings in whatever spirtual literature of your religion to help enhance yourself to become not just some one who practices Martial Arts but to become a Martial Artist. Heather

This may sound a little crazy to some of you, but one of the ways I meditate is the brown bag method. When I am worrying about different things, which is often because I am recently a single mom with two kids, I sit down and get comfortable. Then tighten all of my muscles in a sequence from head to toe for a few seconds then relax them. When my entire body is relaxed I then begin to take the individual things that are in my life and put them one by one in a brown paper bag in my mind. I then wad them up and throw them in the trash leaving nothing in my mind except black empty space. There in the middle of nowhere in my mind I find peace. Heather

Why do u say that women have limited strength?

I really liked the video. Thanks, Heather

I prefer a bowl of honey bunches of oats after my morning run and a bananna and peanut butter sandwich after my night workout. It is sweet and not that bad for me. Double points!!! Heather

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for good music to design a free design black belt form to. Throw me some ideas please!!!! Heather

I developed a strong personal relationship with my instructor, but she did train me from the time I was four til now, and I am 21. I know every thing about her. We are now best friends. She directed my wedding, I was at the hospital when her first grandson was born, etc. I on the other hand let my students know nothing about me. Of coarse I teach children, but I do not share my personal life with them. Heather

Sohan nailed this one for you. I just have one thing to add. Be patient. Flexability is something that just does not come naturally to some of us and can take some time to achieve. Do not ever give up. Heather

My best advice to any instructor or instructor trainee either blue belt or 6th degree BB is Humility. Even though you know more than the other student you should NEVER let that go to your head. Having knowledge does not make you better it just means you know more. I hope you gain the confidence you need to help others on your TKD journey, but I also hope you keep some of that fear. It will make you care about your students and not just how good or bad you look while teaching. Good Luck!! Heather

We had an instructor demoted back to red belt and he was a 4th degree because he came to judge a tournament drunk. He quit soon after. Heather

I am glad I can help. I was just thinking that I had not done anything nice for anyone lately for no reason because I have been soooooooo busy. I want to thank you as well for reminding me how good it feels to help someone out for no reason at all. Thanks, Heather

Thank you all for your advice. Heather

WOW!!!!! 35 years is a LLLOOOONNNNGGGG time. That is longer than I have been alive. Just Playing..

I think I need to explain something a little more. My Instructor pulled out of the organization I recieved my black belt from about 2 years ago due to sexual harrassment issues. I left with her. She is like a mother to me and I turn to her for advice in MA and life. She still trains with me, but I am totally on my own with my program. I have 4 elementary schools and 8 middle schools that I alternate days and times and teach in their gyms. We have a county wide tournament annualy amongst the schools. I have tried to train some of the coaches to help with the classes, but they are pretty busy. I would love to train teens and adults, but with two small boys running around I do not have the time to open a school. The aferschool programs are about too much for me to handle. If I had somewhere to train adults to help me that would be ideal. Heather

I do both a personal morning and evening workout. Both workouts increase my adreanline and hype me up. I do not mind this usually, but for a while I was having trouble sleeping after my night workout. I began to read about meditation. I have gained a lot of insight with the knowledge I have obtained, but I am not gaining that relaxation factor I expected. I am relaxed enough to sleep an hour or so later. Do any of you meditate, if so give me some pointers. Heather

I talked to my regular doctor and he told me I was simply working out too much. I did not agree with that because I have worked out this much all practically all of my life. So maybe a sportsmed specialist is the answer I was looking for. Oh and Aodhan, to answer your question, I have not applied heat to my shoes recently... And check out the Who Would you most like to meet forum again. Heather

Aodhan, Since you seem to be one of the helpful people on this site you would be next choice of people to meet. Heather

I am no longer with my home dojo. I still have an instructor and I work out with the people that are also former members of my home dojo, but this afterschool program is my own personal adventure. Heather

Thank you I believe you just solved my problem. The kids stay afterschool for two hours. I am usually only there for the second hour and they are in the care of the after hours caretaker until then. If I go for both hours then I will be able to break the class in two groups. The homework idea is wonderful but may not work. But to my advantage the caretaker will be there for the first hour anyway and she can handle those kids. As for the kids that workout first I will allow them to leave afterwards if desired and possible or they can do homework or find something to do. I think this might work. Thank you. I can think for myself most of the time, but I am a little overwhelmed. Much Thanks, Heather

Thankyou for your prompt response. Here are your answers. 1. I change my running shoes once every three months like clockwork. 2. I do a lite stretch before my run and walk to cool down and then do an extensive stretch while my muscles are still warm. 3. No I have never had a store look at my stride to reccommend shoes, but my high school track coach still orders my running shoes for me out of her catalouge. Heather

All of the advice given has been great, but it is my opinion that one of the most imporntant things has yet to have been mentioned. You must stretch your back just like any other muscle. Most of the time when I experience pain in my back while working out I take a minute to do some basic stretches for my back and it seems to help. Also stretching is a great preventative measure against injury. Heather

I have ran 3 miles a day as my morning routing, except Sundays, since I was 13 years old. I have also been in MA and gymnastics since I was four and played everysport imaginable in high school. I still teach MA and kickbox aerobics and run. I do not have any pain anywhere after any of my other workouts, but after my morning run my knees and lower back kill me for about an hour. Is it the running or is it just me?