Akaratechick

Yes, TKD has pretty cool kicks, but you have to have the flexibility of a ballerina to kick above the solarplexis. Then you lose some speed and power. Keep it low then it looks alot like karate. TKD has evolved alot where they are teaching many more hand techniques as well. I think the styles are quite similar still. And I have had a hard time getting around the infamous side kick that meets you as you come in on your opponent too.

Okay fellow MA's what is the one food that you have a problem abstaining from, and you think this will get in the way of my training, or this is not good for me but it tastes good!!! Mine is Coca-Cola, preferable after a hard workout, or plain potato chips with dip. Yikes. Oh well, they are the 30% less calories type so I can eat more Just curious what your guilt food is?

I'll go the Great Healer right now on his behalf. Thanks for sharing with us as there are strength in numbers.

Don't sweat it, it will take time and retraining your mind. Some moves are harder than others. It is like in kata, where you are doing one technique and the next thing you know you are doing a technique from a different kata because it feels natural. I am a TKDer and I have taken some boxing and I catch and correct myself constantly to get out of the TKD stance On a hook kick, it is just like a side kick where the kick comes straight off the hip using your quads and hamstrings to push the kick off then before you fully extend the kick you bend the knee and close the door with the heel of the foot. On a roundhouse just remember to roll your hip completely around, point the knee at the target with toes pointed straight out, extend the kick and rechamber and try to hit your butt with the heel of the kicking leg. On both of these kicks the other foot must pivot and the heel will be pointing at the target. Your instructor is right by having you work on your balance with the wavemaster, you will get it. try to be patient. We all go through this when we learn a new art and the pressure is on us because of our higher rank, but it is in another art so that is ok. If you can make it through the uncomfortable time you will get there soon.

I usually compete about twice a year, need to more, but had back surgery about a year ago and am building the body back up. But usually you can go through your organization or join karate organazations affiliated with your state etc. with a fee and then you will get info as to when the tournaments are being held. In my case it is the OKA where you can go and look at all the tournament schedules and rules as well. Even though your instructor is not a tournament guy, and I have known a few of those, ask him anyway, he probably knows the answer just because he doesn't sell it. Competition is a great thing as you learn so much and going home with hardware is so bad either.

It's funny when I read your previous posts from July, I thought there is something else, there is always a reason we lose the spark, it is usually relationship oriented sometimes adding another style might be the trick. When I have had challenges in the past, I would look at my husband (who is a sixth degree wise sensei) a MA for 34 yrs and say (I'm going to bow out for a while, maybe take some time off) Once I identified the problem it gave me the motivation to go back because my love of MA has never waned, circumstances get in the way and cloud my perception of things and I think it's how I feel about training but it isn't. I guess I am trying to say I totally inderstand and am so glad you are working it out.

it depends, stretching and warming up is important but kids can get by with a little less stretching. It sounds like you are dissatisfied with the quality of teaching. You may find a dojo where you can sit through an actual class or two and observe what is being taught as well as management of time.

hilarious and oh soooooo true

AngelaG Out of curiosity how many students do you have or did the person have who had the bad experience. It sounds as though the experience was due more to bad character than billing companies being bad.

Could you give the reason for not touching(using) a billing company or your experience with one so that we will know why for future reference thanks

A few things I have learned from reading alot and talking to other commercial full time instructors. A large amount of students is neccessary ( about 200 to 400) Adults and children separate-duh A professional billing company- Member Solutions, something like that that way you don't have to collect all the time. Higher rates- You have really affordable rates, but have lots of room to increase if needed. You can add an upgrade option, everyone has something like this in sales. Pro-shops in your dojo don't require alot of effort and can still bring in substantial profit. Testing fees, you probably already do that lots of promotions and marketing- free month gift cert. with a uniform, give it to a current student to give to a friend. Extracurricular activities-Birthday parties, etc can bring in good income as well for an hour or two. Annual activities-Banquet, dinners, sell tickets for the families, use it as an opportunity to hand out awards, achievements.etc Just some ideas I have in my notebook and alot more but I may be boring you to death at this point. I know it is a tricky business with retention and getting new students being the key. I definately think from reading your posts that you would be successful in this endeavor with some time and work. Good luck

We haven't before but have always had problems with retention. We just added that you have to attend 15% of classes in order to test for the next level, that is not the only requirement but if they are ready but have missed too many classes due to unexplained reasons, no test. We are now keeping roll as well.

I understand what you are saying Jiffy and respect it. Thanks for your input. Yours too, MizuRyu, you are right about life being precious.

that's neat, thanks for sharing.

Thanks so much for your input, I hope your future takes care of it. I am going to try to be diligent about my excercises, I have a 16 yr old son who does TKD also but no knee injuries as of yet. He has long slender legs like me so I hope that's not a factor. Take care and good luck!

nice picture, Is there anything you learned that left a lasting impression on you? I have only been to seminars with masters but got to attend a couple of Dan Inosanto seminars in the past, and I was humbled by his humility as well as his incredible patience in teaching. Not to mention that the guy is in incredible shape for his age or anyones age for that matter.

Sorry, didn't mean to be vague, I meant not believing that the Bible is true in regards to life, and afterlife, is something to be concerned about because of the outcome when you die. Hell, to be exact. I know this is not a religious forum, so I won't go into any long explanations to support my beliefs. It is hard not to get personal when you are talking about death

I'm glad to find someone who has dealt with the same thing. Did you have a meniscus removal 16 months ago, and if so did you have a lateral release? I was told to strengthen my quads and hamstrings, have you tried that and do you know if there is anything else you can do to prevent further injuries?

thanks, that's really helpful. I really don't know what specifically caused the injuries, but the scoping was a tremendous help and the pain is gone in both knees. I am now working on strengthening my quads and hamstrings in hopes of preventing future injuries, but I can easily incorporate cycling into my routine. thanks

Each day that we are alive we are one day closer to dying. I think it depends on what you believe will happen to you after you die. If you believe there may be a chance that the Bible is the truth then you should be concerned about your destination. If you don't then you really should be concerned. But Jiffy is definately right about living each day as if it were your last.

That's a good point. My sister asked me recently if I was worried about the future injuries to my knees and I told her I was more worried about being overweight and sedentary As we age we are more susceptible to inuries for one reason or another but I believe a strong physically fit body will minimize those inuries. and we are happier because we are doing something we are passionate about

Thanks, you know come to think of it, it may be from staying of the ball of my feet for a long time, I used to cheat and kick flat footed, I would rely on my flexibility to compensate, but after my back surgery(fractured vertabrae) all the hardware in my back limits my flexiblility and I couldn't cheat anymore, and my foot is probably just tempering itself. If it doesn't heal in a timely manner I will get it seen. Thank you

I watched it earlier today, the first thing that came to mind was how fluid it was. not choppy or or stiff, I'm of course not familiar with the form but it was impressive.

I haven't watched that movie in a long time, I should rent it or buy it. I could probably get some ideas for the kids in our class, like I really need my car washed and waxed, that's actually a pretty good idea for fundraising for maybe new equipment or something, like a demo and carwash combination...hmmm Gee, thanks for the inspiration