Akaratechick

probably tiger balm and castor oil

I think most TKDer's are hands up, at our dojang upon our instructors command, we yell 'WE LIKE OUR NOSES!!!!!!" it's probably weird to people coming in or just watching, but as you know a kick to the nose can clear the sinuses for days or bloody it. We do punch alot too, mostly backfist,reverse punch,jab, hook.. I started going to a Gojo fight class on Fridays and learned to punch faster and harder so TKD is an awesome art either way but more effective without a broken nose

I'm not sure if that is what they are called but they are those painful bruises that you feel but can't really see on the ball of your foot. I think I got it from an axe kick maybe, don't know but just when I think it's gone, it comes back. I tried wearing my MA shoes tonight but can't really pivot too well in them and they didn't really help since they are very thin soled. It feels like I am stepping on a rock when I get on the ball of my foot Just wondering if anyone has dealt with this before and how to prevent or treat them. probably just tough it out like everything else

thanks, I am excited because I just found out I will be able to help teach on Tues. and Wed. in addition to training on Mon. and Thurs. We are starting a lil bits class of 5 to 10 yr olds and I am going to help with that. I love teaching kids

Really good advice, two totally different point of views can really work well together when given a chance and no you don't sound weird

Name: Angela Titles: 1st & 2nd in sparring, 3rd in forms in several tournaments. Height: 5'9 Weight: 152 Current Age:42 Style: TKD,Goju Ryu, Kali, Jeet Kune Do Favorite Technique :double front snap kick, groin being the first target, face the second. very effective.

Yes, it's good to be back!!! I took a year and a half off, my car got hit by a dump truck on the way home from my brown belt test in May of o4, had back surgery, a fractured vertabrae slipped severely, and I have been back for three months now. If you want to increase your flexibility sooner there is a book I love, Ultimate Flexibility by Sang H. Kim very good and the stretches work well. Glad you are back and hope your class went well.

Yes, you are right I have read the same thing. I actually got my stitches out today and they told me that squats were ok, but form was really important, which I already knew. So I am off to the gym for some strength training

jeez, I didn't mean leave after acheiving 1st dan, people get so bent sometimes, I was talking about a year or two out. I have been teaching in some way for almost two years. I know that I am not a black belt yet, but I am and have been for some time mentally. Yes, you learn alot when you teach for sure, like who learns what way and whether or not you really know your katas without having to do them from the beginning to get to the technique a person is talking about and furthermore I have been in training for five years, which to some may not be long enough but being married to an instructor does give you some insight on teaching as well.

very good post Rick, Not everyone has the same passion for MA and as it has been discussed this is evident by witnessing students being afraid to spar to them just not showing up for extended periods or just missing once a week. Many have real obligations and maybe not so understanding wives, husbands etc. My entire family does it so we are an exception. We don't live and breathe it as my husband has taught for 16 years. There are many different arts for people and their interests. The women who have interest in our class but are afraid of sparring would probably be happier in a gym type class where you work out with a bag that won't hit back. Tai Chi is another good example of an art for people who don't enjoy fighting. We can all still do MA , regardless of the art the dedication and time will show in the person when they test. I do believe self defense is an important aspect for MA especially for women regarding rape. There are Mcdojos and there are well run commercial MA establishments. We have Apollos Karate in Tulsa and he has several different programs that don''t match up with ours but we respect him totally as a martial artist.

I take Glutamine and whey protein. I started the whey after an intense workout which does have some Glut in it but then added the Glutamine an hour before practice, I can see a difference in muscle energy, ie arms and legs don't feel like lead after 40 min. of basics and before sparring. Can't hurt to try it to see if it works

chamber if possible, my favorite kick and very effective but seems to take a lot of energy while sparring!!

The scope isn't a big deal and the recovery is quick, but not being able to train as hard stinks, I get my stitches out tomorrow.

good suggestion!!!

okay, Rick you have a good point and to those questions, I did ask myself whether I was getting good instruction and being a lower rank didn't have a lot to compare to until other teachers came through the organization and through the years I had an opportunity to visit other dojos and go to various seminars. I am not talking about teaching after obtaining my black belt. I actually have been helping teach for a year and was talking about after another year or two. You have some very valid points however, and I think Jiffy knows this, it is very hard to advise on this type of situation if you have not be there. Just because I question certain methods of running an organization does not mean I disrespect it or him. Let me make mention that he has a full time career in additiion to him teaching Karate, and I have more time to dedicate than him. There are many other aspects to the situation, but I certainly appreciate everyone honesty and advice. If I didn't want the truth I would not post on this forum, which is great simply because every one has a different perspective.

girl, guess the chick in the name gives it away My son is actually 16 and about to get his drivers license! He too is a martial artist and can now outspar his mom oh well, he has good control thank goodness

it seems like we get in ruts or lose our motivation for alot of different reasons, boredom, not enough positive reinforcement, physical or emotional setbacks or even lack of goal setting. If you don't have any goals that you are tracking other than achieving your rank then you will get in a rut. We can always move forward but it's harder than it looks. Ask your instructors about motivation. They are the motivators and sometimes struggle with it themselves. Unmotivated Instructor=Unmotivated student. Ask yourself what attracted you to the art initially? Then try to identify ways to keep that alive. I'm sure it will come back. We all go through this almost at every rank. Good luck!!

Just curious about cartilidge tears in the knee, how many out there have experienced them? I have been doing TKD and other arts for about six years and have had both knees scoped recently with very good results but am somewhat concerned about future injuries. If anyone can relate or comment that would be great, thanks. I wonder if they are a common injuries for MA and if so for females more than men?

There can be some serious testosterone flying around dojos, I remember when I first started getting asked out at every promotion, I finally married my instructor, I mean where else does a guy get to be a guy? but seriously, if you are pretty they will notice, regardless of how old they are, they are men. I would not go out for the drink but take him aside and let him know how flattered you are that he asked you, but you aren't interested. I think you will feel better if you nip it. You might save him some embarrasment as well. Egos sometimes bruise easily although the body may not.

If there were back dues, how could they be owed to him? not that you couldn't teach from jail, but ,hmm, jail is a really bad sign not to make a joke but what about the tenets of martial arts, hello.... Hopefully you have other choices as obviously you want to pursue your career.

you are right about my loyalty being to my husband first, it can get really tricky sometimes. The Instructors need to be on the same page regarding most things though. I am going to make sure I support him first and if he asks my opionin will give it to him. It is hard because I see so many things that would improve the classes.

I will be testing for black belt soon and will start teaching with the other Intstructors one of whom my husband, who is a sixth degree black belt and very resistant to change. Our class is a mixed age class and I feel like the adults need to be separated from the children at least under 12. We have many different views regarding teaching, marketing, styles and so forth. I feel obligated to the the organization to teach in this class but am wondering if a year or two is enough to teach before branching out to try to teach on my own. I realize I owe loyalty to the class especially because he is my husband but it will be hard to teach in a class where I am not in agreement with the way things are done. hmm, should have thought about that before I got married, I was a green belt then and hadn't really thought this far down the line. Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

I would say tall, reach is important, and if the opponent is shorter I can usually see everything open, everything. of course you have to be a good fighter and be able to manuever on the ground as well if it comes to that.