John G

Our opinions are only shaped by quality of information available to us and from personal experiences. For my money the only true martial artists are those in the servitude of the armed forces, these people live offensive/defensive strategies 24/7. They will use every technical, psychological and physical resource available to achieve their objective. They have only one master, and their art changes from day to day to keep the tactical superiority required to win at all costs. From within the constraints of what is socially acceptable and our day to day living, what we try to do, is keep the traditions and skills practised by army’s from bygone eras alive. If your martial art incorporates some form of competition without the competitors being maimed or killed, you too can be viewed as a sports martial artist to the untrained eye.

Well written monkeygirl, and a good topic diamondick. What makes a martial art an martial art? Below are a few definitions taken from the web, what do you people think constitutes a martial art? Encyclopædia Britannica any of various fighting sports or skills, mainly of East Asian origin, such as kung fu, judo, karate, and kendo. Macmillan Encyclopedia Styles of armed and unarmed combat developed in the East. The Japanese forms, such as karate, judo, aikido, kendo, and sumo, derive largely from the fighting skills of the samurai. Since the late 19th century they have become popular sports, as has the Chinese style, kung fu. They are associated with Eastern philosophies, especially Zen Buddhism. See also Bushido. Oxford Paperback Encyclopedia A group of fighting techniques developed in Oriental countries and now practised worldwide. They offer a valued means of self-defence and are also practised as competitive sports. Jujitsu is a Japanese method of self-defence involving throws, arm- and wrist-locks, kicks, chopping movements, and punches. It gave birth to the modern combat sport of judo, a form of wrestling from a standing position. Karate students learn deep mental control as a prelude to unleashing latent forces, which enable them to deliver lethal blows with the hands and feet. Kung-fu is the Chinese form of kick-fighting; variations are practised also in Taiwan and Thailand. Aikido is a Japanese form of wrestling that uses circular moves, wrist-locks, and throws. Kendo, also from Japan, is Samurai fencing, carried out with long staffs; contestants wear padded gloves, a breastplate, and face-mask. Another version, tai kwan do, originated in Korea. (you would think they could spell Taekwon-do ) The American Heritage Dictionary NOUN: Any of several Asian arts of combat or self-defense, such as aikido, karate, judo, or tae kwon do, usually practiced as sport. Often used in the plural. various forms of self-defense, usually weaponless, based on techniques developed in ancient China, India, and Tibet. In modern times they have come into wide use for self-protection, as competitive sports, and for exercise. Jujitsu teaches skills that enable one to overcome a bigger, stronger opponent. A popular style of jujitsu is aikido, which uses wrist, elbow, and shoulder twists and graceful falls; it is noncompetitive and incorporates various spiritual concepts. Judo, a Japanese sport created in 1882, makes use of jujitsu principles. Other popular forms of martial arts include kung fu, karate, and taekwondo, all of which emphasize blows with the feet and the side of the hand, and kendo, in which leather-covered bamboo “swords” are used. Judo and taekwondo are Olympic sports. Capoeira, a dancelike Brazilian discipline whose movements are performed to rhythmic music, is gaining in popularity. The traditional Asian martial arts emphasize allowing ki (cosmic energy; also known as chi) to flow through one’s body. This belief in ki connects the martial arts with t’ai chi ch’uan, a meditationlike discipline that emphasizes slow, graceful body movements. The most popular form of individual exercise in China, t’ai chi is often performed publicly in large groups; it has been claimed to reduce stress and lower blood pressure.

Yep.. 42 and life is going along just fine. The youngest kid is 17 (I’m amazed he made it that far with out his mum throttling him) and the oldest is 23. They say life starts at 40; it’s a shame that it’s taken me 40 odd years to find peace of mind and to realise that the most valuable thing in life isn’t money, possessions and social standing, its health, family and true friends. Heres to another 40 years…. Bring em on. I’m up to the challenge…

I am a Breakout Bat. I am an abstract sort of creature, who dislikes any sort of restraint. If you try to pigeonhole me, I'll break the box, and come back for more. I don't have any particular ambitions, I just drift, but I am adept at keeping life going along. Sounds like me....

Good health and peace of mind. Already got my ABBA "The Definitive Collection" DVD

"Be willing to go where the going may be tough and do the things that are worth doing even though they are difficult." "Be gentle to the weak and tough to the strong." "Be content with what you have in money and position but never in skills." "Always finish what you begin, be it large or small." "Be a willing teacher to anyone regardless of religion, race or ideology." "Never yield to repression or threat in the pursuit of a noble cause." "Teach attitude and skill with action rather than words." "Always be yourself even though your circumstances may change." "Be the eternal teacher who teaches with the body when young, with words when old, and by moral precept even after death." Philosophy's of Taekwon-Do General Choi Hong Hi 1918 - 2002

Cripes Azim, who needs enemies when they have friends like you I'm with ZR440 on this one...

Master Murray wrote in his accomplishments that he is a 7th dan Black Belt Tae Kwon Do. This I assume is under WTF, as I can't find any reference to Master Murray in any ITF Master listings. If you could find out what patterns/tul's are taught we could determine what style of Taekwon-do is being practiced. Respectfully,

Welcome aboard...

Aes, welcome on board..

Join the gang... It's a matter of flexibility, something I have to work towards all the time . Respectfully,

Interesting article. and how true.. I Knew More When I Was A White Belt - By Karen Eden TaekwondoTimes - November 2000 Its true. I knew more when I was a white belt. Its funny: the more you train, the more you begin to realize how little you really know. I'm estimating that by the time I'm a master, I'll be one of the dumbest people on the planet. Let me explain to you what I mean. When I was a white belt, I knew that people would respect me because I was a martial artist. Now I realize that I don't need anyone's respect. Yet, I can still respect others because I respect myself first. When I was a white belt, I was positive that my newfound discipline would be enough to get me through my hustle and bustle lifestyle. My years of training have since taught me that I need to slow down. As a white belt, I knew I would have the confidence to stand up and kick anybody's butt who belittled me. As a black belt, I know to just turn around and go home. When I began my "grasshopper" days, I knew that with training would come a brand new, shiny positive outlook on life. Now I just pray a lot more. I've read dozens of books on "warriorship," and have seen every Van Damme, Segal and Chuck Norris movie—all to help me become a champion in the ring. Now I realize that fighting is just like life: you do the best you can with what you have and wait to see what happens next. I can remember how important it seemed to be able to look at myself in the mirror and see that black belt wrapped around my waist. Now I know its just a piece of material. The real belt is wrapped around my heart and displayed in my attitude. The pride I thought I would feel has gradually been replaced by humility in realizing how tremendous the world is and how little I really know. Back then I didn't realize the awareness I would develop even in the little things like wondering how long a turkey would live if nobody ever shot him; why fireflies light up like that; or how a brown cow eats green grass and produces white milk. It sounds simple, but it's a simplicity that I never realized until I became so "high-ranked." Seasons come and go. Perhaps you can't kick as high or you forget a move or two but, take it from me, you can't stop the journey once you set your feet on that path. It's the same path that martial artists have trodden for the past three thousand years. The further you go, the more you realize how far you have to go. Karen Eden is a third degree black belt and instructor of Tang Soo Do under the direction of Master C. S. Kirn in Pittsburgh PA. She is also a broadcast journalist and published author {The Complete idiot's Guide to Toe Kwon Do: Simon and Schuster Macmillan.) Email: KyosaK@Capa.Net. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- source: http://www.albertataekwondo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 2nd to 3rd Dan patterns are Eui-Am, Choong-Jang and Juche. The fourth pattern you refer to is called Ko-Dang, which was replaced by Juche several years ago. I believe the USTF/ITF allows Ko-Dang to be performed at grading instead of Juche for students over 35 years of age or with physical problems or disabilities. Respectfully,

Well done Kickchick..

I just had an interesting discussion with some one (can't remember their name.. hehe) a few hour ago about memory's, and ones earliest recollections in life. People often laugh at me when I say I can remember when I was born, well not actually the born bit (yuk) , moreover the first time I breathed, and how it hurt as if I was breathing in acid. What are some of your earliest recollections, first movie, TV ad, dead person, kiss etc. whatever and how old were you? BTW: Im 42

Welcome, it's great to see another Australian in the forums.

Welcome siffy01, Ah to be a purple belt (sigh..) one day... 366 post's to go.

Welcome..

I'm 21 again (42)

I agree with G95champ and I like the terms, "Second level sport" and "hobby". The third term "art" which refers to a way of life or a way of thinking is also finding an resurgence. Many instructors (who practice and teach the "art") sometimes fail to see that people join martial arts for varied reasons, and feel somewhat disappointed when students treat the dedication required for the "art" with that of a secondary sport or hobby. This misunderstanding sometimes ends up being an unpleasant experience for both instructors and students alike. Instructors need to be more flexible, or at least point out to the student from day one what their obligations will be. One of the reasons martial arts is growing (especially in the area I live), is that mums and dads tend to send little Johnny and Susie off to martial arts training not only for the self defence aspect, but also for their sociological education (for want of better words), a domain previously held by traditional groups like scouts, cubs and guides. This I find disturbing, as not all martial art studios practice or teach high moral/ethical values. All in all martial arts is growing and the standard high. I guess it's up to us to keep it that way.

Congratulations! well done.

Arrogant, yes. A drug user, well, I think Mr. Bruce Lee could be forgiven for his recreational use of cannabis. After all it was the late sixty's early seventy's a different time, a time when the Vietnam war was raging, racism still ran rife, the Beatles were popular and the cold war made everybody think that there would never be a tomorrow.

Off topic: Who mentioned anything about terrorists? I was replying to ZakariRu's comment: "Pure genius!! Lets have a fully grown adult ambush a * child. Genius and martial valor at its finest.!" My point was that fully grown men still lay in wait to ambush children, children armed to the teeth, children who believe in dieing for a cause. We just kill each other with bombs and guns instead of swords. What. You can't see the honour in that?

Welcome...Welcome...

Welcome..