DWx

This. If you truly feel the Sensei caused/contributed, the time to confront him was a year ago, not now. I would address the injury, but not add the recrimination part of it, and let him know that she may need to bow out of class occasionally. If he's not ok with that, it may be time to find a different studio. John Totally agree. Everyone has limitations and the sensei should allow students to bow out if they cannot continue.

Welcome to KF KyungYet

Congrats Gareth

It's never ok for an instructor to hit a student like that. Take your kids out of classes. If the instructor is a member of an association or organisation report him to them and fully detail what happen. Most reputable organisations will have a child / vulnerable persons protection officer.

Solid post...I concur!! Still impressive numbers regardless. And interesting to see how popular TKD seems to be by country.

Congrats CredoTe

Currently suffering an inflamed achilles... and have done ankles, knees, elbows etc. over the years. A good neoprene support usually does ok with me. I prefer the greater flexibility compared to strapping. Never done anything as bad as Wastelander like a dislocation though.

So quite a few of you have said "heart". But what does that even mean and why does that make you a martial artist?

Good news but I would hope that they continue to improve the sport and not just take it for granted that they're back in... The reasons for taking it out haven't magically gone away overnight.

Congrats Like I mentioned in your previous post, I'm gearing up for one of these events... totally daunted by it though

That's a good question. I think it takes time. When you get started, you are "taking Martial Arts." Once you've been at it, then you become a Martial Artist. That old Bruce Lee quote fits: "Before I learned the art, a punch was just a punch and a kick, just a kick. After I learned the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a kick, no longer a kick. Now that I understand the art, a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick."

I believe he would be. The scenario you describe is similar to the really old masters, whom due to age and / or other natural debilitation, cannot physically train much anymore. The sheer volume of knowledge and experience they could impart to students would be invaluable. I agree, as well. I think that there are a lot of shades of grey in this question, and depending on the circumstances, one could decide either way. If someone just ups and quits the MAs, then what? Not a black belt, because they choose to stop training? I can see how some would say no, not a black belt anymore. But then again, I could argue how could it be taken away? The belt can be physically taken from us, true. But how many of us then make the argument that the belt isn't what's important, but the knowledge and experience is? It really is a tough question to answer. Shades of grey is a good summation of it. In the end it just comes down to personal opinion. My personal opinion on your above scenario is the same as my previous one. If they are still actively exercising the knowledge side of it and actively retaining that information, say still thinking about moves and applications and still learning, then yes they are still a blackbelt. If they stopped training physically (through no fault of their own) but also subsequently stopped mentally training then they are a former blackbelt. Quite often we talk about blackbelt being the beginning of one's training and that the journey doesn't stop once you reach 1st dan. And I think that's a key concept to being a blackbelt - you are still learning. "Dan" 段 does mean "step" after all so you've got to keep climbing to be still be called a blackbelt.

Congratulations

Think of it as a defensive kick and not so much an agressive offensive kick. I know it's not exactly the same but this is one of the core kicks used in Taekwondo. Useful when re-establishing distance, someone's running on to you, you want to check their movement etc. Again probably not identical in execution but some very good tutorials here which walk you through each step of learning which you can modify to suit your Karate: Part 1 Part 2

That's awesome. Fantastic she's still active at 98.

A belated welcome to the forum gronis

Welcome to the forum tselec Take care of yourself. Hopefully your sensei is letting you bring the intensity up slowly rather than going straight in at the heavy end, especially if you have a pre-existing condition.

But what if you hadn't trained in 15 odd years? Let's put it this way: you begin your MA training under an instructor, who let's say is a 5th degree black belt. He has to move, retire, and falls out of training, due to whatever life throws at us. Would you not respect him as your instructor throughout the rest of your life? Would you tell him that you now out rank him, and no longer respect the knowledge and experiences he passed on to you as his student? Or, do would you still look at him as that 5th degree black belt that took you under his tutelage all those years ago? Does the belt/rank automatically beget respect? Whether he was a 5th kyu or a 5th dan if he has knowledge and experience that I would deem valuable then that garners some level of respect. But is he a blackbelt if he hasn't trained in any way shape or form for 15 years? I'd say no he isn't. He was but now isn't an active one. An inactive or dormant blackbelt. Just as physical skill requires constant practice and exercise, so does knowledge. I'd wager he'd forget a good chunk of that knowledge after 15 years of inactivity.

The latest additions to my library: The Prince - Nicholas Machiavelli The Art of War - Sun Tzu Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu Not directly related to martial arts as such but very good reading nonetheless. Especially important for understanding a bit more about philosophies / mindsets. I picked up these from the Capstone Classics set which a) look good on the shelf b) but also each has a foreword by Tom Butler-Bowden who IMHO does a very good job of contextualizing each book and explaining the ideas contained within. ----------- The other book I recently got I can't recommend enough if you study Chang Hon (ITF) TKD. FGM Rhee Ki Ha's This is Taekwondo I actually originally bought the book for the DVD-rom which is included. FGMR and a number of UK students have 3D motion captured all of the Taekwon-Do patterns and have created a program where you can view a working model and can zoom in / pan / 360 rotate / speed up / slow down etc. the figure whilst it goes through the form. An amazing tool if you are just learning or want to check something out. The DVD also contains several video lessons from FGMR on various aspects of each of the patterns and he explains all of the finer points. The book itself is worth the price alone. Packed full of great photos and lessons from FGMR and he explains a lot of the history and technical pointers behind the patterns.

FWIW the main reason books and home study alone don't work is because the student doesn't have the necessary feedback systems in place. With an instructor you've always got someone looking over what you are doing and providing constant correction. Consistent bad practice will just ingrain bad habits which will be hard to correct. That said, that's not to say home study programs can't work. The Gracie University program comes to mind. And I've always considered books and videos an essential tool to assist in everybody's training outside of the dojo.

I use Tiger Balm for nearly everything. But only the red one made by Haw Par.. have tried other similar balms but didn't do much for me. The camphor and clove oil in it are mild analgesics.

The vest will undoubtedly make it harder. At that price worth the investment because you will be able to incorporate it into more than push ups: pull ups, sit ups, burpees etc. even kata training. But if you don't want to spend, you can easily increase the loading on your arms by adjusting the leverage. Just Google pushup progressions: http://functionalresistancetraining.com/exercises/push-up-progression

First and foremost stretch to get those toes pulling back and your ankle in the correct position. Secondly you will significantly lessen the chances of hitting your toes if you are at the correct angle and distance to your target. As a rough rule, don't ball of the foot roundhouse a target that is straight in front. It's harder to get your hips and foot over. Instead use the instep or shin. Ball of the foot is more for a target that is 45° to your position. Likewise with the front kick, ensure it is not travelling up (common beginner mistake) but extending forward into the target.

Is a blackbelt something you have or is it something you are?

Nice photos What's your training routine like for these types of races? Group of us are thinking about doing a 10K Wolf Run this November (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQaGO5wJj8w)