Non white uniforms

[MichiganTKD]

This may seem trite to some people, but here goes:

 

I think people who train in non-white uniforms (black, white/black, colored etc.) have bastardized Tae Kwon Do. The Kukkiwon does not authorize them, neither does the ITF. To me, Instructors who allow non-white uniforms in class do so as a gimick because they have no real foundation and need to keep people interested in class. Not only that, but I've noticed the fancier the uniform the worse the technique and manners.

 

There's nothing I hate more than Instructors wearing black uniforms w/red stripes, black jacket/red pants etc. claiming to teach traditional Tae Kwon Do. Traditional TKD is taught with a white uniform.

[tommarker]

you must not have any students if this is what you have to care about.

[Spookey]

MTKD,

 

Sir, would you challenge the dedication of Hee Il Cho (you have frequently posted regarding his color sceam)?

 

Are you aware that bastardization occures by immitators teaching ineffective technique!

 

 

 

PS...I am still awaiting a responce on the Politics thread !

 

TAEKWON!

 

Spookey

[MichiganTKD]

1. Yes I have students. They all wear white uniforms, and all of them are very dedicated.

 

2. I still consider Hee Il Cho a prostitute. I don't care how good his technique is. I've noticed he never seems to shy away from a camera, movie role, or chance to be in a magazine.

[granmasterchen]

i am a strong practicioner of the martial arts and taekwondo as a core , the old school versions of the style, not sport based, i could care less what color my gi, uniform, belt, hair color or anything, these are material items and they mean nothing to the martial arts, the thing we should all think about is not the material things, but what we learn and how we can apply our understandings to better society in whole.....my uniform isn't white, shame on me, i must be a terrible person with no respect for my art....come on, think about this, seriously.....

[tommarker]

if by "traditional" you mean.. over the last 50-75 years... then yes, martial arts have been practiced in dogi/dobahk.

 

Before then, jump into the wayback machine and see guys practicing basically in loinclothes or underclothing, or whatever else they happen to be wearing.

 

Now in our school, yes we all wear white uniforms... but I fail to see how if we all practiced in sweats and tshirts one day that our technique will go downhill.

 

In fact, I know plenty of highly talented people who have been doing this far longer than I who are most comfortable practicing technique in sweats and tshirts. Most of them have forgotten more than I've learned.

 

I think you're talking about cheesy uniforms, and most "traditionalists" would indeed find them to be overdone. However, to imply they are the root of all evil in TKD, or any art for that matter, is attributing far too much blame to inanimate fabric.

[MichiganTKD]

I have no problem with practicing in sweatpants, t-shirts, loose clothes etc. The Dobahk/gi was not invented until relatively recently, so it's not like we have been wearing it for hundreds of years. I allow my own students to practice in streetclothes if they have forgotten their uniform or it is dirty. That's not a problem.

 

No, I'm talking about knowingly forsaking the white uniform we associate with TKD for a bastardized version. Why do I feel so strongly about this? In Western culture, brides wear white at their wedding to signify purity, even if their are not. It is traditional. In Korean culture, white signifies purity. To me, if you don't wear a white uniform, regardless of your intentions, it implies you have an ugly mind. It seems to me, the nstructors most concerned with making money off Tae Kwon Do and selling out wear black or colored uniforms. Furthermore, I think those of you who DON'T wear white uniforms seem to be taking offense more or thinking it doesn't matter. I think the ones wearing white uniforms are silently nodding their heads.

 

As Barry Goldwater said "In your heart, you know I'm right."

[granmasterchen]

so i have an ugly mind because i dont wear a white uniform? ok...just want to make sure i understand this correctly.....

 

i wear a black uniform. it doesn't make me want to pursue the purity of my mind and soul any less because the uniform is black....its just fabric and dyes....material things can't be compared to ideals and thoughts....two different views of philosophy there, I think you are just taking this to extremes by stereo typing all people....you just can't do that....

[MichiganTKD]

Grandmasterchen,

 

If you are in Japan, does that mean you practice karate?

 

I have never seen karate Grandmasters like Mas Oyama, Gichin Funakoshi, and others of their level wearing black uniforms. If you're going to believe that it is not important what color uniform you wear, then walk down the street or go to the store in dirty, greasy, filthy clothes. better yet, go in public consistantly wearing all-black clothes. You think people won't think deep down that you are a shady character?

 

In this country, black carries the same cannotation-darkness and evil. Doesn't matter how you really are. Perception means a lot. Black uniform black mind.

[ninjanurse]

The path of martial arts takes us on a long journey towards selflessness-an overcoming of our own egos that turns our attention from pride and focuses it on humility. Until we reach that point in our training our perspectives are varied and sometimes our "self" gets in the way. With that being said, it is really pointless to worry about what someone else thinks about our race, style, or color of uniform because it is our personal journey that shapes us not someone elses's. What counts is the opinion we have of ourself. Just keep in mind that they are in a different place on the path, some ahead of us and some far behind.