Tired of Slick Salesmen in Taekwondo

[Master Raiden]

Taekwondo at the gup levels should be all about the physical training anyway. I submit that higher level awareness can only come when you are intimate with your body and what it can do first. Practice, practice, and then practice some more.

That's a fine philosophy, but don't get so caught up in it that you forget about the student. How much does your neice really need to worry about getting buff anyway? Just make sure that whatever you do that she enjoys herself. It sounds like you care about her a lot to drive her to all these places and it would be a shame if you got so obsessed about finding the dojo that has the best curriculum that you forget the fun aspect she may desire to have.

Just something to watch out for.

[mcmillintkd]

I have to say that I find this dis-heartening. I plan to move to Austin (back to Austin) in about 18 to 24 months. I practice an ITF based TKD (Chin Mu Kwan) that also does not have a school there. I have heard good things about North Austin TKD but have not been there to check for myself. I am not asking for you the post the negatives about the different schools but if you find someplace that you like, then please post it here. I am willing to hear any negatives about the different schools though off group. I will be going through the same search as well. When I last lived in Austin then I practiced Shito-Ryu though that school is gone as well.

[stoneheart]

McMillanTKD, if you are not adverse to switching styles, I know of 2 different Goju-ryu groups and 1 Uechi-ryu group in Austin that have very traditional instruction with kobudo included. One of the Goju-ryu groups has some survivors from that shito-ryu school you are probably referring.

[mcmillintkd]

I am not adversed to learning a new style. The teaching is what is important. I got to where I am by studying with the best that I could.

[ninjanurse]

A good instructor incorporates the philosophy of his art into the physical/technical practice starting from day one-students learn a lot of philosophy from " reverse punch not good-do more". Character is forged through hard work and adversity and as long as these elements are present adding positive re-inforcement is not going to detract from the experience.

Choose a school based on the fruit it bears, not on how much $$ it costs.

[stoneheart]

Choose a school based on the fruit it bears, not on how much $$ it costs.

Agreed, but I wonder there's a corrollary to that. "The most expensive school is seldom the best." Certainly this has been my experience thus far.

[Syphax]

Choose a school based on the fruit it bears, not on how much $$ it costs.

Agreed, but I wonder there's a corrollary to that. "The most expensive school is seldom the best." Certainly this has been my experience thus far.

This is not always true. Although it is true that many schools try to rip off their students, some excellent schools are pricey.

[stoneheart]

Yes, Syphax, that's why I said SELDOM, not ALWAYS.

[Syphax]

I know you did.

[aigaios]

^Lol.