From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #41 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Fri, 22 Jan 1999 Vol 06 : Num 041 In this issue: the_dojang: Romance in the Dojang the_dojang: women :-) the_dojang: tourney behavior the_dojang: Death in our family the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #40 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #40 the_dojang: MA and pregnancy Re: the_dojang: MA and pregnancy the_dojang: . ......................................................................... The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~800 members strong! Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, California Taekwondo, Martial Arts Resource To send e-mail to this list use the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe the_dojang-digest" (no quotes) in the body of an e-mail (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and online search the last two years worth of digest issues at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! Ray Terry, PO Box 110841, Campbell, CA 95011 KMA@MartialArtsResource.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Graham Hills" Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 07:46:02 +0200 Subject: the_dojang: Romance in the Dojang Romance in the dojang provides its own problems and benifits. If the two are differing ranks then there is a problem of favouritism or being unduly harsh on the loved one in order not to appear as if you favour them. This can cause problems after class 'cause then you 'get it in the neck' from them.. This can be avoided if the couple have a good relationship and communicate properly. The up sides are many including being able to share your passion with someone you love. It is also often difficult to find someone who understands the time and dedication involved in martial arts if they themselves are not involved. Its also great fun to say to a guy in a bar 'sort it out with my girlfriend' Regards Graham ------------------------------ From: "Perry Seto" Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 00:32:14 -0800 Subject: the_dojang: women :-) I've been monitoring the digest for just about a month now but haven't = posted anything yet. Soooooo .... here goes my first one. :-) I wanted to jump in regarding sparring against women, but first, perhaps = a little personal background is in order. I started training in Tae Kwon Do at UC Berkeley in 1975 when I was a = freshman there. At that time Tae Kwon Do was juuuust starting to make a = move towards the Olympic style fighting we see today. Soooo ..... I was = trained in a much more "classical" way. Because our Master, Dr. Min, = was so involved in the evolution and promotion of TKD to an Olympic = sport, our club has pretty much followed along whatever road the Olympic = style TKD has been. Therefore, as that "style" of TKD evolved .... I = tried to follow it. I stopped martial arts training back in 1987 and = just made my "comeback" last January - back at Berkeley again - this = time with my seven year old son. My advice to anyone who will listen - = never take an eleven year "sabbatical" - it's way hard to come back = after that long. :-) Anyway, one of the biggest benefits to me, personally, that the switch = to Olympic style TKD made was in the way weight classes were set up. I'm = 5'2" and, at that time, weighed well under 120 lbs (though I weigh a LOT = more than that now) :-) The setting of 8 weight classes finally meant = that I would get a chance to compete against people my size instead of = everyone being WAY taller AND outweighing me by a ton - I got tired of = fitting all of the "big" people. This leads me to the point about sparring women. Because of my height = and weight, there weren't a whole lot of men for me to spar with in = class. In fact, there weren't a lot of women, either. But more women = then men, nevertheless. So, by default, several of my sparring partners = over those years were women. In the beginning, I believe that I tried = to "take it easier" on some of the women but I can tell you that that = attitude changed rather quickly. IMHO I think that it is better for = both parties if the sparring is done as "equals" without regards to = gender. I believe that one may "ease up" a bit on someone less skilled = so that it isn't just "punching bag" time but that is regardless of = gender again. Still, you still need to challenge that person too ... or = he/she doesn't learn. You just don't want to "beat up" on them. Now that I'm back training again I find that, despite my increased = weight, most of the people in the class that are my size are still the = women. And I still don't take it easy on them. In fact, I hope they = take it easy on me. :-)) Thank you to everyone ..... your posts have made for great reading. I welcome any and all comments. :-) - -Perry Seto- pseto@aptl.com=20 - ------=_NextPart_000_0014_01BE459E.A82997C0 [100 lines deleted. Please do not send HTML to the list.] ------------------------------ From: "Jamaica Power" Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 06:29:09 PST Subject: the_dojang: tourney behavior > So my feeling is it depends on your role at the tournament.> > Jamaica thanks for your response. I spoke with my friend a bit more in depth and it turns out that she has the "pleasure" of writing the speech that will open up the tourney which is to address this problem as a "nip-it-in-the-bud" approach. BTW, the tourney is THIS weekend. Great notice huh? she was asked on mon. or tues. Anyway, maybe this will help you direction further advice, which is appreciated. I told her the first hurdle, IMO is getting hundreds of people to actually LISTEN to opening announcements. I prefer the blink the lights methods to get their attention. Ideas? Comments?Dawne - ------------------------------ Hi and how exciting!! For both of you. Must be fun but certainly a challenge if this is her first time and on such short notice. If she's never done public speaking before inside or outside the martial arts this will be quite an experience but tournament people are always so full of excitement and anticipation (at least at the beginning) of the tournament so it's a perfect group to speak to. I've done lots of public speaking outside of the martial arts so if you don't mind I'll share a few tidbits that might help and that have worked for me in front of large groups (100 to 1500 people). Some of them might sound silly but it's sort of a murphys law thing - anything that can go wrong usually does so you really need to keep a sense of humor about everything. While she will be certainly setting the tone for the tournament I certainly hope that her instructor/tournament director, volunteers and the rest of the staff will provide adequate followup in support of her presentation. Hope in otherwords everybody is on the same train. 1).I would hope the tournament has a good speaker system that really works, (microphone) and I'd test it out prior to her time to speak. Make sure it doesn't do the screechy thing. Hope she's got a strong voice that can project into the audience. She might want to go to the tournament site the day before with you and do a dress rehearsal even without the microphone, so she can see if her voice will carry and this will give her a comfort level of the environment. 2). Make sure she's got a glass of water available and the speech is in a language that appeals and that can be understood by mom, dad and the kids. 3). Keep the speech relatively short but power packed and outlined with the necessities of the tournament including those that the tournament director wishes to convey (unless he/she will be doing a speech also. 4). If the audience seems like they are not listening or settling down I would stop speaking and tell them politely to settle down so that she can continue on with her very important announcements and so the tournament can begin in a timely fashion. Just demanding respect is all. No respect at the beginning, no respect during. 5). A bit of well placed humor, a personal experience tossed in and some smiles during the presentation also help with the comfort level. 6). Make sure she introduces herself, who she is and gives a little background about herself and her instructor. Develops a good bond between the people and they will continue to use her as a resource during the rest of the tournament and afterwards. 7). Mingle prior to the presentation especially around the registration table. Introduce yourself, shake a few hands. Helps with the nervous jitters and helps to know your audience. 8). Speeches need strong introductions and a paragraph that brings closure. 9). Will she also be doing the closing speech? Have fun and my best wishes to you. How exciting. I hope you share what happens next week and that at least a couple of these are helpful. Jamaica jamaica_power@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 08:01:11 EST Subject: the_dojang: Death in our family Christina Bayleys mother, Marianette, who did the medical at Eddie Brochins event, Was killed in a car accident on Wednesday on her way to work. Marianette Bayley was an incredible supporter of her daughter Christina's Taekwondo efforts as well as Taekwondo overall, especially here at DEES Taekwondo and in the state of Ohio. Marianette unselfishly devoted a great deal of her own personal time and resources to provide Medical Services at State, Local and National level Taekwondo Tournaments including the Ohio State Taekwondo Championship and the 1998 Collegiate Team Trials. Her dedication to her daughter Christina, husband Charles, and Taekwondo was recognized by everyone. She will be sorely missed. Condolence messages can be e-mailed to Christina at TKD@erinet.com or mailed to her at the school at : Christina Bayley c/o DEES TAEKWONDO 315 Renwood Place Springboro, OH 45066 I worked with her just last weekend. Christina was very close to her mother, if we can we need to support Christina now with our thoughts and prayers. Ronda J. Sweet tkdtiger@aol.com ------------------------------ From: Paul Rogers Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 09:28:45 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #40 >>>From: James Clark Hi Paul , There is a great book on Ki written by Scott Shaw , a US Based Hapkido instructor.<<< Hmm, lemme check Amazon...Would that be _The Ki Process : Korean Secrets for Cultivating Dynamic Energy_? If so, I'll order it. Heck, I'll order it anyway... Thanks for the pointer, Paul Rogers, Round Rock, TX ------------------------------ From: Ernest Hart Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 10:32:13 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #40 > From: Aaron J Woodburn > Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 18:16:23 EST > Subject: the_dojang: Dojang Romance > I made a mistake a year and 5 months ago and started dating a whitebelt > from a school I assisted at, when the head instructor found out she was > very upset. Why? You are still human, after all. > we broke up recently but not before my Kwan Chang Nim got wind of it, he > said he was very dissappointed in me and needless to say it hit me hard. > I was and still am a 2nd dan, and my belief is that similar ranks can > date but teacher student relationships are definetely out. IMHO, relationships in the dojang are a touchy business, but can be handled if both parties are really interested in the relationship. 1. Keep it out of the dojang. I tell my students to leave their personal issues at the door with shoes, coats, etc. 2. Rank does matter. I don't care if you have seen the other party in very compromising situations. Black belts are still addressed as Mr. or Ms. 3. Be aware that other students, assistants, and the instructor (me) will be watching for favortism, preferential treatment, etc. Go just a little bit the other way and be a little harsher than with the other students. "Negative favoritism?" :) I've found that if assistants and students can follow these ideas, that relationships don't cause a problem. I teach at a university. Everyone currently training is between 18 and 24 and healthy. Couples always end up meeting in class. Believe it or not, the couples tend to be the best about proper behavior, protocol, etc. because they are the most conscious of it. E. Hart ------------------------------ From: Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 11:05:21 EST Subject: the_dojang: MA and pregnancy > On one occasion I did have a female opponent ask me to 'go easy' in a > sparring session as she had only found out that day that she was > pregnant! (This relates in no way to the 'romance' thread!). > > Training while pregnant - now that in itself may make an interesting > topic for discussion. > > regards > > Bernard Eddey Bernard et al, I have actually SEEN it done. It was incredible. I watched a BB go from slim and trim to barely able to tie her belt! What I can say was there was in NO way traditional sparring going on, AT ANY TIME. Slow, controlled partner work was more like it. Also, she was paired with her husband very often so you can see his motivation toward gentleness. She had a test upcoming (one of the many between dan levels- what are the called?) and didn't want to miss it. At the time she was very pregnant. This is how it went. Forms were just fine and she excels in them and always has. Of course her kicks were much lower but technique was there. For breaking she did several boards with the limitation NO FOOT techniques [Master said it, meant it and there was NO changing it]. They were all hand or elbow breaks - standard boards. There was no sparring. Rather she was responsible for several what I believe are called "One step sparring" combinations which to me look like the kinda stuff you would use on the street if attacked. When she couldn't tie her belt any more she took her "maternity leave" :0) I believe that was 2 months before her due date but I could be wrong. Now, here are MY opinions of why it worked. #1 As a 1st dan she was already fit and training regularly. While docs advise not to START a new sport or exercise regime most aggree with modification you can stick with what is already part of your lifestyle. #2 She had the support of her husband, the Master and really the whole school. #3 Modifications were made and safety precautions taken. Also, small things like she stretched a bit different when necessary. For example sit ups were out but for a while push ups were okay. She knew her limits and made sure she was warmed up. #4 It was her third pregnancy. I'm not sure a lower belt would have as much success, depending of course on their background and experience. I don't think I would do it having been pregnant twice. I should mention her doctor was NOT happy with her decision, our master treated her like a piece of glass at times and the baby is just fine - beautiful, healthy and happy. new dojang mascot ;-) Dawne- who is still amazed at the whole thing. No1IDIC@aol.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 08:27:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: the_dojang: MA and pregnancy > > On one occasion I did have a female opponent ask me to 'go easy' in a > > sparring session as she had only found out that day that she was > > pregnant! (This relates in no way to the 'romance' thread!). > > > > Training while pregnant - now that in itself may make an interesting > > topic for discussion. > > > > regards > > > > Bernard Eddey > > Bernard et al, > I have actually SEEN it done. It was incredible. I watched a BB go from slim > and trim to barely able to tie her belt! What I can say was there was in NO > way traditional sparring going on, AT ANY TIME. Slow, controlled partner work > was more like it. Also, she was paired with her husband very often so you can > see his motivation toward gentleness. She had a test upcoming (one of the > many between dan levels- what are the called?) and didn't want to miss it. At > the time she was very pregnant. ... I was involved with a similar situation. A lady 4th Dan that continued training, teaching, and sparring right up until delivery. Yep, right into month 9. As typical, we rotated thru the lines so that everyone sparred (light sparring) everyone and she stayed right in there. I recall being very concerned about even touching her, so instead of pulling my kicks an inch short they were more like two feet short. Not really sure she was doing the best thing for her baby, but she was there and even until month 9 she was doing very amazing things... Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 08:28:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V6 #41 ******************************* Support the USTU by joining today! US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, Ste 405, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-578-4632 FAX 719-578-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this digest, the_dojang-digest, send the command: unsubscribe the_dojang-digest -or- unsubscribe the_dojang-digest your.old@address in the BODY of email (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com, in pub/the_dojang/digests. All digest files have the suffix '.txt' Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, Martial Arts Resource, California Taekwondo Standard disclaimers apply.