From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #82 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Wed, 10 Feb 1999 Vol 06 : Num 082 In this issue: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #80 the_dojang: A prophet in ZA Land :-) Re: the_dojang: A prophet in ZA Land :-) the_dojang: Patches, Stripes, and Trim the_dojang: The Science of TKD Fighting the_dojang: Re: Choi the_dojang: Training with Osteoporosis the_dojang: Hapkido History the_dojang: More on patches, etc. (sorry, getting long, I like this topic) the_dojang: Flexibility the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #81 the_dojang: RE: HKD Rolls the_dojang: Women Warriors the_dojang: purpose the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #81 the_dojang: The Question of "How to do it" the_dojang: Re: Predicitng Match outcome the_dojang: RE: Undisciplined the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #81 Re: the_dojang: purpose 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: samiller@Bix.Com Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 10:00:11 -0500 (EST) Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #80 Sorry, no joke. At the time, I had a 12 year old son training who was higher in rank, and an 8 year old boy who was lower. We had invested quite a bit of effort into discussing (negotiating might be a better word;>) how our relationship would function inside the dojang, and the result was workable but delicate. I certainly didn't appreciate examples such as that set by this woman potentially jeopardizing that result! >This is a joke right? I can't believe she would have done that! >Unbelievable. Tang Soo! Scott A. Miller samiller@bix.com samiller@cyberenet.net ------------------------------ From: "Murdoch, Marshall, Mr" <014marsh@chiron.wits.ac.za> Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 17:04:36 GMT + 2.00 Subject: the_dojang: A prophet in ZA Land :-) From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Date sent: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 10:39:36 -0500 (EST) To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #78 Send reply to: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com > > Hey folks, > > Some background: Micah (my 7 year old) was diagnosed with a long-term > managable kidney disease called nephrotic syndrome shortly before his third > birthday and has been on large doses of prednisone as a result for the past 4 > years. (Think of it this way: it's like diabetes only the kidney not the > pancreas and sodium is the thing to watch, not sugar levels. This is way > oversimplified, but I don't want to bore folks with details.) > > He began studying Tang Soo Do (with his doctor's and nephrologist's consent) > at the age of 5 and, for a number of reasons, we decided to take a break from > training at the beginning of the holidays. Micah wants to switch over to TKD > so he can represent America in the Olympics some day and I'm starting to look > into some schools and programs around here. > > Unfortunately, we discovered on Thursday that he has developed osteoporosis > due to the long-term prednisone use. (We thought he broke his foot until the > orthepedist decided to xray his other foot "to be safe"...after four years of > doctors, I know better and wish they'd stope "being safe" and just say, "I > think there's a problem.") > > My focus will be finding out what all this means long-term for Micah and > whether we are going to end up changing meds, etc. Where folks here can be > helpful is to let me know if specific information about training and > osteoporosis (especially you science and med types...). > > Please let me know so I can read it and pass it onto the myriad of medical > professionals that have become part of my close, personal friend list. > Outside of the parental concerns (does he need calcium supplements? If so, at > what dosages, etc.), I don't want to see my little pi-guy-tummy-hogan-fishy- > boy (yes...I really do call him that) have to give up on his dreams. If > training would be a serious danger at this point, I need to know so I can help > him reshape and modify his plans/dreams/goals without feeling like he's lost > something. > > He's amazed and mystified doctors so far...let's hope he can do it again. > > Tang Soo! > > Karla > > ------------------------------ > Hi Karla (and everybody else) This reply is somewhat late, but since no-one else has picked up on this thread I feel that I should. Unfortunately it is almost home- time here in ZA land (and its been a loooong day) - but I promise to write back with some advice (I think I also need to do some more research into this area). BTW can you tell me what the underlying cause of the nephrotic syndrome is (a syndrome is just that, not a diagnosis such a glomerulosclerosis etc) ? Just a quickie for all the TKD people out there - refresh my memory : is Gen. Choi WTF or ITF ? The only time I see my TKD friends is moments before kicking their butts !! he he Finally in answer to a Q from Jaimaica : can you tell who's going to win from the look in their eyes : sometimes yes, but mostly no. Two cases in point : recently I had to fight a 6ft2 giant who was double my weight (and I'm not kidding about this!). I was breathing fire and chewing through concrete but he still beat me (SOB final score 3-1). Second case : my sister - gold medal in forms and ready and rearing to fight (at the national selections champs) only to fall victim to freak jumping kick in the dying moments of the match. That's life for you ! Bye for now. Marshall Tang Soo Do South Africa "Some men stumble upon the truth, most just pick themselves up and hurry on as if nothing had happened." Sir Winston Churchill ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 07:19:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: the_dojang: A prophet in ZA Land :-) > Just a quickie for all the TKD people out there - refresh my memory > : is Gen. Choi WTF or ITF ? The only time I see my TKD friends is > moments before kicking their butts !! he he ITF. Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com ------------------------------ From: "Jamaica Power" Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 07:36:12 PST Subject: the_dojang: Patches, Stripes, and Trim ...Besides, do you suspect that the folks you referenced would not train hard and improve their skills in the absence of some token or patch attesting to their prowess? S.E. Silz _____________________________________________ I absolutely do believe they would but I don't see that as an issue or as a valid point to stop the practice. I see the use of patches, pins, and stripes as a foundation for trustworthiness. Much like pouring concrete for the foundation of a house. An attempt on my part to make sure people understand that I appreciate what they are doing. A kind gesture. It's also for me is a representation of my being aware of their training and skills and hardwork. It's a reflection of pride and dedication and a reminder for some to set and reach goals. Additionally, pins, stripes, and patches have been a bond for me and an establishment of camaraderie during my travels, locally and internationally. I have frequently made friends and exchanged these items as a bond, as goodwill, and as a recognition that we share something special. It symbolizes years of service and work without having to explain the details. All systems can be abused. That's a given. Also these articles serve as methods of recognition and respect. Individuals come to the different dojangs and want to be able to recognize who the leader is and where their place in the group is. It's a comfort level. And one that is practiced in more than the martial arts. There's nothing wrong with that even in our "western" society as you referred us and which you are also a part of. People need defined rules so there are no misunderstood expectations and so that they don't overstep their boundaries. Pins, stripes, and pathches are representative of doorways that each of us walks through on our journey in the martial arts. It's a recognition of accomplishment but also closure, meaning as we close one door we must now focus on the open door ahead of us and all that it represents. It helps keep us focused. Regarding your analogy of this system to steroids. It's not an equal or fair comparison. With steroids you are jeopardizing your health and quite possibly the health of other martial artists you train and compete with. Additionally some are illegal. Whole different ballgame. I really don't see anything wrong with the fusion of west and east philosophies regarding martial arts. Eastern cultures have always had a hierarchial system and representative symbols, sometimes much harsher than the ones we currently practice. I will proudly wear a patch on my uniform and the stripes on my blackbelt.... I won't walk 20 paces behind "my man." :) Alongside is so much nicer! Jamaica jamaica_power@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 10:38:50 EST Subject: the_dojang: The Science of TKD Fighting Now available! This is the first series of video tapes that provides the general TKD practitioner with precise knowledge of the sparring methods used by Korean champions and master coaches. The Science of Taekwondo Fighting was produced by Dr. Jin Bang Yang of Yong-In University in Korea. This series has something for everyone. Instructors: gain new, up to date training methods and curriculum knowledge. Students: learn techniques and training methods that will make you more knowledgeable and more comfortable with sparring. Competitors: take your game to the next level. Volume 1 is now available. Volume 2 will be available next month. Volumes 3 and 4 will be available this summer. For more details about the contents of the tapes and for information about how to order, just surf on over to www.tkd-edu-resource.com Keith T. Krotish ------------------------------ From: Jim Lacquement Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 09:47:04 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Re: Choi I am not disputing GM Choi's presence in Japan, he had a Japanese wife, spoke fluent Japanese and had 2 Japanese names. I will not go into this on this NG, but I have researched Choi's history for quite a while and have discovered, with the help of Soke Don Angier of Aiki JJ, that quite a lot of Choi's claims were simply untrue (goes w/o saying), and I am researching his factual martial arts training as best as I can (slow and crooked road thus far). Thanks for any help, Jim ------------------------------ From: "Jamaica Power" Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 07:58:34 PST Subject: the_dojang: Training with Osteoporosis Hi Karla - Sounds like you've already done tons of research but here is an Institute that might help you or direct you. Best wishes in your search. Melpomene Institute 1010 University Avenue St. Paul MN 55104 612-642-1951 melpomen@skypoint.com Jamaica jamaica_power@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 09:50:29 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Hapkido History Jim, How and why GM Choi was in Japan is controversial. The story is that both Morei Ueshiba O-sensei and GM Choi were classmates under GM Takeda. I know of one person who may be able to help you out if you send me your email address (private or on the posting) then I will forward it to the gentleman and he can try to help you. You may also try emailing your question to JTLwig@aol.com. He may be able to connect you with some very knowledgeable people on the subject. Jeremy JeremyT@atfi.com ------------------------------ From: Greg Giddins Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 09:32:54 -0700 Subject: the_dojang: More on patches, etc. (sorry, getting long, I like this topic) There was a good question raised: >[Do you] equate a practice which is ... possibly effective, necessarily with > one which is good. This came out of the "wearing patches" issue, but it certainly applies to many, many other practices. First, as far as wearing patches goes, I don't have ANY, not even a school patch on my sleeve. And no gold stripes on my belt. No instructors patch, no blackbelt club logo, etc. Just a white uniform and a black belt. I don't want them. But, especially for the younger crowd, teens/pre-teens, I have seen them ogle patches, say an "assistant instructor" patch on a black belts uniform, and make statements like "someday, I will have one of those!". Certainly they used that specific symbol as a motivator to push themselves to a point they may not have been able to with just thier "will" alone. Not all people are self-motivators. And some need visual symbols to establish and work twards short and long term goals. Do I think that is "good"? Absolutely. In fact, I think it is neccessary in the development of *some* students. To discard such a tool because it is not neccessary in my own training seems absurd. I certainly would never require my students to take my own personal (often labelled "purist", but I'm recovering, haa haa) view on training and motivation, because am not trying to make little "Greg clones", I am trying to encourage students to find their own path to achievement. I certainly would never require all my students take my purist stance on most things, but I hope one or two would! Haa haa. But I have also seen people use a symbol such as a patch, or even the black belt itself as the ONLY reason to work hard, and when that goal is reached they ALWAYS go through disillusionment, and most times fade out of class entirely. In this case, the symbol is detrimental to their long term training. It actually destroys it. But would I throw the baby out with the bath water? No. The students who don't need or want the patches just don't get them, the students who do want them must earn them. There are many types of martial artisits out there, and I would never attempt to say "you have to be like me" to be a good one. The same argument can be made about TROPHIES. Competition sparring helps some people push themselves to become better martial artists, but for some it becomes the focus for their training. They train to get the trophy, medal, title, whatever. And displaying those trophies in their window is their passion. The exact same rules apply here. Should trophies be thrown out because they motivate students to work harder to achieve them? Absolutely not. I don't want a trophy, but that doesn't mean I think they should all be thrown out because "after all, they're just hunks of plastic and aluminum" and not worthy of working twords. They are symbols of achievement. No different than a "I broke 400 boards with my forehead" patch on a sleeve. If you took the trophies away from TKD would some people stop training? Yes. Without a doubt. Does that make them (the trophies) bad? No. If this is a flawed comparison someone feel free to correct me, but is there a difference between hard earned trophies and hard earned patches? Now the steroids comment... that sounded like you are a little confused. That was mixing aritficial performance enhancers with symbols for motivation. Steroids don't motivate, they artificially enhance performance. Patches don't enhance performance, they motivate a student to WORK harder and achieve more. What a great topic for discussion. Greg Giddins ggiddins@ossinc.net If you are living like there is no God, you'd better be right. ------------------------------ From: "Jamaica Power" Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 08:40:02 PST Subject: the_dojang: Flexibility But get to the point I hear you all say ... I wondered if there were specific stretches I could do to help generally with the hip/psoas area... the hips still tend to lock up a bit though I am waiting to see whathappens after the next 2 Hellerwork sessions.Thanks a bunch guys & gals !James ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hi again, James: Do you swim? Swimming and water aerobics can really help in this area. I understand they even have some new equipment that you can put on your hips while you swim to help rotate and strength your muscles. I haven't tried it myself. Of course you don't need to know how to swim for water aerobics. General water aerobics works but there are also some great exercises in the aerobic rehab programs that I find more useful. I also follow the same exercises that golfers use when they want to improve their backswing. These not only helped me but helped with power in the rotation. Know any good golfers or the Sports Therapists they go to? The other one's I've done are the ones the physical therapist showed me how to do for alignment and rotation. Lying on my back and then bending one knee at a time toward my chest (while gently pulling my my hands). I could always tell which knee was out of whack because I wouldn't be able to pull the knee all the way to my chest in a straight alignment. Then after I did a few of these I did the roll over. You take the right knee and while keeping your back fairly flat you try and rotate your hips so that your right knee (bent) is trying to cross over your waist and touch the left side of the floor and vice versa. Some yoga exercises work (gently) where you lie on your stomach and then grab your feet and try to pull yourself up. You wind up in sort of a rocking position. Then of course you come forward and to a front sitting stretch. Just a few. Got lots more I could send via private email if this is what you are looking for. Jamaica jamaica_power@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 12:10:28 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #81 In a message dated 2/10/99 7:12:33 AM Pacific Standard Time, the_dojang- owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Karla, what mg level of prednisone is he taking? At higher levels that stuff is rather hard on your bones, strength, etc. >> I have (too much) personal experience with prednisone. Though i tmay have save my life, 10 years ago, I has destroied my hip joints to where, at 40, I am facing total jhip replacement. Any questions may be directed to me at tkdscribe@aol.com Sincerely, Steven E. Silz ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 09:19:42 -0800 Subject: the_dojang: RE: HKD Rolls >>From: James Clark Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 14:10:31 +1100 Subject: the_dojang: HKD Rolls Hi Dawn, Welcome to the wonderful enthralling world of Hapkido and Martial arts in general ! I had similar problems with 'cat rolls' (as we call them) on my weak side (in my case my left). Me instructor gave me a little tip which was a BIG help. When rolling keep your head turned to the side and your eyes focused on a point in that area. As you are going through the roll keep looking at that point even when your body coes over the top. With this you will tend to keep the roll going over your shoulder and continuing down (diagonally) your back. Hope this helps :-) << In my earlier years, I had a master teach me falling by rolling on carpeted concrete floor that did not have any padding. It immediately pointed out where I was incorrectly executing the fall, I felt every bit of it. In later years, I went to rolling around a soccer field which has some cushion. You should not practice falling except under the supervision of a trained instructor. I've seen broken bones, bruises, etc., from incorrect falls. Practice it correctly and practice diligently. There is no secret to falling correctly. Practice the technique. ------------------------------ From: "Jamaica Power" Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 11:02:13 PST Subject: the_dojang: Women Warriors Just a little fun fact. As I was thinking about the debate on wearing patches, pins, and stripes when I came across the following article. This poor lady warrior lost her head for wearing men's fighting clothes and she even helped win the war. Whew...guess we have come a long way.....(Thought it was inspirational, too) Joan of Arc, (1412-1431), called the Maid of Orléans, who united the nation and turned the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) in France's favor. In 1429, during the Hundred Years' War, when the English were about to capture Orléans,Joan convinced him that she had a mission to save France. She was given troops to command, and she led the French to a decisive victory over the English. While conducting a military operation against the English in 1430, Joan was captured by Burgundian soldiers, who sold her to the English. An ecclesiastical court at Rouen accused her of wrongdoing in wearing masculine dress. She confessed her errors and was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, when she resumed wearing masculine dress, a secular court condemned her to death. She was burned at the stake in 1431. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: "Sara" Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 13:11:51 PST Subject: the_dojang: purpose >Dear Mr. Terry, There are quite a few of your contributors who appear to be rather preoccupied with their gup, poom or dan rank, and the ranking of various other people such as of their fellow students, instructors, and people from neighboring schools,as well. This extends not only to numerical rank, but to titles (such as "instructor," "master," or "bu-kwanjangnim," for example), stripes on belts, uniforms with special insignias or meanings, and other methods of martial art rank designations. It was my understanding that this was a martial arts forum where those interested in the martial arts could voice opinions, share ideas, and learn from each other's experiences. A lot of "contributors" have been preoccupied with many different things from time to time, such as ki/chi, love in the dojang, protective gear for tournaments, and so on. Should we not share thoughts on this subject of rank, titles, and promotion inconsistencies also? From what I have read, there are just as many people who feel rank is not important as there are who feel rank is a good motivator to push yourself. And because people cannot often ask questions such as these in the dojang setting because of instructors who have the same attitude as Mr. Silz, then this open forum seems like a great place to do it. one_sara@hotmail.com "The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?" ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 16:36:59 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #81 In a message dated 2/10/99 10:09:40 AM Eastern Standard Time, the_dojang- owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: > Head gear other than white? Is that a recent change? >> > > We saw it on either the World Cup in Hong Kong or the Korean National Team > Trials tape. Looked different, but the concept (helmets to match the hogu > color) worked. > > My big question was (and is) where would you get them? > > Sally > CBAUGHN@aol.com > I have a blue helmet. It was given to me and it was made by Century. Dawne ------------------------------ From: "Jamaica Power" Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 13:43:31 PST Subject: the_dojang: The Question of "How to do it" Hi Dawn, Welcome to the wonderful enthralling world of Hapkido and Martial arts in general !I had similar problems with 'cat rolls' (as we call them) on my weak side (in my case my left). My instructor gave me a little tip which was a BIG help. When rolling keep your head turned to the side and your eyes focused on a point in that area. As you are going through the roll keep looking at that point even when your body coes over the top. With this you will tend to keep the roll going over your shoulder and continuing down (diagonally) your back.Hope this helps :-)James +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ This great post reminded me of what was missing in my early days of martial arts training. "How To Do It" Now even on this forum you were able to articulate so well and so clearly how to do an exercise that could help Dawne. I could see it happening without even being there. Okay, say I kicked a roundhouse. They would say wrong, not turning your hips enough or higher or point your toes. Try again. The problem back then was I understood I wasn't doing it but I didn't know "how" to improve it. How should I/could I turn my hips over to better execute the kick. Point my toes which way? What do you mean point my toes? In/Out. How can I get higher? With board breaking it would be you need to do your back spin faster but I never understood how to accomplish that and my instructors would say just say spin faster. Practice. Kick harder. And watching others in class really didn't help much especially since I didn't know if they were doing it correctly. If I watched a naturally gifted student, well, they were so good and so fast that I knew at that particular point in my training I could never execute like they did. Although they provided me a goal to look forward to. As is the circumstance with Melinda back then we also trained without mirrors. With the help of additional trainers that I hired I eventually became quite good over the years. But I really felt these were basics that could and should be taught in class I registered for. Anyway this is something I try to be mindful of when I teach students. I remember because I always felt bad that I wanted to do better but didn't know how to go about doing it. And at that time I knew absolutely nothing about the martial arts. I really was in awe of those that caught on so quickly. Jamaica jamaica_power@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: Eric Mueller Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 16:40:39 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Re: Predicitng Match outcome > I recently asked a referee I know (whom I truly believe is as impartial a ref as I have ever seen) "how do you remain impartial especially if you know one or both contestants, or the Dojang they are from??" His answer was " It's easy, I don't look at the contestants faces. I call Chong-Hong, make sure they are in position and properly attired and start the match. Usually I am so busy watching the action that I really don't have time to pay attention to who they are/what dojang they are from.....They are just Red & Blue to me" For what it's worth Eric > > > From: "Jamaica Power" > Date: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 14:59:41 PST > Subject: the_dojang: Predicting a Match Outcome > > A long time ago when I was competing one of the blackbelt higher ranking > referees would always tell me he could always tell who was going to win > the match by the look in their eyes (determination, focus, etc). > > Now my questions are: Do you find this to be true with any certain > amount of predictability? If a referee feels she/he can do this do you > feel they are really just predisposed to making it happen and isn't that > really a prejudice or favoritism for one of the competitors. Or do you > feel you can still have that feeling, that awareness but still be > objective (sort of like a wager on a fight). > > Jamaica > jamaica_power@hotmail.com > > _ ------------------------------ From: "Longhorn, Andrew" Date: Thu, 11 Feb 1999 08:57:16 +1100 Subject: the_dojang: RE: Undisciplined > Think I might be able to top that---One of my former instructors used to > "screw" around with the female students, regardless whether they were > married or not. During one promotion test his current female student > (seperated from her husband due to her new love interest) got pissed at > him and shot the "bird" at him during the test! She and one other > student were up on the mat testing and she shot him the finger, many saw > it. He continued with the test. When it was over, she passed her test > and recieved her next belt. I transfered schools at that point. She was > my friend but that was too much. > Anyone else got more of these, I can't believe them! Please share your experiences with the undisciplined for the list, Andrew Longhorn ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 17:22:37 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #81 GM Choi Hapkido history is a tough subject to talk about for the simple reason that there is not much documented about The founder. Trough my research & study it is very clear that GM Choi did study under Takeda Sokaku in Japan the main evidence is in the tech. of the real traditional Hapkido that the founder taught. Most of what is out there is not the original Jung Ki ( original energy) Hapkido. If you would like more info here is my e- mail HKDTodd@aol.com Master Miller ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 14:51:33 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: the_dojang: purpose > a good motivator to push yourself. And because people cannot often ask > questions such as these in the dojang setting because of instructors who > have the same attitude as Mr. Silz, then this open forum seems like a > great place to do it. Would you then deny Mr. Silz the ability to voice his opinion, too? To him and perhaps his students it may not be important. Perhaps it would be best if all felt like that. However, my thoughts are that in styles where rank is imposed and is a goal (i.e. getting your black belt) students will be interested in rank and all the bells and whistles that go with advancement (stripes, titles, patches, etc). On the other hand there are styles in which rank is not a goal, e.g. muay Thai, Eskrima/Kali, catch-as-catch-can wrestling, etc. In these styles you do not tend to see uniforms, belts, patches, ransk, etc. You are just there to learn. Both have pros & cons. Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 14:54:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V6 #82 ******************************* 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.