From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #99 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Thurs, 18 Feb 1999 Vol 06 : Num 099 In this issue: the_dojang: Re: sidekicks the_dojang: RE: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #97 the_dojang: Re: jewelry and makeup the_dojang: Re: what to yell the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #97 the_dojang: Re: AAU Question the_dojang: Re: did i pass? did i pass? the_dojang: oh no! the_dojang: RE: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #98 the_dojang: RE: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #98 the_dojang: RE: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #97 the_dojang: . ......................................................................... The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~800 members strong! Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, California Taekwondo, Martial Arts Resource Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. 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 To send e-mail to this list use the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com 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: Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 16:35:23 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: sidekicks I surely don't understand all this talk about the sidekick. Its one of the two kicks I feel I can do pretty well. I don't consider myself an athlete at all and have been wondering how much "improvement" I've been doing in TKD. Perhaps it works for me because I learned it knowing full well I'd have to break a very thick board with it at testing. OR maybe the 'snap' and 'speed' needed for other kicks are more difficult for me. I've got my sidekick up to waist level and I feel good about that. If it gets higher b/c of the stretching we do all the better but I'm not too concerned about that part just yet. Now about when to introduce certain kicks. Roundhouse and sidekicks were the first introduced along with front snap kick. When I switched dojangs they taught a spinning hook kick. I HATE this kick. Give me a sidekick any day. In fact once I actually FELL ON MY BUTT. what was worse is that I was the only woman in the class. Color me embarassed but he said more speed and when I gave him more speed, well... you get a mental picture. In fact, that night I thought about it and found it odd that such a low belt was supposed to learn it. I don't look forward to trying it again, that's for sure. Dawne ------------------------------ From: "Longhorn, Andrew" Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 08:42:01 +1100 Subject: the_dojang: RE: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #97 > << If a student has been working extremely hard, has a great > attitude and spirit and has shown the appropriate amount of improvement, > they pass irregardless of the actual test. The promotional test is as > much > a chance for validation in front of your peers as much as anything. A > chance to "shine" as it may. >> > > "Shiny" or not, I am sorry, but "irregardless" is not a word in the > English > language. > Regardless = without regard > Funny, I've been seeing this pop up more and more lately, I think people are accidently mixing "regardless" with "irrespective". Andrew ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 16:41:29 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: jewelry and makeup << It's been a while since I've referees but I've always made them remove the jewelry. As far as makeup is concerned, I've never run across that situation. I guess I would let it go as long as it did not detract from the match itself. >> Thanks, Perry. The question has just been festering in my mind for a while now. Just changing scenarios, what's your stance on jewelry and makeup during training sessions/classes? Kim Jones AddidasTKD@aol.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 16:45:04 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: what to yell > This is a good question, but I personally believe it's not the right answer > and wouldn't teach anyone to yell FIRE. IMO. I absolutely agree that yelling fire won't work in every situation. However; it did work quite well in a parking garage. Personally if I felt that I was in a big area like a park or supermall parking lot I would yell in a "blood curdling" way, I think/hope, followed by the word NO repeatedly. Just all the fear and anger bursting out in an inarticulate scream would probably be good. I still think you can't count on the average person to WANT to help you and those who may want to in their heart may freeze in their actions. Always the cynic, Dawne ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 16:50:53 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #97 << I've never seen anyone wear too much makeup to workout or compete, so in the famous words of my 2 yr. old "I don't know" :0) Since I don't compete I've seen a lot of tourneys from beginning to end. IF a person has too much in the way of jewelry that match is pushed to the side and the next is taken while s/he "gets it together." In the case of say one diamond ring it can be given to their sparring coach and the match proceeds. Often I've seen competitors tuck in a simple gold chain with maybe one charm on it inside their dobak. I don't support this at all. IF it was my kid he would wear clothes and gear and that's all. What bothers me is that the competitor who showed up "properly attired" is really put out by having to wait. B/c of the way that competitors often go ring to ring throughout the day I feel that this could be a major problem and slow down the works. Also, I should mention that if a competitor had faulty gear or was missing gear the same would happen. FWIW, I've only seen USTU tourneys and in-school small-scale tournaments. >> Thanks, Dawne, for replying. See, while I'm only a lowly color belt at this point in my life, I've been around long enough to see stupid and stupid base infinity. My charm: My iddy biddy Teenie Beenie Baby (Zip the Kat) in my sparring bag. He stays with my coach while I'm out whooping some... you get the point. I've seen people wear enough jewelry to make a metal detector at an airport break down. Not only do I not want to spar someone who looks like a Kabuki dancer, I dont' want to get that stuff all over my clothes! Yes, I do wear makeup myself sometimes, but when it comes to tournaments, I skip the lone tube of lipgloss I own. I have yet to have somebody smear some stuff on my dobok but that's really uncalled for. You're at a tournament to compete and have fun, not to get a date. Putting a perspective from the class/training point of view, what's your opinion about makeup and jewelry in class? Kim Jones AddidasTKD@aol.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 16:55:29 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: AAU Question In a message dated 2/18/99 4:10:32 PM Eastern Standard Time, the_dojang- owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Have any of you ever been involved with an organization called AAU (Amatuer Athletics Union?)? I have heard that they are involved with other Olympic Sports in the US and do offer a Taekwondo National level tournament. I have also heard that they provide better benefits for dojangs, instructors and students in the area of insurance. I unfortunately have no real facts on this matter and am simply going by what I was told by an individual that switched over to the AAU. Has anyone heard of this group and know the facts regarding it? >> I'm very involved with the AAU, so I'll try to answer your questions. The AAU (Amateur Athletics Union) is the nation's oldest nonprofit amateur sports organization. The organization sponsors competitions in roughly 27 sports including Taekwondo. The AAU Taekwondo Program is a democratically run organization headed by Mike Friello, National Sports Chair. Every year the AAU runs local tournaments and national tournaments that are open to all ages and abilities. The program is not concerned with producing "elite" athletes, but instead is designed for the benefit of all competitors be they a twenty- five year old black belt, a six year old white belt, or a fifty year old green belt. The AAU tournaments stress fairness and good sportsmanship over winning seven foot trophies. Nationally, the AAU has the AAU Taekwondo National Championships (this year in Cedar Rapids, IA), and the AAU Junior Olympics (this year in Cleveland). The JOs are for kids 18 and under and is the largest youth sports event in the nation, drawing between 12,000-14,000 athletes in 27 sports. In addition, the AAU Taekwondo Program has an optional Dan Certification program which is designed to let unaffiliated black belts advance in rank. Also, the AAU is a group B member of the USTU, and AAU certified black belt can get Kukkiwon certificates through the AAU. I got involved because I wanted a positive environment for my students who wanted to compete in tournaments, and I could be happier with the results. Lastly, the AAU allows independent schools to belong to a national organization without anyone telling them how to run their school, or demanding money from them. It costs me $50 per year to be an AAU chartered school, and that includes outstanding insurance benefits for yourself, dojang and student, and it's only $25 to be covered for tournaments you host! If anyone wants to no more they can check-out www.aautaekwondo.org or e-mail me and I would be happy to share what I know. Best, Dave Mazor DMazor1026@aol.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 10:52:16 +1200 Subject: the_dojang: Re: did i pass? did i pass? >>>>>>>>>>From: Mike Heeney Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:39:41 +1300 Subject: the_dojang: did i pass? did i pass? So, does everyone find out then and there if they passed their dan test? Or do you have to wait to find out? Here we sit down after the test, GM Lee gets out of his chair, stands in front of us, tells us things we did wrong or need to work on, and then says "Altogether, xx marks, promotion x belt". Well you hope he says that! 60 or over is a pass. I don't know of anyone who got more than 65. For the gup grades, I simply receive the certificates in the mail 2-3 days after grading. How about you ppl? Mike Hamilton New Zealand. >>>>>>>>>>>> In ITFNZ we have a panel of two examiners (V & VI Dans) who independently tally their points for each person. Then they combine those points and average them to find out whether you passed or not. The grading takes two days and tests the whole range - including physical technique, theory (written test), an oral "test", and even a component for "effort" or "spirit" Generally we have to wait 3 days to 2 weeks to get our results. I personally like the wait. It gives you time to savour your weekend and relive the good moments! It is great to be able to wind down after a grading and not have to be worried about learning your new patterns etc. Brett Kraiger Brooklyn Taekwon-Do Club Wellington New Zealand ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 16:59:14 EST Subject: the_dojang: oh no! oh no, the Kung-Fu baby has far better spinning kicks than me >:( ------------------------------ From: "Longhorn, Andrew" Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:24:06 +1100 Subject: the_dojang: RE: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #98 > No, they make their own decision to train and what they train for. I > think ideally each martial artist should strive to make the art their > own. So what others do will not bother you. Andrew Longhorn > ________________________________ > > And I understand this concept and I try but this is where I fall short. > I know this is advice that we should use in everything we do in life but > somehow I have a hard time grasping it and then putting it into reality. > > Somehow I always come back to the old saying, "you are who your friends > are," "you are who you associate with." Now this doesn't mean you're > not your own person but whether you are an instructor or a student those > that surround us are a direct reflection on us and whether we like it or > not we take on their identity by association and I have to tell you I've > not always enjoyed it. Especially if they are blackbelts. > > So if you're an instructor and people come to observe the school and > others are in the class and don't take it seriously, I believe it > becomes a direct reflection on everyone. And not a positive one. > > If you're a student I think it can be an additional burden to overcome. > Any and all help appreciated on this one since the years have not > changed my mind nor mellowed me ont this issue. > Ahh, but surely you are not a duplicate of those who surround you, but more you associate by certain select traits. The people in the class are there because they want to be regardless of whether it is for social reasons, dedicated betterment or just fitness maintenance. What makes you birds of a feather is that you were of similar thought to select that activity over cardio-kickboxing. You are the people you associate with, but not a carbon-copy, more a composite of various select traits from each individual. What I'm saying is that people can still shit you even if you have something in common, it just depends on whether you let it get to you or not. Andrew Longhorn ------------------------------ From: "Longhorn, Andrew" Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 09:26:39 +1100 Subject: the_dojang: RE: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #98 > Although I didn't write the original message, I thought I'd mention that > "irregardless" shows up in Webster's dictionary as coming into use circa > 1912. Quoting from the online version, "The most frequently repeated > remark > about it is that 'there is no such word.' There is such a word, however. > It > is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to > time in edited prose ..." It goes on to say that not everybody accepts > it, > so using "regardless" is a safer bet :) > > http://www.m-w.com > Do they say it's meaning is identicle to "regardless"? Thanks for that tidbit, always wondered where people picked it up. It just seems so illogical, if "regardless" means without regard, does "irregardless" mean without without regard? it sounds like double negative to me every time I hear it. Andrew Longhorn ------------------------------ From: "Longhorn, Andrew" Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 10:44:00 +1100 Subject: the_dojang: RE: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #97 > BTW, you say that your daughter will be old enough to start > training next year. How old is that? I'm always curious to see when > people > start their kids off. > Well, depending on when she shows aptitude during the year, she'll be somewhere between 2.5 and 3.5 years. Of course, she won't really understand what it's all about, but she can join in at the back of class for fun and punch and kick and run around like the rest of the class. When I'm warming up she already (18 months old) does the splits with me and chucks a few forward rolls, she's never gone to kids gym. But we teach/train 4 to 5 nights a week so I think she's just grown up with TKD around her and just believes it's a natural thing everyone does. I can't wait till she can start kicking, she'll look so cute! :) Andrew Longhorn ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 16:17:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V6 #99 ******************************* 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. 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