From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #158 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Fri, 19 March 1999 Vol 06 : Num 158 In this issue: the_dojang: RE: Dr Kim and the IOC 'almost' fight? the_dojang: Allison - sparring the_dojang: You bunch a silly fuddie duddies! the_dojang: Seminar the_dojang: RE: sparring/Allison the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #157 the_dojang: Re: sine wave thing the_dojang: Sparring "up" the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #157 the_dojang: ranking/testing 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: Heidi Strom Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 11:29:50 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: RE: Dr Kim and the IOC 'almost' fight? >> >>I had expected someone else to quickly post about the following (in yesterday's paper), and make corresponding comments about how bizarre it was for the President of the WTF to "strike a TKD pose" against a fellow IOC member (the director general). At first I was amused by the image of such dignified, international leaders argueing, profaning, and acting like Katzenjammer Kids. However, after short reflection, I'm no longer amused. I, personally, expect our TKD leaders and instructors to show more constraint (until literally pushed into a self-defense response). [Remember the Tenets of TKD?: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverence, Self-Control, and Indominitable Spirit] Jay Huxman 1st Dan USATF (ITF)/Kukkiwon Colorado Springs<< Jay -- You took the words right out of my mouth. I was just going to post on the exact same thing, including the mention of the tenets. I personally find the whole thing, including the IOC scandal, very disappointing. As head of the ITF, Mr. Kim is supposed to be the representative of one of the major branches of world taekwondo. It's his signature on my Kukkiwon certificate. And nothing I've read about him and the IOC scandal puts him in a very good light. Whether you're WTF/ITF or not, it's a sad reflection on our art and not a good image for taekwondo to have as it prepares for its first Olympics as an official medal sport. Heidi Strom 2nd dan WTF TKD DC ------------------------------ From: "Michael Sarles" Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 09:08:40 -0800 Subject: the_dojang: Allison - sparring > Subject: the_dojang: Re: Sparring > > Tang Soo! > Ya know, I had no idea that there are schools that have sparring as > requirement for promotions at all levels. I am aware that in my > Tang Soo Do school, we do not have that requirement. Sparring is required for > BB tests, and I know that at that point I will have to sparr, unfortunatly. The only school that I did not have to spar in was a Aikido class I participated in for about 1 1/2. Sparring in Aikido is BAD JUJU! > In my school, we drill with partners back and forth sparring, > which teaches us control, distance and speed, as well as a host of other things. > There is no contact and no gear for these drills. We use heavy bags for > making contact and improving strength. > I can see that there is a great divide in philosophy between Taekwondo and > Tang Soo Do in this respect. Not to seem like I'm always disagreeing - I think I know of one TKD school (I think it's called Mind and Body TKD) that doesn't do or require sparring...and that's totally cool. That's their format. Also there are times when an instructor (I feel) should modify a regime due to a persons limitations or challenges. > But it brings up some interesting > points. Lets say that at your school the reqirements for testing are forms, > sparring and self defense up to your level. I come in and work my little tail off every > class and love every minute of it, but I do not want to spar > because I have a strong belief against violence. Joe Blow comes in a couple times > a week and doesn't even break a sweat. All he wants is to be able to tell his friends > that he knows karate. But he makes the half-assed effort to > sparr. Is that a fair indication of who is worthy of obtaining their promotion? I I agree with you totally as I would think anyone would in an instance like this. I don't like other people (that have made a decision to do something I do) treating something I like (MA) as just a scam or something to blow off about. I also have a tough time with people that like walking about showing off their belt and wanting respect in class BUT always seem to have some injury or SOMETHING that keeps them from working out hard. It's like they just want to show up so they have somewhere to wear their belt. One last point. I know that you have a strong belief against violence. I do too. I've been doing MA for some years now and have a strong belief against violence. I had a ~darling~ wife (I've been divorcing now for the last 2 years) that loved to use her training on me and I've either taken shots to various parts of my body (which called for hospital visits) OR left the scene running until things cooled down. I don't like violence and will gladly try to run first before having to use it. But to me, sparring is not violence. Sparring amongst friends you like/love/trust is a good thing. When I spar (contact/non-contact) with my friends - there is no animosity there - it can even be a sort of bonding. I trust these people and it's a good time. I've even taken hard shots on occassion - but I know it was accident - I don't believe my friends mean to harm me. Violence to me has to do with hatred, maliciousness, vindictiveness, ego, etc. I don't like it. Best to you and your training. Peace, Michael Sarles msarles@ior.com > Tang Soo! > Allison ------------------------------ From: John Hancock <4karate@bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 11:13:25 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: You bunch a silly fuddie duddies! OK. I've just been having entirely too much fun with the "Stone Cold" thing lately I know. Hey....I got a really neat copy of a speech by NRA President Charlton Heston today.....and before yall start...I ain't gonna post it here. BUt a lot of what he said has relevance here and in all facets of our life. SO...if you want to read it (and whether you are pro NRA or not..or agree with Mr. Heston or not...you should read it). OK...so if we are all done talking about what a rotten individual I am...maybe we are ready to move on to more henious subjects. :-) OH...I am planning on being at Sam Hunter's Kentucky Challenge Tournament on March 27 in Glasgow, KY (just in case anyone want to have a word with me about me being such a scoundrel) and if you all need info and want to attend...please check out this link: http://www.hunterkarate.com/RSKC/page2.html On another note....as to the BB I been re-posting from...here is that link (I know this only is interesting to us TSD peoples) http://www.warrior-scholar.com/index2.htm I've been talking to those folks about doing an interview with Mr. Hwang and/or his son, Hwang H.C. Still in negotiation...but looks good so far. SO...if any of you folks have questions you would like me to ask....please by all means send me those questions so I can write them down. The interview will probably be done by phone and will be based upon a list of questions they will be provided in advance...however, I have insisted that I will deviate from this list if the answers to the questions raise even more interesting questions. SO in all fairness...they can see in advance what people want to know...and if they decide not to answer a question or feel it is nobody's business...they can say so...but I will ask the questions and I will push for them to answer the questions and I will follow a line of thought if the answer brings up something interesting. Sort of modeling the interview after the type done by 60 minutes (whom I consider to be fair and excellant interviewers). It is still up to the Fed to agree to this interview...but I have told them any interview of this type would have more clout if it was done by someone like me instead of by someone within their own organization. Any comments on that folks? Let's hear 'em. Well...gotta go...lunch time. I'm sure someone out there wants to chew my butt. heheheh. John Hancock (ya gotta love me.....or hate me...but ya just can't sit on the fence with me can ya?) ------------------------------ From: "Ward, Jon" Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 09:13:58 -0800 Subject: the_dojang: Seminar > ---------- > Hello fellow list members. I will be conducting a seminar on the Filipino Martial Arts, specifically the Inayan System of Eskrima. Date: March 27th Time:11:30am to 3:30pm Place: West Coast Tae Kwon Do 16375 K Monterey Road Morgan Hill CA For more information please contact Russ Rochi at (408) 778-2544 or myself at (408) 292-1602. Respects, Guro Jon Ward California Eskrima Academy Ward's Tae Kwon Do ------------------------------ From: "Lasich, Mark D." Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 12:37:15 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: RE: sparring/Allison Allison: You indicated that you "drill with partners back and forth sparring" - Free Sparring is really nothing more than this, with the obvious exception that you don't know what your "PARTNER" is going to do, and they don't know what you will do! I personally think it is all in how you approach it: Sparring doesn't have to imply violence. In the ATA we regularly refer to your sparring PARTNER, not your opponent! You are each trying to _help_ each other learn and grow in the skill of sparring, not kill each other. For us, it IS a promotion requirement at Camo Belt and above - this is what we call "Testing Free Sparring" where you make a decided effort to HELP your PARTNER look good, demonstrate their skill, control, power, etc. at the same time you are demonstrating your skill.......As a requirement, I find this completely acceptable. The intent is not violent (in fact, color belts do not have to make contact to "score", and I remember my TSD MDK days, it is the same there). Now, when you start talking tournaments, I COMPLETELY agree with you. The environment is different, the people different, etc. If you don't want to spar then, DON'T. We never make anyone complete in a tournament event if they don't want to! Good luck, and enjoy as much as your ART offers you. In the spirit of TKD... Mark.Lasich@alcoa.com I asked for everything so I could enjoy life. Instead, HE gave me life so I could enjoy everything! ------------------------------ From: Ray Wagner Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 13:16:20 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #157 the Ray that's not me wrote: > "I think you have to be a 1st Dan in TKD, or some martial art, to even be > Private in the ROK military. A huge number of the males in S.Korea are > 1st Dan. But very few make it to 2nd." According to Jo (Jang Won Jo was my buddy with the experience) they trained in TKD for the enlisted ranks but it wasn't a requirement to hold a dan rank. In order to get an officer's commission he had to make the dan. This was in ....ummm....'93ish. He didn't seem to enjoy TKD much, probably because it was forced on him. He had a pretty intensive training schedule. Extremely nice guy though. Ray "I know a chinese guy too" Wagner ------------------------------ From: Ray Wagner Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 13:31:39 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Re: sine wave thing > From: "Michael Sarles" > Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 07:49:35 -0800 > Subject: the_dojang: RE: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #156 > > I've been doing ITF forms the whole time I've been in TKD. We were taught to > focus on the target with your technique - good stances - proper weapons - > deliver a technique and then turn and look for the next target and breathe > with the delivery of the technique (nothing obnoxious though ;-) Ditto. I guess I should point out that in one of my previous messages I said something like "if I have to remain a red belt for 7 years". That was a hypothetical situation. I wasn't really a red belt for too long and I do have my 1st degree. I haven't really given any thought to testing again. I'm happy with where I am right now. > I like the ITF forms...I don't like the 'sine-wave' thing. Again, ditto. I just got the Legacy CDROM set that's put out by Gen. Choi, et al. They do the sine wave thing and it just doesn't agree with me. I feel like I can put more power into a technique if I flow smoothly in the direction of the technique and use hips to give the "snap". Going up and then down when you're punching straight out just doesn't make sense to me. I'm an engineer and I hate it when things don't make sense. But as you said, if that's the way they want it then who am I to argue? I'll do it the "sine" way if I must. Ray "I wanna be like Ray" Wagner ------------------------------ From: AJ Woodburn Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 15:33:34 EST Subject: the_dojang: Sparring "up" With the upcoming Tournament season coming some Yu Dan Ja in my Do Jang have suggested to me sparring up a devision, since I turn 17 in May, the beginning of the middle of my season, and the next devision up from Super Junior (14-16) is MENS, that HUGE division of all the Dans (17-35) that could cause me a little trouble, being the little guy that I am ( little as in SHORT, not weak). I have not yet consulted my Kwan Chang Nim on the matter, but I will tonight, and I thought I would ask you guys and gals too. I have the feeling I'm in for a humbling experience................ in the words of Charlie Brown "oh brother...." :-) AJ Woodburn Dragon102@juno.com ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ From: Steven Gilmore Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 14:34:32 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #157 >One day he was >demonstrating cartwheels then one handed cartwheels and then no handed >cartwheels. No >handed cartwheels, does anyone do those in relation to MA's? Yes, all of the above is part of the standard Kuk Sool Won curriculum; in addition, we do other "acrobatics" like front flips and back flips. Why? (a) body flexibility (b) self-confidence Sincerely, Steven Gilmore San Antonio, TX, USA ------------------------------ From: Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 17:01:20 EST Subject: the_dojang: ranking/testing <> I agree with Michael here. I've reached some sort of plateau in my training... and I have been asked on numerous occasions both by my father and instructor why I refused to test to red belt before I go back to Korea in a few weeks. My reason is simple: I'm still not comfortable in my own skin, and I was given an option whether I should test or not. Life is based on the choices we make and the consequences, positive and negative, resulting from those choices made. I chose not to test because I will be switching out soon, and where I go next, the instructor might not feel that I am ready for that particular rank... in any case, I'm just beginning to blossom... and like a bottle of freshly made kimchi, I feel I shouldn't move on until I'm truly ready... and I know for a fact I'm not ready yet... besides, I do not have any desire to embarrass my instructor by going to another school and lack the skills. I need to work for a LONG time before I can move on.... and this is just the beginning. Kim Jones addidastkd@aol.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Fri, 19 Mar 1999 15:28:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V6 #158 ******************************** 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.