From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #278 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Wed, 26 May 1999 Vol 06 : Num 278 In this issue: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #277 the_dojang: Forms starting left the_dojang: Enlightenment Re: the_dojang: state championships the_dojang: Shugyo the_dojang: The_Dojang Digest V#276 the_dojang: . ......................................................................... The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~725 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: "Aaron Harmon" Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 09:40:33 -0700 Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #277 > >I have to disagree with this. IMHO, most forms traditionally >started with a block (because defense was the focus) to the left >because, quite simply, most people are right handed! Many of the >newer >forms sets have gone away from this philosophy and >begin moving forward, back, left, or right with block or attacks. >The above statement seems backwards. If you want to attact the >left side of your opponent (for whatever reason), wouldn't you >need to do this to your right? Assuming he's facing you. > >Respectfully, > >Brett Erwin I might be inclined to agree with you on this. I read an article in a MA mag (I forget which, Inside Kung Fu?) that talked about a Chinese style that was nicknamed "left handed kung fu" because all of the techniques in their forms started with the left hand, the reason being that most attackers would attack with their right hand first, so this reason would not be unique to just TKD forms I suppose. But then again, along the DIM MAK line, you would be protecting the left (vulnerable) side first and then the right hand punch or kick that follows would target the left side of the opponent. So perhaps both reason are valid. It did make me think though, all of _our_ forms start with a left-hand block, even the brown belt form, although you turn to the rear you then block with the left hand. Many of ours start with stepping forward into a left guard stance (double knife hand block). QUESTION:I remember way back when I did TKD for a while, that I was told that the traditional hard blocks were really more along the line of attacks to the opponents attacking limb and were not purely defensive actions, that being the reason for the power involved in a blocking action and also the reason that people don't block that way in sparring. Do y'all have that blocking philosophy also? Aaron "Soon to be Dan Bo"Harmon Ouch! His blocks hurt! ------------------------------ From: "Dennis McHenry" Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 11:57:32 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Forms starting left > Tae Kwon Do forms start on the left side to remind the practitioner that > >the left side of the opponent is the more vulnerable. It is easier to >cause >serious injury to that side as that is the side that the heart lies in as >well as a higher degree of Chi is realized in the left. Think about this... if most people are right handed, then they would most likely attack with their right hand or leg. Generally, if someone was throwing a right handed attack at me, I'd use a left handed defense. All our forms up to 2nd Gup (Keecho's and Pyong-ahn's) begin not only turning to the left but a left handed defense (except depending on interpretation, Pyong-ahn 2 & 4). But with Bassai, Ship Soo, Chinto, Kong Sang Koon (opening move, then to left), Jion, OhSip Sa Bo, and Ssashian begin to the front, while Naihanchi 1-3 (chulgi), Ro Hi, and Wang Shu begin to the right. From the way I like to interpret them, personally I think KeeCho 1-3; Pyong-ahn 1,3,5; Bassai, Naihanchi 1-3, Ship Soo, Chinto, and Ssashian all do begin with an attacker using a right handed attack, weather defending from the left, front, or right side. Forms like Pyong-ahn 2, 4, are left handed opening attacks, while others have maybe a left legged attack. Some such as Kong Sang Koon may begin with double handed attacks.??? Fill in the blanks with your own interpretation. I love forms. Dennis TANG SOO! ------------------------------ From: "Jamaica Power" Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 10:35:25 PDT Subject: the_dojang: Enlightenment For me the word Enlightenment has always had a deep spiritual meaning. Over the years it has become a trendy secular term that is frequently used in the world of martial arts. As a lay person, what does the word enlightenment mean to you and how do you translate it for your students - perhaps not literally but in your teachings? jamaica _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 13:04:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: the_dojang: state championships My $0.02 worth... > ok - my first state championship is done. and I thought I would poll the > group as far as a couple of issues: > > 1. Would you rather the state spend more money on a venue and provide a more > luxurious space - or save bucks and spend it on kids? > > Our venue was only $100 but we didn't realize until we got their that a/c was > a couple of big fans - but we saved over $1000 on the next cheapest place. Kids. But lack of a/c could have been bad if the weather was warm. > 2. Spectator entry fees - do you think the state should charge them? > > I believe that the parents get hit with enough expenses - and then have to > pay to watch their kids. While people told me I was kissing off income, I > considered it little enough to help out the parents who spend so much > already. We took donations for the Junior Team and still made almost $900 on > donations alone. Zero to minimal. > 3. Family discounts? Yes or no? Given #2, not sure discounts would be needed. > 4. Opening ceremonies? > > I dislike them but I held one anyway to introduce everyone and recognize > those who had worked so hard. Just a short 10 min one; opening intros, pledge to the flag, etc. > 5. Demos? > > We didn't do one as this is TKD and we all have seen so many of them already > - plus the issue of time. Probably not. The biggest problem I've seen is any event like this not keeping to the schedule. It is now almost a given that everything will be hours behind schedule. I'd rather elmininate/reduce the things that might cause schedule slip and get the folks headed home at a reasonable time. Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com ------------------------------ From: "Jamaica Power" Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 13:02:16 PDT Subject: the_dojang: Shugyo Shugyo is a term sometimes described as training that takes the student beyond their perceived physical, mental, and emotional limitations. In the case of a student that needs discipline built into their life; are perhaps violent or lack self-esteem; or are ADD/ADHD, Shugyo sometimes can be interpreted in their minds as a state of obsession and transference of their feelings into pleasing the instructor. Not overtraining but obsessiveness about learning martial arts. Has anybody had to deal with a student that a first glance appeared hard working and determined but later it was obvious it was unhealthy obsession. How did you handle the situation and bring the student back to a state of balance. jamaica _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com ------------------------------ From: "Jamaica Power" Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 13:15:54 PDT Subject: the_dojang: The_Dojang Digest V#276 << 4. Opening ceremonies>>>>>>>>>>> I always find that these run way too long and should be dispensed with. People show up to compete at say 10 am. and are still standing around an hour or two later due to all these shenanigans. I think if you want people to feel good about a tournament then do everything you can to get them up and competing as quick as possible. It's hard enough to stick to the time printed in the registration packet without all these extra things. ============================================= Another way to compromise a bit on the opening ceremony is to have say 2 x 3 pictures of the significant tournament leaders, their styles and ranks, school name, placed side by side onto an 8x11 sheet of paper and photocopied and then put in the registration materials, also kept at the registration table. Then when you welcome everybody to the tournament you could tell them to refer to this sheet as the day goes on should they have questions. Additional info about the individuals and thanks for their work could be included. Pictures are nice because during the tournament people can then refer to the sheet and note who's who on the tournament floor and what their role is. Only downfall. (Smile) People sometimes like to draw funny faces on the pictures when they are bored. Upside. Also good to take home and share with other family members and friends that couldn't be there but that want to know who the instructors are. People quickly forget verbal praise that occurs at the beginning of the tournament; but when they have a one page handout with pictures, to take home and read while waiting for supper well that provides lasting memories. jamaica _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 15:05:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V6 #278 ******************************** 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.