From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #555 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Sat, 6 Nov 1999 Vol 06 : Num 555 In this issue: the_dojang: MA Mystique the_dojang: Hapkido workshop the_dojang: re: Question for martial artists the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #554 the_dojang: re: Topic for Discussion the_dojang: Inactive MAs 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 (top line, left justified) of a plain text e-mail 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 four years worth of digest issues at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! Ray Terry, PO Box 110841, Campbell, CA 95011 KMA@MartialArtsResource.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Joan Bostic Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 10:23:57 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: MA Mystique This all depends on which definition of mystique you are referring to: mystical attitudes and beliefs, or specialized qualities and skills necessary for an activity. I never came into the MA looking for the first type of mystique. But the focus, skills and physics of the art drew me in, and that mystique continues to be gratified both in what I've observed and in the instruction I've received. Joan Bostic 6th Gup, TSD Two Harbors, MN ------------------------------ From: ABurrese@aol.com Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 11:53:14 EST Subject: the_dojang: Hapkido workshop Got this from another list, thought people here might be interested: I will be in Austin, Texas, next weekend (November 13) conducting a hapkido workshop at the University of Texas. For more information you can go to http://homepages.go.com/~jrhilland/HAPKIDOSEMINAR.html for the flyer, my webpage at http://homepages.go.com/~jrhilland/jrh.htm, email me at jere-hilland@msn.com, or see my teachers website at www.hapkido.com. They have obtained a very large room with wall to wall mats. This is a not for profit workshop. There will be an instructors class Friday evening consisting of ki strikes and weapons training. Saturday we will be covering; falling ways, ki development, basic motion, throwing techniques, locking and pining techniques, pressure point techniques, choking techniques, weapons training and relaxation exercises. Jere ------------------------------ From: "Christopher Spiller" Date: Sat, 06 Nov 1999 10:23:47 PST Subject: the_dojang: re: Question for martial artists Jason Rastovski wrote: >How many of you out there started taking martial arts because of the >whole >"mystique" behind it? (ie. stuff like guy gets beat up, then >taken under >wing of old martial arts master, has to prove himself, >then trains for a >few months, comes out a better person)... I guess, >basically, has your >experience in martial arts changed the way you >view martial arts? I first started Taekwon-Do at the age of 11. As my instructor's wife says "You liked us so much you promptly quit!" Hey, it was a LONG 4 months. And who knew about all the work involved! Anyway, I came back when I was 15. A friend of mine had taken up Judo and was something like a green belt (I can't remember what kyu). So I figured, "If HE can do a martial art I SURE can!" Plus, I had seen "Five Fingers of Death" and thought it was really cool - Don't laugh, it's true! Well, I signed up with about 30 other people (including my friend in Judo). Thirteen years later I'm the only one left from that class, I'm the second longest lasting student in the school, and I'm like the 4th longest student my instructor has still training - there are others out there but they've basically retired. Have my views of the Martial Arts changed? Yes. I don't think you actually make "flapping sounds" when you execute flying kicks, I don't think you can jump into the air and instantly change into your "fighting clothes" and I don't think you can defeat all of the other Shaolin monks after only a few months of training in the secret techniques - It take much longer than that ;). Am I different? Yes. I understand what it means to be dedicated to something much better than I did before. I much more disciplined than I was before. >When I first started taekwondo, I was amazed at what martial artists >could >do. However, I think that I had gotten my impression of >martial artitsts >from the movies. Now that I have trained for a few >years, I have realized >that martial arts is really about improving >yourself, and training hard. >I have been training for almost 3 >years (and now teaching full-time), and >I have realized that there >is no "mystique" behind martial arts. It is >simply a way of >teaching discipline by working hard, and continually >pushing >yourself. Well, I agree and disagree with you here. As I said in a previous post, the onll "ancient Chinese secret" I've come across is training. A lot of training. I wish I could get to the point Mas Oyama suggested "Train more than you sleep", but with school, work, etc. I guess I need to learn to prioritize ;) . That being said, I DO think there is a certain "mystique" to the Martial Arts. I am STILL amazed at what martial artists can do - that even includes me, on occasion. I don't put much stock in Ki power, walking over coals, spokes through my arms, or what not. However, I have seen people do amazing things - not staged but truly impressive. Could I do them? Probably with enough work. Are they "mystical" or "supernatural"? Probably not. Are they amazing? You better believe it! I have seen my TKD instructor fight four and five of his black belts - and win! I have seen my Kung-Fu instructor's father demonstrate techniques and throw students around like they were nothing! (The man's in his 70's) There is a mystique about man's capabilities. We are amazing creatures. It's true that the MEANS to these ends are simple, hard, training. But in my book the ENDS do indeed have a "mystique". As my Kung-Fu instructor said when talking about Chi - "I don't know why it works, it just does." As far as getting one's view of martial artists from the movies is concerned, well that is understandable. But after several years IN the arts the legitimate martial artists I have met are MUCH MORE IMPRESSIVE. Taekwon, Chris ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: d.d.parker@juno.com Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 11:26:23 -0700 Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #554 Stan, The same thing happened with my right hamstring. I tore it last april and it has been bothering me to varying degrees since. I have learned that after a heavy kicking workout, such as sparing class, I have to take a day off from kicking to give that muscle extra time to recover. It is very frustrating to not be able to dictate to my body what to do. Oh well. I am now starting a weight lifting regime which will concentrate on my legs. Hopefully this will help alleviate the situation. Best of luck! Daniel ------------------------------ From: "Christopher Spiller" Date: Sat, 06 Nov 1999 10:52:41 PST Subject: the_dojang: re: Topic for Discussion From: "tink" Date: Fri, 5 Nov 1999 17:20:05 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Topic for Discussion >1) Kicking: Off The Toes or Flat Foot? I was taught Off The Toes >for >added extension, speed, and power...it is also what I >teach...there are >many who prefer and teach Flat Foot...(much of the >choice depends on each >person's ability of course)...What's your >Preference and Why? I'd have to say Flat Foot. The added extension and power can be achieved with the proper use of the hip. In a front kich, for example, one can slightly shift the hip of the kicking leg foward about 15 degrees or so. The foot stays flat for added balance - you are already on one leg, why make it worse? I used to end up kicking with my stationary leg on the ball of the foot but never noticed any benefits. As far as speed is concerned it seems to me that it has more to do with the kicking leg than the stationary leg. The one exception: the Pick Shape kick. Basically a straight legged axe kick where one extends the kicking leg and goes up on the ball of the foot but lowers back down to the flat of the foot at the moment of contact. This helps to increase power. >2) Sparring: No Contact vs Light Contact: I prefer Light Contact >without >pads...I believe if you don't touch your opponent and vice >versa you have >no idea what parts of your body are susceptible to >attack...you get use to >not blocking because you are not getting hit >and the same for the >opponent...the attacker has no idea if the >attacks are effective and the >defender has no idea if the defense is >effective...it seems you would have >a rough time following through >in tournament and on the street... What's >your Preference and Why? I have sparred both ways and do prefer the light contact variety. I HATE using pads and try to avoid them whenever I can. This doesn't mean you're out to damage your opponent. I actually kind of enjoy the contact - both of the attacking techniques but also of the blocks. I don't know that it let's you know effetciveness of technique. It's LIGHT contact, remember? Some full contact fighters would argue that THEIR method is the best to judge effectiveness. My theory is: Self defense situations determine effectiveness of techniques, and frankly, I try to avoid those ;) . Perhaps there's SOME place here for logical deduction not JUST learning from experience. As Livy said: "Non solum eventus hoc docet -iste est magister stultoum - sed etiam ratio." Not only outcomes teach - they are the teacher of the foolish - but reason also. I do think No Contact is quite useful. It helps develop one's control as well as the correctness of their techniques. I've not noticed that it leads to not blocking, however. In my instructor's school blocking is emphasized quite a bit, especially as the students are taught to throw combinations of techniques. The only excuse for not blocking is to get out of the way! I have also met very few students that have done the no contact method that have had a problem adjusting to tounament competition. It may take them a little getting used to but I've noticed the reverse is more often the case - that is, the contact fighters having a harder time going to no contact. If you can control your techniques enough that you can stop an inch from the target you can control them enough to stop an inch INSIDE the target. As far as telling which areas of the body are susceptible to attack goes, well this can be determined after only one match so I don't know if I'd agree with you. Taekwon, Chris ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: "The Hostetlers" Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 19:33:48 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Inactive MAs I guess I don't quite fit, because I've been back after a year off. I had several reasons for dropping out, but none of them by themselves were enough to do the job. -I work full time, have a family and mortgage, and I topped it all by starting a Master's degree. At one point, I was writing 1500 lines of C++ a week as homework. -I burned out on my instructor. He wasn't pushing me since I wasn't part of his competition clique. -I spent the summer building doing several home improvement projects. Swinging a hammer and humping shingles up a ladder was workout enough... I came back early October because I had a bad medical checkup, and the homework for the fall semester is much more manageable. What's ironic is that as I was ready to go back, I found out my old instructor was forcibly shut down and stripped of all rank, both USTU and Kukkiwon, for a grossly illegal act (know the prison definition of 'short eyes'?)... I went to another school in our chain, and have been happy there since... I'm still sore today from 2 hours of classes last night. Robert W. Hostetler Office: hostetb@indy.navy.mil Indianapolis, IN Home: hostetb@iserve.net Test tube babies shouldn't throw stones. ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 18:39:28 -0800 (PST) Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V6 #555 ******************************** 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 an 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.