From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #556 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Mon, 8 Nov 1999 Vol 06 : Num 556 In this issue: the_dojang: Kwans the_dojang: Re: Question for martial artists the_dojang: Strength Training the_dojang: 9th US Open Taekwondo Championships the_dojang: RE: Topic for discussion the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #537 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #537 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #537 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #538 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #539 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #544 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #542 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #542 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #543 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #543 the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #539 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: CBAUGHN@aol.com Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 21:39:59 EST Subject: the_dojang: Kwans I asked the following question on another list without much success, so thought I'd throw it out here as well: If the history of Taekwondo we've heard is to be believed, the heads of the several Kwans in Korea came together and created a kind of "universal" Korean martial art known as Taekwondo. At that time, the various Kwans were supposedly absorbed into Taekwondo. How does it happen that now we still have Taekwondo (Jidokwan system) and Taekwondo (Chungdokwan sytem)? Wouldn't we have Taekwondo, Jidokwan, and Chungdokwan, three different Korean martial arts? Or at least Taekwondo and "Korean Karate" (Jidokwan system; Chungdokwan system; etc.)? This is something I've wondered about for a while... Can someone explain it to me? Thanks, Sally cbaughn@aol.com ------------------------------ From: CBAUGHN@aol.com Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 21:39:57 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: Question for martial artists Jason Rastovski wrote: << 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. >> I agree many beginners have their first impressions from the movies -- sometimes I wonder if martial arts might not be better served if the movies would leave them alone for awhile : ) -- and also agree that after training for awhile you'll, hopefully,realize its about improving yourself and becoming the best possible person both mentally and physically. If there IS a "mystique" anywhere, it's probably in schools where the instructor(s) aren't quite comfortable with letting the students rise to their fullest potential. Sally cbaughn@aol.com ------------------------------ From: ABurrese@aol.com Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 23:29:00 EST Subject: the_dojang: Strength Training I was asked about strength training on another list and thought some people here might also be interested. Much of the information comes from studying the Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning course through ISSA. There are different ways to catagorize strength, you can have absolute strength which is how much you can lift, and you can talk about relative strength, or strength per unit of bodyweight. So if two people can bench the same amount, they have the same absolute strength, but if one of these athletes weighs less, he has greater relative strength. All sports that have weight classes depend on relative strength, thus martial arts falls into this. Especially martial sports that have weight classes for competition. If you don't compete, it is still good to be as strong as you can be for your size. But if you don't have a weight limit, you may want to put on some muscle mass as well as get stronger and not worry about relative strength as much. There are two general categories of strength training methods. The bodybuilding method which is the hypertrophy method is the most commonly known. Strength is developed by apply stress to the muscle cells. The other category is the neurological method where you target the nervous system. With the bodybuilding method, you lift with a weight of about 70 to 80 percent of your one rep maximum. repetitions range anywhere from 5 to 12. This causes hypertrophy (increase in both gross muscle size as well as individual muscle cell size) and strength gains through an increase in muscle cross-section. In other words, you get stronger and bigger. If you have a 16 inch biceps and can curl X pounds for 10 reps, and you train till you can curl X+ pounds for 10 reps your strength and size will have increased. (How much size does depend on your genetics and such, but as a general rule with bodybuilding type training, the stronger you get, the bigger your muscles will be.) So, with this type of training your bodyweight increases, your absolute strength improves, but your relative strength may decrease because of the equation that relative strength is per unit of bodyweight. For martial artists and other athletes that rely on relative strength, bodybuilding methods should be used sparingly, unless a higher weight class is desired. Personally, unless you are competing at a weight class, I would not worry about putting on some pounds. Why not look good as well? The second method of improving strength is the neurological method, or the maximum weights method. With this method, you lift 85 to 100 percent of your one rep maximum for reps of 1 to 4. What this does is improve recruitment of existing muscle fibers, thus also improving strength. Bodyweight remains constant, but your absolute strength and relative strength increase. In a good periodization program, you will do both kinds of training, plus a couple others. There are many periodization programs or models. Periodization is simply planned variation in your training using a cyclic basis. You break your training into periods, or cycles, and if you are competing you plan these periods so that you "peak" when it counts, on competition day. If you do not compete, it is still wise to periodize your training to continue to improve, avoid overtraining, and to emphasize different attributes to improve upon. Here is a model based on some of Dr. Tudor Bompa's work. Period one: Adaptation. This just gets you ready. If you have never lifted before, this period will be longer than for the experienced lifter. A good way to train in the adaptation period is to lift at a low intensity (50-60% of your one rep max.) For 15 to 25 reps. Do the whole body three times a week. This is basically a circuit type fashion of training. It is good to lose some fat and get ready for some serious training to come. Period two: Hypertrophy. This is the bodybuilding method of training to increase lean body mass (muscle). If you are wanting to gain size, or move up a weight class, this period will be longer. If you don't want to increase your muscle mass or gain weight, this period is shorter. If you are already at the top of your weight class, and don't want to move up, you may have to skip this training altogether. (This is assuming you also have a low body fat level, since if you are carrying some fat, you can lose that, add some muscle and weight the same, but be a whole lot stronger and better. And while this training can be good to add into a martial artists training program, most martial artists are not bodybuilders, so you don't want to just train like a bodybuilder. This training can also cause an enlargement of the non-contractile elements of the muscle cell, such as sarcoplasm, connective tissue, and capillaries. This is called sarcoplasmic hypertrophy, and may account for why bodybuilders are not always as strong as you would expect for their size. Period three: Maximum Strength. This is the period where you train with the neurological method. The amount of time in this cycle depends on how much you need maximal strength. Full contact fighters will spend more time here than say a forms competitor. Like everything, your personal goals dictate how you should train. Period four: Conversion. Okay, you have been working on gaining this strength, but for what? Power lifting is the only sport where you are rewarded for maximal lifts. Being able to lift these heavy weights is not necessarily going to help with your martial arts. Martial arts, rather than requiring maximum strength, require speed-strength ( a type of strength often referred to as power, but actually incorporating starting strength, explosive strength, and reactive strength), and strength-endurance. Things like Power Cleans, Medicine ball work, and such using a weight that you can do 10 times, but performing sets of 5-6 with explosive type work can be used in this phase. Period five: Maintenance. This is the period where you maintain what you have worked for during the competitive season. Often this will be like the conversion period, but letting up a bit. Weight will be about the same, and maybe even a bit higher, but reps and sets will be less. You are not trying to improve at this point, rather just keep what you have. Period six: Transition. This is a period after your competitive season to rest and recuperate from the stresses of competition and high level training activities. It must be remembered that there is no one perfect training program. When you are designing a program, you must remember it is a matter of managing compromise. Different goals, different time schedules, different genetics, etcetera will play a roll on how you will improve. Yours in Training Alain Burrese ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 10:32:24 -0800 (PST) Subject: the_dojang: 9th US Open Taekwondo Championships 9th US Open Taekwondo Championships February 2-6, 2000 Neal S. Blaisdell Center Honolulu, Hawaii for more information call 808-377-5040 or tkdhawaii@aol.com All competitors, coaches, and officials must be pre-registered, forms in by January 8, 2000. Competition will begin on Thursday, February 3 and end on Sunday, February 6. All competition will be held at Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii. Hotel info, call 800-325-7171. Also see the direct link to this event off http://www.martialartsresource.com Ray Terry rterry@best.com ------------------------------ From: "Brad Bezoni" Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1999 22:39:54 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: RE: 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 don't know that there is a definte one way or the other about this one. In poomse competition going up on the toes to perform a higher, faster, more powerful kick will impress judges, but in sparring doing your techniques with the "solid sole" as we call it offers more stability in support of the technique. I myself have been known to go up on the toes for some techniques, which may be attributed to being shorter than some opponents, but more of it probably has to do with Tink's thought of added extension and speed. In our school we adamantly teach flat foot, for the sake of more balance and more stability, not to mention that not every student is capable of standing on the toes only to execute a kick. We have found that they develop much better support of the kick -- and in turn a much cleaner technique -- than if we were to try to teach going up on the toes. My 2 cents... > 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 am a firm believer in the Light contact category - as long as there is control of the techniques. The way that we achieve this is by having students spar with no contact until they are very close to black belt, or unless they are sparring against black belts who are capable of stopping uncontrolled attacks while controlling thier own. I think that without the contact you can't really visualize what impact your technique will have, or what areas are more accessable to attack. On the flip side, light contact teaches the blocker the amount of force that is really needed to stop a kick or a punch, thus better preparing them for real life encounters, not to mention open tournaments (as we all know, not every school defines "light contact" the same way). Plus, who hasn't learned to block better after getting kicked in the ribs or in the face??? ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 04:33:22 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #537 In a message dated 10/29/99 6:51:42 AM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << I received my black belt from a traditional Master, now Grand Master, Instructor and have always trained under a traditional Master or Grand Master. My belt has no stripes. >> Mine either, but, just for the sake of good communication, what is your defination of a "traditional master?" SESilz ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 04:35:39 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #537 In a message dated 10/29/99 6:51:42 AM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << In the spirit of budo, Silke Schulz >> I think, sir, if we are applying a Korean term here, it would be "moo do." Any thoughts? SESilz ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 04:31:42 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #537 In a message dated 10/29/99 6:51:42 AM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Throwing in my words on a couple of topics here... In Tae Kwon Do...4th Dan is called a Junior Master. 5th, 6th, and 7th Dans are called Masters. 8th and 9th Dans are called Grand Masters. >> I think this is a throwback to an earlier concept, but while off in Korea I stayed off-line for over a week and I'm catching up today.. Anyhow I think one may fairly consider themselves a "master" when one's master confers that title to you. That would sure cut down on the self proclaimed "masters" of the world, and those who shop for dan certification from the plethora of bogus organizations who post ads in Black Belt and TKD Times, etc. Fair? Finally, I think that being a master implies considerably more than time spent and technical proficiency. Sort of like being a good father or Mom. Things I consider important? Honor, integrity, honest concern for one's students and one's world and all that good stuff... etc, etc, etc. SESilz ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 04:48:33 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #538 In a message dated 10/29/99 9:44:50 AM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Thank you for the kind advice, sir, I will keep it in mind. Ms. (not Mr.) Silke Schulz >> Sorry about that error in title; I must be more careful. Regarding my comments, you should know that I am considered to be rather dogmatic in many of my beliefs. There are many folks who think a first or second dan is quite well prepared to run a dojang and do a fine job of it. Naturally, there are vast differences in levels of proficiency that are held as requirements for teaching. My sabomnim, Sang Chul Lee, feels that a minimum of 10 years of training is about right. We all err, but when I do, I'd rather do so on the conservative side. Please understand the sentiments of my comments in this light. Best regards to you. SESilz ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 04:50:42 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #539 In a message dated 10/29/99 3:20:35 PM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << I understand what Master Silz is saying about maturity in TKD, but to be a mature and effective teacher does not depend solely on that. One's age, experience, education in other areas, and ability to relate to students, especially children, all play a part. I believe TKD teaches us many things about and for life, but life is what makes us teachers. Kerry >> Hear, Here!!! SESilz ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 05:44:03 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #544 In a message dated 10/31/99 7:02:28 PM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << > and if you check into the history....you will find it was the WTF in > South Korea that opposed the push for the Olympic Sport, when it was first > being pushed, because they felt it deviated from the traditional art and > compromised it...it took years to convince them otherwise... Ummmm, are you sure about that? Any cites/references you can point us to? >> I'm with Mr. Terry on this: The WTF was formed with the main objective of installing taekwondo into the Olympics. SESilz ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 05:23:48 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #542 In a message dated 10/30/99 3:05:58 PM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Hopefully we can debate this point a bit once SS returns from Korea. Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com >> I'm Baaaaack... and almost ready to debate, if needed. Please not a brief post I just sent of to y'all. SESilz >>> My thoughts on this topic are probably similar to yours; this is an icky topic. Primarily, however, I seek involvement here more based on the fact that ultimately these laws may very well come to pass -- and when they do I want the USTU to be at the forefront of what is going on, not playing catch-up, which would put us in a poor position compared to another entity such as John Graden's [NAMPA] big license administrating enterprise. I think we must be cautious of this falling into the wrong hands, that's all.>>>> Does this make more sense from this prospective, folks? SESilz ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 05:18:58 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #542 In a message dated 10/30/99 3:05:58 PM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Subject: the_dojang: Silz for VP [snip large section of promo letter from Mr. Silz] > > 4. Pursue legislation that would require background checks > and licensing of all martial art instructors in America. > Put the phonies out of business and more people will come to > our licensed and USTU Certified studios. I'm afraid that one lost me, there. Not because there aren't a lot of people out there that I think shouldn't be teaching- >> My thoughts on this topic are similar to yours. However I seek involvement here more based on the fact that ultimately these laws may very well come to pass -- and when they do I want the USTU to be at the forefront of what is going on, not playing catch-up, which would put us in a poor position compared to another entity such as John Graden's [NAMPA] big license administrating enterprise. I think we must be cautious of this falling into the wrong hands, that's all. SESilz ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 05:35:44 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #543 In a message dated 10/31/99 8:55:08 AM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << And to Gen. Choi, he was pushing to get TKD into the Olympics almost 40 years ago. Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com >> Absolutely true! However, once the WTF - not his organization - gained International Olympic Committee recognition in 1980, he did a full about-face claiming that the Olympics would be the death of taekwondo. I caught a big whiff of sour grapes with that deal. Anyone else remember that? SESilz ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 05:31:35 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #543 In a message dated 10/31/99 8:55:08 AM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Strange that he shows up for USTU Ceremonies if he is a member of the ITF. I believe if you check a little further, you'll find that Master Rhee was not the only Taekwondoin who pushed for TKD as an Olympic Sport -- that probably much more credit should be given to members of the WTF in South Korea. >> Agreed, where was Master Rhee (Lee, actually) for the last 25 years when the USTU could really have benefited from his name recognition? Beats me. And now, when he shows up, it appears solely to exercise his massive ego with his display of pushups in front of the largest martial arts audience in the world: the USTU's Junior Nationals! I may be wrong to feel this way, but I would have like to see Master Rhee using the press that he has gained access to over the years to help promote the official structure of taekwondo, rather than himself. SESilz ------------------------------ From: TKDSCRIBE@aol.com Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 05:01:33 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V6 #539 In a message dated 10/29/99 3:20:35 PM Mountain Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << I know the ITC is a WTF affiliated organization but from what I've read in "Taekwon-Do Times" they practice the Chang Hun tuls. I thought you had to do Taegueks to get a Kukkiwon certificate. I know they also do WTF Black Belt poomse but what about the Taegeuks? >> For the record, this is not strictly accurate; the only "WTF affiliates" are the 140, or so, member National Governing Bodies (NGB) controling taekwondo within their respective nations such as our USTU, or the KTA, in Korea. Niether an individual, nor dojang, (nor, even a 500-branch chain of schools) can be a "member" of the WTF. The WTF is an International Sport Federation (IF) and its membership restricted to NGBs. In the US, and presumably elsewhere, there are schools that have WTF certified masters who utilize WTF forms and sparring rules yet that does not make them WTF Affiliates. I suppose one could fairly say that makes that a WTF-Style dojang. SESilz ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1999 06:54:29 -0800 (PST) Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V6 #556 ******************************** 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.