From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V8 #6 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Thur, 4 Jan 2001 Vol 08 : Num 006 In this issue: the_dojang: Hapkido History the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V8 #5 the_dojang: GM Ji's Hapkido the_dojang: Re: Puzzle Mats the_dojang: Re: Taekwondo Books the_dojang: Re: Puzzle Mats the_dojang: Re: Puzzle Mats the_dojang: Re: Skipping ..... the_dojang: Hapkido History the_dojang: Dr. Kimm's "zen" question the_dojang: AAU TKD the_dojang: Re: Puzzle Mats the_dojang: RE:Interlocking Mats the_dojang: . ========================================================================= The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~999 members strong! Copyright 1994-2001: Ray Terry and 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 the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Patrick L" Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 13:10:28 -0800 Subject: the_dojang: Hapkido History Rudy writes: >With all due respect to Grand Master Ji, as well as Patrick's position. I >see no reason for anyone to bow low.< You are absolutely right! My comment is only relevant should there be acceptance of Hapkido as THEIR art. But they do not, even while others continue to insist that they "really are" Hapkido. As long as Yawara, Yu sool, Kuk sool, Hwarangdo or other progenitor or derivative go their own way, there is no reason (or need) for them to submit to a Hapkido senior. But when are the "Hapkido" juniors going to start submitting to Hapkido seniors, and stop looking to "Not Hapkido" branches for solutions to their lineage problems? >Evolution has a nasty way of eliminating those who do not keep up with the >times.< Nice sentiment, but IMHO in the course of human events, it works better when we are active participants in the evolution. >The name, any name, never made an art -- practicing made the arts.< True - but the argument is not about the name, but about content and who gets to dictate. >Perhaps we should reflect on the sound advise recently posted by another >Master who suggested that we pay less attention to history and more to >practicing the arts.< Absolutely! Getting in the Way, Patrick _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ From: ConcordTKD@aol.com Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 16:15:17 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V8 #5 "If there are any other books that you recommend, either on Taekwondo or the philosophy of Taekwondo (and other martial arts)I would appreciate any advice." The best resource that I can give you about Taekwon-Do books is the encyclpedia of Taekwon-Do by General Choi. You can find in at Dom.com or a link on the USTF or ITF web sites. John Murphy A-3-756 ITF/USTF TKD ------------------------------ From: RDNHJMS@aol.com Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 16:14:47 EST Subject: the_dojang: GM Ji's Hapkido <> Chris, Dojunim says that he began using the name Hapkido in Seoul because it shorter than Hapki Yu Kwon Sool, and more identifiable by the general public, since the names Tang Soo Do, Soo Bak Do, etc. had been around for a while. GM Ji's dojang and teachings became very popular in Seoul after he began using this name. He "gave" the name to his teacher Choi Yong Sul by suggesting that he also use the name as it would be more popular and identifiable than Hapki Yu Kwon Sool, Yu Sool, Hapki Yu Sool, etc. V/R, Rick Nabors ------------------------------ From: "Wallace, John" Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 13:19:43 -0800 Subject: the_dojang: Re: Puzzle Mats We have Swain mats at our dojang and I love 'em, although I've definitely had the "rolled toe" incident that Jer described. My wife has high arches and had pretty bad plantar fascitis from practicing on our old surface (carpet over floor) that has pretty much disappeared since we got the mats. Swain mats aren't puzzle-pieced together, but there definitely are seams on them. I haven't seen anyone catch a toe or finger on the seam itself. I _am_ more conscious of them...I think they influence the way I step during forms, etc (trying to avoid catching a toe) which some could find annoying. A lot more people are showing up at the jiu-jitsu classes now though. Overall, IMO they're worth the expense and seam concerns. - -JW (still not wearing shoes...I >like< going barefoot!) Jerry said: - -----Original Message----- ...snip Not in the seams, but just about anywhere on the mats. I "rolled" my toe a time or two and I wasn't the only one. It was pretty common. What would happen is the grippy surface would catch the toe and the rest of the foot would proceed on it's merry way, leaving the toe behind... it's one of those things that hurts for a good couple of weeks. To avoid the rolling toes, I wore shoes during training. That solved the problem immediately and completely. Would I recommend puzzle mats? Definitely! Just watch your toes... if you don't wear shoes, you will roll your toe more than once. ...end snip ------------------------------ From: "Robert Martin" Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 14:29:01 -0700 Subject: the_dojang: Re: Taekwondo Books Add Choi Hong Hi encyclopedia (either the big one or the condensed). While you might not do the patterns in them, they are pretty good reference books for technique and such. They are, however, pricey. Robert Martin > > From: "Damian Jones" > Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 20:44:35 -0000 > Subject: the_dojang: Taekwondo Books > > Hi list, this is my first post. > > I was wondering if any of you could give me some opinions on the following > Taekwondo books. > > Taekwondo Textbook ; Vol 1,2,3 ; Kim Jeong Rok > Modern Taekwondo: The Official Training Manual ; Soon Man Lee > Tae Kwon Do :The State of the art ; Whang > The Official Kukkiwon Taekwondo Textbook ; Uhm Woon-Kyu > Mastering Taekwondo ; Tae Eun Lee > also the books by Kim Daeshik. > > I am looking for a good reference guide that also includes Korean > terminology, history and philosophy. > > If there are any other books that you recommend, either on Taekwondo or the > philosophy of Taekwondo (and other martial arts)I would appreciate any > advice. > > Thanks > Damian Jones > ------------------------------ From: Richard Zaruba Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 15:32:54 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Re: Puzzle Mats I've trained on puzzle mats in several locations and never cared for them until The university I attend bought some from Vision USA for the aerobics room in which I teach a couple of Kuk Sool classes. The puzzle mats they bought didn't give under your feet like the others I have trained on and have a different texture on the surface which helped keep the slipping to a minimum. Also the seams don't separate like others I have trained on. I also believe they may have sealed the mats at the university, I'm not sure. They definitely do not replace my Tiffin mats for teaching beginners how to fall and techniques with falls but they are great for my advanced students for falling and techniques. Puzzle mats are just like everything else, different manufacturer different quality. I am now actually considering putting them in my dojang, but first I'll check quality and price from different suppliers. Richard Zaruba ------------------------------ From: MissIllona@aol.com Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 16:38:21 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: Puzzle Mats In a message dated 1/4/01 12:52:02 PM Pacific Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Does anyone have an opinion on puzzle mats? >> I studied at an Aikido school that was using them and they had alot of shoulder / neck / back injuries from trying to "learn how" to roll on them. Not a beginner's type of mat. I also do not like the seams ... yes, toes do get stuck in them as the mat ages ... I personally like the mats that are solid thru the school floor with no seams or the fold-up ones with the velcro fasteners ... I can get them to line up closer and no danger to my toes. Illona ------------------------------ From: MissIllona@aol.com Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 16:44:01 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: Skipping ..... In a message dated 1/4/01 12:52:02 PM Pacific Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Skip buying the mirrors for the walls. Skip buying the advertising or signs for the road. Skip the A/C, heat, punching bags, kicking targets, paint on the walls. But don't go cheap with the flooring system. >> Why is this ???? Just a good looking floor ??? Ratty looking walls? Nothing to kick? No advertising ??? No mirrors ? Why not ? Illona ------------------------------ From: "Patrick L" Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 13:53:39 -0800 Subject: the_dojang: Hapkido History Dear Bruce, >I have been working to understand your reasoning behind this statement you >have used three times now- to wit: "What is Hapkido?... Whatever GM Ji says it is."< You do me a great honor (no satire). I will try to breifly answer your questions. Please remember that even though I am frequently irreverent, I intend no offense. >Perhaps you could share with me what it is about GM Ji that makes you think that he has exclusivity to Hapkido. Did you think it was because he is attributed with coming up with the name? According to a history by David Middleton (Australian Hapkido Group) in an interview GM Ji reported that he ""gave" the name 'hapkido" to GM Choi "out of respect" and apparently GM Choi used it to some limited degree for the balance of his career.< Short answer: Someone or everyone - I choose someone. Long answer: Either you accept that GM Choi was the founder of Hapkido, or you can continue to offer up Jang (I still don't know which Jang). Either Yawara is Hapkido, Yu sool is Hapkido, or Hapkido is Hapkido - choose. Once you choose, then GM Ji is either the answer or not. Stories about who allowed who to do what with what, when (regardless of accuracy) do not change "what is Hapkido". Whether you choose Yawara, Yu sool, or Hapkido, then the GMs for the "not Hapkidos" (ie Kuk sool, Hwarangso, Han pul) are also NOT the answer. >Did you think it was because GM Ji introduced kicking techniques over and >above the techniques found in the Daito-ryu curriculum. GM Moo-woong Kim >also introduced kicking techniques albeit less acrobatic to the Hapkido >curriculum. According to GM Ji they even collaborated in 1963 on these >matters.< I believe that until recently Kim Moo-woong ran a Hapkido association in Korea - He is a known junior to Ji Han-jae. Do you offer this lesser known factoid (regardless of accuracy) to prove my point - if so I thank you. >Did you think it was because GM Ji's art shares traditions with both Korean >techniques as well as Japanese techniques.? I'm afraid there are more than >a few kwans and organizations that do that.< No - this is a widely known fact irrelevant to my conclusion. >Did you think it was because only GM Ji is descended from GM Choi in the >Hapkido tradition. So far I have counted over 30 individuals who can trace >their lineage back to GM Choi and or GM Ji and they all most freely use the >term "hapkido" . . . then sub-qualify by kwan.< If lineage to Choi is critical to be "Hapkido" then we can abandon the Jang line, OK? I will assume that those juniors that trace themselves to GM Ji, are not part of the "What is Hapkido?" cunumdrum you find yourself in. Additions to Hapkido identified as Kwan specific are not part of the question "What is Hapkido?" If you desire to add "Tibetian Ox Throwing" the "real" precursor of "Tibetian gopher tossing" in your Kwan that is your decision. (with apologies to Master West). >Perhaps it is only because it makes you feel good to hold that position.< Way off here. If I was going to make myself feel good, I would suggest that I get to decide "What is Hapkido?" >Perhaps because it is convenient and keeps things simple to identify the >term Hapkido with only GM Ji. Not a problem. Nothing wrong with that.< Much closer here. Getting in the Way, Patrick _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ From: "J. R. West" Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 16:10:40 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Dr. Kimm's "zen" question I consider the good Dr. to be, along with a teacher, a good friend, and over the 25 + years that I have worked with him, one story of his stays in my mind. While still a young man in Korea, Dr. Kimm was asked "how many hairs are on your head?", and not knowing the answer, he left the lesson disappointed. Time and again his teacher would ask the same question, and when no answer was received, Dr. Kimm was told to think about it and come back when he knew the answer. Dr. Kimm left Korea in 1963 to come to the USA without ever answering this question, and when he finally had a chance to return in 1981, he sought out his old teacher and and told the man that he had figured out the answer. "If I hit you on the head, the number of hairs on my head will be the same as the number of stars that you will see". Apparently the teacher was at long last satisfied. Sometimes we get a little sidetracked and too mystical on our quest for knowledge. I apologize to Dr. Kimm if my quotes are not exactly as they were told to me...J. R. West ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 15:07:29 PST Subject: the_dojang: AAU TKD Forwarded message: Ray - ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PROF. BILL DEWART ACADEMY OF TAE KWON DO 988 OAK STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117 (415)864-4827/e-mail tkdbill@pacbell.net Website academyoftkd.com Dear Taekwondo Masters, Instructors and Students: We hope that everyone had a great Holiday Season and that 2001 will be an outstanding year for everyone! As we start the new year and the new millennium, we would like to invite everyone to the AAU CALIFORNIA STATE TAEKWONDO CHAMPIONSHIPS 2001 scheduled for March 15th at the University of San Francisco's Memorial Gym at 2335 Golden Gate Ave., S.F., CA 94117. This event will be the Qualifier for the AAU Youth & Adult National Taekwondo Championships set for July 4th to the 8th in Detroit, Michigan and the AAU JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES scheduled for August 1st to the 4th in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Both of these are outstanding national events and last years AAU JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES included the British Junior National Team making it a quality international event. To be on the floor to coach at AAU events, you must be a certified AAU coach. In addition, to make certain our event runs smoothly with outstanding officiating, we are asking each school to send at least two of their Black Belts to become certified as an AAU official. We will be offering an AAU Coaches and Officials Certification Clinic on Sunday, February 18th at the Academy of Tae Kwon Do at 988 Oak St. (at Scott St.), S.F., CA 94117 from 1 to 6 P.M. Remember to coach or officiate at an AAU event you must take this course each year and work at least one local event prior to the national events. If you have any questions concerning the State Championships or the Coaches & Officials Clinics please feel free to contact me at your convenience. I will look forward to seeing you all on March 17th. Peace. Yours in Taekwondo, Bill Dewart ------------------------------ From: "Ron Bain" Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 18:08:06 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Re: Puzzle Mats Hi everyone, Just wanted to add my comments on the puzzle mats. I've used these for a couple of years in my basement Dojang, and absolutely regret buying them. I, as well as some of my students, have also jammed/sprained toes on these mats on numerous occassions. Thank God no breaks. Even with shoes on, I find them unacceptable. Have "caught an edge" and stumbled many times, and had a student slightly sprain his ankle with shoes on. I attribute this to the rubber like quality of this particular brand of mats. The only advantage I see to this type of mat is that they they are portable, and can be moved and setup easily. Now I have noticed that some have said that that they like these mats. I wonder if there is a difference from brand to brand with respect to the material that these are made from. It could be possible that some are more "stub resistant" than others. My mats are made by "Star" and very rubber like. Maybe we can compare the brands, and determine which to stay away from and which to recommend. Just a thought. Respectfully, Ron Bain > Not in the seams, but just about anywhere on the mats. I "rolled" my toe a > time > or two and I wasn't the only one. It was pretty common. What would happen is > the grippy surface would catch the toe and the rest of the foot would proceed > on it's merry way, leaving the toe behind... it's one of those things that > hurts > for a good couple of weeks. > > To avoid the rolling toes, I wore shoes during training. That solved the > problem > immediately and completely. Would I recommend puzzle mats? Definitely! Just > watch your toes... if you don't wear shoes, you will roll your toe more > than once. > I promise. :o) > > Jer ------------------------------ From: "Sims, Bruce W. NCHVAMC" Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 17:30:45 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: RE:Interlocking Mats I had an opportunity to work out on these mats and found that they did a reasonable job of absorbing energy from falls but were not worth the potential hazzard when executing techniques which required a turn or pivot (let alone a spin). I suspect that the cost was a big factor in this floor system being used, but what I saw was perhaps an option better reserved for use as a foundation over, say, a concrete floor upon which an additional more uniform surface could be laid or rolled ( ie. Rubberized wrestling surface, perhaps velcroed folding mats). IMO at least for traditional hapkido use the interlocking matting was an accident waiting to happen. Considering the many techniques in Korean Martial traditions that require turning and spinning I couldn't recommend this system for that application. Best Wishes, Bruce W Sims www.midwesthapkido.com ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001 17:41:55 PST Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V8 #6 ****************************** It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, Ste 104C, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-578-4632 FAX 719-578-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.org To unsubscribe from 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. Copyright 1994-2001: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply.