From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V8 #446 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Mon, 30 July 2001 Vol 08 : Num 446 In this issue: the_dojang: Re: Sine wave the_dojang: Signed, Sealed and Delivered the_dojang: mats and more mats the_dojang: RE: Knocked up, but still kicking the_dojang: Re: Buddhist vs Confucian Approach the_dojang: Kickin' Delivery Re: the_dojang: RE: Knocked up, but still kicking the_dojang: Re: Research & Resources Stuff the_dojang: . ========================================================================= The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~1222 members strong! Copyright 1994-2001: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The premier internet discussion forum devoted to the Korean Martial Arts. 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: "Robert Martin" Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 14:13:13 -0600 Subject: the_dojang: Re: Sine wave > > I have looked at the excellent site of Master McHenry that was recommended > and have another question. Is the bobbing motion in the ITF Tul the > "sine-wave"? > > Damian Jones > Yes sir. That "bobbing" motion at Master McHenry's site is a representation of sine wave. Mr. Young, who does that patters, is very good. However, as many people can attest, a verbal explanation of sine wave is next to impossible. You really need to work with an instructor who understand the concept. It is one of those devilish hard concepts to learn and to teach. I do know this (and I know I'll take some hits over the statement): sine wave works. For whatever reason, it does give more power without cutting speed. Robert Martin 4th Dan ITF ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 20:36:36 PDT Subject: the_dojang: Signed, Sealed and Delivered Forwarding... Signed, Sealed and Delivered July 29, 2001 Oh Se-chang (1864-1953), one of the signers of the 1919 Declaration of Independence from colonial Japan, was an avid collector of works of calligraphy, paintings and seals. Called the "father of Korean art history", he systematically catalogued the works he collected. In fact, his book Geunyeok Seohwa Jing, which covers the history of calligraphy from the Silla dynasty to the Joseon period, is considered the bible on the subject. A selection from his collection is now on exhibit at the Seoul Arts Center through Aug. 26. The history of the seal in Korea, which was and often still is used to sign letters and authenticate documents, goes back at least to the Lo-lang period (known as Nangnang in Korean) in 108 BC. One seal carver considered to be among the most prominent calligraphers of the late Joseon period, Kim Jeong-hui (1786-1856) whose pen name was Chusa, taught Oh's father, Oh Kyong-suk the art, which the younger Oh then learned from him. One technique Oh used to preserve and study calligraphy was to make records of engraved stone steles or other objects by placing paper over them and rubbing them with charcoal. He annotated the scrolls with these rubbings to describe the location they came from, when they might have been made and so on. The exhibition has many wonderful examples of these. There are also many of Oh's calligraphy studies, sheets of semitransparent paper he used to draw outlines of calligraphic brushwork so that he could study them and incorporate their styles into his own work. This method is called Ssang-gu Ga-muk. Oh's own calligraphy, made in the jeonseo style, is blunt and primitive, almost childlike. His characters include many pictographic representations of animals and stick-figure people, which of course have affinities to early Chinese writing. They will also remind visitors to the show of every artist who ever used pictographic symbols, from the anonymous cave painters of Lascaux to A.R. Penck and Jean-Michel Basquiat, because these markings have a timeless appearance. The incredible variety of seals in Oh's collection attests to the boundless creativity of seal carvers over the centuries. Some have intricate handles that look like animals, while others are plain rectangular blocks and still others are somewhat amorphous forms, like rocks split in half. The imprints they leave when stamped range from complicated script to simple forms _ one appears to be a smoking volcano, another a gourd, and so on. Oh also amassed books containing hundreds of seal imprints, page upon page of red ink stampings that are basically catalogues of seal designs. A two-volume set in the show covers the years 1829 to 1927. Nearby is a set of seals grouped together in a plaster-like substance so that the ends used for making an imprint can be seen, in a wood frame. The design variations it shows are proof that seals were as distinctive as peoples signatures, their Western equivalent. The exhibitions focus is on seals and calligraphy. However several paintings from Oh's collection are on display as well. One of the finest is a group of five related scroll paintings from 1856. Each painting in this large (115cm by 33cm) tour de force group has two panels, the left covered with calligraphy on yellow, white, red, pink and blue paper, and on the right various nature scenes, such as deer grazing, toadstools and cranes. While this exhibition of Oh Se-chang's collection is significant on its own, its even more impressive that such an encyclopedic group of seals and works of calligraphy has survived to the present. This show provides an opportunity to see impressive examples of two important art forms that today have only a whisper of a presence in our high-tech world, but that deserve our attention. ------------------------------ From: Harold Whalen Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 07:11:30 -0400 Subject: the_dojang: mats and more mats I need some advice on mats I have narrowed it down to Swain or Zebra has anyone worked out on these surfaces, And what do you think about the quality and are they kicking friendly. Hal ------------------------------ From: "Lasich, Mark D." Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 08:10:06 -0400 Subject: the_dojang: RE: Knocked up, but still kicking Ms. Wallace, Congratulations! I wish you well. If you happen to be a member of the ATA, I know for certain that there is an instructor's thesis on file in HQ that addresses this very topic. While I have not personally read it, I am told that it explains what are appropriate techniques/activites through out the pregnancy, and why! This was written by an ATA member (currently 4th dan, I believe) who wrote it based on her experience/research. You may find this beneficial. As an ATA member, I believe you can contact HQ directly, or go through your instructor, to request a copy. In the arts, Mark mark.lasich@alcoa.com ------------------------------ From: "Bruce Sims" Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 07:20:32 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Re: Buddhist vs Confucian Approach Dear Brian: “…do you hold the Buddhist or Confucian model to be a better method of teaching (and learning) Martial Art?…” Since nobody has taken it upon themselves to respond to your question I thought I would take a moment to suggest some things for you to consider. I would like to start by first re-framing the discussion to put the emphasis away from either art-centered or personality-centered approach. Since I work part-time at a high-profile bookstore chain in the Chicago area it is very easy to see that when it comes to MA books and publications most of the emphasis is usually placed on showcasing either a particular art or a particular individual and his expression of that art. Books that focus on the student and their ability to learn and retain information are nearly none existent. Compare this with the hundreds of “how-to” and “DIY” books in just about any other field including arts-and-crafts, remodeling-and-home-building, child-rearing, and even books on sports. When a person goes to remodel a bathroom, they don’t want a history of bathrooms, and they don’t want a survey of bathroom fixtures, or a review of how Mr. Fix-it did his bathrooms. Instead they are looking for the most detailed information on how to build their skill level to produce a good outcome in their project. Now, let me say before I go any farther that sound sports are highly complex biomechanical activities and the chances of learning an art out of a book are slim and none. That’s why we have sport coaches. But having books and tapes that can contribute to the effort in an analytical fashion is an important part of western educational process. Of course, this begs the question of why more teachers don’t do this and I would propose four very good reasons. 1.) Tradition-bound. Many teachers do the human thing and teach the way that they were taught--- for good or for bad. Its not that an academic approach can’t be used with traditional arts, but rather that the mind-set is that “that’s the way I was taught. If its good enough for me, its good enough for my students.” 2.) Commerce. My personal belief is that I am a teacher to essentially work my way OUT of a job. I am not looking to make money from what I do and I don’t want a student hanging around me for 15-20 years unless he honestly enjoys my sunny disposition . The idea of MA education as a protracted “rice-bowl” for a teacher has become the mainstay of MA in our modern commercial culture. MA were never intended to be a commercial venture, but the McDochang must work to drag-out the education of its practitioners to optimize the cash-flow. Anything that shortens the students’ engagement with a particular school reduces cash-flow. 3.) Accountability. A large number of MA with whom I have been acquainted decided to open their commercial venture well before they were ready. Most had not learned the entire corpus of what their teacher had to share, or learned it only to a very superficial level. The Buddhist and Confucian approach allow for much less accountability in the depth and uniformity of the curriculum. Using these models a person can easily avoid being detected as not having absorbed all the necessary information to be a competent transmitter of their art. On the other hand, and academic approach requires that the teacher must routinely teach the same material in the same fashion in its entirety as to fail to do so means that the student will experience problems in understanding or execution when exposed to more sophisticated material. An academic approach is yet another layer of structure that requires the teacher to account for the entire body of what they say they teach. 4.) Innovation and change. We have much more information available to us now than we did even 30 years ago about how our bodies and minds learn. We know now that "bunny hops” and many of the conditioning exercises such as knuckle-push-ups and bag work with un-wrapped hands are bad for the student. Our teaching methods need to change with the times and cultures as well. I am not talking about changing the art. I am only talking about changing the way in which we transmit the art to the next generation. There are plenty of individuals who would see such change as a threat to their little fiefdoms. Sorry about that. What worse is that there are always individuals whose romantic view of MA will include un-necessary pain and abuse under the label of “character-building.” I think our students deserve better than that. I just took a brief look at what I have written and I know that I have responded to your original question in only the most general terms. Let me know if this was the information you were looking for, ‘kay? Best Wishes, Bruce W Sims www.midwesthapkido.com ------------------------------ From: Charles Richards Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 06:25:10 -0700 (PDT) Subject: the_dojang: Kickin' Delivery I found out that I'm 6 weeks pregnant! I've figured out that I shouldn't be sparring or holding pads in kicking drills, but is there any other reason (besides occasioanally wanting to barf) I can't do things like line drills, forms or one-steps? Is there anyone out there who's been pregnant while practicing? - ---------------------------------------------------Dear Stacey, Thanks for the post. My wife (8th Gup) is still training at our school and is 12 weeks into our second child. First let me preface that I am not a docotr or OB/GYN. Having said that, we believe it will be safe to train right up to the date of our home delivery. With our first child my wife did a lot of walking and Yoga during pregnancy and has felt fine during the first twelve weeks. We have of course eliminated sparring (which 8th gups don't do at my school anyway) and will eliminate holding targets as an extra precaution (thanks to your post), my wife doesn't like to hold targets for me anyway :-) IMHO forms, line drills, and LOW (for balance sake) non-balistic kicking should only serve to improve endurance, leg strength, stamina and breath control. All of which will be needed in great supply if you are contemplating a natural child birth, neh? I would suggest a detailed talk with your midwife/OB-GYN about excatly what types of motion you plan on doing...each child(birth) is VERY unique. We will put some energy into a healthy pregnancy and delivery for you! Yours in Jung Do, Charles Richards Moja Kwan TSD __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Make international calls for as low as $.04/minute with Yahoo! Messenger http://phonecard.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 7:11:27 PDT Subject: Re: the_dojang: RE: Knocked up, but still kicking Over the years I've been in classes with several women that continued their TKD or HKD training right up thru their 9th month. Common sense seemed to be enough to keep them active yet safe, e.g. no sparring, no falling, extra distance given when performing 1-steps, 3-steps, etc. Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com ------------------------------ From: "Bruce Sims" Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 08:19:01 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Re: Research & Resources Stuff Dear Folks: Just a follow-up to anyone interested in investigating the Korean resources at the Library of Congress. For anyone else who is “computer-challenged” here is a protocol for getting to the Korean on-line bibliography section (about 4500 English language materials). www.loc.gov home page—select : “search our website” in small letters under the title. Search page--- select: “browse the index by selecting a letter” Select: “K” Result page--- select: “Korea/Korean (Asian Reading Room)” Asian RR Page--- select: “bibliography” Korean page--- select: “search” (at the bottom of the page). More as I get it. BTW: Ray, I would be interested in ANY resource including any low-level items. : Thanks More as I get it. Best Wishes, Bruce ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 7:39:11 PDT Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V8 #446 ******************************** It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. 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