From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V8 #661 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Sun, 2 Dec 2001 Vol 08 : Num 661 In this issue: the_dojang: Re: Shaolin Monks and Wushu the_dojang: Re: BBs vs. color belts the_dojang: Black Belts the_dojang: Warrior monks ?? the_dojang: Scott Shaw the_dojang: . ========================================================================= The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~1000 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://MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KodanjaClay@aol.com Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 11:21:23 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: Shaolin Monks and Wushu Mr. Stovall, According to many Chinese practitioners of martial art, Wushu is the correct term as it means "Martial Arts". Kung Fu means attainment after great effort, so flower arranging can be "kung fu". I think that many people forget that the martial arts have evolved over time, to better fit the needs of those new times and events. My point is very simple. Unless you are a Shaolin monk, or have been through the the training, who are you to judge? Not trying to cause a "flame war" if you will, but to me this seems to be common sense. However, I will pass along to Warrior Monk Lee, Sauk Kyu that he can not possibly be a real monk because his religion abhors violence. Never mind that his art focuses more on healing as I suspect many of the temple arts do. Frank Clay ------------------------------ From: DrgnSlyr5@aol.com Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 13:32:37 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: BBs vs. color belts In a message dated 12/2/2001 7:30:36 AM Pacific Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: > I have noticed that the black belts at my Dojang are becoming very arrogant and a > little mean. I do not know if they are trying to make us stronger or trying to tell > us in their way they are better than us. This post brought back some memories. When I received my first dan, I was uncomfortable with the change - going from being called my first name to my last name by people who the day before were on a first name basis, and being bowed to all the time. I felt unsure of how to act, if and how I was supposed to be different as a BB. I decided to just be myself. Shortly after, I was called aside by another BB - my senior by only six months - and told that I shouldn't be friendly with the students (color belts), that I should hold myself apart from them. (I received no such direction from our instructor). I listened politely but continued as I was. I found that the students treated me with the respect due a BB just fine without me in some way trying to delineate the line further. One of the best compliments I ever received was from a student (adult) who told me, "Of all the BBs here, you are the only one who didn't change when you got your belt." However, as color belts dropped out and new ones started who had not known me as a color belt, there grew a natural separation. In time, students were no longer friends who I'd trained with, but had only known me as an instructor. In teaching, I understood why the instructors usually retired to the office between classes. Teaching is hard work - enjoyable, but exhausting (especially if you kick with your classes!). Sitting down between classes helps refresh for the next one. My (6th dan) instructor's example has been to take the time to greet each student, sometimes (not always) talk a bit between classes, and show an interest in their lives. I do the same because it is natural for me. I am often asked questions if I'm out on the mat which kinda destroys any rest in between, but I really don't mind. That's what I'm there for, and I love my art and what I do. Are there any words of wisdom you were given or that you give at first dan to help ease the transition? Sharon ------------------------------ From: "Dizzy S." Date: Sun, 02 Dec 2001 17:24:31 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Black Belts MC, No, that's not normal. I always thought, as a black belt, they are supposed to be there to help you, not put you down. That's part of learning (making mistakes). I'm sure they did the same thing back in the day. As far as them competing against each other, that's somewhat normal, specially with new BB's. But most of the time, it doesn't last long. They'll go back to normal (if they're not "high on themselves"). You shouldn't have to avoid them. That's wrong. If they are there to teach, they can't have an ego or a bad attitude towards the lower ranks. I had my days when I raised my voice at higher ranks for acting outta "character". We have a problem with "egos" in my dojang. Most of the instructors are younger than me (I'm 26 and most of them are under 21). They "show off" or make us lower ranks feel "stupid". BB or not, I don't take that. I pay to learn, not to get put down. When I'm asked to assist in teaching, I treat EVERY rank with respect, even white belts. If they make a mistake, I don't yell at them. I encourage them to keep trying, and offer my assistance if they want it. I work with them, break down the technique for them, and try to give them confidance that they CAN do it. Most of the adults will leave the dojang now if one of the younger instructors have to teach the adult class (if our master can't teach). For one, the adults should be respected cause of age alone, and the younger instructors don't respect us. They don't give a f**k. They'll do their thing by showing off, fight among each other ..... yelling at each other, I mean, while the whole class is sitting there watching and not learning nothing. There's been a lot of complaints about that, and my master just hired an "older" gentleman to help him teach. He also changed some rules for the instructors (strict rules to keep them in line). Hopefully it helps. It does rob you of your learning potential. Like you said, it's supposed to be a unity, a brotherhood (and sisterhood). Most of the adults in a our dojang are like that. We help each other out, go out after class, talk, ect. If you get the urge to say something, tell your master. Which I strongly suggest you do. If there is others that don't like the way the BB's act, take some of them with you into his office. If you would like me to email you an essay I had to write for my test on respect, I'll send it to you. Let the BB's read it. I hope this helped. Dizzy _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Sun, 02 Dec 2001 13:13:17 PST Subject: the_dojang: Warrior monks ?? > However, I will pass along to Warrior Monk Lee, Sauk Kyu that he can > not possibly be a real monk because his religion abhors violence. Hi Frank, That may well be the case... Who is LEE Sauk Kyu? You mentioned him for the first time just one month and two days ago, but then three more times since. Is he someone you just recently encountered or ??? Warrior Monk? Is this a title? Seems like it could be a description, yet it seems to be used here and in the past mentions of LEE as a title. Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com ------------------------------ From: "michael tomlinson" Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 18:43:45 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Scott Shaw At the risk of sounding a little critical, and you guys know that is not what I want to do!! I'll just give two cents worth,, a while ago I was at a martial arts store in Orlando and they sell and rent beucoup martial arts videos there,, as you browse around the store sometimes they will put their newest video's in the overhead television so you can check it out,, they have hundreds of videos from every style imaginable,, well about a year ago I was browsing and they tell me they just got this new Hapkido video in from a guy named Scott Shaw,, I said cool let's check it out,, well all I can tell you is that the attitude this guy emanated from his posturing and scowling on the video while he "explained" Hapkido actually embarrased me. There were a few other people in the store and I had to say to the people in there that I apologized and said that this is not representative of the Hapkido I was taught or the Hapkidoists that I know,, it just about made me vomit,, it was like we were watching a cross between Steven Segall and a WWF character,, I never finished watching the video and after the first 6 to 7 minutes the store owner took the video out and says to me,, yeah I can't stand to watch this guy either. If I were Siskel and Ebert not only would I give Scott Shaw's video two thumbs down but I would say stick those two thumbs in the same place your doctor does during a prostrate exam!! That's how the video felt! Michael Tomlinson (maybe five cents worth) ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Sun, 02 Dec 2001 16:49:27 PST Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V8 #661 ******************************** 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 (top line, left justified) of a "plain text" e-mail 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. Remember 9-11!