Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2003 16:55:08 -0700 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 10 #424 - 13 msgs X-Mailer: Mailman v2.0.13.cisto1 MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Errors-To: the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net X-BeenThere: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13.cisto1 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Subscribed-Address: kma@martialartsresource.com List-Id: The Internet's premier discussion forum on Korean Martial Arts. List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Unsubscribe: , List-Help: Status: O X-Status: X-Keywords: Send The_Dojang mailing list submissions to the_dojang@martialartsresource.net To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net You can reach the person managing the list at the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of The_Dojang digest..." <<------------------ The_Dojang mailing list ------------------>> Serving the Internet since June 1994. Copyright 1994-2003: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Korean Martial Arts. 1500 members. See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! Today's Topics: 1. Re: belt ranks (Jeremy Anderson) 2. Pet peeve. (David Weller) 3. Titles (DrgnSlyr5@aol.com) 4. Re: taekkyon resources (ChunjiDo@aol.com) 5. Meditation effects on the brain (Divetony@aol.com) 6. Ultimate Truth (Prince Loeffler) 7. Taekkyon (Ray Terry) 8. =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_Pet_Peeves?= (bsims@midwesthapkido.com) 9. Re: Mr. Richards Comment (Dewitt, Garrett) 10. ITF-KATU Members (Manuel Maldonado) 11. Titles again (Charles Richards) 12. Belt Testing (Hapkido Self Defense Center) 13. Tuition (Rudy Timmerman) --__--__-- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 08:26:01 -0700 (PDT) From: Jeremy Anderson Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] belt ranks To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net J.R. West: Thank you for your reply. Would you agree, then, that the number and types of belts is not what's truly important as far as advancement and growth in the arts goes? But rather it's the type of martial artist that the system and instructor produce that's important? Thanks again, Jeremy Anderson. --- "J.R. West" wrote: > Jeremy Anderson asked: > > "Does anyone on this list study any arts that still use a 5- or 6- > gup/kyu > ranking system? If so, how are is the 10-gup ranking system used in > many > martial arts schools viewed by those practitioners?" > > When I first started my HapKiDo training in the mid-sixties, we had four > belts, white, blue, red and black, representing the four colors of the > Korean flag (lots of white, some blue and some red, very little black). > After returning to the USA, I discovered that here at home, the TKD guys > used yellow and green as well, so I followed suite, but I have seen > cases > where these same colors had up to four stripes per belt, or many other > new > colors were added so that the "instant gratification" factor can be used > (their words, not mine). Those of you that know me, know that I always > teach my students that their short term goal is "come to the next > class', > make the best of the next class and everything else will take care of > itself. Personally, I don't care what belts or stripes anyone uses in > order > to get their students to the point where they will excel in the > knowledge > and execution of basic motion........THAT BEING SAID! There are way too > many semi-warm bodies out there walking around with black belts around > their > waist, and if the instructor has gone through X number of gup grades and > still can't put out a decent student, then perhaps something else should > be > tried. The only thing that we, as instructors, have at the end of the > day > is our good name, and if we go around letting the nearly qualified sneak > through under the radar, we won't have that name for long. If you want > to > have successful school, offer a great product and, in time, people WILL > find > you....Please don't allow yourself to be swayed by the "parents with > video > cameras" that expect little Johnny to be a black belt prior to his being > housebroken..............J. R. West www.hapkido.com > _______________________________________________ > The_Dojang mailing list, 1500 members > The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net > Copyright 1994-2003: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource > Standard disclaimers apply > http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com --__--__-- Message: 2 Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 11:14:23 -0500 From: David Weller To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Pet peeve. Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Mr. Hostelley wrote: > > Hi all, > > I know this is going to sound petty, but I think it > has some importance. > > When people use the terms "My Master" or "My > Grandmaster" shouldn't they actually be saying "My > instructor who is a Master/Grandmaster"? I think that > the terms Master/Grandmaster refer to the mastering of > the art not the servitude of the student to the > Master. > > The reason that I think this is important is because > it better delineates the limits of trust and loyalty > that should be shown by a student to his instructor. > > Just my opinion. Any one care to chime in? > > Chiming in: I will continue to refer to the wonderful teachers (who happen to be Masters)I have had as "my master(s)" as long as I continue to breathe. At least in the small world of the Dojang, they are in fact my "Masters" and referring to them in any other way (at least for me) does not impart the love and respect I have for these men. Maybe I "should" refer to them as "My instructor who is a Master/Grandmaster" but I won't. For one thing it seems contrived. For the other it's a much longer phrase, and I like to keep verbiage to a minimum ;) I am not their slave, nor in any way their servant, but if one of them Hollered "jump" (inside OR outside the Dojang) I'd just do it, knowing that they would not ask me to do so without some good reason. I certainly would not think poorly of someone who referred to their instructors in such a way, it's just not the way I choose to refer to mine. Have a groovy day, dave weller --__--__-- Message: 3 From: DrgnSlyr5@aol.com Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 13:02:16 EDT To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Titles Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > When people use the terms "My Master" or "My > Grandmaster" shouldn't they actually be saying "My > instructor who is a Master/Grandmaster"? Would you say, "My Professor," or, "My teacher, who is a professor"? ~~~~~ Sharon --__--__-- Message: 4 From: ChunjiDo@aol.com Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 13:24:40 EDT To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: taekkyon resources Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I'm very interested in seeing Taekyyon(sp?) are good resources out there? Jye turtlepress has a taekkyon video, i believe :) take care, melinda Chajonshim Martial Arts Academy www.cjmaa.com 1.573.673.2769 Chajonshim Martial Arts Supply www.cjmas.com 1.877.847.4072 --__--__-- Message: 5 Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2003 13:36:53 -0400 From: Divetony@aol.com To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Meditation effects on the brain Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Here's an interesting article on the positive effects of meditating on the brain. Guess there is truth to what we are taught in class. September 12, 2003 One of the great mysteries of the human mind is the impact of meditation on consciousness. Meditation's role in providing balance and tranquility for stressed-out individuals has puzzled philosophers and clinicians for centuries. But recent advances in functional imaging technology are opening a window of understanding on the neurological changes that occur during meditative practice. In an article we're featuring this week on AuntMinnie.com, staff editor Shalmali Pal explores imaging and neurotheology, the study of the intersection between the neurosciences and spiritual experiences. Imaging technologies such as functional MRI and PET are demonstrating that meditation techniques have a profound impact on brain function. For example, one study used MRI and PET to examine Tibetan monks and found them to have more activity in their prefrontal lobes, the area of the brain associated with positive emotions. Another study, using SPECT, found decreased brain activity during meditation in the parietal lobe -- the area that controls our sense of orientation in time and space. The researchers believe the findings reflect a blocking of sensory and cognitive input into the parietal lobe, which would account for the detachment from time and space experienced by many who meditate. Want to know more? Just visit either our MRI Digital Community, at http://mri.auntminnie.com, or our Molecular Imaging Digital Community, at http://molecular.auntminnie.com. Brian Casey Editor In Chief bcasey@auntminnie.com --__--__-- Message: 6 Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 10:37:17 -0700 (PDT) From: Prince Loeffler To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Ultimate Truth Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Does anyone know the korean Term for "Hard Study" Thanks --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search --__--__-- Message: 7 From: Ray Terry To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net (The_Dojang) Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 10:44:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [The_Dojang] Taekkyon Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Oh, and there is a very short snippet of a Taekkyon video available for ftp/download in the archives of the_dojang. ftp://martialartsresource.com/pub/the_dojang/Taekkyon.mov Ray Terry rterry@idiom.com --__--__-- Message: 8 Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 12:59:38 -0500 (CDT) From: To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_Pet_Peeves?= Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Dear Kevin: ".....When people use the terms "My Master" or "My Grandmaster" shouldn't they actually be saying "My instructor who is a Master/Grandmaster"? ....." I suppose this could go the way of the Black Belt discussion, yes? :-) Its taken a while for me to sort through this for myself but heres' what I came up with for myself, FWIW. 1.) I have come to truely hate the term/title "grandmaster" and I have noticed that the only people who invest themselves in it folks who have pretty heavy hang-ups about how they are perceived by others. I still use it when talking about second and third generation practitioners (GM Myung, GM Ji, GM Kim, GM Lee, etc) but thats more of a matter of convention that they adopted and not because I consider it appropriate. They sorta got off on the wrong foot and just kept walking that way. I also don't think much of "dojunim" or any of the other hierarchical rank titles imported from Japan. For generations it was enough for Koreans to address their teachers as "Songsanim" and the head of the school as "Kwanjanim". Whats wrong with this except that perhaps it is not exotic enough? 2.) Folks occasionally address me as "Master Sims" which would be OK with me if I knew that I had actually "mastered" anything. I don't think much on it one way or the other but I think some folks feel un-settled when I let fellow Hapkido BB address me as "Bruce" and gueppies use "Mr. Sims". Should I have some reason for making myself a tad less approachable or somehow elevated above the guy next to me? 3.) JR and Rudy are "JR" and "Rudy" and Dennis can be "Mac" if I push myself. But I don't kid myself. These are luxuries we enjoy here. Rudy, JR and Mac have paid their dues, consistently express Integrity and do nothing but good for the KMA and I have yet to hear a discouraging word about them or many others. If thats not enough to warrant being addressed respecfully then I have been in the wrong activity for too many years! Sorry, guys, but in this case "master" feels pretty good until a better KMA convention for address comes along. :-). I guess if I had to sum up, just like the Black Belt can be one more piece of costuming if we let it, a title can become just one more piece of character scripting if we let it. For me a title is something I use because down deep I know that it feels right to address someone that way and not because an organization or certificate identifies someone as such. But just between you and me, should the term "grandmaster" fall into dis-use, noone should be better pleased than I! Best Wishes, Bruce --__--__-- Message: 9 From: "Dewitt, Garrett" To: "'the_dojang@martialartsresource.net'" Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 14:13:09 -0500 Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: Mr. Richards Comment Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Mr. Charles Richards wrote: Stop take time and fully focus on and enjoy those you love. Fill up your life with lots of activity that moves towards your goals. Take time to reflect on you roles and their alignment with your core values. Hello Mr. Richards What a very profound item this is. In my previous dojang post regarding how my students commented about their time at the Soo for Grandmaster Timmerman's annual Can/Am tournament, your comment here really sums it all up. They were quite thrilled with their awards from the participation, however, they spent the few days in Sault Ste. Marie attempting to do exactly what your comment above says. They were enjoying those (Grandmaster Timmerman, Grandmaster Humesky, Mrs. Humesky, Mr. Keatley, Mr. Manfred Fisher, et al...) individuals who are fully focused on their KMA goals, reflecting their own roles and aligning themselves with these individuals and their very similar core values. I hope you do not mind sir but I intend to post your above comment/statement in my DoJang this afternoon. P.S. I believe I needed to see and read this perhaps more than the students. What a great way to end the week. Thank You Master Garrett DeWitt NKMAA Member --__--__-- Message: 10 From: "Manuel Maldonado" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2003 12:21:02 -0700 Subject: [The_Dojang] ITF-KATU Members Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I was just wondering is there anyone else on this list that is a member of KATU? _________________________________________________________________ Help protect your PC. Get a FREE computer virus scan online from McAfee. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 --__--__-- Message: 11 Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 12:27:04 -0700 (PDT) From: Charles Richards To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Titles again Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net <> When people use the terms "My Master" or "My Grandmaster" shouldn't they actually be saying "My instructor who is a Master/Grandmaster"? I think that the terms Master/Grandmaster refer to the mastering of the art not the servitude of the student to the Master. <> Actually I use my mentor GM Hodder or my mentor and instructor M McHenry and my mentor and president of our organization GM West. I am also not his student or a member of his organization, but my students would hear me refer to Sa Ja Nim as my mentor GM Timmerman. FWIW, my students parent's use Master Richards to reinforce for their kids the line of respect. I make them (students) use yes mam/sir with their parents in the dojang. I actually prefer the affectionate use of Sabom Richards over "Master." Yours in jung do, Charles Richards www.mojakwan.com __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com --__--__-- Message: 12 From: "Hapkido Self Defense Center" To: "The_Dojang@Martialartsresource. Net" Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 17:05:52 -0400 Subject: [The_Dojang] Belt Testing Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I showed my wife, a CPA, the email about belt testing and CPA's. She had a good laugh. I will tell you why. When she took the CPA exam she took 1/2 of it each year for 2 years and she stated that you do not have to sit for the whole exam at once. They are not physical exams either, they are entirely academic. When is a belt test anything like that? It is comparing apples to oranges. The CPA is designed for the license holder to practice accounting with a professional designation, a yellow belt is not. The CPA exam also certifies you in one state, her's is from the State of Texas, State Board of Public Accountantancy. Once again, completely different than a private international organization certifying someone's rank. I could go on, but I hope you get my point. Admittedly, For several decades I had a 75% pass rate at belt tests. That bothered me greatly. Why? Because 50% of that 25% disappeared forever. Not a good sign. So I started a pre-test last decade, 7 days before the belt test. An informal test during class and then stating to the student that - yes you can test, no please wait another month, or you will do fine if you work on these specific areas. Now I do not have a fail rate. If they are not ready, they do not test. Things are much nicer now and a lot easier. It is now a public demonstration of technique, an upgrade officially of rank they possessed last week; the demonstrated poise and control while performing under pressure before the instructors, spectators, and peers; and it builds a strong confidence level in the students' acquired ability. You can't compare a belt test with really anything else. Nothing is similar. Just my opinion... Jere R. Hilland www.HapkidoSelfDefense.com --__--__-- Message: 13 Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 18:49:34 -0400 From: Rudy Timmerman To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Tuition Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Charles writes: > Since 9/11/01 I have seen unemployment and layoffs leading to reduced > income nationally and here at my school. September has been average > for inquiries but near dead for enrollments. I keep hearing I can't > afford that, yet I have students continuing to make payments... Hello Charles: The city in which I live and run my own school has unfortunately been designated as the city with highest unemployment, and that situation has gone on for several years now because it is a one horse steel town with not much work in other areas. Nothing indicates anything will change anytime soon either. Still, I have not had to drop tuition, and instead raised it a small bit by using a testing fee not previously charged. My finding was that folks HATE to see a raise in tuition, but they never complained about a test fee. It seems that students perceived the belt rank has more value than the good lessons we provide. This is totally contrary to what the big operators tell us to do (they advocate NO test fees), but hey, we do whatever we need to do to keep a school going strong. I also find that motivation is one of the main factors in making a school profitable or not. I have carefully studied schools all over the world, and the ones that make a lot of money have one thing in common -- great motivators run them. Some of these were good martial artists, and some were not good. Quality in martial arts did not seem to make much difference, it seems people are looking for a place where they "feel great" after their lessons. WHAT they learned had no apparent impact on the majority of the students. FWIW Sincerely, Rudy, Kwan Jang --__--__-- _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang http://the-dojang.net Old digest issues available @ ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com Copyright 1994-2003: Ray Terry and http://MartialArtsResource.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember September 11. End of The_Dojang Digest