Date: Sat, 29 Nov 2003 03:01:51 -0800 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 10 #537 - 4 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. 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Today's Topics: 1. =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_GM_Ji's_Off-balancing_Principles?= (bsims@midwesthapkido.com) 2. Promotions and Rank (Troy Smith, Jr.) 3. Bruce's off-balancing comments (Ray Terry) 4. Re: Promotions and Rank (eleusis) --__--__-- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 13:56:56 -0600 (CST) From: To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_GM_Ji's_Off-balancing_Principles?= Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Dear Ian: "......Do Ji's off-balancing skills are accomplished by precise timing, foot-work, and proper body-mechanics. Off course other principles at work are the push-pull, leading control, fluidity, circular movement, and blending or harmonizing with an opponent. Beyond this explanation the best way to know how this works is to train with him for a while. I hope I have helped......" Excuse me but I disagree. At the seminar that I attended in Colorado there was no talk of taking the balance, un-focusing, redirecting, un-timing or any of the other less obvious aspects of the Hapkido arts. GM Ji did not mention it. I saw none of the students attempting it. I heard none of the practitioners discussing it. What WAS discussed, attempted and mentioned was the simple mechanics of leaverage and pain-compliance. It is most certainly effective yu sool but IMHO only approaches hapki-yu-sool without actually getting there. If GM Ji's following is as widespread as people say, and if his instruction in Colorado was typical, then it becomes plain why most Hapkido practitioners are, at best, yu sool adepts and do not seem to be able to get past this level of performance. FWIW. Best Wishes, Bruce --__--__-- Message: 2 Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 16:27:04 -0800 (PST) From: "Troy Smith, Jr." To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Promotions and Rank Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I have sat back and read endless email about the rank issue and promotions. I came to reflect many things within my training time. I started the martial arts with Grandmaster Kim Soo in Texas as a child, but not until I moved to ILLinois and trained with the late Grandmaster Han, Cha Kyo did I realize what an honor training in TKD was for me. I never asked to test we (the students) were not allowed. GM Han told us when it was time. GM Han was promoted by Gen. Choi and you can read about him all over the internet and early histories. My point is this. What is a black belt? To me it was just a starting point. I have met and trained with many great instructors. Today many people are just tied up in rank. What rank are you? Does this really matter? Why can't we just train together and be happy? That is what I liked most about the North Austin Seminar. Rank didn't matter. I humble myself to anyone with experience, not rank. I respect all martial artist regardless of style or rank. It seems today organizations are all over (even mine), but I just want to train and develop myself and my students. I am not saying I am the best, the fastest etc, I am saying I train daily to better myself. We must ask why do we train? We can all fill our wall with certificates but what does that mean if we can't be active in the dojang. I don't post much nor do I get involved with the politics of the martial arts, but I have listed and thought I would give my input. If I have made anyone angry I apologize. I look forward to meeting all of you in the future and just training. Troy Smith, UMAS President __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.com/ --__--__-- Message: 3 From: Ray Terry To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 17:55:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: [The_Dojang] Bruce's off-balancing comments Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > Excuse me but I disagree. At the seminar that I attended in Colorado there > was no talk of taking the balance, un-focusing, redirecting, un-timing or > any of the other less obvious aspects of the Hapkido arts. GM Ji did not > mention it. It is there. As I mentioned, I've seen it. Master Cyrus had very similar comments to mine. Now, it isn't always necessary, but it makes life (and therefore the technique) easier. How about comments from our Oz or Georgia or Florida sin moo folks??? Bruce, perhaps it came up the day you skipped out on the seminar... :) Ray Terry rterry@idiom.com --__--__-- Message: 4 From: "eleusis" To: Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] Promotions and Rank Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 20:37:51 -0600 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Mr. Smith and readers, Rank in Martial Arts shouldn't be viewed with upset or disdain. It helps establish structure among students, clearly shows who is more senior (sparring shows who really is) and most importantly of all it establishes clearly defined attainable goals. Setting personal goals in the Dojang directly translates to learning how to set personal goals in life which helps produce a better person and in turn a better society. And isn't that the real goal of the martial arts? So if people do TKD with the sole goal of attaining rank to one day strut around as a black belt what does it harm? If they aren't changed along the way they will earn their BB and fade away never to bother you again. If they do earn a BB and then are focused on going higher, so what? A persons motivation for Martial Arts shouldn't be anyone else's concern, as long as they are there on the mat learning and striving for the next goal they are seeking self improvement and all of us should be content with that. As Napoleon once said about giving recognition following his signing of the newest medals he was to issue, "By these simple baubles, these bits of metal and ribbon, men will risk even their very lives in combat." The belts serve a very useful place in encouragement. Very respectfully, Rich Kaya Martial Arts student Chicago Ill. ----- Original Message ----- From: Troy Smith, Jr. To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Sent: Friday, November 28, 2003 6:27 PM Subject: [The_Dojang] Promotions and Rank I have sat back and read endless email about the rank issue and promotions. I came to reflect many things within my training time. I started the martial arts with Grandmaster Kim Soo in Texas as a child, but not until I moved to ILLinois and trained with the late Grandmaster Han, Cha Kyo did I realize what an honor training in TKD was for me. I never asked to test we (the students) were not allowed. GM Han told us when it was time. GM Han was promoted by Gen. Choi and you can read about him all over the internet and early histories. My point is this. What is a black belt? To me it was just a starting point. I have met and trained with many great instructors. Today many people are just tied up in rank. What rank are you? Does this really matter? Why can't we just train together and be happy? That is what I liked most about the North Austin Seminar. Rank didn't matter. I humble myself to anyone with experience, not rank. I respect all martial artist regardless of style or rank. It seems today organizations are all over (even mine), but I just want to train and develop myself and my students. I am not saying I am the best, the fastest etc, I am saying I train daily to better myself. We must ask why do we train? We can all fill our wall with certificates but what does that mean if we can't be active in the dojang. I don't post much nor do I get involved with the politics of the martial arts, but I have listed and thought I would give my input. If I have made anyone angry I apologize. I look forward to meeting all of you in the future and just training. Troy Smith, UMAS President __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now http://companion.yahoo.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 --__--__-- _______________________________________________ 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