Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:21:54 -0800 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 12 #22 - 9 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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Copyright 1994-2005: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Korean Martial Arts. 1800 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. Er: Ko Dan Ja Skim Sa (Christopher Spiller) 2. Taekwondo @ 57 (Dugy) 3. monthly fees (michael tomlinson) 4. Tuition (Charles Richards) 5. TKD in Marshall (Gladewater SooBahkDo) 6. Press Release: Taekwondo Union of New Zealand (Ray Terry) 7. RE: Taekwondo @ 57 (Rick Clark) 8. Re: Teachers and Rank (ABurrese@aol.com) 9. RE: Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa (CStovall@nucorar.com) --__--__-- Message: 1 Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 19:22:13 -0800 (PST) From: Christopher Spiller To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Er: Ko Dan Ja Skim Sa Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > Hello everyone > > I just returned from the 2005 Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa > (Testing) held in the Ramona, > CA. There were 2 members testing for 7th Dan, 6 > members testing for 6th Dan, > 18 testing for 5th Dan, 26 testing for 4th Dan. The > test was a week long and > tested the limits of physical conditioning and > mental toughness. > training/testing began at 6 am every morning and > lasted until around midnight > each night. We were then expected to complete > written assignments. Sleep was > not a luxury we were afforded. We continued to tell > ourselves "Discipline is > easy when your fresh" Its when you not fresh that > you character shows. > > The testing was conducted by HC Hwang Kwan Jang Nim > (Son of Grandmaster Hwang > Kee). It was not for the recreational martial > artist. Members testing were > from the USA, Mexico, Peru, and Australia. It was an > opportunity I will not > forget. > > JC Cox Mr. Cox, do I remember correctly that you had said you would be one of the test candidates? If so, is it safe to assume that you passed? Sounds like a gruling event in any case. Taekwon, Chris __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - now with 250MB free storage. Learn more. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250 --__--__-- Message: 2 From: "Dugy" To: Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 23:12:10 -0500 Subject: [The_Dojang] Taekwondo @ 57 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Hello. I am a new student of Taekwondo. I am 57 years old and really not in good shape. Though I play tennis that is about the only activity I do. I've attended a few classes and have 4 stripes still at the white belt level. I have been going for about 1 month+ and enjoy it. I would like to know if anyone has suggestions as to workouts that would be beneficial to me. I've thought of joining the YMCA, or BALLYS health club...Do I lift weights, do I try doing pushups in my living room?? Do do situps on the floor?? I enjoy the classes and the workouts are great but that is the only workout I get during the week. Surely I should exercise more. I'd like suggestions from anyone who's been here, and from reading the articles here, I am probably the only WHITE belt here. Though my goal is BLack belt, and I know I have a long way to go, I am looking specifcally for techniques for self defense. I understand that TKD is one way to go...for my age group, is this the best way?? Thank you in advance for your replies, here or my email (dugy01@msn.com) Doug --__--__-- Message: 3 From: "michael tomlinson" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 12:53:26 +0000 Subject: [The_Dojang] monthly fees Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net It seems to me that fees are relative to the area and have to be proportional to the market.. the fees stated for Shreveport is about par for the Daytona Beach area. But that might be high for other areas or quite low for other areas... I know some of my buddies in California charge quite a bit more but that is ok for their area.... bottom line.. if you don't want to work out don't pay....but if you do then you will find the money and the time...soooo many people want something for nothing but I have found that in the long run those types never last anyway.... Michael Tomlinson --__--__-- Message: 4 Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 06:44:18 -0800 (PST) From: Charles Richards To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Tuition Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Charlie, I agree in South Carolina (46th in percapita income) The median income in rural suburbia is about minimum wage to $7.50/hour. Sometimes thats also a 20 year old single mother of 2 or a 25 year old single mother with a 6 year old that really needs to be in your program because his 26 year old former role model (baby daddy) is no where to be found.... Anyway I know of some high quality "clubs" in the sub $35/month range that also only charge $15 to $20 for a belt test in South Carolina. I also remeber my first club in the Charleston City gym. One of my seven students mother paid me (about 5-10 days late) every month with 30 crumpled up $1 bills. I always wondered if those were tips or unspent lunch money. The gym manager wanted our program for the kids so she didn't charge me rent (and even bought some equipment), but refused to let me make the program free or $25/month, she said. People will not appreciate the value you have to offer if you give it away. She reminded me that her summer program even with all the discounts she could work out was several weeks paycheck for most families in the area and was always sold out with cash prepayments by February. She said, people will make a way to afford it if they see value, if you give it away your students wont be serious about participation. I can tell you from experience that $65 (plus test fees) to $80 per month will just barely keep karate out of your personal pocket and that 100 students seems to be the critical mass for a 1,500sf+ commercial location :-) On to $99, $129 or $159/month. For someone with as much experience and skill teaching as a James Allison, Elder Uncle Rudy, or GM West, that's open everyday except Sunday, maybe even has the option of some lunchtime day classes I'd say they should be able to earn a wage capable of supporting a family, no different than a Doctor, Lawyer, or Accountant. If that's $129/month then that's fair and I would hate see folks like that working at Quik Trip from 6am to 2pm or midnight shift so they could teach Karate in the evenings full time. Just my opinion, MC --__--__-- Message: 5 From: "Gladewater SooBahkDo" To: "the_dojang" Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 08:47:11 -0600 Subject: [The_Dojang] TKD in Marshall Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Celeste Fisher Where in Marshall is a TKD school, and who is teaching it. I live in Longview, and know Master Gene Riggs in Marshall (He teaches Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan) I did not know there was a TKD school there. Just curious JC Cox --__--__-- Message: 6 From: Ray Terry To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net (The_Dojang) Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 07:41:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: [The_Dojang] Press Release: Taekwondo Union of New Zealand Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net 2005 World Taekwondo Championships Selections Tuesday, 18 January 2005 Press Release: Taekwondo Union of New Zealand 2005 World Taekwondo Championships - New Zealand Selection Tournament The New Zealand selection tournament for the 2005 World Taekwondo Federation's World Championships are being held in Papakura on Saturday 29th January. The World Championships are being held in Madrid, Spain from the 13th to the 17th April. The New Zealand Selections will be attended by competitors from a number of WTF style organisations around New Zealand, and a combined team will be selected by officials from the New Zealand WTF Unification Steering Committee which is currently managing the sport under the watchful eye of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. There are eight weight categories in the male and female divisions under WTF international competition rules, in comparison to the four weight divisions at the Olympics. This should see a good number of male and female competitors being selected from around New Zealand as the unified team will be out to put to rest New Zealand's poor Taekwondo performance at the 2004 Olympic Games. Taekwondo Union of New Zealand President Matt Ransom, who sits on the steering committee for unification is excited about New Zealand's prospects this year. "Provided we get a combined and united team to Spain, we believe that there is some real talent in New Zealand and we will have a team that will raise our world ranking and lay down the platform for better sucesses than in recent years."" The tournament is being held at Lee's Sports Centre, 36 O'Shanessey Street in Papakura on Saturday 29th January with the finals kicking off at 2pm. It is open to the public. --__--__-- Message: 7 From: "Rick Clark" To: Subject: RE: [The_Dojang] Taekwondo @ 57 Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:55:11 -0500 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Hi Dugy, > I am a new student of Taekwondo. I am 57 years old and really not in good > shape. Though I play tennis that is about the only activity I do. I've > attended a few classes and have 4 stripes still at the white belt level. First thing, make sure any exercise program you start is ok with your physician. Then make sure you do things in moderation, if you try to do too much you may find that you overextend your self and find that you stop to recover, and then find it hard to restart. > Though my goal is BLack belt, and I know I have a long way to go, I am > looking > specifcally for techniques for self defense. I understand that TKD is one > way > to go...for my age group, is this the best way?? While TKD is a good form of self defense and you can develop very good skills in this and other arts - if this is your primary concern you will want to make sure you are getting trained in the area you truly want. For example what level of aggression are you wanting to deal with? Is it simple verbal assault or do you expect that you will be physically attacked? Will this be with a weapon or unarmed? Do you expect that it will be against single or multiple opponents? What level of force are you willing to use against an aggressor? Are you willing to use lethal force? Or just non lethal? While these questions may seem silly to some (and perhaps you) individuals vary in individual areas of threat. Some will live in an area that is prone to violence or perhaps work in a profession with a higher than normal risk potential. Sit down and give serious thought to your personal risk factors, be realistic and if necessary ask for help from others to do an evaluation. If you are at high risk you may want to seek training in areas such as combat shooting (check the NRA), weapons training (such as Arnis) with a knife, or other weapons. When training in TKD you may want to be aware of the various ranges you may be faced with. If all of your training centers on longer range attacks you may want to ask if you could be taught techniques from different ranges, such close (nose to nose - belly to belly), medium range (arm length), and long range (kicking - or where your opponent has to take one or more step to reach you). What are the most common ways in which you may be attacked? Try to look at the probability of various attacks. For example, which is more likely - to be attacked with a side kick or a lapel grab and punch to the face? A jump spin kick or a wrist grab? > > Thank you in advance for your replies, here or my email (dugy01@msn.com) > > Doug Rick Clark www.ao-denkou-kai.org --__--__-- Message: 8 Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:11:30 -0500 From: ABurrese@aol.com To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: Teachers and Rank Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Charles writes: > So I guess I'm on the side > that says rank and technical expertise are not the only ingredients to > a good instructor. Rudy Responds: >>>Hello Charles: I have seen quite a number of "Masters" who could not teach worth a damn, and I have seen several Cho Dahn who do an outstanding job.   IMHO, rank does NOT make one a teacher, but experience (which should come with rank) should help.  I am with you on this my friend. Sincerely, Rudy<<< This is a very good point.  I posted earlier about Chuck Norris who returned from Korea and opened his first schools as a 1st dan.  He and his students did well in the tournament scene at that time.  (Ray, this information comes from his newest book, in one part he mentions his students doing well at a tournament) In addition, not to toot my own horn too much, but my first HKD video was reviewed on a martial art video review site and out of over 400 videos, only one video scored a higher review, and many of the others were by people who outranked me.  In addition, I have had people attend seminars I have given and state that they were much better than other seminars by people that have higher rank. Now mind you, some of what I teach is stuff from backyard training where no belts were worn or given.  My friend Marc MacYoung and I used to train in the day and work at night in CA and it was this case, no rank, no belts, just training for what we were doing.  Marc does not have any rank, but has authored 11 books with more on the way regarding SD and fighting. I learned more from my 4th dan instructor in Korea than from my 7th dan instructor.  (Those were their ranks in the mid 90s)  I have seen 7th and 8th dan instructors in the US do things differently and not as effectively as I was taught by my instructors in Korea, and I teach the same way.  For instance, at one seminar I attended the instructor taught a technique and took at least 5 or 6 steps to put the person on the ground.  I teach the technique so you have the person on the ground in 3 steps.  (Actually 2 steps and a pivot/kneel)   So, while I only hold a 3rd dan from Korea in HKD, I have many more years of training and teaching under my belt.  I have taught subjects in the military, in jr. high schools, at colleges, adult education classes and in seminar settings.  These are all outside MA and SD, but help me as a teacher.  I am continuing to improve my teaching all the time.  I guarantee that I teach better and people learn more than from many people who outrank me.  (This is from people who have attended both and then tell me) And no, I'm not the only one!  There are many people out there without high rank that are good instructors.  And there are high ranking individuals that are not good instructors.  The real gems are those that have many years, high rank and are also great instructors.  You find one of them, learn all you can and enjoy your fortune.  There are a few right here on this list.  I figure at the rate I'm going, I'll be one of those when I reach that age and rank.  That's the goal anyway.  I always want to improve myself and my teaching. So, in conclusion.  A teacher should be judged on the person and teaching, not the belt or certificate on the wall.   Yours in Training, Alain www.burrese.com --__--__-- Message: 9 From: CStovall@nucorar.com To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 16:06:52 -0600 Subject: [The_Dojang] RE: Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net <<>> Well, everybody gotta have a hobby I guess. Just kidding, just kidding!!! Sounds impressive. My question would be...how much weight did you lose? I wouldn't be surprised to hear that you lost anywhere between 10 and 20 pounds (depending on your weight going into the ordeal). What kind of writing assignments? CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This email transmission contains privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or entities named above. 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Receipt of this communication by any party shall not be deemed a waiver of any legal privilege of any type whatsoever as such privilege may relate to the sender. --__--__-- _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang http://the-dojang.net Old digest issues @ ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com/pub/the_dojang Copyright 1994-2005: Ray Terry and http://MartialArtsResource.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember September 11. End of The_Dojang Digest