Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2006 09:24:21 -0700 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 13 #179 - 8 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 1994-2006: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Korean Martial Arts. 2,100 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: Forms interpretation (Jye nigma) 2. Forms investigated at three ranges (Jye nigma) 3. NKMAA Korea Trip (Thomas Gordon) 4. from a website (Jye nigma) 5. forms and applications (Jye nigma) 6. video clips: forms applications (Jye nigma) 7. article: self defense in modern TKD (Jye nigma) 8. 2006 NJ Open Martial Arts challenge (ehsu514@aol.com) --__--__-- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 20:52:37 -0700 (PDT) From: Jye nigma Subject: RE: [The_Dojang] Forms interpretation To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net lol...I can't speak form Mr. Gordon, but I know alot of people who block low kicks like that. Knowing this I attack low and they high or fake low and then high and when that arm drops down, POW! lol. But now you can see the importance of my question in regards to the meaning of the actions. Some say the low block is to protect the groin from a low kick, some say it's to block an upper cut, some go as so far as to say it had nothing to do with a block, but the breaking of a person's neck. I could never figure that out So I say what does the form say? what did the developers say it was for in different forms or scenarios? So maybe we can get a dialoge going examining forms. Jye Rick Clark wrote: Just out of curiosity do you think that a down block is really used against someone who is putting a front (side) kick at your midsection? In the forms you have one hand down "blocking" and the other at your waist. Can you ever think of a time in sparing when you block a kick like this? Do you think you would do this for real if some one was going to attack you on the street? Rick Clark www.ao-denkou-kai.org --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail goes everywhere you do. Get it on your phone. --__--__-- Message: 2 Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 21:04:24 -0700 (PDT) From: Jye nigma To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net, itf-taekwondo@yahoogroups.com Subject: [The_Dojang] Forms investigated at three ranges Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Hey everyone, Sorry I haven't been posting alot lately. I've recently enrolled back into school studying computer networks and so I've been busy with homework. But I have an idea, Let's investigate forms movements in 3 different ranges. So for instance, take chonji. What do (or could) the movements mean fighting someone in the grappling range, long range and mid range? what do you all think? Jye --------------------------------- Celebrate Earth Day everyday! Discover 10 things you can do to help slow climate change. Yahoo! Earth Day --__--__-- Message: 3 From: "Thomas Gordon" To: Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 23:11:56 -0500 Subject: [The_Dojang] NKMAA Korea Trip Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Trip went great. I'm very thankful I wore good tennis shoes. Trust me, everything is up hill....even down hill is up hill. :) One nice thing was the sea of NKMAA jackets. Made it hard to get too lost. :) Thank you to Mrs. Sherwood of Master Miner's group for the first class job! I learned a lot - saw a lot. One thing that really stuck out to me was the very young Hapkido black belts. Yes, it's true they basically live martial arts but a 4,5,6 year old black belt in an eclectic art like Hapkido. Heck, I take issue with a 6 year old being proficient enough to earn a black belt in Taekwondo that uses a lot more gross motor skills and not so reliant on dexterity. I've got a video from the tournament with about 30-40 young children doing Hapkido. Your thoughts? Grand Master Seo is an extremely gracious man. I really enjoyed meeting him. I hear some gripes about the people he's certified and have to agree on some accounts. However, consider how many people have his signature on their certifications. He is one of the few grandmasters in the world today than can legitimately certify other grandmasters. Interesting tidbit, in order to list Hapkido on your resume for the Korean police, the person must use one of five organizations as the certifying body with World KidoHae and Korean KidoHae being the two primary. As I understand it, Grand Master Seo has certified over a million black belts for World Kidohae and Korean Kidohae. I have about 400 pictures and 5-6 hours of video. We have a lot to go through. I got a bad cold the last few days I was there. My ears still haven't popped/cleared from the plane rides. I feel like warmed over death right now. Took us about 32 hours to get home from the time we left the hotel. Got to bed at 3:30AM and woke up around 4PM. I'm still beat. Thomas Gordon Florida --__--__-- Message: 4 Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 21:40:47 -0700 (PDT) From: Jye nigma To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] from a website Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Karate bunkai is the very reason for the existence of kata. It's the purpose of Karate kata. A kata is a collection of fighting techniques against common habitual acts of violence. Therefore, Karate kata teach us Karate bunkai (application of techniques) to defend ourselves from common attacks. Having a set of movements ingrained in us through regular practice of Karate kata will help us remember these collection of deadly fighting techniques, provided we know correctly what each movement means. A powerful Karateka would have master most of the deadly Karate bunkai in certain Karate kata. Kata are designed to hold the pertinent information on fighting instructions or Karate bunkai. Looking at any kata, a Karateka will find these universal elements of Karate bunkai: Usage of different stances, different hand and leg techniques, varying attacking power, a number of Kiai or shouts, attacking at different heights, utilizing body shifting, foot shifting (sliding), shuffling and moving in different directions. It also deals with hand and leg techniques that can be interpreted as attacking specific vital human pressure points, using pressure points strikes or better known as kyusho jutsu. Unlocking the kata will give you many different levels of Karate bunkai,from simple restrain to causing serious injury or even death. This website will focus on the Karate bunkai of the 5 Heian kata and 3 Naihanchi kata, ie. Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan, Heian Godan and Naihanchi Shodan, Nidan and Sandan. These kata contain all the hallmark of signature basic to deadly Karate techniques, including atemi-waza (striking), nage-waza (throwing or takedowns), kansetsu-waza (joint-locks & manipulation), shime-waza (choking), ne-waza (ground fighting & submission) and usage of human pressure points. But more is not necessarily better. It's more effective to learn and master one kata really well than to learn many kata but do not know any of it's Karate bunkai for specific self defense situations. Okinawan Master Choki Motobu supposedly knew only 2 or 3 kata at most but he mastered their Karate bunkai to a level where his street fighting skills were unmatched. This means that he probably understood the multitude of applications for every set of techniques contained in a kata. For him, mastering the 3 Naihanchi kata and understanding it's Karate bunkai were more than sufficient. REAPPRAISING THE HEIAN KATA - ARE THEY THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR DEADLY BUNKAI? We will start by discussing Karate bunkai of the Heian kata, which presumably teach us basic and combo Karate techniques. But most Karateka interpret the basic techniques in these kata as blocks. Gedan barai is a block, Age uke is a block, Shuto uke is a block, and so are Soto uke, Uchi uke, Morote uke and etc. But how many times have we successfully use these "blocking techniques" to stop a fast punch in our typical kumite session? In reality, based on the research of many serious and combative-based Karatekas like Patrick McCarthy, Vince Morris and Vince Choo, these Karate techniques are actually strikes! Or if you prefer, striking to block and counter at the same time. Here are some examples: 1. Aggressor grabs your wrist - you kick his inner thigh or knee cap, bringing him down on his knees and use Gedan barai to strike his whole jaw line along the neck with your forearm, hitting at least 3 human pressure points for maximum damage. Talk about "basic" technique! 2. Aggressor grabs your shirt - you slam your forearm down his arm one inch below crease of his elbow, making him stick his neck out, then you strike hard upwards with Age uke, again hitting few human pressure points. 3. Aggressor throws a straight punch at you - you block with Mawashi uke (circular block), grab his striking arm and pull him towards you, then chop at his neck with a Shuto strike (please see 2nd pic above - might not be there, we rotate different pics every week). The pull and chop simultaneously (using Hikite) will inflict maximum damage on your opponent. NAIHANCHI KATA - DEADLIEST CLOSE QUARTER FIGHTING TECHNIQUES! The trilogy of Naihanchi kata contains some of the deadliest Karate techniques for close quarter fighting! All Karateka who's wants to be adept in effective self defense should just focus on these 3 kata, practicing it regularly and understanding the Karate bunkai behind these 3 kata. Once you learn the meaning of these 3 kata, try to imagine using their applications in all kind of hostile scenarios when practicing those kata. That way, the applications are ingrained into you as second nature, so you can instantly dish out deadly techniques under stressful situations. Source: http://www.karate-shotokan-kata.com/Karate-bunkai.html --------------------------------- Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. --__--__-- Message: 5 Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 21:46:37 -0700 (PDT) From: Jye nigma To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] forms and applications Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net ahhhh...this is what I mean. This is taken from a shotokan karate website. Here we see the actual application of the kata: http://home.nc.rr.com/ejconsult/karate/heian2/h2opp1.htm Jye --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail goes everywhere you do. Get it on your phone. --__--__-- Message: 6 Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 22:12:15 -0700 (PDT) From: Jye nigma To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] video clips: forms applications Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net http://www.mma-video.com/mma/karate_bunkai/Passai%20bunkai.mpg http://www.mma-video.com/mma/karate_bunkai/Kushanku%20bunkai.mpg http://www.mma-video.com/mma/karate_bunkai/Soto%20shuto%20bunkai.mpg http://www.mma-video.com/mma/karate_bunkai/Seisan%20bunkai.mpg http://www.mma-video.com/mma/karate_bunkai/Ushiro%20empi%20bunkai.mpeg http://www.mma-video.com/mma/karate_bunkai/Mawashi%20empi%20bunkai.mpeg --------------------------------- Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. --__--__-- Message: 7 Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2006 22:27:33 -0700 (PDT) From: Jye nigma To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net, itf-taekwondo@yahoogroups.com Subject: [The_Dojang] article: self defense in modern TKD Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Self Defense In Modern Taekwondo by Avner Wishnitzer The essence of the martial art revitalized Grandmaster Chang Seong Dong in a knife hand breakTaekwondo has never been so popular. From China to California, from Australia to Norway, millions practice this originally Korean martial art. Tournaments held all over the world attract thousands of professional and amateur practitioners. The introduction of Taekwondo into the Olympics has given it an official recognition. Taekwondo has become a world-wide sport. But success had its price, a price which is much higher than usually acknowledged. In the process of popularizing Taekwondo, the sportive aspect has taken over and Taekwondo as a martial art has lost its identity. In this short article I would like to present the problematic nature of today's Taekwondo in light of the growing distance between its present condition and its roots as an art of self-defense. After discussing the present situation I shall raise a few ideas regarding possible solutions. My hope is to attract attention to the issue of self-defense which is significant to the future of Taekwondo as a whole. WTF Taekwondo today is all about competing. The growing popularity of both Kiyurugi and Poomsae tournaments has led to the dwindling of anything that does not serve the "ultimate goal" of winning a tournament. What good are low kicks if they are forbidden? What's the point of practicing take-downs if they cannot win a medal in a Poomsae championship? Thus, in many DoJangs around the world basic self-defense skills are not taught at all. As a result, many Taekwondo black belts, including competing athletes, can hardly defend themselves outside the ring. That leads, in turn, to the gradual decrease in the prestige of Taekwondo within the martial arts community. Already today, Taekwondo is perceived by many merely as a sport rather than as a martial art with a sportive dimension. More important than image, is what Taekwondo means for the people who practice it. One may even ask what is Taekwondo today? What is its nature? At a first glance, we may say that Taekwondo has a very distinct style, one that anyone can recognize. But that is not true if we step out of the ring. What would Taekwondo look like then? What form would it have when not confined by rules? Can one still find today Taekwondo which is independent of WTF rules, or maybe its nature has come to be defined only by competing rules, just like any other sport? The way soccer is played, for example, will change completely if the offside rules are changed since it is rules that dictate the nature of soccer. Does the nature of Taekwondo, like football, depends only on the rules according to which it is played or does it still have an independent essence? The place of the self-defense aspect within Taekwondo is crucial for all these questions. From a self-defense point of view it is clear that neither sparring in the WTF style, nor Poomsae training are similar to actual fighting. If one is to use only techniques which are allowed by the WTF rules, Taekwondo is hardly practical. So what is the point of practicing all these complex stepping and kicking techniques for people who are done with competing? What's the point of doing Poomsae if one cannot utilize the knowledge it conveys? The answers to all these questions lie in a broader concept of a "martial art". What makes all aspects of modern Taekwondo meaningful is the role they play in the whole, in the general performing level of the martial artist. Most martial arts share a few characteristics in common: they combine the nourishing of the body and the mind through physical training and the developing of self-defense skills. They focus on the individual and measure his progress not only in comparison with others, but mainly in light of his own ability. A martial artist does not satisfy his ambitions just by winning in the ring, for competing is only a means to achieve a higher level. Why? Because. A martial artist strives to perform better just for the sake of performing better. It is in this context that the self-defense aspect of Taekwondo should be understood. Self-defense skills are not necessarily developed only for practical reasons. They should mainly serve as a guide line, a main theme that ties all other aspects of Taekwondo together. After all, self-defense is the essence of the martial art and what separates it from other types of rhythmic activities such as dancing. Thus the high level kicking technique, speed, agility and stamina all of which are attained by sparring, and the firmness, precision and focus which are improved by Poomsae should not be seen as unrelated activities. All aspects of modern Taekwondo are part of a wider system, a system in the heart of which stands the constant striving towards higher performance. This performance cannot be degraded to such a level of being evaluated only by points. It should also be measured in more concrete and real terms of "does it actually work". These are the terms of self-defense. It is the self-defense aspect that makes Taekwondo a true martial art. Without it Taekwondo sparring is not essentially different than boxing or wrestling. Taekwondo Poomsae, without its connection to self defense is not very different from gymnastics. Aesthetic as it may be, many of us do not find it satisfactory. Reintroducing self defense into modern Taekwondo is important not only for redefining its identity as a martial art. It is crucial for far simpler reasons. Firstly, due to the decrease in the prestige of Taekwondo as a martial art, many potential practitioners turn to other martial arts. Many of them do that simply because they hear that "Taekwondo is not practical. It is, just like Judo, only a sport". Older practitioners, including former competitive athletes, very often do not find stimulation in Taekwondo training which for the most part focuses on sparring techniques. These techniques are sometimes worthless outside the ring and are thus not enough for people who do not compete anyway. Some of these more advanced practitioners look for "the next stage" in their growth as martial artists. For many, learning the next Poomsae or another Kiyurugi combination that can only work in a ring, is simply not enough. They want to go deeper and further with their understanding and skills but cannot easily find the path within Taekwondo. For these reasons some of these advanced practitioners turn to other martial arts to continue and develop their skills. Others just give up and become instructors. In short, due to the neglect of some of the more traditional aspects of Taekwondo, mainly the self defense aspect, Taekwondo has become "thinner" and "poorer" in many ways. So much for the problems that arise from the neglecting of self defense in modern Taekwondo; what can be done to improve the situation? It is my belief that the main institutional organs of Taekwondo (the WTF, the Kukkiwon, the ETU and so forth) should take the issue into their hands and work out ways to reintroduce self-defense. As is evident in the Poomsae, in the Macho Kiyurugi techniques and in the Hoshinsul, Elbow strikes, Knee attacks, knife hands and punching to the head, take-downs and low kicks, are all an integral part of Taekwondo. Only few practitioners, however, are capable of executing such techniques "for real". All these techniques should thus be reincorporated into everyday training, not just as a part of the Poomsae, but as techniques that are mastered to the level of performance. The way to do it is of course, to set a curriculum, to develop drills and to make self-defense part of the obligatory material for grading. I do not think that anyone can take seriously the way Hoshinsul techniques are performed in grading today and even these techniques are not obligatory in Kukkiwon grading in Korea. (The neglect of self defense may partly explain also why Taekwondo in Korea is practiced almost exclusively by children. Adults, who don't compete and who may be looking for something more "real", just don't see the point.) The reintroduction of self defense is not simple, of course. This aspect has been neglected for too long and much knowledge has been lost. It can still be found in the older books and in the back of the minds of the older masters. It can also be reconstructed with the help of ITF masters and their knowledge, for that style has remained more true to its roots. I am well aware of the political problems that keep the two federations apart but it is time to work toward a solution of these problems for the sake of mutual enrichment. Obviously, much work is needed but certainly no more than the effort that was put into the reconstruction of the Poomsae system only a few decades ago. The developing of the self defense aspect does not mean throwing away of all other aspects, rather it completes them. A practitioner who masters the use of elbows will perform, say, Taeguk Hojang to a much higher level. His elbow strikes, formerly an "empty" movement, a movement that only resembled a strike, will now be "full" and meaningful as they can actually be used "for real". Increasing the importance and the time dedicated to self defense will make Taekwondo black belt holders more worthy of their ranks, as people fully able of defending themselves if needed. Reintroducing self defense will enrich Taekwondo, moreover, it will give it back its identity and integrity as a martial art. It will attract more students and will keep the older, more advanced ones within its realm. It will revitalize this wonderful martial art and push it forward, into the 21st century. --------------------------------- Blab-away for as little as 1¢/min. Make PC-to-Phone Calls using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. --__--__-- Message: 8 Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2006 11:29:14 -0400 From: ehsu514@aol.com To: ehsu514@aol.com Subject: [The_Dojang] 2006 NJ Open Martial Arts challenge Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Dear Masters, Instructors, Students and Parents, GHK Promotions, the promoters of the ‘Battle at the Boardwalk’, the largest multi-disciplined Martial Arts event, brings you the 2006 NJ Open Martial Arts Challenge. Participation in these multi-disciplined Martial Arts events, provides a forum for every competitor and spectator to experience a variety of Martial Arts events. It is our pleasure to invite you to participate in the fifth annual NJ Open. The tournament will give every student a forum to show his/her spirit, enthusiasm and creativity through a combination of exciting Martial Arts Events. The NJ Open Martial Arts Challenge will feature: Matted Rings, Electronic Scoring, Custom Medals, and certified Officials. Please join us in this friendly spirited competition. Our tournament will provide an opportunity for students of all ages to participate in a fun and entertaining festival of Martial Arts skills. All entry-level competitors will receive medals. The NJ Open Martial Arts Challenge will consist of Taekwondo, Sport Karate, Breaking, Eskrima, Sambo, Submission Wrestling and Team events. The Forms Divisions will include WTF Forms, Open Forms and Weapons. Take this opportunity to be creative and don’t forget your battery operated boom box. The Breaking Divisions will include Free-style Breaking, Height Breaking and Distance Breaking. Sparring Divisions will include both point sparring and Olympic style continuous sparring. On Sunday May 21, 2006, we will begin our Competition promptly at 10:00 am. (Pre-registration is strongly recommended.) Please allow a sufficient amount of time for travel and to pick up your registration packets. If you have any questions, please call us at (732) 972-4300 or visit us on the web at www.ghkpromotions.com. Our competition is sanctioned by the World Cup Martial Arts Organization (WCMAO), the United Sport Taekwondo Organization (USTO), the American Sambo Association (ASA), the International Submission Wrestling Association (ISWA), and the World Breaking Association (WBA). We look forward to seeing you at our fifth annual NJ Open Martial Arts Challenge. We wish all of the competitors the best of luck and look forward to this opportunity to enjoy the Martial Arts Spirit. Sincerely, Masters Edward & James Hsu & GHK Promotions Edward Hsu GHK Enterprises www.ghkpromotions.com --__--__-- _______________________________________________ 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 1994-2006: Ray Terry and http://MartialArtsResource.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember September 11. End of The_Dojang Digest