Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 19:21:22 -0700 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 13 #212 - 14 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 1994-2006: 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. Pushing (rwood) 2. From another group: real world wrist locks (Jye nigma) 3. RE: From another group: real world wrist locks (Rick Clark) 4. RE: Pushing (michael tomlinson) 5. RE: From another group: real world wrist locks (michael tomlinson) 6. Re: Not showing pain / ok -- Rick isn't the only sane one... (Erik Kluzek) 7. Re: Shin blocks in forms.. (Erik Kluzek) 8. Re: From another group: real world wrist locks (Dante) 9. Re: HOLY MOLY -- Michael has Leprosy!!! ;-) (Erik Kluzek) 10. Origin of foot problem (Jye nigma) 11. video clip: hybrid kung fu (Jye nigma) 12. Diabetes (Manuel Maldonado) 13. Kicking it (The_Dojang) 14. Grunting grannies (The_Dojang) --__--__-- Message: 1 From: "rwood" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 07:31:04 -0500 Subject: [The_Dojang] Pushing Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net No sir, I don’t think you have leprosy. I believe you look out for the well being of your students. My instructor talked to the class last not about training when you don’t feel like training (tried, it’s to hot, it’s to cold, I don’t feel good, etc). She went on to tell the students that after a class where they “push through” they will feel better about them selves. Did she mean to train while having walking pneumonia? No, but the gist is to suck it up and solider on. What does that have to do with injury and pain? Everything; I have a lot of “mileage” on my body and need to manage pain from time to time, however if I am injured it is my responsibility to remove myself from the activity to assess the situation. It is my hope that any good martial arts instructor would intervene to ensure the safety and health of their students. Mr. Tomlinson, in my reading of your others posts I believe you to be that kind of instructor. Instructors you have a difficult job you need to push enough to get the best out of students with pushing them too far. IHS, Rob He who ignores disciple comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. Proverbs 13:18 This electronic communication is from Moberly Public Schools, and is confidential, privileged, and intended only for the use of the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, unauthorized disclosure, distribution, or use of the contents of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the CIS Department immediately at the following e-mail address: tech@moberly.k12.mo.us or by calling 660-269-2665. --__--__-- Message: 2 Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 06:27:57 -0700 (PDT) From: Jye nigma To: MartialArtsTalk@yahoogroups.com Subject: [The_Dojang] From another group: real world wrist locks Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Has anyone ever seen a wrist lock used in a real life situation? Although I have been training in ninjutsu for a year and a half, I find it hard to see a wrist lock being used in that if someone was attacking they would be unlikely to go with the lock and you might break the wrist or more likely get stuck and then get walloped. --------------------------------- Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2˘/min with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. --__--__-- Message: 3 Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 09:45:10 -0400 From: "Rick Clark" Subject: RE: [The_Dojang] From another group: real world wrist locks To: Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net >From: Jye nigma [mailto:kingjye@yahoo.com] >Has anyone ever seen a wrist lock used in a real life situation? >Although I have been training in ninjutsu for a year and a >half, I find >it hard to see a wrist lock being used in that if someone was >attacking >they would be unlikely to go with the lock and you might break the >wrist or more likely get stuck and then get walloped. A few years back I had spent about 45 minutes teaching a wrist lock to a group of new students. That night a young lady was getting in her car after work and some guy grabbed her by the wrist and was pulling her toward him. Without thinking she did the wrist lock I had just taught her about 5 hours before. She said she heard a snap, yell, and the guy dropping to the ground holding his wrist. She jumped in her car and speed away. Unfortunately she did not call the police. I have taught a number of LEO and correctional officers over the years and they have given me positive feed back on how useful the lock has been. Rick Clark www.ao-denkou-kai.org --__--__-- Message: 4 From: "michael tomlinson" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: RE: [The_Dojang] Pushing Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 14:18:57 +0000 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Rob, I agree with you "pushing through" is a good way to put it... whenever I get a new student one of the first things I tell them is that I have never had a student get injured in my class...hurt, sore, tired, etc...yes,, but never injured....I tell students this because when they come in and see some of the advanced guys flying and falling all over the place and people tapping like they are going crazy you see their eyes get big and you can read their minds...they are thinking...whoa what have I got myself into....I tell them that it is a progression and those advanced guys didn't start out doing what they are doing...they started out by taking the small steps and then building up to where they are now...and that is how you HAVE to teach to keep people from injuring themselves and becoming a good Hapkido player.... give you an example...I used to teach Hapkido at a Dojang that was owned and run by a great Korean TKD Master, even though I wasn't affiliated with him in any way he had me come in and run the Hapkido program...on occasion we had young Korean Masters who actually study TKD, HKD, and Bodyguarding in a two year college in South Korea come over and stay and train with us...actualy we always had some of them in the dojang, these guys were all great kickers, could fall and do flips like crazy but their basic Hapkido knowledge wasn't very good...even though they were all 4th dans in HKD....one class as I was teaching HKD some of the older TKD guys at the dojang wanted to sit in and learn to do falls..no problem... one of the young guys from Korea came over and says to me..hey I'll teach them to fall if you want me to...again,, no problem...so as I was teaching regular class this young Korean was having all these folks line up who have never even did a front roll in their life and all of them in their 30's and he was teaching them to do a jump circle fall!!! He was actually having them jump in the air, do an aerial fall and try to land right....they were KILLING themselves!! I looked over and couln't believe my eyes...I went over and told them in a politically correct way to start warming up and then learn to slap out first on the ground and I would take it from there....I know for a fact that if I hadn't went over there and stopped them someone would of broken their arm, neck, or back....it was insane.... sequencial progression IMHO is the only way to teach a physical activity and keep everyone happy and safe..... on the subject of me getting injured during tests.....hey that was all 100 percent my bad...when we test we go 100 percent full go and only pull up at the last nanosecond....not much room for error and occasionally you pay for it....BUT...that is the way I believe I should approach it so when I do get hurt I don't blame anyone...it is just a lesson for me... Michael Tomlinson >From: "rwood" >Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net >To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net >Subject: [The_Dojang] Pushing >Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 07:31:04 -0500 > >No sir, I don’t think you have leprosy. I believe you >look out for the well being of your students. My instructor >talked to the class last not about training when you don’t >feel like training (tried, it’s to hot, it’s to cold, I >don’t feel good, etc). She went on to tell the students >that after a class where they “push through” they will >feel better about them selves. Did she mean to train while >having walking pneumonia? No, but the gist is to suck it up >and solider on. What does that have to do with injury and >pain? Everything; I have a lot of “mileage” on my body >and need to manage pain from time to time, however if I am >injured it is my responsibility to remove myself from the >activity to assess the situation. It is my hope that any >good martial arts instructor would intervene to ensure the >safety and health of their students. Mr. Tomlinson, in my >reading of your others posts I believe you to be that kind >of instructor. Instructors you have a difficult job you >need to push enough to get the best out of students with >pushing them too far. > >IHS, > >Rob > >He who ignores disciple comes to poverty and shame, >but whoever heeds correction is honored. >Proverbs 13:18 > > > > >This electronic communication is from Moberly Public Schools, >and is confidential, privileged, and intended only for the >use of the recipient(s) named above. If you are not the >intended recipient, unauthorized disclosure, distribution, >or use of the contents of this transmission is strictly prohibited. >If you have received this message in error, please notify the >CIS Department immediately at the following e-mail address: >tech@moberly.k12.mo.us or by calling 660-269-2665. >_______________________________________________ >The_Dojang mailing list, 2,100 members >The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net >Copyright 1994-2006: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource >Standard disclaimers apply >http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang --__--__-- Message: 5 From: "michael tomlinson" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: RE: [The_Dojang] From another group: real world wrist locks Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 14:20:24 +0000 Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net do you study with the Bujinkan people? Is Bud Malmstrom still around your area? Michael Tomlinson >From: Jye nigma >Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net >To: MartialArtsTalk@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [The_Dojang] From another group: real world wrist locks >Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 06:27:57 -0700 (PDT) > >Has anyone ever seen a wrist lock used in a real life situation? >Although I have been training in ninjutsu for a year and a half, I find >it hard to see a wrist lock being used in that if someone was attacking >they would be unlikely to go with the lock and you might break the >wrist or more likely get stuck and then get walloped. > > >--------------------------------- >Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just >2˘/min with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. >_______________________________________________ >The_Dojang mailing list, 2,100 members >The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net >Copyright 1994-2006: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource >Standard disclaimers apply >http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang --__--__-- Message: 6 From: Erik Kluzek Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 08:58:00 -0600 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: Not showing pain / ok -- Rick isn't the only sane one... Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net >> Is Rick the only one out there that teaches sensible injury >> management? If there's a possible injury you stop and assess, do the >> appropriate action, make sure you inform the instructor, continue if >> it's not a problem. I thought that was SOP for a martial arts class. > > Perhaps we continue to talk about two very different things. Perhaps > there is confusing overlap and/or extrapolation going on. IMHO > pain and > injury are not necessarily the same, nor are they always linked. > > Something occurs. You stop and access the-best-you-can under the > circumstances, but you control your outward expression of pain. Do > people > always do that in sports? No. But are -we- doing sports or > martial arts? > Nothing wrong with sports, but I am personally more interested in > learning > and teacing self-defense and martial arts. > > As is said, you will react on the street as you train in the dojang. > Ok, now THAT I can understand and agree with! My point was best expressed by JR West -- if you're injured -- you sit out. If you are only hurt or in pain -- ok keep going. I would say the instructor -- like the coach -- should try to make the appropriate call about an injury. But, the student should always have the option of dropping out -- I simply can't make the call on how much pain they have. And quite often things outwardly can look fine -- but you find out later it was a serious break or some other injury. That's why the student needs to have the option of opting out on their own. And the instructor needs to ask "can you continue"? If it is obvious hat the injury is too extensive-- the instructor stops the test. Now, sometimes you can continue with adjustments. Lila Ralston gives a good example of this. She couldn't continue sparring. But, she took care of the knee and then attempted to continue with her break. She wasn't able to complete the task -- but she did show "control of the outward expression of pain" and she did show great mental toughness in continuing in a safe manner. During her black belt test, one of my students has knee trouble and anytime she was on the side-lines she was either putting ice on her knee or using one of Grandmaster Kim's accupressure tools on a pressure point to help her knee. In the context what I heard was that people were continuing a test -- even though they knew they had a broken bone. This does NOT make sense to me. If there's a good chance you can make the injury worse -- or turn it into a permanent disability to whatever degree (as JR tells us about his 1962 ankle) -- it's time to stop. I do think that the best way (and maybe the only way?) to teach the attitude of not expressing pain is by your own action. Wait to tap out -- until the technique is solid -- and even then you control your body posture. If you have an injury take care of it appropriately, with a poker face on. But, alongside "control of your outward expression of pain" you take sensible injury management, and you make sure potential injuries are properly assessed. Students don't always have the mental (or even physical toughness) I would like. But, this is a volunteer army, and my best option to guide them toward mental toughness is by my own attitude and myself as a role model. If students stick around long enough -- they'll gain the mental toughness they need. But, when it comes to dealing with potential injury -- you have to play on the side of caution. Ok, my faith in the sanity of this group is restored.... Erik Kluzek Colorado Blue Wave Martial Arts http://www.coloradobluewave.org !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --__--__-- Message: 7 From: Erik Kluzek Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 09:03:34 -0600 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: Shin blocks in forms.. Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Brian Woodard asked about shin-blocks in forms. Brian I believe you do the Pyung-Ahn forms under Grandmaster Son correct? Think about the leg sweep/crane-positions in Pyung-Ahn 2 and 4. These can easily be interpreted as shin blocks -- among other applications as well. Kong Sang Kune also has a position that could be a shin-block. Erik Kluzek Colorado Blue Wave Martial Arts http://www.coloradobluewave.org !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --__--__-- Message: 8 Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 09:23:16 -0600 (GMT-06:00) From: Dante To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] From another group: real world wrist locks Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net One of my more mature women was a principal at an alternative high school. She called me one afternoon all excited. There had been a fight in the hallway, and she came upon it. They were on the ground wrestling. She said without thinking, she reached in, took a wrist lock on one of the guys and stood him up while the security guard came and had the other guy. She said she held him there and "suggested" they go to her office. He did so with no more trouble. She said she received much respect from the guys after that. All I could do was laugh because she was so excited that it had worked. Dante -----Original Message----- >From: Jye nigma >Sent: May 10, 2006 7:27 AM >To: MartialArtsTalk@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [The_Dojang] From another group: real world wrist locks > >Has anyone ever seen a wrist lock used in a real life situation? >Although I have been training in ninjutsu for a year and a half, I find >it hard to see a wrist lock being used in that if someone was attacking >they would be unlikely to go with the lock and you might break the >wrist or more likely get stuck and then get walloped. > > >--------------------------------- >Love cheap thrills? Enjoy PC-to-Phone calls to 30+ countries for just 2˘/min with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. >_______________________________________________ >The_Dojang mailing list, 2,100 members >The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net >Copyright 1994-2006: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource >Standard disclaimers apply >http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang Dante J. James, Esq. Project Director AA-VIP 303-830-1105 www.aavip.org Change is Inevitable, Growth is Optional VOTE - Your future depends on it! --__--__-- Message: 9 From: Erik Kluzek Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 10:57:55 -0600 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: HOLY MOLY -- Michael has Leprosy!!! ;-) Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > HOLY MOLLY.....I have leprosy!!! For real though...my classes are > a lot of > fun and hard work, we respect each other and help everyone...we > don't try to > kill each other..but we don't cry over hang nails, fur coats, or the > incidental slaughter of a few baby seals by the eskimo population > either... > Michael HOLY COW BATMAN! And now you have to run through the halls shouting "UNCLEAN -- UNCLEAN"! ;-) All kidding aside, my point about leprosy is that it isn't always good to continue "through the pain", even if you are able to do so. As pointed out by several members here often times people have worked through the pain only to find the result is a permanent injury instead of a temporary one. JR and Dakin both point that out. As a coach you also say you make that same call for your players. You bench them due to an injury even when they would stay in the game themselves. That's appropriate injury management. But, continuing a test with a broken finger IMHO seems reckless to me at best, and bad demonstration of injury management at least. If your finger is already broken and people don't realize it, and they yank on it -- how about having a finger that's completely disabled? Even if they do know it's injured -- it's easy enough to do without thinking about it. Personally just doesn't seem worth the risk for a stupid test that you can complete later... Point taken? Now in terms of the attitude expressed above "fun and hard work, we respect each other and help everyone... we don't try to kill each other... but we don't cry over hang nails..." that sounds like an excellent school and an excellent attitude. That I understand. Erik Kluzek Colorado Blue Wave Martial Arts http://www.coloradobluewave.org !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! --__--__-- Message: 10 Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 11:59:35 -0700 (PDT) From: Jye nigma To: itf-taekwondo@yahoogroups.com Subject: [The_Dojang] Origin of foot problem Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Hey everyone. I know some time ago I shared with everyone that I had a problem with my foot. Down the sole of my foot it felt like something was being strained. As a result I had to walk a certain way, couldn't run, and couldn't train in about 75% of what I do in the martial arts. Well, I had stumbled on the origin of the problem. When I was doing construction cleaning I had a pair of boots I'd wear and I had them for years upon years and so the sole of both boots cracked in half and so I threw those boots away. I noticed something, ever since I hadn't been wearing those boots, my foot has completely healed. I can do simple things now that caused me pain at one point in time like jumping jacks, running, jumping techniques, etc. Just thought I would share that with everyone. Jye --------------------------------- How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. --__--__-- Message: 11 Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 12:18:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Jye nigma To: MartialArtsTalk@yahoogroups.com Subject: [The_Dojang] video clip: hybrid kung fu Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRgAjgn4ME4 --------------------------------- How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates. --__--__-- Message: 12 From: "Manuel Maldonado" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 15:41:00 -0700 Subject: [The_Dojang] Diabetes Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I went in for a routine check up several weeks ago.... My Dr was shocked to find my blood sugar was 575. Well he called me and told me to go in to see him....He in formed me I had type 2 Diabetes, to make a long story short I went into a diabetic shock my blood sugar wouldnt come down. I spent 3 weeks in the hospital my blood today was 301 and she (My Dr.) recommends I do no exercise until it drops to about 150 or so. I guess my Taekwon-do days are numbered... Im worried because my father had his legs amputated because of theis weird desease. Im sure if I can get it down and regulate it I should be fine; me I just do all my forms, patterns, tuls everyday all 24 of them as long as my blood sugar is that high I guess I'll have to stop for now and let my sons take over the class lol (Im getting old). Not only am I a disabled vet now Im a diabetic.. God Bless all and thanx for allowing me to post as usual Master Manuel K. Maldonado --__--__-- Message: 13 Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 18:55:41 -0700 From: The_Dojang To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Kicking it Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Kicking it: Tang Soo Do competition brings out confident contenders Wednesday, May 10, 2006 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette It was eerie, seeing so many young children so well behaved, sitting quietly and waiting patiently for their turn to perform. But the field house at the University of Pittsburgh was full of such children Saturday for the 32nd annual All Martial Arts competition. There were more than 1,100 competitors -- some as young as 4 and others who are drawing Social Security checks -- who came to Pittsburgh from as far away as Alaska and Canada to compete. The competition is sponsored by the International Tang Soo Do Federation, which is largely the creation of Master C.S. Kim. Tang Soo Do is a Korean form of karate. It differs from Tae Kwan Do, a more popular style of Korean karate in the United States, in the way that jujitsu differs from judo. Tang Soo Do, like jujitsu, is a martial art of ancient lineage. Tae Kwan Do, like judo, is a more modern sport version. Master Kim came to the United States in 1972, and moved to Pittsburgh in 1974 because he was homesick. The green hills of Pittsburgh reminded him of Korea. He owns 15 Tang Soo Do studios in the area, more than 100 worldwide. There was competition in forms -- where contestants display their martial arts moves for a panel of judges -- board breaking (with both hands and feet), and in sparring. Competitors were broken down by age, gender, skill level and martial arts discipline. For adults, the primary benefits of practicing a martial art are, in order, exercise, self-defense, and stress relief, said Master Kim, 66, whose graying hair is the only clue he is older than age 50. Matt Billiter, 27, from Emsworth, has been studying Tang Soo Do for six years. "Fitness is the No. 1 reason," he said. "But the mental aspects are great. It gives you something to concentrate on." "For children, the primary benefits are learning respect and responsibility, and developing self-confidence," Master Kim said. "I was having problems in school, and my mom signed me up for this," said Felicia Kunzman, 15, of Penn Hills, who's been taking Tang Soo Do classes two to three times a week for two years. "At first I didn't want to do it, but now I like it," she said. "It's good exercise, and I like the people." "I'm doing better in school," Felicia said. "I've got the self-confidence to know that if anything would happen, I'd be fine." "If you are in a bad mood, it puts you in a better mood," said her friend, Randy Geiselhart, 16, of Plum. Robert Willis from Ambridge was holding boards for his son, Emmitt, 8, to kick before the board breaking competition. "I saw an ad in the paper," Robert Willis said. "He was interested in going, and he's stuck with it. "The discipline factor is second to none," he said. "Emmitt's school work has greatly improved. So has the around-the-house discipline. I didn't do martial arts when I was a kid, but I wish I had now." Michelle Harshbarger of McDonald has a similar view. Her son, Justin, 10, is just three stripes away from being a black belt. "I just love it," she said. "It's building up his confidence. Being in a competition is going to do the same." Dayl Griesner, 44, of Monroeville, was taking part in the competition with her sons, Brent, 12, and Matthew, 9. Three years ago, when Matthew was 6, he asked to take karate. Ms. Griesner said Brent should sign up, too. He was reluctant, but agreed to take karate lessons if his mom did, too. Brent is now a convert. "I love it," he said. "It's very fun." Now Dayl takes lessons three times a week, one more than Brent and Matthew do. "As Master Kim said, the family that kicks together sticks together," she said. --__--__-- Message: 14 Date: Wed, 10 May 2006 19:00:33 -0700 From: The_Dojang To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Grunting grannies Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net INCHON, Korea, May 10, 2006 — They may look like a bunch of ordinary grandmothers out for a little morning exercise, but one club in Asia has women in their 70s addicted to Korea's traditional martial arts. Five days a week a tae kwon do master puts a group of older women through an intense two-hour regimen to increase flexibility, build strength and test endurance. Chi Bok Joy, 74, says she's never felt better or healthier. In addition to its health benefits, tae kwon do will also keep them safer. Just watch a mugger try and snatch a purse from one of these women. Cho Cho Gae, also 74, says she'll slug a would-be attacker and kick him, sending him running off in tears before he has the chance to steal any of her belongings. Granny Power In this class, the grandmothers grunt and chop through blocks of wood. While most have been practicing tae kwon do for only about five years, many have already been awarded the highest ranking in the sport — the black belt. Their instructor says it proves tae kwon do can benefit people of all ages. The only problem with teaching the elderly, he says, is an hour later they sometimes forget what he's told them. At age 80, one participant says that's a minor problem. Three years ago Kim Yin Bok was crippled with arthritis and diabetes; now she moves comfortably during the practice sessions she attends. They're all tough, proud and independent, thanks to this exercise, and they're still getting a kick out of life. --__--__-- _______________________________________________ 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