Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:48:22 +0200 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 15 #260 - 6 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 List-Unsubscribe: , List-Id: The Internet's premier discussion forum on Korean Martial Arts. 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Copyright 1994-2008: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Korean Martial Arts. 2,400 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: Afterschool McDojo's (Chris & Cindy Callahan) 2. Acknowledged the problem(s), what now? (Jye nigma) 3. Kim Invitational broadcast live (The_Dojang) 4. WTF-KHU Partnership (The_Dojang) 5. Effective Educational Tool (The_Dojang) 6. Re: McDojo's etc. (zisheged@aol.com) --__--__-- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:35:14 -0400 From: Chris & Cindy Callahan To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: Afterschool McDojo's Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I may ruffle some feathers with this one. But, I believe it comes down to what your goals are...for yourself, and for your students. If all you want is personal survival (financial security) then all of these alternatives are a wonderful addition to your martial arts school. If all you want is what's best for your martial art students then these additions aren't much more than distractions. There are always exceptions to everything, and perhaps there can even be some happy middle ground. But, in general, I don't believe these distractions are good for _martial_art_ students...and this is what we are talking about, martial art students, not other income generating customers. While these "McDojo's" do provide services that result in some benefit to the students, I believe they pale in comparison to the character building benefits found in a more traditional martial arts school. Although, I realize this depends greatly on the quality of the instructor. But, from my experience, "McDojo's" do not tend to produce quality instructors. This is what is happening now; people that were trained in a "McDojo" are now owning and operating their own schools. Base upon what I see in my area, quality martial arts training is becoming extremely difficult to find. It seems traditions and high standards are being sacrificed for financial gain. You can walk into most commercial martial art schools and see the lack of discipline along with a day care environment (very much like romper room) instead of a well-structured and controlled martial art atmosphere. Also, you can go to almost any local martial arts tournament and see sloppy techniques that are being rewarded by the judges. In fact, one of my students went to watch a local tournament a few weeks ago. He walked out before it was over. Apparently, he was so disappointed with the quality of the competitors' techniques; he became embarrassed for them and couldn't stand to watch any longer. Unfortunately, many instructor's/owner's attitudes seem to be - allow the student to move up through the ranks before their technique is worthy of the promotion. Otherwise, the student may become discouraged and leave the school...resulting in a loss of income. To make matters worse, many of the newer instructors/owners were trained in this fashion, so this is how they continue to teach their students...thinking it is the only way, simply because it is all they know. Therefore, each subsequent generation of martial artists will continue to give, and get, inferior training. If my student has sloppier technique than they are capable of, it becomes a reflection on me as their instructor. Personally, I am not willing to sacrifice my reputation when I know a student is capable of more. The trick is not comparing one student to another. Instead, expect students to do their personal best. If you allow a student to move up in rank before they have perfected their techniques, to the best of their ability, you are not doing what is best for that student. Unfortunately, this is becoming much too common. -Chris --__--__-- Message: 2 Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:28:12 -0700 (PDT) From: Jye nigma To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net, itf-taekwondo@yahoogroups.com Subject: [The_Dojang] Acknowledged the problem(s), what now? Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Ok we've agreed or disagreed on problems that plague TKD and other KMAs, so now what? How about a discussion aboutwhat can be done to enhance training, keep student's interest without compromising the art's integrity. Any thoughts?   Jye --__--__-- Message: 3 Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:54:48 -0700 From: The_Dojang To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Kim Invitational broadcast live Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net 19th Jimmy Kim Invitational Taekwondo Championships to be Broadcast Live Online USA Taekwondo September 26, 2008 Leading internet sports network IBN Sports (www.ibnsports.com) will broadcast the 19th Jimmy Kim Invitational Taekwondo Championship live online, starting at 12:00PM PST, September 27, 2008. The Jimmy Kim Invitational Taekwondo Championships, held annually in Long Beach, California, is one of the premier sport Taekwondo events in the United States, and a favorite proving ground for state, national and Olympic-caliber Taekwondo athletes. Tournament Director Master Jimmy Kim (1988 Olympic Gold Medalist and coach of 2008 Olympian Charlotte Craig) invites all Taekwondo athletes and spectators to enjoy this high-quality live internet broadcast, which will feature elite black belt fights, poomsae demonstrations, athlete interviews and commentary. The broadcast will feature some of USA-Taekwondo's best athletes, including 2008 Olympian Charlotte Craig, 2007 Jr. National Champion Damian Villa, 2008 Sr. National Champion Kira Cramer, 2008 World Junior Open Championships gold medallist Carolyn Lieberman and other National Champions. In addition to the exciting fights, several U.S. National Poomsae Team Members will demonstrate individual, pair and team poomsae. Action starts at 12:00PM PST on Saturday, September 27, 2008! Watch live online at www.ibnsports.com Visit the JKI website at www.thejki.com --__--__-- Message: 4 Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 07:53:01 -0700 From: The_Dojang To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] WTF-KHU Partnership Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Opening Ceremony Held for WTF-KHU Partnership Taekwondo Training Program 27 Sep 2008 The World Taekwondo Federation held a ceremony for the participants in the third edition of the 2008 WTF-KHU Partnership Taekwondo Training Program at the Suwon campus of Kyung Hee University in Suwon, Korea, on Sept. 23, 2008. A total of 15 coaches and athletes from 15 countries are participating in the ongoing partnership training program, which started on Sept. 17 and will last until Oct. 7. The ceremony drew the 15 program participants and some 200 taekwondo students and faculty members of Kyung Hee University. Kyung Hee University established a taekwondo department in 1983 to become the world's first four-year school to have a taekwondo major. Since 2005, the WTF and Kyung Hee University have jointly offered a taekwondo training program for coaches and athletes in less developed countries. The WTF-KHU partnership program is gaining growing popularity among the WTF's 188 member nations. In 2005, a total of 35 coaches and athletes from more than 20 countries attended the partnership program, compared with 34 in 2006 and 44 in 2007. "With the increasing number of applicants being accepted to the program, it has contributed to improving technical abilities, confidence-building and popularity of taekwondo in underprivileged regions that are deprived of resources to play sport," said WTF President Chungwon Choue at the opening ceremony. Complimenting the solidarity program, Dr. Choue said that "The WTF has also launched the Taekwondo Peace Corps project this summer to dispatch groups of volunteering taekwondo instructors to countries in need of assistance and to offer programmed taekwondo training to the local people." In July, the WTF sent the first seven Taekwondo Peace Corps teams to five countries – Russia, India, Pakistan, Paraguay and China – for one month, along with educational packages, including training booklets, CDs, taekwondo uniforms and other equipment. Dr. Choue said, "Based on its success and positive feedback from the host countries, the Taekwondo Peace Corps program will continue with a twice-a-year, short-term dispatch for two months, and a long-term dispatch of instructors for six months to two years, targeting on more recipients and a larger number of countries." "I hope the WTF-KHU partnership program continues to offer more athletes and coaches a valuable chance to learn more about taekwondo training, and acquire necessary knowledge and skills to bring back home, which may contribute to further development of taekwondo in their respective countries," he said. "It is my wish that this partnership training program, together with the Taekwondo Peace Corps, delivers hope and dream to many who seek opportunities." --__--__-- Message: 5 Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 07:54:18 -0700 From: The_Dojang To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Effective Educational Tool Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Taekwondo is an Effective Educational Tool for Children Worldwide, WTF President Says 27 Sep 2008 Taekwondo is an effective educational tool for young people around the world and now is the time for taekwondo to serve the world, says president of the world's taekwondo governing body. As part of efforts to promote global peace, the president says that he hopes the WTF-initiated Taekwondo Peace Corps program to be expanded into a new entity of the so-called Sport Peace Corps, in cooperation with the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee. "As proven by numerous studies, taekwondo training has significant educational effects on children in the stage of personality forming and emotional vulnerability," said Chungwon Choue, president of the World Taekwondo Federation. "It teaches youth about justice, morality, respect, cooperation, lover for one another, and to accept the universal sport rules of fair play." Under the topic "The Value of Korean Traditional Sport in Youth Education," WTF President Choue made the remarks in the Plenary G session of the 6th World Forum on Sport, Education and Culture at the BEXCO in Busan, Korea on Sept. 27, 2008. Dr. Choue's 20-minute presentation drew keen interest from the participants in the IOC forum. The three-day, IOC-promoted forum, which opened on Sept. 25 in a ceremony, drew more than 800 world sports leaders, including about 30 IOC members. The biennial event is organized by the metropolitan city of Busan. WTF President Choue said, "Through such learning, and mental and physical disciplining, it helps sound personal development and self-enhancement of the young." "This, in effect, could curtail them from getting involved in youth delinquency, drugs, alcohol and violence." "The educational value of taekwondo has been recognize by many countries outside Korea," he said. "Last year, the Sichuan and Hunan provinces in China adopted taekwondo as a required course in their elementary schools. Primary schools in the Boston area and Indonesia have introduced taekwondo as a mandatory curriculum. Canada's Chatham College International initiated a residential secondary-school taekwondo program." Taekwondo is not merely a sport, but encompasses excellent cultural values and spirits that cannot be learned from the textbooks, he said. "Sharing these excellent qualities of taekwondo with those who are deprived of the opportunity to learn and practice despite their wish is a noble act of the taekwondo people." Dr. Choue said that there are many people in the world who are deprived of the opportunity to learn and practice sports due to lack of necessary equipment, facilities, instructors, and program, he said. Some countries are desperate and eager to receive any kind of training equipment and uniforms, either new or used. "As part of its efforts to provide them with such necessities, the WTF has expanded its assistance in the form of in-kind contributions to countries in need among its 188 member nations around the world," WTF President Choue said. The WTF has also launched initiatives with other relevant organizations to send taekwondo equipment to the disadvantaged countries and to provide taekwondo training program for coaches and athletes from less developed countries. One ambitious project by the WTF is sending taekwondo instructors to countries in need of assistance to offer programmed physical and mental training to the local people, especially to the disadvantaged youth. In July this year, the WTF, together with GCS International, launched the Taekwondo Peace Corps project of dispatching volunteers from the taekwondo community who wish to share fundamental values and hope through taekwondo. This past summer, the WTF's first 27 Taekwondo Peace Corps members were selected and after a two-week training course, they were dispatched for one month to seven regions in five countries – Russia (Moscow), India (Bombay and Goa), Pakistan (Islamabad), Paraguay (Asuncion) and China (Qingdao and Urumqi). WTF President Choue said the 2008 Summer Taekwondo Peace Corps team were warmly welcomed and appreciated by the host countries. "The impressive turn-out at the training and enthusiasm certainly reflected the yearning of the local youth for an opportunity to learn and practice taekwondo. The Taekwondo Peace Corps presented children, among others, an opportunity and resources to enjoy and play and to share a vision of never-ending hope, optimism and confidence." Based on the experience of this pilot study, WTF President Choue said that the Taekwondo Peace Corps program will be expanded to a twice-a-year, short-term dispatch for two moths, and a long-term dispatch of instructors for six months to two years. "The project will not only be confined to Koreans or solely based in Korea. The establishment of the Taekwondo Peace Corps worldwide will be encouraged with its bases in as many countries as possible, and by incorporating qualified taekwondo instructors of different nationalities," he said. "The expansion will be founded on a close consultation with the WTF's 188 member national associations around the world." He continued to say, "The Taekwondo Peace Corps is just the beginning. Inspired by our experience, I proposed developing the Sport Peace Corps program to expand the initiative globally and to involve other sport-related organizations such as the IOC, U.N. institutions, as well as their network of relations with the sport-related institutions and sponsors." The Sport Peace Corps entails provision of comprehensive sport-related assistance to the underdeveloped countries or the U.N.-assigned areas, he said. "The assistance includes coaching and training service to the local young athletes, supply of equipment and facilities, and finding the means for the competent young people to partake in international sporting events." Dr. Choue concluded his presentation by saying, "Someday my vision of the Sport Peace Corps will be realized to further promote the Olympic ideal, and offer chances to youths from wider range of countries to partake in international sporting events, where they can showcase their athletic talent while enjoying the priceless educational experience." "I assure you that taekwondo will be at the forefront all the way in the course of realizing this vision of sharing love and hope with the world through sport." --__--__-- Message: 6 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Sat, 27 Sep 2008 11:18:26 -0400 From: zisheged@aol.com Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: McDojo's etc. Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I don't have much problem with a shoemaker fixing watches on the side, or Baskin Robbins selling Dunkin' Donuts. You do what you have to do if you want to keep your business site. My point merely is this. I only want to teach Taekwondo. I am a retired school administrator with a pension. Teaching taekwondo is a supplement to my income. It is for that reason that I keep training tough and only for taekwondo. I've got my 50 students and I dare say the number will never increase and may go down. But I provide the kids what I was lucky enough to get when I trained with Dr. Richard Chun many years ago.? I've seen dojangs with candy machines etc. God bless and do whatevr you want to do. I do understand your constraints. Zeishe --__--__-- _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang Subscribe or Unsubscribe: http://the-dojang.net Old digest issues @ ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com/pub/the_dojang Copyright 1994-2008: Ray Terry and http://MartialArtsResource.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember September 11. End of The_Dojang Digest