Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:48:41 +0200 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 15 #262 - 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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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: Now What? (Chris & Cindy Callahan) 2. Re: Re: Now What? (Anthony Zahler) 3. America and its irreversible effects (zisheged@aol.com) 4. Martial art man's 'benefit fraud' (Jerry) 5. Kukkiwon Announcement on Higher Dan Promotion Test (The_Dojang) 6. West Coast Open (The_Dojang) --__--__-- Message: 1 Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:43:18 -0400 From: Chris & Cindy Callahan To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Re: Now What? 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 > > Curt McCauley's comments on disguising repetition is important and a very good idea. But, I think the problem goes much deeper. Based upon what I am seeing locally, many of the school owners and instructors are not fully trained. For example, I can think of 7 important points about a front stance (ahp koobi), 8 important points about an inside middle block (momtong ahn makki), why all TKD blocks spin, etc., etc., etc. While these instructors may have the best of intentions and loads of integrity, if they don't know these intimate details, they can't teach them. If they can't teach these details, their students will never fully understand the techniques. If they don't fully understand a technique, how can they execute it properly, and use it effectively in a self-defense situation? These instructors don't realize how much they don't know. They are mid-level black belts and believe they have been fully trained. As I have stated in previous posts, if this continues, each subsequent generation is going to get, and give, inferior training. So, how do we, as a KMA society, overcome this unawareness? Assuming we can accomplish that, how do we then get past the egos that are bound to flair up when some are shown how much they don't know? Now, to take all of this a step further, I believe many of the problems related to this are due to selfishness. At some point in recent history, someone who new the art fully decided to teach it incompletely for personal, and perhaps financial gain. This selfishness continues today with those same "pioneers" as well as many more recent school owners. So, how do we overcome this selfishness, and teach selflessness? Then there is society in general. We are now a society of instant gratification. For some, there is even this sense of entitlement. Few want to work hard and put in the necessary time. How do we overcome this attitude in society? I realize this was suppose to be an answer to the question "Now what?" But, I believe these are significant problems, and I do not have the answers. I hope someone here does, because I would love to see things change. -Chris --__--__-- Message: 2 Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:55:27 +0200 From: "Anthony Zahler" To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] Re: Now What? Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Part of the problem, IMHO, is the lack of mentorship prevalent in most instructors' schedule. Once we get to 5th or 6th Dan we cut ourselves loose from the Grandmaster who took us there. I was just as guilty of this till recently, I reestablished an ongoing relationship with my grandmaster with the understanding that I need to meet with him at least once a month, more if possible. I know I fell into the trap that none of my senior students (or other instructors) would even think about correcting a mistake they saw me make. Because of the culture of a traditional martial arts school how does a junior black belt address a senior, master or grandmaster about a perceived mistake, real or not? If you are lucky enough to have two or three high level (actual knowledge not McGrandMasters) GM's who will take the time to mentor 4th, 5th and 6th Dans in the intricacies that make our martial studies an art, you would see the REAL trickle down effect of that type of understanding to the younger generation of black belts. As a soon to be 5th Dan, maybe I am speaking out of turn but I know I DON'T know, so I am going to those who should know and that is my new beginning. I also work from a position that students should be taught the right way but each will learn at his/her own pace, no matter how quickly we think they should do it. Our students and, since we are forever students, ourselves, need to learn how we each learn and remember we are like a never finished sculpture. We start from a fresh block of marble, we slowly chip away at the rough edges, refining and polishing our bodies, minds and spirits, then remember to maintain what we have created, constantly. As they say, each journey starts with one small step, we must consistently try to teach what we know, note what we need to work on, and then do it. We then can expect it of our students, as they will see us always striving to be better, the serious ones will follow our example. Whatever organization you are aligned with does not matter, REALLY! It is your intent AND actions that show how much you actually want to increase the level of yourself and your students. Everyone is not meant to be the best but striving for it will make us all better. If after school programs keep a Dojang in business, then how is that a bad thing? If TKD aerobics gets the moms and Barbie's to come into the Dojang, at least they have the opportunity to see what the martial arts side has to offer. Summer programs give kids a healthy outlet and positive place to be around a culture that may lead them to be better in all that they do, even if they don't go on to be Grandmasters. As I re-read this, it sounds a bit like preaching but sometimes my serious students and I need to be reminded that even we need to humble ourselves. We will never know it all, so how can we get down on the students who don't share our passion? Tony Zahler On Mon, Sep 29, 2008 at 2:43 AM, Chris & Cindy Callahan wrote: > Ok we've agreed or disagreed on problems that plague TKD and other KMAs, so > now what? How about a discussion about what can be done to enhance training, > keep student's interest without compromising the art's integrity. Any > thoughts? > > Jye > Curt McCauley's comments on disguising repetition is important and a very good idea. But, I think the problem goes much deeper. Based upon what I am seeing locally, many of the school owners and instructors are not fully trained. For example, I can think of 7 important points about a front stance (ahp koobi), 8 important points about an inside middle block (momtong ahn makki), why all TKD blocks spin, etc., etc., etc. While these instructors may have the best of intentions and loads of integrity, if they don't know these intimate details, they can't teach them. If they can't teach these details, their students will never fully understand the techniques. If they don't fully understand a technique, how can they execute it properly, and use it effectively in a self-defense situation? These instructors don't realize how much they don't know. They are mid-level black belts and believe they have been fully trained. As I have stated in previous posts, if this continues, each subsequent generation is going to get, and give, inferior training. So, how do we, as a KMA society, overcome this unawareness? Assuming we can accomplish that, how do we then get past the egos that are bound to flair up when some are shown how much they don't know? Now, to take all of this a step further, I believe many of the problems related to this are due to selfishness. At some point in recent history, someone who new the art fully decided to teach it incompletely for personal, and perhaps financial gain. This selfishness continues today with those same "pioneers" as well as many more recent school owners. So, how do we overcome this selfishness, and teach selflessness? Then there is society in general. We are now a society of instant gratification. For some, there is even this sense of entitlement. Few want to work hard and put in the necessary time. How do we overcome this attitude in society? I realize this was suppose to be an answer to the question "Now what?" But, I believe these are significant problems, and I do not have the answers. I hope someone here does, because I would love to see things change. -Chris _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list, 2,400 members The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net Copyright 1994-2008: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply Subscribe or Unsubscribe: http://the-dojang.net --__--__-- Message: 3 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:57:55 -0400 From: zisheged@aol.com Subject: [The_Dojang] America and its irreversible effects Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net I'm old enough to remember going to the local grocery and buying cheese cut from a block, and various other products not mass produced and packaged. I remember local hardware stores, and later on small video outlets. Forget about prices, the scale on which we operated was far more intimate as was martial arts. All I knew back i n? the 60's was my master. I knew we were part of MooDukKwan but for $10 a month we got 4 hours a week of tough training with the politics not evident. All our dojang did was martial arts and about 60% dropped out by green belt. We now have far more martial arts options and all competing with each other. We all seem to agree its been watered down. It will never be what it once was. Eventually, there will be mergers and more splits. True many more will have martial arts but few will ever know what it was like.? Recently a saw a flyer that reaD," oNLY $99 a month, free uniform and shortest route to black belt! If you enroll now, free jacket with 6 month contract".? I wonder if I signed up for one year, if they'd throw in a free martial arts decoder ring? Zeishe --__--__-- Message: 4 Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:45:57 -0400 To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net From: Jerry Subject: [The_Dojang] Martial art man's 'benefit fraud' Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net BBC NEWS Martial art man's 'benefit fraud' A man running twice-weekly martial arts courses was overpaid £11,100 disability living allowance, a court has heard. A fraud investigator watched Adrian Blayney, 49, teaching choi kwang do at Aberdare, Neath magistrates were told. But Mr Blayney, of Cimla, Neath, told the court his role in the classes at Aberdare was mostly supervisory. He denies failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of changing circumstances, and the trial continues. Prosecutor Claire Templeton told the court Mr Blayney had been claiming the allowance at the highest rate. This was for people either unable to walk or able to walk only in severe pain. He was also in receipt of care allowance at the lowest rate for help in preparing his main meal of the day. There's not a day I can honestly say I'm without pain Adrian Blayney DWP fraud investigator David Williams told the court in October 2006 they received a tip-off Mr Blayney was teaching martial arts in Neath and Aberdare. On two occasions, he travelled to a leisure centre in Aberdare where he observed Mr Blayney taking classes. "He seemed to be demonstrating certain movements - lifting his arm and turning his body," said Mr Williams. He said Mr Blayney, who was dressed in a black uniform with gold lettering, was walking around the hall and interacting with the students. Mr Blayney was interviewed under caution in January 2007 and his entitlement to the benefits has since been withdrawn. 'Rest' Giving evidence, Mr Blayney said while working for Ethnic Cuisine in Swansea in 2001 he slipped in a chiller, badly injuring his back. The following year, he suffered a heart attack, which he said made the condition worse. The court heard he was on daily medication for pain relief. "There's not a day I can honestly say I'm without pain," he said. "I can walk a bit but I walk with severe discomfort." He told the court that his role running the courses was largely supervisory, with other instructors involved in the more physical aspects. "I walk around and rest, walk around and rest," he added. He said he was involved in teaching close range moves such as hand-grabs and pressure points, which did not involve "large or sudden movements". The court heard that he was overpaid between April 2003 and December 2006. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_west/7642165.stm Published: 2008/09/29 12:57:58 GMT © BBC MMVIII -- --__--__-- Message: 5 Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:48:34 -0700 From: The_Dojang To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Kukkiwon Announcement on Higher Dan Promotion Test Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Notice : Kukkiwon Announcement on Higher Dan Promotion Test The Kukkiwon will hold the fourth Higher Dan Promotion Test for this year on Dec. 6, 2008 at the Kukkiwon. Those who have met the requirements for the test such as time passage from the previous Dan promotion and age limit, as stipulated in Article 8 of the Regulations of the Kukkiwon Dan Promotion Test, are eligible for the application. There will be a lecture on poomsae for the participants from 8 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. on the same day. Korean residents are eligible for promotion from 6th through 9th Dan. Foreign residents are eligible for 8th and 9th Dan only. Requirements Dan Time lapse since last Dan promotion Age ============================================================ 6th Dan 5 years (promoted to 5th Dan prior to Dec. 31, 2003) 30+ 7th Dan 6 years (promoted to 6th Dan prior to Dec.31, 2002) 36+ 8th Dan 8 years (promoted to 7th Dan prior to Dec.31, 2000) 44+ 9th Dan 9 years (promoted to 8th Dan prior to Dec.31, 1999) 53+ For further information, please contact the Kukkiwon's International Division either at 82-2-561-9529 (telephone) or 82-2-563-4398(fax). --__--__-- Message: 6 Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:14:49 -0700 From: The_Dojang To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] West Coast Open Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net The 4th Invitational WEST COAST OPEN Hosted by Jue's Taekwon-Do Event Date: October 10-11, 2008 Dear Masters, Instructors and Students, You are cordially invited to participate in the 4th Invitational West Coast Open. This tournament is open to all schools. There will be a power and technical breaking competition held on Friday, Oct. 10, 2008 at the studio of Jue's Taekwon-Do. The patterns and sparring tournament will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Hart Middle School in Pleasanton. All details (registration forms, judging forms and general information) are included in this package. Please note the tournament registration deadline. Registration forms and payment for the tournament must be received by Oct. 1st. No registration will be accepted after the deadline date. Emails stating intent to compete will not be accepted. There will be no "at-door" registration. Please visit us at www.juestkd.com for more information or call us at 925.484.0308. We can also be reached by email at juestkd@hotmail.com. I look forward to seeing you in Pleasanton in October! Yours in Taekwon-Do, Gordon Jue, VII Dan Jue's Taekwon-Do --__--__-- _______________________________________________ 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