Quit or not to Quit, that is the question... NOT!

Master Scota has told me that there are plateaus we reach in training. I have reached one, and even descended a little.

Two weeks ago I pulled a ham-string. Not seriously, but enough that it was reminiscent of the time I accidentally made contact with 220v AC current. It was not exactly painful, but it didn't feel good, the muscle hurt more, but the electric jolt was similar.

Since that time I have been in a slump. I couldn't go to class the next session, and then I have felt a nagging twinge in that muscle every time I try to do a side or round-house kick.

Add that to the fact that my wife, due to a condition in her feet which coudn't get better while she was coming to class, had to quit, and I have felt like quitting.

I don't want to! I see so many benefits. My muscles are stronger, my blood-pressure is lower. I am actually learning some things.

I wish we could go to the regional championships in Myrtle Beach, but it won't work out this year. Maybe next year. We'll see.

I told Master Scota, that I'm not going to quit, I'm just at that point where I feel like quitting. However, I'll press on, and I'll try to be more elaborate in my posts here.

Bink

forms, techniques, and stretches, kicks, arg... Keep a white-belt mentality!

With each new class I learn something new. Last night we went through the forms or Hyungs (my family and I only know the first two, Sae Kye Hyung Il Bu, and Sae Kye Hyung E bu).

Since we have promoted to Yellow Belt or 9th Gup we are in a class with other Yellow belts, orange belts, Orange with a stripe, Green, and green with a stripe belts. The class moves quickly, and it seems hard to concentrate.

However, I remember when we first started working as a class at the beginner level and they would move us through the various exercises, it all seemed very fast and difficult to pick up then as well.

I think that what Master Scota has said at almost every promotion fits so well. Keep a white belt attitude. In other words don't forget what you know but come into each class knowing that there is so much that you have to learn! That we are beginners, at least at that stage, and if we can maintain that level of humility, to remember that we are all Cho Bo Ja (beginners) then we can learn the most.

There are regional Championships in Myrtle Beach in November, unfortunately I and my family won't be able to attend.

I'm certain it would be embarrassing on some levels, but then if I remember that I am Cho Bo Ja, there can be no embarrassment. My boys would really enjoy it, unfortunately due to work issues we won't be able to go.

I will plan for the competitions next year!

Ko Map Sum Ni Da

Jonathan Wagner

Cho Bo Ja

Rolls, Stop-Falls, and Pain

Well, tonight, we learned how to do front rolls and back rolls. And even worked on stop-falls. Very fun, but wow it's hard.
I have spent the last 30+ years (I'm 41) trying NOT to fall on the ground and here I am having to do it on purpose! ACK!!

Ah well, I'll learn I'll do it. It's sort of fun. But Wow it's hard to overcome years of self conditioning to NOT fall down. So, we will have to find out what it takes to learn how to fall down on purpose. Maybe if someone were to push me it would help...

I don't know.

I'm writing short blog entries on classes now so I can remember when we learned various things.

We are going to the makeup class on Saturday morning... that should be fun. Master Scota suggested we stay for the sparring class as well... YIKES!

9th Gup... or maybe just 10th - .5

Tonight at class we tested for the Yellow Belt or, 9th gup. There were several of us going through the forms and process, but I believe only 7 of us were actually testing.

We started with the basic walking kicks, I still have so much trouble with my side and round-house kicks, but I decided that if I at least took my time and showed that I know HOW they are to be executed, even if my body isn't cooperating, that it would be good.

The one kick I'm fairly good at is the front kick. I like that kick! ;) I know I know the side kick is the power-house... I'll get it once my hips decide that it's not instant pain time when I try to execute a side kick! (still looking for any stretches that will help with this. I have done several variations that help some but any suggestions are appreciated!)

After we did the walking kicks we went through the 3 hand forms that we have learned, not perfect but sound enough to pass muster!

The Shim Sa Kwan Nim (Test administrator) was master Scota, he has a very high level of expectation, and I was hopeful that we would be able to meet it. I think we did. One thing he said when speaking to my youngest son (9) was, "a test isn't anything to be nervous about it just testifies what you already know." I like that because tests always make me nervous.

We then moved into the Sae Kye Hyung Il Bu (Worlds wide first form - as I understand the translation) First Master Scota had 4 of us step out in the middle of the floor and do the form, then he had the other 5, and then he had us all go through the form again.

While Master Scota has very high expectations, he also is very supportive and realistic, at least as long as you are working and trying to get it. I have a feeling that if he thinks you are slacking that the level of understanding will deteriorate rapidly. I have no evidence of that, but I suspect that his requirements are, rightly so, that his students do their best, and anything less is unacceptable.

I agree, what is the point of going to class twice a week if you are simply not going to try. If you never work on what we learned in class, while at home, never consider what the mechanics involved are, or the why of a particular movement.

For example, when performing the third hand technique (forgive me I don't recall the Korean name) you first step to the left in a horse stance, using your right hand, in a knife edge form, to block the incoming punch. At this point you could simply step to the right and chop the side of your opponents neck with your knife edge hand, but if you do the move correctly, there is more power. As you step to the right (or left depending) fold your arms with the knife hand folded across your chest to the left, and the lower, right hand folded across your ribs to the right. As you step pull the left arm back with as much force as you apply to the knife hand moving forward to the side of your opponents neck.

This will do two things, provide exceptional backwards power to your left elbow, in case there is another opponent there, and the equal and opposite reaction flows to the knife hand, moving power and strength releasing an arrow.

This technique provides times more power to the move than a simple chop. Why? it's simple mechanics. When you fold your arms you are stretching the muscles int eh opposite directions of where you are moving them, and then releasing them quickly has the effect of releasing the stretched bands of muscle with increased force. Of course an appropriately times Ki hap (yell) will add greater force and impact.

I don't know if that makes sense, it's how I think. I have a goal to make Tang Soo Do a part of my life. I don't know that sparring and competitions will be crucial to me, personally, but I will increase my skills and work as hard at this as I work on other things in life, as a bonus, since my entire family is doing this, there is motivation and encouragement not to give up.

It would be easy to say I don't feel like it. I just found out that I have high blood pressure. Ugh! However, while I have to monitor myself till I adjust to the medicine I firmly believe that practicing Tand Soo Do will help me lose weight and lower my blood pressure. Not feeling like it isn't much of an option when you have 3 boys and a wife all taking class with you. It's really cool.

Once I get some pictures form our promotion I'll post them here for everyone to see.

I step into the 9th gup knowing that there is so much more to learn between this point and the next that it makes what I have already learned look like nothing. But I'm ready to start.

When we first started I didn't feel like I would ever get the basics down. I can do about 20 push ups now(I know that's not much but before I had a hard time with 5) I can get about 45-50 crunches out before I have to stop as opposed to 20-30. I can keep up with the jumping jacks (unless Miss Skulley is leading her infamous hyper-time jumps) and while I can't do a full split very well, yet, I can do a side split that is much closer to the floor than when I started!

Long story short(er) I have progressed further than I thought I could. I was watching some new students tonight as we were going through the form and various exercises. Not that long ago I was ore lost than they are, wondering how those folks over there were able to keep in sync and do what the instructors asked.

It was amazing and is amazing. I'll let you know what else happens!

Sae Kye Hyung Il Bu - World Form #1 - Tang Soo Do

We have been studying the First form. Here is a video I found that's pretty good. http://bit.ly/wmLkA I don't understand why some people do the form with punches down the center instead of kicks.

At any rate. Classes have been progressing. Moving has been progressing, life has been progressing!

I actually look forward to class because when I'm inside the four walls of the dojang I don't have to consider anything else. That's my whole world.

I can focus on what the master is telling us to do and doing it correctly.

We are soon to be yellow belts, I can't hardly believe it, but it's happening none-the less. I look at where we are now after just a few short months and see where we are, and I'm surprised. I see the new-comers working to get the basics that we take for granted and I'm amazed at where we now are.

I'm not sure about the test... I have never tested well.. I'll just have to remember that I'm doing this for health and fun and it doesn't matter about anything else.

I can also take courage in those four walls. The dojang is a safe place. it's not a church but it reminds me of how I feel when I am in church, safe and ready to do whatever I'm asked to do.

Some folks might take offense to that, I don't intend any. I am a pastor and I compare most things to church, and the fact that when I'm at the dojang I feel about the same way I feel at church says a lot about the respect and honor everyone has for Master Scota.

I'll let you know about the test. We have class tonight I don't know if we will be tested tonight or next Tuesday.

I'll keep you informed.