Akai Bushi

[hiko]

Akai Bushi, this is off topic (for the forum but not for you). I had some questions about TKD. If you would like to talk about it, we can do it here or you can pm me. I would prefer chat or email, but if you don't want to, that's ok. I'm asking this because, TKD is all there is in my area, and I had some questions about it.

[Akai Bushi]

You can ask me whatever you wish. I'll try my best to answer. My roommate is a 3rd dan so he should beable to if I can't.

I don't really give out my email but you can ask me here.

[hiko]

Akai Bushi, I have this concern about kicking in MA. There seems to be a "right" way and a "wrong" way to perform kicks. The wrong way ruins the hips, and from what I've heard, it sounds like the prominent way to execute kicks, (since so many "dojos" out there don't really know what they are doing). I heard that if you are kicking properly, you don't have to stretch, as long as your muscles are strong enough to lift the leg that high. Also, I've heard that needing to stretch for a kick is a sign of poor technique.

I have some other questions, not just for TKD though.

You recommended "The unfettered mind." I was thinking about getting that once, but there are 2 versions on Amazon. Which one do you have?

Your quote: "If you don't like SAKE there is something wrong with you."
Have you had sake? I started studying Japanese culture recently, so I looked up sake. There's so many different kinds, would you be able to help me get some? I'd like to try it.

Like me, you study Japanese culture and history. From the posts I've read, it seems you know quite a lot. Are you self taught? If so, what material did you use? I took a Japanese Culture class at UND, but it was research based, and we didn't cover a whole lot of Japanese culture.

I have other questions about TKD, but I'll wait for you to answer the first one. I hope this isn't too much, thanks for the help.

[Akai Bushi]

I recommend this version you really cant go wrong with Kodansha.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...857630-6035845

The thing about stretching is it's important to do so so that you won't hurt yourself in the long run. If you just keep practising without stretching by the time your 30 or so your muscles and joints will not be feeling so good. Not everyone can throw the perfect kick everytime. Even just running is hard on the knees. Now it is true that in a real fight you don;t have time to stretch, but that's different than practising everyother day and not stretching. Your muscles and joints will take alot of wear if you don;t warm up then stretch over a prolonged period of time.

The main thing to look at when looking for a DOJANG is if the school is part of the WTF or ITF. As well as if the teacher is worth his salt. Usually it's best to have a teacher 3rd dan or over.

For Japanese history I recommend reading these three books.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...857630-6035845
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...857630-6035845
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books
These pretty much cover most of my knowledge of Japanese history.
There are a few others, but these are the best for your money.

[hiko]

Thanks, I'll definetly order that unfettered mind book. As for the Japanese history ones, I'll have to wait on those. I've got all these others books about Zen and things related. I also have the novel "Musashi" which is like over 900 pages... I keep finding books that I like and spontaneously buying them. Anyway ...

Some more TKD questions!

1. How long have you been in TKD?
2. What types of injuries have you suffered?
3. How often, and at what times of the day, do you train on your own?
4. Is your TKD traditional or is it the more "hybrid self-defense?"
5. What have you gained from practicing TKD

Is that new avatar from Robot Chicken? I liked the Laguna one, do you play FF games?

[hiko]

Wow ... I thought your avatar was a chicken lol!

Hey, it kinda looks like it ... is that a screen shot from Shogun: Total war clip?

[Akai Bushi]

1. I've been doing TKD for 12 years, but I haven't advanced beyond 1st dan because it's so expensive to test.
2. I've cut my foot breaking boards(splintered). Been nailed pretty hard in the gut with back kicks. Tore a leg muscle which put me out of TKD for about 6months(that was from not warming up before doing the splits).
3. Unfortunately I do train on my own now. I moved away from my hometown to finish college. I am not graced by the instruction of my Kwan Jang Nym(Grand Master Instructor) anymore.
I've been ready to test for 2nd dan for a few years now.
4. Well my TKD is a mix of WTF sparring and ITF/WTF forms. Then self defense techniques as well. I've also taken 6 months of southern Wushu, which has modified my TKD a little bit.
5.Countless things. Physically and mentally.

I don't remember where I found it, but it fits my name Akai Bushi quite well.

And yes I do play FF games beat'n ff7, ff8, and ff10.
You sound really interested in Japan are you sure there are no Japanese styles in your town?
There are quite a few styles to choose from.
Wado-ryu
Judo
Jujutsu
Aikido
Aikikai
I'm not saying Tae Kwon Do it bad, but its good to check out all the options.
Korea also has other really effective arts
Hapkido
Tang Soo Do
Kuk Sul(spelling?)
Hwarangdo
There is also Chinese styles.
I think the most effective Chinese style is probably Chin Na. That's just my opinion though. Becareful though because most Chinese arts like to charge high prices when their arts are just as effective as the Japanese and Korean counterparts.

[Akai Bushi]

And about SAKE almost forgot.
I drink(sip, supposed to be siped unless you want to get wasted) it now and then. Really don't have any preferance. I just drink it. Basically try some different brands to see what you like.
I have better knowledge of Wine and Beer.
I got my signature from Samurai X. Its from when Kenshin was a child and was
told this by his master Hiko.

[hiko]

What exactly does Akai Bushi mean?

12 years, that's quite a long time. How often do you practice on your own?

Actually, there is only TKD here. There are 3 to 4 places (inluding the YMCA ... no thanks). I tried one place that was Kuk Sool Won, but it seemed really half-assed. The "black belt" instructors were heavy-set and out of shape, seemed to concentrate on superficial aspects. the black-belt students seemed lazy. Also, the cost was $50/month, and when you become Black Belt this increases to $90! And you had to pay extra if you wanted to learn weapons on the week ends.
But there is this one place called "Championship TKD" and it is WTF. The thing that sounds good about this place is that they don't require sparring and tournaments. It's up to the student when they want to do that stuff. I like this idea, because I'm afraid of getting some wacko sparring partner that just wants to show off, which just results in injuries. At this place, cost is $45/month and belt testing is every three months. They say it takes 4 years to get Black Belt with this method.
There are no karate places. UND has a couple martial arts clubs, with karate, judo, and tkd. However, it is a university club, not a dojo. To me, this translates as a bunch of UND students that don't really know what they are doing. I hear about a lot of injuries from things like clubs.
There also is a kung fu place, yet highly americanized. I mean, they listen to music while they work out!
That's it in small town North Dakota ... yeah it really sucks.

How expensive is it to test? Is it like $300? I read that some where. I can't believe they even charge money for that. What is involved in the process?

Are there any books you would suggest? I have one titled "Korean Karate," which they also refer to as "TKD." It's from like 1970, maybe that explains it. Funny thing is, for it's age, it points out things that can mess up your joints and stuff... I find this uncommon in modern books.

I still have to beat FFX. My all time favorite game is FF3 (FFVI j).

What are you doing in college? I'm an Enlish major for secondary ed.

About Hiko's quote, I recently saw Samurai X. He says that if you live a good, natural life, sake is good. However, if you live a bad life, the sake is also bad. So I guess if the sake is not good to you, there is something wrong with you. So, how does the sake taste to you?

[hiko]

Aku Soku Zan ... does that mean "Slay evil swiftly?"

[Akai Bushi]

Akai Bushi= Red Warrior

Well I try and practice twice a week at least.

4 years is kind of long just to get 1st dan. Most schools take around 3 years.

Unversity schools are really only good if they have a team.

Not many books I can recommend because it's difficult to learn from a book.

It was $300 for 1st dan and an additional $100 for each dan after. The test involves Forms, One Steps, Sparring, Breaking, and a thesis.

Avoid schools where the teacher says he's a gazillionth dan. Usually unless he's korean you won't have a TKD teacher over 6th dan.

The main thing is, in any dojo, judge the instructor, is it someone I can respect as my teacher.

[Hisham]

There is also Chinese styles.
I think the most effective Chinese style is probably Chin Na. That's just my opinion though.

Sorry to intervene in your discussion ,i just want to tell you that Chin Na isn't a style on its own many chinese styles have a Chin Na part in them.

Please continue and sorry again.

[hiko]

What do you typically do when you practice?

The instructor for that WTF place, she's a 3rd dan.

So how did you choose the name "Akai Bushi?"

Also, where the heck are you? Your posting times are wierd ... it ususually says you post before I post... is this some kind of time/space trick?

(also, please ignore Hisham. He made a point I guess, but this is between you and I. I don't want this to become one of those threads where people randomly jump in and throw in their 2 cents that has nothing to do with the topic).

[hiko]

I don't know how to edit posts ... anyway, I was too hard on Hisham.

[Akai Bushi]

Hashim is right about Chin Na. I just feel it is the most effective part of Chinese martial arts.

I picked Akai Bushi because I like the color red. I feel it is a color of power.