Taekwondo Training

2/27/10

No class this week. It wasn’t a bad thing since it gave me a chance to practice what I had learned last week.

A funny thing happened in class last week. She was showing us a sparring form. I kept getting too close to the other person and making it difficult to deliver that kick we were working on. When I got in close, I wanted to do a leg sweep, flip or hold on the other person and had to really think about the kicks that we were supposed to be practicing. I guess that this was my first “muddy moment.”

Many of the instructors that I have talked to asked if it was going to be difficult to learn so many forms in such a short time. While we are learning and practicing, it isn’t difficult to keep them separated. I guess when it comes time to spar, it might get a bit more muddy. It will be interesting to see how it develops.

Taekwondo Training

2/20/10

This week we learned the side kick and worked on a form. She also talked a little bit about the various stances in TKD (front stance, back stance and horse stance). She also introduced a sparring combination (angled step, front kick, front kick, punch, punch). There was a lot happening in the class today and I do not remember it all very well.

She invited another student to join the class, so we could not film much today. She was also trying to teach the other student (two belts above me) other things for her belt. It made the class a little confusing.

Aikido Training

This week we found an Aikido instructor. The classes will start in March. I think Aikido will be challenging for me because many of the moves are very complicated. Once I learn the moves, it will be great! Getting there is going to be a lot of practice.

Expenses of Training

I have been addressing the expenses involved in the project. The project involves training in at least three different forms of martial arts, maintaining a web site, gathering data, interviewing instructors, writing articles and blogs, etc. For the training, I am training for one hour a week and practicing for 15 minutes a day, three days a week. I think that this is the minimum time a person would be willing to invest.

If I was seeking training as the average person, I would be very happy with the cost. Many of the studios/schools offer free uniforms with at least a 6-month contract, if they require one at all. The monthly tuition generally allows a student to attend many classes a week. From what I have seen, the consumer is getting a good deal.

Honestly, this is a great time to get involved with martial arts/self defense. There are a lot of different styles to choose from and the rates are pretty reasonable

Expenses of Training

Unfortunately, I do not have three instructors. One instructor is too expensive, one instructor does not want to be involved and one instructor is actually training us. So here we are, searching again. All of the problems that come up are expenses; expenses in time, energy, sanity and money. Okay let me list some of the expenses of the projects so far:

-Money: Obviously money is going to be an issue. We need money for training, uniforms, domain and hosting charges, software, ink, paper, and camera equipment. We are constantly trying to think of ways to get money for the project.

-Time: Scheduling training and interviews around our different work schedules.

-Energy: This is a big expense. Luckily, we all love what we are doing in this project. This makes the expense of energy seem fine. But, all of us are putting in many, many hours a week to make this project work.

-Sanity: Hmmm… This is questionable. Did any of the team have any to start with? Each of us has been frustrated, irritated, confused and annoyed with the project. Each of us has been excited, elated, energized and eager about the project. The constant up and down takes its toll on sanity.

Each of these expenses is dealt with every day. Our enthusiasm keeps us going.

Taekwondo Training

1/23/10

It is a little strange taking martial arts classes again. The uniform feels strange and I am constantly adjusting it. I wore a tank top underneath the uniform; big mistake! I was pulling and adjusting and sweating. I won’t be making this mistake again.

In this class we learned the low block, straight punch, a specific method of stepping and the high block. The moves were totally unfamiliar and the ready stance was very uncomfortable and unnatural. I would not fight from this stance.

I have to practice this low block before the next class. I am horrible at it. It seems like a silly move.

1/30/10

Sue (the instructor) asked if we had learned the tenants (courage, integrity, perseverance, self control, indomitable spirit). Neither of us had learned them. I was so busy practicing the low block, I didn’t even think of them.

This uniform (dobok) is a little strange. It has long slits up the sides that hang open. Once you get moving in the class, it rides up and exposes your skin. I don’t happen to care about being exposed but, it does get a little uncomfortable.

So, we learned a front kick, and she got more into the punch. We also worked on the blocks, especially the one I am so terrible at. She also informed us that we are going to be learning a form, which incorporates all the moves she is teaching us. My homework for the week will be tenants and blocks.

2/6/10

We dove right into the beginning of the form that we must learn. She demonstrated it and then we worked on the various turns that are involved. This form is not as complicated as it can be. The moves are pretty repetitious. We also worked on the blocks and the front kick. She introduced the natural stance for sparring.