I'd be interested to know what arts others on this forum have studied, and it would be helpful background for other threads dealing with specific routines/techniques.
So without further ado here's mine:
'87-'90: During high school I sparred informally with friends who did TKD (the only art taught locally in our small town) and some Jeet Kune Do principles, mainly for self defense purposes.
After this I was with a Tai Chi club for a bit until starting up with a Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate club (1994-95). Trained Goju for two years until I left for Japan. Many of the people had done other Karate styles, weapons, boxing etc... so it was a fairly eclectic group.
It was during this time that UFC 2 came out on video and my friends & I were instantly hooked. We started working on things we saw Royce Gracie & others doing.
1995-97: Shorin-Ryu Karate/Kobudo (Okinawan weapons system) in Matsudo, Japan. Earned my 1st degree black belt while here. This was a period of intense training, often 5 days a week with a pretty hardcore group of people & a demanding teacher. He demanded much in the way of dedication & attitude, in addition to performance. A good attitude, politeness, morals/compassion in & outside of school was stressed and if he heard about you doing something unbecoming you got a beating and/or were kicked out. No questions asked.
1998: Aikido with a group in Colorado
1998-2000: Budo club at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. An eclectic group with teachers who's main backgrounds were Judo & Jiu-Jitsu. Also had instructors in TKD, and guys with alot of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and Sambo training. No belt testing but a number of the members were black belts in various arts so we'd help each other out.
2001-2003: self training in Japan. Career building and little time to join another school.
2003: Trained Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with 2 brown belts under Rickson Gracie in Ventura, CA. Loved the training but a couple of knee injuries put an end to my BJJ training.
2004-present: Training mostly stand-up on my own but still do some grappling drills and try to keep up on techniques.
This has been a good excercise as it's been awhile since I've thought of some of the people I've trained with. Good times.
Badass? No. Jack of a few trades and master of none is more like it.
No I didn't train directly under Rickson, but with 2 guys who have been with him 10 years.
What's sad is that since not being able to grapple due to the knee injuries we moved to West L.A exactly 5 BLOCKS from Rickson's school [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] I've been over there & met he & his family. Nice people. They said I shouldn't train until the knee is no longer symptomatic, but I just don't know if doing BJJ again is worth the risk.
Please forgive the length of this explanation; if I talk about my training and accomplishment, I must recognize my instructors and superiors. To not do so would be, I think, improper. I also hope that my chronology can help others to recognize that even older people, or people with marginal talent, can take on new challenges and achieve great things if they just continue to show up and put in the time, one step or one class at a time.
I began my current training at North Shore Taekwondo under Master Bruce Sodahl, 4th Dan, here in Duluth, Minnesota in September of 1993 (as a chubby and out of shape 33 year old). Our schools are part of the Greenquist Academy Association of Master Eric Greenquist, Sixth Dan, which is part the family of schools within the International Black Belt Federation (IBBF), begun by our 9th Dan grandmaster, Moo Yong Yun, and recognized by the Kukkiwon (the world taekwondo headquarters in Korea).
Twelve-plus years later, I am fortunate to have never stopped training, and have gotten progressively deeper into my practice and instruction.
Our taekwondo system is actually a blend of taekwondo and hapkido. Our training is traditional and self-defense oriented, but we have some sport taekwondo focus for students who are interested in that. (Actually, our style of hapkido has been described as battlefield hapkido.)
I achieved Third Dan in Taekwondo (Kukkiwon Certified) in 2001. Upon the recommendation of the head of our association, my next testing opportunity will be for Fourth Dan/Master Instructor & Examiner.
Because of the integration of Hapkido in our system, I was able to train with and test for First Dan certification in Hapkido in August of 2000, under 7th Dan Grandmaster Sang Ki Lee, a representative of the Korea Hapkido Association visiting the US. In a training trip to Korea in March of 2003, I had the opportunity to train and test for Second Dan, Hapkido, in an examination by Grandmaster Lee in Soeul.
Our own Grandmaster Yun introduced Kumbup/Kumdo (traditional sword techniques, and sport fighting with bamboo swords) to the IBBF schools in the late 1990's. I began training in Kumbup/Kumdo under Master Eric Greenquist in Breckenridge, Minnesota in February of 1999. (We would travel 5 hours across the state for monthly, afternoon training sessions; we did this for nearly five years. Now I can train in Duluth under my instructor.) I tested for and achieved First Dan in Kumbup/Kumdo on that trip to Korea in 2003 before an examination board of the Intenational Kumbup Kumdo Federation, Grandmaster Chang-Joo Jung, Head Examiner. I subsequently also tested and was recognized as First Dan under an examiner of the Kum Ae Dang, our own Kumdo/Kumbup organization in the US which was started by Grandmaster Yun.
I have operated my own school in Cloquet, Minnesota for three and a half years. I had many years of assistant instructing at my instructor's school prior to that (I suppose at some point I became the chief assistant instructor, or my instructor's "second in command"). I also taught several regular/continuing successful/popular after-school programs for youth for a number of years prior to operating my own school.
So, I teach, but I remain a student of my instructor, and of his instructor (Master Greenquist -- to become Grandmaster Greenquist in Korea this Spring, I think and hope!), as well a student of all of the masters and grandmasters within our family and, most of all, of Grandmaster Yun. I -- we all -- are very fortunate to have such a family.
My journey in Martial Arts actually started in my junior year in high school in 1984. My then step-dad had started taking Tai Chi at a local school in Indy. While I never attended any classes with him, he would show me what he'd learned when I visited my mom and him on weekends. It was really cool to be doing that with my "dad", even though I wasn't formerly in a "class".
During my first year in college at Miami University in Oxford, OH, I really got away from Tai Chi, but never lost interest. I just couldn't find anyone who taught it in the area. As I started my sophomore year and my "actor's training" classes, I discovered that my movement instructor was also a Tai Chi instructor. Many of our "movement" classes over the next 3 years (1987-1990) consisted of Tai Chi.
After college graduation, I moved back home and began working for my family's business (after a year or two of trying my hand at acting/modeling professionally) and I found a local Jiu-Jitsu instructor at the gym where I was weight training. That was 1992, and unfortuantely it only lasted for about 6 months before the gym closed and our instructor moved to parts unknown.
I married a wonderful woman in 1993, and since money was tight for a few years, I decided to drop any martial arts training for the time being. Well, a "couple of years" quicky turned into 11! Yikes! I finally decided in March '05 to make the financial and time committment to Tae Kwon Do here in Heber Springs, AR. My instructor is Kevin Roy, a 4th degree Black Belt and associated with ATA. For him TKD is truly a "family" activity as his wife is a 2nd degree BB and both his children are enrolled in the Tiny Tigers program at our school.
Through a lot of hard work, dedication and attending added classes through the summer months, I've worked my way up from white belt to purple belt. I've also joined the Black Belt Club, which basically means that I've made the committment to TKD to attain the rank of Black Belt no matter how long it takes.
Man, kuri! I had no idea that you've so much training. That's awesome! I certainly hope the knee heals to a point where you can get into it, if that's what you want to do.
I had some glimpses into Chris's background through conversations with him. But, that resumé is still highly impressive! What an accomplishment, bro! You're certainly a role model to look up to!
Jamie: I know you're not insinuating this, but in rereading that post, I want to note that I'm not trying to impress anyone. In my martial arts family, I usually don't feel like too much of a bit shot; in fact, in many instances I could feel like a peon, since there are so many higher ranking masters around who've been training 20-30 years under Grandmaster Yun.
I also wanted to make the point to members/visitors that dabbling in martial arts -- trying a little of this for a few months, and a little of that later on for a few more -- is fine, I suppose, if that's what you want to do and is all you want.
However, I can speak to the great value of sticking with your training and remaining loyal and dedicated to one's instructors and to a tradition. The time will come (as it did for me) to branch out into some other training. But those opportunities only came after attaining black belt, which, I feel, is about like a high school diploma in the martial arts. After that, you can start getting into deeper study.
So, to all of you martial arts drop-outs: get back and finish high school! You can do it, no matter how old you are or how long you’ve been inactive.
Chris, you're correct that I wasn't even trying to insinuate that you were trying to impress anyone. However, you should celebrate your accomplishment thus far. I know it is very rare for anyone in martial arts to stick with it till they attain black belt. If I remember correctly, ATA pegs that number at about 1 in 100, or something insane like that. It takes dedication, perseverance, loyalty and time.
All that said, your journey in your training is still impressive to anyone who's just starting out. That's MY perspective, and it's something for ME to look up to. Humility is a definitely a grand trait, but face it, lower belts still look up to you. With your rank and years of experience also comes respect and admiration from younger trainees. You do need to understand and face that aspect in your journey. There's no getting around it.
Once again, that's simply MY perspective from the lower ranks/years.
I wish you well on your continued journey and future successes. And, I still look up to you, bro! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
I agree with Chris C that in most cases black belt is *usually* a point that signifies a student has reached a basic understanding of an art.
But I also know plenty of people who have trained in BJJ & Judo for 10 years or more, who are very knowledgable teachers in their own right, yet don't hold dan ranks.
I've seen BJJ white belts school Judo black belts. I've seen Judo white belts school black belts in Karate. And I've been schooled by others in EVERY place I've trained [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] It all boils down to the individual.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that over the years rank has become less important in my mind (though it is important in the teacher-student relationship) and I try and assess people by how they act on & off the matt rather than by what holds their pants up.
My understanding of MA, and thus goals, have changed over the years and am fortunate at having been able to train with a number of excellent practitioners.
It never hurts to explore and see what's out there, but sticking with good teachers, when one is fortunate enough to find one, is the way to go. Hopefully I can settle down and do that again someday soon.
I definitely speak from the place of having found an excellent teacher -- actually, teachers-- and a tremendous system. I share your (Kuri) feelings about assessing people by how they act. I've seen too many students from non-traditional or informal schools with too much testerone and too much attitude. Our approach either weeds those kinds of students out (by there own choice; they can't handle or choose not to accept the combination of manners, respect and discipline), or it helps to transform them.
I respect anyone who has done hard work, and/or has attained high skill, and is a decent person to boot. However, there are skilled fighters who have never trained formally in their lives. For most people, unless competition/fighting is their main focus, it is the character development of consistency, dedication, perseverance, and humility from regular training in a particular system that is of prime benefit to them.
Since Chris said to post what training I have take, I will, even though it isn't much. In the 90's I took a bit of Shotokan Karate, I didn't test for the white belt, but would have received it. I then changed over to boxing. I took some classes for a year then the coach asked me to compete. I didn't but he ask then for me to coach. I ended up coaching for 5 years. I would train all the new people up to competition. He would then take them over for amateur and pro coaching. He did have me coach a couple of the amateur guys ringside before I left. My son was born and I started weights, so I have not been back for 6 years. My son is now hitting me with the gloves, so I might start taking him to the gym and let him play around, and might coach again. I coach my son's hockey, I have also coached lacrosse and might do that again. I also play hockey and football, so I should really pick a couple things and stick with it.
Originally posted by laxcdn:
[qb] Since Chris said to post what training I have take, I will, even though it isn't much. In the 90's I took a bit of Shotokan Karate, I didn't test for the white belt, but would have received it. I then changed over to boxing. I took some classes for a year then the coach asked me to compete. I didn't but he ask then for me to coach. I ended up coaching for 5 years. I would train all the new people up to competition. He would then take them over for amateur and pro coaching. He did have me coach a couple of the amateur guys ringside before I left. My son was born and I started weights, so I have not been back for 6 years. My son is now hitting me with the gloves, so I might start taking him to the gym and let him play around, and might coach again. I coach my son's hockey, I have also coached lacrosse and might do that again. I also play hockey and football, so I should really pick a couple things and stick with it.
So no real MA experience, but some boxing. [/qb]
Can't lacrosse and hockey be considered martial arts of sorts? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Sex is a contact sport too I have only ever been in 1 fight and that was in grade 5. Other than that I have taken the word of the one sensei and always walk away unless there is no other option. I tell that to all the boxers that I coached too. Only fight if there is no other choice.
What the hell...I'll go ahead and post this up even though I haven't studied in a LONG time. At some point I would like to get back into it, but I am not sure I will.
I started Kung Fu San Soo when I was about 7-8 years old. My dad started taking it and they had a kids class so I jumped in. I quickly progressed from White Belt to Yellow Belt and then to Green Belt. I was the only kid to make it to Green Belt in that class. It was at this point that the instructors weren't sure what to do with me so I kind of got "jacked" around a bit. So I ended up slowly dropping out.
A few years later I picked it back up again. Although I had my Green Belt I had to go back and retest for the belts I already had as an adult. Which wasn't that bad. It made sure that I really knew what I was doing. I had taken one of the 3 tests for my brown belt when once again life outside of Kung Fu became more important and I bailed. Shortly after the studio shut down for a couple of years.
I trained under Dennis "Bear" Kirby who trained under some of the original instructors of Kung-Fu. For better or worse our studio got a reputation for being one of the most brutal Kung Fu studios.
So that's my journey. I've thought about taking up another martial art, but I'm very jaded in my opinions of other martial arts, so I haven't joined up. Of course time is not available right now with work and school, but eventually I would like to get my black belt.
I don't have anywhere near the experience of most of you, but what the hell...
I didn't start my training until I was 19, after I had lost 60 pounds... something I always wanted to do, just not as a fat ass (side note, notice how when people find out you're in MA EVERYONE says "I always wanted to try that" well I wanted to be one the few who actually DO!)
about 4 years ago I joined up at a local TKD school called chos under control of grandmaster chom sun cho. My instructor was (and is) master danial youn.
I've stayed relatively true to my study (although attendence has been less than good for the last 8 months) and am scheduled to finally test for my black belt come april (I've been sitting at deputy for almost two years...I'm lazy)
I've also dabbled in muay tai classes at school and okinowan weapons at school... both were awesome and I would love to find a full time school, especially for muay tai.
humm I have even less [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
This should make everyone at ease with posting thier experience LOL
I did initiation classes at college while studying in "Community Recreational Leadership Training" the courses were planned for us.. so it was an overview of the sport.. not a beginning of training. :
6 hours of Karaté
6 hours of Aikido
6 hours of Judo
other combat sports :
6 hours of olympic wrestling
25+ years of fencing
CHRIS very pleasnt to read your journey through martial arts [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Man, you're on the homestretch. I'm glad to read that you are going to test for black belt. Nothing is more disappointing to me as an instuctor than to see students at brown or red belt who start getting sporadic in their training. At that point, I always think there should be no reason to not buckle down, train, and plow through to that test. You will feel great to complete that. Best wishes to you. When will the test occur?
Under Dennis Kirby we studied San Soo. There are not that many schools around the nation, but I know there is a bunch of them in Souther Cali...where you are actually. That's actually where Bear got his start. He trained under one of Jimmy Woo's students. Jimmy Woo was the instructor who brought the art over from China in the early 1900's I believe.
As for what made it so brutal. When we did freestyle the punches/kicks etc that were used usually connected with where they needed to be. I guess you could say it was a lot like MMA training before MMA was that big! We had a few people that walked out with broken ribs and hyper extended elbows. A lot of it depended on who you freestyled with and you knew if you wanted to be in there or not. It definetly taught you how the body reacts to being punched in certain parts of the body. A lot of San Soo is based off of how the body reacts when punched/kicked in a certain way. I sure knew my anatomy by the time I was 12/13 years old!
I've heard of San Soo but don't know much about it. Interesting though.
I believe hard sparring is essential in showing students what if feels like to hit & be hit, and how to deal with the stress/nerves that always occur when faced with an opponent that may hurt you.
Theres a place for non or light contact sparring of course, but it IS martial arts after all, not knitting right? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
What I love about MMA is that it dispells with the notion of "secret" or flashy techniques that don't work in a real situation.
San Soo is a good martial art. It was all about being practical. You hit someone here this happens and then you follow up with this. Lots of leverages as you got up in your belts. White Belt you did 25 lessons known as Ah-Soo. These where the type where a person threw a punch and you blocked it etc. Yellow belt was another 20 lessons of Ah Soo and the first 20 lessons of Fut Gaw. Fut Gaw was starting to get into leverages and approaches to people. It went on from there.
I agree with you 100% that hard sparring is essential as is light sparring. When we were practicing our lessons that was where it was light. If you wanted to freestyle/spar that's where it got going. You'd get a group of 4 or 5 guys and take turns and it would just flow. The intensity would pick up after 5 minutes, 10 minutes...good memories.
You can read more about Kung Fu San Soo here: http://www.kungfusansoo.com/ You can probably find some schools in your area as well.
Kung Fu, that we took, was exactly the same way that you describe MMA. It was no nonsense and it wasn't flashy at all. It was meant to protect yourself. That was it.
List Your Martial Arts Background
I have only ever been in 1 fight and that was in grade 5. Other than that I have taken the word of the one sensei and always walk away unless there is no other option. I tell that to all the boxers that I coached too. Only fight if there is no other choice.
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