Tang Soo Do

This is my daughter, Zoe, aged (nearly) eleven.

Apparently the 'nearly' bit IS important so "Pay attention," as she likes to remind me, politely.

Zoe has been watching my to and fro efforts with Haedong Kumdo and decided she would like to take up a Martial Art of her own – Traditional Tang Soo Do. So here she is, all ready to start and raring to go.

She forced me to put this picture of her on my Blog but don’t worry about the distraction – she can set up her own Blog and let you know how she’s getting on herself!

Seriously, she’s very keen and I hope she does well – but not better than me! (Smile). And I've been asked to join her in class! Doh?

Criminal Justice Act ‘2008’

I can’t let the day pass without moaning that today sees the introduction of legislation against selling, making, hiring or importing Samurai swords in England and Wales – not sure if this includes Scotland? I think you can still own one!

Honestly, since carrying a sword in public is already illegal and a further 17 weapons, including, nunchucks (except those included with a Wii), knuckle dusters and batons are on the Offensive Weapons Order, which was created by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, I'm not sure why this new law is required.

Seriously? As Fay Goodman (British Iaido 7th Dan) (see photo) points out, “People need some protection but criminals could use anything. The biggest amount of knife crime is actually domestic violence. Guns were licensed but shootings have only increased."

Haedong Kumdo - An International Sport

For many years I have been travelling around the world with different work commitments, hobbies and holidays.

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Not surprisingly I enjoy travel, meeting people from other countries with vaious backgrounds, cultures, religions and now Haedong Kumdo!

When I first started training in January 2007 I met Jerre van Kuijk, a Dutch National working here in the UK, and we have spent a lot of time training together and entered competitions too.

Sadly, Jerre has decided to make a career move to work in Doha, Qatar and I think he will be missed. I wish him well and good fortune – and hope he can find somewhere good to train in Haedong Kumdo.

On reflection this is a small world and it is exciting to interact with fellow students in it.

Anti Social Behaviour

Well, that took some time to resolve - thanks for bearing with me - so frustrating. It seems the long arm of the law has an even longer waiting list for taking action. But it feels good when it finally acts, and sorts it.

So now I can get on with my training without having a clouded mind and my family can get back to their lives too. All except one that is, poor Zoe. She's decided it would be fun to take up Tang Soo Do!

Started back swimming and training at the gym. I'm glad to be back and feeling much better already. Haedong!

My Little Do-Jang!

Well, here we are again, that’s me in the photo (bad light in the Squash Court, sorry) training. I prefer to train in my Do-Bok, with bare feet, I guess so I don’t look too odd to the folk passing by who expect me to be swinging a Squash Racquet.

Some of my colleagues wear trainers in class but I just don’t like the feel and it may be something about my Judo days where it just wasn’t done. Anyhow, I need to learn both Forms 4 and 5 by June this year for Grading. Form 5 includes a forward dive roll with a drawn sword. That should be fun, not!

Swords - Good and Bad!

Oh dear. Bought a really cheap sword – and I mean less than £5.00 including postage, cheap! No harm as I just wanted to take it apart and learn stuff without damaging one of my more expensive swords.

Take it apart? It almost fell apart. And whilst it looked fairly good on the outside and had a nice feel to it, weight and balance - it just wasn’t to be.

Look at the ‘tang’ of the blade, circled in red. It’s not a part of the blade at all. In fact there is a steel rod welded onto the end of the blade and the rest of the handle attaches round this rod.

One strike against a firm object and the sword would have snapped in two at the hilt – and who knows what else would have happened.

Be careful choosing a sword please - have a look again at the Sword Buyers Guide in the Student Resources Section.

Grading Day - 6th Gup

Well, I did it! I’m now a Green Belt in Haedong Kumdo and it feels good.

What more can I say? It seems to have taken a long time but I do feel I am going somewhere now and a have a great understanding of what is needed and what it’s going to take to get there.

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So many people have helped me, so once again, thank you to one and all!

Master Frank Akkerboom - Netherlands

Tonight, during our Haedong Kumdo lesson, we had a guest visit from Holland – Master Frank Akkerboom (see photo). What a surprise!

He gave the class a demonstration in the use of two swords and I have to say it was spectacular beyond belief. How did he do that, together with a few gasps and admiring looks said it all. Yes, how did he do that?

Clearly I am light years away from it but hey, something to aim for – and it does look so good. But you have to start somewhere and his technique is awesome.

On the other hand – I’m not feeling too confident about the grading next week and this evening’s demonstration just shows how far I have to go. However, it does confirm to me, even more, that this IS where I want to go.

Thank you Master Frank for your inspiration.

Anatomy Of Stretching

I guess I knew it was coming; stretching – just needed some help and I think I found it!

This book - Anatomy Of Stretching by Bradley E. Walker – is truly amazing – everything you wanted to know AND how to achieve it, in very simple terms.

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So now I can set to work and increase my flexibility on a daily basis with the book open in front of me. Sounds too good to be true – we’ll see!

Finding it Hard (Again)

I always sound like I’m having a moan but I just want to express my concern in public about my self inflicted misery through having a useless brain and a tired and unfit body.

Any Martial Art, as I recall, has as much to do with the fitness of the mind as well as the body. With my next grading coming up this month, the Anti Social Behaviour problem (which isn’t going away) and all the stuff about my fitness level and flexibility - I’m getting very stressed and just a little annoyed with myself.

Well, maybe it isn’t that bad but yesterday, not only did I managed to drop both Escima Sticks at the same time but I fell over as I tried to pick one of them up too!

I have two forms (Form 2 and 3) to perfect in the next two/three weeks, or I’m going to let myself and others down. Get a grip!