I know that the school in the springs recently underwent a severe transformation. The instructor who was there when you were there, let' s just say was of questionable character. It happens. At least this is what I've heard.
You are correct, I need to readjust my timeline.
If poor technique and poor instruction is the rule, not the exception, how can you stand by and state that the time you spent there was well invested and you got good information from them?
I never said it was the rule. There are those who are gifted at teaching and those who are not. Some people shouldn't be teachers and for that matter in the martial arts. I'm reminded of the hapkido black belt here in town who would go out and start fights just to test his skill.
I should've been more precise and clarified that "Jr Instructors" seem to be more relaxed. I grew up in Shotokan Karate where the 7th degree instructor was adimate about going over technique. Hard demand and strict discipline are what I am used to.
My instructor in Shaolin-DO was David Soard, a 7th degree bb who insisted on technique quality, power and timing. Not everybody teaches that way. My close friend who is a 4th dan in Taekwondo doesn't teach that way.
Not everyone is of the same ilk.
Having been in the military,( I'm guessing you were) you would understand this. I spent 4 years in the Marine Corps and can honestly tell you that not everyone was up to par, including NCO's and staff NCO's.
Excellence is something that each individual must acheive and define.
"You can wear whatever you want, but when we get out on the floor, everyone will know the real deal."
That is so true. When I studied there, one of the 5th degree black belts took 4th place in the Sabaki challenge.
500 forms? it's possible...mastering them ? not possible. it would take your entire lifetime everyday for hours a day.
I think that is why people think SD is doody
I don't care what people think.
I know 85 forms. I believe by the time you reach 5th degree it gets up to around 200.
Keep in mind some of these are "short forms" and "long forms" and weapons.
I can tell you this, the forms are practical, skillful, and challenging. They are filled with strikes, blocks, counters, and evasion techniques. They are indeed quality forms.
Shaolin-Do has been around the U.S. since the late '60's. Go to any school and you will see it packed with students and most are upper belt which means they've been there awhile. Most of the BB in my class had been there since the early '80's. That should speak for itself.
I visited a Taekwondo school here in Denver. The black belt class. Only two students in the class had good skill. The others were average. I asked my friend who was with me why this was. He said that in taekwondo, you are judged alot on effort. Because not everyone has the same skill. I was satisfied with that.
I truly don't know if Sin The is the real deal or not. I've never seen him do a demonstration. And as I said earlier, I really don't care. I didn't sign up because of him. I signed up to learn the art. Which I can honestly say, is indeed quality technique and if I can master what I've learned then it will be an acheivement.
, how it turned to that i dont know!lol
