Personal Blog

I have to confess that I'm not a big fan of the answer to the question "What is the meaning of Joong Gun?" The answer is "Joong Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joon-Gun, who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor general of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger..."

Unless you're a history buff, or just a curious person like me, you may not know the background of the Korea/Japan situation. Basically, Japan took over Korea against their will. That better explains why Joon Gun assassinated (i.e. shot) this Japanese Gov. General.  read more »

A news report on TV caught my attention a few years ago. I don’t recall if it was Dateline NBC, 20 20, etc. But the report suggested that teachers in the classroom tend to pay more attention to male students than female students. In this report, citing various studies, it suggested that the gender of the teacher didn’t change the tendency. Recently, a friend of mine told me that her daughter wasn’t getting enough attention at school and I thought back to that news report. I don’t know if it’s a student/teacher ratio, or a boy vs. girl issue at my friend’s school.  read more »

I thought I would share some tips about the most versatile exercise there is...walking. This is an easy exercise to add to anyone's lifestyle and can compliment Taekwondo training. Some of us may have a preconceived notion (I myself have been guilty) that this is for older people or for those who are out-of-shape. While these groups can benefit from it, walking is great for ALL fitness levels. For more of a challenge turn your walks into hikes on trails, or add hills and/or distance.

The quoted information is courtesy of Fitness Magazine's April issue.  read more »

This isn't so much one exercise, as it is a method of exercising. However, interval training has many benefits, so I am noting it for that reason. Not only does it bump up the calorie burn of a regular workout, and make a workout more interesting, it is great in improving your stamina. With Red Tiger coming up, incorporating it into training, both in the dojang and at home, can improve performance. I will use running as an example. Doing intervals would be starting out as a easy paced jog for 3-5 minutes, then for 30 seconds, running at a sprint as fast as you can.  read more »

This blog has nothing to do with any ancient art practiced in Thailand (formerly Siam). Rather a cat, whose descendants came from there. Specifically, my Siamese cat, Spartacus, who inadvertently pulled a move on me today.  read more »

You may have heard this called the "Plank" or "Hover." This is one of the best ab exercises around. It a popular Pilates exercise, which also helps to strengthen back muscles. Since Taekwondo requires good balance, and power for moves, on the floor and off, a strong "core" is a necessary foundation to have.

To perform: Start on a mat, or other padded surface, laying down in "prone" position (that is your back to the ceiling). Place your legs about shoulder width apart and come up onto your toes.  read more »

This one is quite simple: STAIRS! Because of dog-sitting client obligations in Shadyside, I couldn't make Thursday's Taekwondo class. However, I was able to join a friend who hosted a stair climbing event at the Cathedral of Learning in Oakland. This building has numerous many stairwells, at least 2 of which have about 36 floors. So we met and did the climb up Stairwell A. I managed to go make 3 trips up the 36 floors, and at least one trip down (the other 2 times, I took the elevator down b/c going down so many stairs has a dizzying effect!) What a challenge this is!  read more »

It's a given that injuries can happen in Taekwondo. Like Sabumnim often reminds his class, "This isn't ballet. We are in the business of punching and kicking!" I've been bruised and sore many a time from Taekwondo. My friend Ice Pack and I have spent more quality time together since I took up martial arts. However, based upon my experiences I'm convinced that life is just safer for me when I'm INSIDE the dojang. Basically, stuff that happens to me when I step outside is much more dangerous and painful than anything that has occurred in TKD so far! For instance...  read more »

I discovered a new exercise in my ACE (Amercican Council on Exercise) Fitness Newsletter that I tried, and really liked. It is called the SINGLE LEG SQUAT (with an additional balance challenge). This exercise is great for the glutes (backside) but it also works the quads (upper front legs), hamstrings (upper back legs). Not only does it work the muscles that we use so much in Taekwondo, it also challenges your balance. As we know, balance is an important component of Taekwondo.

To perform:  read more »

For anyone who thinks they are too "old" for Taekwondo, take note of this snippet from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Obituary section, Monday April 30, describing the life of Victor Katz. Victor was a C.S. Kim student, who began practicing martial arts at age 50! Although Victor is no longer with us, reading about his martial arts experience is inspirational...at least to me!

News Obituaries
Obituary: Victor Katz / Lifelong jeweler and karate black belt
July 12, 1925 -- April 24, 2007

Monday, April 30, 2007
By Gary Rotstein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Victor Katz was "that karate jeweler guy" to a few youngsters accompanying parents to his Monroeville jewelry store...  read more »