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Phacops
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[15518613]
[2010-10-25 18:14:52 +0000 UTC]
"Gart"
(United States)
# Statistics
Favourites: 53; Deviations: 313; Watchers: 579
Watching: 0; Pageviews: 83409; Comments Made: 316; Friends: 0
# Interests
Favorite movies: Clint Eastwood, anything with lots of action.Favorite TV shows: Star Trek, NCIS, Gilligan's Island
Favorite bands / musical artists: Boston, Rush, AC/DC, Beach Boys, Sammy Hagar
Favorite writers: Stephen King, Hugh Howey, Isaac Asimov, Keith Laumer
Tools of the Trade: My feet
Other Interests: Shooting, Paleontology
# About me
I am a 3rd Degree Black Belt in WTF Taekwondo. I run a TKD school in Rochester, NY and take pictures of my incredible students.If you need a martial artist in a specific pose, please contact me and I'll see what we can do.
# Comments
Comments: 66
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Thank you. It's been stressful, but good.
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Thank you sir. I don't feel a day over 51
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You're most welcome! Hopefully you'll keep it that way for many, many years.
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Not quite my intent, and it can be a little disconcerting that the pictures with the most views are "Foot" pics. I would have hoped that people would like the pics for the pure beauty of the martial arts. But I think baser instincts prevail here.
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yes i perfectly understand and i can see some beauty on your pictures besides theres barefeet. ty for the reply ^^
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Thank you. It was a good day. Starting another 50 years.
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Thank you. Big 50 today.
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Wow, half a century! Good reason to party!
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I've always wanted to learn a martial art, but I've always been put off by the thought of getting caught up in the tangles of a nasty McDojo. Are there any ways to make sure the schools I look into are safe or not? Thanks! Also, great pics 
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Ask questions.
1. What is their lineage? Can they trace their lineage up a reputable chain, or is the top guy "self taught", or goes to seminars once a year. A strong lineage is the most important thing you're looking for. My instructor is Junior Grand Master Mark Good. He is an original student of Grand Master Tae Z Park. Grand Master Park is an original student of Great Grand Master Uhm (who was the president of the Kukkiwon, the governing body of WTF TKD). Trace the lineage. It's important.
2. What is the testing requirements? Are students pushed through every test, or do they only test when they are ready?
3. Does the school "tip" test? Many things done are for money only. Tip testing is one of them. There is no value to the student in asking them to pay for 3-4 "tips" before going up a full rank.
4. Does the school focus on basics, technique, power, accuracy, speed and conditioning, or does it focus on fancy moves, weapons and showy demonstrations. Ask what you will be able to do once you're a black belt. If they show you flipping kicks and cool weapons, run away.
5. Are the classes taught by the head instructor, or some junior 1st or 2nd Dan? Many master instructors (4th dan and up) stop teaching the day to day classes and let their junior instructors teach.
6. Feel comfortable in class. Every martial art is for the student. Some things I can do other students will never be able to do. That doesn't mean they are not qualified to be a black belt. We all practice to push ourselves and reach our own potential. If a school demands that you MUST do a high kick to a certain height, or a spinning kick a certain way to pass, that is not reasonable, nor necessary to get a black belt.
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Apologies for the late reply. Thank you very much! Wow, this was extremely informative. I seriously appreciate it!
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is it ok to reference some photos for drawings? I like to draw fighting in comics and animations. I used to do WTF taekwondo and got up to 2nd dan myself before i switch to karate. you seem to run a nice dojang sir
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You are more than welcome to use my photos for your drawings. If you ever post any drawings off of my photos, just give me credit and a link. I'm also very interested in seeing your work if you do use some. Thanks for asking!
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Awe! Thank you! I don't feel a day over 49. Wait...
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You're welcome! Never mind, at your age waking up without any pain means you're dead.
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thanks for sharing your photos with us.
Taekwondo is the only direction we have in this little village here
and I'm thinking about joining it...
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If it's a place that truly teaches TKD and is not a puppy-mill more interested in money than growing their students, then you should have a positive experience. Many of my students come for free because I care more about teaching traditional TKD than I care about getting rich.
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ok. I think there is a small amount to pay to be part of this training schedule...
you have knowledge in other martial arts too?
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No. I'm a 3rd Dan in WTF TKD only. You can spend a lifetime learning one martial art. I personally don't see a reason to jump from one martial art to another.
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hmm.. I need to research what in detail 3rd Dan WTF TKD means (TKD is Taekwondo?)
is there a special reason for your decision to practise Taekwondo?
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3rd Dan = 3rd Degree Black Belt
WTF = World Taekwondo Federation (vs, ITF, unified, etc)
TKD = Taekwondo
I lived in Hudsonville, MI and there was a school close to my house. I think many times people start a martial art out of convenience, not knowing the difference between a purely commercial school that wants your money and a school that wants you to learn real TKD. Lineage is extremely important. Who do you answer to? Who do you learn from? Some schools just make up their own black belts that are worthless outside that school. My instructor is 7th Dan JGM Mark Good. He trains me all year long. I take multiple trips to see him and him me. His instructor is 9th Dan Grand Master Tae Zee Park who came from Korea in 1973 to teach. GM Park has the largest non-commercial organization in the US. His Instructor is Grand Master Woon Kyu Uhm, who is considered one of the preeminent TKD practitioners in the world. If you have a poor lineage, you are nothing in the eyes of other TKD masters. I guess I just got lucky. Even though I knew nothing at the time, I joined one of the largest and richest organizations in the country.
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thank you - I feel like having a good introduction now
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Interesting Gallery. Not only I like your Photos, I'm a Taekwondo Student as well. Still a green belt though (sucks, but will work on it). Honored to meet you Sabeum. Will add you to my watch.
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Keep up the work. Study hard and practice! Nobody can take your black belt away from you once you have it.
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Nothing can stop me from trying to reach out my goal for whatever reason sabeum. I'll do my best to follow your students's example!
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do u teach any type of break out moves from grabs and holds? as in simple Hap Ki Do or Akido moves?
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Yes! As part of close-combat self defense, I teach how to get out of holds and grabs. It's probably pretty universal across most disciplines, but you have to practice it for it to become second nature.
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Absolutely love your gallery! I'm also a martial arts enthusiast, although I do Kyokushin Karate, not Taekwondo. Still fascinating seeing the pictures of you and your students!
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Why thank you. My students work very hard and I like to show them off.
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I can see that, and you have every right to show them off as well
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Thank you. They are truly amazing.
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Love your gallery! Looks like you have a great school!
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Thank you! It's a huge passion of mine watching these kids grow and mature.
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It is cool! my daughter's and I assist my master instructor with the kids class.. it's a lot of fun!
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My oldest son is a 3rd Dan now and one of my primary instructors. TKD has been a fantastic family activity. My youngest son should be going for black later this year. You should post more tkd pics. (hint, hint)
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Why thank you! 48 isn't so bad after all.
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