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Post by Colin Wee on Jun 17, 2011 1:44:10 GMT
I thought we should update the board on how we're progressing. All of us are interested to know what everyone else is up to. So tell us what's up with your lives, your school, and your practice.
I'll start first ...
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I'm now at my 28th year of practice. When I started with IAOMAS back in 2003, it was during a time when I was just about to quit because nothing seemed to make sense. This started me on a path to research what I was doing, collate my thoughts/skills/experience, carry meaningful exchanges with instructors on the same path, and to work on a training methodology which my students are currently on.
Mine is a 'meat and potatoes' style, though I am trying to endow students with a good range of skills that are balanced between traditional techniques and some modern developments. There is a lot more to transmit nowadays, but it is nicely spread along all kyu ranks ... which means I prefer a smaller group, and I try to work in with them as much as possible.
My children have started martial arts. My son aged 9 is doing both Judo and Jujutsu, and my daughter aged 6 is doing Judo. They're enjoying their practice, and I am enjoying watching them do a different style to what I do.
Family life here in Western Australia is hectic. We've got our plate stacked high with our own activities and children's activities. I am looking forward to visiting our UK brothers later this year, and am happy that I'm part of a team that's kickstarting IAOMAS again before then.
Colin
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Post by Tim Posynick on Jun 17, 2011 19:04:46 GMT
Well here we go  i think i will follow Sabum Colin's template I have been in the Martial Arts since late 1980, so going on 31 - ish years now. I started with the IAOMAS in late 2002 I think is when Mr. Anslow first mentioned it to me. I had just progressed into my third Dahn in Classical TaeKwonDo, and was in the infant stages of formulating my current Jung Shin Kempo teaching method. Since then we have progressed nicely through the IAOMAS with regards to our own system, introducing other schools to IAOMAS, as well as my personal certification movement with Sifu Tim White. Currently I am registered as a 5th Dahn under Master White's MoLum Organization. Our club is still a small town family oriented second home for myself and my wife, who is now moving her way towards black belt within the next 2 years My children tried training with me in the early years, but now as teenagers they have their own agendas. Recently my wife and I invested into our own business as of February of this year we now are the owner / operators of a full-service computer repair and sales retail shop in downtown Enderby.( the only one here i might ad) things are steadily growing within the business and clientele is expanding so very positive happenings there. On the home front my lovely wife and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this August, 23 years together 20 married. She deserves several medals of honour and bravery for sticking it out this long On the teaching front i am immersing myself back into my teaching full-on in order to sharpen not only my students skills but also my own, as well as my personal fitness level. I am now teaching Bo-kata on a regular basis to the senior students whom love it. I will be grading my first student to Second dahn this coming Christmas if things keep progressing for her as they are. My daughters are both beautiful and smart and have great career aspirations. All in all life is good. |
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Post by Colin Wee on Jun 18, 2011 6:43:27 GMT
On the teaching front i am immersing myself back into my teaching full-on in order to sharpen not only my students skills but also my own I'm really proud of you for saying that. I remember once upon a time you were playing around with the idea of retiring. :-) Glad I didn't have to throw a punch at you to take you out of retirement. Colin |
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Post by Aaron Wayne-Duke on Jun 18, 2011 20:33:53 GMT
Aaron here. Started training in the 80's. I operate the Galesburg Academy of Martial Arts and contribute to Taekwondo Times Magazine. I joined the iaomas some time ago and just crawled out from under the rock that I was hiding under! Lol
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Post by Colin Wee on Jun 19, 2011 7:40:19 GMT
Aaron here. Started training in the 80's. I operate the Galesburg Academy of Martial Arts and contribute to Taekwondo Times Magazine. I joined the iaomas some time ago and just crawled out from under the rock that I was hiding under! Lol Good seeing you back, Aaron! What have you contributed so far to Taekwondo Times? Also ... are you going to update your listing on iaomas.com? Colin |
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Post by Mireille on Jun 19, 2011 16:55:00 GMT
I started training in 2002 in Shotokan Karate. I was homeschooling my seven children to help my autistic son with his academic struggles, and I needed some sort of Physical Education component for my kids. A local community center was offering free Karate lessons, so I took advantage of this opportunity. Although I had no personal interest in Martial Arts at first, I fell in love with kata/patterns and desired to be able to perform them. With the words "Is it possible to learn Karate without learning how to fight?" as my initial request to the Shotokan Sensei, I was accepted into the dojo. My kids were thrilled, I was terrified, Sensei was wonderfully supportive. I weighed near 200 pounds at the time, and barely survived my first 5 laps around the gym. It was at this time that I met Colin Wee on the internet at a now defunct Martial Arts Forum, and offered to assist him on a book that he was working on. He introduced me to IAOMAS, and I joined in as best as I could as a student.
I really didn't believe that I could get past the white belt stage of Karate, but since I was allowed to learn the patterns for my rank, I was a happy student. I advanced in skill, and knowledge, and was allowed to attend both the free dojo, and my Sensei's regular dojo. In time, my Sensei felt it necessary to close down the free dojo, and he allowed me to cross train in a free Kyokushin Karate Dojo to keep up my regime of training hours as long as I promised not to mix up the two Arts.
By November 2005, I had lost 40 pounds, improved my skin condition, and had achieved the rank of Shodan in Shotokan. In fact, I was the black belt who was chosen to become a replacement Sensei of a dojo by the organization. For 6 months I taught, prepared students for tests, and assisted administration gatherings meanwhile still maintaining my Kyokushin training. This was the year when I found that I had to make a moral choice, and I stopped training in Shotokan, handed that dojo back to the organization, and dedicated myself to Kyokushin Karate. The details are not to be spoken of but the result was that my Shotokan Shodan rank was revoked by that organization. Instantly, I was surrounded by the support of many high ranked individuals who affirmed my black belt. I am very grateful for their kind words, support, and recognition.
This year, 2011, in March, in front of 6 Kyokushin Shihans from Canada, Spain, Australia,and Holland, I tested, and passed my Kyokushin Shodan Black Belt test.
With my Kyokushin Sensei's permission, I am now in the formation part of creating an outreach Kyokushin Dojo at a local Wellness Center which will include special classes for Senior citizens in addition to the usual Children, and adult Karate classes. I am loving the additional challenge that this will present. Once my dojo is under way, I would hope to list it in IAOMAS.
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Post by Colin Wee on Jun 20, 2011 0:48:09 GMT
Once my dojo is under way, I would hope to list it in IAOMAS. We have lots to learn from you, Mir. As I've said many times before, you are inspirational! Thank goodness you're not operating in Perth, I might lose all my students to you! :-) Colin |
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Post by captaintau on Jun 20, 2011 7:32:23 GMT
As of this Saturday I'll be 21 years in Martial Arts. I started aged 11 in Lau Gar but have since sampled many styles. At the last count I was graded in 11 styles, 5 at Dan grade. I'm currently working on formulating my own style because I feel that my current organisation, which I love, won't be around for more than a few more years.
Outside of MA, life hasn't been kind. I got married 18 months ago, the same year that my (then) fiancee received a life changing diagnosis. Her family have done their utmost to make life more difficult for us.
Occupation-wise, I'm a Nurse and have just qualified as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner. This was a very hard course and meant I had to put some of my MA in the background for a while. I'm back now though.
I hope to meet some of IAOMAS's other members in the future.
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Post by Colin Wee on Jun 21, 2011 1:02:33 GMT
Outside of MA, life hasn't been kind. I got married 18 months ago, the same year that my (then) fiancee received a life changing diagnosis. Her family have done their utmost to make life more difficult for us. I hope to meet some of IAOMAS's other members in the future. It's so much easier in the MA world. Whatever problems are really quite easy to manage - especially if you stay away from organisational politics and the like. In fact, sparring with opponents makes for great stress management - a plus for what we do. And you know that your opponent will try to control strikes and create a safe training environment. With families however, the claws are out and all rules are thrown out of the window. I have never seen such underhanded methods, heard such cruel words, or witness such acts of despicable self interests than I have when families are involved. As I get older it's harder to ignore such things because my tolerance for such crap has really decreased. I have to steady myself, think strategically and really try to be wise about the whole situation. You know what though? Strategic thinking that I've learned from martial arts still beats emotional outbursts ... all the time! I just have to get over myself and to trust what I know! I remain glad that there are benefits from the martial arts beyond just the physical training! Glad to have you back! :-) Colin |
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Post by Tim White on Jul 9, 2011 1:25:38 GMT
Ok, where do I start? well, I started my Martial Arts Journey in 1972. My First Instructor was Wes Ruiz. I started in Germany. When Master Ruiz left Germany I studied TKD for 1 year attaining 3rd Kup. At the same time I was studing Kung Fu with Sifu William Ko for Singapore. I then returned to the USA in Jan 1975, and started studing Kung fu with GM Felix Wong. GM Wong Pasted away in 2008. He was my friend and my mentor. In 2009, after thirty years I was reunited with GM Wes Ruiz and we are more that friends we are now brothers of the Arts. I have been involved with Chinese Kung Fu, Keisatsu Jujitsu and Self Defense for a long Time. I am the Director of the Molum Combat Arts Association and the MLCA Honor Society. I have taught in several countries across the world and I love it. I have trained or been trained by some of the best Martial Artist in the world like Colin Wee, Stuart Anslow and Dave Melton. I have competed, won and lost many times, but it was fun. I am a certified Police Trainer in Defensive Tactics, Impact Weapons, Chemical Sprays and use of Force. I am married to Jane, my bride of 34 Years. I have 2 Sons Tim II and Patrick, both Black Belts. 2 Daughters, Alex and Angel. I may not be all the time, but I am all IAOMAS. I follow the principles of this organization. my new site is molumcombatarts.webs.comTim White |
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Post by Colin Wee on Sept 6, 2013 13:32:05 GMT
I am now in the 30th year of practice. As I said when I started this thread, I began with IAOMAS when I was about to quit. My journey so far has been even more inspiring than ever. IAOMAS was the start of an interesting time when I started researching the martial arts with much enthusiasm. Some of this has been research and discussion with really keyed in individuals like Stuart Anslow and Tim White. Some have been with authors and masters outside IAOMAS. And of course I have always tapped into my teachers and training partners from the American Karate and Taekwondo Organization in Dallas, Texas.
When I left Dallas in 1995, I left with a heavy heart and was wondering what the future held for me. Since then, and departing from what I felt was a more 'traditional' route, I met up with Sifu Tim White from the MLCAA through IAOMAS who has mentored me for the last 10 years and who's promoted me to 6th Dan.
My practice in Traditional Taekwondo is still going strong. Many people think poorly of Taekwondo, and I sometimes find myself differentiating what I do with other schools. But the truth of the matter is that I practice Taekwondo and it has helped guide me to become a fairly decent practitioner and instructor. One that can offer some self defence instruction, some exposure to traditional practices, and then of course a sportive approach to the martial arts when appropriate.
My kids have been in Judo for the last 3-4 years. My son ... when leaving his Montessori school end of last year became very interested in combative type training. He wanted to be upskilled so he could take on bullies. We trained every day and he started getting really good. I'm about to ramp up his training again so he can take on much older boys when he gets into high school in 2015.
As some of you know, I have started on IAOMAS again as Coordinator. Things are still hectic, but I'm in a good space to push IAOMAS again. Things will be the same ... yet different. I hope for all of you to support me, and the founding members as we carve a new organisation for all to enjoy.
Cheers,
Colin
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Post by Kym Reid on Oct 17, 2013 1:29:16 GMT
Well I'm back as well. I began training in Jan. 1972 with Rob Dobson Karate, a line from the 1st karate club in Australia, Szlagowski Karate. I also took up Jujitsu with the Queenbeane Judo and Jujitsu club, SA branch in 1988. About 2002 I wound up the club (St. Jay's Freestyle Jujitsu) with the view of retiring as a 5th Dan. However I couldn't stop. I was assisting at a Womens and Childrens karate club Tues and Sundays, At Phil Barkers Jujitsu Karate-Do club another night and privately teaching Sat mornings a former brownbelt to finish what he had started. 2 years later the fathers/husbands of the W&C karate asked I teach them, then my blackbelts and other instructors jumped in and next thing I know they bought mats etc to reform the club and that is how Jinen Karate Jitsu began. The main difference was that during that 2 year period I met with Hanshi John Taylor of the AKKA and because he knew of my Rob Dobson while he was in Sydney I found out who his instructor was, the history and as I explored more I learnt far more than I had in my previous 30 years. The Szlagowski group were estatic there was another line from Wally and flew in to present me a badge and recognition. It was then I introduced 3 others who were still teaching and all began in 1972. There has been much that has happened but in my efforts to bring together a better martial arts community I became vice president of the IBF Australia, was awarded a Senior Teaching Diploma in Karate Jitsu, had my 6th Dan ratified and was nominated and accepted as a general member of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai. My biggest enjoyment is using my position and network of great martial arts friends to help raise thousands of dollars for beyondblue, Cancer Council and a Speakman Medical fund seminar for when Mr Speakman was fighting throat cancer. The Fight For Life was the most outstanding event with over 20 instructors in SA, helping me as part of Kevin Walsh's efforts to bring the martial arts community together to fight cancer. Friends in the USA and in Qld. also took part and next year I have friends in Sydney also running one. Now I run several classes per week, assist in gradings and training days with other organizations and get in a bit of personal improvement at seminars. A moment I'm looking forward to is the formal grading of student Jessica to Shodan after 6 years of training. She will be the first female of our lineage in 42 years to achieve this. She does have a couple of other Mc Blackbelts and has been training for about 15 years. She also has gradings in several other styles. I hope that's enough Cheers Kym Reid |
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i think i will follow Sabum Colin's template 
