Your instructor told you you could not teach anymore?!?!??! Because you were overweight?!?!?!?!?!?!? That's outrageous!!!!!! I teach Judo. I played at 368 lbs and I am at it at 230 lbs. I stopped just long enough to recover from my surgery. I went back after 4 weeks for a light work-out. I'm sorry, but your instructor would have is ass handed to him where I am from for that kind of discrimination. It is inexcusable. You go back to your sport and enjoy it. If you can't find a dojo near you try another style. Come to Judo!!! If you live in SE Michigan I will help you find a Dojo. This sport is for health - mental and physical. Man I am pissed. You didn't deserve that abuse. You are in my thoughts and I hope your date comes soon. You ROCK!!!!! kp

Sherrie, Thanks for responding. My school also offers TKD. My instructor is 4th Dan in TKD, 1st Dan in Modern Arnis, and 5th Dan in Hapkido. I've noticed big differences in Hapkido and TKD mainly when it comes to sparring. We do not spar at all in Hapkido because it's generally too dangerous. At my belt level most techniques end with my opponent on the ground in pain. I would suggest looking into Hapkido if you're interested in how to end a fight very quickly. I'm trying to discredit TKD at all. They're typically in better shape and are much better kickers. I think TKD is really well suited for competition or tournaments where as Hapkido is better suited for street defense, etc. Thanks, Rick M.

Anybody here have any experience with Hapkido or Modern Arnis? I have been studying for about 9 months now and am attempting to double test(to Green) in about 10 days. I love Hapkido and while sparring(Taekwando) is fun, I think Hapkido seems more practical on the streets, especially for women. All that being said I was just curious if anybody else took either of these martial arts. Thanks, Rick M. McKinney, TX

Hi Tamika I'm also in Tae Kwon Do as is all my family. I have a 10 yr. old daughter who is a 1st degree black belt and so is my husband. I'm currently a high green belt and my youngest daughter (5) is a white belt. I'm currently not working out but plan to go back after the 1st of the year. And as all the others have said it is a great way to get in shape and stay in shape. I'm waiting for my Dr. to release me back to that level of workouts and to get a little more weight off would be nice. I'm post-op and 1 month out, so far I've lost 25 lbs. and I feel I could almost go back. It has been great for my entire family and for my daughters the Owner/Master Instructor is a 5th degree black belt and female!!! I thought this would be great to them to see that women can do this and be very successful at it also!. I'd say go for it, just work up slow and easy, if it gets to much then back it down a bit, but you will be able to work back up when you get ready. And breaking boards is very empowering thing to know that you know how to and can do it! Good Luck Sherrie -25 lbs.

I went back to Judo at 6 weeks. Very light randori. Now I am up to speed at 4 months. kp