 | Master Tammy Stamps
is owner and Master Instructor of Stamps Academy of Taekwondo at 4065 N. Woodlawn. Stamps Academy opened in February of 1994. Master Stamps is a 5th Dan Black Belt registered through the United States Taekwondo Union and certified through the Kukiwon in Seoul, Korea. Stamps Academy teaches Olympic Style Taekwondo, Self-defense, Weapons and has a prestigious Demonstration Team which performs at numerous events around the Wichita area. Master Stamps has impressive credentials. She has been a member of the US Team, US Olympic Festival Teams, and is a National and International medalist. She is very experienced in Olympic style fighting, self-defense, weapons and forms. Master Stamps can be contacted at her office (316) 612-2378 or you can email her at stampstl@birch.net . You can also check out stampsacademy.com for further information |
Self Defense
2003-01-01 11:30:00
Do you have to spar?
: Is sparring and contact always necessary in Martial Arts in order to attain proficiency?
ANSWER: In my opinion, the answer is "yes". To be proficient in any sport you must take on all levels to experience the aspects of the subject at hand. In Martial arts, as with anything, you get out of it what you put in it. There is a lot more to the art than just grace and technique. To be proficient at grace and kicking techniques you can forego contact, but to be proficient at Martial Arts, you must spar or put yourself in a contact situation, otherwise it is not realistic. You do not have to sustain injuries by doing so, however, you must know what it is like to be in a situation of fear, fatigue and pain and know that you can handle it and defend yourself. Think of it as in basketball, you can learn how to handle the ball, dribble and shoot, but if you don't put yourself on the line by playing the game, there is no way a person can fully comprehend, understand or be proficient at the sport. Martial Arts is mental as well as physical, that is what is so unique about the art. To know both the physical and the mental one must gain the knowledge it takes to be one with both attributes. To be proficient at anything one must seek the answers to all questions, not just pick and choose what is in their comfort zone.
