Martial Arts

[TheIronBeast]

Anybody here study any form of Martial Art?

It's something I've always wanted to do since I was a young teenager, I've just never got round to joining any dojos/classes.

My main problem is actually deciding what to take up. There is a Karate school near me which also holds classes in Karate and Kick Boxing. They also do weapons training in Bojutsu and Tonfa as well. Taekwondo and Tai Jutsu is also an option too.

Anybody here experts in martial arts? Just looking for some pointers in the right direction.

[Dmoney]

Sifu Ben knows his shizzle.

I did Japanese Ju sitsu for a long time with a bad federation. I looked into getting back into something but i dont really have time

[gingataff]

It's important to decide why you want to do a martial art, is it for self defense, a form of exercise, or an interesting way to spend your Thursday evenings?

That will help you choose which is right for you.

FWIW I've done Tai Chi and Iaido.
Here are some links that can explain things better than I can:
(I recommend turning down the cheesy music on the videos!)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iaid%C5%8D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byAgl-b2xFs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_chi_chuan
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=nprZhmfpH40&feature=related

[MrBump]

Unfortunately, opinions about the "best" martial art are as varied as the best BKP for "teh Brootalz"...

;)

For my part I've studied Wing Chun for the last 10 years.

Before that I trained in Lau Gar kung fu, Shotokan, and a little Taekwondo.

From my experience, I'd say that you should visit as many clubs as you can.  Also, make sure that you like your sifu/sensi/instructor - if you like the art you're going to be spending a lot of time and money with them, so you need to get on...

Mark.

[TheIronBeast]

Thanks for the reply guys, I'll check out those links!

There are several reasons I wanted to take up a martial art. 1. for self defense, 2. to build my fitness up and 3. because I have a genuine interest in martial arts and always wanted to learn some form of it.

[ToneMonkey]

I used to do Wado Ryu a while back.  It's a traditional karate with none of the kung fu style arm waving........ it's more about knocking out teeth  :lol:

[MrBump]

I used to do Wado Ryu a while back.  It's a traditional karate with none of the kung fu style arm waving........ it's more about knocking out teeth  :lol:

Careful with your generalisations, sir...

;)

[Afghan Dave]

From my experience, I'd say that you should visit as many clubs as you can.  Also, make sure that you like your sifu/sensi/instructor - if you like the art you're going to be spending a lot of time and money with them, so you need to get on...

Mark.

Perfect advice.

I've done a few and advise you not to bother asking anyone which is "best"

Find a place with people you like, reespect each other and are supportive. Have F.U.N.! :D

[ToneMonkey]

I used to do Wado Ryu a while back.  It's a traditional karate with none of the kung fu style arm waving........ it's more about knocking out teeth  :lol:

Careful with your generalisations, sir...

;)

Ha ha, my old housemate used to do Kung Fu and one day came home and shown me some of his moves, I just had to kick his arse all over the front room to show him what's what.   :lol:

I quite like Kung Fu, there was a big club at uni and they were always good to watch.

[tomjackson]

This is the best form of self defence:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv1bM0pp_o4

So just play more guitar and don't waste your time on Martial Arts.  You'll think you can defend yourself but just get hit from behind by a bottle.  At least with a Telecaster you can spin round very fast with it at arms length thus creating a large circular safety zone.

Yoga and running will take care of the rest :D

[Bainzy]

Muay Thai (thai boxing) for a few years and a year of Kung Fu. Enjoyed both a lot, thai boxing is more accessible and easy to get to grips with, but brutally effective (emphasis on brutally). Kung Fu gives you more of that traditional martial arts experience, is also great fun but has a steeper learning curve.

[MrBump]

Ha ha, my old housemate used to do Kung Fu and one day came home and shown me some of his moves, I just had to kick his arse all over the front room to show him what's what.   :lol:

Kinda like saying all guitars sound the same, because they're all guitars...

Kung fu (or more accurately, wushu) can be found all over China, and can be very internal a la Tai Chi/Chi Gung, or external, and very hard - Lau Gar for example is very much like Japanese martial arts.

Kung fu is too great a generalisation and a poor lable to apply to Chinese martial arts.

Mark.

[Denim n Leather]

Kung fu is too great a generalisation and a poor lable to apply to Chinese martial arts.

Mark.

Agreed.

[Plexi Ken]

I've also been thinking about taking up Martial Arts but the fact that I'm 38 and overweight makes me wary. I don't like the idea of having my fat arse kicked by school-kids. I went to one Karate class many years ago that was full of kids (forced to go by their parents) and middle-aged women (who were training like it was aerobics). I've lots of options, having done some searching for local clubs, just about every MA is available with 20-30min drive. I also know a guy who teaches Muay Thai, though we haven't spoke in sometime.

I've just finished reading The Pyjama Game: A Journey into Judo (excellent book) and has given me an interest in Judo, which I previously wouldn't have considered. It's the front-runner ATM. I've also watched Fight Quest on DVD (which was a little repetitive but worth a watch for MA fans) and IMO the most interesting episode was on Kajukenbo. Shame it doesn't seem to have caught-on, AFAIK there are no schools in the UK. They just really nailed the this-should-be-fun aspect of MA.

I'm currently doing lots of low-level fitness and dieting in an attempt to shed weight and kettle-belling to improve my core strength, as 12 years of sitting at a PC for 10-12hr everyday has destroyed my body. Why didn't I do this 10 years ago, it would have been so much easier  :lol:

Isn't Tim a Hapkido instructor?

[swissguy]

Did about ten years of Aikido, but it's waaaay back now... stopped when my first daughter came in...
Lot's of ladies there too, which is not a bad thing I guess.... actually it would REALLY do me good to  start again...
And despite looking pretty harmless and faked at times, I can assure you that it's very efficient once you got it and it also was the most exhausting training I ever experienced... maybe you have seen some early Steven Seagal movies... then you saw some moves applied... ^^
There are simply put two ways to apply it... the no harm above all... just exhaust your enemy, which is VERY hard and implies a great deal of routine, or... apply as much damage as possible with the smallest amount of energy... which is used by the japanese police for parts (I think they name it Aikijutsu, but don't quote me on that...), mostly meaning very complicated multiple breaks at and around the joints by handles, locks and throws, sending the bigger parts off while holding some others locked... or just moving parts against there natural direction... you do the math...
also did some Shotokan karate first, but in a real bad school, which put me off....