Martial Arts
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- numberoneson0
Poppa it really depends on your instructor, what their background is and how their structure their classes. My Escrima instructor is 6ft, 23 stone and can move faster than anyone of us. I've had to use martial arts twice in a real life situation. My tournament experience helps with controlling my mental state so I don't panic but am careful of what I am doing in response to a certain attack. I can tell you know that the moment you are violently confronted, it doesn't feel a thing like it does in class, and no amount of training can fully prepare you for everything, martial arts will give you an edge over your attacker. Once you've done some environmental and knife awareness training, you won't find yourself in a situation you can't get out of, you'll be avoiding them at all costs. No use jumping in at the deep end if you can't swim.
- woodyBatts0
I studied Daito Ryu as well while I was studying aikido,loved it and glad someone else has trained, I also practiced judo.
I prefer jujitsu and judo over aikido, but I think that has to do with personality
Brazilian jujitsu is cool, but I would strongly recommend researching the school. A lot of people are teaching it without credentials. I check out a school and on the first class the guy teaching was a "purple" belt and was having people do chokes. Really really stupid idea.
- spendogg0
I took shoto-kan for 7 years (origin is okanowan) stopped when i was 20 - i have also take aikido on and off for 5 years.
shoto-kan was great for fighting and power - akido is great for balance, stamina and weapon training
- paraselene0
kOna, if there is only ONE man in the universe who deserves ninja swords, my vote goes 110% to you.
- Poppa0
numberoneson so i have heard. how long does it take to learn enough Kali/Eskrima (same thing no?) until you are considered advanced? I was considering these styles and then switch to another style taking me 20 years to master.
- numberoneson0
In regards to Kali and Escrima, I enjoy Escrima as it goes beyond knives or sticks or staffs and you will come to learn how use any object as an effective weapon along with distance, timing, force, power and balance. Kali is great as it ultimately about knife fighting, but don't start training under the impression that you'll win a knife fight. Unarmed Kali is very effective close-quarter system used in movies like Bourne Identity and The Hunted. Whatever martial art you choose, I'd say remember to get your money's worth, these days training doesn't come cheap unless you practice, practice, practice and practice a bit more.
- ricstultz0
I got to a green belt in ti kwon do... but that was when I was 14. So I bet I'm a little rusty :P
- Poppa0
numberoneson also there is a place near me in Venice California and as I was told- a beginner can join in any class because they pair you up with an advanced student diving right into it from class1. Is this normal?
- ********0
Tang Soo Do/Korean Tae Kwan Do for 17 years.
Aikido for 5 years.
Jeet Kune Do for 3 years.
If you are just interested just in kicking ass or self defense, there are slef-defense related courses of study, many which combine styles and techniques.
Most arts offer you more than that though. Physical and mental agility, discipline, self-knowledge...
I have studied Tang Soo Do for a long time now, and have been in situations where it was necessary to utilize. From experience I can say that there are likely many styles that will “hold up” in real situations—the determining factor is you. The rigor with which you study, your confidence, etc. Most fights are over before they begin, and happen in the mind (not too sound too much like a cliché).
From my experience:
Tang Soo Do/Korean Tae Kwan Do—very rigorous and effective, not to be confused with American Tae Kwan Do.
Aikido—much more mental and spiritual. there is no offense, all “attacks” are counter attacks. You learn how to use the body, in realtion to the body.
Jeet Kune Do—most versatile I have found, focus is on being able to respond to any situation. Techniques are drawn from numerous sources.
- Poppa0
A friend of mine has said that if I like the way Kali looks I should look into Kempo. Do you know anything about the Kempo style? He explained they focused hard on combinations but I was concerned about it being as "realistic" as Eskrima.
- shaft0
I check out a school and on the first class the guy teaching was a "purple" belt and was having people do chokes. Really really stupid idea.
woodyBatts
(Jan 25 05, 08:10)That's what I mean, it's supposed to keep you safe and fit, not cripple you. Choose your style and school wisely. The most effective arts, esp. these used by special forces often are the ones with the most injuries.
- hiphoprelic0
Han Mu Do. Haven't been in almost a year and have lost most of what I had built.
Mostly falls, joint locks and escapes mixed with hand and foot strikes.
Need to get back in to class.
- numberoneson0
Again, it depends on your instructor and your practice time. Escrima started me on weapons from day one and within a year with training once a week for 2 hours I gained my second grade and my third (double sticks and some knife work) half way into my second year. I became more and confident on the street and would consider myself as intermediate if I was training without breaks for 3.5 years. Don't forget that in Chinese, Kung Fu means: "Hard work".
- numberoneson0
When I started Escrima, I was the lowest grad there and was training regularly with senior students. It's training for me as well for them and I would advocate it in any class. Kenpo's good for combinations yes, but ask yourself what it is you want out of your martial art and best discuss it with potential instructors. Jeff Speakerman in "The Perfect Weapon" uses it to good effect, but then it's a movie. In a real fight, the less you need to know for defence, the better and you'll more likely remember it if it's simple and uncomplicated.
- SteveJobs0
you pretty much just need to get some good skills.. you know, like nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills...
- Poppa0
"In a real fight, the less you need to know for defence, the better and you'll more likely remember it if it's simple and uncomplicated."
That makes perfect sense. Ok, I understand a film is a film but the techniques used in Bourne Identity I happen to love. I liked seeing ordinary objects being used as a weapon, quick thinking and getting lost in a sequence of fast blocks and take downs. I am looking for something that can be used in an unfortunate real life scenario against an unskilled attacker and also ends a fight fast.
With all of this known am I best suited for Escrima, Kali, Krav Maga, Ninjitsu or Kenpo?
- chameleonic0
Shaft, I'm just reading up on Daito-ryu Aiki Jujutsu - I didn't realise this is where Aikido comes form - fascinating.
- visible0
karate as a kid
pa kua chang for a couple years
(internal martial art, like tai chi)
- Poppa0
or something else?
- paddywop0
I did Hung Kuen Kung Fu for quite a few years, until i got kicked shitless by a loony at a tournament in manchester a couple of years ago. I packed it in shortly after that.