NationStates Jolt Archive

Has anyone here ever taken martial arts? I've always wanted to, but never followed up on it. I think that if I ever do take some classes, I'd need to loose some weight beforehand. Did you enjoy it? Are you still involved? If not, why'd you stop?

I imagine me taking martial arts would end up with people seeing something like this: http://www.kung-fu.co.il/images/sections/videos/martial_art_flick.wmv

Yes, made it to two belts below black then stopped. I can't remember why I did though.

I took two classes of Tae Kwon Do (spl?) when I was 4 or 5. Backed out though, I was not going back into that room where the crazy-ass Korean instructor could kill me with a pair of chop-sticks.

I get into fights. That's like martial arts, except without the discipline.

I'm a second degree blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do, and I tell you it is a lot of fun and a great way to stay in shape.

Check out www.usadojo.com and www.ataonline.com to learn more. There are a lot of schools that offer programs for adults and you learn at your own pace. Go to www.usadojo.com and check out all of the different martial arts styles and choose one that appeals to you. The best thing to do is to find a local school, some offer a free introductory class, so you can see for yourself how they train.

Make sure you choose an experienced and reputable school, and ask a lot of questions! Good luck!:cool:

I've studied several different martial arts...
Tae kwon do
Judo (by far my favorite)
Penjak selak (I never could spell this one)
Fencing (both freestyle and olympic)
and Western European armored combat.

Jobs and life commitments (moving around a LOT) caused me to give each and every one up :(

Don't worry about losing weight before you take classes. This could possibly lead to frustration and you giving up on yourself.

Rather use the martial art of your choosing to help you lose weight. Your exorcise would then be much more interesting and fun for you and your chance of keeping up with it goes up tremondously.

I would like to try fencing. I don't think my knee could take the twisting Tae kwon do can demand of it. (repaired ACL)

The best martial art is Capoeira, hands down.

I would like to try fencing. I don't think my knee could take the twisting Tae kwon do can demand of it. (repaired ACL)
Fencing requires strong knees as well. Those lunges can be killer. If you do seek some fencing instruction, try to find a school that offers freestyle as well as olympic. Not many do.
Freestyle is much less linear, more side to side and doesn't have to involve the deep lunges that olympic can.

The best martial art is Capoeira, hands down.
I love watching Capoeira. Only The Strong.

I've been practicing Tae Kwon Do (Chun-Ji forms) for a few years now, and am hoping to get my first degree black belt next year. I highly recommend it.

I've been practicing Tae Kwon Do (Chun-Ji forms) for a few years now, and am hoping to get my first degree black belt next year. I highly recommend it.

Yay! That's what I did! I don't suppose you're in the ITA are you? I got up to green belt (yeah not so high I know) but then got my arm broken sparring a third grade black belt (fairly long story) and haven't been back since :( Never really had the time - if I'd not been off for so long I probably woulda carried on, but when I came outta the cast it was jsut coming up to my GCSEs and shit so... yeah...

But yeah TKD is awesome.

I don't suppose you're in the ITA are you?

No, my old school was ITF; the teacher was a ninth-degree Grandmaster who was one of the first thirty-nine students of General Choi. I haven't specifically asked, but I think my new school is ATA.

I liked green belt a lot. Won Hyo is one of my favorite forms; it was the first one where I actually felt like a martial artist. Heh, my best injury was getting side-kicked square in the forehead by a brown belt.

Can anyone reccomend some practical martial arts? I took Shoalin Do Kung Fu, but most the things we learned were completely impractical (Katas and animal forms...), and the self defense techniques were misleading; no one is going to stand there while you execute a technique on them, at least, no one stupid. I'm not saying it was a completely useless martial art, but not for the reasons I was looking for. I was thinking about Krav Maga, anyone with experience in that or anything else? I'm looking for practical defense against street fighting and common types like that.

I was thinking about Krav Maga, anyone with experience in that or anything else? I'm looking for practical defense against street fighting and common types like that.

Krav Maga would be good; it's Israeli, so you know it's badass.

Not everything you learn in a martial art is going to be practical. A lot of it is training you to keep your head clear and to block attacks, so that if an opportunity to do some damage presents itself, you can act with maximum effectiveness the first time. Though if I were attacked by someone on the street, I would probably just sidekick them in the knee to dislocate/break it before I ran.

Tae Kwon Do's Joong Gun, Won Hyo, and/or Hwa Rang forms are the best for self defense, I think. There's nothing quite as self-inspiring as making an attacker stab themselves with their own knife.

No, my old school was ITF; the teacher was a ninth-degree Grandmaster who was one of the first thirty-nine students of General Choi. I haven't specifically asked, but I think my new school is ATA.

I liked green belt a lot. Won Hyo is one of my favorite forms; it was the first one where I actually felt like a martial artist. Heh, my best injury was getting side-kicked square in the forehead by a brown belt.

Aah - well, one letter, close enough :D My teacher was only a fourth grade (I say only) but I swear he coulda killed me with his eyelids if I pissed him off - crazy Australians eh?

Yeah green belt is pretty sweet, not least because it was when we were allowed to start sparring (sweetest thing ever, especially when you're one of the annoying bastards who actually moves around :D). Yellow belt form - can't remember the name now, I did it a good three years ago now it must be - was pretty awesome though. I just love square blocks, and the knifehand block things (again can't remember the name) at the beginning. Shame about the three punch/block steps in between - they look a bit mincey lol.