NationStates Jolt Archive

I've been doing Muay Thai for a good two years now, and I am Thai, so I guess it's in my blood to want to do it and excel. I've also been practicing Judo, and I've been doing Tai Kek since I was seven. So my question is, what Martial Arts do you do, if any? Tae Kwon Do? Judo? Just want to see some fellow martial artists out there.

I've had a little tai-chi.

Nope... I wanna be an MMA fighter someday, though...

not me, but I like Thai food.......it's spicey!:p

I took Tae Kwon Do for several years and almost got my blackbelt, but between a move and a bunch of other work I ended up falling away from it. I want to take it up again some time, but who knows?

Marital Arts, definitely.

not in the biblical sense.

but if she is cute....

Nope... I wanna be an MMA fighter someday, though...

?

not me, but I like Thai food.......it's spicey!:p

Hooray! I can cook Thai, cause I'm that hard. Plus I am Thai, so my mother forced me to learn it.

I took Tae Kwon Do for several years and almost got my blackbelt, but between a move and a bunch of other work I ended up falling away from it. I want to take it up again some time, but who knows?

Hah, what happened?

Done about eight years of Tai Chi Chuan and a couple of years of Wing Tsun. I lean towards the more internal martial arts than anything else, I'd quite like to learn Bagua and Tsing Yi.

I know of them.

Done about eight years of Tai Chi Chuan and a couple of years of Wing Tsun. I lean towards the more internal martial arts than anything else, I'd quite like to learn Bagua and Tsing Yi.

That's weird. I had a sudden, irrational craving for chinese food after I read this.

?

I'll register this "?" as you not knowing what MMA is, not your shock that someone with no training wants to be a fighter.

MMA = Mixed Martial Arts. There are two main MMA organisations in America: PRIDE and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), and the fights they show are the most amazing and entertaining of any combat sport. Most fighters try to have basic knowledge of kickboxing, boxing, and either Brazilian Jiujitsu or submission wrestling...

I went to several Karate Schools when I was younger (8 years through 17 years old), and even weaseled a black belt out of one of them. Unfortunately, I don't remember enough of any of them to really count for much.
I have got a nasty left jab, a penchant for biting and can deliver a killer kick to the nuts. So maybe I can claim to be a master of Toddler style Kung Fu.

Hooray! I can cook Thai, cause I'm that hard. Plus I am Thai, so my mother forced me to learn it.
yeah, it nearly kills me everytime I eat it, I remember growing up my mom would make me eat it on the porch and I would be in pain for the rest of the night and she would say "what in the hell is wrong with you? why do you keep eating it?"
and I would say "it's sooooo gooood"

when my husband and I got engaged he offered to take my family out to dinner to get to know them better, and he made the comment that the had been craving Thai, but didn't want to assume that everyone liked it, and my mom said "why in the hell would you eat that? doesn't it make you have heart burn?" and he said "yeah, but it's soooo goood"

I thought, if that isn't a reason to marry him, nothing is. :p

That's weird. I had a sudden, irrational craving for chinese food after I read this.
Indeed, nothing like some Wing Tsun Pork with a side of Tai Chi Chuan and a pint of Tsing Yi Soup. Just be sure you get some of that Bagua Tea to wash it down with.

I'll register this "?" as you not knowing what MMA is, not your shock that someone with no training wants to be a fighter.

MMA = Mixed Martial Arts. There are two main MMA organisations in America: PRIDE and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), and the fights they show are the most amazing and entertaining of any combat sport. Most fighters try to have basic knowledge of kickboxing, boxing, and either Brazilian Jiujitsu or submission wrestling...

Ah, okay.

"I know Kung Fu" *Keanu Reeves voice*

I've been doing Hap Ki Do for nearly 5 years now. I am within half a year of receiving my First-Dan.

I've been doing Hap Ki Do for nearly 5 years now. I am within half a year of receiving my First-Dan.

Where do you learn Hapkido? It's like frowned upon for some reason where I am to learn Hapkido, but it sounds awesome.

I went to several Karate Schools when I was younger (8 years through 17 years old), and even weaseled a black belt out of one of them. Unfortunately, I don't remember enough of any of them to really count for much.
I have got a nasty left jab, a penchant for biting and can deliver a killer kick to the nuts. So maybe I can claim to be a master of Toddler style Kung Fu.

Hooray! :D

I am proficient in Shaq-Fu and more than proficient in the exquisite art of the groin kick. *nod*

Indeed, nothing like some Wing Tsun Pork with a side of Tai Chi Chuan and a pint of Tsing Yi Soup. Just be sure you get some of that Bagua Tea to wash it down with.

The only meal that can kill you gracefully.

I can balance expensive knives on my index finger, does that count?

Ive done a bit of everything- BJJ, Capoeira, Sambo, Judo, Wing Chun (sticking hands mostly) and officially train in TKD, JKD, and Muay Thai. I train under 2 previous Aust heavyweight champs for Muay Thai and Judo. I am also extremely proficient at, and have my 1st dan in, Feng Shui- Fuck with me and u get furniture thrown at u, or get folded into a human pretzel, or i just Muay Thai ur arse

Almost forgot- also have done some Arnis Silat knifework and batonwork

Where do you learn Hapkido? It's like frowned upon for some reason where I am to learn Hapkido, but it sounds awesome.

Frowned upon? That's really weird.

Hapkido is fairly popular amongst advanced Taekwondo students up and down the West Coast.

I'm up in the Seattle area and the school I study at has a number of schools open in the region.

Hapkido is a pretty diverse art though, so it could be a different variant of the same art that is frowned upon (I study under one of the students of the Grandmaster of the World Hapkido Federation, and we do a very soft style. I know there are hard style variants, but that isn't very true to the art, given that it is most closely related to Aikido.)

I don't know martial arts, but I can beat up my friends (and brother) who do.

I've been doing Muay Thai for a good two years now, and I am Thai, so I guess it's in my blood to want to do it and excel. I've also been practicing Judo, and I've been doing Tai Kek since I was seven. So my question is, what Martial Arts do you do, if any? Tae Kwon Do? Judo? Just want to see some fellow martial artists out there.

I've studied Lee Jun Fan kung fu, Philipino Kali, Indonesian Silat, grappling/Machado Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, boxing and took a few classes in Muay Thai (didn't like it much, but I recognize that it's a good art).

Where I used to study http://www.pamausa.com/

I have a black belt in Tae Kwon do. Did it for about 2 years but have various injuries so had to give it up:( I do chi kung as well.

Surprised nobody here has tried Jeet Kun Do. Incredibly brutal training.

I've never heard of it. Tell me more?

Surprised nobody here has tried Jeet Kun Do. Incredibly brutal training.

JKD isn't a martial art in and of itself. It's a set of concepts designed to free one from the orthodox forms of martial arts and let one express himself and flow naturally in combat and in life. Lee's art was Lee Jun Fan kung fu. I'm a Jeet Kune Do man. Here's where I studied.

www.pamausa.com

If I didn't live in little old nowhere, I'd probably be studying Sambo.

I did Tae Kwon Do for a few months back in the day and got up to only yellow belt. My girlfriend on the other hand has studied it for about two years and is I think a green belt. She could probably kick my ass:p

I did a few years of kyokushinkai karate.

I practice hung gar kuen. Before I started on it I had done several years of karate on and off, probably 4-5 years of training in all. It took me that long to realise that my school, if not the art itself, was fundamentally flawed. Also, kung fu sounds cooler :)

does watching a jet li movie count?

No, there's little point to learning it. I don't go looking for fights, and there are ways to get exercise that don't involve beating each other up.

Besides every fight I've ever been in I've been able to use superior strength to win.

Im rather suprised nobody has mentioned Kendo yet. Fun stuff, you get to hit people with a stick AND yell stuff AND you learn to disembowl people.

"I know Kung Fu" *Keanu Reeves voice*

*slaps*

a) that means you know ALL kung fu (about 82 styles).
b) I'm guessing you don't :p

plus it's a cheesy line, but as it's you, you can live (mainly cos of the cool smilies;) )

i know a marshall. i work with him.

he's an alright guy. but i didnt know he did any art.:D

Hey I thought of doing a thread like this but never got round to it!

When I was young I did Tang Soo do (a bit like karate)
A few years ago I did Wing Chun which I liked but had to give it up for money reasons. Currently I do 7 Stars Praying Mantis Kung-Fu which rocks! It's basically a mixture of 17 kung-fu styles with fresh bits thrown in (so 18 styles in total). It's the most complete system I've found so far covering long and short range techniques, locks/breaks, groundwork and weapons. 73 forms to learn though - gonna take forever!!!!!!! I've been doing it for about 3 and a half years now.

My Sifu used to be a thai boxer on a professional level many years ago. I got a lot of respect for Muay Thai it's a truely devestating art. I only went along to the one lesson of muay thai (instructor was a wanker) and though I'd like to do it, I can't, as I have epilepsy so can't take too many heavy blows to the head. Saying that I've taken a few in praying mantis as it's full-contact!

Through doing my training not only have I learned lots of techniques, but I feel healthier, have more stamina and am generally much more confident in everything I do on a daily basis. :cool:

No, there's little point to learning it. I don't go looking for fights, and there are ways to get exercise that don't involve beating each other up.

Besides every fight I've ever been in I've been able to use superior strength to win.

It's fun. It has nothing to do with fighting; Teachers teach you NOT to fight, except in self defense. However, sparring, grappling, and even just throwining exercises are a rush.

Hah, what happened?

Well, we moved and there were no TKD places nearby; the nearest one was about 30 miles away and it wasn't really convienent to drive out there and back three or four times a week. Combine that with the fact that I was entering my sophomore year of HS and I needed to boost my GPA for college and you can see how it became nearly impossible to keep up with it.

Once I get to college I'm going to probably get back in to it; unfortunately, I'm going to have to start at white belt again...I reached navy blue with two black tips but I never got my black belt!

I'll probably also take up Tai Chi if I can find a group that does it down at OSU; it would be a good complementary art to practice alongside Tae Kwon Do.

It's fun. It has nothing to do with fighting; Teachers teach you NOT to fight, except in self defense. However, sparring, grappling, and even just throwining exercises are a rush.

Quoted for TRUTH! ;)

It's waaaaay more fun than going to a gym!

Well, we moved and there were no TKD places nearby; the nearest one was about 30 miles away and it wasn't really convienent to drive out there and back three or four times a week. Combine that with the fact that I was entering my sophomore year of HS and I needed to boost my GPA for college and you can see how it became nearly impossible to keep up with it.

That's the only bad part about my school - it's 33 miles away! BUT if you really want to do something the you'll travel. I understand here though as you had all the study bits on top. Get back into it!!!!!!!

That's the only bad part about my school - it's 33 miles away! BUT if you really want to do something the you'll travel. I understand here though as you had all the study bits on top. Get back into it!!!!!!!

Absolutely. There are going to be plenty of places near OSU to take it up, and after I graduate I can go back to my old school in Cincinnati. It's too bad that owner no longer teaches there...he was a 9th Degree Black Belt from Korea who was still teaching when he was in his 80's and I really learned a lot of the more advanced forms and techniques from him and the other higher-ranking black belts.

Nice. A 9th degree black belt -_-

JKD (Jeet Kun Do) is the best art to complement anything. It and Muay Thai work well for me. "Be water my friend" said by the late and great Bruce Lee

No, there's little point to learning it. I don't go looking for fights, and there are ways to get exercise that don't involve beating each other up.

Besides every fight I've ever been in I've been able to use superior strength to win.

Technically, the point of self-defense is to learn it so you'll never have to use it. If the need arises, you'll be ready, but hopefully you'll be concious enough to avoid and physical confrontation. Plus, I like the internal arts because it doesn't matter how "superior" your strength is, it's the technique that counts. Not to mention the health benefits.

I have been attempting to start some GongFu lessons. I ffound this hidden company down an alleyway in Chinatown when I was wandering. I went downthis alleyway, though a back door, past the rear entrances to several chinese kitchens, and up 2 flights of fire-stairs with chinese writing on the walls. Finally there is a door with the Kung Fu academy's name. But when I go there is never anyone there. I've got the number now though.
It's too cool. Plus I've been meaning to do Gungfu for some time.

No formal training, but Ive been taught a smattering of Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, and a bit more Jeet Kun Do.

Between to the two, I prefer JKD.

Im not built like a tiny asian man, and JKD works better, as its formless.

It works to ones strengths, and doesnt try to make the student conform to a rigid style of katas, and endless technique.

I like it becuase it basically borrows from nearly every pre-existing stlye, and uses what works, and discards the flowery nonsense.

If I were ever to take formal lessons, it would be JKD, or possibly Brazilian Ju-Jitsu.

I have been attempting to start some GongFu lessons. I ffound this hidden company down an alleyway in Chinatown when I was wandering. I went downthis alleyway, though a back door, past the rear entrances to several chinese kitchens, and up 2 flights of fire-stairs with chinese writing on the walls. Finally there is a door with the Kung Fu academy's name. But when I go there is never anyone there. I've got the number now though.
It's too cool. Plus I've been meaning to do Gungfu for some time.

That's cool, but I believe you forgot to use Wu-Shu in your possibly random post! :D

Why is this not a poll!?:mad:

And yes. Yes, I do know a little bit.:)

No formal training, but Ive been taught a smattering of Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, and a bit more Jeet Kun Do.

Between to the two, I prefer JKD.

Im not built like a tiny asian man, and JKD works better, as its formless.


You don't need to be to study mantis. JKD's formless as it's a set of principles to be applied to a martial art, not a martial art in itself.

It works to ones strengths, and doesnt try to make the student conform to a rigid style of katas, and endless technique.

Good technique is neccessary if you want to carry out moves effectively and kata's/forms are a good way of remembering the moves - a textbook for techniques if you will.

The point here is every person is suited to a certain style of martial art, what works for some will not work for others. All martial arts are beneficial. To say outright that any system is "better" is wrong. Better for YOU ;)

Nope. Not even a little bit, but I wish I did. When I was 6 my mom wanted me to take classes with her (she has a black belt in TKD), but I opted to compete in gymnastics instead. When I got to college, I went to a few meetings/lessons for capoeira, karate (don't remember which style, sorry) and wushu, but ended up doing ultimate frisbee instead.

Why is this not a poll!?:mad:

And yes. Yes, I do know a little bit.:)

....carry on

Nope. Not even a little bit, but I wish I did. When I was 6 my mom wanted me to take classes with her (she has a black belt in TKD), but I opted to compete in gymnastics instead. When I got to college, I went to a few meetings/lessons for capoeira, karate (don't remember which style, sorry) and wushu, but ended up doing ultimate frisbee instead.

I laughed out loud when I read that last part! Sorry, but Ultimate Frisbee sounds hilarious! :p

....carry on

I did...I left the thread, didn't I?:p

I did...I left the thread, didn't I?:p

Apparently not!

I laughed out loud when I read that last part! Sorry, but Ultimate Frisbee sounds hilarious! :p
:D Ultimate rocks! I take it you've never played? I hadn't either, at least not before I got to uni. But I tried it out and loved it. It's a good workout and a lot of fun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_frisbee

I laughed out loud when I read that last part! Sorry, but Ultimate Frisbee sounds hilarious! :p

It is. It's completely absurd next to martial arts.:D

:D Ultimate rocks! I take it you've never played? I hadn't either, at least not before I got to uni. But I tried it out and loved it. It's a good workout and a lot of fun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_frisbee

Never heard of it until now! :D Can't remember when I last threw a frisbee either, prob a good 10 years+ ago!!! Sounds like fun though! ;)

Apparently not!

I did, but you wouldn't let me stay gone. Now I'll just have to hijack it!:D:p

I did, but you wouldn't let me stay gone. Now I'll just have to hijack it!:D:p

Nope, spam rules don't apply here! (not until 20 pages) :D

Nope, spam rules don't apply here! (not until 20 pages) :D

Pfft! I've started as early as post two!...wait....I've created threads....so I've started as early as post one!:D:p

Nope, spam rules don't apply here! (not until 20 pages) :D

Pfft! I've started as early as post two!...wait....I've created threads....so I've started as early as post one!:D:p

Yeah, but I haven't been to training for months and months. Lack of money. :(
I'll be starting university in september and I'll definetely be wasting my student loan to get punched in the face again. :)

Yeah, but I haven't been to training for months and months. Lack of money. :(
I'll be starting university in september and I'll definetely be wasting my student loan to get punched in the face again. :)


I know that one! :(

what were you studying?

Yeah, but I haven't been to training for months and months. Lack of money. :(
I'll be starting university in september and I'll definetely be wasting my student loan to get punched in the face again. :)

LOL Well, that's your choice. It'll probably be worth it to you....and all the people who get to punch you in the face.:p

I'm chinese, I know more than Martial arts, also tae kwon do.

I know Kung-fu.

No, seriously.


Haven't really practiced in years, though. Right now I'm learning kenjutsu, kendo and iadio.

I know that one! :(

what were you studying?
I've dabbled in a few. The longest one I studied was ninjitsu, for about a year and a half. Twice a week at first then four times a week for a year (no wonder I ran out of cash). The one I definetely want to study again though is vale tudo. I practised that for about half a year, between two and four times a week. Even though I only did vale tudo for half a year, I feel I learned the most from it.
LOL Well, that's your choice. It'll probably be worth it to you....and all the people who get to punch you in the face.:p
Yeah, people just love to punch me in the face for some reason. There were even two guys who refuse to hit women, but don't have a problem punching me. I don't know if it's because they respect my fighting abilities and think I'm tough, despite being a girl. Or if they just think I'm a bitch who desrves to be beaten. I guess you'd agree with the latter reason. :(

I've dabbled in a few. The longest one I studied was ninjitsu, for about a year and a half. Twice a week at first then four times a week for a year (no wonder I ran out of cash). The one I definetely want to study again though is vale tudo. I practised that for about half a year, between two and four times a week. Even though I only did vale tudo for half a year, I feel I learned the most from it.

Yeah, people just love to punch me in the face for some reason. There were even two guys who refuse to hit women, but don't have a problem punching me. I don't know if it's because they respect my fighting abilities and think I'm tough, despite being a girl. Or if they just think I'm a bitch who desrves to be beaten. I guess you'd agree with the latter reason. :(

Only jokingly so....well, mostly. You can be, but aren't by default. I think it's a bit of both, really.

I know Kung-fu.

No, seriously.


Haven't really practiced in years, though. Right now I'm learning kenjutsu, kendo and iadio.
:cool:

I love the samurai arts, but sadly there are no kenjutsu or iaido classes in my area otherwise I'd probably go.

:cool:

I love the samurai arts, but sadly there are no kenjutsu or iaido classes in my area otherwise I'd probably go.

Samurai are all EVIL people. Learn ninjitsu, all the cool kids do. :)

I did some Judo at school which was fun...did some interschool comps...then checked out Kendo (ouchie ouchie ouchie ouchie) and was invited to study Aikedo at Leeds Uni....which was fun but didn't last as I hit the road (traveller n all that dontchyaknow!)

fighting is silly.

I've dabbled in a few. The longest one I studied was ninjitsu, for about a year and a half. Twice a week at first then four times a week for a year (no wonder I ran out of cash). The one I definetely want to study again though is vale tudo. I practised that for about half a year, between two and four times a week. Even though I only did vale tudo for half a year, I feel I learned the most from it.


Did you have to do calligraphy as part of ninjitsu? I looked into it (before taking up praying mantis) as there are courses this way but when I spoke to the guy he mainly talked about calligraphy and tree climbing also :p

Vale tudo? I've heard the name but have no idea what it is.

Samurai are all EVIL people. Learn ninjitsu, all the cool kids do. :)

Ninjas were hired assassins. Can't get much more EVIL! ok so some of the time they were hired by the samurai but erm.... they still had the whole bushido code of honour. Ninjas kill by stealth/poison etc. ;)

Ninjas were hired assassins. Can't get much more EVIL! ok so some of the time they were hired by the samurai but erm.... they still had the whole bushido code of honour. Ninjas kill by stealth/poison etc. ;)

You would be very, very surprised at how much more evil one can be. And that doesn't excuse employing people who have a different, more ruthless code of honor to kill. Killing is still fun ol' killing, no matter who's doing it.

I do Capoeira.

You would be very, very surprised at how much more evil one can be. And that doesn't excuse employing people who have a different, more ruthless code of honor to kill. Killing is still fun ol' killing, no matter who's doing it.

True on the killing part, but surprised about the evil nah.

I'm always (pleasantly) surprized with how much endurance training is involved with ninjutsu.

I study bujinkan, so when we take a random night to work on some of the ninja lineages... well those nights I come home hurting. And it's not from bruising for once. Bujinkan is rough training.. at least at my dojo.

I know blinded-by-fury.

I've always been interested in learning martial arts, but I was always to lazy to start and now I'm too busy and too poor - college is great.

i've always wanted to try and learn Ninjitsu, but could never find a teacher.

I really love doing Capoeira and its pretty fun to do. It does get hard like most martial arts.

True on the killing part, but surprised about the evil nah.

Then you underestimate humanity.

Then you underestimate humanity.

erm.....no :p

erm.....no :p

I wouldn't be too sure about that....

Did you have to do calligraphy as part of ninjitsu? I looked into it (before taking up praying mantis) as there are courses this way but when I spoke to the guy he mainly the conversation on calligraphy and tree climbing also :p

Not calligraphy, but we did learn a lot of interesting historic facts about ninjas and samurai. We also had to learn a lot of Japanese words (although to be fair none of these words even existed in english). But I hate languages, I've forgotten every single word. Mostly it was very informal where I learned it, I got away without having to do all these bows and other formalities that they insist on in other places. w00t, no calligraphy! We didn't climb trees, but we had to practise stealthy movement and ninja rolls and lots of crazy stuff like that. It was all good fun. :)
Ninjas were hired assassins. Can't get much more EVIL! ok so some of the time they were hired by the samurai but erm.... they still had the whole bushido code of honour. Ninjas kill by stealth/poison etc. ;)
Ninja's rebelled against the EVIL samurai. The samurai were mean to the common people. Or something. I don't really know...
I suspect I was being brainwashed by my ninjitsu teacher. :eek:

I wouldn't be too sure about that....

ok.....erm......maybe ;)

You're very deep and on-topic today!!!!!!!!

I DO however underestimate the amount of sleep I really need and as it's nearly 2 and I gotta be up at 6 I must go now. :rolleyes:

ok.....erm......maybe ;)

You're very deep and on-topic today!!!!!!!!

I DO however underestimate the amount of sleep I really need and as it's nearly 2 and I gotta be up at 6 I must go now. :rolleyes:

No, definitely.

It happens on occasion. I can be very cold and clinical. There's nothing to be done for it.

I totally forgot to answer the question. Must have been the chuckle I got out of Keanu Reeves' quote...

I trained Shotokan Karate for seven years between 1987 and 1994. Never picked it up after my highschool year in the U.S., though, and was pretty busy with school sports while abroad.

My son started learning Bok-Fu at the age of 4. He did very well despite being the youngest student they had ever accepted and even won a bronze metal in a competition. It gave him quite a sense of accomplishment.

I wish I had kept him in it, but they ended up getting into the ordeal of moving across the street to another building. They kept switching instructors on him even though he found one he liked and excelled with and stopped promoting him even though he reached the next level. He lost interest and for the cost it was no longer worth it. Now he's forgotten all of it. :(

I took kemp. I can do a proper fighting stance and throw a proper punch which has come in handy. I can do some blocks too.

*shrugs*

I've got a black belt in tom-yum.

You don't need to be to study mantis. JKD's formless as it's a set of principles to be applied to a martial art, not a martial art in itself.

Ever read The Tao of Jeet Kun Do?

Its more than principles.

I found PM to be better for me than some of the other styles of Kung Fu, becuase they were less high kicks, and whatnot.
Im just never going to be flexible enough to make such kicks actually worthwhile.
So, pummeling, and striking is more suitable for me.



Good technique is neccessary if you want to carry out moves effectively and kata's/forms are a good way of remembering the moves - a textbook for techniques if you will.

Agreed.
Its all about muscle-memory.
However, frankly, some of the more "dancy" styles of kung-fu, are rotten with useless moves, and flowery forms meant as art, as much as defense.
These can be rather useless in a real fight, unless youre fighting another martial artist of the same style.

Thats what JKD is all about.
Keep what works...discard the rest.



The point here is every person is suited to a certain style of martial art, what works for some will not work for others. All martial arts are beneficial. To say outright that any system is "better" is wrong. Better for YOU ;)

I disagree..to a point.

Some styles are very rigid in what they teach, and how they teach it.
Others, dont even touch certain aspects of real fighting.
They say that 90% of all real fights end up on the ground.
Some styles do nothing, or very little to teach thier students things like how to wrap your legs around your opponents throat, and squeeze the fecking breath out of him, until he has no desire whatsoever for more fighting.

Also, certain styles concentrate too much on striking, and not much on interception.
Not getting hit is always the best defense.

"Way of the Intercepting Fist" dontcha know.

Example:

One friend I know was taking Tang Soo Do at a local dojo.
The sensei was always keen on a good wheel kick.

Do you know how rarely youre ever really going to have to wheel kick someone?

That move was invented to knock someone off of a horse...not for showy unarmed combat.

So I do believe certain styles are "better" than others, and certainly some are more practical than others.

Capoeira for instance.
Mind you, Ive never taken a lesson in my life, but I have serious doubts about how effective that style is in an actual fight, against a opponent with some degree of skill.

Capoeira is like any martial art in that it was designed to combat certain circumstances. Capoeira was designed by slaves who were in manacles all the time and as such developed ways to use the restraints as weapons. It would not be effective unless u were in manacles or something similar- which is the reason i hav a cheap, 1 foot long, DECORATIVE(completely legal) neck chain

Capoeira is like any martial art in that it was designed to combat certain circumstances. Capoeira was designed by slaves who were an manacles all the time and as such developed ways to use the restraints as weapons. It would not be effective unless u were in manacles or something similar- which is the reason i hav a cheap, 1 foot long, DECORATIVE(completely legal) neck chain

Ive seen a couple demonstrations, and the dancing aspect makes it nearly useless, (as far as I can tell).

Too much dancing, and silly handstand kicking.

I respect it as an art, but have serious doubts as to its effectiveness.

Ever read The Tao of Jeet Kun Do?.

I have scanned through the Tao of Jeet Kune Do yes.

Quote Wiki:The Tao of Jeet Kune Do is a book expressing Bruce Lee's martial arts philosophy and viewpoints.

I found PM to be better for me than some of the other styles of Kung Fu, becuase they were less high kicks, and whatnot.
Im just never going to be flexible enough to make such kicks actually worthwhile.
So, pummeling, and striking is more suitable for me.?.

Years of training will bring you the flexibility, but I know what you mean.

However, frankly, some of the more "dancy" styles of kung-fu, are rotten with useless moves, and flowery forms meant as art, as much as defense.
These can be rather useless in a real fight, unless youre fighting another martial artist of the same style.?.

All true



Some styles are very rigid in what they teach, and how they teach it.?.

Mostly for a reason, sometimes the reason just being to keep tradition going.


Others, dont even touch certain aspects of real fighting.?.

If you're thinking of Judo/Kendo, then they were just competition based "sports" not true martial arts in the fighting sense.

They say that 90% of all real fights end up on the ground.
Some styles do nothing, or very little to teach thier students things like how to wrap your legs around your opponents throat, and squeeze the fecking breath out of him, until he has no desire whatsoever for more fighting.?.?.

Realistically if you get into a fight it's likely to be in a pub/bar/street situation where a few potential opponents are present. In this type of situation if you go to the ground then you're likely to get kicked in the head from the enemy's friend (or two).

Also, certain styles concentrate too much on striking, and not much on interception.
Not getting hit is always the best defense.?.

well second only to not being there in the first place! :p

I took a little bit of karate, but I hardly remember it...

I do know where to hit to hurt though. ;)

Ive seen a couple demonstrations, and the dancing aspect makes it nearly useless, (as far as I can tell).

Too much dancing, and silly handstand kicking.

I respect it as an art, but have serious doubts as to its effectiveness.

It's incredible for developing functional strength and flexibility. I took a couple of classes in it, but it's just not my style.

The dancing aspect of Capoeira is pretty much useless today. But when it was developed by the slaves they were under restrictions- most notably (in this case)- no martial arts of any sort. So they developed their own and disguised it as a dance- i sorta feel sorry for their captors, chain round your neck at the mercy of someone who hates your guts. As for the kicks- very difficult to pull off high kicks with restricted movement in your arms because you balance yourself with your arms- their kicks are very similar to a french art called La Savate. Any martial art is developed under circumstances to combat those circumstances- karate weapons for instance were rice farming implements and the jumping kicks were designed to take a person off a horse. Not much use now because no-one rides horses anymore and you will never find a pair of Tonfa or Sai lying around during a mugging- but that doesnt mean that all the techniques are useless and if you understand the concept of it there is nothing to stop you developing your own. I personally carry a pen and a necklace where ever i go because they are both completely legal and i can use either effectively. The circumstance is the danger of being mugged etc and with weapon laws you cant carry a knife or anythin so i carry legal weapons that can be just as dangerous- i know that i have ranted on so ill stop now

Mauy Thai, Brazilian Jujitsu, and traditional Yang style Tai Chi Chaun. The full range!

I've practiced Uechi Ryu Karate for quite a while. I'm a 2nd degree black belt (Ni dan).

I just wish more people that I know would bloody take up fencing, rapier fencing or kendo. By the way, what's Aikido like?

Cool- wats Tai Chi Chuan like. Never had the opportunity 2 try it

I've never studied a martial art, but am looking into it. The problem is I don't know much about it and am looking for something that would help me defend myself in case I'm attacked (in my situation, likely.) without being overly fanciful, even though to get to that position anyway would likely take a lot of lessons in any of the arts. oh well.

I've never studied a martial art, but am looking into it. The problem is I don't know much about it and am looking for something that would help me defend myself in case I'm attacked (in my situation, likely.) without being overly fanciful, even though to get to that position anyway would likely take a lot of lessons in any of the arts. oh well.

Dude, the best advice I can give you is to find a few classes of different martial arts classes in your area and go along to a few and see what you prefer (first lesson is usually free in my experience).

It all depends what you want from a martial art. Yes most martial arts will take 3-4years before you are of a competant level in order to use them effectively but on the way there you'll undoubtedly pick up a few moves that you'll find useful.

Personally I like traditional kung-fu styles but yes there's lots of flowery stuff in most of them. Wing-Chun is a simple close-combat easy to learn art - it's what the likes of Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan started with before moving on to other arts. The problem with it is that there's lots of fighting areas it doesn't cover (i.e groundwork). Bruce Lee applied his Jeet Kune-Do concepts to Wing Chun and started Jun Fan Wing Chun which IMO is worth looking at.

Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) is a v.cool brutal art and full contact also. I think that learning a full-contact system is important, as if you ever ended up in a street fight you're likely to get punched in the face/head area. With full contact systems you quickly learn to avoid such tactics otherwise it hurts!

I study German longsword (mainly, although sword & buckler, dagger, pole axe and a few other weapons are studied, along with wrestling and pugelism) with a group at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

It's an art that combines so many different aspects, but with the same basic structure of footwork, movement and the use of intent. The whole range of combat, from out of range (pole axe) to within range (longsword) to grappling and wrestling (dagger, pugelism and wrestling) its a complete martial art and is effective in its simplicity.

Although it's not a living tradition, i believe it's as valid as any other, plus it's always nice to see more and more arts of different cultures being revived and olds myths about them being banished.

For those who wish to know more:

www.swordforum.com

www.myArmoury.com

I might take up the Krav Maga, given its lethal efficiency. Perhaps I could even combine it with the Bone Martial Arts (gyoko- and koto ryu) and aikido. The combination would be deadly, if not somewhat difficult to master. Or possibly Shaolin Kung Fu mixed with the two latter arts. Wing Chun is already deflective, so it would not be necessary alongside Aikido and the softer Bone art.

Out of curiosity, which martial arts are "circular" in their mode of movement? I know that Aikido is, but which others? Do any of the martial arts emphasizing kicks have a circular component to them?

Cool- wats Tai Chi Chuan like. Never had the opportunity 2 try it

Incredibly graceful and internal based. It's definetly more tendan strength based (have strong tedans means you are able to resist a lot more, as opposed to just muscle strength which is just muscles pushing against muscles). Takes an incredibly long time to master though, just keep that in mind. Truly beautiful martial art, but if you're looking to defend yourself quickly, it's not the most practical, it takes a lot of consistent training.

There's also about four major styles - Yang, Chen, Wu and Wudan. I've learnt a large amount of Yang and am learning a bit of Chen at the moment. Try them all out, I really support it all as a martial art. I quite like internal styles, much more emphasis on technique and less on strength. Other internal styles like Bagua and Tsing Yi have always caught my eye, I'm very interested in learning them as well.

I might take up the Krav Maga, given its lethal efficiency. Perhaps I could even combine it with the Bone Martial Arts (gyoko- and koto ryu) and aikido. The combination would be deadly, if not somewhat difficult to master. Or possibly Shaolin Kung Fu mixed with the two latter arts. Wing Chun is already deflective, so it would not be necessary alongside Aikido and the softer Bone art.

Out of curiosity, which martial arts are "circular" in their mode of movement? I know that Aikido is, but which others? Do any of the martial arts emphasizing kicks have a circular component to them?

Well dude, there's 82 different styles of Shaolin Kung-fu! I'm sure one of them will keep you amused!!!! Praying Mantis I find to be a complete art as in incorporates all aspects of fighting (plus it has loads of cool weapons!!!)

Avoid "MODERN WU-SHU". Basically it's a bastardised form of traditional kung-fu mainly with tournaments in mind. Stances are narrowed so lose efficacy and it seems to be all about somersaults and leaping around - do that in a fight and you're gonna get torn to pieces!!!!

Well dude, there's 82 different styles of Shaolin Kung-fu! I'm sure one of them will keep you amused!!!! Praying Mantis I find to be a complete art as in incorporates all aspects of fighting (plus it has loads of cool weapons!!!)
I still have to give it a try before I decide on which art I'll go with. :) Even if I go with Shaolin Kung Fu I might still mix it up with the other two arts I mentioned, once I have a good grasp of it that is. They are both lethally efficient, even if difficult to learn.

Avoid "MODERN WU-SHU". Basically it's a bastardised form of traditional kung-fu mainly with tournaments in mind. Stances are narrowed so lose efficacy and it seems to be all about somersaults and leaping around - do that in a fight and you're gonna get torn to pieces!!!!
I'll take that into consideration. I want a lethal defensive martial art, not some showman variation of it. Aren't acrobatics useful to martial arts though in general? For instance, a sommersault kick after having knocked your opponent off guard?

I've never studied a martial art, but am looking into it. The problem is I don't know much about it and am looking for something that would help me defend myself in case I'm attacked (in my situation, likely.) without being overly fanciful, even though to get to that position anyway would likely take a lot of lessons in any of the arts. oh well.

Im not the best one on the forum to ask, as Ive never had any formal training, but rather was taught a smattering of a few things.

The good thing about learning martial arts these days seems to be the availability of so much to choose from.

Most of the martial art studios almost always offer a free month, or at least a free lesson.
That way you can try a free lesson from all of em, and go with the one that suits you best.

Any of them will likely teach you what you need most, and thats confidence in yourself.
No matter how much a highly trained fighter you are, if you dont learn to have confidence in yourself, you will lose everytime.

My advice to you is take a free lesson from anywhere that will offer one.

It sounds like you want something pretty straight-forward.
In wich case, I would reccomend any of the Korean, or Japanese karate.
Theyre pretty much all the same, and seem to focus on heavy strikes, solid blocks, and grappling.
Thats all good stuff to know.

However, dont exclude good ol fashioned boxing.
Knowing how to knock someone out with a good right hook is a valueable thing.

However, if youre naturally quick, and not nessecarily a big guy, you may want to consider Chinese Kung-Fu.
My experience with it, limited as it may be, tells me that its not about strength, but speed.
A good friend of mine who studied under the (at the time) the oldest living Kung-Fu Grandmaster alive. (although they dont call them "grandmaster")

He said, "If you become twice as strong as you are now, you will strike twice as hard. If you become twice as fast, you will strike four times as hard.".

Watch a Bruce Lee movie, or a Jackie Chan film, or a Jet Li one, do they hit with thunderous punches that blow a man apart?

Nope.

They hit you in the beak so fast you see a oriental blur.
However, while films are entertaining, dont compare them to real fighting.

Final piece of advice....

Too many places these days are after the check every month.
They dont really care if you are learning the art correctly, and awarding "belts" for showing up, and participating.
Watch carefully for places like this.

Make sure you take lessons from a place that will give you one on one time with the Sifu/Sensei as well as group instruction.
Talk with the teacher, and ask what you will be learning, and what youre looking for.
Find one that suits you.


Good Luck, Grasshopper.

I still have to give it a try before I decide on which art I'll go with. :) Even if I go with Shaolin Kung Fu I might still mix it up with the other two arts I mentioned, once I have a good grasp of it that is. They are both lethally efficient, even if difficult to learn.


I'll take that into consideration. I want a lethal defensive martial art, not some showman variation of it. Aren't acrobatics useful to martial arts though in general? For instance, a sommersault kick after having knocked your opponent off guard?


Not really no. By the time you've attempted a somersault any decent martial artist would have torn into you in mid-air and you'd be in a heap on the floor. Plus you'd be surprised at how quick your energy drains by just fighting alone let alone wasting it on fancy backflips etc. Great for show, crap for fighting!!!

However, if youre naturally quick, and not nessecarily a big guy, you may want to consider Chinese Kung-Fu.
My experience with it, limited as it may be, tells me that its not about strength, but speed.
As well as technique. It has soft as well as hard aspects to it, meaning it utilises both strength as well as technique and speed. Aikido is one of the best arts to take if you are going for a mind over strength type of art. It has physical aspects, yet it is heavily technique-driven and deflective in nature. However yes, kung fu would be an ideal martial art if you want more than just hard aspects. Hard usually refers to speed as well by the way, whereas soft applies mostly to technique.


Watch a Bruce Lee movie, or a Jackie Chan film, or a Jet Li one, do they hit with thunderous punches that blow a man apart?

Nope.

They hit you in the beak so fast you see a oriental blur.
However, while films are entertaining, dont compare them to real fighting.

Or rather, put it this way. Don't think you can simply do what they can do with a few martial arts lessons. Bruce Lee was all he was made up to be and more. Yet, to reach his level of expertise one would have to be extremely devoted to the pursuit. Also, Electra, even though a crappy film, has Jennifer Garner pulling off many great Kung Fu moves. Again she is a pro martial artist, yet she gives a good show of what the style is like. Alias uses mostly fictional moves, so it's not a good source of inspiration.

As well as technique. It has soft as well as hard aspects to it, meaning it utilises both strength as well as technique and speed. Aikido is one of the best arts to take if you are going for a mind over strength type of art. It has physical aspects, yet it is heavily technique-driven and deflective in nature. However yes, kung fu would be an ideal martial art if you want more than just hard aspects. Hard usually refers to speed as well by the way, whereas soft applies mostly to technique.

You whats funny?

You may know who "Bolo Yeung" is.
He played "Bolo" in Enter the Dragon, with Bruce Lee.
Giant Asian man with huge pecs.

His favorite style is Tai Chi.





Or rather, put it this way. Don't think you can simply do what they can do with a few martial arts lessons. Bruce Lee was all he was made up to be and more. Yet, to reach his level of expertise one would have to be extremely devoted to the pursuit.

The guy I spoke about earlier, the former oldest living Kung Fu grandmaster...

He knew Bruce Lee back in Hong Kong.
Says he was a "Punk".

*whistles*.

Bruce Lee was every bit as they say he was, and it took him his entire life to get that way.

In my opinion, way better than all the rest, and since.



Also, Electra, even though a crappy film, has Jennifer Garner pulling off many great Kung Fu moves. Again she is a pro martial artist, yet she gives a good show of what the style is like. Alias uses mostly fictional moves, so it's not a good source of inspiration.

Dammit...now I may have to watch that turd.

You whats funny?

You may know who "Bolo Yeung" is.
He played "Bolo" in Enter the Dragon, with Bruce Lee.
Giant Asian man with huge pecs.

His favorite style is Tai Chi.
Could he put his art to good use though? I've heard that although Tai Chi is slow and too graceful to use in defence for the amateur, it can be lethal for a seasoned master. I don't recall him though. :confused:


The guy I spoke about earlier, the former oldest living Kung Fu grandmaster...

He knew Bruce Lee back in Hong Kong.
Says he was a "Punk".

*whistles*.

Bruce Lee was every bit as they say he was, and it took him his entire life to get that way.

In my opinion, way better than all the rest, and since.
Agreed. I think he was perhaps the greatest living fighter of modern ages. Small man, huge spirit and enormous dedication. I've met one of the current leading masters in kung fu, apparently schooled by the same grandmaster as Bruce Lee. He showed us some videos of Lee training. Quite impressive to see what goes on behind the scenes. Lee even created his own brand of fighting, essentially a mix of various arts with Wing Chun Kung Fu as the main basis.

Dammit...now I may have to watch that turd.
Even though the movie is crap, Garner is an excellent fighter. Unlike Uma in Kill Bill, she has been into martial arts her whole life. You can tell by her physique even. Thus she seems more natural.

You whats funny?

You may know who "Bolo Yeung" is.
He played "Bolo" in Enter the Dragon, with Bruce Lee.
Giant Asian man with huge pecs.

His favorite style is Tai Chi.

He's also the headstomper in Bloodsport! Proof that big guys CAN do Kung-Fu - It's not all about tiny asian guys. There are some pretty big english guys at my mantis lessons!!!

Could he put his art to good use though? I've heard that although Tai Chi is slow and too graceful to use in defence for the amateur, it can be lethal for a seasoned master. I don't recall him though. :confused:

Not all Tai Chi is slow and graceful - some of the styles of Tai Chi are proper fighting systems. The slow moving and breathing is just one side of Tai Chi popular in the western world!

Not really no. By the time you've attempted a somersault any decent martial artist would have torn into you in mid-air and you'd be in a heap on the floor. Plus you'd be surprised at how quick your energy drains by just fighting alone let alone wasting it on fancy backflips etc. Great for show, crap for fighting!!!
Meh, I suppose if you were fighting amateurs though you could still show off with a little flash. :p

Not all Tai Chi is slow and graceful - some of the styles of Tai Chi are proper fighting systems. The slow moving and breathing is just one side of Tai Chi popular in the western world!
I don't think they are given much publicity in the West though. Most articles on martial arts usually advise you to stay away from Tai Chi if you want an art you could use in self-defence.

Meh, I suppose if you were fighting amateurs though you could still show off with a little flash. :p


Flashing ameteurs! :eek:

Yeah that might scare them off!!!!:p :D

Flashing ameteurs! :eek:

Yeah that might scare them off!!!!:p :D
Yep, and you don't even have to spend any energy! Well, except laughing at the pathetic cowards as they run in fear. :D

He's also the headstomper in Bloodsport! Proof that big guys CAN do Kung-Fu - It's not all about tiny asian guys. There are some pretty big english guys at my mantis lessons!!!
And tiny asian women! Can't forget them. :eek:

I don't think they are given much publicity in the West though. Most articles on martial arts usually advise you to stay away from Tai Chi if you want a purely defensive art.

True, you just gotta try things for yourself though. If you look hard enough you'll find all kinds of weird and wonderful arts!!!! It goes back to one one my earlier points posted on this thread - everyone is suited to a certain style of martial art, not all styles are suitable to all people so you just gotta try for yourself. Things like speed, strength and technique all come with time.

I'm a ninja fo' shiz / I learned some stuff in Glasgow.

True, you just gotta try things for yourself though. If you look hard enough you'll find all kinds of weird and wonderful arts!!!! It goes back to one one my earlier points posted on this thread - everyone is suited to a certain style of martial art, not all styles are suitable to all people so you just gotta try for yourself. Things like speed, strength and technique all come with time.
Indeed. Plus, if you go for a more obscure art, you have the advantage that it's been so long forgotten that many may not even know how to counter your attacks. ^^

Tae kwon do, Judo, and karate

Yep, and you don't even have to spend any energy! Well, except laughing at the pathetic cowards as they run in fear. :D

Yeah I get that a lot.:( I gotta stop flashing!:p

And tiny asian women! Can't forget them. :eek:

Especially Ziyi Zhang!!!! (house of flying daggers/crouching tiger hidden dragon, Hero)

There's a Cantonese girl called Wah at my mantis, on her first lesson she walked in a bit late (already organized with the Sifu as she couldn't get there on time) and as she walked in Sifu said "everyone, this is Wah". Then EVERYONE started making typical Bruce Lee kung fu sounds - Waaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!! I laughed my ass off!:D

I don't think they are given much publicity in the West though. Most articles on martial arts usually advise you to stay away from Tai Chi if you want an art you could use in self-defence.

Most Tai-Chi Ive seen as far as combat uses seems to follow more along the lines of wrist-locks, and misdirection.
Making your opponents momentum work against themselves.

Also, theres the form of Tai-Chi called "Push-Hands".
Immovability, and energy deflection.

Takes a very long time to get good at it, but deadly once mastered.

Indeed. Plus, if you go for a more obscure art, you have the advantage that it's been so long forgotten that many may not even know how to counter your attacks. ^^

Maybe, all I'll say on that one is to avoid anything designed as a sport or is mainly about competitions. Winning competitions is nothing in reality.

To prove my point:

A friend of my Sifu came to one of our classes having just won the European Judo championship. My instructor sat us all down, turned around to the guy (who was acting like a bit of a big-shot) and said "all right, throw me". As the "champion" went to grab him Sifu punched him in the face which knocked him to the floor and piled in on top of him. The Judo guy said "You can't do that" to which Sifu replied "well if you're out on the street that's what's gonna happen to you".

Judo champion also told us about a time he was grabbed around the throat in a pub and said he didn't know what to do. Judo's good - I like it (only tried a few lessons) but it's a sport, not a martial art in the true sense.

Most Tai-Chi Ive seen as far as combat uses seems to follow more along the lines of wrist-locks, and misdirection.
Making your opponents momentum work against themselves.

Also, theres the form of Tai-Chi called "Push-Hands".
Immovability, and energy deflection.

Takes a very long time to get good at it, but deadly once mastered.

Sounds similar to Wing Chun. Pushing hands is like WC's Sticky hands.

Sounds similar to Wing Chun. Pushing hands is like WC's Sticky hands.

It probably came from the same source.

Kinda like how almost every style of Chinese Kung-Fu, has big chunks of stuff from the Shaolin temples.

*snip*
This reminds me a lot of Aikido and Wing Chun. Hence it is probably an art that requires considerable devotion before giving very powerful benefits to the practitioner.


Especially Ziyi Zhang!!!! (house of flying daggers/crouching tiger hidden dragon, Hero)
Yes, she is awesome! The films are very surreal though. :p It makes for awesome artistic value, even if the flying leaps and such are out of touch with reality. :)

There's a Cantonese girl called Wah at my mantis, on her first lesson she walked in a bit late (already organized with the Sifu as she couldn't get there on time) and as she walked in Sifu said "everyone, this is Wah". Then EVERYONE started making typical Bruce Lee kung fu sounds - Waaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!! I laughed my ass off!:D
What an unfortunate name to have. :confused: :p Does she get teased a lot still?

*snip*
Yes, this is a problem with a lot of the so-called martial arts nowadays. Many of them are merely sports, or if they were once martial arts, they are now merely for show. I think what one should do is try and combine as many styles as they can, and stick to what works for them and what actually works in self-defence, and avoid arts that promise false rewards. That bit "You can't do that" made me laugh. Do these people honestly think thugs and other such aggressors actually care about sporting rules?

In truth we know that's the eastern philosophies are the martial arts.
Our christian religious schools do not permit such activities.

That's the way to heresy.

Martial is well accepted in films to make us laugh with these little men fihghting like cats. When it comes to JC Vandame it looks ridiculous.

Go for boxing if you need a combat sport to solve you mental inaptitudes. :headbang:

This reminds me a lot of Aikido and Wing Chun. Hence it is probably an art that requires considerable devotion before giving very powerful benefits to the practitioner.

I think that goes with any martial art, but particularly with a few.

It takes years of practice to make any technique become instinct.
But, there are some styles that can be more beneficial sooner.

Brazilan Ju-Jitsu will teach you to choke out someone pretty quick.
Praying mantis will teach you how to really hurt someone.
any of the Japanese or Korean styles wil teach you how to throw a punch, or a kick fairly fast, especially if you practice.

This reminds me a lot of Aikido and Wing Chun. Hence it is probably an art that requires considerable devotion before giving very powerful benefits to the practitioner.

Yeah as do they all, but I've read Wing Chun can be effectively learned in 1 year as opposed to most styles 3-4 as it's a simple system (I only did it for 8 months).

Yes, she is awesome! The films are very surreal though. :p It makes for awesome artistic value though. :)

Yeah, I just love the bit in House of Flying Daggers where she stands on one leg and the other leg goes straight up by her head. I thought "I want a girl who can do that"!!!


What an unfortunate name to have. :confused: :p Does she get teased a lot still?

No, she's took it as being funny and it only happened the once, she was like "oi, stop that" while laughing at the same time. All the people where I go are really friendly and quite funny too. It's the only place where I've had any social interaction with everyone else. I'm generally quite quiet and reserved but not when I'm there!


Yes, this is a problem with a lot of the so-called martial arts nowadays. Many of them are merely sports, or if they were once martial arts, they are now merely for show. I think what one should do is try and combine as many styles as they can, and stick to what works for them and what actually works in self-defence, and avoid arts that promise false rewards.

Only problem with that is that you could end up being crap at several arts. I think it's best to devote your time to one art and put as many lessons in as possible before adding another. I'm very wary of MMA and anything that just teaches people to fight. I like all the tradition and learning the history etc. of Kung-Fu.

In truth we know that's the eastern philosophies are the martial arts.
Our christian religious schools do not permit such activities.

Is that why some Evangelical churches in the US teach martial arts under the heading "The way of the Christian warrior?" :rolleyes: In Europe Christians have long thrown such archaic notions regarding the eastern philosophies out of the window, and have realised the practical benefits martial arts can bring.

That's the way to heresy.
How so?

Martial is well accepted in films to make us laugh with these little men fihghting like cats. When it comes to JC Vandame it looks ridiculous.

Right, except they can actually save your lives in a time of need. And I really doubt that anyone laughs at serious martial arts films.

Yeah as do they all, but I've read Wing Chun can be effectively learned in 1 year as opposed to most styles 3-4 as it's a simple system (I only did it for 8 months).
It's much simpler than Aikido at any rate.

Yeah, I just love the bit in House of Flying Daggers where she stands on one leg and the other leg goes straight up by her head. I thought "I want a girl who can do that"!!!
Well going to martial arts classes is the best place to find one I suppose. ^^


It's the only place where I've had any social interaction with everyone else. I'm generally quite quiet and reserved but not when I'm there!
Yeah, same here. Outside of some activities I tend to be quiet too. Makes me sort of suited to be an assassin - coldhearted, efficient and a loner. :(

Only problem with that is that you could end up being crap at several arts. I think it's best to devote your time to one art and put as many lessons in as possible before adding another. I'm very wary of MMA and anything that just teaches people to fight. I like all the tradition and learning the history etc. of Kung-Fu.
So am I. What I had in mind is first mastering one art, then perhaps attempting to combine it with another. This is rather taxing though, as it would require a lot of effort. For a truly devoted fighter, however, I see it as a worthwhile endeavour.

In truth we know that's the eastern philosophies are the martial arts.
Our christian religious schools do not permit such activities.

That truely sucks :(


Martial is well accepted in films to make us laugh with these little men fihghting like cats. When it comes to JC Vandame it looks ridiculous.

cos he's rubbish basically when compared to any of the other serious actor martial artists.

So am I. What I had in mind is first mastering one art, then perhaps attempting to combine it with another. This is rather taxing though, as it would require a lot of effort. For a truly devoted fighter, however, I see it as a worthwhile endeavour.

Some of the best fighters in the world, and assuredly the best ones Ive personally met, were ones that encompassed more than one style.

Being good at one thing is great, but its like loving music, and only ever learning to play the guitar.
Nothing wrong with it, and an admirable purpose by itself.

But to be a more well-rounded musician, its good to play a few instruments.

Lee was fond of all styles, he just grew up on kung-fu.
He was fond of Muy-Thai as well as karate, and Tae Kwon Do.

*snip*
Exactly. It may not be necessary -or even feasible- for someone simply seeking to learn self-defence, but it's definitely something a full-time martial artist/fighter should consider.

Some of the best fighters in the world, and assuredly the best ones Ive personally met, were ones that encompassed more than one style.

Being good at one thing is great, but its like loving music, and only ever learning to play the guitar.
Nothing wrong with it, and an admirable purpose by itself.

But to be a more well-rounded musician, its good to play a few instruments.

Lee was fond of all styles, he just grew up on kung-fu.
He was fond of Muy-Thai as well as karate, and Tae Kwon Do.

Encompassing many styles is fine, but it's best to spend time with one and master it and then add another than to just jump in as a beginner in MMA classes. I've tried quite a few different art before settling on where I am now, in time I probally will take up another (depending on finances which really suck at mo). I like Kali but the only classes around here clash with the times I do mantis :( we'll see.

p.s I only play guitar (and I suck!!!):D

Its stupid that the western christians have completely forbidden all martial arts.
I am a western christian, but I believe that just being involved in eastern philosophy and arts is gonna send you to hell.
I learned Karate for a few years, but my Dojo was going at a horribly slow pace,
and basically taught like PANSYS!
I am now learning Ju-jitsu, and im very dedicated to the martial arts.
Anyone know someplace in America near Indiana where i can learn 7 stars Mantis, or Ninjitsu? (I hear that Ninjitsu is making a comeback. not sure though)
:confused:
And a little off topic something- I believe that Christianity is not the only way to god. I think there are many right ways, and many wrong ways. only time will tell

Its stupid that the western christians have completely forbidden all martial arts.


Yup - it truely sucks ass big stylee!

I learned Karate for a few years, but my Dojo was going at a horribly slow pace,
and basically taught like PANSYS!


You'll find that some instructors tend to be too soft on the students. Problem with that is you won't have the ability when you most need it. You shouldn't pull punches or wuss out on exercises etc. Train like every situation is a real one and you'll do fine!

I am now learning Ju-jitsu, and im very dedicated to the martial arts.
Anyone know someplace in America near Indiana where i can learn 7 stars Mantis, or Ninjitsu? (I hear that Ninjitsu is making a comeback. not sure though)
:confused:


Can't help you on that, try googling it. How's Ju-Jitsu working out for you? I don't know too much about it really.

I train under a husband/wife pair.Both are former champions and hav both worked security for near on 20 years. 1 specialises in Thai/Fillipino arts and the other eastern arts. The best combination of useful techniques i have ever come across is WCKF Sticking Hands and the Thai style elbows. If you have ever seen or been hit by a Thai elbow you will know that they can be devastating and Sticking Hands to counter your opponent and remove their defences/disarm them- ticket to hospital with their face looking like uncooked mince and bones broken everywhere

In truth we know that's the eastern philosophies are the martial arts.

No. While many teachers do link the philosophy and the art together, you can teach the purely technical part of the art without any "eastern philosophy". However, many teacher do feel that this is not accurately teaching the art, and that it is irresponsible to not teach something to keep the student from abusing what they learn.

Our christian religious schools do not permit such activities.

I'm sorry... It's a good workout and it's lots more fun than other forms of workout.

That's the way to heresy.

Really... I didn't know that Jesus added "And don't do MArtial Arts" to the sermon at the mount. Or was it the last supper?

Martial is well accepted in films to make us laugh with these little men fihghting like cats. When it comes to JC Vandame it looks ridiculous.

Go for boxing if you need a combat sport to solve you mental inaptitudes. :headbang:

Why would one do that? Boxing isn't half as fun. It's just pummeling someone as fast as is humanly possible. The Martial Arts are much more complex than that.

And what does mental innaptitude have to do with anything?

Yup - it truely sucks ass big stylee!
You'll find that some instructors tend to be too soft on the students. Problem with that is you won't have the ability when you most need it. You shouldn't pull punches or wuss out on exercises etc. Train like every situation is a real one and you'll do fine!
Can't help you on that, try googling it. How's Ju-Jitsu working out for you? I don't know too much about it really.
Ju Jitsu is pretty good. Im training at a SERIOUS Dojo. Its mostly about leverage. get the right leverage and you can flip someone double your size

Really... I didn't know that Jesus added "And don't do MArtial Arts" to the sermon at the mount. Or was it the last supper?

Aw man haven't you read the revised 2006 edition of the bible? They found a scripture saying "Thou shalt not martial art, only God can kick ass!":D


Ju Jitsu is pretty good. Im training at a SERIOUS Dojo. Its mostly about leverage. get the right leverage and you can flip someone double your size

Yup, good technique will do that! which is good as I'm 5'7 and 10st! So Judo-ish but with proper fighting?

[QUOTE=SHAOLIN9;11634433

Yup, good technique will do that! which is good as I'm 5'7 and 10st! So Judo-ish but with proper fighting?[/QUOTE]

Brazilian Jui-Jitsu...

Ever hear of the Gracie family?'

Very effective.

I laughed out loud when I read that last part! Sorry, but Ultimate Frisbee sounds hilarious! :p


Don't laugh! Shuriken are illegal in a lot of places, but who's going to outlaw a frisbee?

:D

... Do any of the martial arts emphasizing kicks have a circular component to them?

hapkido is similar to aikido, being the Korean counterpart, but at least in the style I studied it includes the full range of punches, kicks and so on. Hapkido as I learned emphasizes circular motion as a basic principle, including in kicking and striking. The wheelkick that someone else disparaged is a favorite and it's not out of place in modern fighting, if you use it right.

Flashing ameteurs! :eek:

Yeah that might scare them off!!!!:p :D


doesn't that depend on how you're equipped? ;)

I currently do 2 martial arts, i do Karate Atemi Jutsu and Genkotsu Koppo Bu Jutsu Ryu , both very fun and effective, and i've been doing that for about a year and i've got very good very quickly so i'm very proud of myself for that.

I haven't been trained in any martial arts, but I'm a fair swordsman.

Not really no. By the time you've attempted a somersault any decent martial artist would have torn into you in mid-air and you'd be in a heap on the floor. Plus you'd be surprised at how quick your energy drains by just fighting alone let alone wasting it on fancy backflips etc. Great for show, crap for fighting!!!


aww, come on! you underestimate the value of reducing your opponent to tears of incredulous laughter. do a really intricate, time-wasting somersault in front of even a good fighter, and he'll be so paralyzed with hysterical laughter, you'll be able to do pretty much anything to him, and he'll be unable to stop you.

otoh, it's probably more likely he'll pound the crap out of you while you're still upside down, and play jump rope with your bowels.

and seriously, it wouldn't take a martial artist to hurt you. a lot of us are ignoring just how good some street fighters are. I've heard some serious, long-time martial artists tell of the time they got a little too sure of themselves and somebody with no training but a lot of street knocked them silly. a lot of times, we just get good at our art or arts. there are street hoods out there who've spent their lives getting good at fighting.

and somebody mentioned it's a good idea to be in a school where you get some full-contact training. as long as certain guidelines are followed that's true. in the bad old days, this was an excuse for some teachers to use full contact as a way to get their "bad-ass" students to discourage other, often more balanced people from coming back. they'd have a mandatory "contact night" training, and let it be known that if someone got hurt, it's because they weren't suitable. people got hurt. other times bad accidents happened because the teachers were too lazy or too incompetent to run a safe training hall.

but where there's safe teaching, and safely graduated contact, and good safety equipment beiing used right, contact is important. a lot of people freeze up when they're hit, especially when they face real nastiness as well. it takes that kind of person practice before they respond to violence with self-control and calculated application of appropriate force through good technique. learn to get hit safely, and it could save your life.

... A friend of my Sifu came to one of our classes having just won the European Judo championship. My instructor sat us all down, turned around to the guy (who was acting like a bit of a big-shot) and said "all right, throw me". As the "champion" went to grab him Sifu punched him in the face which knocked him to the floor and piled in on top of him. The Judo guy said "You can't do that" to which Sifu replied "well if you're out on the street that's what's gonna happen to you"....


yep, pretty much any decent martial art can do that to pretty much any other one. I remember talking with some friends, and one of them had been doing muay thai awhile, and explained its superiority to the rest of us. what followed was hilarious. I offered that the different styles tend to lock us in from doing certain things, and that creates weaknesses. and I volunteered to demonstrate. he began a roundhouse kick that would have killed me if it landed, and I dropped into a crouching wheelkick that landed him on his back. another friend who does a lot of wing chun asked me to do that move to him and threw a not-very-good roundhouse. I thought, "easy!", started the move, and found myself somehow pinned to the floor like a butterfly, with his foot in the middle of my back. if he'd done it full force I'd be a cripple now. then another older friend (yeah, there are people older than me) who's been doing t'ai chi since he was a kid in Taiwan said to our wing chun friend, "show me that". wing chun friend did the kick, t'ai chi friend did the counter, wing chun friend did the counter-counter, and before any of us saw it, t'ai chi friend had spun onto one knee and landed some kind of slapping palm technique that left wing chun friend on the floor gasping.

the end of this story came when muay thai guy said to t'ai chi guy, "can you show that to me?" t'ai chi guy stood up, smiled and said no. when we asked why not he said, "you see this missing tooth? only time I ever lost a tooth, I was fighting a muay thai fighter and he broke it off with his elbow. I'm too old to do that again."

and I once sparred with a friend who boxed a little in high school, just after I got green belt. he threw punches from directions I'd never seen before, and he was pretty good at slipping my kicks and getting inside on me. at the end of it, he had a black eye, a nose bleed and a "dead arm", but my ribs felt like I'd wiped out off my board and landed on concrete, and I couldn't kiss my lady for days.

style is a tool. the fighter makes the fight.

A bit of Ju-Jitsu, and a friend is teaching me a some Kung-Fu once school starts.

I don't know or practice any standard martial arts, but I've taught myself Bo/Stick fighting.

It's pretty fun, since sticks can be very graceful.

Brazilian Jui-Jitsu...

Ever hear of the Gracie family?'

Very effective.

Yeah - I saw one of the brothers (not sure of his name) at Seni (martial arts expo in UK). Small-circle Ju-Jitsu:) I've just not seen it in action is all whereas I have many other styles.

Don't laugh! Shuriken are illegal in a lot of places, but who's going to outlaw a frisbee? :D

Frisbee police:p


aww, come on! you underestimate the value of reducing your opponent to tears of incredulous laughter. do a really intricate, time-wasting somersault in front of even a good fighter, and he'll be so paralyzed with hysterical laughter, you'll be able to do pretty much anything to him, and he'll be unable to stop you.

*puts on clown outfit and does a somersault*:p

-snip-

style is a tool. the fighter makes the fight.

Yeah, you should never underestimate your opponent 'cos you have NO idea what they are capable of until the fight happens.

There's always gonna be some moves in each system that will counter moves in other systems, nothing is unfallable.

I wouldn't go as far as to say style is a tool, but yeah.

A bit of Ju-Jitsu, and a friend is teaching me a some Kung-Fu once school starts.

Is he certified to teach?

An untrained fighter is sometimes the most dangerous- you cant predict their techniques and while the techniques may be sloppy they are also often unconventional and very powerful. If picked on the street your opponent is likely to have help and is also likely to be experienced and possibly armed. Dont stuff around with fancy kicks and flowery paterns/forms/katas and forget about getting your technique right. I have trained in alot of different arts and my favourite street combination is sticking hands coupled with Muay Thai elbows. but that isnt to say that i couldnt fold you into a human pretzel and i wouldnt hesitate to break limbs and joints, nor pick up a weapon if need be. btw boxers i have found to be the easiest sparring partners because with my muay thai and tae kwon do training i outrange them easily with kicks (dont say anything about "what if they are taller?" cos im 6 foot 4" and a boxer is trained to bring power to bear in their punches by putting all their weight over their lead leg. Take the leg, they cant punch and often fall- what you do then is up to you. This is, of course, a generalisation and i have been laid out by boxers before

...Being good at one thing is great, but its like loving music, and only ever learning to play the guitar.
Nothing wrong with it, and an admirable purpose by itself.

But to be a more well-rounded musician, its good to play a few instruments.

Lee was fond of all styles, he just grew up on kung-fu.
He was fond of Muy-Thai as well as karate, and Tae Kwon Do.


...and Lee learned fencing and western-style boxing on the way to creating JKD, as I recall.

I think your music analogy is a good way to think about a number of things in the martial arts, and I'd like to "steal" it to help answer the argument about why some styles practice forms and the value of forms.

I think of JKD as openly expressing recognition that there is such a thing in martial arts as going beyond form and doing the exact thing that belongs in that moment of combat. It should be said that all martial arts have that improvisational quality in their combat aspect, even though most of them don't talk it up, and even though most of them treat it as something to be left for advanced students to discover as they grow into it. Many arts connect the formlessness of one's art to growing in one's martial philosophy. Lee made this connection himself when he wrote about the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, but tried to show how that time of growth could be encouraged and accelerated.

In that way, JKD is like the label "jazz". Jazz isn't the only kind of music in the world where the musicians create the fullness of a song out of its outline, in the midst of the live performance. It's just the kind of music we most often associate with improvisation because to our minds, it is most explicit. In the same way, I think of Jeet Kune Do as being most explicitly about formlessness.

There comes a point in a martial art where a form may be practised not only for what it is, but for the alternative possibilities of action it contains or suggests and ultimately for its meaning. I believe many students quit studying forms before they have the chance to find this "hidden" side of forms.

And the rest of martial arts training and practice and performance is where we learn the elements that make our art: the individual moves, the combinations, the set-pieces, the pre-arranged step-sparring, and so on. That side of martial arts is comparable to musical scales, riffs and practice pieces. Of course we don't fight by repeating downward block - straight punch with step - rising block - straight punch with step, or whatever, just as we don't perform an etude or an impromptu solo by playing do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do. Those elements are just the form from which we can approach formlessness.

The lesson I take from this is:
Musical scales aren't much value in themselves; their importance comes from the way they create muscle memory of where to find the note(s) you want, the instant you want them. At the same time they create the mental "library" of creativity and the possibilities from which we play. Practice pieces aren't learned by a novice pianist or guitarist or whatever because he or she really intends to build a career around "Chopsticks" or whatever. They're practised to let the budding musician learn the instrument, and learn the rhythm and flow of music, the connection of individual notes, and the creation of patterns, in the muscles and in the imagination, where it counts. When the time comes, a well-practised musician has made the instrument and his or her body into extensions of his or her well-equipped and well-exercised intention. No hesitation or analysis precedes action.

In the same way, doing the pyong-an (or heian, if you prefer) forms or some other forms 1000 times isn't learning how to fight; it's creating muscle memory and a corresponding mental "library" of possibilities and an intimate familiarity with the "instruments" of the body, that will turn into learning how to fight. We practise forms so that when the time comes, we have made the "instruments" -- our body-weapons -- into extensions of our well-equipped and well-exercised intention. No hesitation or analysis precedes action.

Point to keep in mind: Bruce Lee was well-versed in the "scales" of martial arts (although he could have been better!). Form was a starting point, and he went beyond it. He didn't work towards formlessness from nowhere. He worked from form towards formlessness, having already learned form. Like a Miles Davis or an Elvin Jones who knows his instrument so well he goes beyond the basics he's already mastered, Lee went beyond form. Formlessness for Lee was not an alternative to form but its completion.

Like quite a few martial artists (or in my case, former martial artists) I've watched a lot of ink and time being wasted on making a false dichotomy between form and formlessness in martial arts, and then more ink and time being wasted saying which one was better. It's turned into something political, something as divisive as fundamentalism, and something that hurts martial arts. The two sides should get back to making beautiful music together.

Does that sound about right?

Yup.Straight up Kung Fu,man.

I only took a year,but it does make a hell of a difference.Well,if you're really into it like I am.