POLL: Do you do a martial art?

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@ Bahir the Red:

While I think you might be right about a lot of schools, it's completely unfair to make a blanket statement like that. Not all schools are "McDojos" and include the spiritual side of martial arts. Not all schools crank out black belts for the money, and not all schools are treated like daycare when mommy needs to get stuff done.

I belonged to a great Karate school about 2 years ago. Since then, I've gotten married, had a bad injury, gained weight since stopping, and moved. The style I practiced included Goju, Shorin-Ryu, and Shotokan. BTW, it took me 9 months to get past my White belt (they require at least 6 months, and only test 2 times a year). Furthermore, the school had been in the same location for 20 years, and only had 11 people become Black Belts.

Harborboy said:

I agree. I think a good MA place can teach kids a lot of self-esteem as well as respect for their elders. It's also a lot of fun!

I just found a school that looks really nice near me, because I really want to get back into it. This style is called Isshyn-Ryu. I hope it's a good place!

 

I agree with Klorox here; I had a 65 years old sensei, who taught me karate-do for about 2 years, and he was still learning as he always said to us. We had days of 'spiritual teachings' and days of kata training. When I had my first test for orange belt, 3 senseis from Japan came to our little town to take the lessons and 70% of the tests were more like spiritual stuff than kicking.
When I first saw a Steven Seagal movie I wanted to study aikido, but the only professor around our town was more 'fantastic' than Steven.

 

I've learned some Tae Kwon Do long time ago...even though I'm only 19 now...IMO most of the martial arts that are being taught to people have somewhat changed to some kind of daily workout even if they initially developed to defence ownself or defeat opponent which required dedication, compassion or whatever the spirits to endure training and learn true meaning inside...So unless someone's going to use such martial arts in UFC or such fighting pit...they are just another way to stay healthy (meaning they are almost same as other workouts like jogging, aerobic workouts and etc.)

 

Anybody see "Fight Science" the other day? (I think it was on the Discovery Channel)

It made me think of this thread.

 

I trained in the art of Tang Soo Do for two years with my children in the UK. We achieved the rank of 6th Gup which is green belt (starts at 10th and goes up). Since we are back in the states we are looking for a school to pick it up again.

I also took Tae Kwon Do for 4 months while in the desert when I couldn't train with my kids. Trained with a couple of Army Captains.

I absolutely enjoy the workout I get while training. I feel like it is a fantastic whole body workout.

 

You don't need martial arts, I normally kick people in the chest and hit them in the face afterwards, having no air in your lungs makes fighting hard. Also in a real fight, just punching in the face can displace the other guys jaw, hurts like hell and stops the fight instantly.

And yes, I DO like fighting, i'm a sick, twisted man

 

Trellheim, in a real fight, the other guy fights back and probably tries to do that same stuff back at you, so it's hardly a surefire recipe for victory.

 

Trell, don't you think someone who actually practices fighting all the time is a better fighter than the kids you probably bully on the playground?

Beren, Tai Chi is based on a MA, but isn't one itself. It will give you much added flexibility and peace of mind though, which will greatly assist you if you do try out a MA.

 

Practice makes perfect...which does not mean if you practice fighting then you'd get better at actual fighting...it is rather the more you actually fight with people the more you adopted to beating up people...

 

Aye, one of Tai Chi's main attractions is the benefit to your health. I wouldn't be too keen on relying on for self-defence. It is something I'd like to give a go some-time though, along with Aikido.

 

@Harbourboy, that's why I *try* to hit first. I learned those things from my grandfather,who was in the army and no, they don't always work.

@Klorox, I'm not an 'ultimate fighter' or even try to be one. Sure I know there are better fighters than me, I like to fight, I didn't say I'm any good at it . And I'm no bully, I'm the one who always gets bullied.

If somebody tried to rob me, I'd run away, I feel no shame in saying that.

 

Yep.

I practised Judo for 16 years. Currently busy with Arnis (for the past 8 years) and a sort of all round jiujitsu/kempo/freefight hybrid style. (past 2 years)

 

Sorry about that assumption Trellheim. Your nonchalance to kicking people in the jaw made me think otherwise.

Still, if you are being bullied, you'd greatly benefit from taking up a martial art.

 

I've heard that Tai Chi Chuan is one of the oldest martial arts in China. And here's what wikipedia says about it:
Tai Chi Chuan

I think it has in the west the way of approaching martial arts as they should be approached. Maybe after 20 years of training you'll be able to beat someone up, but that's really not the point.

 

Tai Chi not being seen as a martial art is due to a general misunderstanding as to the purpose of practicing one. Most people in society seem to view martial arts as a means to learn how to fight. This is not their original purpose. The true idea is to attempt to bring peace to yourself and perfect your own character. Most true martial artists wouldn't get into a fight in the first place.

This brings to mind a tale I was once told:

A student travels all across Japan to study under a reknowned master. When they meet, the master agrees to teach him martial arts.
"How long will it take me to reach black belt?" asks the student.
"About four years" was his reply.
"What if I try really hard every time I train?"
"Oh, about five years."
"But what if I practice every day as well?"
"In that case about six years."

While this doesn't make much sense at first glance, the point here is that the student was too focused on the status of the black belt and had forgotten the reason why he should be learning in the first place.

 

Did karate for about 6 or so years, back when I was a fair bit younger. Lost motivation in the end. Looking back on it now I can see why - the person in charge seemed to be more into making money than actaully teaching anything.

Took up judo about 4 years ago, but that didn't last long. Was a fairly small club, and I was at a stage that I was way to big for the junior classes, yet too young for the adult ones. Only lasted there about 1.5 years. Although it would be fun to take up again, even if just for the fitness side of things.

[ September 07, 2006, 13:30: Message edited by: Rotku ]

 

I've been training Mixed Martial Arts for about 2 years now. More precisely I'm training Shootfighting, Vale Tudo 2 times a week and Submission Wrestling and Brasilian Jui Jitsu 2 times a week.

Sadly we focust mostly on beating crap out each other. Still I consider myself lucky as I have great people to train with and our instructors are very modest and understanding.

 

Hey Decados, define the word "martial" for me.

Saying that most martial artists wouldn't get into a fight is silly. I'd agree that most wouldn't start a fight, but not that they wouldn't get into a fight.

 

Nope, never had any interest in learning any of that stuff.

But I did get married though. Doing so taught me lots of neat tricks in self defense (sometimes more like self-preservation). After ten years of marriage I could probably teach some ancient Chinese fossil a few things about defense he would never have thought of. I'm not sure what kind of "belts" I could get for some status symbol - but she usually throws some sort of mean cross-cut. Usually I just hold up a credit card and it disappears like a cow in a piranha pit.

I never needed to learn how to breath either(somehow my body came equiped with that knowledge already). And I've heard about learning the "Brazilian" thing, but I learned the "Salsa" instead. Somehow holding a saucy young woman was a lot more fun than hugging an old bald-headed Korean man (even if he was giving away free belts).

I guess all the violence I require (other than heavenly matrimony) I get from TV, the movies, fantasy adventure novels, and of course - computer games.