Martial Arts and Cycling

[liberty]

My brother's Tae Kwon Do studio has a special on right now. So I'm gonna go tonight for the free lesson and see how it goes from there. Sounds like a good deal: free uniform, as many group lessons a week as you want, free membership in the ___ association, no contract.

I've been very disappointed with my cycling this year. I joined a team, started doing group rides; things were going pretty good for awhile. Then it seemed like at every turn I had physical problems that derailed me from the bike. Finally figured out that I've been biking and doing nothing else! No core, no upper body work... So the back went out. Then the shoulders went out. Then my knee went out. All are better now, but I think I have to view this season as finished as far as improvements in cycling is concerned. Have to build the foundation again, then I can focus on biking. Guess my problem was I was so bored with my other workouts that I opted to not do them. And it caught up with me. The Tae Kwon Do is totally new, so that should help with the boredom issue.

If it works out right, I can still bike several times a week, but it won't be my main focus. Any of you gals gone through something like this? I do feel a bit frustrated and discouraged... Do martial arts work well for balancing out cycling?

[deena]

Do it!

I started Taekwondo last fall, because my dtr was taking classes, and I love it. It is great for flexibility and coordination and really builds core strength. I also think in just the year I've been at it I have learned things that could save my life on an isolated bike trail.... I also find great support - a lot like I have in cycling.

[onimity]

Hey Liberty,

I trained in TKD (ITF) for several years and *loved* it, it was a great experience and taught me a lot in terms of confidence and self-defense. I also gained a lot of upper body & abdominal strength. I wasn't cycling then so can't tell you if they make a good balance, but I did get injured *a lot* in TKD, broken ribs and fingers, lots of joint and tendon issues. This was almost all from sparring. I think patterns, stretches, line exercises would all be excellent, and a good complement to cycling, but I would caution you against joining a group that does a lot of sparring if injuries are getting you down with cycling...

Anne

[TexanCzexican]

I have a black belt in TKD (ATA), got it when I was a teen....I've given some thought to getting back into it, but wasn't sure of the cost....might have to check out my local training center!

[Trek420]

Nidan in Aikido, training since roughly 1980. I must admit between recent foot injury and back to back to back ALC rides I have not been in the dojo enough. Need to fix that. Probably forgot my right foot from my left.

Whatever style you pick M.A. is great cross training for cycling and vice versa.

[liberty]

Okay... New world. Ladies, could you please explain all the abbreviations? M.A?
TDA? ATA? TDK?

Thanks for the encouragement. This is sounding good.

[TexanCzexican]

Okay... New world. Ladies, could you please explain all the abbreviations? M.A?
TDA? ATA? TDK?

Thanks for the encouragement. This is sounding good.

I'm thinking it references the styles of Tae Kwon Do. My black belt is with the American Tae Kwon Do Association, shorthand is known as ATA

[Trek420]

Okay... New world. Ladies, could you please explain all the abbreviations? M.A?
TDA? ATA? TDK?

Thanks for the encouragement. This is sounding good.

M.A. is often used as shorthand for Martial Arts of any style.

[sundial]

Liberty, I think it's an excellent idea to study martial arts. You will learn breathing techniques that will carry over into your cycling, balance, flexibility, strength from the core (mid-section), power punches and kicks, and it's aerobic as well, particularly when you do your kicking/punching drills.

Also, martial arts will give you a sense of empowerment. Having martial arts training will help you to feel more secure should you ride solo. Also, martial arts training can be used in many environments where concealed weapons with a permit are not allowed (federal buildings, libraries, universities, malls, restaurants that sell liquor, etc. according to your state laws).

I've studied taekwondo, escrima, kali, kenpo, and others styles as well. I enjoy knowing that I should be able to defend myself against an attacker should the need arise.

Have fun and keep us posted on your martial arts training.

As for the cycling, have you considered a recumbent bike? You use different muscle groups (higher hamstrings, some quads, etc.) than the traditional bike. I have a Sun EZ rider trike and I plan on using it in the fall and winter months. I have knee problems too and I found it to be a very comfortable ride with no stress on the knees, shoulders, wrists, neck or arms. You would be surprised, too, how it's so different pedaling on a recumbent.

[onimity]

ITF is the International Tae Kwon Do Federation: http://www.internationaltaekwon-dofederation.com/

[KnottedYet]

I tried TKD once, and found it miserable for me. A class in Karate was a little better, but still didn't feel right. Took 6 months of Tai Chi and just LOVED it! I still use things I learned from it, even though it was nearly 20 years ago.

So, if your first martial art doesn't seem to suit you, don't give up! There are so many lovely styles and disciplines it's almost certain there is one out there that will just suit you like the perfect bicycle!

Edit: the Tai Chi I took was from a teacher who fought/sparred in it. We learned the exercises you see folks doing, and then learned how they could be used as blocks and such during sparring. Our instructor did a demo Tai Chi fight with his instructor, and it was like watching snakes fighting! It was so cool! If I could find a TC instructor like that again, I'd take it again.

[Trek420]

The teacher is the most important.

At their most advanced the different arts are more alike than not. Find a teacher and school you like.

"Hard styles" like TKD, Karate, Kempo have softer, flowing subtle moves. "Soft styles" like Aikido, Tai Chi, Judo have deadly direct moves.

Aikido, often called "dance like" advanced techniques are very direct, often one barely touches the opponent or even don't at all .... just go right through 'em.

Find a teacher and school you like. Watch how they treat beginners. You're going to be on e for a long time. Watch and advanced class, you should feel a tinge of awe "I want to do that" Is there anyone with an injury? How are they treated? Are warm ups and cool down done?

It's not something you can just do like a spin class, it's a lifetime of learning and growing, never stop learning.

And about the self defense aspects I think I can speak for all the advanced students here and our teachers. I train for love of the art, self knowledge, those "ah hah" moments of "hey, that's how that works" and sometimes those "doh" moments.

My goal and hope is that I never ever use it .... again.

The fight you avoid is the one you win

Also I feel strongly that especially for women anything you do that makes you feel more confident in your body makes you that much less of a target. So you don't want to do MA? Ride on!!

www.ai-ki-do.org

Knott, Shihan (a term of respect for a master instructor) Frank Doran will be at the LAD (local Aikido dojo) near you in November. You and SKnott should go just to see him in action.

[lyca]

Hi, liberty-

Just throwing in my support for your TKD interest. I studied it for 3 years or so and really enjoyed it. I moved and didn't have time to find a new studio, etc, but hope to get back to it someday. I agree with what others have said; do find a teacher you like. All of the martial arts are very empowering. Especially after you've broken a board with your foot for the first time.

[liberty]

The lesson was fun! And super easy... I thought it would be much harder than that. I was able to do everything except the sit-ups; my back spazzed out on those. The instructor is very nice and patient. I didn't have any trouble following the patterns. I have always wanted to take martial arts of some sorts. Favorite show is Alias, and I grew up watching my brothers' kung fu movies. I did enjoy it and think the classes would give me a lot of confidence, but I was worried about my knee the whole time.

Before I left for class, I was carrying my bike into the house. Stumbled on the steps slightly, and felt some discomfort in my left knee. It wasn't in the same location as my normal pain would be (which is totally gone now, by the way). Wore a knee brace during the class with no problems. Afterwards though when I'd walk or stand up my knee hurt. Like it couldn't hold me up. Wierd. I iced it up. Anti-inflammatories. Slept well. Then this morning there was the same pain. BUT, it disappeared during the warm shower. It is coming back now, but not as bad. Maybe the air conditioning is aggravating it?

Now I'm trying to figure out if I'm safe to ride with the group tomorrow morning... Any thoughts?

[Dianyla]

Edit: the Tai Chi I took was from a teacher who fought/sparred in it. We learned the exercises you see folks doing, and then learned how they could be used as blocks and such during sparring. Our instructor did a demo Tai Chi fight with his instructor, and it was like watching snakes fighting! It was so cool! If I could find a TC instructor like that again, I'd take it again.

You're up in Seattle, right? An online acquaintance of mine just moved away from there but I know she is heavily into daiji and wushu and would probably be able to recommend a good teacher. I can ask her who, if you like.