Martial Arts and Cycling

[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.

[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.

[KnottedYet]

Yes, please! That would be great! Thanks!

[Dianyla]

Yes, please! That would be great! Thanks!

OK, here's what she gave me:

My master's school page is http://www.yijiaowushu.com/ -- she's fabulous. Things are a little weird because she's just about to have a kid, but for Taiji she is just incredible.

One of my Chen classmates is also a Wushu instructor through Hong Shifu's lineage. Her school (one of them, she also teaches kajukempo) is http://seattlewushucenter.com/default.aspx . In fact, my little sister is on the main page... Rusty's a fabulous teacher. Depends a bit on what she's looking for.