HIIIYAAA!!! Martial Arts anyone?

[polly4711]

So..... I've been thinking about doing martial arts. It's something that I've always wanted to do. I think that it would help me increase flexibility, dicipline, etc. There are so many kinds out there and I don't really understand the differences I was also wondering about how much that it would cost?

[crazycanuck]

You may want to ask Trek420 as I believe she has a black belt in Aikido. (i think it's Aikido ). I am sure a few other folks on TE do but dear trek is the one that comes to mind atm.

Wax on, Wax off

[jodz1984]

Hi, I am 1st degree Black Belt in Rhee Taekwondo, i joined because i wanted to lose some weight and for fitness, once i started i then start doing gym to be able to be more powerful, and also started running for lose more weight. As i progressed thru the coloured belts, i just wanted to lose more and more weight so that i could be fast enough for go for my black belt, and sure enough 32kg and 20 months later (would have been 17 months in the Master came for grading when he was meant to, which also would have meant that i would have achieved my black belt 1 month quicker than my husband). I haven't improved my flexibilty from doing this martial art, as i used to do gymnastics, but since i have start cycling i have lost some on my flexibilty because i haven't been stretching properly. The best thing to do to improve flexibility is to stretch whatever ways you can while watching TV.

I am now an assistant instructer and i teach many women that have joined to improve the lives, at the moment their goal in weight lose but i know some of them want to improve the flexibility once they've lost some of the weight

I paid $30 to became a lifetime member of Rhee Taekwondo in Australia, then i used my husbands own uniform (usually about $65) and $40/month for training fees, but if you don't go for a month you don't have to pay for that month, or if you go one night in the month then you pay about $7. However I have heard the local Karate brand charges about $100/month direct debit out of your account, and is about $100 to join and about $180 for the uniform. So check around to see what Martial Arts are around your area, and they may have a 2 nights free deal like we do.

Good luck and I hope you join some form of Martial Art, it is very injoyable.

[Trek420]

You may want to ask Trek420 as I believe she has a black belt in Aikido. (i think it's Aikido ). I am sure a few other folks on TE do but dear trek is the one that comes to mind atm.

Wax on, Wax off

Yep, I be a Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Aikido. There are many great martial arts out there, lots of styles to choose from. I would not get so caught up on this style vs that one. All are fine and at their highest level the higher you go and longer you train they have similarities.

Find a teacher who inspires you, find a school you like to go to with fellow students you love to train with and go train!

It's a little like finding the perfect bike Watch a class, talk to people, see how the classes look and feel and if the style seems like something you'd want to do .... what have you looked at?

Do not sign a contract. There are schools that will say if you sign a contract for x number of payments and attend x number of classes they guarantee you black belt. Rubbish!!

My style is the best style. PM me, I will send you my address. If you will mail me a $6,000.00 check (I also take paypal, I will trade for 47 cm steel bikes with Campy Record) I will send you my spare black belt

Do not sign a contract. Automatic payment is another thing if you just like the convenience. Also many reputable and exceptional teachers are more informal. Try Community colleges, Adult schools, parks even.

One of my neighbors teaches TKD on the lawn of my condo association. He's incredible, an 8th dan, a joy to watch and sometimes I join in.

[TxDoc]

I will trade for 47 cm steel bikes with Campy Record) I will send you my spare black belt

For steel with Campy Record I'll give you one of my spare black belts too

Hee-hee... could not resist...

[Trek420]

For steel with Campy Record I'll give you one of my spare black belts too

Hee-hee... could not resist...

Lugged steel and I'll make some kind of certificate you can frame.

[NbyNW]

Find a teacher who inspires you, find a school you like to go to with fellow students you love to train with and go train!

Great advice! It is SO important to be comfortable in your learning environment.

I took Wing Chun kung fu years ago from a friend who was giving lessons at one of the community centers in Chinatown, SF. I was comfortable because we just wore street clothes and my friend told me that Wing Chun was developed by a woman, and most of the training exercises that they used actually might help get my locked-up shoulder moving again. He was right. Oh, and it wasn't terribly expensive at all.

I don't think I would have been comfortable learning if it was a formal school where they wear uniforms and break boards, like I remember my brother doing when we were kids.

I've been thinking about taking it up again and so I've started doing some research locally. Good luck to you, and let us know when you find something you like!

[Kiwi Stoker]

I am (or was as currently not practising) first dan black belt in Seido Karate.

Just to answer your question re different types of martial arts.

Different martial arts developed in different Asian countries and/or regions within a country.
A lot have different emphasis on technique and their teachings.
For example judo is a style in which throwing or grappling your opponent to the ground is its main focus.
Karate is probably what most people think of as a martial art (punching and kicking).
Tai Chi is also a martial art- abet a slow, gentle almost dance like martial art.

You need to find one that suits you. I would probably run a mile if all I saw was men (and no kids or women) and they make you free fight (spar) as a beginner. I liked Seido because they don't allow you to spar until you are a green belt (6 levels up). I did karate from age 11 to 19 and felt it gave me confidence at a time I didn't feel it (along with glasses, braces etc) and I still have my certificate, gi, and belts which I look at with pride. However cycling is my new passion!

[Trek420]

I am (or was as currently not practising) first dan black belt in Seido Karate.

You still are It's still there.

Aikido is similar to Judo/Jiu Jitsu. It's actually related to Jiu Jitsu as well as Japanese sword work. The style I've done is called Iwama style Aikido and tends to be less "dance like" and more direct.

But if I was where there was no local Iwama Aikido or training buddies I'd find a school and a teacher I like and keep going with something else or start a dojo.

Like the frame being important it's the teacher!

[ZenSojourner]

Tai chi, anyone?

I'm going to have to learn on my own because there are NO teachers around here, and I couldn't afford them even if there were (I suffer from PSSS - Poor Starving Student Syndrome)

I'm in the process of trying to pick out books and/or DVDs right now. Plus I've found some stuff on YouTube.

[TxDoc]

Tai chi, anyone?

I'm going to have to learn on my own because there are NO teachers around here, and I couldn't afford them even if there were (I suffer from PSSS - Poor Starving Student Syndrome)

I'm in the process of trying to pick out books and/or DVDs right now. Plus I've found some stuff on YouTube.

Hi,
I have always been very skeptical about learning from books, DVDs, CDs...
Of course here is my disclaimer and is that I may be biased as I practiced Martial Arts for like 25 years, and used to teach for about six. The way I see Martial Arts - philosophy and spirituality are an essential component of the learning process, and this component is very hard to convey through a DVD or a book without the individual interaction with a teacher. The same I could say about Yoga: you could not become a practicioner of Yoga using a book or a video. You can learn the technical aspect of the movement, but that does not make you a practitioner. In other words, you can watch a video about surgery and practice many times - but it would not make you a physician, right? Well, this is sort of the same process.
There is much more to this training than merely movement and physical conditioning. It is a process of growth that really benefits from having a teacher, a mentor. Depending on the art you chose, he/she may be called Kru, Shidoshi, Master, Sifu, or any other way - but you really need guidance to learn and improve.
That said, there are good books and good videos about Martial Arts, as there are good ones about Yoga. But the way I see it - you can only benefit from them if they come as a complement to your training.

Not knowing your area, and knowing close to nothing of Tai Chi, I can only offer general advice, but feel free to PM if you want to know more and I can find an answer asking more experienced people.
Look around in your area and go explore several schools. If budget is a problem, you can still go visit the schools, observe a couple of classes, and then sit for a meeting with the owner of the school you would like to work with - and ask for alternative options. Offer your help in exchange for training.
From my personal experience Martial Arts practitioners are usually very open to alternative solutions. I had a few students who could not afford lessons and decided to volunteer in the gym in exchange for their training, by simply donating a few hours to help clean, organize, answer the phone, prepare advertisements or flyers, etc. I had volunteered myself for my teacher in a time of financial hardship, and so did many of my friends.
The world of Martial Arts is, generally speaking very collaborative, and we take pride in giving good example of leadership through Martial Arts. Most of the teachers wil try to help if they see that you are really motivated to learn.
One last small advice, if you are new to Martial Arts, look around and take your time to explore. If you decide for Art A and no one teaches A in your area, do not give up and solely rely on books just to stick with the Art of your choice. If someone nearby teaches B and C - then give B or C a try. You can always move to a different art or go back to A later - and you will do so with a more open mind and with invaluable experience. Many of us have practiced different Martial Arts and different styles, some of us cross-trained on purpose, and there is no training that is ever wasted: we learn from each and every one.
Best of luck

[tulip]

I've studied Shorin-ryu karate from Okinawa, Tai kwon do, and Tai-ji. I agree with TxDoc about books/DVDs for martial arts, yoga, and Pilates. The practical side of having a teacher is that you will (hopefully) be taught the correct postures and moves, drastically reducing the chance for injury. The more spiritual part about having a teacher is harder to articulate, but just as important. For all of the martial arts, the philosophy is very important, not just the physical part. You can only learn so much from a book.

I stopped doing martial arts in 2001 when I moved and was so busy with my job. I did not take the time to find a dojo, although I imagine there were plenty around (it was a big city). I did pick up Tai-ji after a few years with a private teacher who also happened to be a high-school friend. I traded landscape design services for tai-ji, but again, I got so busy and then I moved again.

I might take up tai-ji again, as it was the martial art that spoke to me with the most memorable voice.

[Trek420]

I too am very skeptical about books, DVD's, YouTube for any martial art.

You're watching the DVD, you have a mirror, you think you're doing it right ...

Trust me, you are not ... ever.

A good teacher comes over and puts you where you need to be. There, your arm goes here, your hip turns that way. Your body has to feel that, you can't watch or listen and get it, you can't think this through.

It has to be in muscle memory.

There are techniques I watch on film like before a test, watching a kata and then envisioning it. Nothing replaces training, nothing replaces a teacher.

[shootingstar]

I did take a course on tai chi ages ago and practiced it briefly. Depending on the type/school of tai chi there is a whole sequence of movements to remember. 108 movements is the minimum...yea that's what you are seeing when you see that group of seniors doing their thing in the park.

Here are some links that may lead one to local contacts for group learning/training on tai chi:

http://www.taoist.org/content/standa...Q#HowFindClass

General info. here.
http://elektrikrevue.blogspot.com/20...i-society.html

During one of my classes, I saw a real effective yet simple demonstration of pushing hands exercises/philosophy where at the heart of tai chi chuan, it is not to hurt your opponent directly...but become skilled enough yourself to know and use the correct body movements and mental focus on how to resist/ deflect /neutralize negative/potentially violent force coming at you directly. The teacher had one of the students in class, hold a particular position, stay rooted to the ground and resist the force of a line-up of 4 other people pushing at the 1 student. The student, no expert, same level as myself, was able to resist the force ..of 4 people. This is what the reference of "pushing hands" exercise is about:
http://elektrikrevue.blogspot.com/20...ing-hands.html

It was a powerful demonstration metaphorically on the philosophy of non-violence/ deflecting negative energy, in tai chi chuan. But as you know, not all martial arts evolved into non-violent exercises.

At this time, I just do some tai chi warm up exercises that I mix in with other stretching/balance exercises.

[msincredible]

Another black belt and instructor here (Kenpo karate).

I just want to echo the excellent advice already posted, don't try to learn from books and DVDs, and for those of you looking for a studio, I agree that the quality of the school and instructors is as critical as the specific style.