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	SD! : Web boards : Off Topic : "Martial arts" 1 2 Martial arts (20) Wed 7 May 08, 12:10 AM anjuli UK, 18 mths I think a few of our number practice one or more martial arts disciplines so I'm looking for advice. I'm thinking about taking one up as a means of gaining fitness, exercising for health and enjoyment, learning something new and physical, and perhaps as an alternative to dance, for learning grace and balance and strength. Any suggestions as to which I should consider? thanks all anjuli ~~~ “I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman.” - Anais Nin ~~~ 7 May 08, 7:43 AM 842-117-802 CA, 9 mths Personally, I'd recommend kenjitsu. It's kendo, iaido and hand-to-hand all rolled into one. Under consideration to Master Latrans 7 May 08, 8:23 AM 196-923-708 CA, 11 mths How about aikido-- graceful and flowing, not much wacking or yelling. It's very centering & grounding. 7 May 08, 3:49 PM morgan US(WA), 17 mths Y! tai chi it's all about grace 7 May 08, 7:19 PM anjuli UK, 18 mths <giggles> All three different! I am going to be sorry I asked aren't I? Thanks for your thoughts tho everyone. anjuli ~~~ “I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman.” - Anais Nin ~~~ 7 May 08, 8:57 PM Andrews_cumbucket US(ND), 13 mths Y! i think it would depend on what your end goals are. tai chi is definitely good for a more meditative quality. Something like kick-boxing will give you more practical knowledge with self defense. Tae kwon do is a lot more flashy and showy. There's a couple out there also i know that were designed for women. There's the one that was featured in that movie about domestic violence that Jennifer Lopez was in also.... But this is a super way to get fit! i wish my body could handle something like martial arts, i would totally get into kick-boxing. But i have to loose weight and strengthen my joints first... *sighs* http://thiscatsmeow.bravehost.com/ http://kittypetskyler.wordpress.com/ ~~~~ Master allows me my posting privileges. He will deny and/or completely remove them as He sees fit. ~~~~ 8 May 08, 2:45 AM morgan US(WA), 17 mths Y! actually that is a common misconception about tai chi, yes it's good for relaxing and meditation but, any good teacher will explain that if you know it and you speed it up it is good for self defense as well. 14 May 08, 7:46 PM Fenrisulfr SE, 10 mths anjuli wrote: <giggles> All three different! I am going to be sorry I asked aren't I? Thanks for your thoughts tho everyone. anjuli Well, the question was a bit like "I would like some spicy food. Maybe with rice. Can anyone suggest something?" All martial arts can be used as exercise. But while some instructors pushes the students hard, others may let it be up to the discipline of each student. Even arts that might look soft (i.e. Aikido and Bujinkan) burns quite good if you get up quickly each time from the mat, and keep the tempo up. While something like kick/thaiboxing won't burn much if you don't put any effort into it. Almost all places allows you to look at a few classes, and join in on a few for free. Shop around. Even look into different places for the same martial arts, as the atmosphere can differ a lot. Just a few things to consider; Do they have any insurance through the club, or do you need to have your own? Injuries are not that common, but they do happen. How do their schedule look like, do they have classes when you can be there? Do they have classes around the year, or do they close down for the summer? Are they competent? Besides frauds to look out for, you have excellent martial artists that unfortunately don't know enough to teach in a safe way, creating unnecessary strain on joints, that will damage them in the long run. A lot of people claim to this or that martial art is good for self defense. While, in most cases, it is better than no training at all, not many places teaches anything of the sort. This includes even clubs that claims that it is self defense that they are doing. Self defense should include much more than fighting skills, and definitely more than competition fighting skills. @ 842-117-802 Your description of Kenjitsu sounds a bit strange to me. But it probably was because a very short description But it does sound like a a marketing name for combining Kendo (ZNKR Kendo does include Iaido) with an unarmed MA, or a home brew. But I would not be surprised of more than one koryu would practice kenjutsu with shinais at times @ skylerpet I would not call kick-boxing a good self defence art. But I do call it great fun Start with a semester of boxing. The stance is a bit different. But one semester would not give you to many bad habits, and without kicks, it won't be as bad for your knees. Or start with Bujinkan, which will give you a lot more transferable skills than you might guess at first glance. Just keep the tempo right beyond your comfort zone. @ morgan I have never tried any of the chinese internal arts. Just seen a competition form done by a high level practician, and been talking to a few people that are practicing it. While I don't think it would be the best choice if looking for a fighting art, or self defense, it sure is one of the more graceful ones. And it might very well be a better self defense choice than a few of the martial arts that claim to be just that. 15 May 08, 6:41 AM anjuli UK, 18 mths Fenrisulfr wrote: anjuli wrote: <giggles> All three different! I am going to be sorry I asked aren't I? Well, the question was a bit like "I would like some spicy food. Maybe with rice. Can anyone suggest something?" <snip> <laughs> I guess it was at that! Very good analogy. But thanks for trying to answer the impossible question. The bit about kenjitsu passed me by completely I'm afraid but then I suppose it would. I'm going to do some research and whilst boxing is okay (my dad taught me a bit and I'd enjoy the release of energy and aggression), kickboxing sounds a bit hard on the hip and knee joints for me. (Getting older see Seriously, I'd need to work on strength and balance before attampting anything like that I think). Tai chi sounds as though it's definitely worth a look and I will check out what else I can access locally bearing everyone's advice in mind. Much appreciated. anjuli ~~~ “I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman.” - Anais Nin ~~~ 18 May 08, 8:24 AM bluesky 14 mths Hi anjuli, I personally do judo. It is all about balance...not that I have any sense of balance but I am working on still. Also, I have been told tai chi is very good. I would make the suggestion that you find an MMA club. One of the clubs I go to is this. MMA clubs (mixed martial arts) would allow you to get an idea of all sorts of martial arts but not have to dash about from one club to another to another. If you can find one that is friendly it helps too. I have found that most clubs tend to be very helpful and friendly...especially to new people. Good Luck! bluesky P.S. if you are going to take up judo or any martial art to be honest you should look into shin guards. It is quite likely you will end up with bruises no matter how careful you are. I took a break for many years but the first year I returned to it I spent the entire summer in long skirts because my legs looked like I was a battered wife! 18 May 08, 10:11 AM anjuli UK, 18 mths <giggles> I'll bear it in mind. Can't help thinking it's a good job normal clothes, even summer ones, cover our butts then eh? anjuli <heads off again laughing> bluesky wrote: Hi anjuli, I personally do judo. It is all about balance...not that I have any sense of balance but I am working on still. Also, I have been told tai chi is very good. I would make the suggestion that you find an MMA club. One of the clubs I go to is this. MMA clubs (mixed martial arts) would allow you to get an idea of all sorts of martial arts but not have to dash about from one club to another to another. If you can find one that is friendly it helps too. I have found that most clubs tend to be very helpful and friendly...especially to new people. Good Luck! bluesky P.S. if you are going to take up judo or any martial art to be honest you should look into shin guards. It is quite likely you will end up with bruises no matter how careful you are. I took a break for many years but the first year I returned to it I spent the entire summer in long skirts because my legs looked like I was a battered wife! ~~~ “I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman.” - Anais Nin ~~~ Next page