Martial Arts

[zero1]

Hi,

Do you practice a martial art, if so which one and how does it help you?

Is it, for you, about survival, self-improvement and confidence or just fun and good health? Or all of those things?

What is your favourite martial art, besides the discipline you practice?

If you don't practice a martial art, would you like to and if so which one?

[tracker]

Hi,

Do you practice a martial art, if so which one and how does it help you?

Is it, for you, about survival, self-improvement and confidence or just fun and good health? Or all of those things?

What is your favourite martial art, besides the discipline you practice?

If you don't practice a martial art, would you like to and if so which one?


well it started off with Muay tia boxing and thia chi .

after a while i got board of set katta moves , or dojo as i understand it to be . a set form of movements .
so i branched off onto something completly different .

environmental awareness and phsycological and physical randomisation .

long words but not all that really .

lets start with the begining .

environmental awareness
this is a form of being aware of the environment and how to use it to maximum affect .
for instance , standing next to a table and getting attacked can produce so many opotunities .
for instance , one could just tip the table towards the attacker , then jump on it to have a maximum affect . the 1st step of tipping the table makes the attacker back off , following through takes an attacker by surprise .
standing in thin hallways doesnt always allow certain moves to be exicuted , so learning to kart wheel kick and moving side to side helps throw off attackers and dogge punches etc .
being aware of the environment is not enough .
you have to learn how to photo snap shot the environment , so that , versatile moves and agility combinations can be made with out having to look where you are going .
i practiced this with a freind once , it can hurt so like all things one learns slowly .
but it involved going out of the room whilst the freind moved furnisher . i would then open the door quickly and shut it . he would turn off the light whilst i put on a blind fold . then enter the room . it takes time and yes i nearly broke my shin , so i learned to do all kicks and turns slowly , thus also gaining balance as time went on .



phsycological and physical randomisation

big subject .
one has to learn howhow the masses think, not forgetting its not always a simple dude one comes across so never under estimate the other person , but ?
for instance , if you had a book in your hands and were attacked , try to get some distance for defence .
then toss the book at them and say catch .
most do so . lol , silly gits then attack at speed whilst they catch the book , or kick the other guys chops then tackle the book catcher . lol funny tactic .
sometimes running away round a corner and then doubling back on your self to time it just right as the person comes round the corner .
oooooooooooooooouchy ! by surprise in the gob with a football round house kick ,nice .

typical phsycological gorrilar tactics , ie hit and run , good tactics .
the randomisation is exactly that .
in karate one learns moves in set patterns .
learn how to destroy those patterns because people dont usually have a set combat style .
ie
every time you begin to practice , once you have done a set of moves , do them again but change the last move .
lets say youve praticed 5 moves to form a technique .
the next time you do them change the 5th one .
next time change the 4th but do the original 5th move.
next time do the moves again but change the 4th and 5th move and so on back to the 1st move being changed , then learn them left handed and then back to front .

all very interesting .
also
learn to fight in the dark .
this is done with a freind . wrist to wrist . by understanding body physics one can already understand how their body will be positioned whilst you do the move , this then allows you to preplan the next before the 1st move is completly exicuted .

stuff like that .
but

i havent done it now for 5 years .
i do soon plan to return back to this life style as i enjoyed it very much .
learning to ballance also has its benifits . i had noticed after 3 years of doing this thing i was very fit , thought differently and wasnt so afraid of other people , yet refused to show off or give it the large because

the real art of combat

is not to fight


even better is


not to be there .:cool:

[zero1]

Thanks to Jay and Tracker who've polled so far, but guys - the idea was to post about your training and ideas too...:D (EDIT - Tracker just did! Cool...)

I might be jumping the gun, but I think a thread on martial arts should be a sticky for the Survival/Communities sub-forum.

NB # Also, viewers please not that Tae Kwon Do is a style of Karate for the sake of this poll, there are too many styles of Karate to list so - consider the popular Korean style of TKD a form of Karate for the purposes of this thread.

Cheers, hope I get a reply!

[zero1]

well it started off with Muay tia boxing and thia chi .

after a while i got board of set katta moves , or dojo as i understand it to be . a set form of movements .
so i branched off onto something completly different .

environmental awareness and phsycological and physical randomisation .

long words but not all that really .

lets start with the begining .

environmental awareness
this is a form of being aware of the environment and how to use it to maximum affect .
for instance , standing next to a table and getting attacked can produce so many opotunities .
for instance , one could just tip the table towards the attacker , then jump on it to have a maximum affect . the 1st step of tipping the table makes the attacker back off , following through takes an attacker by surprise .
standing in thin hallways doesnt always allow certain moves to be exicuted , so learning to kart wheel kick and moving side to side helps throw off attackers and dogge punches etc .
being aware of the environment is not enough .
you have to learn how to photo snap shot the environment , so that , versatile moves and agility combinations can be made with out having to look where you are going .
i practiced this with a freind once , it can hurt so like all things one learns slowly .
but it involved going out of the room whilst the freind moved furnisher . i would then open the door quickly and shut it . he would turn off the light whilst i put on a blind fold . then enter the room . it takes time and yes i nearly broke my shin , so i learned to do all kicks and turns slowly , thus also gaining balance as time went on .



phsycological and physical randomisation

big subject .
one has to learn howhow the masses think, not forgetting its not always a simple dude one comes across so never under estimate the other person , but ?
for instance , if you had a book in your hands and were attacked , try to get some distance for defence .
then toss the book at them and say catch .
most do so . lol , silly gits then attack at speed whilst they catch the book , or kick the other guys chops then tackle the book catcher . lol funny tactic .
sometimes running away round a corner and then doubling back on your self to time it just right as the person comes round the corner .
oooooooooooooooouchy ! by surprise in the gob with a football round house kick ,nice .

typical phsycological gorrilar tactics , ie hit and run , good tactics .
the randomisation is exactly that .
in karate one learns moves in set patterns .
learn how to destroy those patterns because people dont usually have a set combat style .
ie
every time you begin to practice , once you have done a set of moves , do them again but change the last move .
lets say youve praticed 5 moves to form a technique .
the next time you do them change the 5th one .
next time change the 4th but do the original 5th move.
next time do the moves again but change the 4th and 5th move and so on back to the 1st move being changed , then learn them left handed and then back to front .

all very interesting .
also
learn to fight in the dark .
this is done with a freind . wrist to wrist . by understanding body physics one can already understand how their body will be positioned whilst you do the move , this then allows you to preplan the next before the 1st move is completly exicuted .

stuff like that .
but

i havent done it now for 5 years .
i do soon plan to return back to this life style as i enjoyed it very much .
learning to ballance also has its benifits . i had noticed after 3 years of doing this thing i was very fit , thought differently and wasnt so afraid of other people , yet refused to show off or give it the large because

the real art of combat

is not to fight


even better is


not to be there .:cool:

Excellent Tracker, thanks. What's your fitness regimen like?

[tracker]

Thanks to Jay and Tracker who've polled so far, but guys - the idea was to post about your training and ideas too...:D (EDIT - Tracker just did! Cool...)

I might be jumping the gun, but I think a thread on martial arts should be a sticky for the Survival/Communities sub-forum.

NB # Also, viewers please not that Tae Kwon Do is a style of Karate for the sake of this poll, there are too many styles of Karate to list so - consider the popular Korean style of TKD a form of Karate for the purposes of this thread.

Cheers, hope I get a reply!

will it help in the long run ?
healthy body aids a healthy mind and also proves invaluable when defending against would be attackers . i have only had to use it twice in 15 years .
but it stoped me being bottled from behind in a hall way and prevented me being stabbed by a kitchen knife weilding maniac .
i was in handcuffs too lol .:cool:stupid coppers cuffed me and let him run at me with the bloody knife and guess what ?
they did nothing .typical !:cool:

[tracker]

Excellent Tracker, thanks. What's your fitness regimen like?
yes .

[tracker]

yes .

it would be noce to hear other folks tactics and training on this matter .especially how it helped them progress both mentaly and physicly .:cool:

[zero1]

will it help in the long run ?
healthy body aids a healthy mind and also proves invaluable when defending against would be attackers . i have only had to use it twice in 15 years .
but it stoped me being bottled from behind in a hall way and prevented me being stabbed by a kitchen knife weilding maniac .
i was in handcuffs too lol .:cool:stupid coppers cuffed me and let him run at me with the bloody knife and guess what ?
they did nothing .typical !:cool:

It pays to be prepared though. :)

Yes.

That's your fitness regimen..? :p

[tracker]

It pays to be prepared though. :)



That's your fitness regimen..? :p

not all of it , but im bumping the thread as it could be very interesting if folks enlightened us on what it did for them .:cool:

[checkmate]

J.K.D. as my signature alludes. It's very beneficial for self confidence, health, and redirecting negative build up of energy. and aggression.

[zero1]

I did some Wado-ryu Karate and Kickboxing in my mid teens, but found both very dissatisfactory and lost interest quickly - so I turned to teaching myself from intution, visualization and kata with a good fitness regimen. I got a lot done a lot faster - weeding out what worked for me and what didn't was a labourious but very enjoyable task. With T'ai Chi I was able to overcome the limitations of not having a training/sparring partner, and for clarification of technique I used a good book on Jiu-jitsu amongst other tools. As Bruce Lee said, it's all in the body - all the techniques of all the martial arts, they're all right there in your body somatically, and through simulation one can learn to evoke them to yeild a near limitless range of technique, which can be applied on many different levels. I love combat arts in general, men should pay more attention to learning how to fight, defend loved ones and take arms when necessary. IMO.

[lightgiver]

I,this label,practise the art of fighting without fighting:D

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/259/mapig0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[quetzalcoatl]

I,this label,practise the art of fighting without fighting:D



Yes - This is the best system. :D

[zero1]

BUMP this, for the good of the community...:p:D:)

[checkmate]

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

[tracker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k1UgOxBytc

bruce lee was the best artist in the world .
he knew exactly the true idea of true martial art .

water flows , good stuff .:cool:

[zero1]

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/3903675/2/istockphoto_3903675_mixed_martial_arts.jpg

[zero1]

http://www.cedarscoachingacademy.com/assets/martial_arts.JPG

[jonas parker]

Kung-fu isn't worth a damn at 10 yards against a semi-automatic pistol or rifle. There's a few old sayings I'd like to share with you all:

"Don't ever bring a knife to a gunfight!"
This also applies to martial arts.

"If you're in a 'fair fight', you miscalculated!"
If you're in a fight, it's either your life (and/or the lives of your loved ones) or the bad guy's life. The criminals don't give a rat's ass about "fighting fair". They're out to rob, steal, hurt, rape, and/or kill you and yours. There's no special place in Heaven for victims that "fought fair"!

"It's better to be judged by twelve than carried by six!"
I'd rather take my chances with a court and a jury of twelve of my peers than be carried to the cemetary by six of my friends.

While martial arts is great exercise and teaches personal discipline, in a SHTF world scenario I wouldn't bet my life on it.

[zero1]

Kung-fu isn't worth a damn at 10 yards against a semi-automatic pistol or rifle.

Hmm. I'm tempted to say -

1) Dodge the bullet
2) Catch the bullet
3) Deflect the bullet

...but "realistically", one could say that with good Kung-fu, as any other art that develops spatial and sensory awarenesses, the real skill is not allowing oneself to get in such as position in the first place (being 10-yards off a shooter)...disarming techniques go hand in hand with good movement and closing the distance with an attacker, after all. These are elementary to good fighting discipline.

There's a few old sayings I'd like to share with you all:

"Don't ever bring a knife to a gunfight!"
This also applies to martial arts.

"If you're in a 'fair fight', you miscalculated!"
If you're in a fight, it's either your life (and/or the lives of your loved ones) or the bad guy's life. The criminals don't give a rat's ass about "fighting fair". They're out to rob, steal, hurt, rape, and/or kill you and yours. There's no special place in Heaven for victims that "fought fair"!

"It's better to be judged by twelve than carried by six!"
I'd rather take my chances with a court and a jury of twelve of my peers than be carried to the cemetary by six of my friends.

Those are fair enough.

While martial arts is great exercise and teaches personal discipline, in a SHTF world scenario I wouldn't bet my life on it.

No-one's asking you to. Weapons training, including firearms, forms a part of most martial arts syllabi today anyway, isn't that so?

[nirvana]

Ive been involved in the arts for the last 20yrs.
Been doing the russian systema for last 6yrs. Also done lots of wrestling,boxing etc.Done lots of door work.Trained in Russia bodyguarding courses etc

Its a good disciplin and good therapy.


Peace:)

[kblood]

Kung-fu isn't worth a damn at 10 yards against a semi-automatic pistol or rifle. There's a few old sayings I'd like to share with you all:

I have been shot at a few times, and knowing someone is shooting at you, then dodging the bullet isnt all that impossible. Anticipate where the shooter will shoot, and make sure that part of your body moves away.

Even if you have a gun, then that wont help you be agile enough to get out of the line of sight of the shooters. Martial arts can help you do that.

It probably is impossible to move faster than a bullet after its shot, so you will need to make the move while the bullet is going to be shot. As long as there is only one shooter, then keep focus on this one shooter to estimate where the next shoot will be aimed for. If the shooter is really going for the kill and has an automatic gun, although I am happy to say I havent encountered any with such a gun, then dodging will be difficult. If I am not mistaken an automatic gun can be emptied in less than one minute, so it would probably be needed to get some cover if the shooter has a good aim.

Its quite rare that anyone is really going for killing shots though. If you get involved with the kind that does, then martial arts or guns probably wont be much help anyway.

[onourwayto2012]

My original Karate/TKD from the mid 90's is now serving a life sentence in California for murdering(with a choke hold) the husband of his mistress. Name is Rafiel Torre and it happened 6-7 yrs ago I believe. Left small town Oregon ...moved to SoCal got involved with shady characters, wife swapping...became an egotistical asshole and murderer. Pretty weird because I was always so thankful for his instruction and motivation and training with such a skilled martial artist. It was pretty shocking to say the least. Anyone heard of him or remember this story?

[tracker]

Kung-fu isn't worth a damn at 10 yards against a semi-automatic pistol or rifle.

this is true .
but knowing when some one is about to pull the trigger can help dodge the line of fire .

i have noticed that people here say that true martial arts can help train to dodge a bullet .
i say "bullshit" you cant dodge a bullet its too fast .
you can antisipate when the other is about to pull the trigger inwhich evasive action can help take you out of the line of fire , this can be true !

yet ,

lets face facts .

at 10 yards away
having a gun/pistol/rifle , is almost no match for any one no matter what you know , because of you are aware that others can be aware of when you may pull that trigger , then there isnt any getting around that and quite frankly , i have no worries admitting that if i knew i faced a martial artist assasin face on , i wouldnt think twice on using a gun .
yes that might make me some type of chicken , which is a false notion , but it will keep me alive , and make them dead .

i am a realist , and would rather be on the pistol holding side than be ten yards away facing someone with a gun instead .
so lets face facts here . martial arts means nothing to a profesional gun holding combat specialist endstop !

good comment jonas parker .:cool:

[zero1]

Reflex training, shadow-boxing and kicking, opponent visualization, breathing control techniques, a basic SEAL level fitness workout (as per SERE doctrine - Survival/Escape/Resistance/Evasion), Yoga exercise, Sun T'ai Chi forms (Yin) and meditation comprise the makeup of my physical regimen for survival and personal enhancement.

[zero1]

My original Karate/TKD from the mid 90's is now serving a life sentence in California for murdering(with a choke hold) the husband of his mistress. Name is Rafiel Torre and it happened 6-7 yrs ago I believe. Left small town Oregon ...moved to SoCal got involved with shady characters, wife swapping...became an egotistical asshole and murderer. Pretty weird because I was always so thankful for his instruction and motivation and training with such a skilled martial artist. It was pretty shocking to say the least. Anyone heard of him or remember this story?

No, I've never heard the story. Grim, though. Goes to show the Mind is key to everything in martial arts. You can be as tough as you like with as many black belts as you train for, but if the aspects of discipline and spiritual refinement are lacking or neglected in your martial arts training, you will fail. Inevitably.

[matt d]

Brazilian jiujitsu . ive also done some judo . i just love the workout its fun and keeps me in shape .

[zero1]

Brazilian jiujitsu . ive also done some judo . i just love the workout its fun and keeps me in shape .

BJJ, excellent, do you compete in MMA?

[onourwayto2012]

No, I've never heard the story. Grim, though. Goes to show the Mind is key to everything in martial arts. You can be as tough as you like with as many black belts as you train for, but if the aspects of discipline and spiritual refinement are lacking or neglected in your martial arts training, you will fail. Inevitably.
woops...forgot to say teacher after TKD...but you got it. Yeah he always had a slight undercurrent of arrogance?? or something that must have gotten way out of hand once he got into that environment. Just for the record he trained with some Gracies and got beat up by Chuck Norris in a pool hall in Code of Silence......BUT.... it was also later revealed that he changed his name( went to HS here....another friend of mine knew him then)... and apparently fabricated stories about Navy Seals and certain MA titles....etc.... However, despite these character "flaws" or indiscrepancies...or whatever.... one fact that remained was when I sparred or grappled with him the power and skill he had was way beyond that of the black belt assistants and teachers under him. In other words he had that "something" but apparently that wasn't enough for him. His ego or whatever seems to have just taken over...in a major way. I still credit him with my continued practice of exercise. training and MA but man it's just SOOO sad to see the downfall of a talented person/MA...but who knows...maybe the story will get better....but then again..I did hear a couple yrs ago that he did get beat up in prison... so anyhow thanks for letting me ramble...it's just been a MA roller coaster for me....
p.s..... I LOVE the opening scene in Fist of Legend when Jet Li takes on all the Japanese
dudes who disrupt his classroom...classic

[lightgiver]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k1UgOxBytc

Just what the doctor ordered,not with us in person,but in spirit:)

Be like water,:D:D

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=RAyHrMQcqD0

running water never goes stale.

[checkmate]

:cool:

[kblood]

this is true .
but knowing when some one is about to pull the trigger can help dodge the line of fire .

i have noticed that people here say that true martial arts can help train to dodge a bullet .
i say "bullshit" you cant dodge a bullet its too fast .
you can antisipate when the other is about to pull the trigger inwhich evasive action can help take you out of the line of fire , this can be true !

yet ,

lets face facts .

at 10 yards away
having a gun/pistol/rifle , is almost no match for any one no matter what you know , because of you are aware that others can be aware of when you may pull that trigger , then there isnt any getting around that and quite frankly , i have no worries admitting that if i knew i faced a martial artist assasin face on , i wouldnt think twice on using a gun .
yes that might make me some type of chicken , which is a false notion , but it will keep me alive , and make them dead .

i am a realist , and would rather be on the pistol holding side than be ten yards away facing someone with a gun instead .
so lets face facts here . martial arts means nothing to a profesional gun holding combat specialist endstop !

good comment jonas parker .:cool:

Well, if its semi-automatic then yes, dodging the first bullet wouldnt help much if the second bullet is well aimed as well, so unless you got into cover by then you would be dead. If it isnt a semi-automatic gun, then you might even dodge the second bullet, in my oppinion. Third bullet would then probably leave you someone defenseless depending on how the first two were dodge and how good the aim of the shooter if. Of course if the shooter is good at anticipating the dodge, then the second bullet would already hit as well.

Comes down to luck and intuition I guess. At any rate, I dont really believe the point of this is to be able to be able to defend against someone with a firearm of any kind. I havent had to dodge a second bullet though, since the shooter wasnt that determined on killing. Was a single act of rage. After a rollover I still looked at him again straight away to be sure a second one wasnt comming my way.

There was one time when a cop fired at me, being a show off, strafing my neck. I didnt anticipate he would do something like that so I didnt dodge. I did let the arteri that got a small opening pump a bit of extra blood just to make him feel sorry though. Made me a bit dizzy though. Still the wound was small enough, so it was basicly closed after I cleaned it.

I dont really know who you expect to be facing that would fire several shots at you with killing intent though. Something I would find quite rare unless you are up against gangsters or something.

[matt d]

BJJ, excellent, do you compete in MMA?

Hi zero . at the moment im not competing, ive only been back training for
2 months after 2yrs off . Had an accident at work caught my arm in a milling machine cutter ,lost about an inch of bone on my left arm .
when i train i use a strong support . im really happy to be back to it
, and the guys take it easy on the arm . Im hoping to compete again in the near future .

[quetzalcoatl]

I've done two forms of Karate, Kickboxing & two similar styles of Kung-Fu.. In that very order.

[zero1]

Hi zero. At the moment I'm not competing, I've only been back training for 2 months after 2 yrs off. Had an accident at work caught my arm in a milling machine cutter, lost about an inch of bone on my left arm. When I train I use a strong support. I'm really happy to be back to it, and the guys take it easy on the arm. I'm hoping to compete again in the near future.

Hey Matt, sorry to hear about the accident. Glad you're back at it though, wish you all the best in training and getting your game on in the ring again.

[zero1]

http://www.superaction.com/website108/images/108/classic/brazilian-jj.gif

:cool:

[zero1]

http://www.jssgallery.org/Paintings/Sketches/Nudes/Male_Nudes_Wresling.jpg

(Nude wrasslin', just a l'il bit homoerotic...:D)

[zero1]

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k140/bradg120177/kung-fu.gif

[zero1]

http://www.martialedge.net/images/features/aikido_2.gif

http://www.aikidoinn.com/aikilogo.gif

Nice.

[tracker]

Well, if its semi-automatic then yes, dodging the first bullet wouldnt help much if the second bullet is well aimed as well, so unless you got into cover by then you would be dead. If it isnt a semi-automatic gun, then you might even dodge the second bullet, in my oppinion. Third bullet would then probably leave you someone defenseless depending on how the first two were dodge and how good the aim of the shooter if. Of course if the shooter is good at anticipating the dodge, then the second bullet would already hit as well.

Comes down to luck and intuition I guess. At any rate, I dont really believe the point of this is to be able to be able to defend against someone with a firearm of any kind. I havent had to dodge a second bullet though, since the shooter wasnt that determined on killing. Was a single act of rage. After a rollover I still looked at him again straight away to be sure a second one wasnt comming my way.

There was one time when a cop fired at me, being a show off, strafing my neck. I didnt anticipate he would do something like that so I didnt dodge. I did let the arteri that got a small opening pump a bit of extra blood just to make him feel sorry though. Made me a bit dizzy though. Still the wound was small enough, so it was basicly closed after I cleaned it.

I dont really know who you expect to be facing that would fire several shots at you with killing intent though. Something I would find quite rare unless you are up against gangsters or something.

lol you made me laugh . but none the less its true .:cool:

[zero1]

Japanese style -

http://donvitosmartialarts.com/Clipart_throw_copy.jpg

And for a laugh -

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm58/cbrmarc/jiujitsu.jpg

:D

[zero1]

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k42/zengrasshoppa/zens%20tags/ninjutsu.gif


http://www.ninjutsu.com/images/VECTORIZED34-blackBG.jpg

http://kupika.com/oekaki/2007/06/25/ezjiqistjk.png

:cool:

[zero1]

http://www.fafc.com.au/images/karate_logo.jpg

http://lifeintheupanddown.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/karate.png

[zero1]

http://www.brucelee.nd.e-wro.pl/bruce%20lee%20jkd.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t308/fanlee_Y/BruceLeeJeetKuneDo.jpg

[zero1]

The Korean art -

http://www.hapkido.net/_borders/top.ht3.jpg

[zero1]

http://www.ugottawannamartialarts.com/img/content_hdr_boxing.gif

http://www.superaction.com/website108/images/108/classic/boxing.gif

[zero1]

http://www.gamachris.ch/Muay%20Thai%20Logo.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h49/buckethead27/muay-thai.gif

[zero1]

http://www.acupuncture.com.cy/taichi1.gif

A complete and simple T'ai Chi Ch'an (Sun T'ai Chi) form -

http://members.shaw.ca/alanjstewart/TaiChi/TaiChi24form.gif

[zero1]

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~nhiraoka/judo_clipart.jpg

http://tsv.bassum.de/judo/bilder/judo.gif

[zero1]

French kicking art -

http://www.bridgemansavate.com/photos/photos/11CCChasse98web.JPG

http://andre-martin.com/savate/files/page9_1.png

[zero1]

That's all for now...:)

[illuminatiman]

i hold a black belt in taekwondo, its strange but any aggression you may have disappears because it teaches you that violence is counter productive and you dont need to fight! Its good fun anmd keeps me fit too!

[zero1]

i hold a black belt in taekwondo, its strange but any aggression you may have disappears because it teaches you that violence is counter productive and you dont need to fight! Its good fun anmd keeps me fit too!

Good, nice to hear from you, thanks. :cool:

[nirvana]

I can see a martial art meeting happening on this forum in the future.

Peace:)

[zero1]

I can see a martial art meeting happening on this forum in the future.

Peace:)

I sure hope so! :cool:

[zero1]

Teach yourself Ninjutsu naked in an empty room, now!

If you have to ask "how"? then you are not yet a Master! (Zen :D)

[hellosatellites]

Hi martial artists

i've been a martial artist for 20 years, mainly in wushu. Have been into

traditional fencing (foil and sabre)
kung fu (wing chun and jing wu)
escrima
aikido
taichi (yang style)
chi kung

I initially started fencing in my teens because of a fascination with weapons, which then became a fascination with the martial arts in general, and a love of wushu in particular. Have favoured full-contact, no rules arts, with emphasis on self-discipline and flow. My main thing now martial arts wise is tai chi. I love martial arts, tho nowadays it's more fun to dance than to fight :)

Aesthetically, I love to watch boxing and muyu thai - visually very satisfying - tho have never practised these myself.

The main benefit for me..hmm...Martial arts has been a safe way to explore aggression (my own aswell as others), and the martial arts scene and cool martial artists has provided a good environment for me to learn to channel and contain my own fear and rage.
Full contact is fun - but also painful :rolleyes: and after 6 years with wingchun i got fed up with always walking around semi concussed :D and got into aikido (a brief 6 months spell whilst i lived in Tunisia, absolutely loved aikido but couldn't find a good teacher when i returned to my homecountry) then luckily was introduced to tai chi and chi kung which i have been into for the past 10 years.

i occasssionally got into fights and dodgy near-rape situations where i had to fight my way out when i was a young girl, but since getting into martial arts in a serious way (especially wing chun) i have never been in a fight or been physically assaulted. I still have the occassional stalker, but nobody has tried to jump me for many many years. martial arts has sharpened by ability to read body language, and so can just avoid dodgy people and get myself out of situations before they turn too ugly.

Tai chi has mellowed me out a lot, and the physical and energetic benefits are incredible. Tai chi is very good for my health,my back and joints especially, and in general for mental and spiritual wellbeing. really, i can't praise tai chi enough. It's very underrated and misunderstood art in the west because of hippies and new agers who have marketed it as a relaxation technique :D from the 60's an onwards.

If i had more time, i'd love to check out gun shooting - I mean target practice :) - and Kendo.

[normaltime]

Any amateur or 'pro' or aspiring boxers here?

[localidiot]

I am currently taking Tae Kwan Do, used to take Tang Soo Do.
It gives me a place to focus my mind and body, and a place to vent. We have sparring and weapon classes, so I get to work in a fair rang of stuff that lets me work out the tension I build during the day.
It's helped me meet some great people,including my current girlfriend.
My plans are to go as far as I can in it, and then stat taking Kung Fu from another academy more towards town. Maybe mix classes if I can.

[pinkfreud]

i do kyokushinkai karate atm, and want to learn thai kickboxing in the near future.


martial arts is THE bomb :cool: nothing can keep you fitter and more focused.

[zero1]

http://www.geocities.com/kidlat121/vitalpoint/symbol.gif

[venividivici2311]

I'm into Krav Maga now.
Did allot of boxing,thaiboxing,karate.

[zero1]

I'm into Krav Maga now. Did allot of boxing, thai-boxing, karate.

Krav Maga is okay, but I know of critics (myself amongst them) who say it's very effective against untrained opponents or lesser martial artists, but of very limited use against highly-trained opponents and genuine masters.

[lostwonderer]

I used to do Shaolin Kung Fu quite a while ago, which i hope to take up again. Although i'd also like to practice Tai Chi.

[fekdemasons]

Studied Wing Tsun for a year or two and enjoyed it immensely. Before that I boxed as a teenager.

WT certainly taught me a thing or two about delivering power with timing and the vertical fist / falling step has got me out of one or two tight spots.

I think Martial arts are usefull for fitness / mental health etc but one should never rely on controlled practice with a fellow student or master as preperation for full on combat with some scumbag who knows how to fight.

I've seen respected martial artists crap their pants when faced with a genuine streetfighter / nutjob. Believe me the years of form practice and rehearsed moves , counters to this technique or that block to this punch tend to go out the window.

If your life depends on it the fight will decend into an animal scrap. You have a slight edge because of your training but if you dont have genuine combat on a regular basis and the other guy is a veteran thug it could spell disaster.

I am with most on the subject of fighting without fighting. I can smell trouble in any bar 5 mins before it kicks off and I'm out of there. I had more than my share of agro as a young man and could hold my own if required. But theres allways a nutter just round the corner who's that bit quicker / nastier than you. 17 stitches through my right eyebrow and forehead are a permanent reminder.

[zero1]

Studied Wing Tsun for a year or two and enjoyed it immensely. Before that I boxed as a teenager.

WT certainly taught me a thing or two about delivering power with timing and the vertical fist / falling step has got me out of one or two tight spots.

I think Martial arts are usefull for fitness / mental health etc but one should never rely on controlled practice with a fellow student or master as preperation for full on combat with some scumbag who knows how to fight.

I've seen respected martial artists crap their pants when faced with a genuine streetfighter / nutjob. Believe me the years of form practice and rehearsed moves , counters to this technique or that block to this punch tend to go out the window.

If your life depends on it the fight will decend into an animal scrap. You have a slight edge because of your training but if you dont have genuine combat on a regular basis and the other guy is a veteran thug it could spell disaster.

I am with most on the subject of fighting without fighting. I can smell trouble in any bar 5 mins before it kicks off and I'm out of there. I had more than my share of agro as a young man and could hold my own if required. But theres allways a nutter just round the corner who's that bit quicker / nastier than you. 17 stitches through my right eyebrow and forehead are a permanent reminder.

Good man, good post.

[sturbz]

WoOt!
Self Taught...!
my OwN StylE!
it is a mix of 'Muay Thai' and 'Capoeira'..
also some 'aikido' throwdowns..
i will be a Reptilian Assassin!

Except i wont kill, just hurt them really bbbad.
;P

death would be to easy..

[zero1]

Can't let this one fall into obscurity.

[ging]

Muay Thai, 4 years.

Liberating, exhausting, invigorating, painful!

I love it.

[zero1]

Muay Thai, 4 years.

Liberating, exhausting, invigorating, painful!

I love it.

Very nice, Ging. I thought you were female, am I right? If so, Muay Thai is a good martial art for girls, there is a sense of gender equality to it that certain other arts lack. If you're a guy, sorry no offence...:) It's great for guys too.

[ging]

Very nice, Ging. I thought you were female, am I right? If so, Muay Thai is a good martial art for girls, there is a sense of gender equality to it that certain other arts lack. If you're a guy, sorry no offence...:) It's great for guys too.

Yes, I'm a girl.

You are exactly right, that is one of the things that I love about it - the respect for women and their ability.

My Kru goes mad and demands press-ups if anyone makes a comment about 'hitting like a girl' and I tell you what - he has trained a world-class female fighter who no guy would mess with!

It's all mixed gender training so I've trained with many 6ft 4 blokes built like brick shithouses. It's so liberating. And exhausting! And painful! (As mentioned, LOL)

When someone is training to fight Kru Rick makes us all do the same level of training in support :eek:

[ging]

Here he is in action - Kru Rick Lewis. Amazing fighter, top bloke, great trainer :)


Master Sken's - Thai Boxing Fighter - Rick Lewis - YouTube

[zero1]

Here he is in action - Kru Rick Lewis. Amazing fighter, top bloke, great trainer :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lx_9gyz7oU

Wonderful, thanks Ging. :cool:

[rowan22]

I find Boxing a very spiritual pastime. I know most would balk at this but bringing together mind and body so that coordination and graceful power results is very profound to me.

The level of concentration required in open sparring is like nothing else I can compare. It feels how I imagine our primeval ancestors felt on a hunt. Totally switched on and harnessing all the natural physical and mental capacity we have.

I actually have had instances which have felt like pre cognition, a feeling where you know in advance what someone is about to do. It hones your most primal and instinctual ability to a fine edge.

Together with the level of fitness required which most wouldn’t dedicate themselves to long enough to enjoy.

I think all martial arts pursued with passion generate real convergence between mind body and spirit.

[zero1]

I find Boxing a very spiritual pastime. I know most would balk at this but bringing together mind and body so that coordination and graceful power results is very profound to me.

The level of concentration required in open sparring is like nothing else I can compare. It feels how I imagine our primeval ancestors felt on a hunt. Totally switched on and harnessing all the natural physical and mental capacity we have.

I actually have had instances which have felt like pre-cognition, a feeling where you know in advance what someone is about to do. It hones your most primal and instinctual ability to a fine edge.

Together with the level of fitness required which most wouldn’t dedicate themselves to long enough to enjoy.

I think all martial arts pursued with passion generate real convergence between mind body and spirit.

Absolutely, yes.

[mane]

Parkour is what I practice, though I hesitate to call it a martial art, for it is pacifist by nature, in that it is the art of overcoming obstacles in getting from point A to point B in the most fluid and efficient way possible-- freeing the mind of limits, finding ladders to climb. The level of discipline, life style, and physical/mental/spiritual applications parallel that of martial arts.

David Belle parkour--
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

[zero1]

Parkour is what I practice, though I hesitate to call it a martial art, for it is pacifist by nature, in that it is the art of overcoming obstacles in getting from point A to point B in the most fluid and efficient way possible-- freeing the mind of limits, finding ladders to climb. The level of discipline, life style, and physical/mental/spiritual applications parallel that of martial arts.

David Belle parkour--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jquXcwooV6A

Very good, Mane, a worthy inclusion on the thread. Parkour is something I have heard of, and I respect how it parallels martial practice as you say. :)

[quetzalcoatl]

Very nice, Ging. I thought you were female, am I right? If so, Muay Thai is a good martial art for girls, there is a sense of gender equality to it that certain other arts lack. If you're a guy, sorry no offence...:) It's great for guys too.

Hmmm.. I would've thought Muay Thai Kick-Boxing wouldn't be the most suitable for chicks..

I reckon Wing-Chun would be the best for the ladies.. since it is born of a Female master - Wing-Chun herself - & is an amalgamation of many different styles, which has taken the very best form them all & is based on self-defence, with emphasis on getting maximum amount of force with the minimal amount of effort.

It's great! Tis da ultimate style IMH.. also, it was wot Bruce Lee was trained in.. although I think he only made green possibly brown belt or something - which almost like 3rd dan black belt in Karate..

Also, its an epic dynasty story of protecting an ancient art against over-whelming odds.. ;)

[zero1]

Hmmm.. I would've thought Muay Thai Kick-Boxing wouldn't be the most suitable for chicks..

I reckon Wing-Chun would be the best for the ladies.. since it is born of a Female master - Wing-Chun herself - & is an amalgamation of many different styles, which has taken the very best form them all & it's based on self-defense, with emphasis on getting maximum amount of force with the minimal amount of effort.

It's great!

Also, its an epic dynasty story of protecting an ancient art against overwhelming odds.. ;)

Most forms of Kung-fu, T'ai Chi, Wing Chun etc. are good for girls, because they emphasize good flowing movement in both soft and hard styles, and do not require great physical strength to be used effectively.

But Muay-Thai and most forms of kick-boxing are pretty good for them, too.

[quetzalcoatl]

Most forms of Kung-fu, T'ai Chi, Wing Chun etc. are good for girls, because they emphasize good flowing movement in both soft and hard styles, and do not require great physical strength to be used effectively.

But Muay-Thai and most forms of kick-boxing are pretty good for them, too.

Of-course, if only in the physical development sense.. I'm not trying to say its un-useful.. but seriously Kick-Boxing is more like street fighting.. I've done some Kick-Boxing.. & there's very little technique involved.

If ya really wana learn some awesome moves - take-up Wing-Chun.. whether you are physically confident (in the sense of strength) or are small & less confident.. it is really is for everyone! - it's all technique anyway.. ;)

[arty2000]

I have been shot at a few times, and knowing someone is shooting at you, then dodging the bullet isnt all that impossible. Anticipate where the shooter will shoot, and make sure that part of your body moves away.

Even if you have a gun, then that wont help you be agile enough to get out of the line of sight of the shooters. Martial arts can help you do that.

It probably is impossible to move faster than a bullet after its shot, so you will need to make the move while the bullet is going to be shot. As long as there is only one shooter, then keep focus on this one shooter to estimate where the next shoot will be aimed for. If the shooter is really going for the kill and has an automatic gun, although I am happy to say I havent encountered any with such a gun, then dodging will be difficult. If I am not mistaken an automatic gun can be emptied in less than one minute, so it would probably be needed to get some cover if the shooter has a good aim.

Its quite rare that anyone is really going for killing shots though. If you get involved with the kind that does, then martial arts or guns probably wont be much help anyway.

wow..I think you have watched Eqilibrium one to many times:D

[arty2000]

Well, if its semi-automatic then yes, dodging the first bullet wouldnt help much if the second bullet is well aimed as well, so unless you got into cover by then you would be dead. If it isnt a semi-automatic gun, then you might even dodge the second bullet, in my oppinion. Third bullet would then probably leave you someone defenseless depending on how the first two were dodge and how good the aim of the shooter if. Of course if the shooter is good at anticipating the dodge, then the second bullet would already hit as well.

Comes down to luck and intuition I guess. At any rate, I dont really believe the point of this is to be able to be able to defend against someone with a firearm of any kind. I havent had to dodge a second bullet though, since the shooter wasnt that determined on killing. Was a single act of rage. After a rollover I still looked at him again straight away to be sure a second one wasnt comming my way.

There was one time when a cop fired at me, being a show off, strafing my neck. I didnt anticipate he would do something like that so I didnt dodge. I did let the arteri that got a small opening pump a bit of extra blood just to make him feel sorry though. Made me a bit dizzy though. Still the wound was small enough, so it was basicly closed after I cleaned it.

I dont really know who you expect to be facing that would fire several shots at you with killing intent though. Something I would find quite rare unless you are up against gangsters or something.

yep... was right ,too much Eqilibriun watching:D

[foobar]

Of-course, if only in the physical development sense.. I'm not trying to say its un-useful.. but seriously Kick-Boxing is more like street fighting.. I've done some Kick-Boxing.. & there's very little technique involved.

It doesn't have a huge variety of elaborate movements, but there's a massive amount of technique to be perfected.

Take a subset, just plain traditional boxing and watch the difference in the speed, judgement of distance, fluidity and perfection of body mechanics of somebody like Mohammed Ali compared to the newcomers in any boxing or kickboxing class.

Mohammed Ali wasn't 'the greatest' simply due to difference in gross physiological characteristics like muscle mass, or cardiovascular stamina. Not by a longshot. It was skill in boxing raised to the level of an artform.


If ya really wana learn some awesome moves - take-up Wing-Chun.. whether you are physically confident (in the sense of strength) or are small & less confident.. it is really is for everyone! - it's all technique anyway.. ;)

Wing Chun practitioners who fight competitively certainly devote plenty of time to strengthing and toughening their bodies.

[choice]

I practice Krav Maga (sadly, it's Israeli)

The reason i do it is to know how to defend myself, and was so far the most satisfying and efficient sport i ever did (have been around ninjutsu, aikido and jaido, in the past)
With Krav Maga i feel a different adrenaline.
Also, it's used by special combat forces, and i was always very fond of such subjects.

Here's some link about it, for those who may be interested:
Israeli Ju-Jitsu by Roy Elghanayan (310)-650-0060 - YouTube

[zero1]

Here's some link about it, for those who may be interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJQdW48wMsA

Yes, but that's the problem with Krav Maga; as the video workouts and simulations show, against very obvious, untrained and unskilled attacks it is quite dynamically effective, but frankly against someone who is a highly skilled martial artist, it's much less effective. Nearly useless, in fact.

I practice Krav Maga (sadly, it's Israeli).

The Jews never invented anything artistically or otherwise that wasn't stolen from some other culture and assimilated. Krav Maga is basically a mix of Kung Fu and Jiu-Jitsu given another name.

With Krav Maga i feel a different adrenaline. Also, it's used by special combat forces, and i was always very fond of such subjects.


Krav Maga = "Free Fighting" or, more succinctly, "whatever works..." ;)

[choice]

I am not expecting being attacked by a highly skilled martial artist on the streets :p

And as a curious fact, in krav maga classes i have ex boxers and ppl who did martial arts in the past... and in my former years of aikido/ninjutsu/jaido, i never met anyone who trained krav.

And that "Whatever works" sounds very good for me too. Exactly as in life ;)

[awakeorasleep]

Yes, but that's the problem with Krav Maga; as the video workouts and simulations show, against very obvious, untrained and unskilled attacks it is quite dynamically effective, but frankly against someone who is a highly skilled martial artist, it's much less effective. Nearly useless, in fact.


This is absolute rubbish. My ex-instructor (3rd Dan in Western Kickboxing and Shotokan Karate) once fought the guy who created Krav maga, he got his ass handed to him. Krav maga uses the bodys natural movements and does not have flowery artistic movements to block or strike and has realistic defence techniques against knives, guns (and grenades amusingly) Can you picture doing kung-fu or slipping into a horse stance while wearing a fully-laden bergen? Krav maga is combat tested and can be mastered after 90 hours of training, (depending on how co-ordinated you are). Plus it is the most fun you can have with blunted down kitchen knives wrapped in gaffer tape!! Krav maga is second only to MMA, keep your traditional martial arts, lineage and history doesn't mean a thing when someone is tap-dancing on your eyebrows. Anyway thats my contribution, I have to save some testerone for training!!

[themindseye]

Shotokan Karate

KUGB



Oss

[zero1]

This is absolute rubbish. My ex-instructor (3rd Dan in Western Kickboxing and Shotokan Karate) once fought the guy who created Krav maga, he got his ass handed to him. Krav maga uses the bodys natural movements and does not have flowery artistic movements to block or strike and has realistic defence techniques against knives, guns (and grenades amusingly) Can you picture doing kung-fu or slipping into a horse stance while wearing a fully-laden bergen? Krav maga is combat tested and can be mastered after 90 hours of training, (depending on how co-ordinated you are). Plus it is the most fun you can have with blunted down kitchen knives wrapped in gaffer tape!! Krav maga is second only to MMA, keep your traditional martial arts, lineage and history doesn't mean a thing when someone is tap-dancing on your eyebrows. Anyway thats my contribution, I have to save some testerone for training!!

Yes, clearly you have some considerable testosterone surplus there - perhaps I might recommend breast-feeding?

As for your statements regarding Krav Maga, well, it's no wonder your instructor got his ass handed to him; he must really have believed he was fighting "the guy who created Krav Maga"...:rolleyes:

[ging]

This is absolute rubbish. My ex-instructor (3rd Dan in Western Kickboxing and Shotokan Karate) once fought the guy who created Krav maga,

LOL. You reckon??

[kanz]

Studied Wing Tsun for a year or two and enjoyed it immensely. Before that I boxed as a teenager.

WT certainly taught me a thing or two about delivering power with timing and the vertical fist / falling step has got me out of one or two tight spots.

I think Martial arts are usefull for fitness / mental health etc but one should never rely on controlled practice with a fellow student or master as preperation for full on combat with some scumbag who knows how to fight.

I've seen respected martial artists crap their pants when faced with a genuine streetfighter / nutjob. Believe me the years of form practice and rehearsed moves , counters to this technique or that block to this punch tend to go out the window.

If your life depends on it the fight will decend into an animal scrap. You have a slight edge because of your training but if you dont have genuine combat on a regular basis and the other guy is a veteran thug it could spell disaster.

I am with most on the subject of fighting without fighting. I can smell trouble in any bar 5 mins before it kicks off and I'm out of there. I had more than my share of agro as a young man and could hold my own if required. But theres allways a nutter just round the corner who's that bit quicker / nastier than you. 17 stitches through my right eyebrow and forehead are a permanent reminder.

Great post. Sparring with a mate or hitting some bag's aint anywhere near the real thing.

[johnnykwango]

Fekdemasoms is 100% correct. In a street fight, you're both rolling about the deck, there are no rules - you don't have the opportunity for your fancy spinning roundhouse kicks etc. My parents sent me to Karate when I was a kid, it's effing useless in a real fight. Far too linear and rigid. If you want to be able to handle yourself in the event of trouble, learn how to disable someone as quickly and effectively as possible. Ideally if you can get the other fecker on his back asap, you're sorted unless he's a dab hand at Jiu-Jitsu.

Judo and wrestling to get them on the deck. Jiu-Jitsu to learn how to fight from your back. If you have some ground skills you can apply a hold or bar which will put your opponent in serious trouble. Leg-locks, armbars, chokes and Kimuras, while extreme, can come in very useful if you want to make the bastard say 'uncle'.

Wing Chun is awesome too, check out the videos here:

http://www.garylamwingchun.com/

With martial arts, you really have to be

a) Very quick
b) Very strong

in your execution of moves in order to be truly effective in a streetfight. If you dither or are half-assed in any way, you'll likely get cracked.

There are of course some relatively simple things you can do in order to gain an advantage which probably never occur to most of us. If you are able to pull somebody's jacket or sweater over their head a la ice hockey, you're in charge because they can't see!

Nowadays though, people are such feckers that they'll just pull a blade at you. Chickensh*t pussies think they're hard, but they're not, they're just stupid.

Of course, we don't want to court trouble. The best thing is being able to sense it and flee. Cowards run in my family, and I'm the fastest.

[schaff]

Studied Wing Tsun for a year or two and enjoyed it immensely. Before that I boxed as a teenager.

WT certainly taught me a thing or two about delivering power with timing and the vertical fist / falling step has got me out of one or two tight spots.

I think Martial arts are usefull for fitness / mental health etc but one should never rely on controlled practice with a fellow student or master as preperation for full on combat with some scumbag who knows how to fight.

I've seen respected martial artists crap their pants when faced with a genuine streetfighter / nutjob. Believe me the years of form practice and rehearsed moves , counters to this technique or that block to this punch tend to go out the window.

If your life depends on it the fight will decend into an animal scrap. You have a slight edge because of your training but if you dont have genuine combat on a regular basis and the other guy is a veteran thug it could spell disaster.

I am with most on the subject of fighting without fighting. I can smell trouble in any bar 5 mins before it kicks off and I'm out of there. I had more than my share of agro as a young man and could hold my own if required. But theres allways a nutter just round the corner who's that bit quicker / nastier than you. 17 stitches through my right eyebrow and forehead are a permanent reminder.

I agree i boxed and did some martial arts when i was younger but when it comes down to close combat/street fighting all training goes out of the window .Nothing wrong with being prepared keeping fit and agile though;)

[quetzalcoatl]

It doesn't have a huge variety of elaborate movements, but there's a massive amount of technique to be perfected.

Take a subset, just plain traditional boxing and watch the difference in the speed, judgement of distance, fluidity and perfection of body mechanics of somebody like Mohammed Ali compared to the newcomers in any boxing or kickboxing class.

Mohammed Ali wasn't 'the greatest' simply due to difference in gross physiological characteristics like muscle mass, or cardiovascular stamina. Not by a longshot. It was skill in boxing raised to the level of an artform.


Wing Chun practitioners who fight competitively certainly devote plenty of time to strengthing and toughening their bodies.

Yep, technique / skill & speed over strength any-day.. most definitely with Wing-Chun - the power comes from the flow of Chi & the incorporation of the whole body in a fluid movement - especially the hips, I've found. :)

[biba]

Do you practice a martial art, if so which one and how does it help you?
Tai Chi and Kung Fu. I find them both relaxing (the Kung Fu is a gentle type.)

Is it, for you, about survival, self-improvement and confidence or just fun and good health? Or all of those things?
Relaxation, good health and a feeling of well being.

[foobar]

Yep, technique / skill & speed over strength any-day.. most definitely with Wing-Chun - the power comes from the flow of Chi & the incorporation of the whole body in a fluid movement - especially the hips, I've found. :)

Having practiced Wing Chun I'm skeptical about the way a lot of people teach it.

I don't believe in 'one true style to rule them all', but I think if somebody wants to learn how to survive and dominate in a brawl, they have to strengthen their bodies and get used to getting smacked about without a script. This is why boxers are 'handy' and so many karate or kung fu practitioners aren't. Boxers practice hitting each other with their hands. No kicking, wrestling, and many rules.

However, they push themselves to make the most out of whatever body they were born with, and they're used to the disorientation of getting clouted with no script. Same with Muay Thai, Judo, Wrestling and other arts that sometimes get derided as 'sports'.

Traditional chinese styles and karate can be fantastically practical if trained like this, and that's exactly what happened in the good old days, but in a lot of clubs it's degenerated into just doing martial choreography and traditional exercises (although the latter certainly have their place).

If somebody wanted to learn Wing Chun with a view to actually being better able to handle having somebody try and beat them up, rather than focus on the artistic side and traditional health exercises, I'd tell them to look into Alan Orr's stuff in the UK.

Whilst strength isn't 'everything' it's definitely an important part of it. You just have to make the most of the body you were given.

[quetzalcoatl]

Having practiced Wing Chun I'm skeptical about the way a lot of people teach it.

I don't believe in 'one true style to rule them all', but I think if somebody wants to learn how to survive and dominate in a brawl, they have to strengthen their bodies and get used to getting smacked about without a script. This is why boxers are 'handy' and so many karate or kung fu practitioners aren't. Boxers practice hitting each other with their hands. No kicking, wrestling, and many rules.

However, they push themselves to make the most out of whatever body they were born with, and they're used to the disorientation of getting clouted with no script. Same with Muay Thai, Judo, Wrestling and other arts that sometimes get derided as 'sports'.

Traditional chinese styles and karate can be fantastically practical if trained like this, and that's exactly what happened in the good old days, but in a lot of clubs it's degenerated into just doing martial choreography and traditional exercises (although the latter certainly have their place).

If somebody wanted to learn Wing Chun with a view to actually being better able to handle having somebody try and beat them up, rather than focus on the artistic side and traditional health exercises, I'd tell them to look into Alan Orr's stuff in the UK.

Whilst strength isn't 'everything' it's definitely an important part of it. You just have to make the most of the body you were given.

Speaking of 'handling someones who's tryna beat ya up' - this is precisely what Wing-Chun is all about! ;)

Well, tis all about self-defence, mainly.. some do focus more on attacking; like Boxing, Muay-Thai kick-boxing etc.. Yet, most people join for the reasons of self-defence or to generally build more confidence or increase fitness.. Unless ya planning on going professional - can't see how pounding the shit out of a sparring partner through pads or gloves can 'strengthen ya body' or build up any real dexterity? :confused:

Yeah, tis good not to get 'too rigid in your ways' - which Karate & Kung-Fu can cultivate.. :)

Guess it all depends on what result ya after.. ;)

[kimball13]

I,this label,practise the art of fighting without fighting:D

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/259/mapig0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

what lightgiver said

[fekdemasons]

what lightgiver said

Or as Bruce said... " Fiding widout fiding "

[paulstott]

Boxing and Muay Thai for me (5 training trips to Thailand)

[zero1]

The thread has now reached 100 posts. Thanks to all for their input, it has been a very interesting read. :)

[measle_weasel]

Wushu, northern style. Qi gong Ive been looking into, I might never get around to actually trying it, though. Though I might.

[armoured_amazon]

Hi,

Do you practice a martial art, if so which one and how does it help you?

Is it, for you, about survival, self-improvement and confidence or just fun and good health? Or all of those things?

What is your favourite martial art, besides the discipline you practice?

If you don't practice a martial art, would you like to and if so which one?

I just started Kung Fu (Hung Gar method).

Reasons for starting:
To get in shape again; I'd just quit my gym as it was impossible to get a workout in as the place is oversubscribed. Also, because I've weight-trained for years, I was losing the drive...I needed an accompanying activity to actually be training towards. I wanted to do a martial art as I figured it would (a) give me a full body workout; (b) connect my mind and body; (c) give me something to study (history etc); and (d) come in useful at some point.

At first I considered muay thai, as there's a fighters place here, but the people going there for mma, boxing and thai boxing, are a bit full of themselves and walk round the city centre thinking they're hard lol. Also, after watching videos, it didn't look graceful. I wanted something my dance experience could be used for. The 'knocking heads together' aspect isn't that important.

So then I considered capoeira, but couldn't find a place in my neighbourhood that offers it. I did karate briefly as a teen, but was bored by it, so that was out of the question. Then I thought about the Chinese centre in town and went searching online to see what they offered (kung fu). I watched a few videos, and it seemed to be what I was looking for.

Plus, I'm learning Mandarin atm, so figured becoming involved in the community centre would be useful (although kung fu is Canton, I believe, so it could become a hindrance in my learning of the language, heh).

What got me off my backside this week to actively look for a sporting activity was a dude I know doing my nut in - everything I can do, his girlfriend does better :rolleyes: Funny, he's with her 24/7, so I don't know how she manages to do all these activities. Rather than punch his smug face in, I wanted to get my pent-up aggression out and find an alternative focus. :)

I also have a birthday coming up, and those annual 'getting past my prime' feelings were surfacing, so I wanted to do something to boot Old Father Time into another continent.

I always liked watching the old kung fu movies as a kid, heh.

[duckandcover]

Wise choice young AA , i find Kung Fu spiritually enlightening , not like MMA and the chip shop scrappers :D

[armoured_amazon]

Wise choice young AA , i find Kung Fu spiritually enlightening , not like MMA and the chip shop scrappers :D

Hehe, agreed. :D

Another thing I like about this choice, is that I can learn the lion dance, should I choose, as they get a lot of bookings, especially at Chinese New Year, and also I can learn herbalism there, w00t! I quite fancy learning that.

[coco]

I just started Kung Fu (Hung Gar method).

At first I considered muay thai, as there's a fighters place here, but the people going there for mma, boxing and thai boxing, are a bit full of themselves and walk round the city centre thinking they're hard lol. Also, after watching videos, it didn't look graceful. I wanted something my dance experience could be used for. The 'knocking heads together' aspect isn't that important.

I agree, I have seen Tony Ja in action and while impressive it looks very much like a man's art - I've never seen a female practice Muay Thai, have you? That would be interesting to watch.

armoured_amazon: I always liked watching the old kung fu movies as a kid, heh.

Me, too. :) Still do.

[rodin]

I used to draw field guns

[fekdemasons]

I agree, I have seen Tony Ja in action and while impressive it looks very much like a man's art - I've never seen a female practice Muay Thai, have you? That would be interesting to watch.

armoured_amazon: I always liked watching the old kung fu movies as a kid, heh.

Me, too. :) Still do.

Lol Coco,

YOu ain't seen my mrs in a bad mood.

She can leap 6 ft in the air and hit me in the chest with both knees.

then the elbow slam into the top of my head !!


Foreplays a bitch ain't it ??

[velasca]

I've always had an interest in martial arts but never yet got round to doing any. I really like the look of Wing Chun in particular, especially Gary Lam. Not only does he have great Wing Chun skill but also a lot of real fighting experience and he seems very open with what he knows.

[stal]

i've done tae kwon do, muay thai, wing chun, karate and boxing. also when i was younger i used to spar with some guys who did shaolin kung fu, ninjitsu and akido, so i kinda picked up a few tricks off them too. self-taught some basic weapons forms, bo staff, some kali knife fighting, some kendo. nowdays i just practice bits and pieces of all of them together, as a hybrid style. been a long time since ive needed to use any of it though.

[noobcybot]

The usual stuff as a kid, karate and judo etc...

As a teen mainly thai boxing and some ground work.

Now I do escrima (mainly knifework) and tai-chi.

Ive done some pretty obscure ones too like Keysi Fighting Method.

I feel it makes sense. Iam still pretty young but after one has been in a few street fights etc... the want to do boxing and bjj just isnt there, I dont feel they will benefit me much in a combat situation and getting knackered out training and injured all the time just isnt my cup of tea anymore, I dont have the time or if Iam honest the drive/skill to become a sports star. Saying that I really do appreciate their respective benefits.

I think the best thing training can give you is confidence in yourself. Whatever happens, the worst a situation can degrade into is usually physical violence so its nice not to have the gut wrenching, freeze you to the spot fear that most non-violent people have.

Saying that how much do you guys feel your training goes to allowing you to deal with a combat situation ( when I say combat I mean multiple opponents etc...not your average 1 on 1 pub brawl that dont happen nowadays).

For me all my martial arts training didnt help me until I had already been in a few real fights.

The realisations to have I personally think are....

1. Getting punched doesant hurt that much.
2. Hitting someone in the face is easy and you cannot think of the consequences.
3. You will be at a disadvantage.
4. Strike first and you will win.
5. You can never give up.
6. You need demonic levels of aggression and must hate your opponent for the time.

EDIT; and dont let your opponents know you are any good at fighting.

[noobcybot]

I agree, I have seen Tony Ja in action and while impressive it looks very much like a man's art - I've never seen a female practice Muay Thai, have you? That would be interesting to watch.

My muay thai teacher was actually a woman, a tiny 7 stone woman. Once she shin kicked me in the leg and I was almost sick, she had ridiculous power and speed. This defintely changed my perception of female fighters. She trained every day of the week though for with all the big names.

I think its still very practical for anyone though because within a year of training you will get everything you need for a good basis in combat. All ranges, fitness and conditioning, timing, aliveness in training.

I think women would like silat, not least for the awesome ability to kill a man with a sarong.

If you want to see the ladies answer to Tony Jaa then you could do worse than checking out the film Chocolate. Being a thai film its a little "quaint", but hey, probably not here for the storyline are we?

[zero1]

Good stuff, Noobcybot, thanks for posting. :)

[lightgiver]

I agree, I have seen Tony Ja in action and while impressive it looks very much like a man's art - I've never seen a female practice Muay Thai, have you? That would be interesting to watch.

armoured_amazon: I always liked watching the old kung fu movies as a kid, heh.

Me, too. :) Still do.

Elena (Tiger Muay Thai) TKO's Rawai's Lidsey in 4th round

Elena (Tiger Muay Thai) TKO's Rawai's Lidsey in 4th round - YouTube

Movies are a little different from the real thing;)

Bria Lace- Muay Thai Training

Bria Lace- Muay Thai Training - YouTube

ilonka elmont vs mary hart part 2 (highlight)

ilonka elmont vs mary hart part 2 (highlight) - YouTube

[fekdemasons]

The usual stuff as a kid, karate and judo etc...

As a teen mainly thai boxing and some ground work.

Now I do escrima (mainly knifework) and tai-chi.

Ive done some pretty obscure ones too like Keysi Fighting Method.

I feel it makes sense. Iam still pretty young but after one has been in a few street fights etc... the want to do boxing and bjj just isnt there, I dont feel they will benefit me much in a combat situation and getting knackered out training and injured all the time just isnt my cup of tea anymore, I dont have the time or if Iam honest the drive/skill to become a sports star. Saying that I really do appreciate their respective benefits.

I think the best thing training can give you is confidence in yourself. Whatever happens, the worst a situation can degrade into is usually physical violence so its nice not to have the gut wrenching, freeze you to the spot fear that most non-violent people have.

Saying that how much do you guys feel your training goes to allowing you to deal with a combat situation ( when I say combat I mean multiple opponents etc...not your average 1 on 1 pub brawl that dont happen nowadays).

For me all my martial arts training didnt help me until I had already been in a few real fights.

The realisations to have I personally think are....

1. Getting punched doesant hurt that much.
2. Hitting someone in the face is easy and you cannot think of the consequences.
3. You will be at a disadvantage.
4. Strike first and you will win.
5. You can never give up.
6. You need demonic levels of aggression and must hate your opponent for the time.

EDIT; and dont let your opponents know you are any good at fighting.

Also,

You must imagine the target area is at least 2 feet behind where it actually is.

That way you ensure to punch "through the target " and thus emitting maximum force.

[theabbot 7]

well my father use to be a prizefighter so i use to box, but i want to fond a good striking style and a good grappling style (maybe bjj)

any suggestion for someone that has quick hand speed

im a welterweight but people that i have spar with say i hit like a heavyweight

[nirvana]

well my father use to be a prizefighter so i use to box, but i want to fond a good striking style and a good grappling style (maybe bjj)

any suggestion for someone that has quick hand speed

im a welterweight but people that i have spar with say i hit like a heavyweight


MMA is the way to go . :)

[theabbot 7]

aikido or jujistu?

[bard]

iaido

here are two demonstrations, one calm, the other one - wild

Sword Pine Snow Iaido - YouTube

Art of Sword drawing & cutting RS-0403 - YouTube

and a book that will come handy if you ever take the path

http://images.betterworldbooks.com/014/The-Zen-Way-to-Martial-Arts-9780140193442.jpg