I want to learn Martial Arts

[Phantasm]

Any insiders info on the thing????I need to know sufficiently about what I intend to get myself into...:confused:

[LightShadow1890]

For all I know, it can hurt.


My two older brothers learned Filipino Martial Arts while they were young. You can get a dislocated shoulder that way. Also, you can also learn how to use something else than just two bamboo sticks. I forgot to stick 'Military' in. :sweat:

I'd love to also. It's great to learn defense to stick up to myself.

LightShadow1890

[Tay the Cat]

For all I know, it can hurt.


Yep, it can hurt.

I do Shotokan karate. We do a lot of stretching, exercising, and then our techniques each night. Last night we did light-contact sparring. Still hurt like Hell.

[Phantasm]

How is the environment there?REAL aggressive I suppose...and scary teachers!:eek:

[Tay the Cat]

How is the environment there?REAL aggressive I suppose...and scary teachers!:eek:

My class is actually for college. We have one instructor, with four advanced students. They're not scary at all. But yes, it's aggressive. It will be very hard at first, but as you progress through, you do it almost flawlessly.

[True Noir]

When is the youngest age a person can start learning?

Oh yeh... I want to learn Ninjutsu.:sweat:

[Frank Castle]

When is the youngest age a person can start learning?

Oh yeh... I want to learn Ninjutsu.:sweat:I've seen elementary school aged kids do that stuff. Age isn't really the factor it's what kind of shape you're in.

[Phantasm]

What do u mean shape?Because I am not the most athletic person in the lot to put it mildly...:eek:

[Frank Castle]

What do u mean shape?Because I am not the most athletic person in the lot to put it mildly...:eek:It depends what sort of art you want to practice. If it's something that's extremely high cardio that involves flips and other flashy moves I would run and train a little before if I were you. However if you're just going into a standard martial art course (variations of punches, kicks, etc...) you'll probably fair nicely and at the same time you're getting a good work out. Don't choose anything over the top to start out with it takes all long time to get good at ANY martial art. I'm taking some military training classes at my high school and they're pretty demanding on the body (and I'm in really good shape after training and eating right). It all takes time so just use your head and see what works for you.:)

[screw on head]

I think one major benefit of taking karate is learning patience, determination, and discipline, which is rarely a trait we're born with :D. Well, at least not with me.

I've helped teach karate classes for a few years now. Specifically, I've helped teach the younger classes, which is composed of little demons ranging in age from 5 to 11. I don't recommend talking back to your instructor EVER, it'll only result in push-ups and other forms of discipline. "I CAN'T" should be erased from your vocabulary, at least in class.

Instructors vary, as do teachers in school and anyone in any social occupation really. I was very fortunate to have a fantastic, awesome teacher with a great temperment and wasn't scary at all. But he was strict, albeit with a sense of humor. He loved to see how far he could push the class: holding a bow across out-stretched arms as you stand in a 'horse stance' was always a favorite exercise of his.

I take Ishyn Ryu, which originates from Okinawa, Japan. It's most similar to Ti Kwon Do, one of the only major differences is we punch with a vertical fist instead of a horizontal one. Learning forms, or katas, is my least favorite part when I was learning it. Katas take a lot of time to learn, and even longer amount of time to refine and get all your moves down to exactly how they're supposed to be done. It's basically a long string of karate moves: kicks, punches, sweeps, turns, etc. I got a new kata form with each new belt, and that new kata would have to be perfect if I wanted to get to my next belt.

I highly recommend karate. It does wonders not only physically but mentally too, that is if you stick with it. It's not like being on a basketball team where you're obligated to be at every practice and get to every game. In karate, you move at your own pace. The more times you miss class makes it that much harder to get back into the swing of things. It's a committment where you have been there regular enough so you don't get winded everytime you come to class. I highly recommend joining a class with a friend, so you can remind eachother to keep at it, and there is that motivating, underlying competitiveness to stay in step with your pal so you don't get behind. Oh, and fellas, never, ever, under any circumstances forget your cup -- all it takes is one stray kick to understand the truely important purpose that cup serves...

[JohnCrichton]

I took a Chinese martial art that was honed in Hawaii by Park... Parker.... aw, man, I did a report on this guy... he's like the Jesus of my martial arts.... ah, shoot.

Anyway, I took Kenpo Karate once upon a time and was quite the lethal machine of death and destruction.

But it was High School Wrestling that made me into a practical fighting machine and made me ripped as hell. Kenpo taught me all kinds of jack-moves to pretty much kill a guy or break him in half if my life was threatened, but I had pretty much nothing to use on people (like my friends or just a jerk) if I didn't want to kill or maim them.

High School Wrestling turned me into an invisible powerhouse against just about any of my friend who weren't wrestlers and gave me a physique that pretty much will never go away for the rest of my life as long as I do just a little working out.

My advice... if you're in High School, join the Wrestling Team. After that, take any martial art ya want......... so long as it isn't Tae Kwon Do. :p

[Youko Recca]

Watch a lot of Dragonball Z.

[JohnCrichton]

I don't think that can be stressed enough, Recca. Kung Fu Movies, DBZ, Naruto, and Power Rangers is a must for any true martial artst. :D

[Youko Recca]

On a more serious note...

I usually just beat people up for now. Seeing as I'm not in arm's length of a proper Capoeira instructor, I can only do so much through studying. So a good teacher is a must I say. To help, I would also reccomend starting a trial to put yourself through. Like basically excersing in some format for some amount of time, or doing an activity that would....better your learning experience from the art you are trying to obtain full knowledge of. For example, JC's Wrestling thing, or how I recently joined my school's Breakdancing club. I expect that to make Capoeira more of a natural learning process. Keep a clear mind and actually be willing to learn. WANT to learn.

[Phantasm]

I know I have the passion to do so...have had a fascination with it since I was a kid!But now that I am seriously considering it...so...they'll enroll me in the easiest of all martial arts class right? And do they take any type of preliminary tests?

[Tay the Cat]

I think one major benefit of taking karate is learning patience, determination, and discipline, which is rarely a trait we're born with :D. Well, at least not with me.

True that.


"I CAN'T" should be erased from your vocabulary, at least in class.

True, although I've never said "I quit" before.


Instructors vary, as do teachers in school and anyone in any social occupation really. I was very fortunate to have a fantastic, awesome teacher with a great temperment and wasn't scary at all. But he was strict, albeit with a sense of humor.

My instructor pushes us, but she's totally awesome and very nice.


He loved to see how far he could push the class: holding a bow across out-stretched arms as you stand in a 'horse stance' was always a favorite exercise of his.

I had to do that just last night, albeit with a pole instead of a bow.


I take Ishyn Ryu, which originates from Okinawa, Japan. It's most similar to Ti Kwon Do, one of the only major differences is we punch with a vertical fist instead of a horizontal one. Learning forms, or katas, is my least favorite part when I was learning it. Katas take a lot of time to learn, and even longer amount of time to refine and get all your moves down to exactly how they're supposed to be done. It's basically a long string of karate moves: kicks, punches, sweeps, turns, etc. I got a new kata form with each new belt, and that new kata would have to be perfect if I wanted to get to my next belt.

I do Shotokan, which also originates from Okinawa. It's also similar to TKD, but we concentrate on punching (horizontally) and blocking, with a little kicking involved. However the same thing is true throughout all martial arts: You must be (nearly) perfect in forms to advance to the next belt.


Oh, and fellas, never, ever, under any circumstances forget your cup -- all it takes is one stray kick to understand the truely important purpose that cup serves...

I don't need one. Our sparring is minimal contact, with no shots to the groin allowed. Of course, the inevitable may occur, but still...

[Beguiled]

phantasm if you want to learn something bad enough then you can get there. it just takes time and patience. you will have to work hard, because martial arts involve being physically strong and probably emotionally. (well that would go for me. if i get discouraged i'll break down...i'm workin on it :shrug:) my friend Cally takes kick-boxing. she said it's sheer pain. well anyway if you really want to you can. enjoy! :D i'll leave the bumps and bruises to you guys and stick to riding my horse and archery and stuff. (oh wait, horses do involve bumps and bruises.:sweat: )

here's something off topic: youko recca do you really beat people up?

wow by the time i finished this three people replied! great...

[Youko Recca]

here's something off topic: youko recca do you really beat people up?

When the opportunity beseeches me...yeah. Why does it matter?

[JohnCrichton]

Because fighting's bad, mm'kay?

Ray Parker... I think it was Ray Park or Ray Parker.... or is that the guy who played Darth Maul?

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

Some tips on picking a school if you're going that far:

1. It takes a good long time to become a "master" in one martial art. Become VERY suspicious if someone claims to be a master in many.

2. Broadly speaking, you can divide martial arts into "hard" arts and "soft" arts. "Hard" arts are the ones that emphasize striking techniques and more external action -- kicks, punches, knees, elbows, etc. "Soft" arts are the ones that emphasize throws, joint locks, and "internal" action. I'd throw most forms of Karate and Tae Kwon Do into "hard" arts, and Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, and Hapkido into "soft" arts. Chinese arts are really incredibly varied, and range from soft (Tai-ji) to hard (um, lots of others). If you have the option, see if you can witness both (or even ask the instructor which they'd categorize their art in) before you decide what you want to do.

3. You will get out of it what you put into it.

4. See if the instructor will let you watch a class before you join. If the answer is "no," walk away. If there are things that happen in class that truly upset you (someone getting slapped around unduly), also walk away. Be aware that martial-arts are about techniques that incapacitate or kill, so just someone getting tagged isn't so ridiculous. You'll have to see what your own comfort level is there.

5. If the teacher is part of an organization, look the organization up on Google. Most major martial arts organizations have web sites that give information about the art and the requirements for it. Being part of an organization is no guarantee of quality, but it can confer some legitimacy on the school.

6. Relax and have fun! If you're not doing the second, why are you doing it, and if you're not doing the first, your teacher is just going to tell you constantly that you're "too tense."

This article provides a pretty good overview (http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/martialarts/martialarts.html) of how to prepare and what to look for, both in terms of individual arts and in terms of looking for schools. This other article (http://www.nwmaf.org/school_faq.asp?link=11) covers some of the same ground, but since it's from the National Women's Martial Arts Federation, it may be more relevant to you personally.

Good luck!

-- Ed/Ace

[Tay the Cat]

I took a Chinese martial art that was honed in Hawaii by Park... Parker.... aw, man, I did a report on this guy... he's like the Jesus of my martial arts.... ah, shoot.


Ed Parker? He's pretty famous when it comes to Kenpo.

[JohnCrichton]

That's the guy... thanks, beau99.

I think my teacher would break my neck and rip out my heart if he ever found out that I forgot about that... :sweat:

[Youko Recca]

Because fighting's bad, mm'kay?

You're right mom, next time I'll run in the opposite direction. Gee whiz, I hope they don't follow me home. Will you kiss my boo-boos for me after they catch me and I sit there and take an asskicking? Thanks mom you're the best!

[JohnCrichton]

You know what I'm saying. And yes, I understand (unfortunately) sometimes you've no choice but to fight.

I could go the rest of my natural life and never get into another fight again and be very happy. I'm sorry you're in situations where it's not avoidable... all I remember is fighting hurt.

Only time I have fun fighting is with my friends.

[The Koopinator]

You're right mom, next time I'll run in the opposite direction. Gee whiz, I hope they don't follow me home. Will you kiss my boo-boos for me after they catch me and I sit there and take an asskicking? Thanks mom you're the best!
I think they think that you beat people up for fun. Innocent people.

[Youko Recca]

I think they think that you beat people up for fun. Innocent people.Nah. That's really....no fun. It's usually an agreement between two. But enough about me..more about Phantasm. I wasn't serious in my last post too JC.

[Phantasm]

This article provides a pretty good overview (http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/martialarts/martialarts.html) of how to prepare and what to look for, both in terms of individual arts and in terms of looking for schools. This other article (http://www.nwmaf.org/school_faq.asp?link=11) covers some of the same ground, but since it's from the National Women's Martial Arts Federation, it may be more relevant to you personally.

Good luck!

-- Ed/Ace
Great links!!!Thanks alot everyone!

[Artimus Gigan]

Learn Feng Shui


you can redecorate peoples faces once you master it...

[Tay the Cat]

That's the guy... thanks, beau99.

I think my teacher would break my neck and rip out my heart if he ever found out that I forgot about that... :sweat:

Hehe...

You're welcome.

[ZorBrak]

Take Jet Kun Do. It's superior to all other forms.

[Classic Speedy]

I'm a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Ask me anything. :) Unless it's 1st degree and above stuff- THAT I haven't learned. :sweat:


Learn Feng Shui Already do. It's like Tetris! :p