Thread: Martial Arts

Originally Posted by joshb1000

exactly what types ofcredentials would i be looking for? as we all know i can write anything i want on the internet and make it sound real, but how can you really tell? Also, it was mentioned that some dojos are focused on competition, how can you compete with something like Tai Chi, i didnt find it to be anything fighting related, but only as a basis of other martial arts. I would be in it for the de-stress, and agility/balance aspect.

For starters, do you know any folks who are current or former students at the dojo or dojos you're considering? Talk to them. Go there yourself and meet the instructors and ask about their training and level of knowledge, and who they're credentialled through. There are I believe several associations that govern awarding of advanced belt levels; it should be easy enough to contact those groups to verify that folks are who and what they say they are. Regarding Tai Chi, it's true that most folks don't think of it as having anything to do with the "martial" aspect of martial arts. But I think that overlooks something important. As I understand it, Tai Chi was developed as a way of building and controlling chi for release at intended moments--like during combat. A number of years ago, there was a Tai Chi master here at Duke, a gentleman from China, who said that the most accurate description of what Tai Chi is, is "one touch ultimate boxing." He would do demos for his classes in which he would ask for a volunteer to stand in front of him. He's spend a few minutes building chi, then walk up and simply touch the volunteer in the chest--at which point said volunteer would fly back a number of feet and land on his back. One of the guys who volunteered one time was a reporter for our local paper, so I believe it was legit.

Originally Posted by joshb1000

i've definitely considered Yoga, for some reasons more than others but i have always found a great interest in the meditative focused state of tai chi. However, my other question is, being almost 30, is it too late to begin a martial art? I undertand many people learn tai chi at ages up to 60, but it's not the same as it used to be going to a gym type setting learning a new skill this "far" into adulthood, any more info is helpful. I appreciate all the info though.

Hell no 30 is not too old. I am 35 and doing just fine. Look, Tai Chi is a very long road in terms of martial skill. If you want to focus on meditation, sure this is a good place to start. You could also look for Pa Kua or Hsing I in your area which are the slightly lesser known meditative martial arts. Both have a strong emphasis on meditation but are far more vigorous than most forms of Tai Chi. There is some dude teaching Hsing I in the common area of my subdivision so the people are out there.

Originally Posted by bonusmarple

Hell no 30 is not too old. I am 35 and doing just fine. Look, Tai Chi is a very long road in terms of martial skill. If you want to focus on meditation, sure this is a good place to start. You could also look for Pa Kua or Hsing I in your area which are the slightly lesser known meditative martial arts. Both have a strong emphasis on meditation but are far more vigorous than most forms of Tai Chi. There is some dude teaching Hsing I in the common area of my subdivision so the people are out there.

+1 to that, i myself will be 45 next month, and i started taking hung gar kung fu with my son about a year ago, and LOVE it, it works out to be a wonderful stress relief for me after a frantic period on shift at work, so your never to old, it just takes longer for you muscles to stretch out properly.

I would recommend a beginner MMA training program. With these you normally learn basics in mixture of Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Muay Thai and wrestling. Many of these programs offer good conditioning workouts as well. Fitness can only go so far, consider your diet and how you eat as well. Research places in your area that offer these programs but also go check them out in person before committing. This way you know what to expect.

I practiced martial arts for 3 and a half years in college. Quit, and started again just over 2 years ago. I've been practicing 2 to 3 times per week ever since, and I am glad I started again. In the beginning my stamina was really bad. As were my strength and agility. Eventually I got it all back.

I'm now 34, and I am planning to stick with it for the long run. I've set myself the goal of getting black belt, which should take me about another 8 years of dilligent practice (ninpo and jujutsu).

My advice is always the same: visit a couple of local dojo. Just see what is available in your neighborhood. Contact the teacher and ask if it is ok to watch a class. Then figure out which style + teacher gave you a good vibe. That is far more important than choosing a specific style for stylistic reasons.

I have, at different times in my life, practiced Judo, Aikido and Tae Kwon Do. I was lucky to have good teachers, all of them. I did Judo from six to 12, then took up Aikido at 13 and held on to it for two years, and at 17 took up Tae Kwon Do. My teacher asked me why I wanted to learn Tae Kwon Do, and when I told him it was for self defense, he recommended that I train for 500 meter dash.

Based on that, we can consider running fast a martial art, although a defensive one. And running is aerobic and will help you trim down.

So I propose, as a weight reduction martial art, to go to the seedy part of town and mouth of to a corner thug. Then run. Run long, run hard, run fast.

Originally Posted by Snake

I have, at different times in my life, practiced Judo, Aikido and Tae Kwon Do. I was lucky to have good teachers, all of them. I did Judo from six to 12, then took up Aikido at 13 and held on to it for two years, and at 17 took up Tae Kwon Do. My teacher asked me why I wanted to learn Tae Kwon Do, and when I told him it was for self defense, he recommended that I train for 500 meter dash.

Based on that, we can consider running fast a martial art, although a defensive one. And running is aerobic and will help you trim down.

So I propose, as a weight reduction martial art, to go to the seedy part of town and mouth of to a corner thug. Then run. Run long, run hard, run fast.

There is some truth to what you say.

I have been taught Wing Chun since I was 6 years old, also I have 4 years of Krav Maga under my belt in recent years. Did gymnastics all throughout school until I graduated, jogging and walking is very good for the health and dose far more than you might think for you.

Muay Thai... I will guarantee you weight loss. A lot of aerobics and calastnics...simple no belt system and u will really learn to fight. That and bjj are the must knows for mma guys. On a right diet you can sheed at least 10 lbs in a few weeks...I knew guys who used to cut 10 to 15lbs in 2 days..

+1 to what Bruno already pointed out

Although body type can be helpful in some styles, the most important thing is the instructor not the style...

Any form of Martial Art is healthy, some just more than others, also keep in mind that "Martial Arts" are actually two words some arts are way more "Martial" than "Art" and it sounds like you are leaning more toward one of the "Art" styles so look for an instructor that leaning that way also...
Nowadays with the rise in popularity in MMA we now have 3 distinct methodologies out there...

The old style "War Arts" that are designed to incapacitate an attacker on the street...

The "Esoteric Arts" that strive for inner strength and balance...

and finally the "Ring Arts" that teach just that, how to fight in the ring..

Make sure you decide which you are truly after, then seek out an instructor that offers that...

Good luck in finding the right school the first time...