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.

Close to 30, huh? Wow, brother, you're really getting up there! Take it from me, who has successfully crossed the half century mark: You're in a great place to start seriously training in anything you want, and if you take good care of yourself, that will last well into your 40's., at least!

TaiChi is fantastic, but I would not approach it from the perspective of wanting to lose weight. As you start coming into a more balanced state of mind and body through the diligent practice of TaiChi, you may find that weight loss is incidental, and maybe not. I know a few very serious and gifted practitioners of TaiChi (Yang style short form), and although they are all very healthy, the buddha belly is not uncommon among the group.

By all means, if you're attracted to it, start doing TaiChi. Credentials don't really mean a whole lot IMHO, some teachers will always be a better fit for you than others, and you'll tell whether someone is a good teacher or not by whether they can help you make progress in achieving your goals.

If you want to lose weight, you won't get around some intense metabolic conditioning, aerobic conditioning and strength training. Those three areas are covered very well in boxing/kickboxing or MMA training. You may actually find that regular TaiChi practice complements those activities very well, and will aid your recovery after intense training sessions.

Best wishes for your success!

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 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...

Glen is right on the money,

I was able to find an instructor which covers all 3 of the styles over a week. Performance MA for competition a bit like dance and not really my thing.
Traditional martial arts, line work, patterns/kata, sparring
Competative MMA fight training
all mixed in with heavy duty fitness training.

I'm not currently training as being self employed in the current economic climate and getting to classes regularly are not compatible at the moment. Pitching up every so often is as far as I'm concerned disrespectful, which as a Black Belt in my organisation isn't something I would be happy with.

There are some shockingly bad McDojos out there the biggest challenge is finding a good club and instructor, the style is far less important.

Best of luck

I have no clue as to how people find the time these days to practice all these arts, it took me most of my young life to learn Wing Chun ip style to the point where I actually graduated with honors and was offered to teach in my school I began at.

I think these day's too many do too much, diluting arts to me is ok to a point but it seems that is all any one dose these day's and it is sad that many may go extinct and only remnants may remain one day. I suppose I believe in a pure form of an art, and I believe Wing Chun is a match for most of not all if the user is intelligent and uses their head and knows when and how to improvise.