Martial Arts: Which one to do Next?

[Jimbo]

Well, I've officially retired from the MA I've been doing for the past 6 years or so. It was a mixed MA based around TKD and after the 2nd Dan I wanted to learn something else rather than going deeper into the minutiae, as it were.

So, I've whittled it down to 3 or perhaps 4, based primarily around accessibility and interest on my behalf, and I was hoping some guys here might be able to give me their thoughts on any or all of these. Of course I will go and try each to see which I like, but forewarned is forearmed, as they say.

1. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I've done some grappling as part of the previous MA, but I'm thinking what I know is probably ludicrously simple. Plus I'm probably physically most suited to this, I think.

2. Aikado. There's a 6th Dan quite close to us, and having read some of his material this one seems to be most in line with my philosophy, at least. I know it is a very formal MA. He also teaches other things weapons-wise: sword, staff, walking stick??? Could be interesting.

3. Wing Chung. Bruce Lee, need I say more?

There's also krav maga, but I'm not really that interested in it to be honest. I might go to a free lesson to see, but at this stage it is down to those three above.

If I had to rank them in terms of initial, completely uninformed, interest level it would be 2, 1, 3.

So, anyone with any thoughts on these? Thanks in advance.

James.

[JimmyHAD]

Whatever you do James please pick something with limited head shots. I boxed in the police athletic league as a kid and had ambitions of going pro when I got old enough. Discovered girls and booze and decided to forego the boxing.

Years later, when all these older pro contact sport athletes are suffering from brain damage sustained in their younger days, I hate to see anyone engaging in these sports. I know some guys really do enjoy fighting as a sport, but taking those hits can leave you in the lurch down the road and that ain't no fun.

[gssixgun]

Of the 3 you mentioned

Aikido has the most interest to me, always liked that art, if I was ever going to start a new one that would be my choice

Of course I am Biased toward Japanese Arts



Now to be honest if your first style was more Ring Oriented rather then Street Oriented then absolutely go Krav Maga


JHMO

[Substance]

Had a few years in a 2 different freestyle MA clubs until untimely deaths of each Sensei closing them for ever.
The first was my favourite Callioppe Matial Arts were our basis was Go ju Ryu, Aikido & Ninjutsu and was a old Shcool system of 1 year for each Element (belt) followed by 1 year for its Weapon = 10 years for a Black belt
I really liked the deflective nature of Aikido using once force against them and the Ninjitsu preassure points and distraction techniques.
Our Sensei Anthony McTye was a BB in Go ju Ryu (1 of the original henchmen with Bob Jones & Malcolm Anderson Zen Do founders), BB in Aikido & a 2nd Degree in Ninjitsu ( both were in Brissy clubs)

The second main 1 was Zen Chi Ryu with Sensei Peter Rilee
This was a Zen do based style with extensive BJJ teachings
My preference is the Standup and avoiding the ground all together but I really like the Bars & holds etc from BJJ but that ground works is really hard work and not near as simple as it may appear.

I also dabbled ( about 6 months odd ) in Wing Chung (Yip man based form) & Mui Thai in Mackay with Stephan Fox (World Mui Thai council) while working there.
Really liked the Sticky hands & dim muk of the WC but found it to be not as practical after doing a free style system ( my brother continued with the MT under Stephan for a WMC world ranked 3rd place in Cruiser weight ) before blowing his knee & shoulder in a fall at work

My preferential order would be 2, 1 then 3 also
But if you really like the physical work out (& smell of other people's sweat etc all over you) BJJ would be 1st
Cheers D

[Steel]

I studied aikido after I got out of military and it was AMAZING. The concept, philosophy, and difficulty was something that kept my interest for a long time. Then life happened. When I was stationed in Korea we were required to take martial arts of some sort and the instructor that amazed me the most taught wing Chung. It wasn't the fact that he could put a finger through a canvas bag although that had its wow factor. It was that the principles seemed so straight forward and effective for a working self defense. Similar to western boxing but at the same time much different.

Those would be my picks -#2 and 3.

[onimaru55]

2. Aikido. There's a 6th Dan quite close to us, and having read some of his material this one seems to be most in line with my philosophy, at least.

Answered your own question


I'd say come & learn ju jutsu with me but the petrol costs would kill you .

[markbignosekelly]

Out of your chosen 3 it would for me have to be BJJ. Its a great sport and by nature is sparring orientated.

If you have never tried it I would thoroughly recommend boxing or Muay Thai. For me nothing beats getting in the ring and going toe to toe. The euphoric feeling I get from them is hard to describe. Even when I come home battered and bruised from sparring and the wife just shakes her head I love it more.

[Mike Blue]

You're limited by what's in the neighborhood.

I like all the other advice so far. Aikido was my first skill set. Ueshiba style, and what I learned was how to fall down and not get hurt. The technique was gentle, effective and didn't leave any marks. It's not advertised, nor for the most part, practiced, as a combat style. For that, I prefer the style of Gozo Shioda if you can find it. Aikido in all its forms is good art that sets the foundation for a lot of other interesting stuff.

In my observation and experience, most fights, evenly matched, wind up on the ground. That's where BJJ, any ju jitsu, comes into its strength.

I also observe that the martial-art-du-jour is subject to marketing forces like so many other things. The old dojo has barely enough whitewash to cover up the judo sign, where it's been replaced with karate and then covered over to read mixed martial whatever. The instructor and their teachers will make all the difference regardless of what you choose.

[Chevhead]

BJJ ALL THE WAY!
That being said, it all depends on the teacher.

This is for ALL your choices. Choose the one that interests you the most AND has the best teacher!

BJJ in my opinion is the BEST, most realistic martial art there is.
You can go 100% with your partner and not worry about getting hurt. (That is as long as you tap)

I will say that if you are over 40 that you will be the oldest person in the class.

[Phrank]

Wrestling in University and JKA Shotokan has been what I've studied, learned an awful lot of life skills from Shotokan and would love to break out my Gi again....