Thread: Martial Arts: Which one to do Next?

BJJ and Krav Maga. If you know those two you can get out of any situation.
Kav Maga is totally awesome seeing how you can manipulate large individuals with ease.

Jimbo,, my 2 cents

You need revisit your beginnings,,, to ask yourself, "Why did I start martial arts to begin with?" The answer you find should determine your choice now. Very important,,,,

Since I'm not you & cannot answer that question,,,, I will give my advice based on this; You started martial arts to learn how to defend yourself from assault and learn how to identify & control the emotions that come with physical encounters.

If this is the case, then choose the instructor,,,, not the art. as Mike pointed out, the instructor makes all the difference in the world,,, not the title on the sign out front. If you want pointers on how to evaluate an instructor,, then ask.

You have been in the arts for 6 years & obviously have confidence. Choose an instructor in an art that has some familiarity with the knowledge you already have. This helps for times when you will feel totally lost or overwhelmed with this new art.

Most important, find a way to continue training with the knowledge you already have,,, even if it is only 2 days a month & in a private setting.

Altercations/fights are won/avoided by mastering the basics, channeling your emotion & environmental awareness.

If there is only your 3 choices,,, Jujitsu would be the place I would start looking.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Well, to be frank I started MA to support my nephew (who was doing it at the time), and to keep in training after I tore my pec at the gym that time. But what eventually kept me going was that I really responded to the mental and physical discipline.

I'll never be a Bruce Lee - I'm a bit of a lumberer to be honest and fairly workman-like. But I really enjoy the challenge of mastering a new technique within my own physical parameters. Self defence was/is not really a priority for me, though it is a nice practical outcome of what I have learned so far.

So that's where I am at. There are in fact more choices available to me than the 4 I mentioned, it's just those were the 4 I thought looked of most interest. If there are others people would recommend I look at then I am more than happy to consider them. Let's face it, I'm 45 and whatever I choose now will probably be the one I go with for the rest of my days, so I'm happy to spend some time making the choice.

And Hirlau, in terms of continuing to train my previous skills as well, I've set up a little spot in my new shed with a bag etc and mats. And my old teacher/Master has invited me to continue to come to the fornightly advanced training they do for as long as I like, which is very generous of him and I will definitely take him up on that offer.

James.

James,

I'm an ex Tae Kwon Do student.... At this point, I'm getting too old and frail for the intense workouts in that sport. If it were me, I'd look long and hard at Aikado, but you are not me and so you will have to find your own way. Why not stop by the various studios and watch a session or two, just to see what appeals to you.

Personally, I've made one too many "snow angels" on black ice covered pavement as a letter carrier in Canada... my spine and left foot/ankle are done for. Doc told me in no uncertain terms that I was done with my job.... Move on or live in pain was my choice, so I moved on. I can still remember the days when I trained in Tae Kwon Do, and they are some of my best memories.

Aikado seems to be less extreme than the other ones you mention, very effective, but more technique than physical prowess, but what do I know! The floor keeps getting further and further away as I age.... no more spin kicks for me....<sigh>.

Regards

Kaptain "Ouch, that HURTS!" Zero

Well since you are 2nd dan TKD....Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Aikado would be a great advantage to you. You know how to strike with kicks and punches..... The grapples part is also a part of martial arts. I've seen too many people who are into one aspect of martial arts....And very good at it....but are lacking in the areas that other martial arts train you on. I am wanting to learn Hapkido..... Korean form of Aikado. I've taken a few seminars on it. The lock holds are viscous! All martials arts are great to learn, keeps you healthy and also you know how to protect yourself if needed. My wife is a 1st dan in TKD and Kumdo (Korean Sword fighting) and enjoys them both.

As a traditional TKD student, I also picked up Hapkido for the grappling/throwing/joint-locking. The two arts complement each other nicely. I know Aikido is quite different from Hapkido (philosophically and technically), but I would think that Aikido would complement the TKD similarly.

I used to study Korean Kuk Sool Won.

I am a bit hesitant to say aikido, for the simple reason that in these parts, I've met too many high level practitioners who talk about all the principles of aikido and the spiritual angle etc. And most of them couldn't deal with 2 consecutive fist strikes if they were delivered with power and the intent to do harm. That is why you should base your decision on the teacher, not the style.

As for weapons training, unless the instructor has actual training in an actual weapon school, whatever they do is highly likely to contain a lot of flaws.

I'd agree with bruno, my preference would be Aikido, but that was because I had a great instructor. He challenged any of us in the first class, because he had some poor reviews at his school. I took him up on it and being fairly confident of my TKD, training throughout childhood. I was genuinely impressed by his capabilities. His advice on picking schools was precisely the spiritual angle, he was picky-choosey with it and recommended against highly spiritual schools. Unless that was "your thing"

I have not practiced in years. I studied under a Korean Rock Marine in Vietnam in the late 60s. He taught an unorthodox form of Rock, Scissors, Paper or a well rounded fighter.

Aikido would add balance to your hard forms.

In the real world we all know you end up on the ground in short time. Being a Gracie fan Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is tough to beat in this venue.

I would try a little of each of your choices. Walk in the shoes kinda thing. With your background I think you will easily know what's needed to fill that void.

As others have said the teacher you choose is most important of all.