Is it possible to learn Martial Arts?
Discussion
When you've passed your teens and are quickly approaching 'the hill'?
I've always been intrigued by Martial Arts; no I don't want to go on a mass killing spree, I just like the culture, the discipline and the learning of a new skill! b
ks, I just want to be a human killing machine!
I've probably watched too much Jackie Chan and Steven Seagal but its something I've always wanted to learn and I feel now that I have the motivation and maturity to do so.
However whats best to learn? I don't want to learn something with so much contact that each week I'll be waking battered and bruised, or to learn with lots of kids? Is that possible?
Anyone ever experienced Martial Arts, do you have any appetite whetting anecdotes? Or have you received a pasting at the hands of an expert?
Await the day when I return with the greatest party trick known to man!
I've always been intrigued by Martial Arts; no I don't want to go on a mass killing spree, I just like the culture, the discipline and the learning of a new skill! b
ks, I just want to be a human killing machine!I've probably watched too much Jackie Chan and Steven Seagal but its something I've always wanted to learn and I feel now that I have the motivation and maturity to do so.
However whats best to learn? I don't want to learn something with so much contact that each week I'll be waking battered and bruised, or to learn with lots of kids? Is that possible?
Anyone ever experienced Martial Arts, do you have any appetite whetting anecdotes? Or have you received a pasting at the hands of an expert?
Await the day when I return with the greatest party trick known to man!
Yes.
One off my best friends runs a Karate club here, Had the same problems as you, so decided to split his groups into three - The younger kids (whenever-12 years old), teenagers (13-19) and Adults (19+), but the teenagers and Adults classes usually ran together.
Initally you wont be battered and bruised, but things can happen!
One off my best friends runs a Karate club here, Had the same problems as you, so decided to split his groups into three - The younger kids (whenever-12 years old), teenagers (13-19) and Adults (19+), but the teenagers and Adults classes usually ran together.
Initally you wont be battered and bruised, but things can happen!
there are many 'arts' as i'm sure you'll know. Whatever you pick will depend very much on the sort of classes. How fit you need to be, the amount of contact etc.
Its odd you should mention Steven Seagal - as he practices Aikido.
Look it up - i believe this is the best martial art for someone who doesn't want contact (such as Taekwondo, kickboxing etc)
Aikido uses the opponents energy against them, and as such can be practiced by any age and fitness level.
Its very very difficult though (in my opinion) - if belts are your thing, then its probably not the way forward. Something like Taekwondo may take several years to get to black belt. Something like Aikido may take 15 years, and as one of my old instructors once said - you'd only be beginning to get good after 15 years!!
My advice would be go to several clubs of different types of martial art. Pick a style you like, and then go to several different instructors that practice that style until you are happy.
Where are you located?
Its odd you should mention Steven Seagal - as he practices Aikido.
Look it up - i believe this is the best martial art for someone who doesn't want contact (such as Taekwondo, kickboxing etc)
Aikido uses the opponents energy against them, and as such can be practiced by any age and fitness level.
Its very very difficult though (in my opinion) - if belts are your thing, then its probably not the way forward. Something like Taekwondo may take several years to get to black belt. Something like Aikido may take 15 years, and as one of my old instructors once said - you'd only be beginning to get good after 15 years!!
My advice would be go to several clubs of different types of martial art. Pick a style you like, and then go to several different instructors that practice that style until you are happy.
Where are you located?
You can learn pretty much any of the Martial Arts at any age. Just pick a style that you like the sound of, and give it a go. Great exercise, useful, and you'll meet some nice people.
FWIW I hated Aikido because, as a 'soft' style, it involves lots of close contact, holds, and throws. All very well if your opponent is a fit young girl, but she won't be; think more 'beer belly and B.O.'
FWIW I hated Aikido because, as a 'soft' style, it involves lots of close contact, holds, and throws. All very well if your opponent is a fit young girl, but she won't be; think more 'beer belly and B.O.'
Aikido does tend to seperate kids from adults. You get specific adult classes.
As said above Aikido won't have you doing VanDamme stylee flying kicks
for that you need Taekwondo or the like - which is much more 'sport' orientated.
I suppose another good question is why do you want to do it? If its tradition you are after, Aikido can be traditional, or Kung Fu, Karate etc
Sport is Taekwondo.
Whatever you look at though - you won't get your head kicked in! In my experience nearly all clubs are really respectful, and safety is very important. (apart from Kickboxing, which i did once and DID get my head kicked in! )
As said above Aikido won't have you doing VanDamme stylee flying kicks
for that you need Taekwondo or the like - which is much more 'sport' orientated.
I suppose another good question is why do you want to do it? If its tradition you are after, Aikido can be traditional, or Kung Fu, Karate etc
Sport is Taekwondo.
Whatever you look at though - you won't get your head kicked in! In my experience nearly all clubs are really respectful, and safety is very important. (apart from Kickboxing, which i did once and DID get my head kicked in!
)
I started learning ju-jitsu at 30 for self-defence purposes. The adults and older kids did train at the same session together, but you should be paired off with someone of your ability. Being fit definately helps. I really enjoyed it and after a few years was on the verge of taking my black belt when I damaged the ligaments in my neck and had to pack it in. Expect bruises and some pain, but generally nothing an ice-pack won't relieve!
Good luck
Good luck
Nah, it's overrated. To get fit and learn self-defence do boxing.
Having said that, Steven Seagull did use his martial arts to enhance the beatings he gave to his wife. Even so I can't imagine them being particularly effective, what with his silly hands flapping infront of his mahogany face like some kind of gay animated wardrobe in a kids' cartoon.
Having said that, Steven Seagull did use his martial arts to enhance the beatings he gave to his wife. Even so I can't imagine them being particularly effective, what with his silly hands flapping infront of his mahogany face like some kind of gay animated wardrobe in a kids' cartoon.
CosmicMatt said:
Anyone ever experienced Martial Arts, do you have any appetite whetting anecdotes? Or have you received a pasting at the hands of an expert?
Heh, nope but I've seen a dozen or more nth dans pounded by wiry little chavs and flabby arsed beer-fighters.
I started karate training when I was 34 years old, quite unfit and far too heavy (3st overwieght)
without doubt its the best thing i ave ever done.
its utterly adictive. yes you do get somebumps and bruises, but if you have a good instructor and a good bunch of guys in the class you will not get hurt.
in fact, if you are sparring, you are much safer working with Dan grades than lower belts as they are far more experienced and have much much more control.
I started with my children as my eldest son was having a few problems at school. he is now a brown belt and at 11 is starting to realise how could he could be.
its never too late to start, you will be relatively safe and you will never regret your decistion to start.
ETA if you live in or around bristol give me a shout. our karate association is based down there and i can give you some contact names if you would like them.
without doubt its the best thing i ave ever done.
its utterly adictive. yes you do get somebumps and bruises, but if you have a good instructor and a good bunch of guys in the class you will not get hurt.
in fact, if you are sparring, you are much safer working with Dan grades than lower belts as they are far more experienced and have much much more control.
I started with my children as my eldest son was having a few problems at school. he is now a brown belt and at 11 is starting to realise how could he could be.
its never too late to start, you will be relatively safe and you will never regret your decistion to start.
ETA if you live in or around bristol give me a shout. our karate association is based down there and i can give you some contact names if you would like them.
Edited by Wetwipe on Sunday 12th October 19:38
There seem to be an awful lot of martial arts out there.
Couldn't we have a play-off just to find out which is actually the best, and then all the rest can be discontinued?
My money is still on the Smith & Wesson however. Far quicker than all this jumping about in pyjamas going 'Neeeeee!'
Couldn't we have a play-off just to find out which is actually the best, and then all the rest can be discontinued?
My money is still on the Smith & Wesson however. Far quicker than all this jumping about in pyjamas going 'Neeeeee!'
Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 12th October 19:45
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