Anybody Take Martial Arts?

FP4HSharon

Always remember that there are people out there better than you & never get too full of yourself. We have 2 friends that are in their late mid-late 50's. One guy was going to his car at Los Angeles airport in his business suit when 3 gang members surrounded him. A bystander heard our friend say, "Come on guys, let's not do this, I'm really tired & just want to go home." The gang moved in, the bystander ran for help & brought the police back. One gang member was unconscious, one was screaming on the ground w/a broken leg I believe, & our friend was sitting on the 3rd guy. The cop was obviously impressed & looked questioningly at the man, who said, "Retired Special Forces (green beret)."

Another friend likes to take MMA classes, but doesn't want to mess w/belts, so he just wears a white one & goes to class & the instructors are fine w/it. One day when they were doing the long lines to pair up to practice, a new young 20 something guy drew our friend & said, "Oh, great, I get the old guy." What he didn't know was the "old guy" was a retired Navy SEAL, who actually hires pro MMA fighters to train w/him to stay in shape. Let's just say the young guy never made another rude comment to anyone after THAT sparring session.

In my women's self defense classes, I tell the women to carry pepper spray, but also to take some kind of (preferably full contact) martial art for at least a year. Just to learn to take a punch & not give up, to keep fighting no matter what. I also agree w/the poster who said boxers are really good, & also a good wrestler can also be a great defender.

emirror

Always remember that there are people out there better than you & never get too full of yourself.

...

In my women's self defense classes, I tell the women to carry pepper spray, but also to take some kind of (preferably full contact) martial art for at least a year. Just to learn to take a punch & not give up, to keep fighting no matter what...

I think it is so important for women to know how to absorb and how to actually throw a punch like they mean it. When I first started learning, I would never throw a real punch. After a while, I became comfortable hitting when I was supposed to.

I remember the first time I was paired with a new guy... he had been to some classes somewhere else, and I could see that he was disappointed to have been paired with the girl. He was supposed to block. His stance was weak. I asked if he was ready, he said yes and didn't improve his stance. I asked again, and he said yes. I was worried for a second, because part of deflecting a blow is that it depends on the momentum of the attacker's swing. But, he came to class as a person with some experience, and we had JUST finished learning our new block. So I shrugged... and slugged him so hard he fell to the ground. We became great friends, and he always gave me a hard time for beating him up. :-) (ETA, I told him where I was going to hit, and how hard. He didn't think a girl would really do it - his words.)

So, yes, ladies need to know how to hit. Sometimes, even when others expect it, they don't see it coming.

mister_universe

Always remember that there are people out there better than you & never get too full of yourself.

...

In my women's self defense classes, I tell the women to carry pepper spray, but also to take some kind of (preferably full contact) martial art for at least a year. Just to learn to take a punch & not give up, to keep fighting no matter what...

I think it is so important for women to know how to absorb and how to actually throw a punch like they mean it. When I first started learning, I would never throw a real punch. After a while, I became comfortable hitting when I was supposed to.

I remember the first time I was paired with a new guy... he had been to some classes somewhere else, and I could see that he was disappointed to have been paired with the girl. He was supposed to block. His stance was weak. I asked if he was ready, he said yes and didn't improve his stance. I asked again, and he said yes. I was worried for a second, because part of deflecting a blow is that it depends on the momentum of the attacker's swing. But, he came to class as a person with some experience, and we had JUST finished learning our new block. So I shrugged... and slugged him so hard he fell to the ground. We became great friends, and he always gave me a hard time for beating him up. :-) (ETA, I told him where I was going to hit, and how hard. He didn't think a girl would really do it - his words.)

So, yes, ladies need to know how to hit. Sometimes, even when others expect it, they don't see it coming.

I think it just moved. :ohwell:

emirror

No worries. I can block that, too.

:bigsmile:

Dragonwolf

Always remember that there are people out there better than you & never get too full of yourself. We have 2 friends that are in their late mid-late 50's. One guy was going to his car at Los Angeles airport in his business suit when 3 gang members surrounded him. A bystander heard our friend say, "Come on guys, let's not do this, I'm really tired & just want to go home." The gang moved in, the bystander ran for help & brought the police back. One gang member was unconscious, one was screaming on the ground w/a broken leg I believe, & our friend was sitting on the 3rd guy. The cop was obviously impressed & looked questioningly at the man, who said, "Retired Special Forces (green beret)."

Another friend likes to take MMA classes, but doesn't want to mess w/belts, so he just wears a white one & goes to class & the instructors are fine w/it. One day when they were doing the long lines to pair up to practice, a new young 20 something guy drew our friend & said, "Oh, great, I get the old guy." What he didn't know was the "old guy" was a retired Navy SEAL, who actually hires pro MMA fighters to train w/him to stay in shape. Let's just say the young guy never made another rude comment to anyone after THAT sparring session.

In my women's self defense classes, I tell the women to carry pepper spray, but also to take some kind of (preferably full contact) martial art for at least a year. Just to learn to take a punch & not give up, to keep fighting no matter what. I also agree w/the poster who said boxers are really good, & also a good wrestler can also be a great defender.

Hah, that sounds like a lot of the guys in the arts that I've studied. Our soke (grandmaster, leader of the school) is 81, and can kick your *kitten* from here to next Tuesday and make it look like a walk in the park. A couple of my old trainers were retired Marines, too.

Never underestimate "the old guy."

KoolKatJack93

I took up Kickboxing and Brazilian jiujitsu.

FP4HSharon

Always remember that there are people out there better than you & never get too full of yourself. We have 2 friends that are in their late mid-late 50's. One guy was going to his car at Los Angeles airport in his business suit when 3 gang members surrounded him. A bystander heard our friend say, "Come on guys, let's not do this, I'm really tired & just want to go home." The gang moved in, the bystander ran for help & brought the police back. One gang member was unconscious, one was screaming on the ground w/a broken leg I believe, & our friend was sitting on the 3rd guy. The cop was obviously impressed & looked questioningly at the man, who said, "Retired Special Forces (green beret)."

Another friend likes to take MMA classes, but doesn't want to mess w/belts, so he just wears a white one & goes to class & the instructors are fine w/it. One day when they were doing the long lines to pair up to practice, a new young 20 something guy drew our friend & said, "Oh, great, I get the old guy." What he didn't know was the "old guy" was a retired Navy SEAL, who actually hires pro MMA fighters to train w/him to stay in shape. Let's just say the young guy never made another rude comment to anyone after THAT sparring session.

In my women's self defense classes, I tell the women to carry pepper spray, but also to take some kind of (preferably full contact) martial art for at least a year. Just to learn to take a punch & not give up, to keep fighting no matter what. I also agree w/the poster who said boxers are really good, & also a good wrestler can also be a great defender.

Hah, that sounds like a lot of the guys in the arts that I've studied. Our soke (grandmaster, leader of the school) is 81, and can kick your *kitten* from here to next Tuesday and make it look like a walk in the park. A couple of my old trainers were retired Marines, too.

Never underestimate "the old guy."

Absolutely :-)

MartiCat70

I've wondered through various dojos, but my foundation is Shaolin Kempo. I'm a blue-belt. I last took a form of jujitsu that was a joke (at least for me) since I don't feel my pressure points. I've been bruised up by masters trying to correct me with "atemis" and I thought they were playfully messing with me Apparently I was supposed to be in agony
After I lose some weight, I'll probably get back into it.

FP4HSharon

Warnng Signs in Dojos...schools that are too easy, give away the belts so a parent can say their kid has a black belt, or are just in it for the money...

They have a gazillion color belts (pink & camouflage are especial red flags), & gazillion stripes, that students have to test for & pay for each one. They let the students decide if they want to test, instead of the instructors only allowing them to test when they think they're ready. EVERYONE passes...most should pass, but if they mess up, then they shouldn't. These same schools often have very expensive monthly fees & contracts; the best schools I've attended charged a very reasonable amount. If the gym is super fancy & nice, that's CAN BE a sign they're charging too much. they require a LOT of gear, make you purchase it from them.

They promise that the student will have a black belt in a certain amount of time (a sign they lower standards for people who really shouldn't be getting belts). This should be a deal breaker, so you can save yourself a lot of time by calling a prospective school & asking if they guarantee a belt in a certain amount of time.

It's not really a good workout, you hardly sweat at all. Along the same lines... short classes, usually anything less than an hour.

They teach students to be bullies, instead of walking away when they are able (the Karate Kid BAD instructor syndrome). Or they put up w/disrespectful or rude behavior from students...directed at instructors or peers.

There's a lot of injuries, especially any injuries caused by an instructor.

They have students teaching a LOT, & obviously students who shouldn't be teaching. It's one thing to have a high ranking student do warm-ups, or teach a class now & then, but quite another for it to be a regular thing. I've seen black belt instructors who are obviously looking at a form chart on the wall for a very low colored belt form, because they don't remember the form.

SIGNS OF A GOOD SCHOOL...
Watch a class...challenging workouts, students who look like they know what they're doing, patience (but no nonsense) w/students who are learning, discipline, & appropriate affection & encouragement from the instructors. Usually a good school will be affiliated w/an international or national organization w/high standards.

Don't waste your money....sometimes I felt like the good schools should have bumper stickers that say, "Our Schools' Colored Belts Can Beat Your School's Black Belts," because that's what I saw at tournaments through the years.

wwritza

Kickboxing :P

pittsjg

Brazilian ju jitsu, blue belt.... Good times

kckBxer396

Only for 13 years! It's my absolute passion. I'm trying to get back into shape and get my health in check so I can practice to my heart's content again.

-1st degree black belt in Kenpo (it was a very grueling,day long test full of blood, sweat, and blacked eyes.)
- Love kickboxing (the full contact kind),and I'm working on building my record
-Tried TKD,but the school was kind of a McDojo... I left after 1 belt and a lot of "no contact" nonsense.
-Currently learning JKD, Mizu Arashi jujutsu , and progressive self defense
-Considering taking up Judo because...why not?

Also, I often hear I hit harder than "most men",and have had my share of chances to prove it. I love full contact fighting, and I have no problem taking a hit.


:drinker: If you love martial arts, feel free to add me. I don't have many friends that can appreciate them!

staystrong_314159

I do Krav Maga. It's not a martial art, but it's similar

Jersey_Devil

Tae Kwon Do black belt

rayfu75

Did Kenpo (American Ed Parker Jr.) as a kid from 12-15 stopped before I tested for my green belt. Twenty years later I started brazilian jiu jitsu, judo and kickboxing. Been hooked ever since going on 3 1/2 years and 80lbs lost. So glad I came back to martial arts after all those years. Now my whole family trains. My wife and 4 kids.

emirror

*bump for more MAs*

Hangnbang

I watched the last dragon once does that count.

Fit_NYC_

Black belt in Shotokan Karate, American Karate.
Also studied, Judo, brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Traditional Japanese jiu jitsu, muay thai and MMA.

Ed98043

Hah, that sounds like a lot of the guys in the arts that I've studied. Our soke (grandmaster, leader of the school) is 81, and can kick your *kitten* from here to next Tuesday and make it look like a walk in the park. A couple of my old trainers were retired Marines, too.

Never underestimate "the old guy."

My old instructor was a hapkido grandmaster as well as tkd.... he was just a little old guy that drove a mini van and looked so harmless. Every so often in class he would "spar" with the students and no one could touch him. Even the black belts would throw their best and he would very casually, with seemingly little movement and often with one hand, just redirect them (many times onto the floor). It was really impressive. I always felt a little sorry for whomever might underestimate him in an actual assault situation.

Unknown

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djeffreys10

I got an orange belt (40% of the way to black) in KiDo’Kyo Moo Kwan, a Korean martial art very similar to Tae kwon do, but had to stop going due to having too much on my plate when I was getting divorced. Then I got another job on the opposite side of town, and just can't find the time to get back over there being a single parent.

I would love to start training again now that I am in better shape. I have thought about taking muay thai, but I am also considering going back to school to get my engineering masters degree. And I only have so much free time. Just gotta decide what I want to do.

chellycakes

I started tang soo do late august! I'm going to test for an orange belt soon (I hope HAHA!). I love it! It burns a ton of calories and teaching me self defense! I WISH I started years ago lol.

Hangnbang

I box some karate idiot started **** last weekend when out ,went for some stupit grab ,hit him with a right hook and a few body shots and that was that ,so I'm stickin to boxing .

sudmom

Trained for years in Tang Soo Do ( Korean martial arts similar to Tae Kwon Do.) I have my black belt , but in my style it is actually navy blue. I quit training a few years back. Just gettting too old for the injuries....

OliBenson

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu (4th Kyu). I had previously studied Jeet Kune Do (2nd degree black sash) and I fully believe that stopping training for about 18 months is what has led to my dramatic weight gain. I am looking forward to training again in the new year!

Anita_hoar12345

bjj and kickboxing I did taekwondo as a kid and have a blue belt from therien jiu jitsu it's a different kind than bjj i guess it's like mma with a gi because you learn striking and grappling I stopped going there and switched to bjj

tbonethemighty

I've been doing Krav Maga for about 3 years (my trainer has a fit when someone calls it a "martial art", but we get all types of other martial arts guys at our seminars...and I second all the women who have dropped some dude who thought they were weak), but I'd love to try out Brazilian jujitsu. Don't think there's a studio/classes anywhere in my area, sadly. No belts in KM, although we do have lettered levels.

Dragonwolf

my trainer has a fit when someone calls it a "martial art"

There's a certain (nonsensical) irony to that, when "martial arts" pretty literally means "warrior arts" (martial = of war; warlike). Given that Krav Maga was developed specifically for Israeli soldiers, and has its roots in the more commonly-recognized martial arts, including Judo, jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai. It's pretty much the poster child of "martial arts."

rayfu75

bjj and kickboxing I did taekwondo as a kid and have a blue belt from therien jiu jitsu it's a different kind than bjj i guess it's like mma with a gi because you learn striking and grappling I stopped going there and switched to bjj

Was it more self defense based? More japanese jiu jitsu?

TheRoadDog

For 41 years. All but the last 10 years quite actively. Rarely spar any more, but still practice katas. I have a dojo in my home, but, at the moment, it is filled with Christmas Decorations and such. My wife and daughter use it as a staging area every year at this time. Usually cluttered from about the first week in December to the 1st week in January. They promised they would have it cleared out by this week, though.