Martial Arts?

onwarddownward
onwarddownward Posts: 1,683 Member
edited January 30 in Chit-Chat
I used to get picked on in middle and high school, so I took up karate at the YMCA when I was 14. I practiced it for about six years, developing a love for various oriental weapons, as well. I like throwing knives, sansetsukon, shuriken and nunchaku (ball bearing is my favorite).

When I was 30, I joined a Kung Fu class and kept that up until a high risk pregnancy made me quit.

My weight has kept me from being willing to get started in martial arts again, but as I lose, I keep feeling like t's time to start working on my kata and self-defense techniques.

Does anyone else do any martial arts and what styles?

Replies

  • dougt333
    dougt333 Posts: 697 Member
    Tea Kwon Do, Shi To Ryu Karate, Aikido, Hapkido, Kickboxing, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and various combatitives (Amok, Apache)

    I'm currently a bit out of practice, but trust me doing any form of MMA, boxing, or kickboxing will get you in shape bad.

    If you are more intersted in self defense I would recomend combatitives instead of martial arts, like Amok or Krav Maga.
    But fair warning they will be tough on you.
  • BobMcCloskey
    BobMcCloskey Posts: 117 Member
    I've been doing Isshinryu Karate on and off, (mostly on) for the past 26 years. I love it. I've continued to train and teach, even while at my heaviest. As the weight has been coming off, I am finding a renewed energy and excitement in my training, as I am again able to perform at a competitive level in tournaments. If you are seriously considering taking up training again, I would highly recommend that you avoid the larger, commercial schools that claim to teach multiple styles and arts under one roof, and operate with a cult like mentality. They are becoming more and more prevalent. Best to find a smaller school with strong instructors that focuses on teaching the style that you are interested in.
  • WalkingMermaid_
    WalkingMermaid_ Posts: 205 Member
    Krav Maga. Granted it was in my early twenties, but I still remember all that I was taught :happy:
  • stephen4232
    stephen4232 Posts: 1,583 Member
    Shukokai Karate 3rd dan black belt, used to represent Scotland in tournaments
  • notworthstalking
    notworthstalking Posts: 531 Member
    I did Zen do Kai in my teens. Also six months of Kung fu, as that was the best club where I lived at the time. I also did some Brazilian Ju Jitsu for a while. That was hard, but fun. At the end of last year my almost seven year old started Aikido . It's a new club, broke away from another due to politics. The head Sensi started up adult classes this year, and I have about 12 under my white belt. I have also had about 6 lessons in the role of on the mat helper / Sensi . It's a steep learning curve, as I have to learn to be 'soft' . Also I used to not like teaching kids, but as it's a kids class it's not so bad. It is also great down time after a hard week at work.
  • mrs_mab
    mrs_mab Posts: 1,024 Member
    I have never done it myself, but have put both my kids in it at a young age........I swear by it for children, as far as instilling confidence, leadership, discipline, focus, grit, agility, self-defense......and really so much more. The 2+ hour test my daughter had to go through to attain her black belt, I am not sure most average grown men could go through without crying! She basically got her *kitten* kicked for 2+ hours and when she wasn't getting her *kitten* handed to her by other black belts she was holding push-up position until her arms & core we're screaming for mercy....this was after she had passed all form tests, etc....She is 18 now, and doesn't practice anymore because softball took over her life, but she talks about how much she misses it. I truly believe her years of martial arts (and her amazing instructors) helped shape her into the young woman she's become, she posses all those fore mentioned traits and more. She graduated HS with honors and will be going to college to play softball on scholarship in just about 20 days. Our 10 year old is on his orange belt now, and we are hoping it will have the same affect on him, so far so good, he's loving it. He loves to compete in the tournaments for Kata & sparring. I highly recommend martial arts of some form for all young kids, and adults too of course. We are never too old to learn & grow! My dad is a 3rd degree black belt in Kenpo.
  • MickeS
    MickeS Posts: 108 Member
    I used to do brazilian jiu jitsu / grappling. If you want to discover and train ALLmuscles in your body , you should try it!
    Really hard training.
  • sstan03
    sstan03 Posts: 102 Member
    I was in Krav Maga....I loved it but I moved about a year ago and have not found any places here that offer it. I have considered starting my on place but I need to look way more into it. Do not worry about what you look like, just get in there and do it. It will help you get to your goal weight and you will be doing something you love.
  • cbarn025
    cbarn025 Posts: 939 Member
    BJJ and Wing Chun Kung Fu
  • traceyjj
    traceyjj Posts: 406 Member
    My kids started with Jujitsu because my eldest was being bullied at school. They still love going, and are now giving back to the club by coaching and assessing. They regular do weapons training in their sessions, and the head sensei likes to make things fun so its always a popular class.
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