What form of martial art do you practice?

[Nichol_storm]

Note: This isn't for debate or flaming on whether MA #1 is "superior" to MA #2, or whether MA #3 leaves them both in the dust. This is just a poll on what forms of martial arts are practiced by the Dopers and why they chose them.

I am studying traditional Shotokan, and I'm finding it a delightful challenge. I wanted an art that emphasized strength over flexibility and our sensei certainly didn't disappoint me. I've never had so much fun doing something that results in so much achiness.

My boyfriend is studying Tai Chi, and though he tried to teach me some of the easier movements, I'm afraid I was totally lost. I think I'd need more ritualized instruction to develop in it at all.

Random observation: it's astonishing how when you're in a half-sit position and your legs are trembling and the salt from the sweat is burning your eyes and the only way out is to count from 1-10 in Japanese how quickly you learn to say "Ichi, ni, san..."

[Eats_Crayons]

Tae Kwon Do because I like the fact that the focus is primarily on kicking.

I get to jump around a lot!

[The Griffin]

ITF Taekwon-do. I like doing patterns and points sparring.

[MrTuffPaws]

I used to train in Shoto Kan karate. Gave it when I had to get a job.

I used to train in Tai-Jutsu. Gave it up after the second broken bone.

Now, I am taking a Yang style Tai-Chi class. I am also contemplating taking a Chen style Tai-Chi class simultaneously.

Tai-Chi is nice. No broken bones or jammed fingers.

[Rabid_Squirrel]

Another Shotokan here. I miss the millitary style training, the no-contact free-sparring, the wobbly legs after a 2-3 hour seminar...ahh... those were the days. Still a bit miffed I missed out on going to Japan for training.

Also doing kung-fu, the name of the style escapes me at the moment. Not doing as well as I would like - still trying to do karate moves.

[NinjaChick]

WTF tae kwon do. Started in it because I was a wee thing, and the only two schools in town my parents liked were both TKD schools.

I'd like to branch out in my training, but right now, time prohibits it. But once I get into college, I'd love to try capoeria (which I know I just mangled the spelling of) and Escrima.

I love the post-workout fatigue, especially after sparring - you're bruised and tired and so freakin' sweaty...but for some reason, it feels *good*.

[fizzygoodmakefeelnice]

Shi Zen Do Karate.

[toque]

I did Muay Thai and San Shou for a while, but now I feel I'm getting too old for it, and I'll definitely never compete in it at anything other than a local smoker level. I'm looking for an MA just to do for fitness and hobby. I'm thinking I'll maybe try capoeira this winter.

[moes lotion]

Aikido - aikikai style. I was turning into a couch potato and felt the need for a structured environment to get me moving. I had practiced Chito Ryu Karate many years before, but this time I was looking for something where I wouldn't get hit too much. The philosophy of conflict resolution at the core of Aikido also appealed to me, as did the joyous atmosphere of the dojo I went to try a practice class at. Three years on now, and I'm loving every minute I get to spend on the tatami.

[green_dragon]

ITF Taekwondo (flashy kicks are fun!)
Hapkido (cos it's a good support system)
Boxing (for when the fit hits the shan)
Pressure Points (part of Turite Jutsu)
Wing Chun (just starting, a really scientific art)
Bits and pieces of Wrestling, Thai Boxing and Brazilian Jui Jitsu for the close up fighting

Not sure if it's classed as a martial art, but I'll list it anyway: Street Self Defence - it uses a little of the martial arts previously mentioned but it's an entirely different animal.

Done a bit of Zuan Shu Kwan, Shotokan and some soft martial art whose name escapes me...planning on starting Thai Boxing seriously, Tai Chi (if I can find a martial club) and grappling.

On the want to do list goes capoiera, ba-gua and hsing-i, also iron palm kung fu if i ever get the chance...

As you may have guessed, my life is pretty well defined as 'martial artist' and not a lot else lol...even my dancing style has started to take inspiration from some of the cooler looking techniques...

[green_dragon]

Having a look at what one or two people have said about wanting to not get hit so much, I have to say that what I like most about our school is the way you DO get hit...a lot. Makes it more real, closer to the real thing. It's my opinion that you should train as colse to reality as possible if you want to be capable of really using your skills.

If you don't then that's ok, so long as you are aware of the limits of your training.

[Sam Stone]

I'm a shodan in Goju-Ryu karate. I chose it because A) the island culture of Okinawa seems to be a little less rigid than the more regimented mainland styles, and that suits my personality, B) I like the mix of 'hard' and 'soft' styles in Goju, and C) I had a great sensei.

[John Carter of Mars]

What form of martial art do you practice?

Marksmanship. I'm very good with a rifle. If it comes to it, I'd hope to pick you dudes/dudettes off before you got closer than 300 yards. :p

[Sketch]

Judo white-belt here, I took it because it was pretty much to closest club to my house- and cheap.

The techniques and falling is kind of dull, but it is so worth it when we finally get to fight eachother in the last ten minutes of class- that's why everyone comes- for the fights.

[AmbushBug]

Ditto with Mr. Carter. Small arms marksmanship.

[Robert Lehnert]

Hand to hand:

Basics: World War II combatives, both Fairbairn and O'Neal techniques. A few basic and effective techniques, concentrating on agressive counterattack
Advanced: a background in taekwondo (too flashy and hard on the joints, especially as I get older) has given way to learning as much as I can about Dans du Rue Savate, the street-oriented application of French foot and fist fighting-I have not had formal training in this as yet, but basic stuff gleaned from articles and such. Also, medieval and renaissance "Gryps", the jiujitsu-like strike & grapple method being practiced in ARMA (see below)

Melee Weapons: Basic foward and reverse grip knife
fighting basics, influences include Applegate, Styers, Sanchez, "Boy" Hernandez, and Keating. Sword: fooled around with bokken, much prefer the Medieval & Renaissance re-constructed methods of ARMA, the Association of Renaissance Martial arts ( www.thehaca.com ) A semester of foil.

Firearms: self taught pistol, heavy influences by Massad Ayoob & Jeff Cooper. Rifle, also self taught, from Cooper and Chuck Taylor's books.

[green_dragon]

wondering where the likes of ninjachick are...

[js_africanus]

Judo in college. Getting back into it, slowly. Also taking Brazilian jiu jitsu right now.

[The_Stranger]

Shaolin Kempo.

[Scuba_Ben]

CMK tae kwon do, ITF patterns; 6th gup / green belt.

I started it as a fitness program, and I need a regular commitment, because I'm not the kind of person to just go to a gym.

Now I'm in it for the competitions.

I tried krav maga very briefly, discovered that it requires a good level of aerobic fitness just to start, and switched to tae kwon do to develop that fitness.

[green_dragon]

Scuba_Ben, what's 'CMK' taekwondo? I've not heard of it? Any big differences to ITF or WTF?

[slortar]

Used to do Uechi Ryu Karate back in the day. Haven't had a chance to practice for 5 or 6 years, though.

[Kinthalis]

Judo at around age 9 to 12.

Hapkido for about 6 months.

Twaekwondo for about a year.

Finished up with 2 years of Karate/Judo (went to several judo and karate camps and competitions around the New Jersey area).

Now I'm trying to get back in shape and tackle western medieval martial arts.

Though the emphasis is not in unarmed combat (although there are grappling, punching and kicking techniques, as well as dagger combat), it is an interesting martial art form. Of course fencing (long sword, great sword, rapier) is the main study, but it also deals with polearms, staves, etc.

[widdershins]

I'm a master of die chi. If I get in a fight, I play dead.

[sultana of slash]

Aikido, aikikai style, nine years.

I agree with Ambush and Carter. Marksmanship is a martial art. So is any kind of warfare. But if you want to stick with the ones that develop the user's body, not to mention spirit, I think the Western martial arts are boxing, and fencing. Never boxed, but I fenced in college, foil and saber.

[Kinthalis]

Originally posted by sultana of slash
Aikido, aikikai style, nine years.

I agree with Ambush and Carter. Marksmanship is a martial art. So is any kind of warfare. But if you want to stick with the ones that develop the user's body, not to mention spirit, I think the Western martial arts are boxing, and fencing. Never boxed, but I fenced in college, foil and saber.

I agree wholeheartedly!

Also I did try modern fencing for a little while back in the day. A friend of one of my uncle's taught here in New Jersey.

I didn't like it much. It was certainly a physical sport, good for body and mind, but it was just too sport-like for me.

This is what first had me investigating historical (medieval and renaissance specifically) western martial arts, as it teaches concepts and technique used in deadly combat.

I would hesitate to call modern fencing a martial art in the sence that it is not studied as a form of self-defence or method of 'warfare'. It's purely sport.

[El Elvis Rojo]

I'm a piss-poor student in escrima, a Filipino stick and knife fighting class. Actually, I've already made first rank, and I'm pretty good when it comes to using the knife, but I'm still a little slow with the sticks. So slow, in fact, last time we sparred, my partner smashed my helmet.

Yeah, I need to work on that whole "dodging" thing...

[Eats_Crayons]

Originally posted by green_dragon
Scuba_Ben, what's 'CMK' taekwondo? I've not heard of it? Any big differences to ITF or WTF? That one I had to look up. It stands for
Chang Moo Kwan Tae Kwon Do (never heard of it myself). I found this quote about it:CHANG - create or develop, MOO - martial art, KWAN - House
After World War Two, Grand Master Byung In Yoon established the Taekyon Club at NgNSung Agricultural High School in Seoul, Korea. Here he inaugurated Chang Moo Kwan at the Taekyon Department of the Y.M.C.A. and appointed Nam Suk Lee as first instructor. Grand Master Nam Suk Lee is the first and only president of Chang Moo Kwan.That's froma Canadian club at www.jungdotaekwondo.com, and they seem to practise the Taeguk Poomse.

[Scuba_Ben]

Originally posted by green_dragon
Scuba_Ben, what's 'CMK' taekwondo? I've not heard of it? Any big differences to ITF or WTF? Chin Mu Kwan, history at http://home.swbell.net/rianardj/kang.htm

As far as I can tell, it's just like ITF. If there's any federation-level politics, I don't know about it.

[Bippy the Beardless]

Havn't practiced for a while, but took Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu for several years, it's an old Japanese jujitsu style.

I can't help it, but everytime I see WTF taekwondo, I read "What the f*ck taekwondo", sorry but it gives me the comic idea of a cross between taekwondo and drunken style kung fu, where your opponent is left in dumbfounded dissbelief as you pummel them to the ground, mouthing "What the f*ck" as they fall.

[Shodan]

<----- This is in judo.

I have done tae-kwon-do, a little shotokan, and some other styles, and even some Western fencing. Currently mostly jujitsu, although I have no rank in it.

Regards,
Shodan

[My Darn Snake Legs]

Aki-Jutsu here.

My father started me on the basics of rolling/falling/technique as long ago as I can remember.


It's kinda like aikido, but more violent. We resolve the conflict by ending it as abruptly as possible. :) Thus, the moves are more or less the same. We just like to use strikes a bit more and sometimes include Boken or Jo work as well.

[Tensoc]

Shuri-Ryu Karate-Do....

I've also done a little judo and some jujitsu.. but mainly the Karate...

I'm a little unhappy that it's been awhile since my last class.. Hoping to pick it up again as soon as I'm able..

[Hüsker Düde]

The hit and run.

[karomon]

Hwa Rang Do ... brownie points to anyone who's heard of it.

[JThunder]

I have a brown belt in cowardice.

[Bippy the Beardless]

karomon isn't that the Korean version of Japanese Jujitsu or maybe I should say an analogue of Japanese Jujitsu, since ideas and methods seem to have moved between Korea and Japan a great deal over the centuries.

[Mephisto]

1) LOL @ John Carter of Mars.

2) I messed around with a couple styles of karate and several grappling arts as a kid and teenager, but I practice nothing right now and haven't for a number of years. If I have the time, in a semester or two, I hope to take the fencing course at my school. You never know when you will be walking down a dark street at night and get waylaid by a bunch of musketeers!

3) Could Griffin, NinjaChick, or somebody else knowledgeable in the Korean martial arts tell me what the ITF and WTF in their posts stands for? TIA.

[green_dragon]

Mephisto -

ITF is "International Taekwondo Federation"
WTF is "World Taekwondo Federation"

Not being much for politics I'm not sure on the difference between the two...I get the impression that the ITF is more focussed on competition fighting than WTF and has it's own set of forms/poomse.

Technically, the taekwondo we practise is WTF, it's more self defence oriented (insofar as that's possible with taekwondo) and more about effective fighting rather than effective competing. I could be entirely wrong about this, we're just kinda doing our own thing and using the WTF forms lol

[Mephisto]

Thanks, dragon! :)

[green_dragon]

Anytime, if you've got any other questions I'm a trove of useless martial-arts related knowledge :)

[emmaliminal]

I did stage combat in college, does that count?

broadsword
rapier and dagger
quarterstaff
hand-to-hand

Broadsword's my favorite. What a workout! And you can make real sparks if you're up to speed.

(tries sucking in gut, gut goes nowhere) I was born too early. All the chicks in movies get to do combat these days, and here I am already too old an' flabby for 'em!

[karomon]

Originally posted by Bippy the Beardless
karomon isn't that the Korean version of Japanese Jujitsu or maybe I should say an analogue of Japanese Jujitsu, since ideas and methods seem to have moved between Korea and Japan a great deal over the centuries.

No, not really - I think you mean Hap Ki Do.

Hwa Rang Do is actually a harder, tougher form of TKD, putting a lot of emphasis on heel kicks. It's slower than TKD, too, none of the multiple fluttering stuff. More info here -> http://www.hwarangdo.com/

[karomon]

Ah, never mind, I see now that you were right with the Jujitsu thing- sorrysorry!

[Eats_Crayons]

Quick history...

WARNING: boring history -- skip this post if you don't care:

One of the first big Korea martial arts was Soo Bakh Do -- it was primarily a military combat style taht became popluar as sport. Several other martial arts styles influenced Korean martial arts, particularly during Japans "dominance" of Korea from 1910 to just after WWII. After Korea became independent, several distinct styles of "kwans" cropped up before they kind of united as Tae Soo Do. Which eventually became Tae Kwon Do.

TKD got a bit more "solidified" when General Choi Hong-hi required the army, air force and police to learn it, and at that time it was very heavily influenced by Shotokan Karate.

The Korean Taekwondo Union (later called the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association, KTA) came about in the early- to mid- 1960s, chaired by non other than Gen. Choi himself. The ITF was supposed to be an international branch of the KTA, but there were poltical squabbles (both in tae kwon do and world poltics) and Gen. Choi moved to the U.S. and started the ITF. It was not affiliated with the KTA.

The KTA remained as Korea's governing Tae Kwon Do body and members of the governing body formed the World Tae Kwon Do federation in 1973.

There have been attempts to unify the ITF and WTF, but so far they've been unsucessful.

Bottom line:

ITF practies a more traditional version of tae kwon do and initially focussed on the patterns (poomse) developed by Gen. Choi.

The WTF started with the Palgwe patterns before switching to the Taeguks and put a much greater emphasis on sparring.

In competition, the ITF prefers a semi-contact sparring, whereas WTF perfers full-contact sparring (with rules designed to keep it safe).

The ITF is considered more of a traditional "art" and WTF is more of a "sport" -- hence the WTF was recognized by the International Olympic Commitee in 1980 and WTK TKD became an official Olympic sport in 2000.

In my experience the art/sport line is seriously fuzzed depending on the individual club and the Master's background. Unless you're watching patterns the kicking and punching styles are nearly indistinguishable until you get to more dvance belts (ITF looks slightly more circular to me, but that could just be what I've seen of local ITF clubs.)

[Eats_Crayons]

:smack: I could've sworn I had a subject line of Re: ITF/WTF!

[green_dragon]

The ITF is considered more of a traditional "art" and WTF is more of a "sport"

OK so I had it exactly wrong. D'oh!

I've seen a few of the early ITF forms, they were kinda circular compared to the taegeulks and palgues.

[Eats_Crayons]

Originally posted by green_dragon
OK so I had it exactly wrong. D'oh!

I've seen a few of the early ITF forms, they were kinda circular compared to the taegeulks and palgues. Not really wrong, I find a lot depend on the attitude of the individual club. There are few competitions where ITF goes up against WTF, but they do exist. There is one ITF club that is probably the very best fighting club I've ever seen! I used to dread going up against 'em 'cause I have an aversion to getting my little butt kicked! (Literally.)

I'm not familiar with the forms, but my club also taught HapKiDo. So occasionally both our arts would spar. HapKiDo uses both straight-line and circular self-defense. Fighting ITF opponents just "felt" like they were "round" like my HapKiDo friends. If that makes any sense.

[green_dragon]

i thought hapkido was more about the joint locking techs....

at least, that's what we call hapkido :)

[GilaB]

I've been training three times a week for the last year at a school that combines (I think WTF) Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. I chose it because it's free and conveniently located at my school; it was pretty spur-of-the-moment decision to take up martial arts at all. Before that, I was the most sedentary healthy person you'd ever seen, other than hiking/skiing a couple of times a year on vacation. It's been fun blowing my family and friends' minds, since this is both out of character for me and not a particularly 'nice-religious-Jewish-girl' pastime.
originally posted by green_dragon
i thought hapkido was more about the joint locking techs....

at least, that's what we call hapkido :)
At my school, Hapkido is a very flowing art (we always here the speech about circles and water, and since this is a medical and science grad school, we also hear about vectors), in contrast to tae kwon do, which is very linear, with more defined motions. The forms are designed to teach you fluidity of motion, with one attack/defense flowing into the next, without the discrete units that you'd see in tae kwon do forms. There's a bunch of joint locking techniques, mostly defenses if someone grabs your arm, along with a set of defenses involving throwing and being thrown (I just learned how to throw somebody this evening, and it's still pretty tough, but all in good time :).) There's certainly more advanced stuff that I don't know about yet, as my class is intended only for colored belts, and I haven't seen the master classes.

[green_dragon]

Interesting...I guess we must have just taken the joint locking techniques (defences against grabs, kicks etc) out of the Hapkido system and used them on their own. I'd be interested to see what else there is in the system but alas, I can find no schools in which to learn :(

[Eats_Crayons]

green_dragon the description as Gila explained it is pretty close to my experience too. There is often overlap in clubs that teach both too -- as a TKD student, I learned a lot of Hap Ki Do self-defense joint locks, and they did a form of sparring.

If you watch TKD and Hap Ki Do (non-grapply joint stuff) side by side, it's kind of like watching Karate and Kung Fu side by side (though Hap Ki Do isn't quite that circular, and TKD isn't quite that linear.) You can see the influences of the other respective arts quite clearly in the styles.

I personally think Hap Ki Do (the non-grapply stuff) is elegant and beautiful to watch.

[green_dragon]

I'm gonna have to find me a Hapkido class in the West Midlands area it sounds intriguing...don't suppose anyone could help me locate one?

[Shiva418]

I'm an instructor at the Toas Kung Fu school. It's a Persian style that is thouroughly diferent from most martial styles. You can check out our web page here (www.toaskungfu.com).

[Kinthalis]

Wow 53 posts in this thread, and so far only 1 person *looking* into stusying western martial arts.

We need more people! :)

[green_dragon]

Well boxing is a western martial art surely? So that makes a grand total of two of us :)

[Tomcat]

Originally posted by green_dragon
wondering where the likes of ninjachick are...

You skipped her...she is post #5 or #6.

I studied Shin Go Ju Ryu Karate and Judo when I was younger. When I went to college I started Jeet Kun Do (Bruce Lee), Kali and Brazilian ju-jitsu. Here in Prague I have been known to be a very irregular-regular at a Thai boxing (http://www.delroys-gym.cz/en/index.html) gym for the last 4 years. I also studied a little Escrima here at a na ll-Czech gym, but quit because I couldn't understand them at all.

-Tcat

[slortar]

Originally posted by Kinthalis
Wow 53 posts in this thread, and so far only 1 person *looking* into stusying western martial arts.

We need more people! :)

You mean, like, with cowboy hats and spurs? :)

*ducks and runs*

[green_dragon]

Don't know about the cowboy hats, but I can just imagine spurs adding a whole lot of effectiveness to kicking arts like taekwondo...the hook (reverse turning) kick for example?

Owwiiiee!

[slortar]

Actually, in all seriousness, not enough martial arts teach you how to fight in street clothes. It's a somewhat interesting experience--I actually rather enjoy sparring with sneakers on--the extra traction is rather nice. Of course, you have to exercise extreme control otherwise your opponent winds up with some interesting marks on his face the next morning. ;)

Cowboy boots and spurs. *shudder* That would hurt. That would hurt bad.

[Kinthalis]

Hehehehe ;)

No, not cowboy hats and spurs.

More like Grappling, dagger and fencing combat in western (historical) techniques.

The grappling and dagger combat are relevant (and effective) today. The fencing isn't really though, unless you can carry a sword around when you're in a bad part of town :) But it still a great work out, a study of discipline, timing, strength, agility, etc. In other words, all the things that make a martial art form, a martial art.

[BMalion]

Originally posted by Kinthalis
Wow 53 posts in this thread, and so far only 1 person *looking* into stusying western martial arts.

We need more people! :)


Singlestick, (mostly self-taught from old sources)

assorted knife lessons from my S.E.A.L./French Foreign Legion buddy (an interesting guy)

Pistols, modern and blackpowder

Medieval Broadsword, spear and axe

Roman Gladius and Scutum

Tae Kwon Do, 9th kup purple belt (years ago, want to get my black!)

and deadliest of all...

I own six lightsabre's and I know how to use them! Proof! (http://www.boston-baden.com/hazel/Pix/p.cgi?1999+144-1+l26p051.jpg)

[green_dragon]

Does anyone else find that when you're out shopping for clothes, not only do you look for things which look good on you etc., but most importantly, trousers/jeans that you can kick in? :)

All my jeans are either baggy or stretchy enough that I can kick completely freely (and I can almost do the splits in both directions - cold).

You know you're a martial arts geek when...

[CrazyPawn]

I do MMA (mixed martial arts), which is a combination of boxing, Thai boxing, and Brasilian Jiu-Jitsu.

I've also, in the past, done Judo, Aiki-Jutsu and Bando. Also Fencing, since that seems to be considered a martial art.

Martial arts are fun. I think of them as aerobics for men, although I'd never say that to anyone I train with.

[Boldface Type]

Kick boxing for me. Because I like kicking things, and boxing?

I started with ECKA Karate (http://www.ecka.co.uk/), and practiced this for many years. Also dabbled with a little kung-fu (didn't like much), and wutan. I was rather keen for quite some time, but am somewhat out of practice now.

I have been know to get busy with egg food yung, too.

[Ravenman]

Originally posted by green_dragon
I'm gonna have to find me a Hapkido class in the West Midlands area it sounds intriguing...don't suppose anyone could help me locate one? Hapkido student here -- just got my black belt a couple months ago. Love the art: grappling, kicking, punching, weapons, (no contact) sparring, forms - its got everything I find fun, and I have a great instructor, too. Very traditional.

green, I have seen a list of hapkido schools recently, with quite a few listed in Britain, but now I'm having trouble finding it. I'll look some more...

[Nvme77]

Hey does Krav Maga count? I'm going to get certified this year (my main personal goal)

[martin_ibn_martin]

Shobu Aikido, actually. I did three years, on and off with the dedication of your average 19 year old acid-head, about 8 years ago in a Honbu style Dojo. I have recently found a Shobu Aikido club in the Hartford area, and I survived my second class on Teusday.

Shobu is even more fluid than some other styles of Aiki one finds in the States, with cultivation of awareness and sensitivity a primary goal. Atemi are taught, but not emphasized and become sort of incidental to the technique

Mostly I like the spirit of play in the Dojo. lots of fun, if a bit intense at times.

Martin

[martin_ibn_martin]

I've always wanted to study Hapkido, as it is cousin to Aikido. The developer of Hapkido and O-Sensei studied under the same Daito-Ryu Aikijustu teacher.

[Thaumaturge]

Originally posted by karomon
Hwa Rang Do ... brownie points to anyone who's heard of it.

I used to take this back when I lived in NJ. Sadly I was forced to quit when I moved, the nearest school to here is 100 miles away. :( It was a very physically and spiritually rewarding art.

[karomon]

I used to take this back when I lived in NJ. Sadly I was forced to quit when I moved, the nearest school to here is 100 miles away. It was a very physically and spiritually rewarding art.

Was this in Tarrytown?

[green_dragon]

Ravenman, congratulations on your black belt btw :)

Any luck with the list of schools?

[Ravenman]

Boy, I've seen that list about a dozen times, now I can't find it. But it's always in the last place you look, ya know?

In the meantime, maybe check out

http://british-hapkido.org/

or

http://www.martialartsregister.co.uk/clubdetail.asp?id=486

[green_dragon]

Cheers, that 2nd link looks like it could be useful :)

[Ravenman]

I found the page I remembered, but it is a list for Kuk Sool Won schools. So far as I can tell, Kuk Sool Won is quite similar to hapkido, but I by no means an expert on the history of that art or its dissimilarities to hapkido.

Here's the link anyways:

http://www.kuksoolwon.com/schools.htm

Of course, I will issue the standard disclaimers about choosing a martial arts school: go and watch a class before you sign up, run like hell if you start getting pressured into plunking down money right away, etc.

Good luck!

[green_dragon]

Thanks for your efforts Ravenman I'm going to check out a coventry hapkido place in a couple of weeks when I'm back in England - should be interesting :)

[sultana of slash]

Originally posted by slortar
You mean, like, with cowboy hats and spurs? :)

*ducks and runs*

About as absurd as my putting on a gi and a hakama. Who the hell do I think I am? More to the point: Who the hell do I think I am being?

[sultana of slash]

Originally posted by Kinthalis
Hehehehe ;)

No, not cowboy hats and spurs.

More like Grappling, dagger and fencing combat in western (historical) techniques.

The grappling and dagger combat are relevant (and effective) today. The fencing isn't really though, unless you can carry a sword around when you're in a bad part of town :) But it still a great work out, a study of discipline, timing, strength, agility, etc. In other words, all the things that make a martial art form, a martial art.

Not to mention it's based on actual combat. Anybody ever hear of dueling? Really happened.

About 30 years ago, there was an accidental death during the fencing trials at the Olympics. One fencer forgot to tuck his glove over his sleeve; tucked it inside. Opposing fencer's Olympic foil, stiffened for the electronic point-count, slid down his sleeve during a lunge, was trapped by the fabric, punctured his axilla, and went through the lung and into the heart. Fencer dropped dead on the end of the foil. Opponent fencer was utterly horrorstricken, had to leave the trials.

And they say it's just a sport. Baby, it's based on killing. For my aikido 2 cents, that makes it a martial art.

I fenced; does that make me one of the two?

That's not why I'm the Sultana of Slash, though! <gdr>

[OfficeGirl]

Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Our club (http://www.jujitsudenver.com) is very small and I'm the only chick, which is sort of cool. The guys were all really excited to get a girl in the class because my body is so different (I'm super-flexible and not very strong).

Anyway, I love it. My previous experience was with a little bit of Enshin Karate (http://www.enshin.com) and, though I enjoyed it, I felt pretty intimidated. I needed an art (and a school) that would emphasize the mental part of the learning.

I've been doing jujitsu on and off for about a year and a half and am working through the Nage (throws) list which tends to scare most people out of our system. It's hard on the body, but I'm just hoping to live through it so I can move on to Shime!

Osu!

OfficeGirl

[Kinthalis]

Sultana of Slash : Although modern fencing does have it's roots in classical fencing (which in turns has it's roots in historical fencing), I'm not sure that I would call modern fencing anything more than a sport.

It is tought as a sport, it is practiced as a sport, and it is likewise recognized as such. True enough that does not necessarily mean it is not a martial art, but I think taking everything into consideration, I would be hard pressed to call it one.

One of the reasons is that the modern sport has very little to do with historical fencing (fencing as in sword combat, not modern fencing). The method used during those times was a lethal, effective art of combat.

All I know of medieval and rennaissance combat is what I have read, I'm still getting ready to attend an actual class, so could perhaps someone more enlightened give us a 'hands on' comparioson between historicla fencing and the modern sport?

(I know there was a historicla fencer on these boards some weeks ago, unfortunatley I do not remember his handle otherwise I would summon him).

[green_dragon]

OK seeing as we've got a whole bunch of martial artsy types around at the moment, here's a topic for debate:

What, in fact constitutes a martial art nowadays?

For instance, there's a big distinction between the Taekwondo you see on the Olympics and traditional Taekwondo. Clubs which focus on competitions often neglect to teach the forms (poomse/kata, whatever you wanna call em), hand techniques and even some of the traditional kicks. Is this cut-down, largely useless for real combat, 'sport' taekwondo as much of a martial art as that from which it came?

Same can be said of Judo - how many Judo practitioners out there are aware of, let alone pracise, the Judo forms?

What constitutes a martial art? Boxing maybe be an effective combat system, but should it be thought of as a martial art? Contrasted to things like Shaolin, Wu-shu, all the various types of Karate etc, it seems to lack some of the elements of self-expression that, to me anyway, lift something from a "skill" to an "art".

Anyway, enough rambling from me, you get the picture as to where I'm coming from, I'll be interested to hear any thoughts on the subject :)