I am trying to get in better shape. I do workout videos at home and walk a lot. Generally speaking, I have much better lower body strength than upper, but I figure having something I need to attend and be accountable for will impose a little more structure and discipline, and since there are martial arts centers all over the place, I thought I might explore that possibility.
A few things:
(1) I wear glasses. I cannot see without them and don’t own contacts, etc. I know for practice, etc that shouldn’t be a problem. But if/when it ever comes to sparring and the subsequent falling, I want to be careful.
(2) I know this sounds like a stupid thing, but some martial art training stories I see on TV, the news, etc. has the students yelling out, often in synch with the movements, and usually in another language. Are there any martial arts that don’t do this? (the yelling) I’m just the type of person who doesn’t like yelling or shouting, in groups or solo, and if this is an essential part of a certain martial art, I am automatically predisposed to not want to do it. This may seem like a pointless hangup to some, but it’s very real to me. Stamina, degrees of physical difficulty, I’m open to. Shouting, I’m not.
So, any suggestions or positive experiences that you’ve had that might lead me to some interesting possibilities?
You will probably need to get a pair of sports glasses for most martial arts. I was going to suggest Judo, but I don’t think that’s your thing. I’m not a practitioner of the softer Chinese styles, but I’d say maybe Tai Chi would be the thing for you. AFAIK, not a lot of shouting, or quick movements…or even a lot of sparring, depending on who you get as a teacher. I’ve seen old people doing Tai Chi though, and it looks fairly relaxing.
If you mean any kind of shouting, most Asian martial arts are going to involve the occasional kiai, or yell, at certain points in the kata. If you mean shouting out phrases and sentences, that’s probably pretty rare. If it’s just the latter you’re concerned about, I’d suggest Shotokan karate. It’s generally non-contact and not throw-oriented, lots of basics & short fighting techniques & kata. Most of the styles of kung fu & aikido are going to require some amount of throws and takedowns.
Fencing might also work well for you–no yelling, no throwing, and you can keep your glasses on.
Hmmm, looks like martial arts may not be a good match. Sorry to hear that, though.
I know yoga can be pretty tough, but was hoping I might have some other options as well. There’s a fencing academy down the street from my office, but it costs more than I can really afford for the time spent.
I practice a martial art for fitness. I’d recommend basing your choice more on the dojo -the particular place and people you train with- than on the style. Stop by and ask to be permitted to watch a class. Don’t be afraid to shop around for a school that provides a good fit.
Incidentally, part of the function of “Yelling” is breath control: people tend to hold their breaths when learning complicated movement and the yell insures that they exhale at least some of the time. I wouldn’t close your mind entirely to it, at least without witnessing a class.
More on the Kiai here: Kiai - Wikipedia
I don’t think they do a lot of Kiai’s in Brazilian ju-jitsu. But I’m not sure. They do a lot of randori or free-style practice though, which means you need to address the eyeglass issue.
If you are looking to build upper body strength it would probably be better to train with some type of resistance. This means to me something grappling related.
If you are open to other suggestions yoga is very good as mentioned and gymnastics is an option.
A simple way to build your upper body is a chin up bar. Pull ups in front and behind your head work your chest, back and shoulders. Change grip between narrow (biceps) and wide grips (shoulders). Grab a chair for dips. Leg lifts while hanging from the bar for your abs. This covers most of your upper body and the only grunting and screaming will be yours.
Think of ways to work your neck and lower back…
My mistake (my mind blanked between when I first read it and did the follow-up post). I’ve just never seen a school for it, but I’m sure there’s one around…
Thanks, this was interesting and helpful. I guess I classify as an “older” student so perhaps need to find one that is geared more to that age group. But yes–I’m just doing it to diversify my getting more physically fit, so am not as interested in anything competitive or self-defense-minded.
Thanks. The upper body workout I gets is mostly from free weights currently (emphasis on resistance) but there are chin-up bars near the lake where I walk. But I know different muscle groups get exercised differently based on coordinated motions so I want to diversify my workouts (and even though my lower body strength is much better, it still would benefit from some kind of yoga or martial arts, too).
Some of it may simply have to do with the earliest class I can find (I’m an early riser so am much more energized pre-dawn than any kind of class I’d attend after work).
