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…”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
