Martial Arts

[Doubleshadow]

A lot of us on the forum practice a martial art of some sort, and my run of the topic through the search didn't turn up a recent thread on it, so here is a new one.

What kind of martial arts do you practice?

I do aikido, both aikikan and yoshinkan.

[Dante]

Judo, and Boken Fighting.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I like Tae Kwon Do.

[Raiden no Kishi]

I used to do a little TKD in late middle school, but I was predictably terrible at it. I wouldn't mind picking up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu one of these days, plus a little kickboxing.

.rai//

[Robin Firedrake]

I USED to like tae kwon do. That is until the instructor kicked me to the floor during sparring and kicked me BACK down before I had the slightest chance to get up. He did that repeatedly. With everyone. Including my siblings. Including the four year old.

[ich1990]

Extremely basic skill in Judo.

Unfortunately, there is not a Judo school nearby my residence.

[Shiningmonk_e]

I would really like to take a martial art someday though it'll probably be a few years before I do.

[Fantasy Dreamer]

I took Hapkido for about three months, but then things didn't work out for me to go any more. It was fun though... they showed me how to break people's arms... >:D

[Shao Feng-Li]

I have a gokyu in both Kodokanryu Judo and Danzanryu Jujitsu We also practiced some Brazilian style jujitsu and Eskrima. Our focus was actual fights, not tournament style.

[Midori]

dude...ain't nobody besides me doin' honest to goodness Karate-do anymore?

[Raiden no Kishi]

I USED to like tae kwon do. That is until the instructor kicked me to the floor during sparring and kicked me BACK down before I had the slightest chance to get up. He did that repeatedly. With everyone. Including my siblings. Including the four year old.

Well, the four-year-old is a bit overkill (four's a bit young for martial arts IMO anyways), but I'd call that good instruction.

.rai//

[Robin Firedrake]

^ If you're gonna let two year olds (Yes they were as young as two) take your class DON'T keep kicking them back down. And no I don't think it's good instructing. It's more like ticking everyone off. Every time you were able to get up just a little faster and every time he'd kick you down faster. He was basically mocking you cause every time he kicked he'd say "Come on! Faster!" Lost half of his kid students that day and hasn't done it again. But no I'm still not going back. I'm glad I got an excuse to leave. I never liked that stuff <_<

[That Dude]

Just Bokkan fighting...I think that what I'm learning would fall under the "kenjutsu" heading. Also looking into ninjutsu (there's a dojo nearby that teaches it, I just don't currently have the money to take lessons.)

[Lilac#18]

I use to practice martial arts after school back in 4th grade (I think it was jujitsu and I don't remember all the moves). Jujitsu is something I would like to practice one of these days.

[goldenspines]

Let's see, I started out in Tae Kwon Do and took that for about 2 years, then switched over to Tang Soo Do for about 4 and a half years after that(instructed for about 2 of those years). Unfortunately, I had to leave it since the intense training I was required to do every day(I was a black belt) interfered a lot with my homework time. :\
I still practice the style, but I'd really like to go back to class someday, or even learn a new style or martial arts. ^_^

[choklit]

I'm a purple belt in karate... haha, I'm no athlete, but I enjoy the challenge, and AM getting better at it.
I got attracted to it, honestly, because I loved how cool people looked, doing flips and high kicks and looking so strong and fast. ha, I sure don't look like that though ^_^ But at least I know what to do when someone tried to choke me. Which will probably be my sister eventually...

[Roz]

Tang Soo Do.

Our focus was actual fights., not tournament style

Same here.

dude...ain't nobody besides me doin' honest to goodness Karate-do anymore?

Ummm, wha......? *Roz is confused* You mean like American Karate?

^ If you're gonna let two year olds (Yes they were as young as two) take your class DON'T keep kicking them back down. And no I don't think it's good instructing. It's more like ticking everyone off. Every time you were able to get up just a little faster and every time he'd kick you down faster. He was basically mocking you cause every time he kicked he'd say "Come on! Faster!" Lost half of his kid students that day and hasn't done it again.

I'm all for a really tough, really difficult class but that sounds way outta line. Man, I'm sorry that happened to you. Makes me so mad when I hear about stories like that. I wish everyone could have had my instructor. But don't give up on it altogether! You might try to Google a Christian Martial Art in your area. I was able to do that. It's harder for an instructor to be an out and out jerk when he/she loves the Lord and is focused on him, ya know?

Rock on martial artists of CAA!
....................

P.S. Sorry that there's no name in the quotes, I'm sorry. I haven't figured out how to do that yet....:red:

[Esoteric]

Did aikido (aikikai) for two years. Loved it and was pretty good at it, but I couldn't handle the growing time/dedication required to continue. I succumbed to 'blue-belt syndrome'. How long have you been studying it Doubleshadow? What kyu/dan?

[Robin Firedrake]

You might try to Google a Christian Martial Art in your area. I was able to do that. It's harder for an instructor to be an out and out jerk when he/she loves the Lord and is focused on him, ya know?

Yeah... That's the bad part. He IS a Christian and he still does that stuff.

[Destroyer2000]

I made it to yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do, but I learend all the higher level techniques...I got bored with the slow pace, and quit, partially due to time restraints. I'd like to take something else one day, though.

[Raiden no Kishi]

^ If you're gonna let two year olds (Yes they were as young as two) take your class DON'T keep kicking them back down. And no I don't think it's good instructing. It's more like ticking everyone off. Every time you were able to get up just a little faster and every time he'd kick you down faster. He was basically mocking you cause every time he kicked he'd say "Come on! Faster!" Lost half of his kid students that day and hasn't done it again. But no I'm still not going back. I'm glad I got an excuse to leave. I never liked that stuff <_<

It's one teaching philosophy. For small children, it's overkill, and he's being ridiculous. But for older kids and especially adults, it simulates reality (you think someone's going to let you get up in a real fight?) and forces you to adapt and improvise. I think I would learn a lot from that sort of training. IT takes patience to learn that way, but it can be very useful. Obviously, his method isn't for you. That's fine. There are all sorts of martial arts instructors.

.rai//

[Roz]

Yeah... That's the bad part. He IS a Christian and he still does that stuff.

Again, I'm sorry that happened. I think people forget the Christ in Christian sometimes. Also, people that say that they are Christians don't always necessarily love the Lord

("It's harder for an instructor to be an out and out jerk when he/she loves the Lord and is focused on him, ya know?")

. Sometimes it's just a label. I would encourage you to not give it up completely though. Don't let this guy knock you out of the wonderful world of martial arts.

It's one teaching philosophy. For small children, it's overkill, and he's being ridiculous. But for older kids and especially adults, it simulates reality (you think someone's going to let you get up in a real fight?) and forces you to adapt and improvise. I think I would learn a lot from that sort of training. IT takes patience to learn that way, but it can be very useful. Obviously, his method isn't for you. That's fine. There are all sorts of martial arts instructors.

I agree that this could be an excellent teaching tool only for much older, upper belts and upper belt adults. Ones who actually might have a clue what to do about it. Trying to force them to fight and improvise at low levels would be pretty pointless I think since they haven't learned how to deal with that yet. After they get kicked down so many times they might be likely to just stay down, and then not come back to class. Some kids come to karate to learn how to deal with situations like that.

Kinda like (for inexperienced lower belts a very young children) handing them a stick of wood and telling them to make a fire without giving them the matches.

This is all IMHO.

[Midori]

You might try to Google a Christian Martial Art in your area. I was able to do that. It's harder for an instructor to be an out and out jerk when he/she loves the Lord and is focused on him, ya know?

Yes, my instructor is Catholic, and he's a really good martial arts teacher.

Here's something really cool. I saw a little video in church recently about missionaries in Korea or someplace who taught the gospel while teaching martial arts to children. I don't remember what they were called...

[Fantasy Dreamer]

That's an interesting concept, Midori. And a very good way to use your talent to spread the gospel!

[Raiden no Kishi]

I agree that this could be an excellent teaching tool only for much older, upper belts and upper belt adults. Ones who actually might have a clue what to do about it. Trying to force them to fight and improvise at low levels would be pretty pointless I think since they haven't learned how to deal with that yet. After they get kicked down so many times they might be likely to just stay down, and then not come back to class. Some kids come to karate to learn how to deal with situations like that.

Kinda like (for inexperienced lower belts a very young children) handing them a stick of wood and telling them to make a fire without giving them the matches.

This is all IMHO.

Very true. While any instructor should force you to fight to the limit of your ability (and slightly beyond to encourage growth), before a certain stage, it's only going to be frustrating. A wise teacher knows how to adapt to each student's skill level.

And yeah, everything in this discussion is going to be our respective opinions.

I think the idea of missionaries who teach martial arts is creative and interesting. That sounds like something out of a book or movie.

.rai//

[Puguni]

Yaaa, I started learning Kumdo last year. It's like...Korean kendo. There is a difference, apparently. I just started sparring. Haha, so much fun. >:D At first, I was embarrassed at having to yell when you start your match, but now I'm like ROAR. Actually, more like, AHHHUUU. Also, I have better arm muscles now! 8D

[mechana2015]

I was in karate for about 4 1/2 years of college, based in kenpo, but with external influences from several instructors including Wushu and Tae Kwon Do. If I ever go back I need a mouth guard (chipped a tooth sparring in my final test).

[Azier the Swordsman]

I practice Kendo as a hobby.

And I need a lot MORE practice. XD

[Slater]

Too many martial arts have I trained in to remember. I'm most proficient in Kajukenbo though.

One of my favorite training experiences was learning basic Sumo wrestling... it's not the most practical martial art, but it makes a fun sport to say the least.

[FireStarter2003]

Wow, way to revive an old thread, go me! (j/k) XD

Anyway, my name is Jose, and I currently train in Genbukan Ninpo Bugei, have been practicing for 3.5 yrs. I tested for, and passed, my Ninpo Taijutsu shodan test at the end of July. In addition to training, I am also an assistant instructor at my teacher's dojo.