Ever since I was a boy I've wanted to take martial arts

[WatchYourStep]

Now I think I actually will.

I was thinking Tai Chi is the right one for me. I'm not allowed to put too much strain on my spine, so that rules out more aggressive styles like ninjutsu. Anybody on here actually practice any martial arts? Do you like it?

[collige]

TAEKWONDO BWOY!

I've been doing it for almost 5 years now. It's the shit. And as someone with a history of back pain, I can safely say that it's not dangerous. Almost everything is done standing up.

[WhosZena]

I love the whole idea of martial arts, its a great thing to get into. Very self controlled sport/art.
I wanted to start learning Qi, it fascinated me how much you can control your body energy.. Amazing stuff.
I also wanted to start learning 'Dim Mach' (it even sounds scary) In case I ever got mugged but apparently its too dangerous.

[firky]

Dim mach is killing someone with a single punch, aye?

[WhosZena]

Dim mach is killing someone with a single punch, aye?

Pretty much, its using certain pressure points to disable someones nervous system which could result in death.

[helix]

Tang Soo Do, 1st Dan black belt. I haven't practiced lately, but it's really fucking fun, gives you self-control, and helps you stay in shape.


And you get to kick people in the head.

[sanjion]

At age 12, I started Tae Kwon Do.. after that, at 18 moved to Wado Ryu Karate... then I did nothing from 20 or so onwards until I was about 28 when I started learning Shaolin Five Animals but it was crap, and I think basically not genuine.

When I moved to Bali, Indonesia I started Tai Chi but it was basically just to kill time until I found a Wing Chun Kung Fu instructor. Wing Chun is a style I wanted to try my whole life, and finally have. Been learning that since. It's very good, and I'd recommend it. There's no spinning, no kicking (high) and it's all keeping the spine straight, protecting the center line. Lots of straight punching, blocking, grappling and using the Wooden Dummy. I would really suggest this, or another internal Martial Art rather than anything external. Very good in general for your health, attitude, breathing and circulation. As well as a useful tool for self-defence or at least avoiding nasty situations.

The most important thing, regardless of what you learn, is that you find a good teacher. A good teacher is the difference between a worthwhile experience and one that is just a waste of time. A good teacher won't have an attitude problem, won't bullshit you about "hidden techniques" (cos there aren't any).. and will teach you EVERYTHING that he knows himself, for your benefit, not his. If you find a good teacher, stick with him for as long as you possibly can. And do everything he tells you. And don't make out that you know anything about what he's telling you before he's told you. Because you don't, and it just hampers your progress.

Hope that helps a little.

[sanjion]

Tang Soo Do, 1st Dan black belt. I haven't practiced lately, but it's really fucking fun, gives you self-control, and helps you stay in shape.


And you get to kick people in the head.

Tried some Tang Soo Do once at a Mixed Martial Arts seminar out in Redhill, and was really impressed.

[helix]

Tang Soo Do, 1st Dan black belt. I haven't practiced lately, but it's really fucking fun, gives you self-control, and helps you stay in shape.


And you get to kick people in the head.

Tried some Tang Soo Do once at a Mixed Martial Arts seminar out in Redhill, and was really impressed.

Yeah, my master was a natural teacher AND he was good with kids. A lot of us got started early, and he's a bit of a father figure to us.

[2manynoobs]

you were a girl once?

[helix]

you were a girl once?

He was a boy. Now he is (alright it's debatable) a man.

[hayze99]

[finji]

anyone do Jujitsu? i wanna learn, whats it like?

[Motorway to Roswell]

I did shotokan karate for a few years. Was good fun.

[upstateface]

anyone do Jujitsu? i wanna learn, whats it like?

I did jiu jitsu ,it's all grappling and very nice if you have a good teacher like i do. VERY technical. I only do muay thai now and i'm gonna start doing kali later this year.

[WatchYourStep]

At age 12, I started Tae Kwon Do.. after that, at 18 moved to Wado Ryu Karate... then I did nothing from 20 or so onwards until I was about 28 when I started learning Shaolin Five Animals but it was crap, and I think basically not genuine.

When I moved to Bali, Indonesia I started Tai Chi but it was basically just to kill time until I found a Wing Chun Kung Fu instructor. Wing Chun is a style I wanted to try my whole life, and finally have. Been learning that since. It's very good, and I'd recommend it. There's no spinning, no kicking (high) and it's all keeping the spine straight, protecting the center line. Lots of straight punching, blocking, grappling and using the Wooden Dummy. I would really suggest this, or another internal Martial Art rather than anything external. Very good in general for your health, attitude, breathing and circulation. As well as a useful tool for self-defence or at least avoiding nasty situations.

The most important thing, regardless of what you learn, is that you find a good teacher. A good teacher is the difference between a worthwhile experience and one that is just a waste of time. A good teacher won't have an attitude problem, won't bullshit you about "hidden techniques" (cos there aren't any).. and will teach you EVERYTHING that he knows himself, for your benefit, not his. If you find a good teacher, stick with him for as long as you possibly can. And do everything he tells you. And don't make out that you know anything about what he's telling you before he's told you. Because you don't, and it just hampers your progress.

Hope that helps a little.

Hmmm, sounds like wise advice. I have a QQ 4 U: should I start on Wing Chun, or start on taekwondo like you and collige did? There's apparently a place that teaches Wing Chun 16 minutes from my house.

[upstateface]

At age 12, I started Tae Kwon Do.. after that, at 18 moved to Wado Ryu Karate... then I did nothing from 20 or so onwards until I was about 28 when I started learning Shaolin Five Animals but it was crap, and I think basically not genuine.

When I moved to Bali, Indonesia I started Tai Chi but it was basically just to kill time until I found a Wing Chun Kung Fu instructor. Wing Chun is a style I wanted to try my whole life, and finally have. Been learning that since. It's very good, and I'd recommend it. There's no spinning, no kicking (high) and it's all keeping the spine straight, protecting the center line. Lots of straight punching, blocking, grappling and using the Wooden Dummy. I would really suggest this, or another internal Martial Art rather than anything external. Very good in general for your health, attitude, breathing and circulation. As well as a useful tool for self-defence or at least avoiding nasty situations.

The most important thing, regardless of what you learn, is that you find a good teacher. A good teacher is the difference between a worthwhile experience and one that is just a waste of time. A good teacher won't have an attitude problem, won't bullshit you about "hidden techniques" (cos there aren't any).. and will teach you EVERYTHING that he knows himself, for your benefit, not his. If you find a good teacher, stick with him for as long as you possibly can. And do everything he tells you. And don't make out that you know anything about what he's telling you before he's told you. Because you don't, and it just hampers your progress.

Hope that helps a little.

Hmmm, sounds like wise advice. I have a QQ 4 U: should I start on Wing Chun, or start on taekwondo like you and collige did? There's apparently a place that teaches Wing Chun 16 minutes from my house.

I've heard great things about wing chun. See if you can do like a one week trial or something for each then pick which one you like better.

[sanjion]

They say it should be taught to an empty vessel. I regret having done anything before. Although I had experience, my body was trying to do things instinctively due to it's training that Wing Chun was telling it not to do. The standard ways of punching/blocking, reacting.. and the muscles we use in external martial arts are completely different to Wing Chun or other internal martial arts.

I would start with Wing Chun, and stick at it, rather than learn anything else before. You'll only increase your learning curve. If there's one near your house, you're truly blessed. Took me half my life to find a decent instructor. Just make sure they have wooden dummies at the school, and it's well equipped. If it's just a gym/school hall, ask if the instructor has access to a dummy, and can you see one sometime? They are essential to the training. You CANNOT learn Wing Chun without it. If they have a website, please PM it to me and I'll check it out and give you my humble opinion.



A good instructor should ask you when you first go why you want to learn, etc. and have a little "interview" with you. It's a really good sign if he does, and he should also be very open about what he teaches, exactly. Ask questions. If he proclaims not to teach certain "dangerous" or "hidden" techniques, don't bother with it. The guy's a fake in this case (and there are LOTS of them). The last sequence of Wing Chun is called the "Plum Flower Fist" and is lethal. But every good instructor HAS to teach it to you. It just takes years to get to that point.

And wise indeed is the man who asks someone with 24yrs martial arts experience if they used to be a girl.

Oh yeah, large ups the man who wants to learn Kali. My Wing Chun sifu actually combines Eskrima with our Wing Chun Butterfly swords and knife fighting. Very cool.

[helix]

And wise indeed is the man who asks someone with 24yrs martial arts experience if they used to be a girl.

Nice one.

[Pedro Sánchez]

I would start with Wing Chun, and stick at it, rather than learn anything else before.