Martial Arts

[ChildofGallifrey]

Realizing that I have a spectacular lack of a social life, and tired of sitting alone in my tiny basement apartment from 2 pm until I go to sleep, I'm trying to find something else to do with my time, and I really think I'd like to study a martial art. Right now I'm leaning towards Jeet Kune Do (for several reasons, yes, one of them is because of Bruce Lee).

To any Escapists who study martial arts, what do you study and why? What do you feel is an interesting style to practice? Anyone in the Manhattan area are welcome to give suggestions of schools you like/train at. Thank you all!

 

[twistedmic]

I used to take Tae-Kwon-Do when I was younger (about fourteen years ago) and I started lessons because I thought it would be interesting.
I've recently thought about studying another style of martial arts and I'm thinking about Muy Thai kick-boxing or a general mixed-martial arts type thing.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

I learned a bit of Karate. My rank was a yellow belt, and anyone familiar with the system knows that that isn't very high. Still, it was fun. I find I'm more suited toward re-direction, grabs and throws, and general speed combat though, so I've always wanted to learn Judo. I think it's Judo, right?

 

[Kesimir]

I recommend Krav Maga for purely street-fighting utilitarianism. If you want to learn to dance take a Salsa class at the Y. Jeet Kun Do is probably the best alternative, Bruce Lee designed it after being disappointed with the utter uselessness of the more traditional martial arts in realistic situations. Also, Judo is usually essential for a well balanced fighter. If you can find a MMA class in your city- and you probably can, they are cropping up everywhere: give that a try, I bet you'll love it!

 

[ajofflight]

From when I was about 8, until I was 15, I took Karate lessons from a Local teacher. As for right now, a couple of my buddies and I play a lot of Wii fit. That totally counts as being lazy exercise, right? Rhythm Kung-Fu anyone?

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I've never taken any but I've always wanted to. 12 year procrastination streak is still going strong!

 

[Sovereignty]

Tae Kwan Do was my favorite. Least one that demands super-life changes. Offers moral and social support... And offers you a great work out you just generally feel better after.

Some of the others are just too intrusive or filled with too much "extra" stuff that is just a time waster.

 

[olicon]

My only advise is if you're not into hurting yourself, avoid kick boxing/muaythai like the plague. It's centered around taking hits, while ditching out more. If you think chopping some boards hurts, you've never kicked a banana tree.

If you're just looking for something fun, physical (and not quite geeky) to do, then I would also recommend taking up break dancing or Capoera. At least you can show off to people and feel good about yourself once you've mastered it. I do think you have a much greater chance at hurting yourself with those though. I don't think I know a single break dancer who doesn't have a broken bone or two.

Or if all of this takes too much effort, free running or even jogging can be immensely rewarding. When you sprint past that "wall", it's the best high in the world.

 

[stinkyrobot]

Anything that has sparring and aliveness. Muay thai, wrestling, bjj, judo, boxing, kyokushin karate(and it's of shoots), savate, sanda ect. If you want to do jeet kune do be wary, because it was more a set of concepts then an actual formal style, and as such can range from MMA, but we really, really like Bruce Lee to some of the worst tippy tappy compliant stuff around.

 

[TWRule]

I'm doing some Hapkido right now and it's pretty fun/easy. I would do Jeet Kune Do if I had the chance, but otherwise I tend to stay to the "soft" martial arts like Hapkido, Aikido, etc. It depends on how practical you want and how "hard" (as in direct contact) a style you'd prefer.

 

[bushwhacker2k]

I highly recommend Kenpo, whether it be Chinese Kenpo or American Kenpo. From what I've seen it is one of the most practical martial arts, if not, THE most practical.

I've been taking it for 7 years or so now and I doubt any other martial art would give me what it has given me.

 

[TonyVonTonyus]

It trained in Karate for six years. I did it mainly because I liked Bruce Lee and I was a very influenciable child. I stayed because I was doing something worth while. It occupies your time and it teaches you something useful...how to puncture people's throats and take them down in six different ways. ALthough it also teaches you discipline and the other virtues that warriors carry with them,Bushido.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

I am a Grandmaster in the fine martial art of 'Kicktothegroin'. It really strengthens your thigh muscles, while giving a whole lower body workout, and is the only fighting move you will ever need.

On a more serious note if you just want to learn a martial art in order to get a bit fitter in your free time you need to work out how much time you want to devote to it. If it is just a few hours a week or month you may be better just taking up jogging, and buying a few dumbbells. Does a martial art require paying for weekly training sessions at gyms and gear and stuff. Jogging and weights may be a better alternative, even just to get into the groove of being active before you start.

 

[Reaper195]

I did Wing Chun from as early as I can remember until a couple of years ago (Am currently 21) when my teacher had to move elsewhere (Other side of country) to take care of dementiaed (Yeah, I said it!) sister.

 

[Tsunimo]

I'm taking Aikido currently, however I am also interested in Kendo , although I'm not sure if it is a martial art so much as a sport?

 

[superbatranger]

Well, I used to practice Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and Aikido when I was younger. But, I had to stop for various reasons.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

Fencing is good as it offers regular competition and doesn't maintain any real pretensions of utility.

 

[Nouw]

Did Tae Kwon Do and it made me the person I am today.

It makes you harder, better, faster, stronger fitter, more flexible (used to be able to touch my toes while standing straight) and stronger!

I'd definitely recommend it.

 

[Kushin]

I'm taking Aikido currently, however I am also interested in Kendo , although I'm not sure if it is a martial art so much as a sport?

Oh, it's definitely a martial art. If you told my sensei that, he would be the one chasing around the dojo

I take kendo at Uni and it's a whole bunch of fun. Gradually getting us into armor instead of doing it at the first lessons so we got used to it, having the cuts, drills and kata drilled into us over the months until last week (for the first time) we put the damn helmets on and started whacking the crap out of each other.

 

[Dectomax]

Ninjutsu...if only to be able to scream "I'm a fucking Ninja dude!!"