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Discussions About Being Bald => General Discussion => Topic started by: Nick912 on May 09, 2008, 07:22:45 PM

Title: Martial Arts?
Post by: Nick912 on May 09, 2008, 07:22:45 PM
Anyone do any sort of Martial Arts? I would really like to start taking one. I dont know which one yet though. I want something that is useful. Not just alot of showy stuff. I was thinking about Krav Maga or something.

If you guys know something about martial arts and have some suggestions fire away!
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: no1birdman on May 10, 2008, 10:55:59 AM
Hi, done a few over the years, but the best in my opinion is judo, you can put enyone on the floor no matter how big or strong.Nice and easy to learn . if u find a good instructer.My dad was a unarmed combat instructer in the army so i learnt a lot early and my uncle fought for the world flyghtweight  champion ship of the world, so i had good teachers.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: buddha on May 10, 2008, 01:36:38 PM
Over the years I have been involved in a few: Tae Kwon Do, Goju Ryu Karate, and Aikido. I have also researched a number of them and from what I have read Krav Maga would make the most sense to me if I were looking for an art to use in combat. Krav Maga was devised for the Israeli Defense Forces and utilizes a person's natural responses to stimuli for defense and attack. It incorporates throws from Judo, ground fighting as in BJJ, kicks and punches from Karate/Boxing, and teaches how to engage multiple attackers. From what I have seen they throw heavy leather as a student becomes advanced so that, unlike most karate/tae kwon do schools, you know what it feels like to get hit and in a real situation you are not bothered as much by it. No forms/katas that I know of, strictly combat preparation.
If you want to watch a movie where Krav Maga is used check out "Enough" with J Lo. She does quite a nice job using Krav Maga on an abusive ex-husband.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: nomad on May 10, 2008, 07:18:21 PM
Unless your looking for the disapline and all the culture that comes with oriental arts, I would look at a MMA/ Jiu-jitsu style school. Its street fighing at its best. The krav maga is awesome as well
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: Sgt. Pate on May 10, 2008, 08:02:41 PM
If I were to start a Martial Art it would definitely be Krav Maga.  There's a disciple with contemporary practical application!  O0
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: tomgallagher on May 10, 2008, 08:07:13 PM
Why does everybody rave about Krav Maga. U can only do so much with hand to hand combat.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: nomad on May 10, 2008, 10:07:06 PM
Why does everybody rave about Krav Maga. U can only do so much with hand to hand combat.

sometimes its all you've got and if you don't know $h!t your done.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: JDog on May 11, 2008, 03:47:47 AM
Over the years I have been involved in a few: Tae Kwon Do, Goju Ryu Karate, and Aikido. I have also researched a number of them and from what I have read Krav Maga would make the most sense to me if I were looking for an art to use in combat. Krav Maga was devised for the Israeli Defense Forces and utilizes a person's natural responses to stimuli for defense and attack. It incorporates throws from Judo, ground fighting as in BJJ, kicks and punches from Karate/Boxing, and teaches how to engage multiple attackers. From what I have seen they throw heavy leather as a student becomes advanced so that, unlike most karate/tae kwon do schools, you know what it feels like to get hit and in a real situation you are not bothered as much by it. No forms/katas that I know of, strictly combat preparation.
If you want to watch a movie where Krav Maga is used check out "Enough" with J Lo. She does quite a nice job using Krav Maga on an abusive ex-husband.

A very good friend of mine is a Senior Krav Maga instructor. I've have taken a few classes with him and it is incredible self-defence technique. He is currently living LA and working as an instructor there.

A lot of law enforcement agencies throughout the USA and Europe send their officers to Krav Maga classes.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: Vash on May 11, 2008, 05:57:17 AM
Krav Maga is a very practical and useful system but I recommend an Arnis/Escrima class if you can find an instructor. Arnis Philippine martial art based in stick fighting, but it encorparates a lot of everyday items as weapons including belts, umbrellas, rolled up magazines/newspapers etc. In almost ANY situation an armed combatant has advantage over an unarmed one and Arnis is a great way to be armed at almost all times.

Krav Maga is great for unarmed discipline, but there are different schools of thought on it. Most Krav Maga in the states is a more "self defense" reactionary style, while the more aggressive styles (as developed and used by the Israeli military as anti-terrorist techniques) are a bit less practical and much more pain based.

A good MMA gym is a great way to get started in martial arts. In a typical regimen  you get some western boxing, kick boxing, Judo and submission (joint locks and holds) all rolled into one smooth style. Very handy and quite practical.

Just my two cents....
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: tomgallagher on May 11, 2008, 09:05:51 AM
All I am trying to say is that there are only so many ways you can use your hands and feet. Judo, karate, kung fu, krav maga, jujitsu, etc etc etc. It seems to boil down to the flavor of the Day so to speak. 
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: Jay on May 11, 2008, 09:46:40 AM
Why does everybody rave about Krav Maga. U can only do so much with hand to hand combat.


you can only do so much if you are not carrying.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: Nick912 on May 11, 2008, 03:05:49 PM
this is great guys. thanks! There is a Krav Maga studio in Little Rock that I will call and see about. I am excited to learn this.

http://www.arkravmaga.com/main.htm
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: skiking on May 11, 2008, 06:39:33 PM
I only practice ching chang bang.

not much of a martial art.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: WannaBePadre on May 11, 2008, 09:29:16 PM
I've been through a bunch of 'em since college ... Taekwondo, Tangsoodo, Judo, Aikido ... and for the last few years Taijiquan. Since I took up school again, I dropped most every kind of exercise but walking. I'm thinking of starting up Taijiquan again ... never too old :-)
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: PBurke on May 11, 2008, 09:41:53 PM
I've been through a bunch of 'em since college ... Taekwondo, Tangsoodo, Judo, Aikido ... and for the last few years Taijiquan. Since I took up school again, I dropped most every kind of exercise but walking. I'm thinking of starting up Taijiquan again ... never too old :-)


wow :o   he can kick your butt then pray for you to heal quickly.  j/k kidding padre.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: tomgallagher on May 12, 2008, 09:32:52 AM
I practice Smith & Wesson myself.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: Sgt. Pate on May 12, 2008, 09:40:05 AM
I practice Smith & Wesson myself.

That's a good supplement to any MA.  O0  I also like to add a little SIG Sauer myself!  ;D

(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi25.tinypic.com%2Fiodceu.jpg&hash=9d2964d17a3ac91b77433dfabf9c0546b1005034)
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: zzaapp on May 13, 2008, 09:07:27 PM
I have mainly been involved with Shotokan Karate and Ryu Kyu Kobudo (traditional Okinawan weapons). 

From time to time, our instructor would bring in guest instructors to give us a little exposure to other arts.  I have carpal tunnel syndrome, so I found Judo would be a very bad idea for me since it requires a lot of wrist flexibility.  Karate, on the other hand, is all compression on the wrist, and I can handle that.

It's not so much "flavor of the day", it's finding something that can work for you.  Each art has something you can take with you if you have an open mind.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: TheTrucker on May 18, 2008, 08:03:39 AM
My father started me in Judo when I was a little kid, and I've studied various schools of martial arts throughout my life. Any form of martial arts training is useful, but many schools are geared more towards competition than practical application.

The primary point of any of them is learning the techniques and muscle memory training so that the various techniques become reflexive. If you have to think about it, it's already too late.

Self discipline is also an important aspect with any school. It's always better to walk away when possible and fighting is a last resort measure.
Title: Re: Martial Arts?
Post by: StumpyDave on May 21, 2008, 02:29:48 AM
I think the best form of defense is to be somewhere else.  Martial Art training is great, but you only have to get unlucky once in a fight.
I've studied Lau Gar Kung Fu and Kick Boxing for some time.  I've given up the competitive stuff now as my instructor very kindly pointed out "You're too old".

I would say find a class that runs on days that is convenient for you.  Go and have a look and talk to people to see if you like it.  A decent class/instructor will probably let you pay as you go for a few lessons and will let you just watch to see what it is all about. 
If they demand a huge sign up fee and that you buy all the gear immediately be wary.  There's too many McDojo's out there that just want your money.
If you join a club that is a chore to get to you're more likely to give up when other things get in the way (work, family, winter weather).  Likewise if you don't have fun when you're there. 

Check out MartialArtsPlanet.com for information about all sorts of styles and instructors.