hi fellow AKers

I guess im going through a bit off a tough time right now, and i have been considering starting some form off martial arts. im looking for something that is as good for the mind as it is for the body. but off course self defence is a big issue.


ps. im not exactly in great shape right now slightly over weight , and quite unfit. would this be a big problem?

in my town there is classes for boxing,kickboxing,thai boxing, kung fu, karate, judo,akido and tae kwon do

any suggestions welcome

cheers guys

Do you think if your cat quits smoking around the house that might be any help? :D
Jorge

:lmao:

I'd grab a beer and rethink that, but that's just me.

Well, here is a list of the stuff I have some level of expertise in:

* Tae Kwon Do (Good for all around fitness and self-defense, but works better in tournaments than on the street. Offers little if you go to the ground, where most street encounters wind up.)

* Wing Chung Gung Fu (makes for some of the very fastest hands in the biz, but takes a long time to get to a level where street effectiveness ensues. Also, offers little if you go to the ground, where most street encounters wind up. Also, less demanding for the older or less fit types, but will help you get up to speed)

* Goshin Jitzu (This one is not for the faint of heart. It is practical stuff from the git-go, and includes good training for when you go to the ground, as usually does on the street. This is what is taught to law enforcement. I used to train with local police (including the dogs of war, if you know who they are) and border patrol. I found that this old gray rabbi is a bit more fragile than the plus-sized, younger fellows, but, with dilligence even the fragile can become rather formidable. Note: I usually had something cracked or strained while training in this style. You want to get good and effective? This is the one. You WILL learn to take a hit and keep coming, even when something cracks :( )

Rich P

I practice Urban Ninjitsu, I would tell you about it but then I would have to kill you ;)

If I was you I would do MMA (mixed martial arts) style training. It's the stuff you see in the UFC and the like. My son trained for a year at a school that was doing it here and not only did he become one bad ass kid. But he got in the most incredible shape of his life. Between the hours of grappling on the mats and all the boxing and kicking it was a hell of a workout for him. His teacher is back in town from being in UFC's the Ultimate Fighter show and has started classes again and I hope to get my son back in them soon.

hi fellow AKers

I guess im going through a bit off a tough time right now, and i have been considering starting some form off martial arts. im looking for something that is as good for the mind as it is for the body. but off course self defence is a big issue.


ps. im not exactly in great shape right now slightly over weight , and quite unfit. would this be a big problem?

in my town there is classes for boxing,kickboxing,thai boxing, kung fu, karate, judo,akido and tae kwon do

any suggestions welcome

cheers guys

With what you Have available, I'd start with Judo to begin getting into shape, and to learn to fall without hurting yourself. At first you will probably feel like you are going to keel over with some of the strength training involved. This will pass, just don't try to go past your physical limits until your body catches up. (I nearly passed out in one class in my first week, and this was 30 years ago when I was suposedly in my prime, and nearly in the best shape i'd ever been in, following 3 years of cross country and track)

Later, when you are more up to it, consider Kung Fu, Karate, or Akido. Before deciding, interview the instructor, and if possible sit in on a class or two. Most instructors teach what the demand is for. Which means most young guys want to be Chuck Norris. Litttle is taught about the inner spirt and mental discipline needed to really excel in any of the disiplines, and that's what any of these should be teaching is the discipline, not the ass kicking.

TKD. I began at 51 and am still progressing. It is a nice blend of mind / body work. Don't go into it as a hard core MA. There is room for everyones' talents.
You might also appreciate Tai Chi.

Thanks for the imput guys, i think i may have found what i am looking for its called "Shorinji Kempo" it looks to be a good mixed martial art with everything i am looking for. have a look at the link :thmbsp:

http://www.shorinji.co.uk/kempo/shorinji.html

and here is the guy who will be teaching me

http://www.shorinji.co.uk/bmth/sensei.html

big fan of jujitsu/ninjutsu styles, and i'm also pretty overweight, but i'm in half-decent shape, and its a hell of a run for the money.

Seriously tho keep in mind that most of these "self - defense" martial arts are useless in a real fight. Karate, Tae Kwan Do, Judo. Most of these are taught nowadays by folks out to make money. If you are doing it for fun and fitness that is great but don't believe it will help you in real world situations.

Watch Pride or UFC, the first UFC proved how useless most Martial Arts truly are for real fighting. They look good in movies and work well in kick boxing but in real no holds barred fighting uh uh. MMA is truly the best you can do for both a workout, grappling is just grueling, and for real world "being able to handle yourself"