Martial Arts Help...?

Question

I'm planning on beginning martial arts lessons, but first I need to find a school that teaches a style I may be intrested in...

I am hoping to find a style fit for my body type that will help me get in shape, and though I don't have fantastial expectations for the martial arts world, I do hope to find something I can dedicate myself to long term that will overally grow more impressive over time... Something... cool, if that makes any sense. Something that suits my liking; I really need to get myself into a sport at this point.

To give you an idea of my body type, I'm five foot, 6 inches and weigh somewhere between 147-150 (There's no scale around right now...)

So I'm not quite slender, but I'm not overweight. For my undisclosed age, I am TALL. I'm not amazingly flexible but with some work and a little weight loss I'm sure I can pull it off.

Any ideas about what style might keep me intrested for a long time and suit my body type at the same time??

Answer 1

karate training can be stiill done and even at home. Try this http://www.martialarm.com/shop/

Answer 2

Ung_Phyl what are you smoking? TKD was actually developed using traditional korean technowues and japanese karate. if anything it is an imitation of karate, not the other wy around. Where the f*** do you people get this stuff?

That being said TKD if taught well is an excellent style, as is any Martial Art.

Not to be rude but did you vere think of using the search feature? 14. 800 questions similiar to yours, I see it at least 3 times a day.

http://answers.yahoo.com/search/search_r...

Answer 3

first off...taekwondo is literally a ripoff of karate...not the other way around, this is a historical fact. and it's forms are not less perfected just different and more practical. most taekwondo forms are just for show with no practical application. (in other words there is little reason for doing them)

it depends on what you want...if you want a sport, a traditional wholistic martial art, a self defense art, or just a health art.

any and every martial art is good for you health wise.

the thing is, first of all you have to find out what is available within an acceptable driving distance from where you are. thats the first thing. list them, and try them out, any good school and most bad ones will give you a free class to try it out. ask lots of questions and compare. talk to the instructors, they are usually honest, tell them your goals, and again, ask questions.

choose the one you like best, that has the best teacher, having a good teacher is very very important. also ask about training fee's...contracts (dont sign any)

next you would ask about the characteristics of the art, if you are aging and/or don't want to get into a "firefight" high octane sport, then stay away from wrestling, judo, and kickboxing, muay thai.

tkd is good for health, flexibility, and is usually tip tap, no, or little bodily contact. whereas judo, wrestling, jujutsu, hapkido...are very hands on martial arts. especially judo, jujutsu and wrestling...ask yourself if you want to roll around with a bunch of sweaty smelly guys, having your face buried in areas of the human anatomy that no sane person would enjoy.

roughly there are to me only a few varieties of martial arts:

striking arts...these concentrate on punching and kicking, possibly elbow and knee strikes as well. some are sport. some are fighting, some are self defense. good examples are japanese karate (not okinawan, okinawan has alot more grappling and locking than japanese karate) kickboxing, kempo, wing chun, and boxing. this list is not comprehensive by any means, and a striking art sometimes does have other elements of grappling, and joint locks too. it just isnt their main focus.

grappling arts concentrate on wrestling, joint locking, and throwing (takedowns)....these arts include brazilian jujutsu, sambo (russian judo basically) judo, wrestling, shuai chiao (chinese "judo")  they include throws/takedowns, clinching, and groundfighting/submissions. but little or no striking (you wont get punched in the face)

some arts combine the two, and some arts have more than one 'version'

good example sambo and brazilian jujutsu both have 3 versions 1 street fighting/self defense 2 sport grappling (no striking) 3 full contact "mma" type fighting in a cage with rules.

these arts generally contain all types of techniques, punching, kicking, knees and elbows, grappling, takedowns, joint locks, chokes, and ground defenses.

some are traditional, such as japanese jujutsu, and hapkido, which both contain all ranged of techniques, but not geared for sport.

some are more modern. the modern arts get down to the point, and teach you fighting/defense. traditional arts can do that too, but it takes much longer because the process is slower (which you said you wanted)  and it is more wholistic, in that it teaches, history, philosophy, and developes not only your body, but your mind and spirit as well.

that isnt to say that all traditional arts take the long way around the barn either. some arts such as  jujutsu, judo, hapkido, wing chun are faster and easier to learn (and apply) than say karate or other kung fu styles that make you learn a bunch of forms before getting to anything practical. but are still interesting enough to study for a lifetime.

you have modern self defense arts, such as krav maga, jeet kune do, chu fen do, hocks cqc, and various other eclectic military/police styles that are just about fighting/self defense with no "bs" no trophy's or points, no sport.

some are yet mixes of these various things...such as vee arnis jutsu...is a blend of traditional and modern with an emphasis on self defense, and an equally strong emphasis on NOT FIGHTING (there is a big difference)

personally i respect them all, and respect all aproaches.

if you want the best of everything, look into hapkido, it is traditional, it is and has always been eclectic, it is intriguing, and has every manner of techniques and strategies, it always has, and always will.

it is easy to learn, yet still challenging. it is like learning the kicks and strikes of taekwondo and karate, along with the throws and takedowns of judo/jujutsu and aikijujutsu, the standing joint locks and chokes of jujutsu, kung fu, aikijujutsu, and the groundfighting defenses of judo/jujutsu (though not usually as in depth at groundwork as judo/sambo/brazilian jujutsu..which is largely because groundfighting in the street can be quite stupid...even suicidal).....once you get into it...you'll realize sambo, brazilian jujutsu, judo, hapkido....they all come from the same source, they are but different interpretations of the same basic idea and art...jujutsu of japan.

the whole idea of all these arts is "ju" which means to yeild to force rather than opposing it directly. picture a sturdy tree, as snow falls on the branches and builds up, the branches resist, and try to hold the weight of the snow...pack on enough snow and the branches will break. now picture a willow tree, as the snow falls on the branches, they give way and let the snow fall off and remain unharmed.

likewise you can view a bull charging right at you....you can either a: stand there and get run over, and fight the bulls force directly...or b: get the h**l out the way!! thereby letting the bull go by, and thus with no effort you avoided injury.

basic outline

1 what is available, how far, how much

2 what are your goals, and which art that is available fulfills those goals the best

3 which one has the best teacher

4 which one did you enjoy the most

hope that helps, if i can help further let me know

Answer 4

BJJ might be the MA for you.

Answer 5

I'd really recommend taekwondo. There are many kicks and patterns and forms and stances involved that i believe you will excel at. It keeps your body in shape and over a long preiod of time, will make you fit , solid and strong.

I dont recommend kungfu, because they would make you bend your knees with your butt not touching the floor for 1 hour!! But you can go to it if your interested in animal forms and animal stances...

karate has less prefected forms of patterns and kicks. its almost like a copy cat of taekwondo, so i wouldnt recommend that. But if your interested in weapons and sticks (bos) you can go there.

But if youre more of a gymnist, you can take capoeira, a brazilian martial arts with many flips, handstands, cartwheels.

Answer 6

I've done Tea kwon do for 3 years.  Its really fun.  Its a great way to get in shape.  You don't have to worry about your size or your height because if you find a good school, they should teach you how to fight best  for your body type.  I learn something new every time I go to class.  If you really want to learn, don't go for the easy class.  What I mean is, Don't go to a class that gives you the next rank every 2 months whether you are ready or not.  I have to wait 6 months for my next test, but that's OK, because when I get my new belt, I will know that I deserve it.    Hope I helped!

Answer 7

To be honest, no one can rlly tell you what's suitable for you or what might you be interested in. You should be the one to find out. My suggestion is, go around your area, check out different stlyes and schools of martial arts. When the suitable one comes up, you will know.

Although, according to your description of being tall and flexible, taekwondo is a good choice. You will learn to use your long and flexible legs to its best. In addition, taekwondo is a great sport for getting fit. It is really fun and easier to pick up.

If you're looking for more of a life style, i would suggest karate. It will teach you to use your hands and legs to it's best, and when you train your weight into muscle weight, you will develop incredible strength. In addition, Japanese karate focuses A LOT on discipline. It is not just a sport and martial art, it is truly a philosophy, and a way of life. The only thing about karate is that it requires a lot of time and energy to perfect form. FORMS ARE VERY IMPORTANT in karate. So yeah, it can get boring at times if you don't have full interest.

Anyways, what's important is that you need to make sure the class you join is legit. LOOK AROUND AND BE CAREFUL! THERE ARE A LOT OF RIP OFFS.

GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 8

Body type makes no difference. All humans move the same way. If you're husky, every martial art there is an opportunity to use that assist, if you're lanky there is an opportunity in every martial art for you to use that assist. makes no difference.

Find a style not that "fits" you, but one you enjoy studying, no matter how corny it is. It's only when you enjoy it will you become proficient in it.