Can i do martial arts?

Question

well id love to do martial arts but the only problem is my CP in which i have it mild with it affecting one leg(my right) but the rest of my body is fine and was wondering if i can do bujinkan and looks pretty awesome but not sure if im able to do it. im 17 and was wondering if would be too late and can it be street effective?

are there any bujinkan dojos in los angeles that are authentic and just "mcdojos" for if they have any relation to hatsumi or the lineage. please some serious answers and no bs. thank you

Answer 1

Hi.

You most certainly can, even someone in a wheel chair could do martial arts.  Also it is never too late to start martial arts training; some people start in their 50s or even 60s.

I of course don't know what you can and can't to with your right leg but Bujinkan seems like it may be a little bit of a tall order for you, in and of itself that is.  If you find a school that teaches Bujinkan (which I am regretfully unable to help you with) and they are willing and able to work around your condition then go for it.  Just don't be disappointed if you can't do everything that most everyone else can, a good school will do their best but they can only do so much.  Then again, I don't know anything about your condition except what you included in your question so I don't know; you should be a better judge of what you can do than I.  Who knows, maybe you won't be inhibited at all.

I don't know too much about the street effectiveness of Bujinkan.  Every style has techniques that can be street effective, however it is up to the individual school and it's instructors as to how much this is emphasized.  You'll need to ask the instructors at whatever school you find what kind of emphasis they place on street combat/self defense.  Ask to sit in on a class to watch or take advantage of any introductory classes they might have to see if what they do is what you are looking for.

If you can't find a good Bujinkan school to train in then you may consider some other styles.  Again, I don't know the full extent of your CP but it sounds like the only thing is that your kicking and leg work might not be 100%.  If this is the case then I would stay away from Styles like Tae Kwon Do where the emphasis is kicking.  

Wing Chun, a form of Kung Fu, is a good option, they use mostly hands and only a few kicks which are usually low (usually to your opponent’s legs).

Aikido also sounds like it might work well for you, it is a very smooth and flowing style that's underlying principles include using your opponents (kinetic) energy against them.  Throws and joint locks are used often.

Kenpo Karate is a very well rounded, versatile, self defense based system.  In my style, Chinese Kenpo Karate, I happen to know for fact that the instructors can work with you any way you need and at your own pace as private lessons are the primary method of instruction.  It uses mostly stand up combat but often uses Jujitsu throws, take downs, joint locks, etc...  However you rarely follow your attacker to the ground like you would in pure Jujitsu so you avoid the risks of using it when facing multiple attackers.  Basically in Jujitsu, if you use it against someone and tangle yourself up with them on the ground to subdue them and they have a friend close by you will get your face stomped in.  Anyway, if you’re interested, look for a Tracy's Karate Studio or if you can't find one in your area look for one of its sister styles like American Kenpo or Shaolin Kenpo.

So there are a few options for you to start with if you can't find a good Bujinkan school.

I hope this helps and good luck finding a school :)

Answer 2

Absolutely you can.  Talk to the head instructor, and if he's not a jerk you should be able to study there.  

Sorry I can't help you with actual dojos names or locations, but  if you're physically able to take the class and learn the art, do it!

Answer 3

yeah sure. everyone should get the chance too do it. when you ring up asking for a place ask about your leg and would it be possible too do it an im 98% sure theyd sayy yes if they say no then find somewhere else!