Ask me about martial arts!

[yeloson]

Wow, looks like my flist is doing a lot of thing ask/answer stuff lately. I've been wanting to write more about martial arts in a general way, and this seems like a good way to do it.

Background:
Things I've trained in, very briefly (about 3 months or so for each of these): Kendo, Shotokan Karate, Kajekembo, Escrima/Kali, Tai Chi, Kendo

Things I've trained in significantly (1-2 years each): Wing Chun, Muay Thai, Judo

Thing I've trained in the most (4+ years): Penjak Silat

Thing I'm just starting (2 months): Bagua

Anyway, ask questions! I don't know everything, but I've got a broad base and have a lot of experience with different schools and training methods.

Other folks with martial arts experiences, feel free to chime in on questions as well!

Comments

[troisroyaumes]

Which ones do you think are the most beginner-friendly?

This question may be a bit too broad in scope but what do you think is the main strength in each of the disciplines you've trained in?

[yeloson]

"Beginner friendly" can have a lot of different answers! Mostly it depends on what you want to get from your training (ability to fight, health, competitive ability).

For example, anyone can get started in tai chi because it scales well conditioning-wise for the very frail on up, but it has lots of intensely specific technical things about body alignment.

On the other end of the scale, Muay Thai more or less has 5 basic techniques that are easy to pick up, but it's intense on the conditioning front.

Here's the ones I feel I can say something meaningfully about in terms of strengths:

Judo: best way to learn to fall, safely. Everyone should learn the breakfalls even if you don't do martial arts.

Escrima/Kali: practical fighting techniques.

Tai Chi & Bagua: teaches you immense kinesthetic awareness, body mechanics, balance, and strength.

Wing Chun: fast close fighting, intense wrist conditioning, lots of training subtle angles for deflection

Muay Thai: simple and powerful. Hardcore conditioning.

Penjak Silat: complex, adaptive to many body types, fast and weapon based.

[colorblue]

What are the things people should look for in a teacher and particular dojo/school before deciding to join it & start training?

[yeloson]

First, know what the primary focus is for your training: combative, competitive/fitness, long term mastery?

Second, I like to look to see WHO the students are: are they all 300 lbs guys who train 4-6 hours a day? Is it folks who are a little too punchy or hyped up? Who's the oldest person there, and how is their health? Are there any women in class who AREN'T involved with a student/teacher? Are there any women teaching?

It's nice to check out a class or two and talk to the students and see who they are. And whether you can trust these people to hit you but not hurt you.

It's also good to ask about injuries. One of the biggest problems is that there are a lot of teachers who are 70% qualified- they know the techniques and can teach them, but they haven't learned who is ready for what, or how to teach all those techniques safely, and you end up with lifetime injuries like torn ligaments and bad knees.

There's also schools who pride themselves on being hardcore and they do a lot of full on sparring ALL the time, which, can be useful here and there, but overall only leads to a lot more injuries than necessary.

Finally, what does the teacher expect of you? There's a lot of old school traditions where the teacher gets abusive and overbearing and the students are expected to put up with it.

The unfortunate reality is that while martial arts may teach you to discipline your body, a lot of people don't become more mature from it- and all you end up with is someone who is egotistical and needy who ALSO knows how to hurt people.

That's all stuff I really look to avoid.

Lesser issues- does the school demand a multi-month or year long contract to study there? Do you have to buy expensive uniforms or gear in less than a month or two of study?