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.