Taking up a martial art.

K

kimyenchu

Cathlete
Hello everyone,
I have been contemplating martial arts for a while. In the beginning I thought karate was great for displine, good manners, physical endurance etc. However, I have met and went to a forum for a particular style of karate that I was interested in and I can tell you opinion has changed dramatically.

I have found that people who do karate or a particular martial art have a very agressive personality - they love fighting. I was afraid of adopting this attitude if I continue with martial arts for too long. I don't find them particularly intelligent either when it comes to understanding the philosophy of martial arts. In my opinion, most of these people like to show off more than anything and they love to brag about their martial arts.

I liked the idea of martial arts because the movements are very dynamic and flexible. However, compare to yoga martial arts does not help you with flexibility.

I can't decide whether I should continue with my martial art or just concerntrate on yoga and do Cathe workouts.

The disadvantage of martial arts is that I would have to reduce my yoga to 1-2 days a week and maybe one day of Cathe and 2 days of the martial arts; I lose out a bit on flexibility; I have to travel to the training place. The advantage is that I can get out of the house and meet people with similar interests (it's very lonely exercising to Cathe), I learn to use my body in a different way, I have a new skill.

I would like your thoughts on this.
 
Kim, I say go for it. Is there another group that represents the same kind of martial art you're interested in? Maybe you've just met the wrong people. Maybe there are more out there you haven't met yet and love martial arts for the same reasons you do. Just a thought... Karate is a discipline first and foremost, not a stepping stone to violence. Even Jackie Chan says that.:) Seriously, he said in an interview once (done by a kid on the Cartoon Network) that karate is NOT about fighting. It COULD BE about self-defense, but it is really all about discipline, respect, balance, fitness. I'm glad he said that in a venue for kids especially because kids are so impressionable.

Just go for it, go for it, go for it! I wanted to study martial arts as a kid but since I'm the only daughter in a brood of four, my mom wanted to keep me as feminine as possible. What she didn't know was that when her back was turned, my brothers would put on their boxing gloves on me and teach me how to box. The most important lesson I learned in my youth was how to knee a boy in the groin. I still remember my brother saying, "Pinky, if ever you're bullied in the playground, this is what you should do..."

Keep looking for a place where you can fit in. Maybe I'm naive, but surely there are still people out there who don't see martial arts simply as a means to fight.

Good luck,
Pinky
 
>
>I have found that people who do karate or a particular martial
>art have a very agressive personality - they love fighting. I
>was afraid of adopting this attitude if I continue with
>martial arts for too long. I don't find them particularly
>intelligent either when it comes to understanding the
>philosophy of martial arts. In my opinion, most of these
>people like to show off more than anything and they love to
>brag about their martial arts.


Those people probably have poor Masters. I would say, find a dicipline you like, then find a Master you can respect and you will do just fine.:p

I've been studying martial arts under the same Sifu (he is more like a dad now) for 24 yrs! When I was in College I actually had to use it to defend myself against this weird guy who was trying to follow me home, I used a five point kick that I had just learned and the guy ran off. I didn't hurt him much (it was more of a shock to him I think), but my Sifu got on me for being too 'showy'. He said I could have done it with a lot less flash and without knocking his teeth out (yeah, the guy did lose some teeth).

There are some really good instructors out there you just have to look around.:7
 
Years ago my son took Aikido for a couple years. It is based more on reacting to attack, or self-defense, I believe. It still looked like a great workout, and there is some fighting, but the western aggressive philosophy that you seem to be encountering was less likely to come out in the Aikido context. That was its attraction to many of the participants.

--Ann
 
My husband is a second degree blackbelt in Tae Kwon do, know some aikido, and also Jiujitsu (sp?). He says that TAe Kwon do is about discipline, and maybe self defense. He would never start a fight, or even look for one. But let me tell you, if someone makes the mistake of trying to punch him they are going to the hospital. I'm saying that from knowing he has done that once since I've known him. I've known him for 7 years. Baiscially I believe that Tae Kwon Do will give a person self confidence, and should also teach them discipline. I also think you should do some looking into other dojos and see if there isn't a better master that teaches more of what you are looking for, discipline.

Kathy
 
Hi,

These ladies all are giving good advice, it really sounds like the school just isn't the one for you. I have been taking tae kwon do for 3.5 years and have just started the grueling training for the black belt test that is in May, and let me tell you for all the things that tae kwon do does for me, discipline and self confidence are the two biggest.

Now - this is probably not the same scenario you are describing, but I do remember the first time I had to watch a sparring class, when I had been going for 6 months and was the biggest wimp on the planet, and I really thought oh my god, this is all about fighting, I don't want to fight. It took a long time for me to see that controlled fighting (sparring) is incredibly useful, and isn't all about beating people up. There will always be students, ok male students, who ARE all about beating people up, and try to scare you, I sustained a rib injury a few months ago by a gung ho male opponant planting way to hard a kick in my chest, and that was with a chest protector on.

There are always going to be people in your classes who have different agendas, or comepetive natures, or patronizing to female students, etc etc, you just have to focus on the goal, whatever that means for you. BUT that said, don't be afraid to explore other karate schools or even other martial arts, its a big commitment and you need to find a place you are comfortable in because you will find yourself being asked to do a lot of things that are scary or new to you, and without a supportive environment, its going to be that much harder for you!

hang in there and I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you!

Jill
 
I'm sorry that you've had such a negative experience. I must say that my own experience and that of friends (several of which also do yoga), colleagues and aquaintances have been the complete opposite of everything you've said in your post. I find them to be some of the most kind, generous, thoughtful, definitely among the most intelligent, and not one of them is the kind of person who would go gunning for a fight. I know a few people who do and did karate and I didn't notice any difference in their temperaments (except for a subtle increase in confidence) and I would say I've seen an increase in their flexibility! Martial arts are not just about fighting, though you will fight and you will get hurt (make sure you invest in arnica for bruises!) but it's far more than that. Yoga is about more than just the poses and improving flexibilty; there's something quite spiritual (not religious, spriritual) about it, and I've found martial arts to be the same. I'm not practicing any martial art at the moment though I do practice sword fighting with my SO (my SO does Jujitsu and has been doing so for years) - it doesn't make me agressive. I'm a tree hugging kind of person and I don't plan to change :)

A street brawler is agressive and angry, a martial artist, or any kind of weapons master (sorry I won't include guns here), is not. Like yoga, the martial arts lend you a lot of self control. I can't wait to complete my back rehabhilitation, when I do, I'll be doing Jujitsu. Yoga, Cathe, swords et al will still be part of my life for as long as I am physically able.

ATB,
- Lisa :)
 
If you are truly interested in martial arts, I think you need to find the discipline & school that works for you. As with anything, there are good & bad schools/instructors/students. I am a student at National Karate and they teach Tae Kwon Do. My master instructor is a 7th degree black belt and is the nicest man you could ever meet. In fact all the instructors make a point of teaching that you only use excessive force when there is no other way to end a confrontation, hence our school motto "Might For Right". Discipline, respect, control, mental and physical focus are key components (NOT aggression). My favorite part of Tae Kwon Do is form. You perform a series on movements (kicks, punches, blocks etc.) simulating a "pretend" fight. Some forms use weapons (ie. Bo) and can be quite challenging both physically and mentally. Sparring is also available to students who wish to participate. It allows you to take what you have learned in class and apply it. Although occassionally I have been hit hard, most people fight with "control" meaning tapping your opponent to score points rather than knocking them down to the mat. We really have respect for one another and there is great camaraderie among us. I hope you give it another chance because it is an awesome workout and a great supplement to Cathe.

JJ
 
Hello,

Thanks for all your responses. I didn't know that people can fit in martial arts training as well as Cathe. Well done to all your successes.

I found that when I did martial arts as well then something has to give. I couldn't follow the Cathe rotations, running and yoga as well, so for a while I gave up martial arts. However, I have heard that it can really tough and very good for fitness and I would like to take my fitness to the next level. And, like JJ has mentioned, "..some forms use weapons and can be quite challenging both physically and mentally..". This is what I am looking for.

My other problem is finding one that is easy enough for me to get to. I live in London and commute by public transport. I also have a long journey to and from work so I find it difficult to get to places after work.

Has anyone tried fencing?

Yen
 
Hi Yen,

I started Cathe as a way to supplement my martial arts training, and boy has it helped. You are right, its hard to follow a full Cathe rotation when studying martial arts as well, so I don't stick to rotations, I just choose the workout based on what I need to do that week. I'll do 2 or 3 tae kown do classes, plus sparring practice and on the off days I work weights, and then maybe one Cathe cardio like IMAX2. If the tae kwon do classes focus more on small details, and I'm not working up a sweat then I'll add more cardio later in the day, so it works out well. If class has been very hard and my body is complaining, I'll take a break from Cathe cardio, I listen to my body.

Lately in class they've been making us do planks and other core work similar to what Cathe does in Boot Camp for instance and I'm finding I'm one of the few people who can do it without dying! That is very much thanks to Cathe!

Jill
 
I took up martial arts after getting hooked on TaeBo. I like the American Taekwondo Association's forms (Songahm Taekwondo) as it has virtually none of the prayer / meditation, it is a family environment and it encourages personal growth beyond simply learning martial arts. THey discourage fighting - you are to defend only and the best defense is to walk away... I suggest you check them out. (www.ataonline.com) My daughter has also trained with ATA.
 
This is off-subject, but are you sure Farscape is going back into production in 2004? Is there a web site that gives more information. How wonderful!
 
>This is off-subject, but are you sure Farscape is going back
>into production in 2004? Is there a web site that gives more
>information. How wonderful!

Hiya so nice to see another Farscape fan on the forum! :) Yes I am sure although there has not been an official announcement *yet* SFX magazine (a British publication dedicated to all things SciFi/Fantasy on and off screen) published a "stop press" announcement about 3 months ago after hearing from (IIRC) David Kemper that Farscape was coming back as a mini series + movies. There was to be in-depth coverage in the next issue but that was held back because of all the things that are happening for Henson and co. and other details plus the convention this month. Now that the convention has happened, everyone from CNN to the BBC to AICN plus the numerous Farscape fan sites. Apparently the studios in Australia have been booked (starting in December now although initial reports stated they were booked from Jan-Feb) More news here: www.savefarscape.com here: www.farscapeworld.com (more news in the forums), and here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/cult/2003/11/19/8094.shtml
This months SFX magazine reported that Gigi Edgely who plays Chiana may not be back for the mini-series due to her popularity in Australia (I assume she can't get the time off) - that was all they said because, they say, they were off to a Henson press conference - presumably to hear the official annoucement :) YAY!
ATB,
- Lisa :)
 
Thanks for getting back to me. I did look on the savefarscape web site, and I'll look into the other ones, too. I was so bummed when they cancelled Farscape, but now I can look forward to more clever interesting plots, clever diaglogue, and wonderful Farscape characters. You've put a smile on my face!:)
 
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