Anyone here study a martial art?

sun rat · Post by **sun rat** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 4:34 am

i took taekwondo for awhile, a few years ago. got the yellow belt, then got very sick and couldn't continue.

while i'd love to take it up again, the reality is that it is too strenuous for me now. i've been looking into tai chi though. but i'm not certain. i need something that doesn't require major amounts of calisthenics at its' core.

Bo_9 · Post by **Bo_9** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 4:41 am

scumbag wrote:if they pass then the school has lost credibility in my eyes.

This is what happened to me after about ten years of Kuk Sool Won at a very small school. I had just tested for my brown/black (last one before black) and went with another student that was testing for his black to the nearest place you could do that. In Kuk Sool (at the time) the Grandmaster was the only one that could test black belts so you had to go to a seminar. I watched a guy that could not make it through a form without taking a break get promoted and suddenly that belt didn't mean as much to me anymore.
Of course that over a decade ago.
Tried several things out since then and found a mixed group with a Silat/JKD with decades of experience as the instructor. It is different since all the students are from different backgrounds and are free to incorporate anything they know into class, very open.
As life happens it is probably over a year since I dabbled in any of it. So I got very out of shape. Just started a new thing to get into a better shape and get used to the routine again.
Glad to hear you are having a good time. TKD is a ball. If you feel good about the test thats a good sign.

Jaeger · Post by **Jaeger** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 6:23 am

Congrats, man, and good luck!

--Jaeger

Metalredneck · Post by **Metalredneck** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:34 am

Just got word today that my test for Shodan (black) is August 26th. Time to brush up on my Japanese. (and get off the couch)

Toonce(s) · Post by **Toonce(s)** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 12:40 pm

I did TKD (a trad flavor, Chung Do Kwon) for ages, advanced, taught, etc.

As a newbie just commit yourself and learn the most/best you can, and when you become advanced you can start to contemplate the compromises inherent in whatever style you are doing. Till then keep your cup empty.

I have been recently discouraged by the overwhelming presence of weak/commercial/black-belt-factory schools compared to legit organizations. Sigh. I mean, I have seen (rarely) a person who attained black belt as a teenager by their own merit. Objective standards have gone way down, though, and every time I hear about kids in my fourth grade son's class getting ready for their black belt test I wanna hurl.

The better schools tend to be non-commercial.

Jaeger · Post by **Jaeger** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:28 pm

RexAddict wrote:
As a newbie just commit yourself and learn the most/best you can, and when you become advanced you can start to contemplate the compromises inherent in whatever style you are doing. Till then keep your cup empty.

I have been recently discouraged by the overwhelming presence of weak/commercial/black-belt-factory schools compared to legit organizations. ....

The better schools tend to be non-commercial.

Agreed on all counts. Well said.

--Jaeger

Metalredneck · Post by **Metalredneck** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:43 pm

Our school is old-style Okinawan, and I have been at it for over seven years now.

Toonce(s) · Post by **Toonce(s)** » Thu Mar 04, 2010 1:46 pm

Metalredneck wrote:Our school is old-style Okinawan, and I have been at it for over seven years now.

That is awesome. One of the best clubs I worked out with was Shorin-Ryu. I wish I could have stayed with them.

Metalredneck · Post by **Metalredneck** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:16 am

http://www.ryusei-karate.com/
An ofshoot of Chito-Ryu. No sport, just power for self-defense.

scumbag · Post by **scumbag** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:05 pm

So I passed... Time to learn a new form!

Whiskeywrist · Post by **Whiskeywrist** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:34 pm

I did Judo, and a bit of Aikido, probably 15years ago, and that shit still pops up when I least expect it. Usually goofing around with buddies, after some beers.

It's real and crazy how much you can train your body to not listen to your mind, and just do what it knows how to.

Folks that are more centered and focused will certainly get a lot more out of it than I did, but the whole muscle memory thing is pretty awesome.

For the record, a good friend broke a couple of my ribs one night when I "decided" we should spar. He just straight up charged and tackled me, landing with his whole body weight on me, before my drunk ass could really defend.

I also have "restored" perspective on a few buddies that were a few more cups into their night than I, and all we got out of it was some scrapes and laughs.

It's worthwhile stuff, for sure, especially if you stick with it a while.

On some level, it's always there , regardless of your conscious mind.

Gahread · Post by **Gahread** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:21 pm

scumbag wrote: So I passed... Time to learn a new form!

Congrats! Next step, green belt?

Metalredneck wrote:Our school is old-style Okinawan, and I have been at it for over seven years now.

My favoritist kind! The best part is, if you do pass it you'll know that after seven years of study you earned that belt and the recognition as a serious student.

Jaeger · Post by **Jaeger** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 6:10 pm

Gahread wrote: My favoritist kind! The best part is, if you do pass it you'll know that after seven years of study you earned that belt and the recognition as a serious student.

Some of the best advice I ever received about karate-ka:

"Don't ask someone what rank they've achieved in martial arts -- ask them how many years they've been studying."

--Jaeger

Metalredneck · Post by **Metalredneck** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 7:11 am

Four of us brown-belts who are grading this summer practised ground-fighting last night. It's not every day that my neck & my nards ache at the same time.

Jaeger · Post by **Jaeger** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 9:43 am

Metalredneck wrote:Four of us brown-belts who are grading this summer practised ground-fighting last night. It's not every day that my neck & my nards ache at the same time.

That means you're doing it right.

--Jaeger

goose · Post by **goose** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:22 pm

Metalredneck wrote:Four of us brown-belts who are grading this summer practised ground-fighting last night. It's not every day that my neck & my nards ache at the same time.

You don't need martial arts for that in my neck of the woods.

scumbag · Post by **scumbag** » Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:40 pm

goose wrote:
Metalredneck wrote:Four of us brown-belts who are grading this summer practised ground-fighting last night. It's not every day that my neck & my nards ache at the same time.
You don't need martial arts for that in my neck of the woods.

Castro... $20... and a will... There is a way.

Edit: that sounds bad but ridicule away... HAHAH

scumbag · Post by **scumbag** » Wed May 05, 2010 12:07 am

So I tested for my orange belt last wednesday and found out on monday that I was promoted. Still having fun doing it and can't wait to keep learning some new stuff.

Gahread · Post by **Gahread** » Wed May 05, 2010 12:38 am

scumbag wrote:So I tested for my orange belt last wednesday and found out on monday that I was promoted. Still having fun doing it and can't wait to keep learning some new stuff.

Congrats!

Metalredneck · Post by **Metalredneck** » Wed May 05, 2010 4:28 am

Good on ya, mate!

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Anyone here study a martial art?