Hi everyone.... another very general question, and something I've been wondering for a while. Seeing that there are certain similarities between most of the guys with long hair (like the tattoo/piercing thing), I wondered if anyone here was currently, or has in the past trained in martial arts - and if so, which discipline?
Personally studied Ju-Jitsu and Jeet-Kune-Do... don't really have the time for anything other than work these days.
wolfeyes
I've been interested in the martial arts and competitive kick boxing for a while now..haven't gotten around to it though eh.
Shito-Ryu for 1 1/2 yrs...blue belt.
Is there a site that talks about all the different types, or perhaps gives a summary of each? I'm looking for something a little more "intense" than tai chi (or at least what I know of it), but still something that is based on personal energy more than all-out "kick-ass" like the type of stuff fighters in UFC might be trained with. Actually, I took karate when I was 9 or so, and got to my yellow belt! But now I want to to start something else
If you're looking for something more intense and aggressive, you could take a look at muay thai (kickboxing oriented) or aikido (japanese ju-jitsu related close combat) - aikido is related to one's own body weight, pivotal movement, using an oponent's weight against them (as far as I have figured) - and you learn potentially lethal defensive techniques... get that aggression out!
Alternatively, you could have a look at Jeet Kune Do - essentially created by Bruce Lee - this is not so much a taught martial art (though many dojos will teach Bruce Lee's style of fighting).
Personally I think Brucey would be turning in his grave if he knew it was being taught, as the essence of Jeet Kune Do is to study various martial arts, and pretty much construct your own - taking from each what works for you personally.
There is a lot of sense in this, as it becomes as individual as the person who studies it. You can strengthen 'weaknesses' in form, stance and movement and work on whatever suits your body form and ability.
It has taken me further than anything else, as it is my own study and much of the research I have done has expanded my mind as much as my knowledge, so I would recommend that. However, if it is a class you're looking for I would suggest another martial art - learn what you can and see what works for you. If the environment becomes sterile, try something else - combine the two and move on.... I could talk for ages on this, but since I'm getting off topic I'll give it a rest.
If you need advice, give me an email and I'll help where I can - I'm by no means an expert on this but I have studied more than some.
Good luck
wolfeyes.
You are so right about the mind aspect Wolfeyes. This is probably the most important aspect of the arts.
Is muai Thai the martial art that focuses alot on elbows and knees?
As far as I know, yes. Traditionally, many would rub sticks over shins and forearms to deaden nerve endings, increasing tollerance to pain.
wolfeyes
There are a few different sites on the web hosting forums where different arts are discussed.
I have done martial arts for about 20 years (shodakan Karate, Mui Thai, Jow Ga and Wing Chung Kung Fu, also dabbled in Aikido and Judo)the last few years I have been training a phenomenal system known as yaing mian kung fu which teaches how to generate internal power (some call it chi gung but this is the real s@#t)It takes about two years to get it and the rest of your life to learn how to use it properly but it is the most awesome system i've done and is only trained one to one with the master. I am combining this with Silat which a totally different system but also awesome.
My feelings are that you just need to find a system that fits into what your personal/&or fitness goals. At the end of the day everyone is going to claim their style to be the best but is it the best for you? As Dan Millman puts it a little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing. If you hav'nt heard of Dan check out his website and buy, beg, borrow or steal Way Of The Peaceful Warrior by Dan. The most life changing book you'll ever read. Hope this helps I could rant for ever about martial arts as it is such a huge part of my life but this board is supposed 2 b about long hair so I won't bore the other users any more other than 2 say there is a considerable lack of long hair in the martial arts. My Master keeps telling me how I'd look much better with a buzzcut (makes me wanna knock him out but...)
If this is the case you really should look into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You won't see a UFC fighter that isn't trained in it to some extent. As far as martial arts go you don't get much more physical. I've been training in it for over a year and it is possibly one of the best decisions I ever made. Check it out.
I trained in a form of Wado Ryu Karate, but that was a few years ago, most the people there were shorthairs.
No surprise really. When your your in the middle of Kumite you really don't want a bang falling loose and dropping over your eye do you?
Karate before and jiu-jitsu (Hokutoryu) now.
Jarkko
Bujitsu and Aikido, though I didn't have long hair.
I studied Goju Ryu Karate in my younger years. Then I moved and never got back into it. I always wanted to get into another form of martial art but never got around to doing so.
Did a bit of Judo in boarding school but had to stop due to a neck injury received while playing Rugby.
After I move to the states though I fully intend on taking up a discpline properly. Not sure which one though.
I have studied Aikido for two years from age 12-14. I never did any belts in it, but I learnt lessons that I will never forget, and I think it turned me into a better person physically and mentally. I once did a move where another guy (called bill) would trip me up and use my energy against me. Did it 70 times non stop and the next day I woke up with a fever lol.
I stopped because I was too busy, but I have long wanted to get back into it, maybe the summer I will consider it.
...studying Tang Soo Do, then I went with Tae Kwon Do, then I tried Aikido, but I didn't stay with those for long. I would have liked to study Ninjitso, but there weren't any schools around me. Most recently, and for longer term, I studied kempo karate under the style Shorin Ryu.
I did a bit of Karate as a kid (10 years old)
During my teenage/preteen years I studied Aikido, got to brown belt. I still practice by myself just for the heck of it.
Tae Kwon Do