Anybody here participate in martial arts? If so, how do you balance your game time with your martial arts training? I'm lucky to game twice a month, so I'm curious how other people manage their time.
I game 1 day a week. I train 6 days a week. Training always comes first.
5 years doing Taekwon Do, 5 Years Taijutsu. Plus random seminars and whatnot in control tactics and other stuff.
Now I'm in Korea for a bit. So its gonna be a solo game with my traveling companion, and I'm teaching Taekwon Do here (when in Rome...).
A few years later, I showed an interest in studying kendo with an olympic kendo coach, but they couldn't get a big enough class together to make it affordable. There were some taijutsu classes in my county, but they were only held on saturdays. Meh. I took what I'd learned and walked away. Focused on other things.
I will say that back when I was training regularly, the hours lost to it did not subtract from the total... they added to it. The discipline gained made it easier to get so much more accomplished in a week. Aside from running my small businesses, if the writing and podcasting schedule I keep in my free time wasn't so overwhelming I think I ought to seriously consider getting back into a routine. A few more years of this and I'm going to turn into a grey ooze. My once impressive cardio is gone, baby, gone.
::The Jade, inspired by this post, gets on his treadmill, runs five miles, and keels over from a coronary, proving that people really do die on Gleemax!::
I game 1 day a week. I train 6 days a week. Training always comes first.
Ditto... 6 days a week and training ALWAYS comes first. For now I'm not the DM so that works out pretty well. I love to DM so when I am running a game, that does become a point of frustration from time to time...
Such is life...
I'm also checking out a Doce Pares school of Escrima that I could go to once a week but it's a bit far out of my way to do if I'm working that night so I might not be able to do it after all. It's a bit disappointing since I was really wanting to learn a bit of Escrima.
So it'll be gaming two nights a week, training maybe another two. Should be able to balance it pretty easily.
At any rate, in order to recommend a style I think we'd need to know a bit more about the person requesting advice. Why do you want to train? What are you interested in? The health benefits, self defense, building confidence, etc? Do you prefer striking over the "softer" stuff like Judo? If we get some answers to those and maybe a bit more, then I think we can come up with a recommendation. Well, as long as we keep our personal biases from interfering. ;)
Not super practical, but neither is a flying, spinning kick. ;) Do you take elements of your Karate training and put them into your capoeira?Okay here is a question for you martial artst guys what is the best martial art for kicking butt. Say I just want to learn to defend myself and take names. Have a medium build. What is the best way for me to go?
For the first part? None. It's not for that. For the self-defense question? It really depends on more than just build. What interests you? Harder, striking styles or softer stuff like joint-locks, throws, etc? Do you like flashy stuff (impractical in real fighting, but these styles teach practical stuff, too)? Or would you want to keep it "simple"? Do you want to learn weapons? Etc.
An unfortunate bit is that you may not find the style you like best offered in your area. So I must ask the following: What is available for you to try?
For the first part? None. It's not for that. For the self-defense question? It really depends on more than just build. What interests you? Harder, striking styles or softer stuff like joint-locks, throws, etc? Do you like flashy stuff (impractical in real fighting, but these styles teach practical stuff, too)? Or would you want to keep it "simple"? Do you want to learn weapons? Etc.
An unfortunate bit is that you may not find the style you like best offered in your area. So I must ask the following: What is available for you to try?
First I am in cancer remission. So my constitution isn't what it was before. but I want to be able to handle myself in the following scenarios: bar room brawl, beach part brawl, house party brawl, etc. In my area I have seen adds for Karate, boxing, Kung Fu (there is apparently like 30,000 different kinds), Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Judo, Brasilian Ju Jitsu (there are a bunch of these places where i live all of a sudden), Kempo, Aikido, and Tai Chi.
First I am in cancer remission. So my constitution isn't what it was before. but I want to be able to handle myself in the following scenarios: bar room brawl, beach part brawl, house party brawl, etc. In my area I have seen adds for Karate, boxing, Kung Fu (there is apparently like 30,000 different kinds), Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Judo, Brasilian Ju Jitsu (there are a bunch of these places where i live all of a sudden), Kempo, Aikido, and Tai Chi.
Well then you'll probably want to check out the BJJ. Most fights will end up on the ground, so being comfortable while on your back and knowing what to do to get out and prevent injury to yourself will be key. You can be a great puncher, but when you hit a guy hard but not hard enough to knock them out, he's gonna' try to take you down so you can't smash his face again. :D Judo would also be a good idea. It's very similar and the throws are great. It teaches you to use your opponent against himself. You don't have to be strong or big to toss someone, either. And joint locks (Judo, BJJ, Hapkido, Aikido) work no matter how big the dude is.
Ideally you'd want to add some striking, too. Some schools teach one style as a core and involve others to make you more well rounded. I take Taekwondo, for example, and we learn Kempo, Hapkido, Boxing and Judo techniques as well. So one of the ground style schools may be enough. If not, or if you'd like to try a striking style in addition, it's just going to depend on what you like. Muay Thai uses the clinch, knees and elbows for damage. Taekwondo is a kicking style but teaches hand techniques as well. Kung Fu varies by style/instructor - as I'm sure you know. Boxing is always good, but it limits you to hands exclusively. The best hands in the business, so to speak, but still hands only.
So, in summation, for what you're concerned with, go with a ground style first and maybe pick up some striking, too. BJJ or Judo will be a great base for what you'd likely encounter in the scenarios listed. As for striking, take your pick. It's going to be largely a style choice. Just check a couple out and see what you like best.
Oh, also be sure to check the school out for a bit before signing anything. Some suck. They're just belt factories. You pay and get a belt regardless of whether or not you've actually progressed to that level. And that's just not cool. You don't really learn anything. Some also may focus on tornament fighting and train for that more than anything else. That's great if that's what you want to do, but dudes on the street don't really use rules, ya' know? So check out the school first. Better to be sure of what you're getting into. Hope all this helps!
Well then you'll probably want to check out the BJJ. Most fights will end up on the ground, so being comfortable while on your back and knowing what to do to get out and prevent injury to yourself will be key. You can be a great puncher, but when you hit a guy hard but not hard enough to knock them out, he's gonna' try to take you down so you can't smash his face again. :D Judo would also be a good idea. It's very similar and the throws are great. It teaches you to use your opponent against himself. You don't have to be strong or big to toss someone, either. And joint locks (Judo, BJJ, Hapkido, Aikido) work no matter how big the dude is.
Ideally you'd want to add some striking, too. Some schools teach one style as a core and involve others to make you more well rounded. I take Taekwondo, for example, and we learn Kempo, Hapkido, Boxing and Judo techniques as well. So one of the ground style schools may be enough. If not, or if you'd like to try a striking style in addition, it's just going to depend on what you like. Muay Thai uses the clinch, knees and elbows for damage. Taekwondo is a kicking style but teaches hand techniques as well. Kung Fu varies by style/instructor - as I'm sure you know. Boxing is always good, but it limits you to hands exclusively. The best hands in the business, so to speak, but still hands only.
So, in summation, for what you're concerned with, go with a ground style first and maybe pick up some striking, too. BJJ or Judo will be a great base for what you'd likely encounter in the scenarios listed. As for striking, take your pick. It's going to be largely a style choice. Just check a couple out and see what you like best.
Oh, also be sure to check the school out for a bit before signing anything. Some suck. They're just belt factories. You pay and get a belt regardless of whether or not you've actually progressed to that level. And that's just not cool. You don't really learn anything. Some also may focus on tornament fighting and train for that more than anything else. That's great if that's what you want to do, but dudes on the street don't really use rules, ya' know? So check out the school first. Better to be sure of what you're getting into. Hope all this helps!
Is Muay Thai and BJJ a good combo. I want to be able to handle things when people are in close, but I really want to be able put a pounding on the other guy before it gets to that point.
Is Muay Thai and BJJ a good combo. I want to be able to handle things when people are in close, but I really want to be able put a pounding on the other guy before it gets to that point.
I would say it is. I've not much experience with them, but from what I know and an 18yr background in martial arts, I'd say it's a good combo. Actually, the number one pound for pound MMA fighter - Anderson Silva - is known for massive knock out power derived in no small part from Muay Thai (his clinch is ridiculous) and intense calm while being extremely dangerous on the ground because he's a BJJ black belt. So there's some evidence of the potential of that combination. And it's convincing. :D
First I am in cancer remission. So my constitution isn't what it was before. but I want to be able to handle myself in the following scenarios: bar room brawl, beach part brawl, house party brawl, etc. In my area I have seen adds for Karate, boxing, Kung Fu (there is apparently like 30,000 different kinds), Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Judo, Brasilian Ju Jitsu (there are a bunch of these places where i live all of a sudden), Kempo, Aikido, and Tai Chi.
Karate: There are many forms of Karate with different focuses, it may pay to learn a bit more about the branch of Karate that this instructor teaches and see whether it matches your interests. It's not what I would personally choose though.
Boxing: This martial art is devoted to powerful punches. With this sort of singular focus it does it very well. You'll have some very powerful and damaging strikes at your disposal. However it'll teach you nothing whatsoever about street fighting and you'll be defeated by the first opponent to get you into a clinch, kick you in the groin or any other technique entirely outside of boxing's foxus.
Kung fu: Really does depend on which style it is. I'd recommend looking into Wing Chun if you're thinking of doing kung fu. It was designed to allow women to defeat stronger men by being quicker and may be useful to you if you're having health difficulties.
Taekwondo: This style has some very powerful kicks, it gives you good range and is a visually intimidating style. Learn this and you may not need to defeat your opponents, you could scare them off.
Muay Thai: This is a brutal style and well suited to close quarters combat. Its focus on using the "eight limbs" (elbows, arms, knees and legs) means you have useful strikes for every situation even if your opponent gets close and starts grappling you.
Judo: This is one that I've actually done myself. It's useless to you though for what you have in mind. Judo is a sport and includes no strikes or defences against strikes. It's just a form of wrestling. Mind you, closely related Jiujitsu, has a lot of combat applicable maneuvers and is quite effective though it still retains a strong focus on grappling over strikes (designed for armoured combat where strikes are less effective).
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu: While this is a very effective martial art and has been subsumed into such things as the marine corp martial arts program, it really does need to be mixed with more of a striking style for full combat efficiency. If you want to be a brutal fighter then learn Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, together they are a nasty combination.
Kempo: I know nothing about this martial art. Sorry.
Aikido: This is a very nice martial art, I've learned a few moves and really like it. However as far as I'm aware (and my knowledge is rather limited) it isn't as effective against multiple opponents in a chaotic situation so probably isn't the best brawler martial art. However it's one of the less vigorous martial arts and would take a lot less out of you to study than others health-wise.
Tai-chi: This isn't really a martial art the way most people would consider them. It's an internal martial art focusing on developing spiritual awareness and physical fitness. However you should enquire whether the instructor is teaching Tai-chi Chuan, the external version which is a more active martial art. I don't know too much about it though or its effectiveness in combat.
Good stuff
Nice to see someone agreeing with my assessment. ;) And your brief explanations were pretty good, too. Very reasoned response.
@SpearSpike: Cannaith reminded me of something. Tai Chi may be good, too. At least to start with. If you've not fully recovered, Muay Thai and BJJ can be pretty high impact. Tai Chi, while not the martial art it used to be, is great for kind of easing your body into martial arts. It will teach balance and body control that will easily transition to whatever style you choose after. If you're in decent shape, though, I'd say skip it and just let your instructors know that you may be slightly limited for a time. No matter what you choose to do, it should help better your condition.
Nice to see someone agreeing with my assessment. ;)
Yeah I didn't see some of the recent posts when I added my reply so I duplicated some other people's thoughts a bit. Still, great minds think alike ;).
And your brief explanations were pretty good, too. Very reasoned response.
Thankyou, I've been doing a lot of research into martial arts to pick which style I should take up myself. Plus I'm lucky enough to have friends who do large varieties of martial arts that I've sparred with, it gives you a good idea of how they work.
I've decided to take up Krav Maga and Escrima if I can but they're probably not what SpearSpike is looking for and they're not in his area so I just focused on what he had available.
Tai Chi may be good, too. At least to start with. If you've not fully recovered, Muay Thai and BJJ can be pretty high impact. Tai Chi, while not the martial art it used to be, is great for kind of easing your body into martial arts..
I agree entirely.
Best self defense: Just get your ass outa there.
Yup. And when that fails, you can't beat a grenade vest ala Joker. ;)
@Spearspike: No amount of classes will help you win the brawls you mentioned since in all those situations you're likely to be attacked by more then one person who can be armed with anything at hand. From personal experience, all it comes down to is instinct and how far you're willing to go to survive a fight. Things get real hectic real fast and no amount of dojo training will really prepare you for what it's like when anything goes and a weapon is what ever you can lay your hands on. Then after the fight there is always the aftermath, which usually carries jail time (self defense only covers so much) and civil suits (even harder to evade)depending on how far it went. Over all, the best way to win a brawl like that is to be smart enough to realize when some things just aren't worth it and never get into it to begin with.
Then what is the point. I want to be able to handle myself when things get out of hand. I already know how to run away.
Then what is the point. I want to be able to handle myself when things get out of hand. I already know how to run away.
I have studied for a while, as mentioned previously. I try to focus on what I hope is realistic self defense applications. My best move is still to run away. It really isn't worth it.
I've honestly never even ended up in a situation where I've seriously thought I might be assaulted imminently. Did have some punks commenting on my hat as I got off a bus. They were going the same direction as me, and I was paying attention to them, but not really thinking they might get violent.
Walking home late one night the other day (after a gaming session, in fact), some jarks threw an egg at me from their car. I was pretty ticked at the time, but I'm glad I didn't follow my first instinct and run after them. They may well have stopped, and I don't know what would have happened next. Better that I didn't find out. I just washed my shirt. It doesn't matter.
I study martial arts because I enjoy the activity and the discipline of it, end of story. Same with my wife (who's also gone through cancer treatment and stuff... she has to be careful sparring thanks to missing ribs). I'd give up my wallet to a mugger and/or run before I fought somebody. If a situation starts looking dangerous I make a quick exit. I don't see the point in fighting "for real." I can see the appeal of competition, though it isn't my thing.
@Spearspike: No amount of classes will help you win the brawls you mentioned since in all those situations you're likely to be attacked by more then one person who can be armed with anything at hand. From personal experience, all it comes down to is instinct and how far you're willing to go to survive a fight. Things get real hectic real fast and no amount of dojo training will really prepare you for what it's like when anything goes and a weapon is what ever you can lay your hands on. Then after the fight there is always the aftermath, which usually carries jail time (self defense only covers so much) and civil suits (even harder to evade)depending on how far it went. Over all, the best way to win a brawl like that is to be smart enough to realize when some things just aren't worth it and never get into it to begin with.
I agree to a point. One thing about martial arts classes is that you do learn to take a punch, and that means a lot. But in all, it's just better not to fight if you can avoid it.