Martial arts

[Talon]

Hello Jd...

Shotokan and Judo elements also combine well. American freestyle wrestlers dominated judoka back in the day

Peace
Talon

[east_stingray]

Seems like a lot of you feel the same way about this as myself. When I was in high school, i took about 3 years of shorei rou, but it was really heavy into the kata and forms and useless (in my opinion) weapons training with traditional weapons. When I expressed an interest in dumping the traditional stuff (not the way I worded it, mind you) and focusing more on self defense, they showed me where the door was. Took TKD for about a year after that, but when I pointed out that I didn't have any practical use for a flying backflip roundhouse, they confessed that it was more of a workout than a fighting style (YMMV). I took Akido for a while in college, and I really liked the style and the pins, but the dojo where I was was almost like a religion and I wasn't comfortable with that as a christian. So, here I am, still wishing for a style without the forms or religious stuff. Unfortunately, none of the styles you guys mentioned are available here in central IL. I did find a couple of Judo schools within about 40 minutes... maybe that's worth a shot.

[jdavionic]

Originally Posted by east_stingray

I did find a couple of Judo schools within about 40 minutes... maybe that's worth a shot.

I'd recommend giving Judo a shot. Most streets fights go quickly to the ground and judo is very effective once you have hands on the opponent. I'd just suggest eventually taking something else to compliment it. The two will make you a well-rounded fighter.

[impcmonk]

Originally Posted by east_stingray

Unfortunately, none of the styles you guys mentioned are available here in central IL. I did find a couple of Judo schools within about 40 minutes... maybe that's worth a shot.

Not sure if any of these are around you. All are good instructors.
Chinese Martial Arts Association
401 Devonshire Rd.
Washington, Illinois 61571-1317
Head Instructor: Sifu Dwight Edwards
Email: wangdaoren@aol.com

Song's Kung Fu Academy
4800 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60630
Head Instructor: Grandmaster Keychun Song
Contact #: 773-545-5945

Song's Kung Fu Academy
1827 Springer Dr.
Champaign, Illinois
Head Instructor: Grandmaster Keychun Song
Contact #: 217-352-5432

[Talon]

Originally Posted by east_stingray

Seems like a lot of you feel the same way about this as myself. When I was in high school, i took about 3 years of shorei rou, but it was really heavy into the kata and forms and useless (in my opinion) weapons training with traditional weapons. When I expressed an interest in dumping the traditional stuff (not the way I worded it, mind you) and focusing more on self defense, they showed me where the door was. Took TKD for about a year after that, but when I pointed out that I didn't have any practical use for a flying backflip roundhouse, they confessed that it was more of a workout than a fighting style (YMMV). I took Akido for a while in college, and I really liked the style and the pins, but the dojo where I was was almost like a religion and I wasn't comfortable with that as a christian. So, here I am, still wishing for a style without the forms or religious stuff. Unfortunately, none of the styles you guys mentioned are available here in central IL. I did find a couple of Judo schools within about 40 minutes... maybe that's worth a shot.

Hello Stingray,

For the most part, all Traditional schools are steeped in mysticism and reflect Taoism, Buddhism, Shinto, all believe in the presence of Ki, and meditation. All are about force and energy. I understand the difficulties that can arise within a devout christian. There are schools that are "christian" faith based, you may feel more comfortable seeking one out? However you can still learn an art and stay true to your faith. Psalm 144*

If only a Judo school is available to you then you should go for it. **Myself** I would suggest a Ju-Jitsu school, (not necessarily a Brazilian school) over a Judo school. 2nd choice would be a Filipino school of Modern Arnis / escrima. Modern Arnis is easily learned is constantly flowing and continually transitioning , it also teaches weapons skills at the same time. (stick fighting). Next would be a Krav/or similar school.



Peace,
Talon

[Boma]

stingray - my karate organization is based in texas and oklahoma, but mine does not focus on religion. It's called American style karate and we learn, katas, sparring, and self defense moves. www.askkarate.com

We only bow in and out of class and when we finish katas. I really like it especially since it's free, except for the tournaments. Plus I get to teach and help kids and adults.

[robinsre]

I took Judo for a semester from a spectacular instructor but during sparring was thrown poorly and damaged my MCL in my right leg. It hasn't fully recovered yet, my knee still pops out occasionally almost 2 years later. After it heals I'd like to get back into it. Needless to say even with the injury I learned alot of things that are beneficial in close quarters combat.

[nilej]

Boxing is the readily available and effective martial art today.

I am Filipino MA teacher for the past 12years and been practicing it for the past 24 years. In our group you cannot become a full-fledged teacher/warrior if you havent studied, practiced, and fought with the other guys of different martial arts. I would say however that my experience in boxing helped me a lot in that period of my training. Only to find out that boxing(mano-mano) really was a major part of FMA!!

I fought real-life threatening situations involving the use of knives, and anything that can be used to inflict severe injury sometimes with multiple attackers as it would usually be the perfect reason why i do not and could not use my grapling and submission techniques. I would always give the first devastating attack by delivering disorienting punches to the face followed-up by short blast of low kicks to the shin or knee until I can find the opportunity to disarm my agressor and use the weapon against him or them. I can manipulate anything I can hold without much difficulty, be it ballpen, umbrella, belt, t-shirt, jacket, and use it as my weapon. Im not saying though that I have the best martial art in me. It is just that my frame of mind is geared to survival and if and when I fight I would make sure that I come out of it alive. Mind you people, in the heat of actual fight you will not be able to recall at will the techniques taught even how long you practiced it. Only the concepts remain, and concepts are the same in almost if not all of martial arts. The reaction of a FMArtist in a given real-life scenario would be just as the same reaction that would be performed by an Aikidoka, karateka, jujitsujin, or a Tai Chi Chuan.

I am very proficient with sticks, knife, nunchaku, bolo, boken, katana, and all other traditional weapons out there and lightning fast with my fist. I am likewise learned and have a pretty decent experience in grappling and submission due to our training in dumog and buno. however, as all of you would agree I do not go out with all these weapons around me so i have to rely in my unarmed training and experience. It is in this situation that boxing shines out. Boxing if trained and practiced diligently and correctly will give any practitioner a very good fighting and survival chance. A good punch delivered in a correct timing and right place will deliver the desired result at times even surpassing the expected outcome. If you have a good training in boxing, it may even be helpful to the practitioner should he later on decide to take up higher learning in combatives.

In our traditional set up of learning and teaching FMA here in the Phils, we make sure that our students first learn to use weapons to a considerable level of proficiency before we allow them to train unarmed. It is for this reason that FMA practitioners can transition from armed to unarmed or vice-versa with relative ease and fluidity.

In martial arts there is no such thing as shortcut or this one is superior to this particular art. It will all boil down to mental preparedness backed by training and/or experience. You can be wearing blackbelt for the past 10-15years and yet be beaten in an instant by a street toughie who hasnt gone to any training at all but had been doing streetfights for a considerable duration.

ALL as in ALL marial arts are the same at the higher level. The movements, the techniques, the concepts, the goals, the ways, are just the same as long as we all have two hands, two feet, one heart, one mind, one soul. There is really no difference at all. Its just like a religion, different sects-ONE GOD.

Although, i recommend boxing for starters I share the idea that you take the art which you will find suitable for your needs, your physique, and your pocket.

At times, I get to avoid getting into fights by just showing off that big fat ugly cold steel tucked in my waist. hahaha. That was then during my dark college days.

PEACE BROTHERS!

[Dhunter55]

Ejoyed reading all these different arts and experiences.
I don't train anymore but I trained in Okinawan Shorei Ryu, Aikido, and Kendo. Never reached black belt in any of them but I cared more for learning something from them that I found useful to me. Just hoping, and I have been told, that if the time comes and I need it, my training will come back to me in a defensive situation. Until then, it's XD Ryu for me.

[Bycyclist]

XD-FU!

I've heard/seen on video the "Tueller Drill" - not sure I buy it though. That may be the "reaction" time for someone not trained in how to move off of centerline, respond to peripheral movement instead of tunnel vision, keeping weight off the heels, etc.

In both MA I trained extensively in, we always drilled in escaping/evading unknown attacks from one step away (6-7 feet), angling off to one side. It seems that would be directly and effectively applicable to this situation.

To stand there, weight back on your heels, "waiting" for someone to drill you with a centerline attack from 21 ft. away seems pretty stupid. Why wouldn't you at least train/drill in angling off to the side (off centerline), draw then shoot.

That would be better XD-FU!