What Martial Art?

[Andrew Brunelle]

I practice Wing Chan Seng...it's a form of martial arts I created and it basically consists of strenghtening through being really lazy, like one exercise I do is I sit against the wall without a chair in an attempt to build leg strength. I also eat natural foods and I wear a headband with a Japanese symbol I can't pronounce.

[The David]

I was doing Tae Kwon Do this past semester, but I have to quit now because I'm leaving school.

[Kristoffer]

I did a poll like this in another forum a little while ago. What surprised me was the amount of people who answered "other" even though I thought that I had covered ever style in general.

I am doing full contact karate here in Japan (Zendokai). Been at it a year after trying many other styles. Full contact is different, it hurts, but I like it.

[escapee]

Originally Posted by Andrew Brunelle

I practice Wing Chan Seng...it's a form of martial arts I created and it basically consists of strenghtening through being really lazy, like one exercise I do is I sit against the wall without a chair in an attempt to build leg strength. I also eat natural foods and I wear a headband with a Japanese symbol I can't pronounce.

Hey you inspired me , i've just created new martial art called kung pAo stance , It involves sitting in front of PC without a chair or leaning against the wall . It's great way to build up strength and durability in your thigh while you use your PC for long hour.

[boggle]

Hi,

first, the polls options have been chosen very poorly. When doing such a thing at least try to cover the major groups of martial arts (For example it lists no single chinese martial art, although this is perhaps the largest group of schools). Wikipedia has a nice list.

Originally Posted by King Of All Cosmos

I'm just wondering, has anyone ever heard of Bagua? It's not a widespread martial art and isn't taught in many places (5 places in the US maybe?). I'm fortunate enough to live nearby one and my friend trains there. On a pure fighting theory level, he claims it to be the most complete of martial arts (meaning that if you master it, the best fighting style). The idea behind "most complete" is that it includes the most effective way to deal with any situation. It's purpose is to kill/defeat the opponent and therefore it excludes any unrelated development areas that many other martial arts use.

I once took part in a short beginner weekend bagua seminar and found it very interesting, its a bit like the opposite of taji quan (I train chen-style taiji quan). Claiming that it is the best martial art puts a very dim light on that master: good teachers dont say things like that, because they know there is something to learn from every school. Perfection is something to strive for, not something you "have", while others "haven't".

Originally Posted by King Of All Cosmos

Interesting tidbit: When both asked how they would describe their martial art, the Tai Chi master answered "flowing and beautiful" while the Bagua master laughed a little and answered "vicious and hateful". He just was pointing out that martial arts isn't necessarily about looking good or dancing, it's about fighting skills.

Oh, BTW I know at least two masters, who do both, taiji and bagua.

Originally Posted by King Of All Cosmos

It IS hard to prove that any martial art is the best and I'm not the one with the necessary knowledge to argue it. Still, on a technical level, the most humanely effective move in a given situation is the best move, right?

Well, yes, but... Evaluating what would be the best move in a given situation requires considering the follow-up situation it puts you in and what follows from there and different fighting schools favour different follow-up situations and by all of this the question wether a certain move is "optimum" is difficult to answer. It depends on a lot of things, including the fighters health and character (are you willing and able to kill someone, if necessary?) etc.

[Wanderer]

Boggle - I missed out Tae kwon do although it is very similar to tang soo doo which is obviously what i meant to put at the time, and kung foo, but considering only some 17 of the 44 pollers have listed other while 40 listed something from my list, I dont think the poll options were too badly chosen. Theres no way every martial art could be listed but thanks for the very constructive and not at all rude feedback anyway

[Lonewolf]

I think the Ultimate Fighting Championship pretty much has done death to the mystique of martial arts. When you have a virtually no holds barred tournament and (in its original version) no weight divisions either, you can clearly see how one style measures up to another.
This whole idea of spiritual power and superior technique that is touted in various schools is put to the test. Overall, it's a pretty brutal spectacle. The techniques tend to be very simple (straight punches or thigh kicks) and the outcomes decided by grappling on the floor with one guy on top of the other. Often the guys that lead the sport seem to be more about pure physical power and aggression than about technique (vis. Tank Williams who has only one technique - a really hard right hand).

[Alvin]

Lonewolf, I agree with you within constraints. No matter how hardcore the UFC is, it's still one-on-one fighting. The fight that goes to the ground in a competition like this would not be the best tactic on the street against multiples.

And the biggest difference in being in a fight on the street is the added factor of the environment; you'd use something around you like a chair for a weapon, or when you know something's going down you'd usually want to arm yourself.

[escapee]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

I think the Ultimate Fighting Championship pretty much has done death to the mystique of martial arts. When you have a virtually no holds barred tournament and (in its original version) no weight divisions either, you can clearly see how one style measures up to another.
This whole idea of spiritual power and superior technique that is touted in various schools is put to the test. Overall, it's a pretty brutal spectacle. The techniques tend to be very simple (straight punches or thigh kicks) and the outcomes decided by grappling on the floor with one guy on top of the other. Often the guys that lead the sport seem to be more about pure physical power and aggression than about technique (vis. Tank Williams who has only one technique - a really hard right hand).

I tend to agree with this one , The guys in UFC and Pride FC train really hard for the competition . I suppose a guy like Fedor Emelianenko (Sambo king) could easily send all of us average joes into intensive care unit with just 1 hit without even using summision technique.

But the world is big ... is big ... We'd all like to think that NBA is God like and invincible, but then .......

[LaughingYogi]

I've had mixed experiences with martial arts.

I took Tae Kwon Do for about 7 months back in high school. I was probably in the best shape of my life at that point physically, and getting really focused mentally too.

In college I took Tai Chi for 2 semesters. They called it White Lotus style, we mostly focused on Qigong, basic forms, self defense, and developing chi sensitivity. I loved that class, I was regaining flexibility, health, and learning to do energy healing at the same time. Unfortunately I moved away.

I later took a few classes with a Kung Fu/Tai Chi Quan master from the Shaolin school. He quite bluntly told me that White Lotus was made up and inferior to Shaolin. That may be, but those two semesters of classes sure seemed real to me. The classes he taught were extremely focused on mastering the minute details of the form before anything else was taught. I needed the discipline training but couldn't stay there either.

[Wanderer]

Very few instructors will big up another martial art school

If you find one who accepts that all forms have something to offer without insulting it, thats probably the instructor you should stay with

My instructors think jujitsu (not brazillian but traditional) is the superior close combat style, and think kickboxing is the better ranged one, which is similar to what MMA and UFC trainers do I think. They also acknowledge that karate/tae qwon do katas have valuable elements.

I think a mixture of many is probably the best way to learn.

[birger]

Kickboxing beginner here. I love it so far, very varied training program (stamina, strength, balance et.c.), 2x75 min pr. week. And it's way cheaper, and more fun than going to a training studio!

Not much "martial" yet since we don't go head to head on the beginner course.

[pylonian]

As an integral part of our Classical Chinese Medicine program at NCNM, we do QiGong. The visionary at the head of our program, Dr. Heiner Fruehauf, is a lineage holder of the Jin Jing Gong tradition of QiGong. Another person who was once a part of our program and is still energetically associated with it, Zhongian Wu, is another lineage holder for a different tradition from another part of China. We do QiGong formally for two hours a week, and then have a 3 day QiGong retreat once a term (every 12 weeks). We are expected to have a daily QiGong practice of some kind as part of our preparation to be physicians.

The benefits of my practice have been many and I find I get different benefits from different forms that we learn. The more martial forms give me much more energy, help to break through stagnation that has settled in my body, and clarify my thinking. The more flowing, meditative forms help to ground me in my body, develop more subtle sense perceptions and smooth over difficult emotions I may be experiencing at the time.

I don't know who I would be without my practice!

Eric

[Raoh]

too bad we don't have multiple choices..
i voted muay thai, but in fact it is muay thai and kyokushinkai karate.
once a time i started judo, but i hated it, grappling is just not my way

"it's time to kick some ass and chew bubble gum, and i'm all out of gum"
Duke Nukem

have a nice evening gals and guys.

[zirfyte]

I practice aikido about five years and find it to be a perfect way to stay at least minimally fit and energetic. Idea that it is a fighting art, comes only second. However, it is still important for me, as it gives meaning to the training, which I don't find in other sport activities. And I must admit that only like during the last two years or so I managed to finally get this deeper meaning of martial arts practice which has to do a lot with the patience, not rushing things too fast and the necessity of constant concentration.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by pylonian

As an integral part of our Classical Chinese Medicine program at NCNM, we do QiGong. The visionary at the head of our program, Dr. Heiner Fruehauf, is a lineage holder of the Jin Jing Gong tradition of QiGong. Another person who was once a part of our program and is still energetically associated with it, Zhongian Wu, is another lineage holder for a different tradition from another part of China. We do QiGong formally for two hours a week, and then have a 3 day QiGong retreat once a term (every 12 weeks). We are expected to have a daily QiGong practice of some kind as part of our preparation to be physicians.

The benefits of my practice have been many and I find I get different benefits from different forms that we learn. The more martial forms give me much more energy, help to break through stagnation that has settled in my body, and clarify my thinking. The more flowing, meditative forms help to ground me in my body, develop more subtle sense perceptions and smooth over difficult emotions I may be experiencing at the time.

I don't know who I would be without my practice!

Eric

I've always found it fascinating that traditional Chinese medicine practitioners could tell the condition of your health just by feeling your pulse!

I've gone to a few and it never ceases to amaze me.

[jbischke]

Interesting thread. One of my goals for 2007 is to start a martial art and this has definitely given me a lot to chew on. Right now I'm leaning towards krav maga. The national training center is only a couple of miles from where I live and it seems like a good balance of fitness, self-defense and fighting. I'd love to hear any thoughts on krav maga specifically (should I start a new thread for that?) as well as any other forms of martial arts that I should consider if I'm looking for something that will help with overall fitness, mental discipline and self-defense.

[Aiox]

Aikido, for almost 20 yrs. Did all kinds of other stuff off and on, but always came back to Aikido. Have done just Aikido for the last 8 yrs.

And it's spelled wrong in the poll's text.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu for the past 9 years, Wing Chun for 2 before that, and a bit of Tai Chi with Tai Chi sword inbetween.

There was more discipline with Wing Chun because of the emphasis on forms and repetitive drills, not to mention pain! But it was pure fun and I wouldn't give up the skills learnt with the sticky hands drills for anything.

With taijutsu, I've learnt more about flow, going with it and using it, and how to move with the body centred as much as possible, even while walking. The rolling bit's saved my ass a couple of times when I tripped and fell

I've also studied Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu for the last 2.5 years and I love it, not just from the physical aspects of self-defence but also the phylosophical/spiritual aspects of it.

[yacapo]

I've always wanted to do Aikido. I just don't have the time right now. It seems that one rarely has time for the things one wants to do.

[stephencp]

"I think the Ultimate Fighting Championship pretty much has done death to the mystique of martial arts. When you have a virtually no holds barred tournament and (in its original version) no weight divisions either, you can clearly see how one style measures up to another. "

There arer PLENTY of rules in the UFC (now and in the original) which is why the participants rarely ever get seriously injured. For example, you don't see fingers in the eyes (intentionally, or else they quickly stop the "fight"...), groin shots, attacks/strikes (not submission holds) to the joints nor certain elbow strikes. It's very easy to hurt someone as I'm learning from my TWO YEAR OLD who has now head butted my face twice and scratched my cornea once.
Do not confuse contests between martial artists who do not intend to do serious (let alone life threatening) damage to each other with an actual self defense situation.

Stephen
Power-Book Library: Free personal development, success, inspiration and motivational classics

P.S. I've been taking various martial arts for twenty years and am a UFC fan...

[escapee]

I have nothing but respect for the guys in Pride and also UFC .

Most of the Athletes from Pride are former champion of their respective martial arts . Take for example, The undefeated Fedor Emelienenko was a former World/National Champion in Sambo & Judo, who decided to take up greater challenge in MMA and clinched the heavy championship title. The skills and explosive power demonstrated by some of the great athletes in the league are nothing but real self defense skill . They don't need sophisticated finger attack to crawl your eyes or Dim mak to paralyse your body. All they need is a couple of flurry and some ground skill to floor you down without you even knowing what's going on . For me, they are the master of self defense skill in the modern world for the time and effort that's put forth on the training and the actual competition.

An interesting MMA match of Fedor

[Amit]

I've been doing Wing Chun on and off for about 4 years. I did karate when I was younger but only got to brown belt.

I'm an expert with Nun-Chukku and I'm completely self taught.

I noticed no one selected Tang So Doo in the poll, my brother did that for about 4 years and was a black belt.

I agree with Alvin though, the sticky hands drills in Wing Chun are invaluable.

[TheIronStar]

Originally Posted by escapee

We'd all like to think that NBA is God like and invincible, but then .......

I wouldn't necessarily doubt it out of hand. The NBA has seen its share of hand-to-hand tactical applications, as most recently demonstrated by the Knicks and the Nuggets. Don't know if any of them are martial artists though.

Anyways, to keep my post on topic: As for myself and martial arts, I'm not sure. There's a boxing class at the gym I go to. I've considered showing up and trying it out. People say it's fun and a good workout.

[maverickstruth]

Hm... thought I had posted in this thread, but apparently not!

I used to study Western Martial Arts (historically accurate medieval swordsmanship, in particular), and really, really enjoyed it, but ultimately had to quit due to "differences" with the instructor. Unfortunately, good WMA training is hard to come by, so I've been going without.

Instead, I've been looking for another martial art to try, and with my recent growing interest in ideas of consciousness, etc., the more spiritual / philosophical side of "eastern" martial arts has become appealing to me. I've been looking into things like Aikido, which (from what I understand) tend to focus away from competition, and more on individual accomplishment and achievement. I'm pleased to see some positive reviews of aikido, and may give it a try -- once I can figure out how to fit it into my schedule and budget!

[Aiox]

>>aikido, and may give it a try -- once I can figure out how to fit it into my schedule and budget!

Time is relative. If you want to do a thing, then do it.

I had a friend at work, always asked about coming to class (Aikido). I always extended an invitation.

But he always had something going on and couldnt make it this week, or next week.

Time goes by, two years actually. He stops by the dojo one evening and we talk briefly. He mentions he always meant to get to class, but just never had the time.

I said - "Imagine if you had been training all this time, just once a week or a couple times a month..."

He had no reply.

Make the time. If it's a money issue, talk with the head instructor. I always make allowances for folks that want to train but are short on cash, we work something out.

And dont be fooled by the "Aikido is a soft, passive martial art" nonsense. The roots of Aikido go way back to Daito Ryu, a very formidable discipline with samurai lineage.

In a good Aikido class, you'll deal with every type of self defense situation you can imagine, and work out with all types of folks- big, small, strong, fast, in all manner of configuration.

A good class will leave you energized and exhausted at the same time.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Aiox

>>aikido, and may give it a try -- once I can figure out how to fit it into my schedule and budget!

Time is relative. If you want to do a thing, then do it.

I had a friend at work, always asked about coming to class (Aikido). I always extended an invitation.

But he always had something going on and couldnt make it this week, or next week.

Time goes by, two years actually. He stops by the dojo one evening and we talk briefly. He mentions he always meant to get to class, but just never had the time.

I said - "Imagine if you had been training all this time, just once a week or a couple times a month..."

He had no reply.

Make the time. If it's a money issue, talk with the head instructor. I always make allowances for folks that want to train but are short on cash, we work something out.

And dont be fooled by the "Aikido is a soft, passive martial art" nonsense. The roots of Aikido go way back to Daito Ryu, a very formidable discipline with samurai lineage.

In a good Aikido class, you'll deal with every type of self defense situation you can imagine, and work out with all types of folks- big, small, strong, fast, in all manner of configuration.

A good class will leave you energized and exhausted at the same time.

I study Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, and it's very similar to Aikido in many ways. I am pretty sure we have some of the same roots. I totally know what you mean by "A good class will leave you energized and exhausted at the same time."

Unlike the "harder" styles that are easy to see what's going on, it's really the subtle stuff that works in real self defence.

[maverickstruth]

Originally Posted by Aiox

Time is relative. If you want to do a thing, then do it.

Ah very true, very true. At this point, I don't think it's so much a time or financial issue that's being the sticking point; rather, I don't know if it's something I really want to do, or just something that kinda "sounds cool." Essentially, what it comes down to for me is is this enough of a priority for me to find the time / money / etc. to do it? I'm not sure it is, but that's why I'm following this thread -- to see others' experiences, and see if I can be swayed

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by impaul99

I study Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, and it's very similar to Aikido in many ways. I am pretty sure we have some of the same roots. I totally know what you mean by "A good class will leave you energized and exhausted at the same time."

Unlike the "harder" styles that are easy to see what's going on, it's really the subtle stuff that works in real self defence.

Another fellow Booj member! Hello Paul

[Geo88]

I've done Vovinam for 2 years, and because of some problems , I am taking a 1 year break ( should be over in about 6 months ).

To quote from Vovinam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia :

Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo is a martial art designed for self defense, health and personal development.