Question from a beginner...

[dillingerescp]

Alright, I go to college at temple university, here in Philadelphia.... Every weekend I have to walk through an extremely shady neighborhood, and its rather nerve racking.

My school offers a beginner, and intermediate course in Aikido. I was wondering, do you think this martial art could help in certain conflicts that may arise ?

I am already a very flexible, strong person. I swim every day for an hour, and eat very well.

Thank you in advance for any answers/suggestions.

[danfaggella]

No. The more you look around and into the martial arts, the more you learn about effective training methods, for the purpose of sport, self-defence, ect... Aikido can be great if its taught by the right guy, but even if you trained with a real master, your spiritual and moral side would be getting 99% of the benefits, which is great, Aikido promotes some great stuff in that respect. For self-defence, you're better off getting into another art.

Let us know what is around you, we will help you make a good decision.

As of RIGHT NOW, I can tell you that you should train seriously in a realistic manner, prepare to get familiar with weapons, and most of all understand conflict avoidance. In most cases, a fast sprint is way better than any martial art. Find what dojos are in your area and get back to us.

[dillingerescp]

No. The more you look around and into the martial arts, the more you learn about effective training methods, for the purpose of sport, self-defence, ect... Aikido can be great if its taught by the right guy, but even if you trained with a real master, your spiritual and moral side would be getting 99% of the benefits, which is great, Aikido promotes some great stuff in that respect. For self-defence, you're better off getting into another art.

Let us know what is around you, we will help you make a good decision.

As of RIGHT NOW, I can tell you that you should train seriously in a realistic manner, prepare to get familiar with weapons, and most of all understand conflict avoidance. In most cases, a fast sprint is way better than any martial art. Find what dojos are in your area and get back to us.

ah, well thank you. Well I actually checked the remaining classes today, and all that is left is a karate class, and it fits perfectly into my schedule... I may take it just for exercises, and perhaps some technique.

But yeah, I did some more research on aikido, and I found out what you had said, that it has a lot to do with the spirtual side of things.

Yeah, perhaps a good quick sprint is the best method, or if they have a gun, just give them whatever the hell they want.

As far as a dojo goes, and getting training outside my school, my funds are really limited, so Im afraid that isnt much of an option.

my school offers TKD, Karate, and Aikido though.

[thescottishdude]

yeah, aikido is not that good for self defense unless you're really good at it. it is however a very good thing to add to your martial arts skills.

[danfaggella]

Even if you are very good at it you likely won't be any good at self defense.

TKD and Karate at a college is likely to be a bunch of air-punching morons thinking that they can defend themselves when in fact they are incapable. Conflict avoidence is priority number one. Don't carry a lot of money on you, let them have your money if they have a gun, don't talk shit in sketchy areas (you seem like a decent dude, i wouldnt expect you to do this), and when you walk through the area keep your head up and walk with confidence and conviction (dont walk with your head down while dragging your feet, that labels you as prey).

Take "Karate" for exercise and maybe a couple techniques, but they are likely to teach you plenty of stuff that is detrimental to real combat (dont keep your fucking hands at your hips when you are figthing.....). I have respect for any martial arts establishment as long as they don't lie, if this place realizes it is basically for aerobic exercise and admits it, then good. However if the place tells you that they focus on self defense, even though wrestling is likely better for self defense, then they are pretty ignorant, this is the classic BS "Karate" establishment, this is likely what you will encounter. The more you see and research and practice the more you find out what works for you and what works in general.

Good luck man

[dillingerescp]

haha, well thank you very much for the help

Ill probably just keep lurking around here and learning about techniques.

Other than self defense that I may or may not need, I am really interested in martial arts, I just think its brilliant how people can come up with these techniques.

[jubaji]

of course...

My school offers a beginner, and intermediate course in Aikido. I was wondering, do you think this martial art could help in certain conflicts that may arise ?.

Yes, it could. Kinda depends on you, though.

[Toudiyama[NL]]

dont keep your fucking hands at your hips when you are figthing.....).

Sorry but I have neer seen any Karateka Fight/spar like that ( in 30 years of MA training)

Wierd kind of karate in your neck of the woods

[dillingerescp]

I actually did take karate when I was younger, but that was when I lived in Los Angeles, and the lessons only lasted for 3 months because my teacher got arrested for the selling, and use of cocaine....

What a greattt teacher, huh ?

[>:)]

A lot of people have a really downward view on Aikido in a practical context. I can see why but it's a case of the instructor and the way he teaches at the end of the day. Trust me, my teacher can take care of himself, mainly because he's adapted his aikido for the street and been doing it for so long.

I'm pretty lucky in that respect. In some of our classes he does things like takes the wooden sword, holds it the other way round, and talks through an infamous incidence with a baseball bat or some weapon (like you get alot with overseas football violence footage) and talks through the right way to go about those kind of situations and makes us practise the disarms in pairs.

He'll show us the traditional methods of a move, and then shows us a dirtier, more abrupt version. As he puts it "this one's for the exam, this one's for the street"

So yeah I'd say check out this place first. Go to a few classes and see how the teacher is really like. You could be missing out on what you're looking for if you don't.

But yeah, even with a great instructor Aikido takes a while before you'll be profficient with it all. Although the few basic locks you'll pick up in a matter of weeks most likely.

When good dogs do bad things, you'll be calculating infinity etc

[>:)]

And get smart about your local weapons laws

[danfaggella]

Aikido and Karate at a college is likely to be pretty bad. Can;t say for sure, I'd check it out for fun. They do jujutsu at my school (traditional) and its horrible.

and Toudiyama[NL], the place is called Ichiban Karate. I've lived next to the place my whole life and they are all morons and fight like morons.

[jubaji]

Aikido and Karate at a college is likely to be pretty bad. Can;t say for sure, I'd check it out for fun. They do jujutsu at my school (traditional) and its horrible.

and Toudiyama[NL], the place is called Ichiban Karate. I've lived next to the place my whole life and they are all morons and fight like morons.

How many of them have you fought?

[dillingerescp]

When good dogs do bad things, you'll be calculating infinity etc

Officially the coolest person on the boards.

Lol

[danfaggella]

I havent faught any of them, but I watch them spar and I cry sometimes...