Starting: Any suggestions?

[CronoZ]

Hi,

I haven't really taken any martial arts since grade school but I want to take it up again. I've been doing Tai chi (the health focus not the 'combat') during gym and I'm a senior in highschool so I figure second semester I'm gonna enroll in something.

I'm looking for a martial arts style which is decently useful on the street to defend myself, is passive in the sense that I don't need to depend on physical strength and youth (thus I'll be able to do it when I'm old). Also, I'm very interested in disarming (esp knives).

Any suggestions? I'm thinking of jujitsu only because I was researching and noticed it can be used effectively in real life.

Also if you offer any suggestions and kno of a place near New York City (I live in the Bronx) please do tell.

Thanks in advance

[Szczepankiewicz]

The best advice I can give you is to not take advice from a forum full of chuckleheads on the internet...


Second, I'd hook up with Ryan were I to be in the Bronx. I've been wanting to smack him around for a very, very long time...

Spanky

[CronoZ]

Well I just want to get some advice and look up whatever people suggest and see if its right for me. Of course I won't blindly enroll because someone told me to but its nice to get advice especially from people who have been doing martial arts for a while.

S

[Serrada]

I'd recommend: JKD, Wing Chun, FMA, Krav Maga, jujitsu, Judo

Jujitsu and Judo are great arts for fitness and don't rely on youth. Old men regularly do these arts. There good because you do practice what you use at full force generally. My art is a Filipino MA called Escrima, but I also practice submission wrestling and full contact boxing. I’m thirty and don’t know how much more my body can take doing boxing, but submission wrestling I believe I will always do.

Also, see the link I have listed below.

Hope that helps.

[Nit]

for f-ks sake dont mention that your interested in the 'K' word, else you'll get Bri all over you ( )...


I'll distract him while you run....


Hey Bri, your mother is so fat that the only way McDonalds will let her in is if she's disguised as a Cadellac

RUN CronoZ RUN!

[Thai Bri]

But your mother does such a better impersonation. After all, shes had a car full of people inside her, all at once.

[Szczepankiewicz]

WTF is a Cadellac?


Did you mean Cadillac?

Bitty's mom is like a Cadillac.

Fine. Smooth. First Class. Easy ridin' over the long haul.

Well worth the extra money.

[Nit]

Bri, is this going to turn into a challenge? No doubt I will lose.

I see your momma and raise you another momma... :

Yo momma is so ugly that when she walked down the street a passer by asked her:
"What happened to your face? Do you step on rakes for a hobby?"

[Thai Bri]

I bet your "momma" was really proud when she laid eyes on you after giving birth.

I just hope she wiped her arse when she'd finished.

[adacas]

I would suggest kajukenbo as a good art but I can't seem to find any schools any where near the Bronx. The only place in New York is New Rochelle. I looked at the school listings at kajukenbo.org

[huey]

think about what it is that you are looking for.
is it simply a stand up striking art?
are you interested in throwing and grappling?
getting in the ring with just hands or feet as well?

if you have been doing tai chi for a while are you burnt out on it?
if not find someone that teaches the combat aspect.
most places will at east give you the opportunity to watch a class or take a free lesson to see if you like it.
if this is something you are interested in don't make the mistake of seeing only one art before making a decision without seeing the others. this will not be a problem until you see something you like even more but have already put time into another.
just like shopping for a car, don't pick the first one until you have seen the last one.
hope it helps.

[Nit]

Originally posted by Thai Bri

I give in, I even browed the web for a decent retort and cant find better...

Bri, I am your bitch

[Thai Bri]

Sorry. I have only one bitch. And he's a Moderator now.....

[Szczepankiewicz]

I will be watching you and if I find that you are trying to corrupt my first born child, I will bring you down, baby. I will bring you down to Chinatown!

[IFellOnScissors]

I think everyone has a hard time choosing when they start. But here are a few things that might help.

1. First and foremost, be comfortable with the instructor. Go watch a few classes and talk to some students. If you don't feel comfortable with the teaching style, attitude or environment...leave.

2. Decide if you are doing this for self defense, exercise/relaxation. There are some great styles out there that will keep you in shape and provide great self defense techniques. I think most of the martial arts can be done for most of your life as long as you listen to your body and don't be stupid. If it is self defense look into Krav Maga, Kali or Jeet Kune Do. They are a little more formless meaning you can kinda tailor it as you go for what feels right for you. In my experience more traditional arts like Tae Kwon Do, Karate, etc. are more structured and I think it is harder to become really effective unless you have practiced for a while. That said, TKD and Hapkido for me have been wonderful but I have found Krav Maga to be more fun and is a fantastic self defense system. We have many women and a few are still in high school.

3. With whatever you choose have fun with it and be patient. It takes time to get used to what you are doing, Tai Chi is great but I think you will find branching out will be different. And when you find the right instructor ask questions until you understand. In class, after class...whenever.

Anyway. I rambled. Good luck. You'll know when you find the right school. Something will click.