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Getting into martial arts...?

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  • Wikipedia
Last response: in Sports & Wellness
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November 21, 2009 12:21:29 AM

I was thinking about "getting into" martial arts, but really do not know where to start. I've looked at a few Wikipedia pages (at least I am being honest) and have talked with some friends who have studied Judo and Muay Thai, but have seemingly only scratched the surface. Any advice?

Why am I interested? I want to diversify my work out (I currently run, lift and swim), try sometime new, learn a few things and allieviate stress (not through fighting, but physical and mental exercise).

More about : martial arts

November 21, 2009 1:11:02 AM

Chung Moo Quan if you can find a teacher. Very disciplined, very traditional. Many people believed it was a cult but as a long time student, it's just more traditional than what's typically seen here.
November 21, 2009 2:12:18 AM

not a martial art, but iwould hughly recomend reading up on 'parkour'. its become a bit of a buzzword, but the original discipline that come from france is very different from the free running we know today.

i spent several years learning it, and even met some of the original traceurs in france. its an amazingly focussed art, designed to promote self-improvement.

traceur.net is a good place to start, and check out some videos by david belle, stephane vigroux or blane to get an idea for it.

why i love it is because you dont need a teacher, you simply need to go out and try to acomplish a goal.

Related resources
November 21, 2009 1:53:54 PM

I recommend anything Chinese - in my experience modern teaching of Japanese styles have stripped away a lot of the traditionalism and mental training behind the style.

I practice Lau Gar Kung Fu and much of the spiritualism, Qi training and mental exercise is still in place.
November 21, 2009 2:30:27 PM

Ju Jitsu would be a good exercise. It's based less on punches/kicks and more on fluid ground moves.

If you want to see some examples, just check out the UFC. Brazilian ju jitsu is one of the most used MMA styles.

Here's a link to the Gracie ju jistu academy. It's got a lot of resources for getting involved. They are legendary in the ju jistu arts.
http://www.gracieacademy.com/
November 24, 2009 1:48:41 PM

The correct term is ju jutsu, also BJJ comes from judo and is not a ju jutsu art, just a renaming of judo newaza for marketing terms.

That site linked above is a joke although there is nothing wrong with the sport as such as long as you avoid any of the BS that some members of the gracie family purport.

I am no expert but depending on what you want you may well not want to do a sport variant of martial arts which many people train nowadays. Of course styles like Judo or Boxing which have been tamed to a degree to allow them to more easily be combat sports may well allow you to get the most out of them since the danger is reduced.
November 25, 2009 1:20:59 AM

Ok, in all honesty, I didn't know the link between the 2 practices....

Ju jutsu is the original japanese spelling of the art. Judo was a adaptation of the original Ju jutsu. There is very little difference in the actual style of fighting. The difference lies in the Olympics, preparation, and sparring for the most part.

I'm not a fan of the Gracie mouths. They are arrogant and talk too much, but there's no denying their expertise in BJJ. The site is just there for resources (trainers, sites, history....).

November 25, 2009 8:56:45 AM

I know, and alot of people would say that for better or worse other arts could do well to copy their attitude but I don't like it.

Also Ju jutsu is not an art, it is a generic term for alot of martial arts, sorry to be picky but there can be a big difference in that some could be weapons, some not, some striking some not.
November 25, 2009 12:25:11 PM

Actually *jutsu denotes a martial ART, *do denotes a martial SPORT, i.e JuDO vs Ju Jutsu; which is why the correct title for for karate is actually Karate DO.
November 25, 2009 12:33:10 PM

No, it denotes a martial way, do means way.

Judo, nor aikido nor karate(do), (not all karate is taught as a way) are not sports, never have been and never actually will be.

They are way's, meant for physical and mental enlightement, education or exercise which are derived from martial arts.

Whilst Ju Jutsu schools were for training in the arts of war it does not mean there is that much difference in what is taught, just the reason for teaching.
November 25, 2009 12:43:55 PM

what about aikido? ;) 
March 24, 2010 12:30:26 AM

Look for an MMA academy near your area. They don't teach one specific martial art but a blend that is proven to work together. You can learn techniques, self-defense, mental strength, discipline, etc. You can probably also work-out there.
April 6, 2010 6:25:42 PM

jeet kune do.. flexible if i can put it.
July 6, 2010 1:17:50 AM

If you are seriously just taking to "learn a few things and allieviate stress" then I suggest Tai Chi. One of the Chinese arts that LePhuronn mentioned. Fairly well known for those looking for the health benefits and not looking to learn how to pummel someone. Biggest problem you'll have is training with a bunch of seniors....

Aikido isn't bad. A coworker trains in it and isn't sure how much longer he will. He is trying to get his 3rd or 4th belt and says when he tests for it his instructor just throws him around a lot. Not sure how much "learning" you'll get out if it. As with everything however it will depend on your school/teacher.
July 6, 2010 2:23:59 AM

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