Mr. Arieson

I am definately interested. Only problem, I am 40+ and not in the best shape-(not in the worst, either) carrying about 20 extra pounds for my frame at this time.

I want to start, but am I going to get the crap beat out of me so bad, that I won't get anything from it?

What can I expect? If the going gets too rough, can I take a breather? If there are some rolls I just can't do (full backward roll seems to be the hardest for me) does that pretty much rule Judo out? Should I look at Aikido instead?

I would appreciate any advice. I am presently doing boxing (non-sparring) and some BJJ with a private teacher. Mostly ground work. No flips or throws yet.

Thai Bri

I won't bull shit you. There are older guys i Judo, but many have already done it for years. It is tough on your body, and us over 40 types take a long time to heal!

What are your goals? Are you looking for sport? Self Protection? Just Fun? You may find something else that meets them better than Judo or Aikido?

Mr. Arieson

Mostly self protection. I don't want to start another striking art. In the past I have taken Karate, Tae kwon do and hapkido (the first three when I was much younger) and the last official dojo I was in was Bujinkan.

I have been studying, and researching, here, and in books and other websites, and Judo looks to me like pretty much the ultimate fighting art. that also contains traditional elements.

I am open to suggestions.

aseepish

The good news is that your exposure to Hapkido and Bujinkan has at taught you how to fall to a degree.

The bad news is pretty much what Thai Bri said. Judo takes its toll on the body, especially in the beginning when you're not comfortable taking falls - you tense up and get injured.

My advice (I started last summer when I was 30) is to spend extra time warming up, and listen to your body througout the workout. Most instructors are reasonable people and won't take offence if you want to take a breather. Nobody expects anything from the white belts except a good effort.

Go for it!

__________________
"It was about that time I realized that searching was my symbol, the emblem of those who go out at night with nothing in mind, the motives of a destroyer of compasses." -Cortázar

dogzilla

Just try it at least for a month and then see hows it going, you wont fall on hard ground, judo has like pillows on the floor dont know the exact expression but its good, never the less you learn how to fell in judo (fall?) so it aint that bigga, what i was always worried in judo, the ppl that didnt use the force of other but their own, thats how i got almost my leg broken... but its still a bit ruff sport (ppl mostly thing its bunch of bullshit... but it aint, )

__________________
R.I.P my dear MOTHER (1965-2004)

Martial arts history:

Past: 8 years of Judo
Present: Taekwondo

Mr. Arieson

I just finished the Vladimir Putin book, and there is an entire section on broken bones!

That gave me pause, believe me!

But unfortunately, the more I read, the more I realize that Judo is perhaps the only complete grappling art that still has traditional elements.

But dang, it seems very rough and brutal. Aikido looks good, but is it only arm and wrist locks? I don't see much of anything else!

Bujinkan was an excellent, effective martial art. But the dojo class is two hours in length, and you are expected to go three times a week. I can't invest that kind of time. I can do about two one-hour classes a week. Besides, I am not looking to compete.

On additional piece of info about me. I don't ever go to clubs or bars, or any place where I would normally encounter young dudes that want to brawl. Therefore, Muy Thai and BJJ is not something I am looking at, although it is basically what I am learning with my private teacher right now.

I want to learn all types of locks, holds, grappling but keep it trad. I wish I could find trad JJJ, but I can't seem to find it in the orange county ca. area.

aseepish

There's also the story one of my instrutors likes to relate that contains the words "massive trauma" and "your testicles". Two things that should NEVER be in the same phrase!

__________________
"It was about that time I realized that searching was my symbol, the emblem of those who go out at night with nothing in mind, the motives of a destroyer of compasses." -Cortázar

Mr. Arieson

Sweet Jesus!!!!!!!!!!

Tom Yum

Mr. Arieson,

I am writing this as encouragement for you to practice Judo. I believe you can do whatever your mind desires to (provided one doesn't try to break natural laws). Since you have a background in the martial arts, you will probably pick up judo faster than alot of others who do not possess the coordination, balanace and muscle memory that you might.

So go for it. And don't look back.

__________________

Love it, leave it or fix it.

Tant01

Don't be afraid to try the Judo. You will learn to break your falls before you learn throws.

It's called the "gentle" art for a reason. Even girls can do it!

__________________
While the old form, jujutsu, was studied solely for fighting purposes, Kano's new system is found to promote the mental as well as the physical faculties.

T. Shidachi, 1892

Mr. Arieson

Do you really think I can do it TomYum?

I admit I have my own doubts, fears, weaknesses. I don't think I am in horrible shape, but compared to a young and resilient youngster, I am not where I want to be.

When I took Bujinkan, I would come home with a lot of bruises, often in very strange places. Even sometimes, there were bruises where you could clearly see fingertips. Bujinkan is a strange art, that's for sure!

I started having doubts there, because I looked at others in the class. Most of them were law enforcement, military, ect. Mostly really in-shape gung-ho types. Imagine a room full of Mike Brewers, and you get the picture. I got thrown around like a rag doll quite a bit.

Really, I felt very outclassed.

I had thought about Aikido, but it really looks too limited. I mean, it deals with what to do if someone grabs your wrist, but I don't know the average aikidoka would handle some wannabe gangster getting out of his car after a road rage incident and doing the flurry of punches you see these guys doing.

Frankly, Judo (and BJJ) seem to offer the only things that can handle almost any situation. I admit, I have not really looked at CMA's at this point, so I am sure the JKD and other people around here might have some input. I had thought about Kenpo, but Jubaji clued me into some of the weakness I might see there, and I took his advise. BJJ I like (and do a little of right now) but it lacks the traditional Japanese style which I really admire. My current training is very much streetfighting, no nonsense rocky balboa stuff, by a guy who has done JKD, BJJ and boxing all his life.

I really want to do Judo at this point, or at least give it a try. The one I am looking at is the Orange County Kodokan. I guess it would not hurt to go watch a class.

Tom Yum

Yes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Lalanne

This guy is 90 years old and works out two hours a day...more than some 18 year olds. If you're going to do it, prepare yourself.

Get your cardio and strenghth up. You will learn breakfalls from the ground, then knealing, then from stand up then from a full on throw...but it will take many months for you to work up to it.

Even a better reason to join.

The Mike Brewer clones will keep you to a higher standard and push you to *your* limits.

And if it gets too much for you, you can always clear the area by slowly turning the topic of self-defense or combatives into a conversation about theoretical physics and all the Mike Brewer look alikes will give you a dirty look and walk away...

__________________

Love it, leave it or fix it.

The_Judo_Jibboo

DO IT!!!

One tip, if you can find a community college near by that offers it sounds like that may be the perfect environment for you to start. That being said, i don't think you could find a sensei who wouldn't welcome you if you came in and explained yourself to him like you have here. You might get razzed for sitting out a few rounds but nothing mean-spirited. I think the most important thing is the desire you're clearly expressing, and no dojo wouldn't welcome someone with enthusiasm and respect for the art. I think a lot of the injuries people are talking about come from training for a very serious competitive level maybe? I have bad joints (don't ask me why, i'm only 21) but i've never experienced more than some soreness the next day. Unless you have some very serious joint or back problems, the pounding you'll take on the mats is nothing your body can't take.

Aside from the very practical reasons, I think there's something very telling about the fact that the first thing you learn in judo is how to take a fall. You're going to take a pounding, but it's all in the interest of learning. It's like the saying goes, "get thrown 7 times, get up 8" and it sounds to me like you've got the attitude to do just that.

__________________
"When the enemy comes, welcome him. When he goes, send him on his way."


So the real message here is that in a SD situation you should always take off your trousers...
-jubaji

Tant01

Head start for you. (not cheating)

Here>>> http://www.judoinfo.com/lessons.htm

This is my favorite Judo site.

FAQ>>> http://www.judoinfo.com/faq.htm


Enjoy,

~RG

__________________
While the old form, jujutsu, was studied solely for fighting purposes, Kano's new system is found to promote the mental as well as the physical faculties.

T. Shidachi, 1892

DickHardman

bjj may actually be a better option inmop. judo is very rough, and though bjj is grueling as well, i think the chance of you getting injured is less since you dont get thrown as much. also, i believe bjj is more self defense oriented. bjj has way more attacks/submissions and has more escapes from bad positions like having someone grabbing you from behind or trying to mount you etc. judo rules usually limit many techniques and attacks that bjj allows. bjj has less restrictions in its sparring/randori so you will learn way more attacks than you would in the average judo program.

bjj programs usually include some judo and wrestling stand up skills as well.