Need Ideas

[Viadante]

I'm sorry that I'm posting another "Which art is best for me?" topic, but I've been doing a large amount reading since last summer and still am undecided. In my area (Wexford, PA) I have offered to me; Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Aikido/jujitsu, and Oom Yung Doe.

I am 16, 6' tall, 155 lbs, used to sprint but now a distance runner, rower, ranked 2nd in my Advanced Phys Ed class, and I have 6% body fat. I'm a cross between an ecto and mesomorph.

With that said, I have not considered the grappling classes too much on account of how tall and skinny I am, but I lack the leg flexibility for the Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do despite training for it. Also, some of those classes look like McDojos. I'm leaning towards the Eagle Claw, but does anyone have any other things I should consider?

[ryanhall]

Note to self: write up a Forum Rules section that clearly states that 'which art is best' or 'which art is best for me' type questions are no longer allowed.

What do you want out of training? Fun? Exercise? Self-protection? Competition? These kinds of questions are simply nonsense. I realize that you are new to the martial arts, but you probably have a goal set out for yourself. Detailing in your post what that goal is would aid you in getting a serious response.

[Viadante]

Heheh, sorry about that. I should've learned from reading more threads on other forums about being more specific in my post or not posting at all. If the admins want to, striking this thread from the server would probably be the best choice. But as long as this thread is still up, I'll further specify that I'm looking for something that combines tradition, actual fighting application, and a little bit of exercise. Primarily I want a cultural aspect and better sense of how to use my body.

[Viadante]

To be quite honest I would like something along the lines of Kendo, Kenjitsu, or Kali. But No exclusive weapon art is offered to me. But the cultural aspects and body training aspects are the kind I'm searching for.

[ryanhall]

Tradition and combat application are not mutually exclusive, but the more into the artsy aspects of a style/system you go, the less likely you are to be learning functional material.

[Toudiyama[NL]]

Ryanhall did you read his last post?
He sez he would like to do Kendo or Kenjitsu, so why start about practicality? Or are there people walking around with swords in your area?

[Thai Bri]

"In my area (Wexford, PA) I have offered to me; Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Aikido/jujitsu, and Oom Yung Doe."

You must be the unluckiest guy in the world. All that crap available, and nothing else.



Take grappling, regardless of your build. A guy attacking you won't say "This dude won't suit grappling, so I won't take him down". And get into some kind of kick/thai boxing.

You did ask.

[swan104]

Have a look, or participate in all of the classes to see what they're like. You'll probably end up enjoying one more than others.

[doubleouch]

Swan is rignt. Choose a school not an art. Most schools will let you do a free class. I would take them up on it and try at least one class from each. Sit and watch a couple of classes first also. Be sure to find out about all the hidden fees that some clubs charge. Rank tests, inner school tournaments, equipment etc. it can add up.

[CHOKE UK]

Originally posted by ryanhall
Tradition and combat application are not mutually exclusive, but the more into the artsy aspects of a style/system you go, the less likely you are to be learning functional material.

Well said !
(now he has got a point) !

[CHOKE UK]

[quote]Originally posted by Thai Bri
[b]"In my area (Wexford, PA) I have offered to me; Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Aikido/jujitsu, and Oom Yung Doe."

You must be the unluckiest guy in the world. All that crap available, and nothing else.



Now that is funny,
True but funny.

[Ice Phoenix]

Well, what you gonna do man? Also, being tall and skinny doesn't make grappling any less effective. I'm tall and skinny and I outgrapple people much bigger all the time. If I tried to strike with them though, I'd get smashed!