Martial Arts in my Area

[Rival]

hello everyone, ill just get straight to the point. im looking for a martial art that matches my body type and is the most effective for self defense here is what they teach in my area (straight out of the yellow pages)

Full Contact kickboxing
Aikido (one school also says "Akikai" is this the same thing)?
Karate
Tae Kwon Do
Elite Training Academy
Ryokukai Karate-Budo
Hung Gar
Praying Mantis
Tai' Chi' Chuan
Aerobic Kickboxing
Shaolin Kempo Karate and Jiu-Jitsu

These are all the different types of martial arts. there is about 6 Tae Kwon Do school but that is questioning the quality of the teaching.
Also the Hung Gar, Praying Mantis, and Tai' Chi' Chuan are all in the same school. there are about 12 people that go there, so it is very personal. i am leaning twards Hung Gar.
One more thing my build is (if it matters) 5'9'', about 150 pounds, and a reach of aprox. 30 in.

[Rival]

please excuse me if i spelled anything wrong

[Szczepankiewicz]

That reads like the menu at the Road Kill Cafe. Not much sounds appetizing....


What do you want to learn? Self defense, but in what context?

[Rival]

i dont really understand what your are asking...
let me re-word this a little better, i am just looking for your oppions on some of these types of martial arts. ill choose for myself.

[ryanhall]

Spanky just gave his opinions. They were just too subtle for you. I agree with him too.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Are you finished? Well, allow me to retort.....


My question is: What are you seeking? Self defense? The first question you have to axe yourself is what self defense means to you. I could give you my definition, but if you look you'll find my opinions blasted all over this and many other forums.


The short simple answer to your question is none of the items on your list sound like they are worth paying for if you are seeking self defense training.


Does that help?

[Rival]

unfortunately yes it does. thank you

[GRACIEAUSTIN]

What area do you live in? That might be able to help us find a better place.

[Rival]

Louisville, Kentucky. thanks for even giving a d***
okay how about the most effective type i mention that could be used for immobilization..

oh yeah, there aso is a school that teaches Shotokan(sp?) Karate. ive only seen one tournament and it looked like a water down Muay Thai. Is it worth checking out?

[ReeseX]

Go to the Karate school and have a talk with the head instructor, then observe the class. Its a good 'gateway' to start from and after doing it for some time you'll know exactly where to go next (if anywhere at all). Just don't sign any longterm contracts. Hope that helps.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Be careful what you go study in. Learning bad ways of doing things is far worse than knowing what you already know.


If it is truly the case that you cannot find a full contact grappling-striking self defense instructor, you are far better off taking tai chi.


I'm serious here. Tai chi will help you relax and figure out how to move your body. How to remain calm or achieve a state of calm once you get anxious. It won't teach you how to 'fight' off an attacker, but it will help you avoid bad situations strategically.


This is by far better than jumping into half baked McDojo lessons and getting a false sense of security about how much of a badass you are.

Enjoy, and keep us posted on your decision.

Thanks,

Spanks

[Rival]

Thanks to every one who posted. Tai Chi was something i was thinking about taking, but i would also like to take a class where if i need to, fight back. so i might go to both, (if i can find the money ) the karate and tai chi classes.
actually my main offender is taking classes in Muay Thai!! so i need to have a way to defend myself from getting my ass royally kicked...

[H@pkid0ist]

Rival.

One thing you need to know is that not all schools advertise. There are usually quite a few schools that do not. They may not be in the best of locations or have the best facilities, but that has nothing to do with the training, or style.

From your list I would probebly focus on the full contact kickboxing, Hung Gar, or the Kempo class.

But, like i said there could be more options out there that you don't know about yet.

By your body type, if your flexible, or even not, I would try and get into a systen that doesn't emphesize on strength and power to accomplish you goals.

Good luck.

[Rival]

yea thanks H@pkid0ist. i think ill go to he Shotokan school sometime this weekend. the only porblem i have with the Hung Gar school is im not sure if they spar, ill ask.
Ill tell everyone how it goes

[Rival]

AAAAHHHH!!! too traditional. they wont combine other styles or techniques. i dont think thats gonna work with me.

Okay how does everyone think about Hung Gar mixed with Wing Chun or BJJ mixed with Wing Chun?

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