Looking to learn a new MA

[craigus]

I have been studying shotokan karate now for a number of years and I am interested in branching out into a different MA.

Just wondering if anyone could suggest any particular MA's too me and why, would be a great help.

I am 6ft 4", average build and 1st dan.

Cheers =)

[darrianation]

Yah, you should be looking for a new art!

[Nothingness]

You are a 1st dan. It means that you have just begun to seriously learn shotokan. Why quit now?

If you decide to switch into a different art, why do you even bother to ask us. There must be something that you already have in mind. Just do it.

[craigus]

I never said I would be quitting it? It doesn't train us in floor work or grappling. I have been a 1st dan for 5 years, I decided not to take any more dan grades at the time.

And why do I bother asking? Well yes I have seen various clips of other martial arts but I have no actual experience in any other art, thats why I would like some feedback.

[Nothingness]

See, you already have the groundwork in mind . Find a good instruction and do it.

[craigus]

yeah ive been doing a little bit of reading into jujitsu, though Muay Thai looks interesting too, though I beleive it doesn't cover ground work...

[darrianation]

yeah ive been doing a little bit of reading into jujitsu, though Muay Thai looks interesting too, though I beleive it doesn't cover ground work...

What are your goals? If it is self-defense then it's a hard one. Finding a sport oriented martial art is easy, finding a traditional based martial art is easy, but finding a complete system that is reality based and specifically designed and effective for personal protection is much more difficult.

The best systems cover striking, grappling, and weapons. Judo is great and so is BJJ, but where is the striking? Muay Thai, and boxing are great, but where is the grappling? Shotokan has simple easy to use (gross motor skill) technique, but the training modalities are non-specific for SD and where is the grappling, where is the weapons (modern weapons that you actually carry with you)? MMA is good but again where are the weapons?

Do you see where I am going with this? Some will claim that the TMAs are good for SD but they lack reality, they all lack something. The biggest things they lack are proper training modalities, specificity, and the bigest one they lack mental/psychological training and adrenal response conditioning.

Good choices would be find a reality based modern combatives course, Krav Maga, JKD, or other mixed system that give you striking, grappling, modern weapons training, and of course dealing with stress, fear, and adrenaline!

If you are looking for sport well I have already mentioned MMA, Judo, BJJ, Boxing, MT, etc.

For fitness, Tae Bo, TKD, Karate, Jazzercise, running, aerobics, and etc.

For culture and spirituality, try an authentic TMA like Tai Chi, etc.

[Thai Bri]

Have a look round this site. This guy is a Dan grade Shotokan stylist who found it wasn't that good for self defence.

https://www.geoffthompson.com

[Ikken Hisatsu]

your best bet might be cross training. a stand up art and a groudfighting art go very well together. I use my striking abilities from muay thai at a distance, and in the clinch i can either knee or throw depending on the situation. If I get taken down I can use my judo to control the opponent and either get back up or keep fighting on the ground.

[jubaji]

I never said I would be quitting it? It doesn't train us in floor work .

Do you need new floors Dan?

[hanuman]

look into Greek Pankration, it has everything

[Thai Bri]

Except for clubs.

[EmptyneSs]

y do u ask questions like, weres the grappling in shotokan, or the weapons? it doesnt lack weapons, or grappling, it just doesnt contain them. What im sayin is it wasnt meant to have grappling or weapons. It is what it is. Shotokan isnt a weapon or grappling art so dont look dowwn on it if it doesnt contain these technques. one doesnt take shotokan because he wants to do grappling or weapons. karate doesnt focus most of the art on fighting, its more about one building strong character and overwall well being. the fighting part is in case ur ever in a desperate moment, u could use it to save urself or use it for good or that kinda thing. its not realyl about combat. its for self defense, and self defense and combat are 2 opposite things. self defense is wanting to be peacefeull, but ready in case theres no other way, training for combat is trainng to be agressive and ready to attack.

shoryuken

[Thai Bri]

It doesn't lack them, it just doesn't have them.

Glad we got that cleared up.

[darrianation]

y do u ask questions like, weres the grappling in shotokan, or the weapons? it doesnt lack weapons, or grappling, it just doesnt contain them. What im sayin is it wasnt meant to have grappling or weapons. It is what it is. Shotokan isnt a weapon or grappling art so dont look dowwn on it if it doesnt contain these technques. one doesnt take shotokan because he wants to do grappling or weapons. karate doesnt focus most of the art on fighting, its more about one building strong character and overwall well being. the fighting part is in case ur ever in a desperate moment, u could use it to save urself or use it for good or that kinda thing. its not realyl about combat. its for self defense, and self defense and combat are 2 opposite things. self defense is wanting to be peacefeull, but ready in case theres no other way, training for combat is trainng to be agressive and ready to attack.

shoryuken

So, if you want to improve your character, and increase you feel good well being then do shotokan, but if you want to learn self-defense....Then do something else.