Which ma's are ok for people with bad knees?

[koogie]

Hello, I'm wondering if anyone can give me any advice on which martial arts are ok for small women with already bad knees? I'm 27, and I'm looking to start a martial art. I don't know much about any of them, and I'm trying to find out which ones would be ok for people with weak knees and back. I'm not that fussed about self defence, although obviously it is good. I'm really just looking for a fun martial art which builds on my health and strength, oh - and a fairly energetic one as well, tai chi just bores me senseless I'm afraid I'm living in sydney. Any advice would be most gratefully received.

Thanks,

kirsty

[Half-Asleep]

hey i have bad knees too although i aint a small woman hehe umm i do ninjitsu which may or may not be the best for the knees... it depends on what the knee problems are. I am also from sydney if PM me and give me some details in what area of sydney or alternativly post them here if u don't mind ppl seeing i can prolly tell u some specific places to train depending on where u are. u might want to try wing chun kung fu i know the internation wing chun association has some places around sydney where u could train if u want to try wing chun kung fu. you could try ju jitsu, or karate. Whatever u do ask the sensai b4 u start if they think it will be bad for your knees and back if not maybe try a lesson most places have free trial lessons. just make sure the instructor knows about your back and knees and you should be fine in most places kos if they know they won't push u to do stuff that could do them damage. Doing martial arts may also help to strengthen your knees and back and improve flexibility and may infact help remove the problems.

[koogie]

Thanks for this advice sleepy-head I'm in Newtown myself. I just moved here from scotland a few months ago so I'm still finding my way around... I'll have a wee search of the web for some info on the classes you mentioned.

Thanks again.

kirsty

[Half-Asleep]

hmm sorry dunno of n e in newtown. If i do hear of n e i shall tell ya.

hope u have a good time whatever u learn

[JKDfreak]

I wouldn't look into korean MA too much.Although it can be effective and fun (Hapkido),but you'll learn jump kicks and that is bad for your knees.
Japanese MA are OK,but if you want fun and good conditioning,you'd better look into modern MA.
Don't take Muay Thai (relies heavily on knee strikes),I'd also suggest Wing Chun or some Chinese MA,but they're not often street-effective.
Of course look into Jeet Kune Do,you'll certainly find an answer to your question.JKD develops good health (lot of conditioning and drills (no forms/katas),develops you're best attributes,ground work,striking,close range combat,weapons (Kali sticks/knives).
That is just my opinion.
No offense to Taekwondo/karate practcioners,I must say I'm not in love with these arts,but jiu-Jitsu/tai-jitsu and judo are fun arts,which relies heavily on grappling and groundwork as is wrestling.
Now if you know where you're limits are,if you have body sense then every art can be yours,just take care of your knees and back.
Have Fun
Regards

[Half-Asleep]

i dunno about doing judo with a bad back though maybe not the best idea to be thrown lol but JKD would prolly be a good thing if it can be found and in newtown it prolly could be somewhere.
look in the local phone book under martial arts and see whats available...

[koogie]

Thanks for all of this - I couldn't find any JKD classes, so I think I'll try wing chun kung fu classes at the academy in sussex street and see how that goes. thanks again for all of your help

Kirsty

[cakegirl]

Hi Kirsty,

There's a kung fu place on Victoria Rd, I think in Balmain.

Cakegirl

[koogie]

Thank you! Will look it up...

k

[Declan]

Wuzuquan in Sydney

Hello:

I practise Wuzuquan in the UK but I believe there are schools in Sydney. I'll find out for you if you like.

In the meantime, if you want to know a little about Wuzuquan, you might like to have a look at some information I have on the Net... http://www.wuzuquan.uklinux.net/shrewsbury

It might not be what you are looking for, but then again it might.

Kind regards,

Declan

[bartjam]

Re: Which ma's are ok for people with bad knees?

Originally posted by koogie
Hello, I'm wondering if anyone can give me any advice on which martial arts are ok for small women with already bad knees? I'm 27, and I'm looking to start a martial art.

Hi Koogie, I definetely would try out Kali/Escrima. You have then economy of motion, you start with stick/knife fighting and then proceed to bare-hands self-defense.
Otherwise, some Jeet Kune Do lineages (Paul Vunak) have intensive, yet simple self-defense courses which are good for women. The problem is that anything involving throws or kicks is not very good for weak knees.

kisses