new member

[dukemushroom]

Hi everybody, I have zero experience in martial arts and that is why I joined this forum. I have been interested in martial arts for a long time but never actually did anything about it. Well now I have the money and a decent income to start I just had a few questions. First, I just turned 21 I know I will never be a master or anything but is it ok to start at this age? Also, I have no flexibility will this improve when I start? Well, thanks for any extra info you can spare.

[HDL]

Salutations. I am new to these forums as well. I'd like to begin by saying that I am self-taught in the ways of a Staff Ninja, but am still learning many things. I have been doing this for a long time, but I know that there are many people much much better than I, which is why I will eventually continue my training sparring against others in dojos. I am also in my 20s, and I'd like to say that with training, effort, and application, you could probably become the most renowned master in the future. It is definitely possible, don't cast away the thought because it may seem farfetched. After training a bit, you begin to realize that it's not very farfetched at all. That's what inspires a lot of people to do better, and they usually become much better than they ever thought they would be. I am teaching myself things before continuing my studies in a real school for my own reasons, but you can gain these things much quicker if you go to a school. You also might want to read some books to study the history of the areas of your interest(s) regarding weapons and styles. As for the flexibility, it's one of the easier things. For your legs, you should sit on a bed or balanced surface and stretch your legs out straight, then try to get your fingers past your toes. It'll hurt, but you want to pull your hands back when it does, then continue. Repeat this a few days and you will be able to get your fingers over your toes. Continue this for an extended period of time and you will be able to get more of your arm over the toes without feeling pain or pressure. After a while, you will be able to do high kicks in the air. Don't forget to spend plenty of time meditating so that you may increase your force by reducing nervousness. If you have a quaint, open space available to you, you might want to set up an obstacle course for yourself and practice your endurance that way. If you feel out of breath, I recommend creating breathing patterns during meditation according to your needs. This will reduce the amount of oxygen you need. These things can be done within a month if put into application, but in order to become better, more powerful, and more experienced, you need to get many years under your belt (figure of speech, I don't actually mean a colored belt).

[Thai Bri]

Hi Duke - depends what you want from it. Do you want to learn how to fight? If so, mix Boxing or Thai Boxing with Judo or Brasillian Jiu Jitsu.

There are hundreds of arts, and most walk about in pyjamas kicking at thin air. They're the bad ones.

[HDL]

If you don't know what you want to do yet, I suggest trying many different things while looking for some style or weapon that suits your interest(s). After that, it's learning, training, and applying. Ah, and something I forgot: welcome.

[dukemushroom]

Wow...thanks for the replies and the welcomes. I haven't decided exactly what I want to study but I do know where. There is a place here in Tulsa called Gibson's martial arts. They teach several different styles and weapons. I plan to go there sometime either before or after christmas to check it out. Thanks again for the info.

[gregimotis]

DUKE, I have been to Gibson's for a Seminar with Ajarn Chai (Sort of the father of Thai Boxing in America) and I have trained with some of them at a camp in Oregon. It's a good school with a good feeling about it. They teach (I think) BJJ, Muay Thai, and Kali (Phillipine weapons). Anyway, seems like a good place and If you join, I'll see you in September for the next seminar.

Good luck