Martial Arts - advise

[astra_sri_andy]

All I'll say is...be happy with your instructor, and be happy with the classes you attend. If you don't understand anything ask, inevitably there will be 3 or 4 people in the class that missed what the instructor said and are afraid to ask. Plus you show willing.

Definately get registered on some forums, one I would recommend is Martial Arts Planet as it covers TKD quite widely. Do a search for TKD resources, there will be loads on terminology etc...but do not start trying to do stuff from DVDs/books etc as your instructor may well teach stuff in a slightly different way.

Best way is to take what you learn in your classes and practice at home. Just listen carefully in class and don't try to run before you can walk. Your instructors will be used to taking someone from complete beginner to black belt...just be patient and give it time.

[turbo steve]

My favorite is thai boxing, I have done a black belt in karate but suffered crutiate problems in both knees and there is far too much jumping and spinning for the 2nd dan so I stuck with thai boxing and loved it. I did it for over 12 years and fought at a high level. Its a basic sport which develops a good fighting technique. I trained with a 5th dan in tae kwon do in the cayman islands and apart from him being really flash I would of kicked his ass in a proper full contact fight, also when people in the gym watched me train on the bags they said that was what they wanted to learn to do The cinema style stuff looks good but you can't beat the simplicity of thai boxing

[jaye944]

ok this is my 4th week now.

finding it difficult, obviusoly not a fit young teenager anymore
but I putup with it as the old addage "no pain..."

Next week I have to decide wether to become a member of the club if so then sign up and get insurance etc.

SRI_ANDY,
get the feeling not a good idea to ask too many questions. I did get the reply, (words to the effect) not to ask too many explanations/questions, "simply attempt to do the move etc, it will come. not to analyse stuff" etc.

again not been to any other clubs to know if this is norm.

Have ordered a book from Smths about TKD, so I can practice some stances at home in front of the mirror, find it difficult (once a week) to remember what I did in class.

I always work up a sweat and hurt like the next 2 days, so must be doing something

[ol'_200sx_thing]

Not very helpful are they,

My old instructor would go through any quesries you had, he felt the more knowledge you had, the better equipped you will be

then again my instructors were world kick boxing champions david baptiste and alan spears

[Rik]

Originally Posted by jaye944

I always work up a sweat and hurt like the next 2 days, so must be doing something

Are you warming up and then stretching?

And then stretching afterwards?

[tom_moran]

Originally Posted by jaye944

ok this is my 4th week now.

finding it difficult, obviusoly not a fit young teenager anymore
but I putup with it as the old addage "no pain..."

Next week I have to decide wether to become a member of the club if so then sign up and get insurance etc.

SRI_ANDY,
get the feeling not a good idea to ask too many questions. I did get the reply, (words to the effect) not to ask too many explanations/questions, "simply attempt to do the move etc, it will come. not to analyse stuff" etc.

again not been to any other clubs to know if this is norm.

Have ordered a book from Smths about TKD, so I can practice some stances at home in front of the mirror, find it difficult (once a week) to remember what I did in class.

I always work up a sweat and hurt like the next 2 days, so must be doing something

doesnt sound very supportive, my instructors have always been there to help with whatever advice i need

[Adam]

i did jujitsu for awhile..my penny worth lol personally i enjoy boxersize with mtv in my living room

[jaye944]

That's what I thought too !

Originally Posted by ol'_200sx_thing

Not very helpful are they,

My old instructor would go through any quesries you had, he felt the more knowledge you had, the better equipped you will be

[jaye944]

warming up and stretching yes !

After the session,

we usually bow and pay respect to the instructor and senior belt
do the club motto and take the flags down.
then get changed

Meybe I should bring this up about warming down.

I thought in the club notes given to beginners it says about warming down
but all the time I've been there there's been no warming down

Originally Posted by Rik

Are you warming up and then stretching?

And then stretching afterwards?

[astra_sri_andy]

Originally Posted by jaye944

SRI_ANDY,
get the feeling not a good idea to ask too many questions. I did get the reply, (words to the effect) not to ask too many explanations/questions, "simply attempt to do the move etc, it will come. not to analyse stuff" etc.

Hmmm. Asking how to perform a technique correctly isn't analysing 'stuff'.

If my student(s) had any questions about where their feet/fists/arms should be I would make a point of answering, even if that meant gathering the whole class around me to show them. 'Analysing' stuff is a completely different kettle of fish, and I get the feeling you were fobbed off slightly.

Personally, I wouldn't like to train under an instuctor who wasn't willing to answer my questions. It shows either a distinct lack of knowledge by the instructor, or that he's trying to cram waaaaay to much into the lessons that he hasn't the time to stand and answer q's.

It goes without saying that the moves will come, but it's a fundemental thing to know how to do the 'move' correctly in the first place. Then you can work on perfecting it.

[jaye944]

Thankxs Andy,

I'll keep with it a maybe press further on stuff if I dont understand,
if it doesnt work out, I'll just try another club

didnt go yesterday I was on lates, but I left a message for him to let him know
just outta courtesy

Originally Posted by astra_sri_andy

Hmmm. Asking how to perform a technique correctly isn't analysing 'stuff'.

If my student(s) had any questions about where their feet/fists/arms should be I would make a point of answering, even if that meant gathering the whole class around me to show them. 'Analysing' stuff is a completely different kettle of fish, and I get the feeling you were fobbed off slightly.

Personally, I wouldn't like to train under an instuctor who wasn't willing to answer my questions. It shows either a distinct lack of knowledge by the instructor, or that he's trying to cram waaaaay to much into the lessons that he hasn't the time to stand and answer q's.

It goes without saying that the moves will come, but it's a fundemental thing to know how to do the 'move' correctly in the first place. Then you can work on perfecting it.

[mirpur]

shotokan is ok for basics but not really good for the street if you want good self defence then grappling is the way to go kickboxing is also good but a lot of street fights very quickly end up close, grappling is good all round in terms of fitness and self defence

[astra_sri_andy]

Originally Posted by mirpur

shotokan is ok for basics but not really good for the street if you want good self defence then grappling is the way to go kickboxing is also good but a lot of street fights very quickly end up close, grappling is good all round in terms of fitness and self defence

Why does Shotokan have to be about 'street fighting'?

I've lost count the amount of times I've had a discussion about Shotokan, and some MMA/BJJ/Kick Boxer has pointed out that Shotokan is pants for 'street fighting'...yet they've never actually trained in Shotokan.

You'd be surprised.

Lots of people do MA for fitness/fun/a confidence boost, not to go out at the weekend hoping to get on Street Crime UK

[highstool]

Buy a Gun and shoot the mother ****ers

[mirpur]

ive done shotokan from a young age,its more katas, grading and punching in mid air at the end you want to be able to defend yourself,not saying shotokan doesnt help in defending yourself, if someone gets close up to you shotokan isnt going to be effective thats where the grappling is going to help
as you know the first thing your taught in shotokan is discipline and not to go round looking for fights

[astra_sri_andy]

Originally Posted by mirpur

ive done shotokan from a young age,its more katas, grading and punching in mid air at the end you want to be able to defend yourself,not saying shotokan doesnt help in defending yourself, if someone gets close up to you shotokan isnt going to be effective thats where the grappling is going to help
as you know the first thing your taught in shotokan is discipline and not to go round looking for fights

I disagree.

There's plenty of grappling in Shotokan, specifically in the Kata, if you actually look for it.

Can I ask how far you got 'from a young age'? And can I also ask, if you find it such a disappointing art why did you carry on doing it (only an assumption, as i don't know how far you got into it)?

Also, I'd like you to point out the 'grappling' in Kickboxing? I'm perplexed, as Kickboxing is mainly hand and foot/shin strikes...so I'm bemused as to where 'grappling' comes into it.

[jaye944]

haha, well said Andy,

I remember an episode of "home improvment" where Tim's sons are doing MA, and the teacher said something like the first rule is to not be in the situation and if you are to run like fcuk!

So Tim goes to his son's "I ain't paying some guy 10bucks a session for karate for you to just run away!"

it was a good laugh, but thats actually the point

for me it's about confidence (not as in talking to people and stuff like that) just that sometimes you or your familly may be in a situation where you just can't run away and you need to have a bit of confidence in your ability to defend if need be.

Maybe a wrong supposisiton but thats the route I want to explore

Originally Posted by astra_sri_andy

Lots of people do MA for fitness/fun/a confidence boost, not to go out at the weekend hoping to get on Street Crime UK

[pommyben]

If your back is bad try swimming, as for self defense you can either fight or you cant .. dont really see the point unless your into tounry's and stuff.