Martial Arts and self defense (Aikido/JuJitsu) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

-Ever- · 02-02-2005, 11:15 PM

I've been doing some research here and there to hopefully spark my desire to take some self defense classes. I've always heard great things about JuJitsu but I can't find any local places that teach it around here (San Diego). I recently found a really nice looking Aikido dojo (is that a correct useage?) and have been doing some reading about the art. I've found many explanations of it and it's useage from searching this forum and various websites. I just have one pretty simple question though: Will Aikido be as good for everyday self-defense as I hear JuJitsu is? I love that they both work off of the opponent's energy and I'm just having trouble finding the main difference between the two.

Thanks for any advice and information guys.
-Tim

The place I recently found in SD: Http://www.jiaiaikido.com

jfelco · 02-02-2005, 11:30 PM

i believe every martial art can have its effectiveness in everyday self defense.
with that being said, i too am interested in taking aikido. i actually took a 8 week crash course, we practiced twice a week. i lost site of that goal. have you found any places in san diego?? the guy who instructed my class works at a dojo of the 8, towards or near alpine. thats a bit far for me.

seizei · 02-02-2005, 11:40 PM

Aikido could be considered a little 'softer' than jujutsu in my opinion, with more redirections with the intent to get away from the opponent, whereas jujutsu would aim to redirect or lock to make the opponent submit (from pain!).

Jujutsu can also be alot more sport-oriented, with tournaments to compete in. Many jujutsu schools focus on grappling as well.

If you have access to schools for each art, go try a few classes at each place. If possible, stay to watch a higher level or black belt class as well. Look for moderate class sizes where the senseis actually know all the students names, and everyone seems to be friends. You'll learn alot more in that kind of class than in a 100 student McDojo.

-Ever- · 02-02-2005, 11:45 PM

Great advice so far guys. And Jfelco, I meant to link to their website in my original post. I just added it.

Take care
-T

animal909 · 02-03-2005, 02:17 AM

what part of san diego? I know that my school, southwestern college has a JUDO class and the teacher is really cool. It cost $33 for 1 semester which i dont think is bad at all. Check yoru community colleges because they also might have saturday classes. A lot of my older classmates (who left 8 - 10 years ago) still take martial art classes because its simply cheaper.

shakran · 02-03-2005, 06:19 AM

When you're selecting a martial art, the number one priority is the instructor. I took a shorin ryu class once - that style is pretty deadly if it's taught right but this class was certainly not. Anyone that gets out of the dojo I went to will get killed if they try to use what they learned on the street. Make sure the instructor knows what he's doing. Best way to insure that is to take a friend who's very knowledgeable in the martial arts along to spot any potential bullshit going on. A good test, though, is in the sparring. If they're stiffly delivering punches while their opponent "blocks" the punch, you've found a McDojo - run away.

The other important thing is not to lock yourself in to one art. A good blend of what works best from many arts makes you a much more well-rounded fighter.

Many instructors have moved to a mixed martial arts format so you don't have to seek other dojos. My personal preference is a mix of ryuku kenpo, kali, muay thai, and western boxing (with a few dashes of other arts thrown in for flavor).

The most important thing is to train as though you are fighting. Your real attacker isn't gonna punch like a classical karate student, so why should your sparring partner. Strive to make your practice sessions as real as possible. The only concession to reality that I make (other than the obvious of fighting with practice knives, etc) is to wear a gi - mainly because street clothes get torn up too fast the way my dojo trains and I can't afford to keep replacing 'em

-Ever- · 02-03-2005, 11:16 AM

Thanks again guys.

Shakran- I'll definitely look into the way they spar because of what you said. You said what they shouldn't do, "stiffly delivering punches," but would you mind explaining to me they correct way they should be teaching us so I can keep a better eye out?

Take care guys
-T

Rodney · 02-03-2005, 12:01 PM

I don't know aikido or any martial art -- but I live next door to an aikido dojo, and I often talk to the staff and volunteers as they're cleaning up around the yard or working on the fence and hedge that divides our properties. Aikido is a softer martial art that juijitsu; both arts work by using the opponent's own strength and speed against him; but in you that force to escape or to immobilize him, whereas in juijitsu, you use it do do damage. If you're just talking about practical self-defense, aikido is more than good enough.

shakran · 02-03-2005, 12:12 PM

Well, they should look like they're really fighting basically. I don't mean they have to be hauling off and belting each other with full force blows, but they shouldn't be timid about it either. If you don't train as though you're really fighting, you won't know what to do when you really fight. These "self defense" schools that have their students dance around in circles while occasionally firing off one punch aren't teaching their guys how to fight - they're teaching them how to get pounded. But that's where it's real hard for the beginner to judge - - - if you knew how to fight you wouldn't be asking someone to teach you how to fight, so logically you don't really know what to look for. That's why if you can find someone you trust who's a good martial artist to go with you and evaluate dojos it's very helpful.

One of the best warning signs to look for is trophies. If they have a shitload of trophies in their lobby and they brag about winning all these tournaments, they're probably not teaching the guys how to fight- they're teaching them how to win tournaments. A strike in a tournament counts even if there's no force behind it and it wouldn't have done any damage at all. That's great for play fighting in tournaments but if you try it against a real attacker you'll be in a lot of trouble.

Ripsaw · 02-03-2005, 12:18 PM

I will refrain from commenting, for good or for bad on the art. I will say, however, that nothing will teach you about this or any other art more than experience. If your mind and spirit are left behind while you train your body, you have wasted your time. This applies to any martial arts school, endeavor, or task you seek to apply yourself to. Take it for as long as you need to develop an opinion of it, and seek out other teachers until you find your "home."

-Ever- · 02-03-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripsaw

I will refrain from commenting, for good or for bad on the art. I will say, however, that nothing will teach you about this or any other art more than experience. If your mind and spirit are left behind while you train your body, you have wasted your time. This applies to any martial arts school, endeavor, or task you seek to apply yourself to. Take it for as long as you need to develop an opinion of it, and seek out other teachers until you find your "home."

Awesome advice. I think I'll check it out for a while and keep an eye out for a JuJitsu class in the mean time. I guess if I put some effort into it I'll walk away with much gained even if it wasn't what I initially looked for.

ChrisJericho · 02-03-2005, 03:24 PM

Are you at all interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? I've been doing it for close to 2 years and I like it a lot.

cybersharp · 02-03-2005, 05:15 PM

I have a great appreciation for martial arts for physical fittness as well as fighting as art and self defence.. Blending different form's is a good thing to do that is how all forms got created in the first place... But the thing is.. Alot of the older more dangerous martial arts practices where outlawed and such.. Though all of them give a measure of self denfece..

Suave · 02-03-2005, 06:05 PM

Just remember not to actually try USING any of your martial arts training for self-defence until you're at least a black belt or equivalent. You have to be really good at Eastern martial arts for them to actually help rather than hinder you.

Astrocloud · 02-03-2005, 06:11 PM

Okay I'm going to say something on the basis that it is my opinion. Jujitsu is a practical martial art meaning that you can apply it to real life situations. Aikido as self defense -only works on cooperative opponents.

I've taken both and really enjoyed both. Aikido is just a complicated dance.

shakran · 02-03-2005, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suave

Just remember not to actually try USING any of your martial arts training for self-defence until you're at least a black belt or equivalent. You have to be really good at Eastern martial arts for them to actually help rather than hinder you.

Myth.

Gimme 3 days and I can make you a decent enough street fighter.

The reason that myth exists is because so many systems claim "you have to train with Master Yoda for 300 years to get good" - - - great way to guarantee continued tuition

Another myth is that black belts are great fighters. I've seen many systems where their blackbelts would get their asses kicked by a gold belt from a good dojo.

-Ever- · 02-03-2005, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astrocloud

I've taken both and really enjoyed both. Aikido is just a complicated dance.

It's statements like this about Aikido that really make me think twice about it, lol.

Suave · 02-03-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

Myth.

Gimme 3 days and I can make you a decent enough street fighter.

The reason that myth exists is because so many systems claim "you have to train with Master Yoda for 300 years to get good" - - - great way to guarantee continued tuition

Another myth is that black belts are great fighters. I've seen many systems where their blackbelts would get their asses kicked by a gold belt from a good dojo.

Well I'm not saying that you can't learn to fight well quickly with them, but the way most of them are taught (and the ones that I've had experience with) do it in such a way that you will not be able to do anything with it for at least a few months. I took up boxing, and was basically ready for usage after two weeks.

shakran · 02-03-2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suave

Well I'm not saying that you can't learn to fight well quickly with them, but the way most of them are taught (and the ones that I've had experience with) do it in such a way that you will not be able to do anything with it for at least a few months. I took up boxing, and was basically ready for usage after two weeks.

Exactly. The better dojos don't bullshit around. You keep going back because you keep learning more stuff, but the initial stuff will prepare you much better than most of the McDojos out there.

777 · 02-04-2005, 12:57 AM

Hey guys, I'm a yellow belt in Kung Fu San Soo, and that's the style that I'd recommend. It's a practical style, that's ment for street fighting. Holds, throws, leverages, punches and kicks are taught as well as some pressure points. Run it through google for more info, and here's two locations in your area:

San Diego
Rich Robson
619-297-0424

San Diego
Mike A. Moreno
619-274-3969

dtheriault · 02-04-2005, 07:07 AM

In the end Akido will be best, but you won't notice it for at least a year. It will teach you how to walk, how to approach others, how to maintain balance and how to flow through multiple attackers. If you can find an Aki-jujitsu studio it combines akido with ju-jitsu (it's the stuff that steven sagal uses in his movies)

If you want to kick ass fast I recommend a boxing gym (a real one without boxing aerobics) or a place that teaches thai kick boxing. One of the benefits will be that you will quickly learn what it's like to be hit and how to keep fighting even if you've been rocked a few times. Any style that keeps your feet below your waistline (balance) is a good art. Learn to use fists, elbows, and knees.

Groundwork is over-rated when in an unfamiliar surrounding. You don't want to end up on the ground in a bar fight. Especially against multiple opponents. You want to stop a fight before you get taken down. Very few fights take place one on one in a cage.

PDOUBLEOP · 02-04-2005, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtheriault

Groundwork is over-rated when in an unfamiliar surrounding. You don't want to end up on the ground in a bar fight. Especially against multiple opponents. You want to stop a fight before you get taken down. Very few fights take place one on one in a cage.

very few fights DON'T end up on the ground.

TeKiZeRo · 02-04-2005, 03:00 PM

Im taking Washu Kung-Fu at the Chinese Arts Institute in Mira Mesa. Washu is the art Jet Li mastered. Its more of a performance art using weapons and such, but I believe any type of martial arts is good for everyday self defense.

Suave · 02-04-2005, 08:00 PM

Actually hell, take up wrestling. A good wrestler could whoop any other martial artist once they get close enough, and you're almost guaranteed to get close enough in a street fight.

almostaugust · 02-04-2005, 09:00 PM

LOL, these types of threads always lead into 'my martial arts is better than your martial arts' or 'my sensei is better than yours'. There has been some good advice here however, particularly about keeping an open mind and taking bits and pieces from different martial arts. I chose Muay Thai because of of its practical application and the fitness involved. I encourage you to shop around and see what suits your budget, lifestyle and personality. Of course, my sensei could beat the shit out of any of your senseis!

Suave · 02-04-2005, 09:38 PM

Well not quite. I don't wrestle, but I know they're deadly once they get close enough.

shakran · 02-04-2005, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDOUBLEOP

very few fights DON'T end up on the ground.

This is true, but your goal is to be the one that remains standing while the other falls to the ground

Very few fights that end up on the ground go well for the guy that got sent there. And even if you wind up using a great wrestling move to end up on top of your attacker, his friends are now in a great position to take you out while you're busy fighting him.

Quote:

Actually hell, take up wrestling. A good wrestler could whoop any other martial artist once they get close enough, and you're almost guaranteed to get close enough in a street fight.

I always love it when people say this about any specific style. A good wrestler (i assume you're talking competition wrestling here and not WWE idiocy) can whoop any unprepared person (maybe), but if someone who's trained in kino mutai goes up against the wrestler, the wrestler will most likely end up with a big ol' hole bitten into him, and he might get his eyeballs poked out to boot.

Point being, there is no one superior art. Martial arts is basically a game of rock, paper, scissors. No matter what you choose, something out there can beat it. You increase your odds significantly if you train in multiple styles, but even then, there's always someone out there bigger, meaner, and tougher. I'm a 5th degree blackbelt in a very intense mixed style, and I will admit I'm a no-slouch fighter. I hold no illusions, however, that I'm He-Man, I know there are lots of people out there that could kick my ass, which is why I try very hard to avoid fights. The first thing you should do if you're getting in a fight is to run. If that doesn't work, hide. If that doesn't work, talk your way out of it. Only if those three don't work (or if you don't have time to try them because a fist is heading for your face) should you resort to fighting, and even then your goal should be to put the guy down ASAP and THEN run away.

Here's another question to ask a prospective dojo.

What is your fight strategy?
This is an important question because the majority of fighters out there sit there pummeling each other until someone gets a lucky shot in and the other guy goes down. You're basically playing the odds, and that's no way to run a fight. If they don't answer something along the lines of "entry, pressure, termination" then find someone else. Short explanation - your entry gets you into the fight. It should provide you with an opening which you must then exploit with pressure. Keep hitting until you get close enough to terminate the fight with a finishing blow (headbutts, elbows, and knees are excellent choices for the termination stage). It's too complicated to go into here without typing a book, but suffice it to say they should be able to explain and demonstrate the concept. Most dojos will say some stupid bullshit like "we fight to win, might for right" or some other nonsense when asked about fight strategy, and that's your cue to leave.

And bear in mind it's EXTREMELY hard to find a dojo that really teaches you to fight well. Most instructors out there have NEVER been in a fight outside the ring, so how can they teach you what to do in a situation they've never experienced? You're gonna have to look a long time probably, and you'll probably need a little luck.

Once you start with a dojo, after you've been there awhile and learned some stuff, find a good friend and ask to spar with him. See what happens. If the friend is not "trained" but he still kicks your ass, it may be time to reevaluate your choice of dojos. Lots of dojos will actually train you to be worse fighters because they'll teach you stylized BS that untrained people won't be handicapped with. Watch out for it.

Another sign of a good dojo is one that trains concepts and angles. If they're training "attacker hits with right hand toward solar plexus, and you do A, but if attacker sidekicks with left foot toward solar plexus, and you do B" then they're getting too complicated. the KISS (Keep it simple stupid) rule applies. If you have to learn 30 thousand reactions to 30 thousand different attacks, you'll never be able to keep it straight where it counts. In the above example, both attacks are coming from the same angle, and they're aimed at the same place. The response should be the same. There are 5 main angles that attacks will come from. That means in a good fighting school, once you've learned good responses to those 5 angles, you have the jump on the poor sucker that's busy learning 20 different reactions to one kick. While he's figuring out which reaction to use, you're busy pummelling him.

I also like dojos that train close in. Too many of them train at normal punching distance, but if you get right up in their fighters' faces, they don't know what to do. Suave is correct in that most fights end up with the fighters very close to each other. At my dojo, we like that just fine because we're comfortable in that range. We've found that many schools don't really work with that range and so when they find themselves there they're in a lot of trouble.

No matter what you end up going with I strongly recommend you train in muay thai for the excellent destructive power, in kali because once you learn to fight with sticks, you can now fight with almost any weapon (Think about it. A stick works the same as a machete works the same as a knife works the same as a bottle works the same as a pipe, etc etc etc as far as techniques. Learn stick, and you find you're never far from an effective weapon), western boxing for its quickness, ryuku kenpo for its pressure point work, and grappling mixed with kino mutai (biting, pinching, and eye gouging) in case you wind up on the ground. And always be ready to pick up something that works from another art. Hell I've even got a few moves from drunken monkey style kung fu in my bag of tricks. It looks weird as hell but it works

Suave · 02-05-2005, 11:20 AM

Oh yeah? Well NUTS TO YOU. I'll whoop you with my tae-bo and jazzercize moves.

shakran · 02-05-2005, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suave

Oh yeah? Well NUTS TO YOU. I'll whoop you with my tae-bo and jazzercize moves.

Oh hell, he's pullin' out the tae-bo. We're cool man, we're cool! Don't hurt me!

Manuel Hong · 02-05-2005, 01:17 PM

Drunken Monkey!!!! I Love Drunken Monkey!! Hilarious. Deadly.

All forms can teach discipline, self-respect, respect for others, responsibility, humility, and defense. I take Tae Kwon Do, have studied a little Wang Chung Kung Fu, 5 Element, Xing Ye, Tai Chi, Chi Gong and random bits of other styles. I don't think it matters much in the beginning. Find what you like, then study the crap out of it. I found it helpful to have a little bit from another style to help clarify techniques in your chosen one. Knowing seal points and chin-na's are very useful in understanding leverage.

almostaugust · 02-07-2005, 08:24 PM

* Parries drunken monkey with crossbody defence. Launches energy ball 'SONIC BOOOOOOM!'

squirrelyburt · 02-08-2005, 08:59 PM

I truly love the martial arts, I have studied Tae kwon Do, Akido and Shoryn Ryu kenpo. The neat thing about them is that they are all ARTs. The sooner you realize that, the safer you will be. I got into full contact fighting years ago, and came to realize that self defense wasn't so much any particular art or technique, but more so a way of thinking or mindset.

You see a lot of people talking ''I'd just shoot him'', or ''i'd reach in my purse, grab my knife and stab him''.... think about it for a minute, can you really shoot, stab or hit someone as hard as you can? Once you say yes, get good at something, whether it be boxing, knife fighting or shooting. But keep telling yourself yes and keep practicing!!

02-02-2005, 11:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
-Ever- Junkie Location: San Francisco	Martial Arts and self defense (Aikido/JuJitsu) I've been doing some research here and there to hopefully spark my desire to take some self defense classes. I've always heard great things about JuJitsu but I can't find any local places that teach it around here (San Diego). I recently found a really nice looking Aikido dojo (is that a correct useage?) and have been doing some reading about the art. I've found many explanations of it and it's useage from searching this forum and various websites. I just have one pretty simple question though: Will Aikido be as good for everyday self-defense as I hear JuJitsu is? I love that they both work off of the opponent's energy and I'm just having trouble finding the main difference between the two. Thanks for any advice and information guys. -Tim The place I recently found in SD: Http://www.jiaiaikido.com __________________ Embracing the goddess energy within yourselves will bring all of you to a new understanding and valuing of life. A vision that inspires you to live and love on planet Earth. Like a priceless jewel buried in dark layers of soil and stone, Earth radiates her brilliant beauty into the caverns of space and time. Perhaps you are aware of those who watch over your home And experience of this place to visit and play with reality. You are becoming aware of yourself as a gamemaster... --Acknowledge your weaknesses-- Last edited by -Ever-; 02-02-2005 at 11:45 PM..

02-02-2005, 11:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
seizei Purple Monkey Dishwasher Location: CFB Gagetown, NB, CANADA	Aikido could be considered a little 'softer' than jujutsu in my opinion, with more redirections with the intent to get away from the opponent, whereas jujutsu would aim to redirect or lock to make the opponent submit (from pain!). Jujutsu can also be alot more sport-oriented, with tournaments to compete in. Many jujutsu schools focus on grappling as well. If you have access to schools for each art, go try a few classes at each place. If possible, stay to watch a higher level or black belt class as well. Look for moderate class sizes where the senseis actually know all the students names, and everyone seems to be friends. You'll learn alot more in that kind of class than in a 100 student McDojo. __________________ "If you're not weird, you're not interesting". I'm very interesting ... seizei; (adv - Japanese) at the most; at best; to the utmost; as much (far) as possible. (pronounced - say-zay)

02-02-2005, 11:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
-Ever- Junkie Location: San Francisco	Great advice so far guys. And Jfelco, I meant to link to their website in my original post. I just added it. Take care -T __________________ Embracing the goddess energy within yourselves will bring all of you to a new understanding and valuing of life. A vision that inspires you to live and love on planet Earth. Like a priceless jewel buried in dark layers of soil and stone, Earth radiates her brilliant beauty into the caverns of space and time. Perhaps you are aware of those who watch over your home And experience of this place to visit and play with reality. You are becoming aware of yourself as a gamemaster... --Acknowledge your weaknesses--

02-03-2005, 11:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
-Ever- Junkie Location: San Francisco	Thanks again guys. Shakran- I'll definitely look into the way they spar because of what you said. You said what they shouldn't do, "stiffly delivering punches," but would you mind explaining to me they correct way they should be teaching us so I can keep a better eye out? Take care guys -T __________________ Embracing the goddess energy within yourselves will bring all of you to a new understanding and valuing of life. A vision that inspires you to live and love on planet Earth. Like a priceless jewel buried in dark layers of soil and stone, Earth radiates her brilliant beauty into the caverns of space and time. Perhaps you are aware of those who watch over your home And experience of this place to visit and play with reality. You are becoming aware of yourself as a gamemaster... --Acknowledge your weaknesses--

02-03-2005, 12:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ripsaw Chef in Training	I will refrain from commenting, for good or for bad on the art. I will say, however, that nothing will teach you about this or any other art more than experience. If your mind and spirit are left behind while you train your body, you have wasted your time. This applies to any martial arts school, endeavor, or task you seek to apply yourself to. Take it for as long as you need to develop an opinion of it, and seek out other teachers until you find your "home." __________________ "We are supposed to be masters of space, but we cant even line up our shoes?" One life, one chance, one opportunity.

02-02-2005, 11:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
jfelco Crazy Location: north america	i believe every martial art can have its effectiveness in everyday self defense. with that being said, i too am interested in taking aikido. i actually took a 8 week crash course, we practiced twice a week. i lost site of that goal. have you found any places in san diego?? the guy who instructed my class works at a dojo of the 8, towards or near alpine. thats a bit far for me.

02-03-2005, 02:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
animal909 Crazy	what part of san diego? I know that my school, southwestern college has a JUDO class and the teacher is really cool. It cost $33 for 1 semester which i dont think is bad at all. Check yoru community colleges because they also might have saturday classes. A lot of my older classmates (who left 8 - 10 years ago) still take martial art classes because its simply cheaper.

02-03-2005, 06:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	When you're selecting a martial art, the number one priority is the instructor. I took a shorin ryu class once - that style is pretty deadly if it's taught right but this class was certainly not. Anyone that gets out of the dojo I went to will get killed if they try to use what they learned on the street. Make sure the instructor knows what he's doing. Best way to insure that is to take a friend who's very knowledgeable in the martial arts along to spot any potential bullshit going on. A good test, though, is in the sparring. If they're stiffly delivering punches while their opponent "blocks" the punch, you've found a McDojo - run away. The other important thing is not to lock yourself in to one art. A good blend of what works best from many arts makes you a much more well-rounded fighter. Many instructors have moved to a mixed martial arts format so you don't have to seek other dojos. My personal preference is a mix of ryuku kenpo, kali, muay thai, and western boxing (with a few dashes of other arts thrown in for flavor). The most important thing is to train as though you are fighting. Your real attacker isn't gonna punch like a classical karate student, so why should your sparring partner. Strive to make your practice sessions as real as possible. The only concession to reality that I make (other than the obvious of fighting with practice knives, etc) is to wear a gi - mainly because street clothes get torn up too fast the way my dojo trains and I can't afford to keep replacing 'em

02-03-2005, 12:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	I don't know aikido or any martial art -- but I live next door to an aikido dojo, and I often talk to the staff and volunteers as they're cleaning up around the yard or working on the fence and hedge that divides our properties. Aikido is a softer martial art that juijitsu; both arts work by using the opponent's own strength and speed against him; but in you that force to escape or to immobilize him, whereas in juijitsu, you use it do do damage. If you're just talking about practical self-defense, aikido is more than good enough.

02-03-2005, 12:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	Well, they should look like they're really fighting basically. I don't mean they have to be hauling off and belting each other with full force blows, but they shouldn't be timid about it either. If you don't train as though you're really fighting, you won't know what to do when you really fight. These "self defense" schools that have their students dance around in circles while occasionally firing off one punch aren't teaching their guys how to fight - they're teaching them how to get pounded. But that's where it's real hard for the beginner to judge - - - if you knew how to fight you wouldn't be asking someone to teach you how to fight, so logically you don't really know what to look for. That's why if you can find someone you trust who's a good martial artist to go with you and evaluate dojos it's very helpful. One of the best warning signs to look for is trophies. If they have a shitload of trophies in their lobby and they brag about winning all these tournaments, they're probably not teaching the guys how to fight- they're teaching them how to win tournaments. A strike in a tournament counts even if there's no force behind it and it wouldn't have done any damage at all. That's great for play fighting in tournaments but if you try it against a real attacker you'll be in a lot of trouble.

02-03-2005, 03:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
ChrisJericho eat more fruit Location: Seattle	Are you at all interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? I've been doing it for close to 2 years and I like it a lot. __________________ "A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche

02-03-2005, 05:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
cybersharp Insane	I have a great appreciation for martial arts for physical fittness as well as fighting as art and self defence.. Blending different form's is a good thing to do that is how all forms got created in the first place... But the thing is.. Alot of the older more dangerous martial arts practices where outlawed and such.. Though all of them give a measure of self denfece.. __________________ 0PtIcAl

02-03-2005, 06:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
Suave Twitterpated Location: My own little world (also Canada)	Just remember not to actually try USING any of your martial arts training for self-defence until you're at least a black belt or equivalent. You have to be really good at Eastern martial arts for them to actually help rather than hinder you. __________________ "Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions." - Albert Einstein "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

02-03-2005, 06:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
Astrocloud Apocalypse Nerd	Okay I'm going to say something on the basis that it is my opinion. Jujitsu is a practical martial art meaning that you can apply it to real life situations. Aikido as self defense -only works on cooperative opponents. I've taken both and really enjoyed both. Aikido is just a complicated dance.

02-04-2005, 12:57 AM	#20 (permalink)
777 drawn and redrawn Location: Some where in Southern California	Hey guys, I'm a yellow belt in Kung Fu San Soo, and that's the style that I'd recommend. It's a practical style, that's ment for street fighting. Holds, throws, leverages, punches and kicks are taught as well as some pressure points. Run it through google for more info, and here's two locations in your area: San Diego Rich Robson 619-297-0424 San Diego Mike A. Moreno 619-274-3969 __________________ "I don't know that I ever wanted greatness, on its own. It seems rather like wanting to be an engineer, rather than wanting to design something - or wanting to be a writer, rather than wanting to write. It should be a by-product, not a thing in itself. Otherwise, it's just an ego trip." Roger Zelazny

02-04-2005, 07:07 AM	#21 (permalink)
dtheriault Psycho Location: maybe utah	In the end Akido will be best, but you won't notice it for at least a year. It will teach you how to walk, how to approach others, how to maintain balance and how to flow through multiple attackers. If you can find an Aki-jujitsu studio it combines akido with ju-jitsu (it's the stuff that steven sagal uses in his movies) If you want to kick ass fast I recommend a boxing gym (a real one without boxing aerobics) or a place that teaches thai kick boxing. One of the benefits will be that you will quickly learn what it's like to be hit and how to keep fighting even if you've been rocked a few times. Any style that keeps your feet below your waistline (balance) is a good art. Learn to use fists, elbows, and knees. Groundwork is over-rated when in an unfamiliar surrounding. You don't want to end up on the ground in a bar fight. Especially against multiple opponents. You want to stop a fight before you get taken down. Very few fights take place one on one in a cage. __________________ "Remember, it takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen." -Homer Unless you are the freakin Highlander, what is the point in learning how to fight with a sword?

02-04-2005, 03:00 PM	#23 (permalink)
TeKiZeRo Upright	Im taking Washu Kung-Fu at the Chinese Arts Institute in Mira Mesa. Washu is the art Jet Li mastered. Its more of a performance art using weapons and such, but I believe any type of martial arts is good for everyday self defense.

02-04-2005, 08:00 PM	#24 (permalink)
Suave Twitterpated Location: My own little world (also Canada)	Actually hell, take up wrestling. A good wrestler could whoop any other martial artist once they get close enough, and you're almost guaranteed to get close enough in a street fight. __________________ "Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions." - Albert Einstein "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

02-04-2005, 09:00 PM	#25 (permalink)
almostaugust Junkie Location: Oz	LOL, these types of threads always lead into 'my martial arts is better than your martial arts' or 'my sensei is better than yours'. There has been some good advice here however, particularly about keeping an open mind and taking bits and pieces from different martial arts. I chose Muay Thai because of of its practical application and the fitness involved. I encourage you to shop around and see what suits your budget, lifestyle and personality. Of course, my sensei could beat the shit out of any of your senseis! __________________ 'And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe Maybe this year will be better than the last I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself To hold on to these moments as they pass'

02-04-2005, 09:38 PM	#26 (permalink)
Suave Twitterpated Location: My own little world (also Canada)	Well not quite. I don't wrestle, but I know they're deadly once they get close enough. __________________ "Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions." - Albert Einstein "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

02-05-2005, 11:20 AM	#28 (permalink)
Suave Twitterpated Location: My own little world (also Canada)	Oh yeah? Well NUTS TO YOU. I'll whoop you with my tae-bo and jazzercize moves. __________________ "Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions." - Albert Einstein "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato

02-05-2005, 01:17 PM	#30 (permalink)
Manuel Hong Addict Location: Land of the puny, wimpy states	Drunken Monkey!!!! I Love Drunken Monkey!! Hilarious. Deadly. All forms can teach discipline, self-respect, respect for others, responsibility, humility, and defense. I take Tae Kwon Do, have studied a little Wang Chung Kung Fu, 5 Element, Xing Ye, Tai Chi, Chi Gong and random bits of other styles. I don't think it matters much in the beginning. Find what you like, then study the crap out of it. I found it helpful to have a little bit from another style to help clarify techniques in your chosen one. Knowing seal points and chin-na's are very useful in understanding leverage. __________________ Believe nothing, even if I tell it to you, unless it meets with your own good common sense and experience. - Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha)

02-07-2005, 08:24 PM	#31 (permalink)
almostaugust Junkie Location: Oz	* Parries drunken monkey with crossbody defence. Launches energy ball 'SONIC BOOOOOOM!' __________________ 'And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe Maybe this year will be better than the last I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself To hold on to these moments as they pass'

02-08-2005, 08:59 PM	#32 (permalink)
squirrelyburt Crazy Location: Central Wisconsin	I truly love the martial arts, I have studied Tae kwon Do, Akido and Shoryn Ryu kenpo. The neat thing about them is that they are all ARTs. The sooner you realize that, the safer you will be. I got into full contact fighting years ago, and came to realize that self defense wasn't so much any particular art or technique, but more so a way of thinking or mindset. You see a lot of people talking ''I'd just shoot him'', or ''i'd reach in my purse, grab my knife and stab him''.... think about it for a minute, can you really shoot, stab or hit someone as hard as you can? Once you say yes, get good at something, whether it be boxing, knife fighting or shooting. But keep telling yourself yes and keep practicing!! __________________ If you've ever felt there was a reason to be afraid of the dark, you were right.