Any one here do Martial Arts?

[JudeLeaf]

If so, which one? I've just started Wing Chun, and have done ju-jitsu for several years. I'd love to learn ken-jitsu/iaido.

Also, why do you do it? Aesthetic principles, self defence, fitness?? Just interested to know how many Mighty B's fans do MA. Cheers. :D

[EMCF]

Did Tai Kwon Do years ago, just for kicks really. (Pun intended)

[LDB]

I know wang chung.

[Granty Boy]

Did Tai Kwon Do years ago, just for kicks really. (Pun intended)p for il

I did Tae Kwon Do for 3 years but had to give due to illness.

[EddyMac87]

I did Judo for about 5 months...i placed third in some big state competition...

but i quit...i couldnt do both that and football...

[The Dark Knight]

I never studied traditionaly but my Dad taught me alot of stuff (Tai Kwon Do) and I have some equipment at home like heavy bags and what not. I'd punch the heavy bag untill my hands were bloodied and bruised but now they're like a couple of hammers. Pretty tough and leathery. I got alot of books/movies/magazines on martial arts/fighting. I'd practice moves and combos. Not the same as a real fight but it gets you in shape.

A real fight is way too unpredictable. Most martial arts are worthless in a real fight. Boxing is OK. Wrestling/Grappling works best for one on one fights. You can end it pretty quick and take down any size oppenent if you know what your doing.

I'm an excellent street fighter. I fight pretty dirty. Once I got in a little trouble in a fight, so I stuck my thumb in the dudes eye and told him if he didn't let go that I would scoop out his eyeball like a jello shot. He let go and I got the upper hand.

I fought this dude once that was supposed to be an awesome boxer. I beat his ass silly. He cried to his friends saying that I was too close and he couldn't get any extension, otherwise he would have knocked me out :rolleyes:

Yeah, whatever dude.

Your just another punk that got ***** slapped by the Benny!

[JWinn]

My son (9) does Tae Kwon Do on Monday nights. He is now a Purple belt with Black stripe. He really likes it, but could practice more. Great teacher!! It's teaching him to be a good person!

[ARBroncos]

I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do but its basically useless as I got it when I was a pretty young kid. Since I can't remember any of it its only usefull as when I started other matial arts I already did the proper kicking and punching techniques.. you want to make sure you are doing the right thing so you don't accidentally break any fingers or toes.

Sophomore year in college I started taking Penchak Silat at the Indonesian Embassy here in Washington DC. Like Benny was saying most martial arts are kinda useless in a real fight because they are very stylized and designed for tournaments. They generally don't anticipate anyone fighting dirty or in an unorthodox manner. I started taking Silat after I read the Tom Clancy Net Force books where they describe silat and one of the most brutal and to the point martial arts on the planet. Clancy described it as a form of martial arts intended to make you able to beat up a bigger stronger and more skillfull opponent. Theres nothing about style or grace just a single goal of disabling your opponent. In the first day I learned more throat and eye jabs and knee breaks than I had ever seen before. We learned specific ways of fighting if attacked on the subway where there are enclosed spaces. The training is also brutally hard but you learn what you can tolerate. I've fought 6 other students at the same time and held them off for a bit until one of them got in a good kick and knocked me out. I had to stop when I went to Ireland, but I'm hoping to start up again very soon when I finish up all this work I have.

If you were coming at me to fight I would feel no guilt at just taking out your knee and ending the fight before it starts. Silat is no joke.

[Tony]

I have 3 pairs of nunchucks in my closet, which i can use pretty well. but no MA experience as of yet, i like to learn aikedo or tae kwon do someday. :coffee:

[Snk16]

I do karate. I'm a black belt. I'm awesome with the nunchucks also. I do it for a little bit of everything. My style has a bit of everything. The teachers teach us like all types like Ju-Jitzu (sp?) Muy Thai, etc.

[JudeLeaf]

I wouldn't say that Martial Arts are useless in a fight. There are certain ones that are now purely sports based, and have had their "martial" value removed from them.

In my Wing Chun class, we train without pads, at full speed, are instructed to "go for the kill" i.e. throat strikes, and train at full speed. No punches pulled. While I totally agree, that many a good streetfighter that has little more than heart and courage in abundance, will take down many a martial artist... That said, a high level MA will be a much, much tougher proposition.

Grappling is all well and good, but on the street, I do not wanna get taken down to the street. Not sure what it's like in the States, but in the UK, street crime and brawling is common place, especially on a friday night with our drink culture, and being on the deck, where there are people who aren't involved who will come and put the boot in when they're nothing to do with it...That's an iffy situation, I'd rather not be in.

We use "chi sau" which is sticking hands, it's not learning things by rote, which does go out the window in a punch up, and is so simple, it comes naturally. Which helps. A lot. I've only had a couple of fights. One win, one when we got separated, (Not before I walloped him on the bugle ;) , plus he was French! - it was over a bird!! :fight: ) So 2 nil to me. Dark Knight, remind me never to get on the wrong side of you dude! :rockon:

[NJBRONCOSFAN]

I'll agree..I have a friend who's been doing martial arts since he was young...no specific style, but some crazy stuff, including lots of submissions and such..think the same style that is fought in the UFC.

He's 5'11 and like 145..and he'll kick the crap outta any of you.

[Javalon]

I was into Kempo Karate for awhile. I had a great time and was fit as a fiddle. Even took 4th place in my last tournament in sparring. (4th might not sound great but there was some serious competition.)

But the "real world" intruded and I ran out of time to devote to it. I really miss it and would consider getting back into it except that the town I live in now only has Tae Kwon Do, which I'm sure it fine but doesn't hold the same appeal to me now that I've had Kempo.