Martial Arts!

[Grandeza]

I searched and there are some old threads on this, but i think it'd be more useful to create a new one than bump an old one.

Martial Arts are really cool and a great way to spend time and stay physically active!

What martial arts do you take/have taken?

What are you interested in?

What's your favorite martial art?


I personally used to take TaeKwonDo when I was younger, but stopped. i recently started again and have been going back to my dojo for a month now and I've really been loving it.

When i go to college in a couple years I'd want to continue with some sort of martial art. Preferably something that would broaden my scope like a ground art such as Judo. A friend of mine used to take Muay Thai at a local gym nearby which I was considering going to but i didn't like it's lack of regard to safety, often the place would brag about "battle scars" on their facebook page with pictures of people with noses where their ears should be. I'm all for being realistic, but I'd rather not come home with a bloody nose every day.

So, yeah discuss!

 

[Mota]

I love martial arts, whether it's watching it in old school kung fu movies (whole row of bootleg hong kong films ) to practicing it myself.
Once you get really into it, like anything you can improve in, it becomes addicitive

I did a form of Vietnamese martial arts called Vovinam for 3 years. I was told I was the equivalent of a low level black belt in other martial arts, but to be honest, I don't put much stock or siginificance in belts. I really enjoyed it, made a few friends and saw some real world applications. I found it didn't stick to one form, incorporating elbows, knees, joint locks and some krav maga like weapon defence. The only thing missing was ground game.
Sadly the place I went to stopped running.

At the moment I'm learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu <3 (BJJ)
Been doing it for about 7 months casually.
It all started when at one drunk New Years party, my friends and I started having like a backyard mock fight club, haha the things you do when you're drunk. I had my 3 years of Vovinam against my mates 1 year of BJJ. Standing up he couldn't really do anything, but after a missed kick from me he closed the distance, took me down and triangle chocked me til I tapped. I was honestly stunned at how esay it was. All my training meant nothing on the ground.

So my mate introduced me to BJJ, once I started it was like I was enlightened, like every other martial art suddenly paled in comparison. I quickly realised that a lot of fights will go to a clinch type hugging and then the ground, and it's amazing how vulnerable we are to a simple choke or a busted joint = gg. I'm a pretty small guy, so it's great that the gap of size difference and reach is somewhat negated in BJJ, a smaller guy can still win over a bigger opponent with the proper technique. I love how the training allows you to go 100%, which does wonders to your physique and stamina. In Vovinam I just couldn't do that without all these protective gear and even then it was still pretty controlled.

That's my story, I'm loving BJJ at the moment and will most likely look for some form of standup fighting as well, oh and definitely want to learn Judo. The idea of being able to throw bigger guys sounds interesting.

I hope to train in all types of martial arts for the vast majority of my life. Seeing 70 year old+ guys who've been training all their lives and still fit and training like they're under 40 is pretty cool.

 

[Dre89]

BJJ counters pretty much every other martial art that isn't ground-based.

Royce Gracie, a scrawny BJJer who only weighed around 176 pounds, took down people with 50 pound weight advantages on him who were the best in the world in other disciplines. He took down a guy with black belts in ten different disciplines in like 40 seconds, and that guy had a significant weight advantage on him.

That's why BJJ is the most dominant art in MMA, everyone trains in it, and the only fighters who succeed who are not renowned for it (eg. Chuck Lidell) have excellent take down defence.

Alot of people who watch too many Hollywood movies think the Asians are the best at martial arts, when in reality that best martial art is not asian, and the top martial artists are't asian either. Just because they invented martial arts, and their martial arts and philosophies are glorified in Hollywood movies, that doesn't make them the best lol.

 

[Mota]

Haha exactly^ The asian martial arts are showy and great to watch, but not as effective. Flying double leg jump shadow kick!

Back when I first started I went and watched a bunch of videos to see if BJJ was applicable LOL little did I know. Stumble across The Gracies and the rest is history. Winning 3 of the first 4 UFCs against bigger opponents, it was a great to watch. Nobody had a clue about groundfighting back then. The metagame was turned on it's head.

Yeah, BJJ is pretty broken god tier now, it's a staple in MMA. If you don't have any clue in ground fighting, you're screwed.

What martial arts would you deem worth learning that would help in real life?
I'd put Muay Thai up there for the training in clinches, close quarters devastating knees and elbows. Judo, boxing, wrestling?

Which martial arts would you say weren't as effective in a real world setting?
The more dancey kung fu? I heard Taekwondo gives the illusion of being able to defend yourself lol.
I tried Aikido once, didn't like it at all. Not practical.

 

[Gates]

I used to study the Bujinkan (also known as Budo Taijutsu). It was very interesting and it taught me a lot. It covers many disciplines, including armed combat, unarmed combat, and a very small bit of ground fighting. Bujinkan and all other forms of taijutsu really emphasize efficient methods of body movement to minimize energy spent while maximizing how much you can control your opponent. It's really about keeping good balance while exploiting flaws in your opponent's balance. It's also a practical martial art as opposed to a competitive one, so from time to time we did things like practicing techniques in tight spaces (like with about 10 people in a 12' by 12' square). I had some very good senseis while I studied it and they emphasized a lot of fundamentals like balance and footwork. Eventually though, school and **** just caught up with me so I didn't have the time to train anymore. But it was fun while I did train.

A friend of mine takes Tae Kwan Do. I attended a class once and it was interesting but not really my thing (I can't kick that high lol). He mostly practices for exercise.

I took a BJJ class once and it was a lot of fun. One of my Bujinkan senseis also taught me a little bit about BJJ and ground fighting before, so I knew a bit about it going in.

What I'm actually thinking about picking up right now is boxing. idk if that would be considered a martial art though. But again, I just don't have the time right now to train the way I should.

 

[Dre89]

If boxing is a martial art, it's one of the most inefficient on it's own in MMA. Boxing is a good tool to have, as it's essentially KO power, but you need a ground game or at least a solid take down defence to succeed.

Fake high (bait high guard) to double/single leg takedown basically counters the entire boxing metagame lol.

Mua Thai is helpful for the clinch, but I think the one-inch punch is something fighters should learn for the clinch game. Perfecting it apparently takes a crap load of practice though.

 

[N.A.G.A.C.E]

how do u people feel about krav maga

 

[Grandeza]

I heard Taekwondo gives the illusion of being able to defend yourself lol.

I'd like to touch on this because it's a commonly held view that TKD is completely useless. TKD is split into two groups. The World TKD federation and the International TKD Federation. WTF teaches the sport taekwondo much more heavily than actual application(mostly revolving around kicks). In ITF, which is generally considered "better" for self defense, they teach more actual defense, applications and straight sparring.

Another issue with TKD is it's so popular in the US that there are a ton of McDojo's which are just belt factories. Many TKD places are rip offs that are essentially you paying for the next belt. But bearing all this in mind it would be unfair to call TKD useless. At the end of the day it comes down to where you're learning it. My do-chang often does sparring and teaches real application. Often the instructor will clarify what kicks you should use in a street fight and what not to do. We also learn hand technique and do plenty of punching. And we learn a bit of grappling, but not much.

So I mean Judo and BJJ are top tier but i wouldn't say TKD is useless/impractical.

 

[Mota]

That was stupid on my part, apologies. A lot of people regard TKD as not an effective martial art compared to others, but they usually only see the sports side. Any martial arts that becomes sports centered isn't so great apart from general fitness maybe.

TKD as a martial art is great. I find with most martial arts, so long as there's actual sparring and not just drills eg: doing an individual kick to a pad 20 times, then you can't go wrong.
Without sparring, it's like learning to drive a car by turning the steering wheel to the left 10 times, then changing gears 20 times individually etc and never actually starting the engine, driving and putting the knowledge as a whole into use.
Not to mention sharpening reflexes, watching the opponent, read moves and seeing what doesn't work for you.
Bruce Lee was a big believer in sparring as the best way to learn and solidify, so I'll go with that

I'm amazed at the amounts some places charge people to train. And I get what you mean about McDojo's just making as much money as they can. New belts every 3 months at a cost of course, even if the person may not be at the level. Got to keep parents happy.
Reminds me of this. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/11300417/so-you-do-jiu-jitsu

 

[Grandeza]

I completely agree, especially about the idea that sparring is the best way to solidify skills. My asthma gets in the way very often when I spar, but I completely realize it's probably the best way to go from your martial art into real world applications.

I'm going to start sparring with the friend of mine who used to take Muay Thai and another friend who takes wrestling. Hopefully they'll be able to teach me some things I don't know and get me better rounded since I obviously never get a chance to spar with people not in my TKD school.

Edit - Actually in regards to the bit about me sparring with friends, does anyone have any advice for me. I'm not positive but I can bet my friend in Muay Thai is a lot tougher than I am. So any advice to a TKD user against a Muay Thai user? And also any advice for TKD against a high school wrestler?

 

[Dre89]

The only thing I could say about the Mui Thai guy is to take him to the ground, and avoid the clinch, but that was probably already obvious to you.

The only thing I could say about the wrestler is maybe research take down defences. You could also try guillotine choke him when he goes for the shoot.

 

[CableCho57]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0v3D_bgXSc
LOL

anyways I took hapkido for about year when I was younger. waste of time imo =/ wish I took something more legit.
and I can see what you guys are saying about TKD. my cousin who is 9yrs old is a "2nd degree black belt". Ive seen him in his dojo and it was like a daycare center. My uncle (his dad) said tkd he took as a kid in Korea only had like 4 belts before black and it would take all of your adolescent life to get that

 

[Dre89]

I think they distinguish between junior belts and senior belts thou.gh

 

[Teran]

Nam Pai Chuan and Hua Chuan for a while when I was younger.

When I was even younger I did Karate for a bit (lul), but yeah tbh martial arts and I are ancient history, although I would like to return to it.

Oh well, maybe I'll do Tai Chi instead.

 

[Airgemini]

I did Karate for a couple of years when I was younger. I thought it was incredibly lame and quit when I was a belt or two away I think from being a black. I've forgotten mostly everything by now, haha. I can still do some moves! I kind of regret quitting, but it's all ancient and buried.

 

[mzink*]

I did Shorin Ryu. I liked it because my instructor put a lot of focus on how to handle someone who is a lot larger and physically stronger than you, as I am quite small. He had a very practical and
commonsensical approach to self defense. Though he sometimes taught us a bit disdainfully because he felt that americans had no self discipline. Also he rarely spoke english to us. It was a great experience though and I would gladly learn more.

 

[Vermanubis]

I disagree with the efficacy of BJJ over some other Martial Arts. While I have my own opinions on what Martial Arts are superior to others, it's up to the practitioner to make them great. Each one is for a different situation.

In my opinion (and though I'm not a worshiping fanboy of his, Bruce Lee agrees with me), many styles of Kung Fu are superior, primarily because they have what things like TKD and BJJ lack: completion. Northern Mantis, Long Fist and Eagle Claw for instance, are complete systems (and I'm not just being biased ). They consider all heights, ranges and modes. Ground, middle height, clinch, grappling, kicks, punches, locks, etc. True, some of it is flashy, but it's the shortcoming of the teacher if they don't distinguish between what's flashy (butterfly kick) versus what's effective.

It's also about how smart you are in a fight. Like in Smash, you have to know your options and you have to know how to appropriately react. Ultimately, your efficacy as a martial artist depends on how you're taught to use what you know, rather than what you know to use. The reason I think Kung Fu excels at that it because, in my experience, it is generally the most complete style, emphasizing a variety of modes, which brings up another interesting point. The appeal to Jeet Kune Do is in the fact that in its emphasis on non-emphasis, you have the mental advantage over your opponent. If you're a diligent martial artist, you'll make it your business to know other styles and know what to expect and what its limitations are, e.g. close range in TKD, long range in BJJ, etc. I believe Kung Fu encapsulates this philosophy the best, because of its dynamism, and with the exception of a few specific families, its freedom. If you think about it, JKD is very obviously predicated on various Kung Fu styles and philosophies.

Alot of people who watch too many Hollywood movies think the Asians are the best at martial arts, when in reality that best martial art is not asian, and the top martial artists are't asian either. Just because they invented martial arts, and their martial arts and philosophies are glorified in Hollywood movies, that doesn't make them the best lol.

There're a few problems with this. Firstly, competition is notoriously regarded as an ineffective measure of ability as is, coupled with the fact that not everyone who is a martial artist is a sponsored, commercial competitor. Secondly, there are also several modes of combat people often neglect--notably, multiplicity. If you watch any MMA/UFC/whatever fighter in the cage, but then try to imagine them implementing their preferred method of attack against multiple -skilled- opponents, the resulting image isn't pretty. Just using Kung Fu as an example, I'll argue to the death, that as multifaceted and dynamic as Kung Fu is, you'll seldom find paragon practitioners, which gives the illusion that Kung Fu should be shunned by the combat pragmatist. Whereas some more popular arts are more effective in the short term and require less alacrity to execute (for example, effectively countering a punch or redirecting an attack versus going for a takedown by grabbing a sloppy kick), giving the illusion that they're the superior style.

 

[Legend4ryFlower]

currently taking wing chun classes. wrestled in high school. its cool to see how the more your joint understanding of two "art forms" makes you all around smarter in terms of realizing the purpose of each action (idk if that makes much sense).
Basically it was nice to see the forms complement eachother in a way

 

[Life]

One of these days I'll get around to taking something. In the mean time, I'm hoping whatever I've subconsciously picked up from life will be enough to not get pwned (and I have a couple friends that don't mind me occasionally attacking them for fun, which helps). But I ought to take something, so I'll be watching this thread...

 

[Shorts]

The day they mix ABBA into the routine, I'll return to martial arts. Until then, this cat is sticking to disco, baby.

 

[choknater]

wow, verm, that was a great post. nearly everywhere i see discussion of fighting, i see a general consensus that BJJ and muay thai are the "best" combination. but you bring up such a strong counterpoint because people just calling those two the best doesn't really inform me anything about what they're being compared to.

the completion point is excellent. i think that mindset is what will make not just a great fighter, but a master among fighters.

 

[Yoshi]

I've taken up Shotokan Karate through my childhood and teen years and even got my black belt 2nd dan, and I must say while it keeps me in shape... it's kind of useless. In the end I find karate very blocky and situational, least from how I was trained. Comes off as "you need to be in THESE certain situations" and then it suddenly becomes effective. For me though, I've also since then taken up boxing and kick boxing, which come off as much more effective.

 

[Teran]

wow, verm, that was a great post. nearly everywhere i see discussion of fighting, i see a general consensus that BJJ and muay thai are the "best" combination. but you bring up such a strong counterpoint because people just calling those two the best doesn't really inform me anything about what they're being compared to.

the completion point is excellent. i think that mindset is what will make not just a great fighter, but a master among fighters.

They've been watching too much Tony Jaa.

In any case, the highly systematic way martial arts are taught nowadays, especially with tournaments that emphasise on speed and a very specific form of motion detract from teh whole point.

A martial artist adds their own interpretation to the motions, which is what makes everyone distinctly different. Ultimately though, I was taught Chinese martial arts so it was more philosophical and balanced rather than pure combat, plus it wasn't like a basic self defence class that teach you how not to get *****.

 

[Dre89]

Certain martial arts are better as arts as opposed to efficient forms of self defence.

BJJ is considered the best because it's been shown to counter most other disciplines, at least non ground disciplines anyway. It's also the dominant discipline in MMA because of this.

 

[Vermanubis]

Certain martial arts are better as arts as opposed to efficient forms of self defence.

BJJ is considered the best because it's been shown to counter most other disciplines, at least non ground disciplines anyway. It's also the dominant discipline in MMA because of this.

If it's a system that doesn't cover ground like TKD, yeah, I'd say it compromises that. Otherwise, BJJ is just as limited as any other incomplete system. Like any other emphatic system, its main weakness is its emphasis. By exploiting its non-emphasis, it runs into the same rut as others.

 

[Dre89]

Except that taking someone to the ground isn't that hard, which is all you need to do.

 

[Big-Cat]

I did TKD for about five years and quit in high school due to a dying interest and time constraints. In my first semester in college, I did Shotokan Karate for three months, but I didn't like the teacher's methods. I felt the atmosphere was way too formal and that drilling up to speed was not efficient in learning the techniques. One day, I was running late and my belt mysteriously disappeared on me. I wasn't gonna show up late AND not have the proper uniform so I just quit. In retrospect, I guess it was a sign that the style wasn't for me, but I did get a refresher on some punching and blocking basics so I can't complain too much.

Earlier this year, I took a taichi class for two reasons. The first was to give the GPA a little padding and the other was to see what it was all about. I found out that the GPA is only affected if you fail, but I enjoyed it so much and didn't require any books so I stayed. It was through this class that I learned of a Kung-Fu studio nearby and I saved up the money over the summer. Now, I'm taking the classes and learning Monkey Kung-Fu which I absolutely adore. One of the things I love about the classes is that my lao shi is understanding of our physical limits. He's not expecting day one mastery which is good because MKF is a very acrobatic style and is not easy to learn. Not only that, but he's willing to give advice if you ask for it. I gotta give this class its kudos for one more reason: It's kept my stress levels lower than they would be otherwise. It's been a very stressful semester and looking forward to the lessons keeps me going each week. That, and I get a damn good workout every time I go. Legs are sore almost every day lol. I gotta to do something about my hip flexors though. It normally doesn't hurt at all to do a high roundhouse kick or ten ala Chun-Li, but the pain up there (down there?) makes it tough to do just one.

It's funny though. I was introduced to Kung-Fu via Tekken 3 and now I'm learning some of the stuff in the games 13-14 years later.

 

[Vermanubis]

Except that taking someone to the ground isn't that hard, which is all you need to do.

I question whether you've ever seen two decent fighters square off. Commercial programming isn't exactly valid. To take someone to the ground, you have to compromise their base, and to compromise their base, you have to control their center. I'd pay good money for the hilarity that would entail an eager takedown attempt against someone who knows how to reestablish their base and punish the rhinoceros strategy.

 

[Mota]

Verm give me an example of 2 people you deem as "decent fighters" and when they've squared off. You can't just say commercial programming isn't valid and not give reasons why.
If avoiding being taken to the ground was as easy as you make it sound, ground fighting wouldn't be a staple in UFC and MMA. It honestly is not that difficult to take an opponent to the ground, multiple takedowns, leg sweeps, and throws exist for that purpose.
You say two decent fighters, yet no decent fighter would just charge like a rhinoceros headfirst. You throw strikes, unstable the opponent, fake moves, and just catch them off guard and look for an opening.

I know everyone brings up Royce Gracie in the early UFC days, it's just a really good indication. Against bigger and stronger opponents, masters in their art, Royce was able to take them down and submit them. I'd say they were decent fighters with good knowledge about base and balance, heck some had trained in wrestling and some takedown defense. If you watch the techniques and how he does it, it's really not that as hard as it's made out to be.

Watching boxing or any type of fight, how many times do the fighters end up in a hugging like position and have to be broken up and spaced out again? Real fights don't happen like in the movies where you're given the space and there's a consistent 1.5 metre between the 2 opponents to throw out kicks and blocks. In reality you throw a few punches, take a few punches, get all up in their face so it's more difficult for them to hit you, hug it out or clinch which makes "come with me to the ground" relatively simple.

 

[Vermanubis]

Verm give me an example of 2 people you deem as "decent fighters" and when they've squared off. You can't just say commercial programming isn't valid and not give reasons why.

I can't say that, you're right, but it should be common sense that rules inhibit one's ability to judge an effective methodology. As much as UFC dotes on itself for being no-holds barred, it doesn't allow gouging of eyes, intentional breaking of limbs, severing of tissue, kicks to the groin or vital strikes. As for people I'd personally consider decent fighters, they're not people you've ever heard of, because they train privately and aren't celebrities.

If avoiding being taken to the ground was as easy as you make it sound, ground fighting wouldn't be a staple in UFC and MMA. It honestly is not that difficult to take an opponent to the ground, multiple takedowns, leg sweeps, and throws exist for that
purpose.

That's extremely fallacious reasoning. UFC has rules that happen to accommodate BJJ's strengths. Just now, I watched a few of RG's fights just to get my **** straight, and almost every full-guard he went into could've been broken by a knee drop to the groin. BJJ <excels> under MMA rules. And yes, taking your opponent to the ground <is> extremely difficult when they're extremely defensive. Like I said to Dre, I'd pay damn good money for the laughs I'd get from watching someone try to charge a conservative fighter, or someone with extreme agility. Fights out in the real world aren't always sanctioned in a cage.

You say two decent fighters, yet no decent fighter would just charge like a rhinoceros headfirst. You throw strikes, unstable the opponent, fake moves, and just catch them off guard and look for an opening.

Which is exactly my point. No decent fighter would, so it's up to one or the other to make a mistake born of stupid aggression, in which case, such an opening begs for almost any kind of punishment--not just a takedown.

I know everyone brings up Royce Gracie in the early UFC days, it's just a really good indication. Against bigger and stronger opponents, masters in their art, Royce was able to take them down and submit them. I'd say they were decent fighters with good knowledge about base and balance, heck some had trained in wrestling and some takedown defense. If you watch the techniques and how he does it, it's really not that as hard as it's made out to be.

For starters, a master degree doesn't denote master skill. I've seen plenty of high-ranked fighters, especially in the UFC, who made Herculean blunders and essentially forgot everything they learned and threw knee-jerk punches/kicks instead. As I said before, MMA rules accommodate BJJ and grappling-centric styles. From what I've noted, RG likes to set fullguards up, which are probably the most unsafe ground positions to be in if someone has the mind to, for one of many examples, attack the groin.

Watching boxing or any type of fight, how many times do the fighters end up in a hugging like position and have to be broken up and spaced out again? Real fights don't happen like in the movies where you're given the space and there's a consistent 1.5 metre between the 2 opponents to throw out kicks and blocks. In reality you throw a few punches, take a few punches, get all up in their face so it's more difficult for them to hit you, hug it out or clinch which makes "come with me to the ground" relatively simple.

It's ironic that you say my preconceived notions of a fight situation are based on Kung Fu flicks, yet your credence is being derived from a sport that has rules just like baseball. This can work both ways. Real fights also don't limit themselves to "no low blows" and "no stripping of the trachea" or "no bludgeoning your opponent with an oblong instrument." UFC and boxing matches aren't real, as much as they like to say they are. Rules invalidate reality and obscure any accurate evaluation. With superior footwork, space control and understanding of the center-line, yes, a fight can very well stay out of a clinch. Look at a Bruce Lee biography sometime--nowhere in his fight chronology does it state that he favored ground work, or clinching over maintaining of space, and dominance of the center-line to work around the opponent. I use Bruce Lee as an example because his credibility and validity as a fighter is incontrovertible.

 

[Big-Cat]

Aren't UFC fights and the like bound by rules like no groin attacks or poking the eyes?That being said, how effective would these guys be if there was no restriction save for no weapons. I'm interested in this discussion, but I just want an accurate answer out of this.

 

[Vermanubis]

Aren't UFC fights and the like bound by rules like no groin attacks or poking the eyes?That being said, how effective would these guys be if there was no restriction save for no weapons. I'm interested in this discussion, but I just want an accurate answer out of this.

They are. I think this part of my last post summarizes an answer to your question well:

"...derived from a sport that has rules just like baseball. This can work both ways. Real fights also don't limit themselves to "no low blows" and "no stripping of the trachea" or "no bludgeoning your opponent with an oblong instrument." UFC and boxing matches aren't real, as much as they like to say they are. Rules invalidate reality and obscure any accurate evaluation."

Most MMA fighters train for sport. Not to say it's not very effective against most prospective opponents, but not every opponent's going to be unskilled. Not to dote on Kung Fu more than I already have, but most styles of Kung Fu, in addition to their emphasis on overlooked situations such as facing multiple opponents, also emphasize the use of innocuous items as weapons. I recently saw a form demonstrated using a wooden bench, if that says anything. That's why I say that, while in my opinion Kung Fu <does> have superior techniques, its uniqueness is found mostly in its philosophy--to train for all heights, all scenarios and all modes.

 

[Big-Cat]

Great post, Vermanubis.

I already had an answer for my question. I wanted to hear different answers, and your answer lines up with mine perfectly.

 

[Apathy]

I have tremendous respect for any and all martial arts.

I partook in one for about six months. I was disappointed with myself because I had everything I could ask for: a great teacher within walking distance at an affordable rate. But I wasn't disciplined. I stopped going because I could tell my master saw a lot of potential in me and I didn't feel I was able to commit to it. Major life problems got in the way.

I will be back one day, whether it's with him or someone else. I'm not interested in MMA or any of the douchey testosterone that is so often injected in it; I'm all about the self-improvement, discipline, humility and respect.

Cultivating energy; is there anything more important?

 

[Vermanubis]

Great post, Vermanubis.

I already had an answer for my question. I wanted to hear different answers, and your answer lines up with mine perfectly.

Thanks, Kuma.

I have tremendous respect for any and all martial arts.

I partook in one for about six months. I was disappointed with myself because I had everything I could ask for: a great teacher within walking distance at an affordable rate. But I wasn't disciplined. I stopped going because I could tell my master saw a lot of potential in me and I didn't feel I was able to commit to it. Major life problems got in the way.

I will be back one day, whether it's with him or someone else. I'm not interested in MMA or any of the douchey testosterone that is so often injected in it; I'm all about the self-improvement, discipline, humility and respect.

Cultivating energy; is there anything more important?

Excellent post, dude. Self-improvement, mental fortitude, humility and principle is what it's all about.

 

[Big-Cat]

That reminds me, ever since I took up Kung-Fu, I've got in better shape, improved my balance greatly, and I'm conquering my fear of acrobatics. I always wanted to do acrobatics, but I was afraid I would kill myself by accident.