How many martial artists are there here on the org? I've never seen a thread on this so I'm quite curious to know. Speak up if you're a fellow martial artist!

I have done a little muay thai under Master Sken. Nothing major though.. couldnt commit the time necessary. i am keen to take up martial arts again. Which one, i am unsure. Boxing interests me too, more so the training aspect of it.

what do u do yourself?
[Edited 5/18/07 9:26am]

I took karate lessons 4 2 summers as a teenager.Loved Bruce Lee almost as much as I do Prince!Saw Enter the Dragon as many times as I've seen Purple Rain,and that's a LOT!

I did Tae Kwon Do from the age of 11-14. I had to quit because I was becoming so busy with school. I really enjoyed it. It gave me a lot of confidence, and my instructor treated all of us like we were his kids. The self defense moves were very helpful. I miss it...

I follow the Jeet Kune Do concept, which is use whatever works no matter where it comes from, discard that which is useless and add what is your own. Having said that alot of the things I've learned and what I practice are from Muay Thai and Silat, I also know a few basics from Wing Chun. I've only really just got back in to it after nearly 2 years but now I'm a little older and much more mature. I'm now prepared to put all my time and effort into it and become the best martial artist that I can be!
[Edited 5/18/07 9:43am]

i took shotokan lessons for three years as a kid. i liked it a lot

I really, really want to take a class in Tai Chi.

FunkJam said:

Thats really awesome.Good luck with your training. Sounds like something i'd be interested in doing myself.

Why do u train?

9 1/2 years Chinese Gung fu

3121 said:

Thanx. I train because I want to be able to survive. The world is becoming a more dangerous place everyday and if I am ever attacked or find myself in a violent situation I want to be able to deal with it quickly and efficiently, walking away unharmed. I'm also very interested in the power of Chi and what can be done with the mind alone. Chi is a very important aspect in many chinese martial arts.

IAintTheOne said:

That's cool but what type of Gung Fu is it? There's SOOO many different kinds! I like the fact that you called it Gung Fu, opposed to the more common Kung Fu. It sounds so much better.

FunkJam said:

Northern Shaolin...5 animals and wing chun

IAintTheOne said:

WOW all this sounds cool as fuck. So much respect for those who are able to dedicate themselves to a martial art. well done.

3121 said:

it wasnt easy believe me my Sifu wasnt a lightweight

I called for my son and it was just so damn expensive!

IAintTheOne said:

That's great! I love the animal styles, they are beautiful to watch but very rare where I live. Wing Chun is one of my favourite arts, I really love the trapping aspect of it.

martial arts do not work in the real world. i study krav maga, developed by the israelis and used by the IDF, it is very effective and if necessary deadly.

anyone interested in learning how to fight and defend themselves, should look into it...

eraclito said:

you're very convinced that your way of doing things is the only way, aren't you?

evenstar3 said:

and your point is ... i have a big ego, i was born this way, i cant help it...

it's like an affliction...

seriously though i have a had a 10 year boxing career, i know about fighting, its kinda my thing...

ego edit
[Edited 5/19/07 3:18am]

I wanted to do Tae Kwon Do but my mum wouldn't let me she said I needed a relaxing activity, AND she made me quit sunday school

ZombieKitten said:

you liked sunday school

eraclito said:

it was fun, we made stuff, but it was not catholic, and I went to a catholic school during the week, so my mum thought it would confuse me. Same book

ZombieKitten said:

lol

Tae kwon do but I wanna start kick boxing 2
I love martial arts

eraclito said:

Yeah but only most of the stuff you see in the films. This type of attitude always pisses me off the the maximum! When most people think of martial arts they think big kicks and flips with silly noises, that's not REAL martial arts though. If someone practices realistic martial arts for the purpose of fighting and survival alone and with no fancy stuff, then U BETTA believe it works!

FunkJam said:

True Martial artists believe that the arts we study is all about the Internal rather than the external its all about the flow of Chi and strengthening that flow.

IAintTheOne said:

Yes that is an important part of many chinese martial arts, although it comes only after the physical side has been perfected. Chi can be used to do some amazing things once you learn to channel it. It's something I am very interested in studying in the future.
[Edited 5/19/07 8:02am]

FunkJam said:

have u ever been involved in a real fight, not in a ring or a gymnasium.

most martial arts require you to have a lot of space, there is too much technique and form, in a real situation, that all flies out of the window. plus there is the added problem if you are fighting a bigger guy.

i am not criticising the practice and study of martial arts and agree it is very good for developing inner strength, fitness and discipline. but it also promotes a false sense of confidence and in heated situations, often fails as an effective defensive method.

kick boxing is an excellent fighting form, but lacks holds and armed combat skills, krav maga is a hybrid system, which borrows from many martial arts, the moves are simple, fast and effective, with the intention of quickly disabling your opponent and moving onto the next aggressor or running away from the situation.

it is the only fighting system that has proved successful in conflict situations and has been adopted by the CIA, the FBI and the Metropolitan police force.