Pretty straightforward question. I just got my first dan black belt in kyuki-do in August. Also have been doing Judo for about a year now, just recently passed my first advancement test there. Any other folks out there practice the martial arts? What rank are you and in what art(s)?
I'm a nidan in Shotokan Karate. Haven't practiced since I've moved over 120 miles from my dojo 4 years ago.
I had to give up karate because of homework and other issues but I got to blue belt which is 5th kyu. I love martial arts and since then I've attended a few taekwondo classes and some MMA stuff. I'd love to go back to karate but I just don't have the time.
I've only had the tiniest amount of instruction in it, but Wing Chun is designed around deflecting your opponent's force with the least amount of effort, and efficiently delivering your own. It means you save energy and can take on much stronger opponents. I started taking classes, but only got to go to two before my work schedule ran across training time. It made me sad and now I can only do it with online tutorials.
Honestly, for many arts it's more about technique than physical strength. (Maybe 70-30) The big ones that come to mind are Hapkido/Aikido, and, to a lesser extent, Judo/Jujitsu. I don't know much about Aikido, but from what I've heard, it's similar to Hapkido, which is a lot of joint locks and manipulation. (read: bend the other guy the wrong way) However, IMHO, there is no such thing as an "unfit weakling." I have very little upper body strength. Hell, I can hardly do a decent push up. Yet I am a Black Belt. My advice is to just go for it, and see where it takes you. Even if you decide you aren't cut out for it, it's a great life experience.
Um... I'm a boxer, does that count? Boxing is my martial art. I don't know if it counts but I'm good at it.
No, boxing doesn't count because it's not an art. But it is a sweet science. (Yes it counts, I just wanted to be a smartass.)
Thanks Absolute. I need that kick up the ass as I keep hiding behind excuses. I'll have to see what's available near me.
Nerds can easily become martial artists too. Take me for example: I'm a nerd but I'm also a big fan of martial arts, in fact I can't seem to shut up about it. I've been doing kickboxing and jiu jitsu for several years (with a brown a black belt, and a blue belt respectively), and I'd like to start taekwondo in the near future.
I did karate when I was much younger. I asked my father to get me into karate and I did it for a while. But I wasn't very passionate about it. I did it for a period of a few months (I think). In 2009, I got into boxing. I was going to a boxing gym for a period of about four or five months. I know the basics of boxing but I'm not skilled at it to a high degree. Plus, I still need to gain stamina.
