Just a quick Question.

Are you doing the the martial are you wanted or are you doing the one circumstances allowed?

And why did you choose the martial art you did?

I have been doing TKD since 1984 and at first it was the one that was a nore hardcore Art when I firsted moved to Cali. but today it is the Art of choice. It is a well rounded Art with every aspect that I want in it. We do both Olympic and Traditional so everything goes in the Art of TKD.

Just a quick Question.

Are you doing the the martial are you wanted or are you doing the one circumstances allowed?

And why did you choose the martial art you did?

I really wasn't into sports when I was in high school, so my father had suggested I try the Martial Arts. I didn't drive at the time, so we looked for a place that was nearby, which turned out to be a SKK school. I took a class, and have been training ever since! :) While I've moved on from SKK, I'm still with Kenpo. I'm glad I found that school, as it got me started on my MA journey, gave me the chance to meet a number of fantastic people, and opened my eyes to the many other things out there. :)

Mike

I found Combat Hapkido 4 years ago and really like it, and I have dabbled and picked up techniques from a wide rannge of disciplines..

Imagine my dismay, great thread title, but I didn't check which section it was in.:uhyeah: :angel: I had a really clever answer and everything already in mind to post.


As for the MA's, I am where I want to be right now. It is not the art I originally wanted it to be, but originally, I didn't know spit from shine-ola when it came to the arts. I wandered from art to art for quite a while and never really felt at "home" in any of them. When I found "MY" art, I knew it was what I wanted and needed to be.

*Looks up* Absolutely disgusting, honestly you can't find decent people any more can you? It's exactly what I thought.... :lfao:

I didn't know what I wanted when I joined, I only knew "wow I wanna be as good as that" when I saw the instructor show off a little. Now I know it's exactly what I want, I've had time to settle in and my enthusiasm has grown with my training.

For me, it was never about a specific art or style, it was about the people doing the art. (It makes perfect sense to me)

When I decided to get into MA's, I visited schools and Kempo vs. Shotokan Karate vs. TKD all looked exactly the same to this untrained noob.

I went with the instructors/school/group of people that I feel most comfortable with. Which group of people did I want to spend 5 hours per week with. Which group of people would I want to invite over to my house, etc.

To answer your question, I'd have to say I'm doing the one I wanted because I'm training with the people I wanted to train with.

Are you doing the the martial are you wanted or are you doing the one circumstances allowed?

Yes and no

And why did you choose the martial art you did?

I originally wanted Chen style Taiji and trained it until the teacher stopped teaching so circumstances lead me to Yang style Taiji

I originally wanted Xingyiquan and again trained it until my sifu stopped teaching and later circumstances lead me back to Xingyiquan.

I never even thought of Sanda but Circumstances lead me to Sanda and I am absolutely thrilled with it.

I have been blessed with great instructor's who are all experts in their chosen discipline's. I still train with everyone of them as much as possible and continue to develop and practice what I train and teach in. So yes I am thoroughly doing the system that I want to do but it is constantly evolving. http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif

Yes and no.
Im in two clubs right now, and joining a third soon.
The MMA club is absolutely perfect for me.
The Aiki-wa Jitsu club Ive a few gripes with, but I get enough of what Im looking for from it.
And the Kendo club I still have to find out.

Sort of. When I was looking for an art to study I thought that I would probably end up with TKD because at the time, I was big into Hackey Sack and figured that a kicking art would fit me. Then I saw The Perfect Weapon and I fell in love with Kenpo. I found a school and talked to the instuctor who told me that they did the exact same are as I saw in the movie. I knew enough about the differences between Kung Fu, Karate, TKD, and Aikido, but not enough about the different types of Kenpo/Kempo. The school I started with was an offshoot of Villari's Kempo. It took me quite a while to realise that it wasn't the same. My instructor slowly started adding in various techniques from Parker's Kenpo and I started to see the difference. Of course the Parker techniques that I was learning were coming from a Villari point of view.

Now, I'm learning the rest of the Parker techniques on my own while continuing my training with one of my first instructor's teachers. I've also started with another instructor who has a varied background and I am now teaching a blend of all of these styles. So now, I have a style that I love. One that is evolving and one that I can call my own.

Both my previous (Judo) and current art (BBT) were chosen for me by friends who already practiced them. In the latter case I outlasted the friends in question, but faded out a few years back. Earlier this year I was missing Judo and idly contemplated taking it up again, when another friend mentioned that his dojo was suffering from a dwindling class size, so I went along and haven't looked back since :)

Are you doing the the martial are you wanted or are you doing the one circumstances allowed?


Yes and No.


And why did you choose the martial art you did?

It just felt like the right thing to do.

I started Taekwondo in 1982 not knowing a lot about MA. I feel in love with it. I started watching "PKA full-contact karate" on ESPN & thought that would be a great extension of TKD for me. In 1994, when I got humiliated by a GM for having a "bogus" 2nd Dan cert., I went to a kickboxing gym. I trained there for a number of years. Now I train exclusively in TKD under a great GM. I do look at parts of other arts & things I find interesting. But nothing has caught my attention like Taekwondo.

Yes, I am. I couldn't ask for anything more.

To be honest, I had no idea what I wanted. This was a suggestion as something to do with the kids. I was hooked from day 1.

I LOVE what I'm doing. It fills my needs. However, that doesn't mean I'm not always searching for ways to improve and ways to increase my own understanding. ;-)

Yes, I am. I couldn't ask for anything more.

This was a suggestion as something to do with the kids. I was hooked from day 1.

Sucker! J/K, of course. :cool: Glad you found 'it', the one.

Currently, I'm not doing the art that I originally wanted...but I can;t complain becuase TKD is now the art for me.

I wanted to get back into Aikido...but the nearest dojang was too far away and I couldn;t make the timing work. Besides, my son wasn;t really into it...I was looking inot MA as something to help him (as it once helped me).

My son got invited to the local dojang by a friend and really took to TKD. I signed him up, but I admittedly had a poor image of TKD at the time. I was really impressed with the instructors. Watching my son train got me a little jealous...after my daughter got hooked, I signed up a week later. I've not looked back since.

I still have the itch to train other arts...my wife accurately pointed out I;d gladly use all my free time to train as many different arts as possible if I had the time or money. (I was just geeking out over a western martial arts Irish stick fighting school I just found :D) Who knows what the future brings.

Peace,
Erik

Just a quick Question.

Are you doing the the martial are you wanted or are you doing the one circumstances allowed?

And why did you choose the martial art you did?

Yes/no/yes/no.... :) It seems life rarely takes a straight course anywhere. I 'really wanted' to do traditional hapkido--still do!--but if my joints couldn't do it 15 years ago, not likely the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in and around my knees have gotten a lot better in the meantime. :rofl:

So, moving on. (This comes in a multivolume set, too, for all who are interested). Next went to Shaolin Kempo. Spent years there, but in the end felt the brand I was learning was short on practicality, although long on fun and dojo safety.

Thus, began cross training in Kung Fu San Soo. Now I had a true, full-blown combat art. But studio was short on fun and safety, and a few years in I suffered irreparable damage to vertabrae in my neck (which affected nerves in my arm). Didn't want to be the greatest fighter to ever win from a wheel chair, so had to give up those classes.

Anyway, after almost 15 years of such circuitry, now practice a blended form of all of the above, and teach kids who can't afford lessons. I learn, they learn, good stuff. Did I end up at the destination planned from Day One? Obviously not. Am I where I want to be. Absolutely.

If you read this whole post, you have qualified for a free trip. Just print, clip, and mail to North Pole. Details will be in the mail. :wink1:

When I was ten and joined the Martial Arts I wanted Kung Fu. Thankfully, Matt David's (Sterling Peacock's) Head instructor lied to my dad, and said that Kenpo was Kung Fu. Sometimes lying isn't that bad.:angel:
Sean

I was 6 and wanted to do "karate
My parents signed me up for a community ed program which as Taekwondo.
Loved it from day one

When I was ten and joined the Martial Arts I wanted Kung Fu. Thankfully, Matt David's (Sterling Peacock's) Head instructor lied to my dad, and said that Kenpo was Kung Fu. Sometimes lying isn't that bad.:angel:
Sean


Bad man!! lol that's one way of getting students! :lfao:

Imagine my dismay, great thread title, but I didn't check which section it was in.:uhyeah: :angel: I had a really clever answer and everything already in mind to post.


As for the MA's, I am where I want to be right now. It is not the art I originally wanted it to be, but originally, I didn't know spit from shine-ola when it came to the arts. I wandered from art to art for quite a while and never really felt at "home" in any of them. When I found "MY" art, I knew it was what I wanted and needed to be.

The story of my life, thanks for not making me write all that :D

When I was ten and joined the Martial Arts I wanted Kung Fu. Thankfully, Matt David's (Sterling Peacock's) Head instructor lied to my dad, and said that Kenpo was Kung Fu. Sometimes lying isn't that bad.:angel:
Sean

haha! :rofl:
Heck, most people don't know WHAT they want when it comes to martial arts. I say if you let them try out your program and see if they like it, and if they like it they can stay on and if they don't they can move on, then no harm no foul! (waiting for the negative rep for this one!)

haha! :rofl:
Heck, most people don't know WHAT they want when it comes to martial arts. I say if you let them try out your program and see if they like it, and if they like it they can stay on and if they don't they can move on, then no harm no foul! (waiting for the negative rep for this one!)I wanted Kung fu like in the Jackie Chan movies or Bruce lee.
Sean

I wanted Kung fu like in the Jackie Chan movies or Bruce lee.
Sean


Did you get it?
Or did you find that you wanted something else all together?

Unfortunately for my area I'm limited to a very small selection of differant styles. Compouond it with my work schedule and it makes my choices even more limited. But I am hopeful.

Sucker! J/K, of course. :cool: Glad you found 'it', the one.

Yep! The kids reached orange belt, got bored and refused to go anymore. Me? I'm still there working out and teaching 12-14 hours a week.

Yep! The kids reached orange belt, got bored and refused to go anymore. Me? I'm still there working out and teaching 12-14 hours a week.

Awesome! Good on ya'. :ultracool Funny how things work out sometimes. (And that's a lot of teaching, assuming you've got a full-time gig, too).

I was a kid, and I wanted to learn martial arts but didn't know much about one from the other. A kenpo school was the only thing in my area, so I started with that. Kenpo was less well-known in that area, so part of me sort of wished it was something else, but in retrospect I am glad it was different and less well-known, and I think it's a good art.

Later, I got interested in Capoeira, and moved halfway across the country to San Francisco to train. Later, I began looking around at what else is available in this area (lots!) and I found a couple of teachers of Chinese arts whom I respected, and I have been training with them for several years.

Recently I found another kenpo teacher and decided to retrain again and return to my roots.

I guess the short answer is: yes, but I didn't always realize it.

Did you get it?
Or did you find that you wanted something else all together?Hell no, I didn't get it; however, I did learn I liked Kenpo. I only went that summer, and it inspired me to join another Kenpo that lucky for me was still Parker based when I was fourteen.
Sean

I fell into MA accidentally; I started because the guy I was dating at the time talked me into it over a period of months - but I lucked into a wonderful sahbum who I've been studying with for 20 years, and I wouldn't have it any other way; at this point, TKD is such a big part of my life, that when I can't work out I get antsy and start looking for classes - any classes - that I can fit into my schedule. I can't imagine living any other way at this point.

I didnt know what I wanted to train in I just knew that I wanted to train. I looked at a couple schools but none of them felt right. The school Im at now is a smaller school and what really caught my attention was the fact that the instructor was so passionate about what he was teaching. Im a new purple belt in SKK and absolutely love it. It has benefited me im more ways than one. I plan to stick with it for life but I will venture off here and there to learn new things from differnet styles. Im thinking Hung Gar Kung Fu but that wont be until I get my BB so Ive got a couple of years.

B

Yep I choose the Art that I wanted. After a gap of almost 12 years, I still want it. During this gap I was always thinking about "my" Art, I even used Passwords on the internet and on the computer with terms from "my" art all those years. (no not here, it would make it to easy to crack my password. :P ;) )

Yes I am addicted and obsessed. :D

It makes me very happy that my way is open to train again. So I am really sure it is the Art that I want. :)

The movies maked me join "my" Art. I have posted more about this in another thread but I love "my" art better in real life than in the movies.

Just a quick Question.

Are you doing the the martial are you wanted or are you doing the one circumstances allowed?

And why did you choose the martial art you did?

I started formal training by circumstance. It was a school that was along a route that I drove often and the art was one recommended to me by a friend. Since then I have expanded a great deal and the path I chose had a lot to do with the teachers that I liked and respected as well as the arts that suited me.

I am definitely doing the art that I want. I should say though that I didnt expect how well it might fit me, and also that I would land up with an instructor that is following the school of thought that I liked. Initially I wasn't aware of the different schools of thought in my art, and it was merely by luck and coincidence that my instructor is schooled in the one I would have picked if I knew it beforehand.

As for the reasons behind picking JKD, it was simply because I am in agreement with its central philosophy (though heavily debated and interpreted in different ways) and I liked its approach (i.e. scientific, simple and direct).

Although I really was in doubt abt cross-training and whether I should take up another art for all sorts of various reasons, after having a thorough discussion with my Sifu in our private lesson, I came to appreciate my art a lot more and resolved to stick to it, without being distracted by other arts or styles. It is more important to be comfortable, competent and proficient in one foundation than juggle with many (at least for me now).

Currently I am not training with anyone because I haven't found what I want yet.

I took 2 years of Hung Gar kung fu, but didn't feel like I was getting what I wanted from it.

I am raising a family, working, and take classes right now, so whatever I find needs to be a convienient distance away.

Ideally, I want to take Wing Chun, but alas, there is no school in reasonable distance.

I have contacted some people in this area with little success of finding anything right now.

I am doing the one I wanted. I found a school and style (shorin ryu) that I love.

I started training in boxing and Judo at the same time, reason, H.S. Freshman tend to get their butt's kick alot. I then started training in boxing and Judo. A few years later I was told that there was a local martial arts style that was a combination of Karate and Jujitsu, I then signed up at this local Kenpo school. I have stayed with Kenpo ever since.
:ultracool

Yes and no. I have a really confusing story, but I'll make it short.

I started in TSD. At the time, I didn't know the difference between styles. All I knew about martial arts was what I saw in the karate kid movies. So I looked at different dojangs. The TSD one just "felt right." So I joined. I fell in love with the art from the start. I learned about other styles while I was training there (they mixed in other styles as well). I didn't have to cross-train either. They had it all.

I moved a year later, though :( I now do TKD. It was basically one that circumstances allowed. I joined one dojang with my honey. Stayed for a year. But it was too "sport" at the time. I went to another for a year, but it was a McDojang (I was stuck that long cause I worked there). Then I went back to the first one (my honey talked me into it). I stayed for 2 and a 1/2 years. I left again. I had a falling-out with the head instructor.

I checked out other dojangs, but nothing felt right. Then my best friend asked me to train with her (she has a charter school under the same instructor as above). I said ok. I know how she was as an instructor since we both do Jujitsu and I saw her do her forms and OMG!!! She is amazing to watch. So now, I feel at home with her dojang.

Don't get me wrong, if I had the chance, I'd go back to TSD (providing it is a good dojang, that is). I do miss it a lot.

Are you doing the the martial are you wanted or are you doing the one circumstances allowed?
It's kinda both. It was what was being offered at one of the Y's in our area, but I didn't really care what art I took, I just REALLY wanted to do what the Power Rangers did (minus the morphing & the other special effects). Hey, what can I say? MMPR made an impact on me!

And why did you choose the martial art you did?
It's what was offered at the Y. But, I stayed because of my instructor. That, and the fact that I realized I loved it.

I'm doing the one that circumstances allow. I wanted to study Shaolin Kung Fu, because of the TV show and Kwai Chang Cain :) I didn't know anything about Kung Fu (and still don't know enough to fill a teaspoon) other than I though the monks (as portrayed on TV) seemed very wise and honorable and humble.
I'm currently taking TKD with my three daughters in a fantastic school that I really enjoy. My son will start in September when he turns 6, but at the moment he go to all their classes (and some of mine) and stands in the back and does what the full class is doing. The instructors get a kick out of him, and occasional say things to him like "Chamber higher Seamus!" to let him know they see him. :D He's DYING to start TKD. I love being able to share the Martial arts with my kids, and help them workout as well.
It's just one more thing to share with them.
I'm also looking for a Kung Fu school now as well, because I'm old and I really would like to learn some before I'm too ancient. One art for all of us, and one just for me, to fill my now ancient yearning :asian:

Yes/no/yes/no.... :) It seems life rarely takes a straight course anywhere. I 'really wanted' to do traditional hapkido--still do!--but if my joints couldn't do it 15 years ago, not likely the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in and around my knees have gotten a lot better in the meantime. :rofl:

So, moving on. (This comes in a multivolume set, too, for all who are interested). Next went to Shaolin Kempo. Spent years there, but in the end felt the brand I was learning was short on practicality, although long on fun and dojo safety.

Thus, began cross training in Kung Fu San Soo. Now I had a true, full-blown combat art. But studio was short on fun and safety, and a few years in I suffered irreparable damage to vertabrae in my neck (which affected nerves in my arm). Didn't want to be the greatest fighter to ever win from a wheel chair, so had to give up those classes.

Anyway, after almost 15 years of such circuitry, now practice a blended form of all of the above, and teach kids who can't afford lessons. I learn, they learn, good stuff. Did I end up at the destination planned from Day One? Obviously not. Am I where I want to be. Absolutely.

If you read this whole post, you have qualified for a free trip. Just print, clip, and mail to North Pole. Details will be in the mail. :wink1:

I just reread this. I knew you taught kids, but I didn't realize it was underprivileged kids who wouldn't get the training any other way. That rocks. My hat's off to you. :asian:

Nope, not at all. I thought 'taekwondo' was some sort of Korean sushi. I just stopped in for a bite to eat, but I was wondering about the dress code my first time there. So I waited around a few years trying to earn my way to the buffet.

I just reread this. I knew you taught kids, but I didn't realize it was underprivileged kids who wouldn't get the training any other way. That rocks. My hat's off to you. :asian:

Thanks, Pard'. :ultracool Probably sounds more impresssive than it is, tho. It's just what I do best.

Darn it, Kidswarrior, yet again I can't rep you as you deserve because the Gnomes of Rep Mastery say I must not play favourites so much :tup:.

Darn it, Kidswarrior, yet again I can't rep you as you deserve because the Gnomes of Rep Mastery say I must not play favourites so much :tup:. :banghead: Can't argue with the Gnomes. :rofl:

Hey, it's the thought that counts. And I appreciate the thought. :)

Darn it, Kidswarrior, yet again I can't rep you as you deserve because the Gnomes of Rep Mastery say I must not play favourites so much :tup:.

I'm in the same boat. Better start passing out more rep!

Are you doing the the martial are you wanted or are you doing the one circumstances allowed?

I like what I'm doing (arnis), but circumstances led me there, and away from iaido which I enjoyed so much! I'd still be doing karate and iaido if not for grad. school.

Are you doing the the martial are you wanted or are you doing the one circumstances allowed?

And why did you choose the martial art you did?

Well, actually, it's both. I've wanted to practise Iaido for years, but unfortunately 1. my parents wouldn't allow it 2. and there was no iaido dojo anyway.
Last year I finally started looking beyond the fact that there wasn't iaido in my city and at last, a friend of mine recommended Pencak Silat. When I went there, I discovered that it was quite a nice art to learn, so I stayed. I really like Pencak Silat because it's very effective and it just appeals to me, so now I don't really mind the fact that I can't do Iaido anymore (though I'd still like to do it somewhere in the future...).

I wanted to find an art that would teach me to defend myself. I went to the local council offices to find every art that was in my area and found only one possibility.
There were about 6 choices but 5 of them were purely sport or fitness related, so by default I went to the last choice and found an instructor with no ego and unbelievable knolledge and resources that he could draw on.
I have been with him now for 5 years and look forward to each and every session with him.

I just reread this. I knew you taught kids, but I didn't realize it was underprivileged kids who wouldn't get the training any other way. That rocks. My hat's off to you. :asian:

Yeam them gnomes shout at me every time I try and rep him too... well not every time but it seems like it.

Weeell... I started due to circumstance, came back due to choice.

I did TKD as a kid, got a disheartened with it and left, fast foward a few years and a friend of mine was starting up something called "Kyokushin Karate", I didn't even realise there was a difference between different styles of Karate at the time. But alas, I went along, and immediately fell in love with it, got in the best shape I'd ever been in and thought I was "super cool" fighting 22 year olds when I was a wee 14. A year later, circumstance made me stop (moved slightly further away, mother-dear said the horses would be too tired off such a long journey pulling the cart two or three times a week).

A year or two later, I was really missing doing some sort of Martial Art, and started heavily researching what would be "my" MA. I looked primarily at Muay Thai, BJJ, Kyokushin, Aikido and JJJ. Finally, after a long while, I decided I really did want to go back to Kyokushin, I convinced a mate to start up with me so we could car pool, and here I am still loving it. No better art for me.

I'm taking the martial art that I wanted to take.

I spent four years researching and trying out different martial arts until I found the one that fit me. I love Kombatan Arnis because lock flow drills are taught every day and it's a complete art. Plus it teaches knife fighting :EG: .

Plus it teaches knife fighting :EG: .

Run and hide, while you still can!! You are looking scary JB.;)

I recently discovered something called Nindokai. Never knew about its resistance. Looks interesting to me, I just saw a trailer about it.

Hope this will work, I am not a pc expert:

http://www.nindokai.de/files/nindokai-trailer.wmv

Yeam them gnomes shout at me every time I try and rep him too... well not every time but it seems like it.

Well, I didn't want to let this out, but I've somehow angered the Gnomes and they're unleashing their formidable wrath on me. But I try to keep the Spirit of Budo about it and not cry like a little girl. :waah:

I did MGK TSD for a few years about 13 or so years ago, and then my family moved and I just could not keep up with it.

Now, I am in college and started doing Cheezic TSD (from what I know, cheezic tsd is mostly some little division that takes place mostly in ct, but whatever) at my school. Except for a few annoyances here and there about what aspects that are overemphasized and other ones that are sadly nearly completely ignored, I'm quite happy with it. I plan on sticking with this style at least until I graduate (2 years from now). After that, I figure I'll look into going back to Mu Duk Kwan TSD. I've had a small experience with capoeria, which was pretty cool, and I've always wanted to try some style of Kung Fu just to see what it was about, but I'm generally happy with TSD. Although occassionally I see some gaps and aspects that I don't like about the style, I figure it's mostly from my lack of complete understanding.

I guess it's the art that was the most convenient, but after so long, I feel quite at home with the art.

As others have stated before me, I am training in the art I want: now. I wasn't sure what I wanted in the beginning and I was also limited in my area. I plan to train in my chosen art for a long time to come. In the future, there are other areas I would love to explore, but I believe I will always "think" like a hakido fighter.

When I first started (years ago) it was because of circumstance. As it turned out it is a place that I would have chosen even if I had other choices. My instructor is very knowledgable in many arts and incorporates them into our classes. When I say knowledgable I mean he has studied with many prominate martial artists who have promoted him to an instructor in their art. I feel fortunate to have him as an instructor. He is also well respected within our tournament circuit.

even though i am now a black belt and can explore other styles i am doing the style i wanted.

i started ma thanks to 4 little green guys called the teenage mutant ninja turtles, i loved to watch them when i was little back in the early 90s and wanted to do what they did, what i thought was kick but. now i know it is more then that.

I am doing the Art I want to do. At the time (early 80's), I knew nothing about Tae Kwon Do and just wanted to practice a martial art, for the simple reason of self defense. I was tired of being picked on. My dad signed me up for the local Tae Kwon Do class at the YMCA. I suspect he knew of the Instructor and class's reputation. I had no idea what to expect. The rest, as they say, is history. Fortunately for me, the YMCA was the main central studio of the organization, so I lucked into practicing at ground zero under the GM of the organization. You couldn't ask for better learning.
I do remember his asking me if I wanted to learn a style more hand oriented or kicking oriented. Maybe movies influenced me in that aspect, but I figured kicking sounded more fun to learn.