Tell me why you chose your martial art

[hamster_kicks]

hello there! Im new to this site.
i'm asking what art you do and why you decided to choose that one?

[phlaw]

Good Post!

I started Tang Soo Do in 4th grade because it was the only martial arts school in town, when I turned 16 I found a Shotokan school about 25 miles away, again, the only choice. When I started college I started Tae Kwon Do because the instructor was an amazing person, I have also had limited training in grappling, Judo, Boxing, Aikido and American kenpo.

I really Like American Kenpo but there are no local schools, so I still train in TKD when my schedule lets me.

[pesilat]

Well, I currently train in several arts. My reasons for each art are pretty much the same. I love what they teach. I love training in them. I respect and enjoy the people I train with in them.

I train in Sikal (a hybrid of elements from several systems of Kali and Silat), Doce Pares Eskrima/Eskrido, Kun Tao Silat de Thouars (a blend of Chinese and Indonesian elements), and Shen Chuan (primary influences are Kenpo, Hapkido, and Daito Ryu Aikijujitsu, but also influences from Chin Na, Small Circle Jujitsu, and others), and Sayoc Kali.

Mike

[Infight]

I entered MA cause i like to hurt people, what else i can say?

[sammy3170]

Originally posted by hamster_kicks
hello there! Im new to this site.
i'm asking what art you do and why you decided to choose that one?

I believe it was a matter of necessity as to why i have travelled the roads i have. I started as an 8 year old in Judo and did that for about 7 years after which i had a break. I was always picked on when i was younger and when I came across American Kenpo it gave me what I needed at the time. Im 28 now and was 22 when I started. It was an aggressive art which was very much about hitting as hard as you can, as quickly as you can (yes I know there's alot more to it and its a greats art). I learned to hit and because I was used as an uke (receiver of techniques) a lot I learned to take a hit. Dave Cobb (who's a more regular member of this forum) told me about a school he found and that I should check it out. I went along, had one trial lesson, did a cardio class and quit my American Kempo school a week later after 2 solid years there. I have been at this school for 3.5 years now and love it. It's everything I have ever wanted in a martial arts school. Awesome people, the best head instructor I have ever trained under or physically seen at a seminar, the most positive environment I have ever trained in. The self defence teachings are also bout finishing the situation with minimal damage to yourself and your opponent which is exactly what I was after. Anyway, sorry for the long answer but there you go.

Cheers
Sammy

[sammy3170]

Originally posted by hamster_kicks
hello there! Im new to this site.
i'm asking what art you do and why you decided to choose that one?

I believe it was a matter of necessity as to why i have travelled the roads i have. I started as an 8 year old in Judo and did that for about 7 years after which i had a break. I was always picked on when i was younger and when I came across American Kenpo it gave me what I needed at the time. Im 28 now and was 22 when I started. It was an aggressive art which was very much about hitting as hard as you can, as quickly as you can (yes I know there's alot more to it and its a greats art). I learned to hit and because I was used as an uke (receiver of techniques) a lot I learned to take a hit. Dave Cobb (who's a more regular member of this forum) told me about a school he found and that I should check it out. I went along, had one trial lesson, did a cardio class and quit my American Kempo school a week later after 2 solid years there. I have been at this school for 3.5 years now and love it. It's everything I have ever wanted in a martial arts school. Awesome people, the best head instructor I have ever trained under or physically seen at a seminar, the most positive environment I have ever trained in. The self defence teachings are also bout finishing the situation with minimal damage to yourself and your opponent which is exactly what I was after. Anyway, sorry for the long answer but there you go.

Cheers
Sammy

[Kingston]

i was taking kendo at the time and i was tired of telling people "no that doesn't mean i can kick your ass, kendo is a sword fighting art bla bla bal"

so i figured if i was going present myself as someone intrested in martial arts kendo and iaido was not a big enough foundation to do it.

i had all the tradition and eticate i needed from kendo and iaido so i wanted something that would just strait up teach me how to fight, no belts, no bulsh%t.

i ended up learning about this Russian martial art near my area. whent to check it out. Seemed to good to be true to i jumped at the chance to join. Im not taking kendo or iaido anymore, i dont have enough time now that im taking Systema lol.

and thats the story of why i started Systema.

[James Kovacich]

Originally posted by Kingston
i was taking kendo at the time and i was tired of telling people "no that doesn't mean i can kick your ass, kendo is a sword fighting art bla bla bal"

so i figured if i was going present myself as someone intrested in martial arts kendo and iaido was not a big enough foundation to do it.

i had all the tradition and eticate i needed from kendo and iaido so i wanted something that would just strait up teach me how to fight, no belts, no bulsh%t.

i ended up learning about this Russian martial art near my area. whent to check it out. Seemed to good to be true to i jumped at the chance to join. Im not taking kendo or iaido anymore, i dont have enough time now that im taking Systema lol.

and thats the story of why i started Systema.

You might say my arts all along up to the present chose me. But my first art, Kajukenbo, I joined because I finally got my mother to let me go so I went to the Karate class at our church hall. After it closed all the schools I attended reflected where I was at in my training. I'm not saying I made those choices conciously, it was a journey of unknowingly guiding myself to what I wanted from the arts, whether it was the high road or the low road, only time will tell.

[Cliarlaoch]

Because the dojang was there? Seriously, I had no idea what any of the styles of MA were when I started TKD. I've done research since then, and I stand by my choice because of the emphasis on leg work that divides TKD from many other, hand-oriented styles. Our hands are weapons, sure, but so too is our entire body, and TKD teaches us to use another part of it. I would add that I think more needs to be added to the style (knee strikes, headbutts, and etc.) just to get more of the body involved, but overall, I think it's a good starting point to exploring the multiple paths available of the martial arts by stressing flexibility and awareness of other parts of the body then just one's hands.

Note, not bashing any other styles, here, I just happen to think TKD is good, too! Hands are important, don't hit me with them!!! :P

Thanks for the question!

--C

[Chicago Green Dragon]

Practicing Kenpo has touched me so deeply that mere words dont seem to do it justice. I have studied a variety of different arts since I was a child. Spending with each Art I studied a long time developing my skills and abilities.
But, when I found Kenpo. I was captivated and entranced by what the art had to offer me as a student. I am proud to practice Kenpo Karate and also I was happy that I was able to study the other arts I did too.

Just my thoughts on why I study what I study now.....

:soapbox:


Chicago Green
Dragon :asian:

[cali_tkdbruin]

TKD, it's the kicks, the kicks! :uhyeah:

The following MT thread also discusses this question:

http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4258

[gman]

I started because of one of my kids. He no longer attends but I love it. I also had almost no idea of the different arts, I picked from a couple that were near my house.

[theletch1]

I started because of one of my kids. He no longer attends but I love it. I also had almost no idea of the different arts, I picked from a couple that were near my house.

Same story here. We wanted to get the kids into something active to get them out from in front of the t.v. They said that a couple of their friends studied MA and wanted to try. We took them to several different schools. They chose the local kenpo school, I watched a few classes, and the rest is history. My wife joined the week before I did. So the entire family does it.

[Johnathan Napalm]

I remember Kirk's sig that says Jesus did it for the chics. :D I suppose I can admit to that too! :D

[khadaji]

I primarly do Systema. and Fencing. Fencing is becasue I always liked swords, and wanted to know about their application... I started Systema, because I was looking at a hand-to-hand style to learn, and a place with teaching style that suits me. A good friend of mine happened to get me into Systema, and now I cant get enough...

[fist of fury]

First of all my instructor is real good. Second I liked Wing Chun efficiency and practical applications that can be used on the street.

[Rob_Broad]

I was a small kid and would often get beat up because I was smaller than the rest of the guys. On my 13th birthday I got thrown threw the window of the local kenpo school and my grandfather signed me up as a birthday present a few days later I have been with it ever since.

[Master of Blades]

I like hitting people with sticks......Nuff' said :asian:

[Quick Sand]

To be honest, the reason I joined TKD a little over a year ago is because I was looking for a MA club at my university and this one practiced at times that worked with my schedule. I'm glad I joined though. I really enjoy TKD and it works for me because I have a fairly strong and flexibile lower body but no upper body strength at all.

[Kingston]

Originally posted by Master of Blades
I like hitting people with sticks......Nuff' said :asian:

lol thats why i started kendo!:duel: :jediduel:

[Greggers69]

I personally am an ex-jock who missed the full contact sports so I researched to more of a full contact MA and found kenpo. And still loving it
:asian:

[stacks]

Originally posted by hamster_kicks
hello there! Im new to this site.
i'm asking what art you do and why you decided to choose that one?
I started studying Kenpo because at the time I was only interested in going to a dojo that taught private lessons that worked for me, so I could train on the days that suited my work that started in 1993 at first it was a hobby then it became a passion, now it is a way of life and I teach professionaly now

stacks :karate:

[vin2k0]

Originally posted by Infight
I entered MA cause i like to hurt people, what else i can say?


So i take it you do no martial arts with a stupid comment like this?

[vin2k0]

quote: Originally posted by Master of Blades
I like hitting people with sticks......Nuff' said


Originally posted by Kingston
lol thats why i started kendo!:duel: :jediduel:

You may enjoy hitting people with sticks but what you gonna do when you dont have a stick outside?! Cause it wouldnt be very frequent at all that you would...

[vin2k0]

I started karate originally because i had seen the films such as karate kid etc, which are really a lot of B.S but they encouraged me to go :) since i have grown older and matured and progressed i have realised that there is much more to it than being able to fight. I have only ever tried one other martial art which was judo and i didnt enjoy it.

[Bod]

I used to do a southern style of Shaolin and I loved it, I'd like to do some more Kung Fu one day.

I took up Judo because I wanted to understand dynamics, balance, and how to control obvious power. Now I love it for the thrill of throwing and being thrown. I also love the fun of groundwork even though it is of limited practicality.

The atmosphere is great, and the people I train with are good guys.

[pesilat]

Originally posted by vin2k0
quote: Originally posted by Master of Blades
I like hitting people with sticks......Nuff' said



You may enjoy hitting people with sticks but what you gonna do when you dont have a stick outside?! Cause it wouldnt be very frequent at all that you would...


LOL. The stick is a training tool to learn the concepts. I always have access to a plethora of items with which I can apply the principles I've learned with a stick. They're all around me.

From a water bottle, to a book, to my cell phone :)

And training against sticks is part of it too. This training can be translated pretty directly against a tire iron or baseball bat.

Training with sticks isn't about learning to fight with sticks. It's about learning to fight with external items, whether they're a "stick" or not.
Mike

[Johnathan Napalm]

Originally posted by Quick Sand
To be honest, the reason I joined TKD a little over a year ago is because I was looking for a MA club at my university and this one practiced at times that worked with my schedule. I'm glad I joined though. I really enjoy TKD and it works for me because I have a fairly strong and flexibile lower body but no upper body strength at all.

Why would you say that "sound pathetic"? Seem pretty practical too me. Besides, that appears to be a wise choice, in choosing an art that matches your physiological strength. People love to say that styles do not matter while in reality, choosing the style that fully exploit your strength MATTERS a whole lot.

[pesilat]

Originally posted by Johnathan Napalm
Why would you say that "sound pathetic"? Seem pretty practical too me. Besides, that appears to be a wise choice, in choosing an art that matches your physiological strength. People love to say that styles do not matter while in reality, choosing the style that fully exploit your strength MATTERS a whole lot.

Very well put. But what people often overlook is exactly what you pointed out ... that it differs from person to person depending on individual attributes. A lot of people assume that "It works best for me, it must be the best for everyone." This leads to others saying, "The art doesn't matter." Which is something of an oversimplification.

You've hit the actual nail squarely on the head :) The statement should be: "What art you study doesn't matter as long as it suits the individual's attributes."

Mike

[Master of Blades]

Originally posted by pesilat
LOL. The stick is a training tool to learn the concepts. I always have access to a plethora of items with which I can apply the principles I've learned with a stick. They're all around me.

From a water bottle, to a book, to my cell phone :)

And training against sticks is part of it too. This training can be translated pretty directly against a tire iron or baseball bat.

Training with sticks isn't about learning to fight with sticks. It's about learning to fight with external items, whether they're a "stick" or not.
Mike

What he said......:asian:

[Master of Blades]

Originally posted by vin2k0
So i take it you do no martial arts with a stupid comment like this?


Actually check his profile....he does BJJ, Aikido, Judo, Karate, Thai, Boxe, Wrestling, Sanbo :asian:

[Wmarden]

I chose out of a few reasons. I am trying to get into law enforcement and as such need a big toolbox of techniques to deal with situations. From my job working with people I can handle people fairly well. I can train on my own to improve my firearms skills. But I need quality instruction for those situations somewhere in the middle on the force continuum. And it so happens one of the fellow members of my reserve deputy class I took last year is a Second dan in a useful art. Found that out in class, so did one of the deputies in a role playing exercise:D

So I now have embarked on a study in the art of falling and hurting:)

Budoshin Ju-Jitsu

So in away it was chance, but it is an art I would choose anyway as having good applications for my soon to be profession.

[Infight]

Originally posted by vin2k0
So i take it you do no martial arts with a stupid comment like this?

Why not? Do you know any better way to hurt people with just your hands?
And its not a stupid comment, thats only the truth. I believe everybody in MA likes to hurt people, if you seek deep in their hearts!

[Infight]

Originally posted by Master of Blades
Actually check his profile....he does BJJ, Aikido, Judo, Karate, Thai, Boxe, Wrestling, Sanbo :asian:
Wrong, i dont do all of this, i just pratice BJJ and Muay Thai, what you said are areas of my interests, things i hope someday have a chance ( or time! ) to pratice.

[DAC..florida]

I a'm currently in close quarters training I chose this because it helps me in my work. I have been in TKD since I was 7 and needed somthing different.

[Kroy]

Originally posted by hamster_kicks
hello there! Im new to this site.
i'm asking what art you do and why you decided to choose that one?

I got invovled with the martial arts because of my love for Asian Culture. I started with shotokan because a friend of mine was a student. I made the switch to Kenpo after I saw "The Perfect Weapon"

[Kroy]

Crappy spelling ,again. involved is the correct spelling.:iws:

[chufeng]

My choices were Shotokan, Goju-ryu, TaeKwonDo, and YiLiQuan.

History: TaeKwonDo came from Shotokan...Shotokan came from Okinawan Karate...Okinawan Karate came from China...YiLiQuan is a Chinese art with roots in both the Taoist arts and Shaolin.

Instructor: TaeKwonDo teacher only saw dollar signs...
Shotokan teacher was very good...very traditional.
Goju-ryu teacher was "empty."
YiLiQuan teacher was knowledgable, could easily walk the talk, and actually asked me about ME...

Cost: TaeKwonDo...$60/mo
Shotokan...$45/mo
Goju-ryu...I didn't ask
YiLiQuan...depended on program...I took a long contract and paid $35/mo (but for short contract it was as expensive as TaeKwonDo)

Other things offered:

Shotokan...nothing
Goju-ryu...nothing
YiLiQuan...Chinese medicine, QiGong, TaiJi (it wasn't originally part of the curriculum), and a requirement for the student to research other arts and write essays on histories, religions, and philosophies.

As it turns out, the YiLiQuan Kwoon offered many seminars as well and brought well known martial artists from other styles in to give seminars, too.

I was interested in the underlying philosophy of Chinese martial arts and the healing aspect of them...the other arts didn't offer those things...

[cali_tkdbruin]

chufeng, thanks for all of the info on your experience in the arts. I have been interested in learning more about YiLiQuan... :asian: