Hi all, I'm new here, and I've just got some questions/uncertainties. I've asked these questions in the general beginner's area, and someone suggested I come here.
I've been learning Taekwondo (WTF style) for almost 2 years, and have been taking Sports Chanbara for about one and a half years. I was wondering if Aikido, more specifically the Ki no Kenkyukai version, would be a good complement to what I already have.
I learn the abovementioned arts/sports mainly for self-defence, but also for fitness and the fun of it all, especially for Sports Chanbara, which teaches some rudimentary Kenjutsu strikes, and allows students to practice full-speed and full-impact weapons sparring using safe padded or airsoft weaponry. I've trained with katana-length and wakizashi-length "swords".
Anyway, I was thinking of picking up a "softer" martial art that doesn't emphasise so much on striking for a change of "flavour", as well as more exposure/experience, and I thought of Aikido. I'm also somewhat curious about the so-called "internal" martial arts like taijiquan: is their manipulation of qi the same as that of standard/Ki no Kenkyukai Aikido?
Also, how does the Aikido way handling of weapons like bokken and jo differ from that of other arts like Kenjutsu and Jodo (Shinto Muso Ryu maybe)? Am kind of interested in learning jo, more on the practical application side than tradition (no jodo schools in my country): perhaps there are some effective basic moves possible to learn by myself?
Finally, I ask this out of sheer curiosity, and for more knowledge on various opinions. Some people I know have the impression that Aikido "is useless for self-defence". I'm aware of the concept of the practitioner making the art effective, and realise that nothing is suitable for every situation.
-Example of something I've been told (source is someone who's a shodan in Aikido, but has moved on to teaching "street" self-defence) is, for example, if someone wishes to strike you or whatever, they most probably wouldn't leave their arms within range long enough for you to grab and throw them. I suppose with enough dedicated training, this little setback can be overcome by skill, and throwing isn't the answer to everything, right?
Sorry for the digression. Main question is: the joint locks/holds/throws practised in Aikido are performed on a skilled partner (uke, I believe?) who is expecting or anticipating the action, and is skilled enough to roll/fall safely or whatever. I suppose the uke's attack will also be performed in such a way that the ki flow allows a nice, smooth throw. How 'bout in a "street" context, would those still work?
Please correct me if I'm wrong about anything. I mean no offence to anything whatsoever, am just curious.
Thank you very much.
I've been learning Taekwondo (WTF style) for almost 2 years, and have been taking Sports Chanbara for about one and a half years. I was wondering if Aikido, more specifically the Ki no Kenkyukai version, would be a good complement to what I already have.
I learn the abovementioned arts/sports mainly for self-defence, but also for fitness and the fun of it all, especially for Sports Chanbara, which teaches some rudimentary Kenjutsu strikes, and allows students to practice full-speed and full-impact weapons sparring using safe padded or airsoft weaponry. I've trained with katana-length and wakizashi-length "swords".
Anyway, I was thinking of picking up a "softer" martial art that doesn't emphasise so much on striking for a change of "flavour", as well as more exposure/experience, and I thought of Aikido. I'm also somewhat curious about the so-called "internal" martial arts like taijiquan: is their manipulation of qi the same as that of standard/Ki no Kenkyukai Aikido?
Also, how does the Aikido way handling of weapons like bokken and jo differ from that of other arts like Kenjutsu and Jodo (Shinto Muso Ryu maybe)? Am kind of interested in learning jo, more on the practical application side than tradition (no jodo schools in my country): perhaps there are some effective basic moves possible to learn by myself?
Finally, I ask this out of sheer curiosity, and for more knowledge on various opinions. Some people I know have the impression that Aikido "is useless for self-defence". I'm aware of the concept of the practitioner making the art effective, and realise that nothing is suitable for every situation.
-Example of something I've been told (source is someone who's a shodan in Aikido, but has moved on to teaching "street" self-defence) is, for example, if someone wishes to strike you or whatever, they most probably wouldn't leave their arms within range long enough for you to grab and throw them. I suppose with enough dedicated training, this little setback can be overcome by skill, and throwing isn't the answer to everything, right?
Sorry for the digression. Main question is: the joint locks/holds/throws practised in Aikido are performed on a skilled partner (uke, I believe?) who is expecting or anticipating the action, and is skilled enough to roll/fall safely or whatever. I suppose the uke's attack will also be performed in such a way that the ki flow allows a nice, smooth throw. How 'bout in a "street" context, would those still work?
Please correct me if I'm wrong about anything. I mean no offence to anything whatsoever, am just curious.
Thank you very much.