i would like to get some input about martial arts. my primary focus is something i can use at work, secondary is something that can be used as a good workout. it seems most look for a good mind/body learning experience and i’m thinking i can get a workout out of whichever i choose. i’m a pilot so close confinement ability i’m guessing is pretty high on the list. i don’t think anything with grappling is really appropriate, but i don’t know, that’s why i’m asking. i’ve spoken to some instructors and of course they say their’s is the best for xyz reasons. i don’t friggin’ know, can anyone give some suggestions, please. thx
My wife & kids study a relatively obscure martial art, Kuk Sool Won (http://www.kuksoolwon.com/) that involves just about all variaitions from striking to grappling to all kinds of weapons. There’s a lot of emphasis on general fitness/balance/agility, too.
As with all martial arts, the instructor matters a lot. Kuk Sool Won is a comparatively small art, and there seems to be much closer supervision of the instructors. The founder of the art is still alive, and he personally visits almost every school annually. The local instructor is pretty incredible–amazing fitness, a good teacher, and a pretty good guy all around.
Very interesting constraints you’ve got. For what you’re describing, you might find Wing Chun(Tsun) the most appropriate. Traditionally all stand up, close quarter stuff, right up your alley. Have a look around in your area. A good teacher won’t feel “strong” or muscular, but kind of gooey and cutting right through you.
If you don’t find one to your liking, kickboxing might do it. Traditional Thai styles involve a lot of clinches and close-in knee and elbow strikes.
i did kenpo for a few years. good stuff. but it really is all about the instructor.
another thing to consider - if you’re doing tris, you’ll likely find that the classes are not a workout at all.
the exception is if you do do something w/a lot of grappling. that’ll tire you out.
I can probably point you in the right direction. But would appreciate a little more info. If you are looking at self defense and subduing a problem on a flight I would say that a grappling style actually might be best.
What do you want to get out of this? just the skills to handle a situation or are you looking for a more overall “martial arts” experience with culture and history meditation and the like.How much time do you plan to devote to this? 6 months? a year? the rest of your life? 6 months in a very traditional style will teach you enough to get hurt really bad. 6 months of Krav Maga or Muay Thai will give you a decent skill set.Are you looking for just the skills necessary to handle a situation on the job? or are you looking to learn Forms (Kata) traditional weapons and the like? are you interested in competing, even just to test your skills?Have you had a situation where Martial Arts would have been useful? if so please describe (you can PM this if you don’t want to post)What kind of learner are you? Do you do best with one on one instruction? big classes with lots of interaction? do you learn quickly and just need to be shown something one? Will you have time to practice outside of regular classes? As a pilot can you make it to regular classes?You don’t need to answer everything but I would think about all of the above as you look around. And as the others have posted, the instructor will matter more than the art. I have had the good the bad and the “oh my god, get me out of here!” You will learn more from a good instructor in an inappropriate style for what you want than a bad instructor in the best close combat system in the world. feel free to pm questions to me if you want.
In case you care- 4th Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do, 9 years as an instructor, I have a background in Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Judo, Krav Maga and Self Defense. I have taught self defense seminars for children and adults. I have taught the Quick Defense™ self defense system and modified versions created by my Instructor and myself. Past CPT and Yoga instructor.
I can offer suggestions but only you will find the best one for you:
Aikido:
There are several schools of aikido, and the one I am most familiar with is Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. Aikido is a mental discipline as well as a physical one, and works with control of your own body as well as protecting your ‘opponent’ (the real word is “nage”, which does not mean enemy, but ‘one who is thrown’ - as opposed to ‘the one who throws’) from harm. However, you can still keep someone from attacking you badly and/or keep yourself from being hurt using aikido principles. FACINATING philosophy about self, others, the mind, respect, and more. I’ve met many of the main teachers in the US who teach this school, and they are pretty extraordinary.
Mind/body: two great books by a 6th dan black belt in aikido are:
“The Intuitive Body”
“The Practice of Freedom”
(both by Wendy Palmer - an awesome speaker, writer, teacher, sensei)
Muy Thai kickboxing:
A client of mind is looking back into this. I looked it up, and it seems good for a workout, although I don’t know much about this.
I’m not a martial artist but I’ve been impressed with these. I also don’t like militaristic schools - but to each his own.
Here’s a good link that discusses some of the various martial arts and the pros and cons for an air crew. I assume by “something you can use at work” you mean something you could use if you, as a pilot, got into a bad situation with a bad guy up in the air, which means you need something you can use in an enclosed space to disarm and or disable an attacker. Anyways, here’s the link:
If close quarters combat is your main requirement, then I would suggest Wing Chun, as someone as previously suggested.
While I agree Wing Chun would be appropriate, depending on the instructor it may be a while before you could become proficient to do any good. A lot of the more traditional styles require a lot of time spent because of the complexity they have naturally developed in the course of their existence. Krav Maga is an Israel art developed for exactly the sort of situations he is likely to encounter and they have left out anything not directly linked to getting “the job” done. Developed for the Israeli Defense Forces many police forces are turning to this for training.
To the OP, most martial arts will have some elements of close quarters combat, give you a good workout, etc. Ultimately, it’s all about what culture intrigues you the most.
One thing I am very sure is that I wouldn’t like to swim next to you in an IM. Can you imagine? I bump you, then you get pissed, I will end up like a
pretzel floating in the water…
There’s really no ‘one best’ system. Each has strengths and weaknesses. I think a combination of wrestling/jujitsu, a good striking art and boxing provides a good self defense system. The secret is to take what you need from each and make it work for you. A caveat about MMA, though. It’s kind of the rage right now and there are a lot of MMA schools out there that are horrible… the instructors are hacks, and the ‘students’ are street-thugs-in-training. I’d stay far away from schools like that. But, there are some really good MMA schools, you just have to be careful. About Krav Maga … it’s effective and relatively easily to learn. But, like MMA, there are a lot of Krav instructors who are horrible. It seems like Krav is a victim of its own success.
If pressed, I’d recommend you find an established Kenpo Karate school AND a boxing club. I studied Kenpo and loved it. I’ve found it to be highly effective and translatable to the real world. And boxing … man, I wish I could punch/strike like even an avarage boxer. Those guys can deliver incredibly powerful blows. I wish I had more ground fighting experience. I’ve learned a few techniques, and I’ve gotten quite proficient at them, but if the fight goes beyond a rear naked choke or a few joint locks, I’m out of my element.
Oh … one more thing. Try to find a school that emphasizes sparring. Sparring is the only way to become real world proficient (w/0 of course actually fighting in the real world); and, it is a helluva good workout. I guarantee after your first 3 minute sparring session you will be wasted!
You mention work … what do you do? I use this stuff at work all the time, so if we are in a similar line of work maybe I can clue you in to some techniques that are particularly useful. PM is ok if you dont want to put it on the main board.
Good overview and spot on. I would have to say grappling would be my weak spot. Good background in striking arts but my judo was along time ago and i rememeber the basics but little else. I’ve been out of the loop now for a bit and didn’t realize that Krav Maga had taken off. Good to see that hapening but as you said the hacks are everywhere.
I have to agree with everyone that the instructor is really important. Once you have decided to try an art and school, see if you can join a couple of classes before you make a commitment to the school - gauge the instructor and the other students to see if you like the whole experience. When I was looking for a martial arts school one seemed more interested in getting me to write a cheque than to see if it was right for me. Where I am now (Karate) the instructors there are more concerned that you enjoy it - they are running a business so they do charge, but that never seems to be the first priority.
I can’t speak to what art would be best - I only do Karate at the present time and have no basis in other arts to give advice. If you are in a confined space, then I would say that Karate is not the right choice.
Mind+ Body+ disarmentent and disablement= Aikido. You just need to find a good school. Some schools are all fluffy. Some are nitty gritty. You want nitty gritty. My instructor included counters and kill moves add ons with almost every technique we learned. The basic skills just require repetition to master. This art is also very usefull for close quarters with multiple attackers- you can control/disable your opponent with minimal effort.
Brazilian JiuJitsu is nice stuff and a good backup for when/ if your striking and aikido breakdown. I strongly suggest picking up a distance/striking art,an intermeddiate art (aikido) and close range art. One does not need complete mastery of each art. A year or soof each is good enough to achieve solid proficiency. This is why I would avoid kung fu and its kind. While great arts, and excellent systems, they include many nuances that require longer lengths of time to be practical.
American Kenpo is a good mixed art. Like Aikido and all other arts, it is subject to the quality ofthe availble dojo. Unlike Aikido, it
is much more rare.
The most important thing would to be comfortable with the instructor. Common sense tell you that you dont want a cocky instructor. Watch and partiticpate in a class. Also watch an intermediate/advanced class to get an idea of where the studies at that school will lead you.
