Practical martial arts/self defense courses. - Page 4

rmhz1979 · November 1st, 2007, 01:00 AM

Tai Chi there are plenty of instructional video's you can learn it from. Low impact, and great exercise. It makes the body more flexible without the strain, great martial art. Did I mention also China's national exercise!

KenpoTex · November 2nd, 2007, 06:06 AM

I'd recommend a good MMA school. You get a mix of different striking arts (mostly western boxing and Muay Thai) some clinch work, and some groundfighting/grappling. While there are some concerns about being too deeply immersed in the competitive mentality, I feel that with the proper mindset on the part of the student this isn't a major issue. One of the biggest advantages I see with MMA training is the level of intensity/resistance that you encounter. By training against a resisting opponent you are learning to use skills that will actually work. In contrast, it is an unfortunate fact that many "traditional" martial-arts schools don't provide this level of training and as a result, you're left practicing techniques of dubious value with someone who is really not trying to prevent you from succeeding.

One of my favorite "martial" quotes is from Col. Rex Applegate: "Will this work so that I can use it instinctively in vital combat against an opponent who is determined to prevent me from doing so, and who is striving to eliminate me by fair means or foul?" This, to me, is the standard by which all of our training must be measured if it is to be useful. If a technique does not meet this standard you're better off finding something else to practice.

After you have established a base, by all means find a system that will allow you to add some of the nastier skills to your toolbox (WWII Combatives, Krav Maga, FMA, Kenpo, etc.).

just my $0.02

FunkyColdMedina · November 2nd, 2007, 07:10 AM

You are very near one of the best and diverse concentrations of Martial Arts schools in Florida. Go to East Coast Martial Arts Store in Orlando on Hwy 50 (Colonial Drive). Students and teachers from those schools go to that store frequently. You can get some great detail about those schools and arts, there. I've studied Karate, Aikido, Judo, Brazilian JuJitsu, and Tai Chi. They all have their positives. No one art (by itself) is perfect and fits all needs. However, couple the art with the right teacher and you have a better possiblity of getting what you are looking for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruertar

I am looking for pointers to a good martial arts discipline to pick up and advice on where to learn it. I'm interested in a more practical system that doesn't rely on acrobatics and round houses.

If anyone knows of a decent martial arts program near Orlando Florida, please let me know.

sdkaliman · November 25th, 2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jahwarrior72

i studied jujutsu for many years (the real deal, not the brazilian stuff); it's practical for self defense. penjak silat, kali, escrima, western boxing, muay thai, and krav maga are all excellent choices. steer clear of "MMA" gyms; they train for ring fighting and point scoring, not self defense.

Very true what you said about MMA gyms. To add to this, MMA gyms typically don't stress multiple opponents or weapons which is what you're going to be faced with on the street.

packinnova · November 26th, 2007, 01:40 PM

Did you ever find a good place to train out there? I just figured I'd echo everyone again and say to make sure you get a little bit of everything. Take the Krav-maga style classes, take the brazilian jujitsu or other grappling style. Just don't stick with one by itself.

As an example of why not just going with Brazilian jujitsu by itself:
From what I've seen (limited as most of my MA training has been mixed), BJ spends a large portion of the time and effort on the ground-fighting(ie wrestling/joint locks etc... from the ground).

That's great stuff to know and extremely useful in the right setting, but if you're out in the street (ie on asphalt or concrete) all that rolling around on the ground and on your back is going to chew you up

.

Agave · November 26th, 2007, 02:15 PM

I am a student of Judo and Hapkido. I train MMA fighters in those arts. I would really avoid fighting an armed someone at all costs. In MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program), we learn about fighting armed people. I'm not convinced that it works if a person is bent on using his knife or handgun; if he is bluffing, the techniques would work rather well.

Judo is really good for a police officer taking an unarmed subject, but I'd stick to copper jacketed lead otherwise.

packinnova · November 26th, 2007, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agave

I am a student of Judo and Hapkido. I train MMA fighters in those arts. I would really avoid fighting an armed someone at all costs. In MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program), we learn about fighting armed people. I'm not convinced that it works if a person is bent on using his knife or handgun; if he is bluffing, the techniques would work rather well.

Judo is really good for a police officer taking an unarmed subject, but I'd stick to copper jacketed lead otherwise.

Hapkido was the first real MA training I ever had. I started it in gradeschool back in beginning of '95-'97 I think. I trained with Master John Thomas at the United States Karate Center in Reston, VA. If anyone in NoVA is looking into that style he's a good one to learn from. I don't know if he's still there or not.

uflnuceng · December 7th, 2007, 10:57 PM

I was lucky enough to have a nationally ranked Skotokan dojo at Drexel University, where I went for my undergrad. 5 years of training with one of the best teachers I have ever found. It changed me physically and spiritually. The most important part is the instructor. Sometimes they can get too hung up on dogma and protocol. Mine was usually very level headed... and was also a member of the NRA. During master camp in the summer he would take several of us and teach us how to shoot a gun. I also took Tai Chi, which depending on your mind set, is very effective in real life fights. A real martial art will take a lifetime of dedication and impact every aspect of your life, but is well worth the sacrifice if you find the right instructor that understands the "art" part of it more than the "martial".

What my Shotokan Sensei taught me was the most valuable tool possible: Situational Awareness. 12 years later I am still always aware of my surroundings, contemplating how I would defend myself wherever I stand, be it with a gun, a knife, or my bare hands. Its almost second nature to me.

KenpoTex · December 8th, 2007, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uflnuceng

I was lucky enough to have a nationally ranked Skotokan dojo at Drexel University, where I went for my undergrad. 5 years of training with one of the best teachers I have ever found. It changed me physically and spiritually. The most important part is the instructor. Sometimes they can get too hung up on dogma and protocol. Mine was usually very level headed... and was also a member of the NRA. During master camp in the summer he would take several of us and teach us how to shoot a gun. I also took Tai Chi, which depending on your mind set, is very effective in real life fights. A real martial art will take a lifetime of dedication and impact every aspect of your life, but is well worth the sacrifice if you find the right instructor that understands the "art" part of it more than the "martial".
What my Shotokan Sensei taught me was the most valuable tool possible: Situational Awareness. 12 years later I am still always aware of my surroundings, contemplating how I would defend myself wherever I stand, be it with a gun, a knife, or my bare hands. Its almost second nature to me.

No offense but don't you have that backwards? In fact, the bolded portion seems to contradict the rest of your post.

Most martial-artists are great when it comes to the art (tradition, protocal, fancy crap) but don't have a clue when it comes to the Martial (the stuff that will actually be effective in a "do or die" situation).

Natureboypkr · December 8th, 2007, 01:42 PM

I into martial arts myself, but from watching the news on the regular, I think if Im attacked, I more likely to get hit with a .45 round than a roundhouse kick. But I believe if you know with you are doing it could help.

November 1st, 2007, 01:00 AM	#31
rmhz1979 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 95	Tai Chi there are plenty of instructional video's you can learn it from. Low impact, and great exercise. It makes the body more flexible without the strain, great martial art. Did I mention also China's national exercise! __________________ "No free man shall ever be de-barred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain their right to keep and bear arms is as a last resort to protect themselves against tyranny in government." - Thomas Jefferson

November 2nd, 2007, 06:06 AM	#32
KenpoTex Distinguished Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 1,771	I'd recommend a good MMA school. You get a mix of different striking arts (mostly western boxing and Muay Thai) some clinch work, and some groundfighting/grappling. While there are some concerns about being too deeply immersed in the competitive mentality, I feel that with the proper mindset on the part of the student this isn't a major issue. One of the biggest advantages I see with MMA training is the level of intensity/resistance that you encounter. By training against a resisting opponent you are learning to use skills that will actually work. In contrast, it is an unfortunate fact that many "traditional" martial-arts schools don't provide this level of training and as a result, you're left practicing techniques of dubious value with someone who is really not trying to prevent you from succeeding. One of my favorite "martial" quotes is from Col. Rex Applegate: "Will this work so that I can use it instinctively in vital combat against an opponent who is determined to prevent me from doing so, and who is striving to eliminate me by fair means or foul?" This, to me, is the standard by which all of our training must be measured if it is to be useful. If a technique does not meet this standard you're better off finding something else to practice. After you have established a base, by all means find a system that will allow you to add some of the nastier skills to your toolbox (WWII Combatives, Krav Maga, FMA, Kenpo, etc.). just my $0.02 __________________ "There are no substitutes for violence of action and volume of fire..." ~Otto Skorzeny If you carry in Condition 3, you have two empty chambers. One in the weapon...the other between your ears. Matt K.

November 26th, 2007, 02:15 PM	#36
Agave Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 667	I am a student of Judo and Hapkido. I train MMA fighters in those arts. I would really avoid fighting an armed someone at all costs. In MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program), we learn about fighting armed people. I'm not convinced that it works if a person is bent on using his knife or handgun; if he is bluffing, the techniques would work rather well. Judo is really good for a police officer taking an unarmed subject, but I'd stick to copper jacketed lead otherwise. __________________ The preceding post may contain sarcasm; it's just better that way. However, it is still intended with construction and with the Love of my L-rd Y'shua. "Wherever I go, everyone is a little safer because I am there; anyone in need has a friend." -Capt. Jack Hoban, USMC

December 8th, 2007, 01:42 PM	#40
Natureboypkr Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Posts: 686	I into martial arts myself, but from watching the news on the regular, I think if Im attacked, I more likely to get hit with a .45 round than a roundhouse kick. But I believe if you know with you are doing it could help. __________________ V.P. of The Concealed Carrying Boys USMC.....helping enemies of America die for their countries since 1775

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December 7th, 2007, 10:57 PM	#38
uflnuceng Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Irwin, PA Posts: 52	I was lucky enough to have a nationally ranked Skotokan dojo at Drexel University, where I went for my undergrad. 5 years of training with one of the best teachers I have ever found. It changed me physically and spiritually. The most important part is the instructor. Sometimes they can get too hung up on dogma and protocol. Mine was usually very level headed... and was also a member of the NRA. During master camp in the summer he would take several of us and teach us how to shoot a gun. I also took Tai Chi, which depending on your mind set, is very effective in real life fights. A real martial art will take a lifetime of dedication and impact every aspect of your life, but is well worth the sacrifice if you find the right instructor that understands the "art" part of it more than the "martial". What my Shotokan Sensei taught me was the most valuable tool possible: Situational Awareness. 12 years later I am still always aware of my surroundings, contemplating how I would defend myself wherever I stand, be it with a gun, a knife, or my bare hands. Its almost second nature to me.