Hey :)

Discussion in 'General Martial Arts Discussion' started by Tyranith, Aug 30, 2005.

  1. Tyranith

    Tyranith New Member

    Hello everyone, I'm Michael, 20 years old from Edinburgh, and a complete beginner at martial arts.
    A good few years ago I studied a bit of Karate, by GKR (I know, I know, don't flame me, I was young and didn't know any better:) ). It was OK for basics, but not much more. I didn't gain much from it, and it was quite poorly taught (though I don't have much to compare it to).
    I've been thinking of starting another for a while now, and I think the time has come to make a decision, which is my main reason for joining these boards - I'm looking for a little help choosing one.

    I'm ~5'10, and ~9st. I've just got into free weight training, and am in quite good physical shape, but my fitness and energy levels are poor (I think it's the amount of sugar I consume =p). I've got pretty strong legs, good footwork, good reactions and learn, and adapt, quickly.

    There are three places very close to me, one by BBD offering Ninjutsu, another offering Hung Ga Kung Fu, from Yee's Hung Ga International Kung Fu Assoc, and a Wing Tsun Kung Fu place, who are part of the NWTO-GB (The UK National Wing Tsun Organisation).

    http://www.bbdscotland.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
    http://www.yeeshungga.co.uk/edinburgh.htm
    http://www.mywingtsun.co.uk/

    Slightly further afield, I can find Karate (Shotokan and Ashihara), Kuk Sool Won (I have no idea what that is), Aikido, two TKD schools, another Wing Chun school, and a Shishi Kai Judo school. That's just from a simple Google search. I'm pretty sure I could find more if I was looking for something specific.

    I'm looking for a mainly striking-oriented style, but wouldn't mind a bit of grappling thrown in for good measure. I also like the idea of training with weapons, so a MA with weapon styles would be good.
    I'd like to try Muay Thai, but there don't seem to be any places which do it close enough to me.
    I'm interested in pretty much all aspects of the martial art, but the training for self defense, physical and pyschological improvement are much more important to me than the philosophical and traditional aspects of an art. I don't mind a bit of bowing, learning the language (In fact I relish this idea) etc, but a very strictly structured, rigid code wouldn't suit me well.

    If anything, I'm complicating things too much - I'm thinking maybe the best thing is just to check out the three nearest me, find the one which suits me the best, then start doing it.
     
  2. Anth

    Anth Daft. Supporter

    Hi Michael, welcome to MAP :)

    Got plenty of MAPers from Edinburgh here who should be able to help :)
     
  3. jroe52

    jroe52 Valued Member

    i do wing chun, so of course i'd say wing chun (in kung fu forum).

    it is effective for self defense and has a shorter learning period. it also fits both the athletic and unathletic, old and young, male and female. it was created to teach the masses (for a rebellion hehe).

    it is a striking art, but also a defensive art.

    i really cant sum it up right now because i'm tired lol, but check out

    http://www.wingchunkwoon.com
     
  4. Tyranith

    Tyranith New Member

    I'm starting to liken to the idea of Ninjutsu - the Dojo is literally around the corner from where I live, less than a minute walk. The schedule is three times a week, at useful times for me, and I like the look of a lot of the things they teach.
     

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