Thinking of starting MMA...

DOLEMAN

Hey all,

I'm thinking of heading along to Shane's MMA classes. I have a few concerns which I hope some of you experts can help answer!

1. I've never done any martial arts before. Will this be a problem for me do you think?
2. I work in computers. I'm unfit, not particularily strong, and sometimes tired after work. Will I be able for an MMA class? (I'm quite healthy and have been fit and strong previously - I'm just in a bit of a bad phase at the moment.)
3. Can anyone who goes to Shane's class give me any opinions on it?
4. How likely am I to get injured? I don't want to lose any teeth or break anything... Bumps and bruises are no bother.
5. One of my main goals is to be able to look after myself if some scumbag tries his luck with me. Is MMA good for general self defense?
6. My left knee is a bit dodgy. It works completely fine, but it is painful if it hits off anything. Would wearing a knee wrap (or something) work grand for an MMA class? (The hospitals say my knee is perfect, but they're wrong.)

Thanks for any answers.

Steve

ShaneT

Hey Steve,

I wouldn't worry about fitness levels and you're right, bumps and bruises are just one of those things. But, you won't find any "egos" with us, nor will you find any idiots that need anger management classes!

I'm not sure that everyone uses this forum, so if you are looking for answers directly from the people that train with us, try dropping a post here: http://forum.mmaireland.com/viewforum.php?f=4

I'm sure they'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. In the end, there's only one way to find out if it's for you... ...pop down and join in for a few sessions. After all, it doesn't cost a bean to give it a try...

-ShaneT

Lawrence_O

Hi Steve,
Well maybe i can fill you in on a few things,
I started with shane about 4/5 months ago,
i never had any previous martial arts or any
other fighting experience,i was fairly fit but
that was about it,the classes are great and you
learn quite quickly,the group is very helfpfull and
are always willing to assist,there are no *bullies*,
idiots or guys who think they are to good,we're
just an ordinary bunch,wanting to learn the same thing,
MMA,and we all get along really well,so it would be a
pleasure to have you there...

About your knee,i tore the ligaments and cartlage in my
knee about 6years ago playing rugby,it was pretty
serious,but it has no effect on my training in MMA,
it might even help with strengthening your knee....

Don't worry about being tired after work,most of us
head down straight after work aswell....

Look forward to seeing you in training....

Osu
Lawrence

Millionaire

Hi There

I trained witn Shane too, last year before I moved to Thailand.

If I was still in Dublin, I would be training with Shane.

It is a brilliant club and I will tell you why... Shane teaches cause he got total passion for MMA, and that makes a brillaiant teacher. When I was there he did not charge me a penny until I was happy it was for me, and he was pumping his own cash in for rent of the hall etc. It was a short but great training experience for me, and if I was not in Thailand I still would be there.

The training is no nonsense, and as someone who has been around MA for over 20 years.. is one of the best I came across.

You learn to fight in all ranges, from stand up to ground.

and here is the intersting thing...The old Budo Tradition is maintained there, the respect, and the manners that was always part if MA, and you also learn karate along the way and can grade belts too.

This is good, as I think with MMA so popular and on TV with the ego driven lads in the Ultimate Fighter TV show...many people do not know about the older way, respect for teacher and fellow students, and a bit of down right good manners!

I went after work too, and you will be reengerised by the training, and will be on a high when you finish. the best cure for being tired, is to get up and move your body.

So get down there and enjoy...take it step by step, and remember rome was not built in a day.

CarolLorraine

Hey Steve

Like Millionaire was saying Shane is totally passionate about MMA, which is just fantastic to have in a teacher. He really wants to help you as best he can so you'll learn something from every class.

It's definitely a great class to improve your fitness levels and the other thing is that you can actually come down and see how you get on in a few classes first before deciding whether it's right for you or not.

Look forward to seeing you there,
Carol

P.S. No-one is going to try and injure you in class if you're worried about that.

judomick

what times are the grappling classes?

Roper

many people do not know about the older way, respect for teacher and fellow students, and a bit of down right good manners!

Hey Millionaire,
I don't do things the "Budo" way in my place but you'll find respect for everyone, good manners (even if its not yes sensai or whatever) and a good attitude.

I've also trained in two or 3 other MMA clubs in Dublin where the "old" way wasn't upkept and I've found the same respect. If you're basing MMA practitioners on a reality TV show then you're being a bit silly, and disrespectful to a whole lot of hard-working, respectful guys teaching and doing MMA in their own way.

No disrespect to Shane's club which I have no experience of. (soon will) Comments like that annoy me though.

ShaneT

judomick wrote:

what times are the grappling classes?

Hey Judomick,

Training is on Tuesday and Thursday nights. 18:30 - 20:30. We practise all round on all nights. Although, from time to time, we may focus specifically on striking/grappling etc. But, there is no dedicated grappling and/or striking night.

Our training is all zones, most of the time. You're more than welcome to pop down for a butchers.

Cheers,
-Shane.

kenpo_dave

Doleman wrote:

Hey all,

I'm thinking of heading along to Shane's MMA classes. I have a few concerns which I hope some of you experts can help answer!

1. I've never done any martial arts before. Will this be a problem for me do you think?
2. I work in computers. I'm unfit, not particularily strong, and sometimes tired after work. Will I be able for an MMA class? (I'm quite healthy and have been fit and strong previously - I'm just in a bit of a bad phase at the moment.)
3. Can anyone who goes to Shane's class give me any opinions on it?
4. How likely am I to get injured? I don't want to lose any teeth or break anything... Bumps and bruises are no bother.
5. One of my main goals is to be able to look after myself if some scumbag tries his luck with me. Is MMA good for general self defense?
6. My left knee is a bit dodgy. It works completely fine, but it is painful if it hits off anything. Would wearing a knee wrap (or something) work grand for an MMA class? (The hospitals say my knee is perfect, but they're wrong.)

Thanks for any answers.

Steve

Hi Steve.

In my opinion being a complete beginner to Martial Arts will actually be beneficial to you. You will have a clean slate to work on, whereas I have been training in Kenpo for a few years and when I first start training with Shane I had alot of ingrained habits to break. Also, everyone has to start somewhere and Kokoro is an excellent choice as a first club. Ive been training with Shane for almost a year and Im now alot fitter and tougher than Ive ever been. If you havent already done so, I recommend reading " Shane's Budo Diary" and "Kyokushin Budokai: The ULTIMATE Guide" which can be found at www.kyokushinbudokai.org But as others have already said, the best thing you can do is to come down and train with us so that you can experience it for yourself and then ask any questions you may have.

I hope to see you down at training.

Regards,

Dave.

ShaneT

Roper wrote:

No disrespect to Shane's club which I have no experience of. (soon will) Comments like that annoy me though.

In Millionaires defence;

Some people like a bit of tradition, some people don't. Nobody in my club calls me by my grade/title. I don't feel the need. However, we grade and teach Judo and Kyokushin. With this in mind, one would expect to learn and adhere to the traditions of Kyokushin/Judo in the same way that one would expect to adhere to certain traditions when learning Muay Thai or grappling etc.

Bowing in Kyokushin is no different to "touching gloves" in Muay Thai. Bowing when you leave the mat is no different to not allowing your head to pass under the ropes when entering/leaving a Thai ring. Obeying start and finish commands in Japanese allows us to participate in events where the Japanese is used and ensures that we don't inadvertantly cause offence in Knockdown tournaments etc.

Yes, we also teach the principles of bushido and we teach budo. Those who are not interested in it, can choose to ignore it.

I find the "assumption" that traditional arts are "non functional" insulting. I find the term "kratty" insulting from those that have never participated in a full contact bout. I find the assumption that "traditional values of respect and rank are valueless" insulting. Where websites suggest that this is "servile" and for "idiots" they show themselves to lack understanding.

I love the SPORT of MMA. I teach and practise FUNCTIONAL MARTIAL ARTS (that is the "martial" AND "artistic/creative") that are of a physical and philosophical nature. These arts are an integral part of a given way of life and they are valid in terms of self development, self defense and full contact competition (be it stand up or all round fighting [mma]).

Some people dislike the fact that this is "missing" in MMA gyms in the same way that many MMA gyms dislike the fact that this is "present" in "traditional" dojos.

Each school, each gym, each art and each sport has their traditions. Sometimes, these traditions originated in a country other than our own and may appear "servile". However, certainly this is not the case. Where schools and/or instructors have abused the system and made it so; shame on them. Shame on them in the same way that those who have learned no basis for respect (the "all american bad ass ufc type" ) have painted a picture that leads the masses to believe that MMA is a "bloodsport".

SOME arts also have a "philosophy" that is intended to carry through outside of the gym. I too miss it when it's not present. It's just a thing of old habits dying hard. It's about choice. Some people choose to have "the best of both worlds" as advocated at our place; that is adherence to the traditional values advocated by arts such as full contact karate with the level of all round training that many other arts and styles did not and could not offer prior to the advent of MMA.

To each his own.

dlofnep

the fonzy hand clasp before rolling is a must!

Roper

That's some rant for something that wasn't directed at you or your club Shane!:D

ShaneT wrote:

To each his own.

Exactly. But I find the insinuation of lack of respect being inherent in clubs that don't have such a system just as insulting.

I know of an awful lot of MAists who are in traditional systems and I wouldn't regard them as 'servile'. My difficulty is with the assumption that without it, you're just "foightin". I think you and I have been down this road before Shane and we agreed the very sentiment I've quoted above, to each their own. I've had bad experience with some 'traditional' systems which perhaps colours my opinions in this regard. Kykoshin is a fine system which produces fine, functional results, and its clear that tradition is a part of a whole.

As for the term 'Kratty', which I must accept responsibility for bringing to this board:D , my mates and I have been using that for years to describe just the sort of system you have spoken against in the past, which gets called Karate. Its not intended as an insult, its just a humourous term that came about from a mate of mine's Ma, who used to call him in off the road by shouting "Mark, its time for yer Kratty!".

Clive

Plenty of people at BTT bow and "oss" - each to their own!

muckwarrior

Hi Shane,

I'm also in a similar situation to the OP. Since starting work in IT I've noticed that whatever muscle I had is starting to turn to fat and I need to do something about it ASAP. Joining a gym to go nowhere fast on a treadmill just doesn't appeal to me so I was thinking about taking up martial arts.

I notice from your website that you're based on east wall but you say that training locations vary. Are they based near east wall as well? It's just that I work on east wall road so that would be a major factor in deciding which club to join.

fatal

muckwarrior wrote:

I've noticed that whatever muscle I had is starting to turn to fat

Muscle CANNOT turn into fat....the two have completely different stuctures.......

muckwarrior

fatal wrote:

Muscle CANNOT turn into fat....the two have completely different stuctures.......

Well being replaced by fat then. All I know is that I'm getting less of one and more of the other

Roper

muckwarrior wrote:

Joining a gym to go nowhere fast on a treadmill just doesn't appeal to me so I was thinking about taking up martial arts.

No no, join a gym. Run on a treadmill like a mouse, that way you can look at Coronation Street and get it in surround sound too!:)

Duchman

Roling around with a man between you legs is a bit gay imo. Beter of doing boxing

sharpjaws

Hey, I was thinking the same too, I wish to learn martial art to defend myself, I am 16 though live in blanchardstown D15, I never done any other martial arts before, am hoping for some advise on what I should go for.

Roper

Duchman wrote:

Roling around with a man between you legs is a bit gay imo. Beter of doing boxing

Something latent bubbling under the surface Duchman?:) Just get it out, you'll feel better for it and will be able to get on with listening to Dusty Springfield, dancing, and fashion design.:D

ShaneT

muckwarrior wrote:

I notice from your website that you're based on east wall but you say that training locations vary. Are they based near east wall as well? It's just that I work on east wall road so that would be a major factor in deciding which club to join.

That was written at a time when we were still looking for a "permanent" location. We only had one night per week too... Things have moved on a little since then and we are as good as permanent there. They will be almost doubling the size of the training space in the next two months too, so I imagine we'll be there for MANY years to come. :-)

Roper, I realise your comments weren't directed at me. Just felt like bringing a little balance to the force. You know how it is; "trad bashing" is OK. "mma bashing" is unacceptable. For me, the whole thing is a little weird because we have aspects of both and appreciate both for what they are, a neccessary part of the whole.

See you soon, and, getting back on topic - all are always welcome...

-ShaneT

Roper

sharpjaws wrote:

Hey, I was thinking the same too, I wish to learn martial art to defend myself, I am 16 though live in blanchardstown D15, I never done any other martial arts before, am hoping for some advise on what I should go for.

Hey,
We have a club just across the Tolka valley from you in Glasnevin/Finglas East. Website is in my sig. Don't worry about not having done anything before, we have a load of lads around 16 and most of them are only training a year or less.

Other than that, there's a lot of MA in Coolmine, including Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Escrima and Kung Fu. Try em all and pick a fave!

Cheers,
Barry

Roper

ShaneT wrote:

Roper, I realise your comments weren't directed at me. Just felt like bringing a little balance to the force. You know how it is; "trad bashing" is OK. "mma bashing" is unacceptable. For me, the whole thing is a little weird because we have aspects of both and appreciate both for what they are, a neccessary part of the whole.

Well, that depends on what you consider the "whole"!:D There are jerks in MMA, just like there are jerks in Kyukoshin, TKD, Judo... I don't like it when the antics of SOME fighters are selected as the behaviour of a worldwide group of people.

Millionaire

Roper wrote:

Hey Millionaire,
I don't do things the "Budo" way in my place but you'll find respect for everyone, good manners (even if its not yes sensai or whatever) and a good attitude.

I've also trained in two or 3 other MMA clubs in Dublin where the "old" way wasn't upkept and I've found the same respect. If you're basing MMA practitioners on a reality TV show then you're being a bit silly, and disrespectful to a whole lot of hard-working, respectful guys teaching and doing MMA in their own way.

No disrespect to Shane's club which I have no experience of. (soon will) Comments like that annoy me though.

Yes of course! I am not juging anyone else in Ireland.

I personal like the Budo way, with modern training methods of course.

Thai has the traditions too, Ram Muay, in fact the master in this camp made
me learn it. and it nice to know I can do it too. actually its great for a warm up.

Here in this camp, the lads, all Wai (hands in pray position as head bowing) when entering
the ring...and even they Wai the master btwn rounds on the pads.


Actually I will tell this story in fun, about tradition...
Bruce Lee let alot of the Chinese tradition go when he was teaching in USA,
though he still used "Sifu" as a title. His view was this on tradition and attitude etc

"if some of you guys were training in Hong Kong, many of you would be missing
your front teeth my now!"

(This does not reflect my view, though it does show how some of the orientals
think of tradition).

Colm_OReilly

Maybe you guys should just stop getting upset?

Anyway, to the OP, come out to my club, I'm better looking than Shane



8Note: I've never actually seen Shane

Millionaire

Colm_OReilly wrote:

Maybe you guys should just stop getting upset?

[/SIZE]

Yes! good idea!

I am very upset Roper would think I think that! Barry..I am using you as an excuse to grab a can of beer or 3...just to cheer myself up now! LOL!!!

Cheers

G

Roper

Hmmm,
Good thinking Mill, I think I'll do likewise!

ErinGoBrath

Hi Shane,

Myself and two friends are in the same boat as the OP. Looking to take up MMA from scratch with zero fighting experience. All in our mid twenties.

Would it be possible to come down and sit in on a session?

Feedback on your training sounds very positive!

ShaneT

ErinGoBrath wrote:

Hi Shane,

Myself and two friends are in the same boat as the OP. Looking to take up MMA from scratch with zero fighting experience. All in our mid twenties.

Would it be possible to come down and sit in on a session?

Feedback on your training sounds very positive!

The more the merrier. But, "sitting in" is a bit pointless. If you want an idea of how things are - you need to participate and if there's anything you're not comfortable with, sit out on that particular activity....

In truth, the more the merrier.

The way this is going, I'm thinking of arranging a Saturday afternoon for people who want and idea of how things are done at Kokoro.

I think a fair few people are curious how we bridge "traditional" with "modern".

So, those that have an interest in visiting - drop me a mail: shane@mma-ireland.com

In the longer term, I'll think about holding some sort of 3 hour jobby on one Saturday in August for all that want to get an idea of how we train (including those that are already training MMA). Just thinking out loud there...

-ShaneT.

ErinGoBrath

Cheers for the reply. Dropped you a quick mail :cool:

ShaneT

ErinGoBrath wrote:

Cheers for the reply. Dropped you a quick mail :cool:

No worries. Just dropped you a mail with all the information you'll need. Hope to see you all tomorrow.

-Shane.