Choosing a martial art

LauraLoo

Hello,

Im starting college this september and i would like to join one of the martial arts societies. I was thinking of going to each class to figure out which one i feel suits me the best but thought id ask around for the opinions of others who are experienced. I will be a complete beginner.

The three classes on offer are: Karate, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do.

Does height/weight and strength come in to consideration? For example would one suit more than the other for strength abilities etc? Im female, 5'2, 9.5 stone, small-medium build, could be a little fitter and although i try, im not the strongest.

Im interested in working with energy, im a reiki master and can feel energy on a regular basis so i would be interested in expanding this experience with martial arts- so based on the research ive conducted does this mean that i should take Tae Kwon Do out of the equation? (as most results say it is more scientific based wheras aikido is more "energy" based) Is this true for Tae Kwon Do?

My partner is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do so it may be something we could share together if i studied it also, however i dont think its wise to choose Tae Kwon Do for this reason alone, if it came to a different martial art suiting me better.

Am wondering if anyone out there can help give me advice toward my choice between the three.

Thanks so much.

yomchi

LauraLoo wrote: »

Hello,

Im starting college this september and i would like to join one of the martial arts societies. I was thinking of going to each class to figure out which one i feel suits me the best but thought id ask around for the opinions of others who are experienced. I will be a complete beginner.

The three classes on offer are: Karate, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do.

Does height/weight and strength come in to consideration? For example would one suit more than the other for strength abilities etc? Im female, 5'2, 9.5 stone, small-medium build, could be a little fitter and although i try, im not the strongest.

Im interested in working with energy, im a reiki master and can feel energy on a regular basis so i would be interested in expanding this experience with martial arts- so based on the research ive conducted does this mean that i should take Tae Kwon Do out of the equation? (as most results say it is more scientific based wheras aikido is more "energy" based) Is this true for Tae Kwon Do?

My partner is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do so it may be something we could share together if i studied it also, however i dont think its wise to choose Tae Kwon Do for this reason alone, if it came to a different martial art suiting me better.

Am wondering if anyone out there can help give me advice toward my choice between the three.

Thanks so much.

Hello!
I do TKD and we do not experiment or train with energies or chi are anything like that. TKD is a striking art, which means we train for impact development. It is a little like kickboxing, with a different rule set.

Probably what your after is Tai Chi. They do alot of their practice based around these energy systems, hence the name.

As far as I know, Aikido is more about the manipulation of your opponents momentum as opposed to chi energy or whatever the correct term is.

Good luck!

Hephaestus

<snip>deleted, no wonder the forum doesn't attract new posters!<snip>

arybvtcw0eolkf

Jon wrote: »

Probably what your after is Tai Chi. They do alot of their practice based around these energy systems, hence the name.

As far as I know, Aikido is more about the manipulation of your opponents momentum as opposed to chi energy or whatever the correct term is.

Of the list mentioned the first one I thought of was Aikido actually!.

MeaveD is an Aikido black belt - she's also a sale exec blackbelt :P - but if she'd chime in with some of her M.A. experience once in a while it would be nice

.

Quillo

There is a sort tenuous link between the founders or Reiki and Aikido:

Mikao Usui held Menkyo Kaidan (complete license to teach) in the Yagyu Ryu sword and grappling system.

Aikido was developed by Morihei Ueshiba blending Yagyu Shingan Ryu and Daito Ryu sword and grappling systems (with his own ideas).

So Aikido may be what you are looking for......

(The "Ki" in Aikido and the "Ki" in Reiki are represented by the same Kanji as that used for chi/qi in Chinese)

I would recommend to stay away from the TKD as thats striking, What type of Karate? Aikido might be what your looking for. This is mainly because I don't know the discipline of Karate your talking about, Failing that try them all you might be surprised by different things, Variety is the spice of life. to use a cliche.

LauraLoo

Thanks a million for the replies- its been helpful to get a little more info.

I did Thai Chi before and really enjoyed it but as i have alot of active energy I would like something that is more strenuous. I want to build up my strength and fitness whilst also working with energy. I think i will sign up to all three and take 3/4 classes of each before i decide. (It could be quite ironic if i end up loving the TKD!!)


Dojojoe: the karate is "Shotokan Karate and also place emphasis on researching the Okinawan origins of the Art" (i just copied and pasted from the website as i have no clue what that even means- i literally am a complete beginner)

MaeveD- if you end up reading this id be delighted if you could give more info on the Aikido as it is the one im more attracted to.

thanks again

Nothingcompares

Both DIT and TCD offer Judo which I'd recommend above the 3 others.

Crazi_Monkey21

well taekwondo and karate are kind of similiar,
if you wanna take up one of these and want to be good at it
you should be able to jump high and kick while doing it.
of course you will learn.
but if you weigh too much or have weak legs then come on. tkd is not your thing as you will have to learn some advanced kicks which require quick leg movement like 540 kick and high jump and twists for the 720 degree kick.
sometimes even cheat 720 or a jacknife.

unless youre dedicated to losing weight,i recomend taking aikido,altho im no expert and im not sure of all of this.
but hey its my experience.


i think u should listen to the other taekwondo blackbelts on the forum instead of me,
im all self taught in tkd