Looking for the right MA for me

tusk

Hey, so I've been out of activity and basically any general fitness for a good few years. Been trying to get back working out (weights/cycling/swimming), but to no great avail. I think my problem is that I'm just not mentally stimulated enough.

I did TKD for years, and loved it, but I think I'd like to start something new. Not really interested in competitions. My main focus would be on self development and discipline. Nailing the patterns was always my thing.

Would love any suggestions or guidance on what you guys would reccommend.

Thanks!

Izanaki

Hi,

If you are not interested in competition and your intention is your self development, I would suggest Aikido or more in general, a traditional martial art. At the beginning it could be challenging but once you get into it, you'll find it beneficial for a number of aspects in your life.

If you are in the Dublin area, you can have a try with Aikido in my dojo. Look at my profile for details.

Stefano

Doug Cartel

Find out what is available locally, try some classes, stick with the one you like the most.

Nappy

I was in a similar position to yourself and made it a resolution to start an MA. I started brazillian Jiu Jitsu and love it. There is so much to learn and I would regard it as one of the best MA's for self defense. I wasn't interested in competition when I started either but it makes it easier to progress through the belts. It's very enjoyable and I already feel my fitness levels improving. I picked up an MA because I was finding it hard to motivate myself to get into a decent gym routine. The weight will fall off you as well depending on how hard you train.

Niall Keane

If patterns are your thing, perhaps Karate? I believe there are some similarities with TKD? And I believe they have tons of Kata too?

Traditional Kung Fu styles usually have several hand and weapon forms. For example the style I practice has a handform of 119 movements, a sabre (Dao) form of 81 movements, a sword (Jian) form of 91 movements, a spear of 15 movements / styles, and double forms of sabre v sabre, sabre v spear, 2 sabres v 1 sabre, 2 sabres v 2 sabres and 2 swords v 2 sabres. That's not a huge amount compared to something like Choy Lay Foot which has over a hundred forms and +-20 weapons.

There is a Chinese lady who teaches Wushu out of the Confucian Institute in Blackrock I believe? She was All China champion at forms a few times if I recall correctly, teaches the UCD Shaolin Club too. Wushu is modern but combines many of the athletically challenging moves from various traditional styles and stretches them out if you get me. But it is seriously demanding and I'd say if you like patterns you would love it, somersaults and all!!

Like Doug said above though, best off finding something local that's easy to attend.

Mellor

Nappy wrote: »

I was in a similar position to yourself and made it a resolution to start an MA. I started brazillian Jiu Jitsu and love it. There is so much to learn and I would regard it as one of the best MA's for self defense. I wasn't interested in competition when I started either but it makes it easier to progress through the belts. It's very enjoyable and I already feel my fitness levels improving. I picked up an MA because I was finding it hard to motivate myself to get into a decent gym routine. The weight will fall off you as well depending on how hard you train.

If he is looking for patterns, forms etc then BJJ isn't a very good suggestion.
(and I'm saying this as a BJJ competitor)

RoboRat

If he is looking for patterns, forms etc then BJJ isn't a very good suggestion.

True but there is a flow to your game and you can transition between a lot of subs quiet seamlessly - eg spider guard to armbar to triangle to armbar.

I would do as suggested above, try a few that are local and the times suit you and then choose. If you want to stick with it, you need to pick something that suits you - no point in driving 40 mins plus as when the novelty wears off, this will become a bug bear.

Mellor

RoboRat wrote: »

True but there is a flow to your game and you can transition between a lot of subs quiet seamlessly - eg spider guard to armbar to triangle to armbar.

A string of movements, preformed seamlessly it's excellent to watch (or pull off). But I'm not sure how that's relevant to what I said. Do you mean learning/practising a set routine over and over to get it perfect.

Damo W

tusk wrote: »

My main focus would be on self development and discipline. Nailing the patterns was always my thing.

Would love any suggestions or guidance on what you guys would reccommend.

Thanks!

A little late in on this one but have you tried Koryu Uchinadi www.koryu-uchinadi.com, Koryu Uchinadi is a non-competitive, totally application-based defensive practice, punctuated with moral philosophy and highlighted by introspective teaching as a comprehensive single study.

Exploring Kata (the core of KU) and its functional applications through two person flow drills sets etc.

Here is a clip of a two person flow drill created for the Aragaki Seisan Kata,