Martial artists, riddle me this..

[The Doctor]

So a dojo opened up within walking distance of my house. It said "KARATE" in big letters on the sign so I thought I could finally learn some martial arts to help keep in shape. (I have no delusions that I'll become some kind of goddamned batman.)

When I get closer, I notice the sign says "Bryce's Karate" and has an ATA logo on the front door.

Isn't ATA the American Taekwondo* Association? And isn't Karate a Japanese martial art, whereas taekwondo is Korean? Aren't they in fact not at all the same thing, although similar in that they're both empty-handed martial arts?

It seems kind of dishonest to me. Do we have a McDojo popping up in my backyard?

[Radioguy9698]

i'm an advanced Jr Green belt Taekwondo Student, and i hate these mcdojo's that pop up everywhere, most of them remind me of the katate dojo from napoleon dynamite

[Lance Uppercut]

Sounds mcdojoish to me. And if it were me looking for a striking style to study, I'd go with a good Muay Thai school.

(Mandatory Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu recommendation goes here. No rainbow belts every 4 weeks, no kata B.S., just solid rolling during every practice.)

[The Doctor]

I was actually very interested in Aikido, but there's no teachers of it in town. I've gotten so wary of martial arts schools anyways, that I've given up on the idea. I figured it was a more interesting way to get exercise as well as teach my body to do stuff besides sit, walk, and stand.

[Everyone vs Dinosaurs]

I was actually very interested in Aikido, but there's no teachers of it in town. I've gotten so wary of martial arts schools anyways, that I've given up on the idea. I figured it was a more interesting way to get exercise as well as teach my body to do stuff besides sit, walk, and stand and click.



That sounds a bit fake.


Is Kung-Fu real?

[Lance Uppercut]

I'm telling you, man, jiu-jitsu. It is a hell of a workout, like chess but faster, and with chokes and armlocks.

[Everyone vs Dinosaurs]

I'm telling you, man, jiu-jitsu. It is a hell of a workout, like chess but faster, and with chokes and armlocks.

Wait --- I thought chokes and armlocks were fair game in chess too?

[maverick106]

They plaster the word Karate all over everything because its the one people know. It may indicate a novice management, or it may just indicate a management trying to recruit business from a public generally ignorant of martial arts. If you are interested, go in and meet the head instructor...a few minutes with him will tell you all you need to know.

I am a black belt and instructed for a few years. If you need to know some questions to ask, or things to look for, feel free to drop me a PM. Be happy to help you out, but I can't recommend a particular discipline without first knowing your needs and goals.

[Ancalagon]

The thing about Karate, and martial arts in general, is that there are so many different styles.

I did Shukokai Karate for a few years, which is an offshoot of Shito Ryu (at least according to Wiki). I was never much good at fighting, but I did well in technique and kata. I actually enjoyed it - its an odd sport, but pretty cool. Its a good work out too - because you rely on your stomach muscles to give your upper body stability, you need to keep them crunched the whole time. So.... I had good abs.

I did it for a few years, and then when I got to university, I tried aikido, and another style of karate, Goju Ryu (which was the only style of karate on offer, very small university). Aikido isnt bad, but I didnt find it extremely interesting. Goju Ryu I didnt enjoy as much as Shukokai, because it didnt focus as much on stances and correct technique, and I guess me being a very ordered kind of guy, I missed that. It would probably be better for actual combat though - it was far less rigid, and encouraged the use of grapples etc.

the other thing I learned from that, is that a karate... class is only as good as its sensei and pupils. When I did Shukokai, I had an awesome pair of senseis. The Goju Ryu sensei was good, but I guess I was used to the personal relationship I had with my old senseis, so I missed that.

[Scull]

So what tends to happen is that all sorts of martial arts studios use the word karate as that is what the general populace knows. STop in, talk to the instructors, see about their trial, as most places will give you a class for free or a few weeks for a minimal fee. Try it and see if you like it.

[walkstheplanes]

My martial arts school used to list themselves as Karate in the community brochure, simply because it's what people know. When I went in, I was surprised with a Kajukenbo school.

I'd recommend you find two things... One, find a martial art that is practical. Most "street" or "dirty" martial arts are good for realistic self defenses. Kajukenbo (a mixture of Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, Kenbo, and Chinese Boxing) is what I do, and I really like it. I've also started going to Koshoryu classes just to learn their forms/pinyons, and that school has some pretty effective looking self defense techniques (This recommendation becomes moot if you're not necessarily interested in practicality -- and I am by no means an expert on practical martial arts, I just threw a couple names out as suggestions). Two, try not to find a place where you pay for your belt. Look for community centers and volunteer classes where you'll pay 1/3 as much for the same amount of time. Also, these classes will, more often than not, be taught by people who want to be there as opposed to a place that is business oriented.

Of course, with each recommendation, mileage will vary. My last kajukenbo school was owned by a sexist, racist bigot. Also, I've run into volunteer schools where (while still cheaper) the owners were money grubbing.

Certainly, if you're simply looking for a workout, you can go to any school for any reason, but those are just my suggestions if I were in your shoes.

Good luck, and I hope you have fun with whatever you find!

[hunterx280]

The Doctor, where are you located out of curiosity? Some times it's best to ask around and find out what styles are available and if there is anyone teaching. For any martial arts class it is always recommended to find out if they will let you watch a class or two before putting any money into it. You will regret paying if you hate the class or the style.

EDIT: I guess I should also ask, do you have a style you're interested in?

[The Doctor]

The Doctor, where are you located out of curiosity? Some times it's best to ask around and find out what styles are available and if there is anyone teaching. For any martial arts class it is always recommended to find out if they will let you watch a class or two before putting any money into it. You will regret paying if you hate the class or the style.

EDIT: I guess I should also ask, do you have a style you're interested in?

Southern Indiana. Evansville, to be precise. Chock-full of corn, Republicans, and white basketball players.

I was interested in Aikido, although Karate piques my interest as well. I have no delusions of being some kind of street fighting bad-ass (I already am on my PS2..) just an opportunity to get back in shape and teach an old body new tricks.

If I can find the time, I definitely need to see if they'll let me watch a session. Time is at a premium for me lately (ironic considering my nick/avatar) so even getting lessons crammed in may not be possible.

[hunterx280]

Southern Indiana. Evansville, to be precise. Chock-full of corn, Republicans, and white basketball players.

I was interested in Aikido, although Karate piques my interest as well. I have no delusions of being some kind of street fighting bad-ass (I already am on my PS2..) just an opportunity to get back in shape and teach an old body new tricks.

If I can find the time, I definitely need to see if they'll let me watch a session. Time is at a premium for me lately (ironic considering my nick/avatar) so even getting lessons crammed in may not be possible.

I will ask around with my teachers, they tend to be pretty well connected. I am fortunate enough to have a lot of choices up here in the Pacific Northwest and despite what you say about being stuck around white republicans they actually make great martial artists in my experience. All of my teachers are LOL!

[walkstheplanes]

Southern Indiana. Evansville, to be precise. Chock-full of corn, Republicans, and white basketball players.

I was interested in Aikido, although Karate piques my interest as well. I have no delusions of being some kind of street fighting bad-ass (I already am on my PS2..) just an opportunity to get back in shape and teach an old body new tricks.

If I can find the time, I definitely need to see if they'll let me watch a session. Time is at a premium for me lately (ironic considering my nick/avatar) so even getting lessons crammed in may not be possible.

Do you have community centers near where you live? If you're lucky, you'll find a community class that suits you. It's going to be much, much cheaper than a private school (and there's my personal bias/hope that you'll earn your belt vs. buy it).

Personally, I've got a fairly lenient teacher (his mentality is such that if you don't get things now, you'll get them eventually in your life). He doesn't push very hard physically, and it depends on the students to get a solid workout.

Again, good luck and I hope you have a lot of fun with whatever you find!

edit: One of my DnD friends has a black belt in Aikido, and it's pretty awesome. I'd recommend you to his school, but I think the commute to California would be a problem.

[wyeast]

... class is only as good as its sensei and pupils.
This.

Also, I'd add that the class/style will only be as good as what suits you. Whether your body type, strengths, weaknesses, or just plain what you're looking to get out of it. Some people are more suited to fast moving striking arts. Fat kids like me do better with grappling-based arts. :o

[The Doctor]

This.

Also, I'd add that the class/style will only be as good as what suits you. Whether your body type, strengths, weaknesses, or just plain what you're looking to get out of it. Some people are more suited to fast moving striking arts. Fat kids like me do better with grappling-based arts. :o

I have no idea what would suit me. I'm short, getting overweight (although I was skinny before I hit my 20s) and used to be a fucking fast freak on foot. I was considering Aikido partially because I heard it was good for women because they're smaller and more flexible, and I'm smaller and more flexible than most other guys. (Or used to be, anyways..)

[cassiusregicide]

I have no idea what would suit me. I'm short, getting overweight (although I was skinny before I hit my 20s) and used to be a fucking fast freak on foot. I was considering Aikido partially because I heard it was good for women because they're smaller and more flexible, and I'm smaller and more flexible than most other guys. (Or used to be, anyways..)

Finding what martial art works for you takes time. I'll second Brazillian Jui-Jitsu. Its a great workout, and you can tailor it to your strengths.

[Lance Uppercut]

Its a great workout, and you can tailor it to your strengths.

I'm not the tallest in my gym, and I'm outweighed by the rest of the guys in there by at least 10 pounds (and outclassed experience-wise), but BJJ allows for a lot of flexibility as far as tactics are concerned. I'm not gonna overpower anybody, but BJJ teaches technique and leverage can neutralize physical advantages.

[hunterx280]

The teacher I asked last night wasn't aware of any prominent teachers in your area off the top of his head but I did get the following info.

From what I'm told, if you are looking for a good karate style, go with the Okinawan style of Goju-ryu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gojuryu). According to one of my teachers, it's pretty good. I will say that he is probably pretty biased because it is where he got his first of many black belts so take it as you will.

I am also told that if you plan to take Aikido that you may want to consider Aikijutsu later on down the line because the original design and purpose of Aikido was to train students the basics and then they would move into Aikijutsu later. I'm no expert, this is just what I'm told but from past experience my teachers tend to know this stuff pretty well.

I hope this helps.

[Sirindu]

From what I'm told, if you are looking for a good karate style, go with the Okinawan style of Goju-ryu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gojuryu). According to one of my teachers, it's pretty good. I will say that he is probably pretty biased because it is where he got his first of many black belts so take it as you will.

I am also told that if you plan to take Aikido that you may want to consider Aikijutsu later on down the line because the original design and purpose of Aikido was to train students the basics and then they would move into Aikijutsu later. I'm no expert, this is just what I'm told but from past experience my teachers tend to know this stuff pretty well.

I hope this helps.

That is consistent with everything I've read and been told by my sensei.

The program I am enrolled in consists of a smattering of basic concepts and principles from Aikido and Goju-Ryu. After I'm through this initial training, I'll be able to choose which to go into full force. So perhaps, Doctor, you'll be lucky enough to find a program that starts of like that, giving you a taste and a foundation in several disciplines thus enabling you to make an educated choice later on.

For myself, I really enjoy Aikido so far. The breaks and joint locks/manipulations are really cool. And so, since I'm not that far along yet, I suppose just from demonstrations I've seen and research I've done, I'd through my vote in for that. But as everyone has alluded to, you've gotta find what's right for you.

Good luck and keep us posted!