I think I'm gonna try out martial arts...

[Jon Clement]

My friend said that I may find it stimulating...

I think I'll try Kenpo out... I wonder if they have Kenpo classes in my town...

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Thats sweet. Try Tae Kwon Do! I took that for approx 10 years of my life.

[Uriah]

*Practices kung fu every now and then* I wouldn't reccomend kung fu if you're looking for something easyer, it's fairly complex.

[Steeltemplar]

Thats sweet. Try Tae Kwon Do! I took that for approx 10 years of my life.

Tae Kwon Do is great for kicks. My brother takes both Tae Kwon Do and Hap Ki Do - a fearsome combination since the latter has a great many powerful (and painful) joint locks and throws.

[Jon Clement]

Is Tae Kwon Do very hard? What country is it from?

[Sammy Boy]

Tae Kwon Do is Korean martial arts. It focuses on various types of kicks, and you can usually chain these up together for combos.

The form I did was rather gentle, with no sweep kicks, no knees, no elbows, no punches to faces, etc.

[Jon Clement]

...korean Midgets Wrestling Is Educational Tv!!!

[Stephen]

I would advise somthing thats practical for self defense. Korean Tai Kwon Do is good. American...ehhh. No impact.

The form I did was rather gentle, with no sweep kicks, no knees, no elbows, no punches to faces, etc.

The problem with that is, in a life or death situation where someone is beating the snot out of you...they will elbow you, they will punch you in the face.

The style I am learning now is a combo of American kickboxing and Korean Tai Kwon Do. Choi Shin Do. Try to take somthing thats a good mix of standup fighting, and grappling.

[Zarn Ishtare]

While I'm actually looking into learning ninjitsu (Anyone who says it isn't a real martial art needs to do more research) from a local master, I would heavily suggest taking a grappling/stand-up fighting oriented martial art, if your going in for self defense. To this day, the best I can think of is Brazilian jujitsu and or/ the Grady school (Can't remember if that is the exact name, but it sounds close) of martial arts.

Also, a real martial arts school/dojo may or may not be a family oriented place. I know that the sensei I wish to train under is a good guy, but I also know that he views his work as a way of life, and not something that he'll water down to teach children (anyone below teenager level). And he certainly wouldn't give out black belts to 10 year olds, like I've seen in some dojos*shudder*. Alot of serious sensei's may or may not be particularly nice about their training methods, particularly if they think you aren't taking it seriously or your slacking off.

Sadly, there are too many places that throw diluded knowledge to the masses hoping to make a quick buck, usually people who teach Tai Kwon Do or American Kickboxing (What I took). While these are actually fine and noble martial arts, there are alot of posuers and people who generally shouldn't be teaching. That has more to do, however, with the fact that those martial arts have been stateside so long, rather than any defiency in the arts themselves.

At any rate, just try to get the best deal for your money, and try to go into whatever dojo you pick with a humble, respectful, serious attitude. While your sensei may or may not be possessed of great patience, if you enter his domain as a student in spirit and in truth, you will most likely earn their respect. As far as the rest goes, just try and do your best, and give 100%. That is all anyone can ask of you.

[KBMaster]

I took American goju for about a year and I loved it. Marines said that my sensei was too hard on them though. Wussies. Although Sensei Andy was VERY sadistic, lol. Good ol' Betsy! Betsy was Sensei's "girl". And a bamboo stick. That he spun around. And around. And we had to jump over and duck under. I learned a lot of cool throws, punches, kicks, etc. It was a lot of fun. Sensei showed us how to gouge a guys eyes out!!

[Sammy Boy]

The form I did was rather gentle, with no sweep kicks, no knees, no elbows, no punches to faces, etc.

The problem with that is, in a life or death situation where someone is beating the snot out of you...they will elbow you, they will punch you in the face.

My thoughts exactly. When I learnt it, I was like "Huh? You teach me how to do sweep kicks but I can't use it?". People out in the world aren't concerned about fighting fair, and like you said, in a life or death situation, I can't say "Hey hey ... no elbowing to the face alright?".

That's why I was kinda disappointed and practised them at home, but would have been good to learn something else, imho.

[Wise Dragon]

Ive been training In Karate for about three years and its worked well for me. There seems to be more Karate schools around than anything else; but I would personally recommend a few suggestions:

1)Go watch several different places to see if the instructor really knows what there doing. Eventhough you might want to take ninjutsu over a common Karate system if the sensei doesn't know what hes doing then the other would be a better choice because they would be a lot more structured and you could learn a lot more. Don't Go signning a contract and end up with a guy like from Napoleon Dynamite

2)Consider what kind of teaching methods the instructor uses. Would you rather have some one who is highly militaristic or a more laid back have fun kind of guy.

3)40-50 dollars a month for two lessons a week is about the average price for lessons, so judge accordingly to what you think is best.

4)consider your own body type when you look around. ex: If your a heavy set guy like me then youd be best suited for styles that are geared toward grapling and lower fighting stances that can use your weight to your advantage (Like Karate or jujitsu) If your more of a light and flexible build then choose something that compliments those features of speed and agility(Like Kung fu or Akido)

5) some places require you to participate in tournaments for your belt promotions. Some people have a problem with this, and others don't.

6)find out about belt promotion fees, uniform fees. Weapons, if you get yourself or from the instructor. Some instructors can charge as much as several hundred dollars for weapons alone. look out for these things cause they can really add up to big bucks quickly if your not carefull.

Well thats about all i can think of at the moment. If I remember any more Ill let ya know. Hope this helps.

[Sai]

I take Koei Kan which is a form of karate.. I think. My sensei does water it down a bit but he is one of the strongest in the area. But back on topic, Koei Kan teahces a whole bunch of different stuff such as throws and different ways to choke people as well as punching and kicking. I find it fun most of the time.

[Stephen]

The Grady schools, are Gracie I belive. Made famous by the success of former UFC chamion Royce Gracie and his familys awesome Jiu Jitsu.

[Silent Hunter]

suweet! this is helpful information, i've been wanting to look into some form of martial arts myself

[Zarn Ishtare]

Gracies, right. Thanks for the reminder. I think the Gracie Challenge is still up too, though I don't know if anyone has won it yet...Anyway, the Gracie family teaches it as a martial art, and Brazilian Jujitsu is also extremely effective.

[Stephen]

Jiu Jitsu is good to mix with other things. What happens when you take a guy down, and his friends start kicking you in the face? Bruce Lee had it best. You should always be learning new things. Blending things that work well with you personaly. Some things work better with people then others. But always try to keep an open mind to other styles. (Not taking into cosideration crap schools that are across the Nation)