For all you people that have practiced a martial art and did it because it gave you so much value, why did you stop?
Speaking very traditionally and frankly, if it's that valuable to you, if you are truly of the martial way, then time, distance, cost are not factors. You continue. It is your way. You do it because it is who you are and what you do.
If it's not your way, then it could be said that you have simply dabbled.
Sorry but realistically, cost and distance or a factor, lol. If I could afford to, I would. Between the cost of the class and gas a month would probably cost me $200 a month at least. Not only gas, there is the extra food I have to eat to make up for the work out plus laundry I would have to do so I didn't stink. Oh and convince the wife to watch the kid for an extra two days a week on top of the two I'm already gone playing hockey and hit the gym.
I really love it and I miss it. But I have priorities that are more important.
__________________ Pain is the feeling of fear leaving your body.
Sorry but realistically, cost and distance or a factor, lol. If I could afford to, I would. Between the cost of the class and gas a month would probably cost me $200 a month at least. Not only gas, there is the extra food I have to eat to make up for the work out plus laundry I would have to do so I didn't stink. Oh and convince the wife to watch the kid for an extra two days a week on top of the two I'm already gone playing hockey and hit the gym.
I really love it and I miss it. But I have priorities that are more important.
I had wanted to learn muay thai for a very long time. I have never been able to articulate why. A local muay thai gym offered a free month so I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. After three weeks, I have decided to join and continue.
I feel an incredible sense of strength and accomplishment after that brief time. I feel different about myself. I wasn't sure I could learn the techniques but that too has changed.
Hi, all. I'm new to the forum and a new fan of the rules of lifting. I have studied martial arts for nearly 18 years, first getting my black belt in tae kwon do and then moving to wado ryu karate. I believe that initially I started martial arts for the self confidence and the idea that I would not be a victim. Being a social worker and going into people's homes, also, I felt I needed a means of self defense. (Thankfully, I've never had to use it.) Now that I am in my 40s and it is harder to maintain a high level of fitness, I feel I stay with karate to keep myself motivated. In fact, one of the reasons I am more interested in strength training is that I will be testing for nidan, either in the fall or next spring, and I have to get in better shape!
Hi, all. I'm new to the forum and a new fan of the rules of lifting. I have studied martial arts for nearly 18 years, first getting my black belt in tae kwon do and then moving to wado ryu karate. I believe that initially I started martial arts for the self confidence and the idea that I would not be a victim. Being a social worker and going into people's homes, also, I felt I needed a means of self defense. (Thankfully, I've never had to use it.) Now that I am in my 40s and it is harder to maintain a high level of fitness, I feel I stay with karate to keep myself motivated. In fact, one of the reasons I am more interested in strength training is that I will be testing for nidan, either in the fall or next spring, and I have to get in better shape!
Just chiming in!
Thanks for dropping by and posting. I assume your nidan is in wado ryu karate. A quick questionL: What was the reason you switched from tae kwon do to wado ryu karate? (was is a matter of practicality, i.e. copst, distance, moving to area with no TKD) or was there some aspect that your felt was lacking in TKFD or better (better suited to you or your needs) in wado ryu karate?
Cheers
Peter
__________________
Peter
After all, diamonds are a girl's best friend…
Last edited by diamondpete : 05-25-2009 at 08:18 PM.
Thanks for the question :-) In a way, it was a combination of things....shortly after I got my shodan in tae kwon do, my instructor had some family issues, etc., and was pulled away. In essence, my husband and I suddenly inherited the class (taught at the local Y; please no jokes about martial arts classes at the Y...my experience was excellent!). After 2 1/2 years and between my job in child welfare and my husband's swing shift job, we just could not run the class and chose to close it after referring our students to other tae kwon do schools in the area. I stopped doing martial arts for about a year and missed it. One day, I saw a story on the local news about a dojo sponsoring the AAU National Tournament in my hometown, went and checked it out and started the next day. The head sensei was in law enforcement and incidentally, is currently serving in Iraq.
So, I started wado ryu karate and got my shodan in 3 1/2 years. And yes, I did have to start over at white belt, but it was worth it. Overall, while there are some differences, the tae kwon do I learned was less sport-oriented and more traditional. Again, some differences, but in my experience, there are many more similarities and the transition is not a big deal. Admittedly, (at the risk of sounding arrogant), even at my "advanced age," I have the best kicks in my dojo :-D Realistically, wado ryu has more emphasis on using the entire body, while tae kwon do's strengths are in its kicks.
Welcome Rachaella - I am another former TKD'er (nidan) who switched to karate (kajukenpo). Many reasons, but in my case the karate school I'm in now is much more real-life oriented - real self-defense, versus Olympic-style training that was good exercise but not necessarily practical or effective... Not saying all TKD schools are like that, but mine was. I've been doing karate for about 4 years, and also had to start over at white belt (as did my DH and DS) - I'll be testing for my shodan this fall...
please no jokes about martial arts classes at the Y...
I think that who you study from, practice with and what you put into is more important than the where you are actually doing it. Unfortunately, part of the "branding" of MA depends on creating a hierarchy of MA, where the MA schools are somehow automatically higher than the Y or even a guy teaching in his yard. There are a lot of poor schools.
If you had a good experience at the Y, then that is exactly what it was, a good experience. I am not particularly impressed by how MA is branded and marketed in some places and how to make their own "brand" better there is a tendency to belittle other experiences to make their own seem more legitimate or better by comparison.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachaella
So, I started wado ryu karate and got my shodan in 3 1/2 years. And yes, I did have to start over at white belt, but it was worth it. Overall, while there are some differences, the tae kwon do I learned was less sport-oriented and more traditional. Again, some differences, but in my experience, there are many more similarities and the transition is not a big deal.
Have to agree with that. Your body only moves so many ways, as does the defender/opponent/partner. I think it is more a matter of emphasis on what parts are used, and to what degree (force, targets, etc)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rachaella
Realistically, wado ryu has more emphasis on using the entire body, while tae kwon do's strengths are in its kicks.
Don't know enough about TKD to comment on that except to say that I suspect that varies greatly depending on what form of TKD you are studying. Hopefully Chris C. will comment on that.
Cheers
Peter
__________________
Peter
After all, diamonds are a girl's best friend…
Of the choices listed it is a combination of self-improvement/discipline and the allure and culture of the art. I started fairly late (mid/late 40’s) and have had to take some time off do to some family issues. I just started back last night and while it has been about a year and a half since I did it, I was surprised at how quickly muscle-memory takes over and one remembers things with out thinking about them.
I will say that self-defense was not a motivation for studying TKD. I was more interested in proving to myself that I could train my body to do things I through were impossible for someone my age. That, and improving my flexibility.
Mr. Correia, are you a part of the IBBF family under Great Grand Master Yun?
My school, Total TKD is a part of the IBBF, and is run by 3rd Dan Black Belt Mr. Bill Frauly. Our Master is Master Ralph Truesdell.
I trained for about 2 1/2 years and attained the rank of Blue Belt before I had to take a break to care for a sick parent.
I found this forum through the JP Fitness Forum which I found after I started doing The New Rules of Lifting by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove. I started that program while I was off from TKD.
I thought that you might be a part if the IBBF when I read your recounting of the story of your Great Grand Master stating that "he was finally getting the jab down" Mr. Bill related the same story to us. That was an eye opener for me regarding the life long journey and continual development of mind and spirit that is the matrial way.
I thought that you might be a part if the IBBF when I read your recounting of the story of your Great Grand Master stating that "he was finally getting the jab down"
It's amazing, the impact of a simply anecdote, and even more interesting when it is one shared more widely within a family.
FYI, we're within the Greenquist Association. Obviously, our masters and grand masters hear some of the same information. Same family!
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