Any Other Martial Arts Enthusiasts?

[Invictus Maneo]

After my heart surgery a year and 1/2 ago, I fell totally out of shape. That's not to say I was in great shape before. I was searching for a way to start getting back into some modicum of physical health and I knew that going back to the gym wasn't for me. It's too easy to blow off going and I wanted something that had some measure of accountability.
When I was younger I took jeet kun do for a while but now that I'm older that's a little too aggressive for me.
By chance I stumbled upon an aikido dojo here in Rochester. The appealing factors for further investigation were: * No contract, * no fixed class times, you can go whenever you want for as many classes as you want, * monthly dues of only $60, * and the real kicker and something I think is fantastic is all the instructors (sensei's) are VOLUNTEER! They teach because they love it and want to share their knowledge with others who are interested!
About one month ago I went to check it out and immediately joined. I've been going to three or four classes per week and totally loving it! Everyone I have met is helpful, patient, encouraging and safe. They're very protective with newbie's like myself and know exactly how far to push me as I progress. After every single class I can't wait for the next class!
Needless to say, it's been kicking my sorry, out of shape a** but I feel like I'm getting in better shape, certainly have more stamina than I did when I started.
I know there are other TRF members who are into various martial arts and I would love to hear your experiences with them. Also, for anyone who is looking for a new form of physical exercise, you may want to check out some form of martial art!

[RACER_X]

Have kids taking MMA and BJJ

Daughter ,10 goes 3x a week
Son, 6 goes 2x a wk

I think it's the most applicable for kids

If they get in a fight, is it going to look like a bad Chinese film or a brawl, lol

I was a black belt in Tae kwon do, back when I was a teen, but back then it was either TKD or karate

If I were To take classes now, I'd do BJJ/MMA or Krav Maga

sent from the batcloset in the batcave on the batphone

[Invictus Maneo]

Originally Posted by RACER_X

Have kids taking MMA and BJJ

Daughter ,10 goes 3x a week
Son, 6 goes 2x a wk

I think it's the most applicable for kids

If they get in a fight, is it going to look like a bad Chinese film or a brawl, lol

I was a black belt in Tae kwon do, back when I was a teen, but back then it was either TKD or karate

If I were To take classes now, I'd do BJJ/MMA or Krav Maga

sent from the batcloset in the batcave on the batphone

I know what you mean. I had my son in karate (ishinroo) when he was about 4. He stuck with it and got his black belt. One great thing about martial arts is that the hand/eye coordination and other aspects transfer over to other sports. He excels at baseball (playing D1 right now), basketball, and golf. I attribute much of his success in other sports to his early martial arts training. It also proved to be a GREAT disciplinary tool when he was younger! All we had to say is "I'm going to tell Sensei Dave.........",fill in the blank.

[ltmgeller]

My entire family (wife and kids and I) recently started Jeet Kun Do. We do it as a family and love it. I did TKD as a kid but can't remember most of it.

[sdelliott58]

I think it's great you found a place like this. A lot of the time Aikido and similar take a more gentile and somewhat of a refined stance and attitude, more about the art, teaching, discipline and less about relentless pounding of ones opponent.

Many moons ago I started in Judo, moved to Wing Chun, then Muay Thai for many years...then into Indonesian styles such as Poekalan. A few bouts with Jiu Jitsu, but I'm now at a point where dynamic kicks and - or throws aren't going to do me a lot of good. MMA would be a bit on the abusive side given what I have already done to my body :)

So I am right there with you in terms of looking for something I can get back into with minimal abuse. I have a friend who is 53, and is about ready to become an instructor for a local Soo Bahk Do school. I may look into that and see if I can keep from killing myself. We also have a great Kendo community hear, and much like your school, the instructors are volunteer.

I figure between this and serious strength training 5 days a week, I might be able to squeak out a few more years.

[wantonebad]

12 years of Tia Chi in Boston under Bo Sim Mark who is widely regarded as the preeminent Wushu instructer in the united states. This is a very old article but it's when she was at the height of her powers. I stopped in 2006 because of back issues but I still stop by some her disciples schools from time to time. Unfortunately I had a falling out with her and do not currently have any affiliation. I do try to do the complete combined form everyday I am limited by age and injury. Tia Chi is not a defense martial art but rather a form of exercise and holistic stretching with martial arts aspects. Sifu however trained us in both her combined and expanded form that if mastered no one could touch you and she was an absolute beast let me assure you!

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/arti...y_movie_stars/

Her Son Donnie Yen was a fairly big martial arts star in China for many years but now is like THE guy for martial art choreography in Asian M/A's movies.

[Invictus Maneo]

And yet one more thing we have in common, Marc! Tia Chi is very cool! In a lot of ways Aikido reminds me of some of the aspects. BTW, after my Aikido classes I like to stop by a nearby watering hole and enjoy a nice bourban! Been drinking Willett lately. Goes down nice on a cold winter evening after being thrown around for the past hour!

[brookish]

I did Tae Kwon-Do as a kid, then Capoeira (nice, but useless), Kickboxing and then realised the only actual Martial art you can use is Krav Maga. It's no nonsense, real-life self defence!

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Invictus Maneo

And yet one more thing we have in common, Marc! Tia Chi is very cool! In a lot of ways Aikido reminds me of some of the aspects. BTW, after my Aikido classes I like to stop by a nearby watering hole and enjoy a nice bourban! Been drinking Willett lately. Goes down nice on a cold winter evening after being thrown around for the past hour!

[Mr Daytona]

I practice Gracie Jiu Jitsu and have been into it in one shape or form for 22 years. I practice 2-3 times a week.

[FTX I]

Tae Kwon-Do some yrs and jiu-jitsu 4 straight and other 4 or 5 yrs but lazy on those last years

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Mr Daytona

I practice Gracie Jiu Jitsu and have been into it in one shape or form for 22 years. I practice 2-3 times a week.

Our mod Ken, or "uncle Ken" as he used to be called there with the Gracie family, is also an enthusiast.

[ryanpatrick]

I advanced fairly far in judo but was reduced to doing it in the summer and on holiday breaks once I went to college. I also boxed and wrestled in high school.
I began BJJ about six months ago. Two co workers both attend the same gym and talked me into going. It's been great so far. They also do Muay Thai, wrestling, MMA and Cross Fit at my gym but I only do BJJ. $130 a month and you can take all the classes you want across all their offerings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
www.thewatchquest.com

[masterserg]

Gracie Jiujitsu (not the sports variety) here for about 6 years ... unfortunately, had to stop for a while ... I think it is one of the best things one can do for oneself.

[Invictus Maneo]

Originally Posted by ryanpatrick

I advanced fairly far in judo but was reduced to doing it in the summer and on holiday breaks once I went to college. I also boxed and wrestled in high school.
I began BJJ about six months ago. Two co workers both attend the same gym and talked me into going. It's been great so far. They also do Muay Thai, wrestling, MMA and Cross Fit at my gym but I only do BJJ. $130 a month and you can take all the classes you want across all their offerings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
www.thewatchquest.com

As I said, I'm a novice when it comes to MA but from what little I know, BJJ is deadly.

[Mr Daytona]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Our mod Ken, or "uncle Ken" as he used to be called there with the Gracie family, is also an enthusiast.

Awesome. Grandmaster Helio was one of the greatest men ever and his and his families contribution to the gentle art is just legendary. Watching Royce in UFC 1 was all it took to get me hooked on MMA.

[sdelliott58]

Back in the good ol' days......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuzImQo7cdg

[Rock]

15 years of Shotokan Traditional Japanese Karate - and I have the required stuffed knees to prove it. I recently ran in to my old Sensei (highest graded traditional practitioner in Australasia) and asked whether his stuffed knees were the same as mine. He said "Yes, we all have stuffed knees - we don't train that way any more."
I said "Thanks, I wish Japan Dojo had sorted that out 20 years ago."
If I had my time again I would take up Darts rather than Karate.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Our mod Ken, or "uncle Ken" as he used to be called there with the Gracie family, is also an enthusiast.

Very fortunate to be from Redondo and have the Original Gracie Academy on 190th and Carson in Torrance in my backyard! All of the Gracie's are class acts and I got to see the boys go from wise young men way ahead of their time to what they are today - that is the best instructors & masters of the art!

Originally Posted by Mr Daytona

Awesome. Grandmaster Helio was one of the greatest men ever and his and his families contribution to the gentle art is just legendary. Watching Royce in UFC 1 was all it took to get me hooked on MMA.

I had the honor of training with Helio himself and he was an amazing man! His son Rorian who started the Gracie Academy is also amazing and did one heck of a job raising his kids into the best instructors around.

As to masterserg above I also know his instructors the Valente brothers - they are 2 of the best GJJ instructors and masters as well.





PS Serg I was open weight competitor as you know weighing in at 238 lbs. The Valente brothers were also at this tournament back in 03'. Long time ago brother!!!

[FTX I]

Awesome, Ken.

[Invictus Maneo]

Very cool, Ken! Do you still train/practice GJJ? In any event I would not like to be the mugger that tried to take your wallet and watch!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Awesome, Ken.

Originally Posted by Invictus Maneo

Very cool, Ken! Do you still train/practice GJJ? In any event I would not like to be the mugger that tried to take your wallet and watch!

No I moved from SoCal back in '03 and trained here until '05 or so. I got injured and had neck surgery so no more. I stick to cross training now 4 times a week and focus on core strength. I now live vicariously though my nieces who are both amazing at only ages of 9 and 11.

[Mr Daytona]

Ken - my instructor was trained by Pedro Valente in Miami.

It's nice that my instructor is my next door neighbor too.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Mr Daytona

Ken - my instructor was trained by Pedro Valente in Miami.

It's nice that my instructor is my next door neighbor too.

[masterserg]

Wow Ken! That book is priceless. I of course have my own copy, minus the signatures :)

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by Mr Daytona

Ken - my instructor was trained by Pedro Valente in Miami.

I trained with Pedro and Gui. I will be back

[Mr Daytona]

Originally Posted by masterserg

I trained with Pedro and Gui. I will be back

That's awesome. He comes to our academy once or twice a year. Was here a few months ago in fact.

Funny we were talking about a particular move he does when we were working on leg locks this morning.

[Esexx]

I spent a lot of time with Dan Inosanto (Kali, Muay Thai, JKD) with a short stint in Karate, a few years in Savate and finally Krav Maga.

It is all fun and useful, however I believe it was the cause of my buldge disk, sinus surgeries and injured foot. I was young in advances classses so I'm sure you can tell I got worked!

I am actually looking for classes for my kids now and leaning towards Jiu Jitsu or Krav. My younger one is interested in Kali because of the "toys."

[Mr Daytona]

Originally Posted by Esexx

I spent a lot of time with Dan Inosanto (Kali, Muay Thai, JKD) with a short stint in Karate, a few years in Savate and finally Krav Maga.

It is all fun and useful, however I believe it was the cause of my buldge disk, sinus surgeries and injured foot. I was young in advances classses so I'm sure you can tell I got worked!

I am actually looking for classes for my kids now and leaning towards Jiu Jitsu or Krav. My younger one is interested in Kali because of the "toys."

I would encourage your kids to try Jiu Jitsu. We have a great kids program. In fact we had a kid go through the kids program and just advanced to the adult program and got his blue belt in the promotion.

[kilyung]

I grew up with TKD but had to stop due to a knee injury long ago. My son is working on his 4th Dan.