Martin asked:


I’m trying to find a martial art that best suits someone like me. I done a little bit of different martial arts here and there while I was a younger, but one thing I noticed is that my agility is pretty bad. I’m ok with frontal kicks, but when I do them from a side stance I have a hard time. I’ve always had difficulty lifting and stretching my legs to the side. The way I’ve always been build do to my genetics is as a thick beef-cake kind of guy (I’m strong but not ripped), I’m 5′7″, and I would say my arm or leg reach is that great as for something like kickboxing.
For those who are more experienced with martial arts, is there one out there that’s suited for someone like me? Or since I’m not a thin, lightweight, and agile guy, I should just forget about martial arts altogether?

Troy

Endless_Nameless asked:


I don’t care about it being “fancy”, I don’t care about meditation, or character development, I just want to be better able to defend myself.

Right now I was thinking of looking into Defendo(Bill Underwood’s martial art that spun off of Combato, not the newer, unrelated one) or Emerson Combat Systems. If anyone more familiar with martial arts has any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.

I am looking for something with emphasis on unarmed self-defense with the goal of knocking an aggressor(or aggressors) unconscious, gun and knife disarms, and improvised weapons.

Kevin

legs asked:


I am a tall, mid-twenties female with not so strong joints but I want to do a martial art. I want to learn better balance, flexibility and cardio health. I want to be able to defend myself in an attack and I want to gain strength and lose weight. I dont really want to use weapons. I know there are so many different kinds of martial arts from all different asian countries. Which is best for me?

Henry

GuinessDraught asked:


What martial art should I take to learn how to use a katana and other Japanese swords? I was thinking Kendo but I know that other martial arts teach it too like Aikido and Ninjutsu. Thanks.

Jeremy

D Southard asked:


Every sport has its own demand from a human body. Whether it is the hands that are involved or the feet, it is a requirement that one should use the right kind of accessories while practicing their favorite sport. Thus shoes to play soccer or basketball are different from shoes for martial arts. Since the sports are starkly different, the demands on limbs are also different. Therefore, it is not only recommended but compulsory that proper shoes for martial arts should be used while practicing the same.

The main feature of using shoes for martial arts is that they come without laces and so do not impair movement and thus are prone to fewer accidents caused by entanglement. Also, shoes specially created for martial arts are padded at the right places so that you can use the optimum force in your kicks and thus enhance your art rather than impair it. The soles are also specially designed so that you get a good grip on your feet and enable you to spin on your feet efficiently. Spinning is a part and parcel of martial arts unlike any other sport and thus using shoes for martial arts is an advantage to martial art enthusiasts. Let us check the kinds of shoes available for such enthusiasts:

The Ninjitsu Tabi Boot: This is a very special boot made for the art of practicing the Ninjitsu Tabi and does not even look like footwear. It looks more like a bedroom slipper and is a deceit in itself. It comes with tow-grips inside the boot. This boot is also used to practice Ninjitsu and its allied martial arts. This boot is improvised to enable better and efficient kicking and will give you an edge over other martial art sportsmen.

The Martial Arts KungFu Slipper: Another fine example of shoes for martial arts is the KungFu Slipper. This is a very special form of footwear and helps the practitioner to maintain body temperature during KungFu practice. These shoes also help one to remove excess calories, very useful when one is using martial arts as a fitness regimen. The KungFu Slippers are easy to clean – you could wash them with hand or just toss them into the washer. Made with simple yet strong fabric, these shoes are very comfortable and you could find many people using them as casual wear without understanding their functionality entirely, especially in Asian countries.

Shoes for martial arts are specially designed so that they take the shape of your foot during practice. Many martial arts enthusiasts are also seen practicing bare foot, but this practice could be dangerous and may result in injuries. While bare foot practice benefits better due to strength training and the natural feel, it is only advised after you reach a particular skill level. Shoes for martial arts are highly recommended for beginners and are designed to give better ergonomic comfort and safety to the ones wearing them. Wearing shoes for martial arts is highly recommended for the new and budding martial arts enthusiasts.



Jerry

docroy77 asked:


For those people who have trained in a martial art for a long period, what is it about that martial art that you love? What makes it different to other arts?
Pugpaws, Zen, Sensei….superb answers. Had they not had the other two…yours would have gotten best answer right now.

In asking this question, I am trying to find out what you feel your art breeds in its students. Not ‘what martial arts has done for me’ type answers. Let’s learn from the people who know what their art develops. So please, tell us what you have gained but tell us what style/system you do as well!
Thanks for all the great answers guys.

Marvin

Zalani asked:


I’m thinking about getting into martial arts, for my general health I suppose, and i would really like to learn how to use a bo staff or any kind of staff really. Also, I think i would enjoy some kind of swordsmanship in the martial art. I have no idea where to begin!
If you know of what the type would be called, it would be much appreciated!
Thanks.

Andrew

allenm23 asked:


Looking into getting into martial arts, but not really sure which one would be best suited for me. I am 5′4″ and I weigh 160 lbs, so I have a short and stocky build. Which martial art would be best for my build? Any honest opinion would be greatly appreciated.

Carla

GuBu asked:


Martial Arts Overview

Anytime an individual decides to learn how to protect themselves, learn self defense, or become a better person, one thing comes to mind – martial arts.  Martial arts are very common these days, being practiced all over the world. 

The martial arts have been used for many centuries, although they really became famous around the time of Bruce Lee.  Bruce invented the style of Jeet Kune Do, which involves very fast strikes with amazing counter defenses.  Once people began to see just how fast Bruce Lee could move, they began to look into martial arts and see just how it could benefit them.

Martial arts are broken down into specific styles.  The style all depends on where and what you study.  A lot of cultures and countries offer martial arts that they originated, developed, and perfected.  Brazil offers Brazilian Jui-Jitsu, Japan has Karate, Thailand has Muay Thai, France has Savate, and China has Shaolin.  Keep in mind that each style will vary in techniques and what it has to offer you.

Although many people think of martial arts as being just for self defense purposes, this isn’t always the case.  Martial arts are used in tournaments and competitions as well, which can include sparring, floor routines, and even block and brick breaking demonstrations.  All across the world, there are competitions and chances for fighters to prove themselves and their knowledge.

In general, all martial arts will teach you how to defend yourself and above all else – help you develop self control.  Once you begin to study a martial art, you’ll quickly start to develop a much better state of mind.  No matter what style of martial art you study, the instructors will drill self control into your head. 

Those of you who have a bad temper or just need to learn self control, martial arts can be very beneficial to study.  Not only will you learn self control, you’ll also learn how to defend yourself in the most drastic of situations.  Self control is very important, as martial arts can be very deadly if they are taught to the wrong person – with the wrong intentions.

Over the last decade, there have been a lot of mainstream competitions that showcase martial arts, such as Extreme Fighting, King of the cage, and the most popular of all, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship).  The UFC has come a long way over the years, sparking interest from all over the world.  It pairs stylists from all over the world together, to test their skills and see who is the better fighter.

With the UFC, a lot of people have gotten the wrong idea about martial arts.  A martial art is great to learn, although if it works in the UFC, it doesn’t always mean that it will protect you out on the streets.  Karate for example, teaching blocking and striking, with little to no emphasis on grappling

techniques.  If you get in close, Karate really doesn’t help.  With some distance however, Karate can be very devastating.

No matter how you look at it, martial arts can be great to learn if you learn it for the right reasons.  Each style will vary in technique and what it has to offer you, which is why you should pick the best style for your needs and what you hope to accomplish.  Martial arts can teach you a lot about self defense and yourself – all you have to do is give it a try.

www.swordsmartialarts.com



Henry

Whambo asked:


I’m curious because Samurai are traditionally depicted wearing very cumbersome body armor which would rule out fast martial arts like karate. I assume that they must have been taught kendo, but what about a hand-to-hand martial art?

Willie