Martial Arts

Aerlik · January 25, 2009, 08:45:26 AM

Quote from: nifan on January 23, 2009, 09:17:36 AM
Aerlick, I agree the olympic style TKD is balls. You see them with their hands by their sides and both just throw kicks non stop. Dull as hell. Always preferred ITF style to watch anyway.

I did a style of Karate called seidokan before - great style for keeping the interest. It has a large range of more traditional karate, bit of competition type sparring (semi contact), self defence and some weapons. Was very good for fitness too.

There is no best style, despite what some people say (there are plenty of zealots in the martial arts). Best to try a club and see how it suits you. Ive been wanting to take something up again, but probably start again in a different style.

A mate at university trained for the GB Olympics team. Damn he was really good, but didn't make it. I have never seen ITF style but it is popular in Oz especially among on the east coast among the Lebanese, Greeks etc. What are the main differences in the sparring?

Myself and another lad walked out of a club in Broome when I was living up there. The "coach" was shite, charged an arm and a leg, and the standards were abysmal, yet he got offended when we explained to the blackbelts (what a joke- not their fault though...gravy train etc) how to kick properly and the bluebelts how to make a fist. Later he left and took up residence in the local recreation centre and dragged his students with him. We were approached by the original gym to take over and I would love to have done so but had to leave town due to work.

My one complaint about TKD is the lack of weapons' training. That's why if given the chance I will give Hapkido a shot. I watched it when training in Seoul. Awesome.

I agree with you about the zealots. It really depends on you yourself what you want to achieve.

ziggysego · January 25, 2009, 01:57:27 PM

Is there any form of Disabled Martial Arts? Something I've always wanted to try to keep fit. Plus to be honest, I'd be one of the more vulnerable members of society (not playing the violin, honest) so I'd like to be able to defend myself in some compacity if the worst happens.

Aerlik · January 26, 2009, 06:41:59 AM

Ziggy, in the '70s and '80s there was a fella in around the Ballymena area who was in a wheelchair and was always in the papers winning awards for Karate. If the attitude is right...

ziggysego · January 26, 2009, 10:05:58 AM

Thanks Aerlik, at least I know it's possible.

I approached Omagh Leisure Centre a few years ago and they didn't think so. Also enquired with a Karate instructor and he wasn't sure either. I may get in touch with someone who actually knows a thing or two!

Galwaybhoy · January 31, 2009, 02:06:42 AM

I do Kenpo Karate, got my yellow belt before Christmas. Its great fun and great to keep fit. You will always have a few that will laugh at you for doing some sort of self defense. But its more physical than many think. I have been left with many bruises after a nights training and got a kick into the eye when I wasn't long at it but its a good way to get tougher and build confidence, patience and it gives you the ability to defend yourself.

Heres one website you can look at

http://www.kenpokarate.ie/

nifan · January 31, 2009, 02:29:12 AM

Quote from: Aerlik on January 25, 2009, 08:45:26 AM
I have never seen ITF style but it is popular in Oz especially among on the east coast among the Lebanese, Greeks etc. What are the main differences in the sparring?

Itf is all semi contact - not full contact to the body, semi to the head. No body armour therefore.
Bit more emphasis on the blocking.

QuoteI do Kenpo Karate, got my yellow belt before Christmas.

Thats the ed parker style? Out of curiosity do you have to wear the belt not off centre in the mormon tradition?

Galwaybhoy · January 31, 2009, 02:37:11 AM

Quote from: nifan on January 31, 2009, 02:29:12 AM
Quote from: Aerlik on January 25, 2009, 08:45:26 AM
I have never seen ITF style but it is popular in Oz especially among on the east coast among the Lebanese, Greeks etc. What are the main differences in the sparring?

Itf is all semi contact - not full contact to the body, semi to the head. No body armour therefore.
Bit more emphasis on the blocking.

QuoteI do Kenpo Karate, got my yellow belt before Christmas.
Thats the ed parker style? Out of curiosity do you have to wear the belt not off centre in the mormon tradition?

It is indeed. Men wear the belt with the knot on the left side and women wear the knot of the belt on the right side. This shows respect to the instructor who wears the know in the center.

nifan · January 31, 2009, 11:22:52 AM

Quote from: Galwaybhoy on January 31, 2009, 02:37:11 AM
It is indeed. Men wear the belt with the knot on the left side and women wear the knot of the belt on the right side. This shows respect to the instructor who wears the know in the center.

Aye, just wondering as "kenpo" can mean many different styles.
Is there any other nods to mormonism there, the only one i am aware of is the belt?

Galwaybhoy · January 31, 2009, 12:40:18 PM

I should have specified American Kenpo.

I dont get why there would be any nods to Mormonism, what has the religion got to do with American Kenpo or am I missing something here?

nifan · January 31, 2009, 01:44:12 PM

Ed Parker was a very devout mormon.
The belt thing is a mormon tradition i think. May not be, but I believe there are other traditions used.

Galwaybhoy · January 31, 2009, 02:03:56 PM

Ya I was reading about it on a website I found on Google there a few minutes ago. I have read about Ed Parker before but suprisingly other than the one mention about his religion when he was young it didnt get into it anymore than that. But I was reading a piece there that talked about it and how he introduced the traditions into hes style of Kenpo.

nifan · February 01, 2009, 07:35:56 PM

Yeah - Ed Parker was actually a pretty controversial character if you read around about him.
At the end of the day all that matters is you enjoy the style, and it works for you.

mannix · February 01, 2009, 09:08:41 PM

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