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| Martial Arts; The art of kicking arse | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 18 2011, 12:18 AM (596 Views) | |
| Woolymammoth | Jul 18 2011, 12:18 AM Post #1 |
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SC Founder
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Do any of you guys take martial arts? I've taken some Brazilian jiu-jitsu. What's your favorite thing about martial arts, and the arts of combat? Why did you take them? |
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"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." Proud Member of the Immortal Blood Timeline | |
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| Duke Smugleaf | Jul 18 2011, 12:28 AM Post #2 |
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Celestial Princess
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When I was a kid, I took taekwondo. But then I broke my arm playing kick ball and had to quit. I ended up getting up to a purple belt, just three away from black. I don't really remember much of it since I quit back in sixth grade which was about eight and a half years ago now. |
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| Colonel Mustard | Jul 18 2011, 02:15 AM Post #3 |
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Lord of Facial Hair
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I've been doing Taewon-do for about seven months, now, and I'm currently a Yellow belt, and enjoying it immensely. I guess my favourite thing is that it's great for fitness, and also a good way just to just to improve self defense and so forth. That and it's just plain old fun. |
| "Pillage, then burn."-Rule 1 of Habits of Highly Effective Pirates | |
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| Darkom | Jul 18 2011, 10:39 AM Post #4 |
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Philosophizer
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That it is, Colonel, that it is. I've been doing karate at a small dojo near my house for a good five years now, and am finally getting close to black belt. I'm currently at second degree brown, out of the three degrees of brown belts, and would not take back a single minute of it. Karate has been one of the biggest motivators in my life; it has literally made me the person I am today. Physically, mentally, and ethically, I would not be me without it. And, of course, like Colonel said, it's really great fun. There's nothing like the primal adrenaline rush of fighting hand to hand with someone else. Not to mention the other people at my dojo are awesome, and just plain fun to be around. |
| Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream. ~Mark Twain | |
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| Ambrose51 | Jul 18 2011, 10:54 AM Post #5 |
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The Resident Horror Enthusiast
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I took taekwondo as a child as well, but I didn't have the time to keep up with it, so I dropped out at some point. Don't remember what belt I got to, but I'm sure I still have them in the attic somewhere. I do know kendo, though, if that counts, though I haven't actually had the opportunity to practice with someone else in a long time. Still have a bokken sitting in the corner of my room. |
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But mostly? The assorted plans at play here would be going very, very wrong due to the actions of a no-name, no-count, utterly talentless Magus by the name of Shirou Emiya. He had no magic worth mentioning, no combat experience of note, and no plan for or knowledge of the War he was about to enter. He did, however, have one trait that had derailed a countless number of such grand, far-reaching schemes throughout history. You see, he really, really wanted to be a hero. -(Best description of the start of a Fate novel ever.) | |
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| Darkom | Jul 20 2011, 09:23 PM Post #6 |
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Ah, I've always wanted to learn kendo. I know a few friends that do it, but never had the time myself. Of course, practically, martial arts is better for self defense, as you don't always have a sword or pole available. Speaking of, what is everyone's favorite part about their art? The sparring? The exercise? Forms? I'm sure there's something you like above all else.
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| Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream. ~Mark Twain | |
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| Duke Smugleaf | Jul 20 2011, 09:45 PM Post #7 |
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Celestial Princess
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When I was a kid, it was mostly the sense of accomplishment I got from achieving a new belt rank. I tended to actually hate the sparring as I'd always get my ass kicked.
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| Ambrose51 | Jul 20 2011, 09:49 PM Post #8 |
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The Resident Horror Enthusiast
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For me, it's the forms (katas). I just find it relaxing to do, and it's a good way to blow off steam. Haven't sparred in a really long time, and honestly it's not something I enjoy very much. Getting hit by a shinai, or even worse, a bokken, seriously hurts. |
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But mostly? The assorted plans at play here would be going very, very wrong due to the actions of a no-name, no-count, utterly talentless Magus by the name of Shirou Emiya. He had no magic worth mentioning, no combat experience of note, and no plan for or knowledge of the War he was about to enter. He did, however, have one trait that had derailed a countless number of such grand, far-reaching schemes throughout history. You see, he really, really wanted to be a hero. -(Best description of the start of a Fate novel ever.) | |
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| James | Jul 21 2011, 01:34 AM Post #9 |
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I've been doing taekwondo for what must be near 7 years now actually. My favorite part is probably teaching classes. |
| Number of Poems Written in the name of roleplaying, count: 1 | |
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| Count Lauriel | Jul 21 2011, 11:05 AM Post #10 |
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Beginner
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I used to do a little bit of karate as a kid, but that was ages ago. Completely forgotten it. I'm seriously considering getting into a martial art though. Except I've got no idea what I'd like to take up. Muay Thai looks interesting, as do many others. |
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| Darkom | Jul 21 2011, 01:00 PM Post #11 |
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Katas are good, and teaching is always rewarding, but for me, the best part is probably going to have to be the sparring itself. Perhaps I'd think differently if I did kendo though; the worst thing we can get in my dojo is a punch to the head. Or a kick in the stones (something that's happened far too often for my tastes). ![]() I think you definitely should do something; it's a great experience no matter what age you are. My advice, which you can take as you will, is not to look for a particular style, but rather just find a good dojo. Most styles are pretty similar, but the place you choose to learn them at varies greatly. It depends on what you're looking to get out of it, of course, but I would stay away from big schools if I were you. Especially commercially owned places, like Dae Han, who make you sign a contract to join. They just want you for your money. If you want a really great place, visit some smaller, privately owned dojos, and see what you think. If you find one of them isn't for you, just ask the master about other places nearby that he thinks are good. If it's a dependable guy, he'll point you to some other dojos you can try. Just keep shopping around, attend a class or two at a few places, and see what you think. Don't join a place until you've experienced what other dojos are like. What you want to look for, in particular, is the attitude of the students. Is it a glorified day care center, that caters mostly to kids? Or is it some super military place that tells you they can make your body a deadly weapon? Or, even worse, do they guarantee you'll earn a black belt in a year? Don't trust places like that, because then your belts won't mean anything. If you can, find a place with a good variety of students (both old and young, fit and bulky) and see how they run the class. If the people seem to be having a good time, while still getting exercise and learning something useful, then that's probably a pretty good place.
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| Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream. ~Mark Twain | |
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| James | Jul 23 2011, 01:18 AM Post #12 |
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Caffeinated
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I'm divided on contracts, our school is small (there are only two instructors; myself and the owner), in order to keep doors open we need a guarentee that money will come in every month. However I do understand that (like any industry) contracts can be used for scamming. |
| Number of Poems Written in the name of roleplaying, count: 1 | |
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| Colonel Mustard | Jul 23 2011, 12:14 PM Post #13 |
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Lord of Facial Hair
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I've got a fairly small scale, London-local chainish place run by a few black belt instructors with about 4 regular classes scattered about London. I attend the South-East London one, and generally our class is a good mix; we've got one red belt guy who also helps with the instruction, as well as people who have only just joined. That said, even though there are several dojos for our group (OK, rented out gyms) they very much have a small-scale, independantly run feel; hell, our teacher doesn't even use teaching classes as his main source of income. Personally, my favourite parts so far are the patterns (which, unless I'm very much mistaken, essentially katas), simply because there's something really rather satisfying about working on them and getting a good result out of them is immensely satisfying. |
| "Pillage, then burn."-Rule 1 of Habits of Highly Effective Pirates | |
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| James | Jul 23 2011, 02:52 PM Post #14 |
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I'm always suspicious of those who claim to be able to earn their full income via instructing, they always seem like the ones most willing to cut corners in their instructing and water things down. That said if I could make my income that way without selling out too much of my soul I probably would. I went to a cermoney last night for my friend recieving her second degree black belt. Note to self: don't piss her off.... Edited by James, Jul 23 2011, 02:54 PM.
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| Number of Poems Written in the name of roleplaying, count: 1 | |
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| Darkom | Jul 23 2011, 04:12 PM Post #15 |
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I agree, smaller schools need to think about the business portion first, because if they can't pay the rent they can't teach. But if the school is obviously large and making a good profit, don't trust a contract, because they are most likely in it for the money. In the end, however, if it seems like a good place, don't pass it up just because they're businessmen as well as martial artists. One does not negate the other. One of my friends has a situation like that, Colonel, where has started his classes completely on his own and must rent out small places to hold his classes. Being out in the suburbs, however, means he does a lot more kids classes than anything, just for the money. It's his only real job, so that's to be expected, but he also does some very good lessons for adults as well. I would be as well, except for my own master, who has been teaching for something like twenty odd years. He also has a degree in child psychology, so he does plenty of kids classes, but he actually teaches them karate while also giving them exercise and discipline instruction. We have about thirty regular adults, on top of his some three dozen kids of various ages, all of whom pay over a hundred dollars a month. He used to do teaching at the YMCA, which is actually where I started, and has visited daycare centers in the past, doing small lessons. So, he really does make a good bit of money; he doesn't pay any other instructors, and the only charges on his dojo are the rent, water, and electricity. He also does a good bit of business in uniforms, but not that much profit at all. Despite the business end, which he only does in order to support his family, he has a very excellent approach to training. He is a fun loving guy, and is just great to be around, but you can tell he really knows his stuff. We have a few other black belts that help with teaching, but they volunteer. So, all in all, I would say I am very happy with my own dojo. ![]() And yeah, hopefully people will say that about me once I get my black. I know I wouldn't want to fight some of the people in my dojo if they were really trying to hurt me.
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| Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream. ~Mark Twain | |
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| James | Aug 30 2011, 05:00 PM Post #16 |
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Caffeinated
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I am going for my second degree test tonight, wish me luck. |
| Number of Poems Written in the name of roleplaying, count: 1 | |
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| Darkom | Aug 30 2011, 06:05 PM Post #17 |
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Philosophizer
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Good luck buddy, those tests can be tough. What all do you have to do? |
| Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream. ~Mark Twain | |
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| James | Aug 30 2011, 10:28 PM Post #18 |
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Caffeinated
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Forms, sparring, breaking, whatever the head instructor makes up on the spot.... Occasionally we have marathon tests; those are hell ( 8+ hours non stop) |
| Number of Poems Written in the name of roleplaying, count: 1 | |
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| Darkom | Aug 31 2011, 03:57 PM Post #19 |
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Yeah, our tests are pretty tough too, but we never go eight hours. The black belt test takes place over a whole week: one night is forms, another is self defense, then techniques, and finally on Saturday they just have to fight for hours on end. Brown tests are a bit easier, but they still take in the realm of four to five hours. (Not eight, thank God) Other than that though, your stuff sounds about similar to ours.
Edited by Darkom, Aug 31 2011, 03:58 PM.
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| Don't say the old lady screamed. Bring her on and let her scream. ~Mark Twain | |
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| James | Aug 31 2011, 04:13 PM Post #20 |
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Caffeinated
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It really depends if we have guest judges or not, when we do it is actually easier (endurance whys) as we don't make visiting masters sit though incredibly long testings......... |
| Number of Poems Written in the name of roleplaying, count: 1 | |
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2:36 PM Jul 11