Martial Arts question

It seems like there are quite a few that study the arts here so I have a question. I started to study aikido a few months ago and have looked up some videos on line to watch techniques as well as some discussion areas to answers to questions.

I found some videos on YouTube but then there are a bunch of comments that aikido is not a real martial art and not practical in real life and blah-blah-blah. There were also similar comments on discussion areas. I feel any training is better then no training and aikido is defensive rather then offennsive.

Let me ask some people I trust – what is your opinion of aikido? Real or not?

 

Aikido (Ai-Ki-Do) "The Way of Harmony" is indeed a real/genuine martial way, not an "art" per se as is Aiki-Jitsui. Despite what others may say, Aikido can be an effective defense art, one that must be pursued relentlessly. Many perhaps perceive Aikido somewhat passive when compared to other genuine martial ways - KarateDo, JuDo, KenDo, however AikiDo is a well respected and "real" martial way.

OSS!!

www.SKJF.com

 

Most arts can be good or bad. Depending on what you want to do , and where you learn your art from.

When I get back to my computer I will give you a list of things towatch out for when chooses an art and dojo.

 

I've been doing Judo for 15 years, 5 of them at the Kodokan and various oranizations in Japan. While living in Japan I also got to train in a number of other martial arts such as Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Naginata, and a few others.

I can assure you Aikido is very real. However, there are many "styles" of aikido what have been started through the years by various people, some legitimate, some not so much. Almost like a degree mill, you have to be careful with who you are dealing with. Anyone can basically open their own dojo, and invent their own style of martial art and call it what they wish. A student who is new to martial arts won't know the difference. Don't be afraid to ask questions and to try out different schools/dojos to compare.

 

I am on my second school now. The first one was really “traditional” feeling and the chief instructor seemed very serious. The down side was the instructor I had for beginner classes was not a really good instructor. He was more interested in showing some more advanced techniques and never covered some fundamentals (like rolls and falls) after 5 months. I found another school that requires you to go the fundamentals class for a month before considering going to the “regular” class. They cover rolls and falls and basic movements of balance. BUT they seem much more laid back on other aspects.

It is weird – the school with the bad instructor (just one in my opinion) feels more like a strict school and the school I really like and feel like I am learning from is more laid back and feels less “serious” and more fun. The school I am in now is part of the United States Aikido Federation.

 

This is the school I would go with. It is sooo important to properly learn falls. Too many place try to rush that part and students end up getting hurt.

As you probably figured out, there are a lot of inflated egos in martial arts. I would avoid the schools that care more about students calling them "sensei" every 5 seconds than about teaching. Sounds like you found a pretty good place.

 

That place is actually a block building the sensei built with a few students behind his house. He said it is cheaper then renting a place. He only charges $45 a month so he passes the saving on to the students.

 

Keep it up Randell. Aikido will teach you how to move, flow and breathe. Aikido moves will work, but one must learn how to set up his opponent with a "tenderizing strike to soft tissue first", then the one can apply Aikido. There are many variables. For instance, if you are being chocked, an aikido move can be applied because you have ready access to the hands/wrists and arms. If an opponent is moving, on must know how to move in close enough to apply lock/throw moves. Any art/style cannot be applied if one does not know how to gain "entry". I personally train within centimeters from my partners in order to become more and more adept in "close range fighting". We steer away from the "points fighting back and forth" type sparring and concentrate on moving right in. It is kind of hard to explain in mere words. But imagine going from vey large circles, and then graduating to small circles. I could go on and on.

Keep up the good work! It sounds like your Sensei is teaching for all the right reasons.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Abner

 

A good choice...

Randell,
I agree that Aikido is a good choice. Lord knows that four years invested in TKD was not very useful.

I am now caught betwixt/between...I want to study somewhere but I live in a retirement community. I would like to find a good Krav Maga facility near me.

How are you enjoying Aikido?

 

I also live in a retirement community - boy can I throw those senior citizens! I am lucky that there are two aikido schools near me and I have decided to double dip and train at both for the month of December. I am really enjoying it and have thought about TKD but wanted something different. Why do you feel 4 years of TKD was not very useful?

 

Street fighting.

Randall.

I've been into martial arts for over thirty years now. Some may disagree with my sugestion but I would suggest you taking a look at Jeet Kune Do if your not formilure with it already. Its simpler and more realistic in street fighting.
If your looking for some good training films in Jeet Kune Do look up Paul Vunak he has some really good training films. Street Safe 1 and Street Safe 2 is a good start.

TomC.

 

Thanks, I never heard of it but I will check it out.

 

The other nice thing is that Aikido also immerses you in the tradition and the history of the art... you are able to redirect an opponents force against them, making it a highly effective martial art which exerts minimal effort for maximum effect.

I am an avid Martial Arts fan and have studied Tae Kwon Do (Sport TKD); Judo; Jiu Jitsu; Shotokan Karate and Combat Hapkido (very similar to Aikido, but essentially the movements are 'smaller'). I am going to enroll my daughters into Aikido due to my first paragraph - I want them to learn the history and want them to be able to use minimum effort for maximum effect.

JKD is the art Bruce Lee invented - a mixed martial art which draws together Bruce's years of experience and love for Martial Arts.. definitely worth checking out as well.

Personally, I favor Combat Hapkido and Aikido - ..perhaps because I enjoy the fact that is causes max pain with minimal effort.. (though I think I've mentioned that a few times already? )

 

Today we discussed how the throws could be punches or elbow strikes for maximum damage. A light went off over my head!

 

When I took TKD, I lived in an area where that was the only thing going on. It highly emphasized the "sport" nature of fighting and students get into "step" mode when learning sparring combinations. Against your average Joe, it has some utility. Of the ones I see mentioned in response - I believe that Jeet Kune Do and Hapkido are among the best as street fighting techniques.

 

TKD (sport) ... high kicks, flying kicks... useless in a self defense situation. If you want skills that can actually save your hide: Combat Hapkido, Hapkido, JKD, Aikido, BJJ, Judo and Krav Maga (that jump to mind immediately I should also mention - there are lots of excellent martial arts out there, but those are the ones I have come in contact with).

BTW - if there is a Krav Maga training center near you, check it out, too

 

There you go. In a street fight, elbows and palm strikes are the way to go in close. There is a reason why boxers wrap their hands and have gloves on. In a street fight, a punch to the head will easily break ones hand. Punching the human skull is like punching a rock. So what to do? Get in close, with elbows, or punching to soft/vital tissue areas. Another quick game stopper is a chop or punch to the throat. So as you progress in your training, think about the integrating some strikes before going into a lock or throw. You sensei will know what I am talking about. I think you do as well.

Keep it up man!!!! And lift some weights to baby!!! It is good for your muscles and bones.

Abner Hell yes!!!!!!!! Pump it up!!!

 

I used to do quite a bit of weight training and my wife said I got too big and looked like a "himbo" (male version of a bimbo). I prefer to run 3 miles a day 2-4 times a week.

 

I have been studying MA for quite some time. You get out of it whatever you put into it. There is no real right or wrong martial art. What are you doing it for?

If you are training to learn how to fight then the traditional MA's as they are usually taught are worthless. A good boxing, muay tai, and Judo background would be best suited if you need to learn how to defend yourself. In the Marine Corps we practiced pretty intensely, because we would potentially be using something like this in Iraq. Some of the stuff worked, when we needed to restrain folks or to get someone to the ground quickly without chopping them in half. My Judo training came in handy from time to time.

Theory is just that, a theory. No matter what art you train or where it is or who it is with it needs to be ALIVE!!!!!

That is, sparring should be done at full speed with a reasonable amount of violence. I can tell you all day how my chop to your throat will kill you, but until I try and stop a FULLY resisting opponent who is trying his hardest to not get hit, while trying to hit me? Then I can tell you that a throat strike will work. Until then you are blowing sunshine up your ass.

My favorite traditional art is Judo. You practice the throw, slowly and almost bird-doggish at first, then you move onto Randori and try your throw on a resisting opponent. I have watched the Aikido folks that train before us and the demos look great, but it was all very complient. Here is my wrist, now I will flow with your throw to help you along. We do the same in Judo, but eventually the Tori and Uke will meet on the mat at almost full speed and all that prettiness goes out the door.

Some MA is better than none. The most important aspect is whether or not you are getting something out of it. Fun, camaraderie, history, peace, harmony, violence, whatever it may be you need to enjoy it.

You enjoy Aikido? Keep it up, my 78 year old mother does Tai Chi for the medidation, stretching, and forms and she enjoys it. Talk about an inspiration!

Good luck to you,

 

Hello Randell.
I am very much big fan of Body-builders. I do practise of Mixed Martial Art my own self but I saw every video of Rhadi Ferguson who is judo National Champion 2004. I do karate very well. I recommend of Rhadi Ferguson, please show him videos on Google, you-tube and etc. and I hope you will be satisfy.
Thanks for sharing your problem.