Martial arts: which one, and why?

[TransformX]

Been trainin in Judo as a kid, moved to (American) Kick-Boxing later on.

I'd recomment *any* martial art as long as you're serious about it. Since you're not looking for the ultra-agressive stuff, I'd rule out Kick-Boxing, Boxing and muay-thai.
I'll just add a funny note about Judo, ever heard of Bill "Superfoot" Wallace (the undefeated Professional Karate Association (PKA) Middleweight Champion) ?

Wallace, a 5-foot, 10 1/2 inch native of Portland, Ind., began studying karate in February 1967 after suffering a right leg injury in a judo accident. The injury left him without the use of the leg in karate competition. Some observers said Wallace was committing martial arts suicide. Wallace, however, had other ideas.

About dancing - an evening of non stop salsa is one hell of an exercise. Plus, you get to do it with some great girls

[Lizzard[MPE]]

i want to learn the way of the samuri

[Umfriend]

Copy that on salsa. Wife's been asking me for years to take dancing lessons, always declined. As of february this year, I finally caved in. We go once a week, but I go two, to help out the earlier classes as they are short of men

[Lizzard[MPE]]

i learned salsa and maranga when i moved to florida. we used to go out to this club on friday nights that had spanish night. we havent done it in two months. but it was a regular thing. and thats a huge workout if you stay on the dance floor the whole time .

[UtwigMU]

I've been into Karate as a kid (Sho-to-kan), didn't get far.

Recently I decided I need exercise, so I started from beginning (first class was yesterday) - I recommend it.

[Mehen]

If you're only in it for health and exercise: any wushu is good wushu.

[UtwigMU]

http://users.volja.net/kofuku/800/video.html

Here's are some videos of Shotokan katas and basic hits and blocks.

They're shown by Takashi Tokuishia (sensei, who came to Slovenia in 1970 and has since taught here). Most of Karate clubs here derive from his work.

[gt40]

Tried Judo for a while, loved it, but having my own business and a couple kids left very little time for it anymore.
Thank goodness by job keeps me fairly active.

[Ribbit]

Might I suggest a reading of the Martial Arts FAQ?

Edit: There's an HTML version (which isn't as up-to-date) here.

[Wulfman]

funny, I'll start aikido as of tomorrow evening...

mfg
wulfman

[Pace]

I have recently started Kobe Osaka Karate, having done Shotokan Karate for several years beforehand (just short of black sadly).

My new sensei does mention where he finds Kobe Osaka to be better, but it's really just personal preference.

The main differences I find have nothing to do with the art involved - at Shotokan we did various activities completely unrelated: sit ups; push ups; jog/sprints, shuttle runs, and the odd short game of basketball.

My Kobe Osaka sensei is more interested in power and self-defence, and we use punch/kick bags to build up power, and he makes a few modifications to show how you would act "out in the street", as opposed to in a dojo.

I wouldn't pick between the two arts really - just get yourself down to a class and ask to watch it. I watched for 10 minutes and decided to join up.

Should anyone be interested in self-defence, 'Muay Thai' has been highly recommended to me, and I may try it out at some point. Sounds like an intense version of kick boxing, as practiced by the Thai military (take no prisoners ).

P.

[TnT]

Agree with Mehen.

Wushu - the martial arts they use in movies. It's completely made to be an art form, not an actual fighting style. Although most people who take Wushu seriously can kick major ass. If you get really good you can then learn Drunken style!

I just found out that my ex-roommate is going to China for competitions with the US Wushu team.

[chaoliang]

I'll suggest Tai Ji (Tai Chi) as well, though I haven't learnt it.
Advantages I know: 1. You can exercise it alone. 2. It' can be used both for battle and for health. 3. There are both physical and spiritual benifits. 4. You can do it in even at very high age.

[Elie]

Rock, here's the scoop... I took Karate, Kung Fu and Judo, all of which were very powerfull and good Martial Arts fro defensive and offensive.
However after discovering Aikido, I fell in love with it due to it's simplicity and circular motion that is extremly effective in various aspects for example...
You at this point are in the defensive at all time, Aikido is not an ofensive art, so you have to defend yourself against attackers like punches, kicks, graps side strikes etc. where you would use their energy against them whilst using bare minimum muscles to throw, lock or evade.

Aikiso is a art based on harmony, which is derived from the sword.

For mroe information and to watch a couple of demostrations in Mpeg or Windows media check out these links...

This is where I train...

http://www.aikido-yoshinkai.org/Default.htm

And here is another cool Aikido site in Vancouver...

http://www.aikido.ca/burnaby/

If you want an example of Aikido, check out Steven Segal, he is a 6th dan in Aikido, and Above the Law and Marked for Death are perfect examples of Aikido.

Hope this helps...

Regards,
Elie

[Dilitante1]

After taking 3.5 years of Kempo Karate, I watched black belts get clobbered by GOOD boxers.....if it is only for exercise.......boxing teaches how to take a hit, stamina, and tunes reflexes