I seek ...martial arts knowledge

[Khephra]

I'm fat, overweight...out of shape....

tia chi seemed like a good way to go....but it isn't as combative as I'd like.

Any help please???

[toddzilla]

1. aikido..

Look for an aikido school, it's a very elegant, but effective martial art. be careful of where you take it, many schools aren't true aikido schools, you never really hit anyone in true aikido. If they say they are "combat" aikido or whatever, they aren't true to the art.

[hussar]

6. I learnt some of that in the Brit military

very effective indeed

[Khephra]

8. I've heard good things about aikido

can you fill me in on the philosophy a bit? Do it in private mail, as this there will probably be lost by the time I get back to it.

[midnight armadillo]

9. You don't hit anyone?!?

In the many years I did aikido, we worked on hitting people all the time. 'Atemi' (striking) is a crucial part of every technique in aikido. This was not a 'combat' aikido school but rather one under the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba and Mitsugi Saotome Sensei, so I promise it was legit :-) I love aikido like crazy and would still do it if I had the time and money, it is fantastic but takes a long time to learn to be effective.

[7th_Sephiroth]

28. i have a blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do

and i study Jeet Kun Do and Kendo

[Blue-Jay]

2. Look for a Ishinryu dojo.

That particular style of karate doesn't screw around. It ain't pretty, but it's effective. End an altercation quickly, then go for a coffee.

[Cleita]

3. Yes, grasshopper.

Shun the ways of war and take up the ways of peace and practice Yoga. It's far more slimming and keeps you in a serene state of mind not all shot through with adrenalin from all that action.

[onebigbadwulf]

4. Koei Kan best full-contact martial art ever

~

[ZenLefty]

5. Learn ZenLefty-do

We teach the secret arts of the No-Shu Kick, the Cinda-block, and the Tu-Bai-Four Strike. :D

[Blue-Jay]

7. I was a follower of "ZenLefty-do"

until we learned the Kik-Mai-Nads kata.

[bhunt70]

10. Personally I suggest boxing.

It is overlooked a lot.

[7th_Sephiroth]

11. a book worth buying, especially if you try kendo

in the book of 5 rings by miyamoto Musashi

[Khephra]

12. I guess what I'm wondering is

how do you pick good teachers?

[Blue-Jay]

14. Teachers?

Depends on what you want. If you're looking for a zen-like, non-violent type, I'd suggest pursuing Akido or some other form of Judo. If you want someone to kick your ass and push you, then look at karate or tai kwan do.

[Kolesar]

15. There is an instructor in my town who can "deflect bullets"

I bopped into his studio because it was three blocks from my house. I got the oddest presentation from his senior student--the man was nice, but he was on a different level than I. The guy who ran the school must have been out of his head, though, making claims like changing the course of bullets with his mind.

That sounds like a challenge for James Randi, who debunks supernatural claims. I don't want to pull the trigger, though.

I studied martial arts a few times, but got sidelined by an injury. It is a great workout.

[ArkDem]

19. Neo has a school?

.

[Don_G]

13. My Cousin Taught Me

He was a Ranger in 'Nam. No "one" style but effective.

[Nlighten1]

16. Tai Chi

Isn't what you want if you wish to be in great shape. Join a gym and hit those exercise machines. Or better yet, throw on some sweats and go for a brisk walk for about an hour.

[Enraged_Ape]

17. You have already done well, khephra...

by grasping the first fundamental principle of martial arts training: a school is only as good as its teacher.

Many people here will talk about how their style is better than anyone else's style, but when all is said and done it really boils down to that one fundamental principle.

The best way to find a good teacher is to actually try out several different schools. Almost any school will give you a free workout or two to judge whether you like it (if they don't, move on). Talk to some of the other students and get a sense of their experience. Look at what they're doing and see if it's something you'd like to do too.

And have fun. I'm a physical therapist, and I frankly think that martial arts are the ultimate exercise. They can be practiced throughout a person's life, they are always interesting, and they involve body, mind, AND spirit.

[NYYFan]

18. Tae Kwon Do

Kicking and punching. Hapkido at upper levels. I've been taking it for over a year and have lost almost 60 pounds.

Incidentally, I test for my red stripe tonight.

Good luck with whatever you chose, Scott. :hi:

[Nlighten1]

20. Tae Kwon Do rules

I studied it when I was in college for a while. I have been wanting to get back into it.

[Enraged_Ape]

21. Tae Kwon Do is a good workout

I've enjoyed several styles, but I must admit that Tae Kwon Do gave me the best cardiovascular workout. I have never been more mellow than coming out of a TKD class AND subsequent sparring class. You could have fired off a shotgun behind me and I wouldn't have cared.

[NYYFan]

22. Now, sparring- I suck at

but overall- TKD rocks !!!

[Character Assassin]

23. Judo. It's one of the most intensely anaerobic and useful

I'm 37 and have done it since I was about 8 years old.

It emphasizes power, flexibility and goes very, very well with weight training.

[Superfly]

25. Bazilian Jui Jitsu

is similar to Judo, with alittle more of the "street fighting" thrown in. I've been doing BJJ for the past 4 years and I love it.

[ACK]

24. Muay Thai

Thai kickboxing kicked my ass.

It was the toughest most rewarding exercise I have ever had.

The only reason I got out of it was because the classes conflicted with my work schedule.

[ArkDem]

26. I use a windsor knot on

Muay Thai.

[VelmaD]

27. Start out easy...

if you're overweight and out of shape start with something low impact so you don't fuck up your knees. Then gradually work your way toward more bouncy exercises.

PM me if you'd like to talk about trying to lose weight. I've lost 115 pounds since January of 2002 and I'd be more than happy to tell you how I did it and offer moral support.

You can do it kef. :-)