I took karate in my junior and senior years of high school. I started in on it, after classes, with my Latin instructor, Mr Sobczyk, a multi-tipped brown belt. I then graduated to a course at a nearby healthclub, taught by Mr Sobczyk’s instructor. (whose name I’ve forgotten). I enjoyed that course, in part because it worked on so many levels. We learned practical self defense and kata/forms/series of moves, we got exercise, we were trained in ethics, meditation, and awareness.
I experimented with a aikido, tai chi, and a couple of different stripes of karate throughout college. Most seemed over or under structured. Or maybe I was unwilling to go back to square one.
This kung fu thing seems reasonable. Whether because it’s right, or I’m more ready for it, I don’t know, nor do I especially care. But we’ll see how it works out.
I love martial arts except
the practical side of me won’t put up with the time commitment.
When I had a chinese restaurant in one of the most drug infested and homicide part of East Oakland, I studied guerilla warfare adapted to street self defense. I preferred lethal quick technique to disable adversaries—– designed for women since I am a small framed guy.
No effort or energy is wasted. It relies on stealth, element of surprise, anticipation and sensing intentions, use of anything around you as a weapon, deception, pressure/weak points, using the attacker’s force against him and mental toughness amidst chaos. If you act like a victim, you will be treated as one. I still don’t let fear paralyze me from reacting effectively and clear thinking. But I have to say that in the past, my mind, understanding of the thug’s mindset and culture has got me out of a lot of situations. Knowing how to talk your way out of dangerous situations is one of my best weapons. Extracting the confidence of the attacker, while making him fear the consequences of his actions has proved valuable to me.
Re: I love martial arts except
I’m not doing this for totally pragmatic self-defense reasons. If I were, I might well take a more ruthless style, but, I don’t think I have to have that much in the way of training to give myself the confidence I need. Fortunately the time commitment for this class looks pretty small.
me = copycat
No, really, I was wondering about taking a martial arts class myself, even before you wrote this, I can prove it if you give me subpoena powers!
First I want to do the yoga a few more times.
First I want to recover from being sick this week.
Re: me = copycat
The choice of martial arts, and the founding philosophies really do make a huge difference. I suggest looking into the backgrounds, and thinking about why you’re interested, and what it is in particular that you’re hoping to get out of it =)
Re: me = copycat
Why I’m interested: I want to diversify my exercise and I wanna be able to karate chop somebody over the head (or, wherever) 😉 Plus, I’m broadly interested in Eastern philosophies.
Kung Fu is truly a beautiful art. I started taking it many many years ago back in Pittsburgh. Tony Haddad was my teacher. Wonder if he is still around. His grandfather was a grand master in China. I had to quit due to surgical reasons and when I healed, I never went back. In retrospect, sometimes I wish I had gone back. I think the necessary flexibility would have helped me greatly in my horsemanship. Take care buddy and it was great to have met you!!! Hope your train ride went well. 🙂