Luph

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your help.

Well, I kinda already have. Me an my pal work out together at his house and spar. Though I don't teach him Karate, just like he doesn't teach me boxing. But I mainly do it to overcome my fear of being hit. Kinda like the saying goes, " You can hit someone if you are afraid of being hit." or something like that.

I would have to say that If I decide to save money to take classes again, then I would finish karate first before anything. But after that I would like to try something like Wu Shu or Tai chi.

To tell you the truth I haven't read much of this thread but I think I know what you are discussing, so I'll give my bit. I think something to remember is that even if said martial art was created in a said country, the person that created that martial art probably adapted it from another martial art. Kalarippayattu which started in India could be said be almost the closest thing to the original art, which was then adapted into Chinese Kenpo (I may feel really dumb after saying Kenpo) when taken to China, which was adapted into Karate when taken to Japan. I'm not quite sure if this is part of the lineage you guys are referring to, but if not... Then if you are talking about the person, lineage could matter. Do you think you would better understand a martial art if you were taught by the person who invented it or even that person's first disciple rather than someone who learned it from someone, who learned it from another guy? Probably. As information is passed down, it tends to change some,and so did martial arts. Referring to my first rant in this post, how do you think Kenpo started? Someone taught a person Kalarippayattu, which he/she may have changed a little, then taught it to another person, who may have added something and then passes it down, etc. But I do think training in the homeland of the art you are learning would yield better results, mainly because that would be where the tradition of that art would be held up the most, and be the most undiluted.

As most others have said in this thread: I dislike fighting, but I will definitely fight if one comes looking for me. I am no pacifist, I can tell you that. But I am not the kind of person to start a fight. As a practitioner of Katsujinken, I believe that one should only fight to protect themselves or others, as well as maintain control over ones self and not severely injure the opponent. But sometimes you have to do what you've gotta do.

Well it first started when my mom put me in self defense classes when i was about 7. Then when I was almost 13 I started doing karate and made it to purple belt ranking. After that I sorta got lost in my highschool life, and I just recently started doing martial arts again. Since I don't make enough money to be taught martial arts, I have been practicing what I know: The basics, and a few of the Katas I can remember. As for why I do it now...I do it sorta as a hobby, but I also do it because I want to better myself, and to be able to protect those close to me if the time comes. What inspired you to become a martial artist?

So I'm new here, not much more to say besides what i want to ask. Does anyone know a good body weight workout routine that can help increase explosiveness, muscle endurance, and speed? I used to be taught Shotokan Karate up until I became a purple belt. Since then I have just been practicing my form. I am currently intersted in learning Muay Thai and Kung-Fu. But I know that being in shape is one of the basics of martial arts, so I won't progress much as a fighter unless I can train my body. Any suggestions anyone?