aefibird

Yes, I train in Wing Chun, but I have only recently started it. I also take Karate and Kobudo, and have trained in Aikido in the past. Even though you'd prefer private/individual lessons, I'd always recommend to people to take at least some group lessons, especially if they are just starting out in martial arts. My karate instructor gives private lessons, but students have to attend a minimum number of regular class lessons before being able to take private lessons. Even if people are embarassed about training in front of others, I always feel that there are a lot more benefits to training ina group, epsecially for beginners. Training in a groups helps a person to get used to partnering up with people of all abilities, shapes and sizes. On another matter, there are some interesting articles about Wing Chun on the club site where I train: Akhtars Martial Arts Academy See also: Wing Chun Kuen Good luck with your choice of martial art - I hope your first training session goes well!

Hi Mordanius! Welcome to Karate Forums.

Hi Bad_Vibes, welcome to Karate Forums!

Hi YukiNeko! Welcome to Karate Forums. Sorry to hear about the rainbow lorikeet, I hope that it gets better soon.

Thankyou! Yondan has recently passed away, though.

"To err is human. To forgive is against company policy."

Thank you! I'm Goat with Earth, then.

I agree!

ang_soo_do_guy, please don't type all in CAPS as people think that you're shouting. Thanks. If you keep on practicing and training you will eventually be able to do the spilts. It took me a long time to become flexible, as I'm one of Nature's naturally inflexible people... There is no 'set time limit' for being able to do the splits, it is different for different people. Keep on stretching every day (but make sure your muscles are warm or you could injure them) and I'm sure that soon you will be able to do the splits. If you have a positive mental attitude about it and tell yourself that you will accomplish it, then you're likely to be able to do the splits faster than if you get dspondant and think that you're never gonna reach your goal. Mental attitiude plays a big part in the way the human body behaves and responds. Good luck, and keep going!

I think the plan of taking a few classes at each school would be the best thng to do. Also, remember that it isn't so much they style but the instructor... try and get a good instructor, whichever style you choose. Once you've tried out a few classes at each, if you still can't decide then make a list of the pro's and con's of each school (including things like, location, training costs, amout of training sessions allowed per week, etc etc.) Good luck with your search for a new MA! I hope you find one that you love.

Welcome to the forums, Oni! Have you found any clubs in your area that teach WC or JJ or Aikido? Start off by looking around for schools in your area that teach the arts you want to learn. Then you could go and visit them and maybe try out a few classes with each, to see which you prefer. As you have already had some martial arts experience, you should be more knowledgeable about MA clubs than someone who has never trained in martial arts and therefore a bit more cautious of high prices, big contracts and clubs that guarantee everyone becoming a blackbelt... Here's a few websites that list martial arts clubs in the UK: Martial Arts Clubs Cracked Finger Sportslinks Knowledge Sport Focus Please bear in mind that many small clubs aren't listed on these websites - but it's a good place to start looking at what is available in your area. BTW, which bit of the UK are you from?

JLee, have you started training at another MA school yet, or are you still looking?

Well, man has probably been bashing one another over the head with rocks for millennia. I think that fighting is somewhat part of our nature, so wherever MA originated, you can bet it was early on in the development of mankind...

How long is the 'rope' section of the kusari-gama?

Goat, with the element of don't know!

Hi there! Welcome to Karate Forums.

Hi KingBuddha! Welcome to Karate Forums.

Hi! Welcome to Karate Forums.

Yup, I know where that is. Not too far away from me!

Wap, that's the best idea I've heard in a long while! Now, where can I get me one of those gi's?? I've got a tournament coming up at the weekend, I could do with an optical illusion or three!

I've used google a few times whilst the Olympic games have been on. I think their 'sport' logos are great!

Good luck in your search!

I find that training with a partner using focus pads helps punching technique. Also, using a heavy bag can really develop strength.

Bodies - Drowning Pool One of my all-time favourite songs. I have to say, though, that the fight sequence in Bridget Jones' Diary was cool, as was the backing music - Geri Halliwell's version of It's Raining Men. Not my usual choice of music for a fight scene, but it worked on that occasion!! Hmm, maybe I'll have to try playing it before my next competition!

heh heh, very funny! :up: