italian_guy

I selected goju but I think that also shotokan it can be effective as well. Why not Aikido? Because it takes longer time to be self defence effective and why not Judo, because it is mostly a sport even if it has self-defence application, if I need to learn a grappling MA for self defence my choice would be either JJJ or BJJ. I think that with Jiu Jitsu you are better prepared to defend from strikes.

I fully agree with kickbox, and I add that sometimes people still use the name of Jun Fan Gong Fu, to designate JKD before the style/no style transition. In books where this terminology (JFGF) is used you can see the original core of the style (see for example http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0953176622/ref=ord_cart_shr/102-9063844-9883332?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0953176614/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/102-9063844-9883332?v=glance&s=books) that relies on the original Wing Chun + kickboxing structure. However the JKD I study is the one from Inosanto that has added elements taken from other MAs (kali,silat,BJJ,Muay Thay) giving a wide knoledge where the individual should create its own personal style according to the style/no-style principle

JKD was started by bruce lee. It is not a style in the traditional meaning of the word. It is a set of principles stated in the book the Tao of JKD. Those principles where applied to varous styles assembled in a mixture. There are various mixtures, the one I'm studing comes basically from the Dan Inosanto lineage it has: Kickboxing/Muay Thay punches and kicks, Kali weapons, Wing chun trapping BJJ grappling, and some close fighing techniques taken from silat. All these styles are assembled by very experienced teachers following the original principles. Being non-traditional it is contantly evolving, JKD today is different from the original core from Bruce Lee but retain the same basic principles.

My JKD school has some contact with them. The 'european dog brother' (do not remember his name) holds frequent seminar in my school. My sifu thinks they are a very good example of MMA with weapons.

I consider Karate as my main style (so my vote) even if I practice also JKD.

I think that inside you, you know the reason why you are doing martial art... you have to start from there. Once you know the real reason then you know if you choose the right path or not. I've been in your situation once... When I was doing kickboxing I started asking myself if what kickboxing was offering me was what I wanted from martial art... my answer was NO and so I decided to quit and take karate, even if my instructor was very good. But I needed something more traditional with forms, grappling etc. rather then just a good workout and a very good MA sport where I could not compete because I was already too old. Karate was more suitable for my needs, it was a good compromise between self defence, tradition, physical training, it is not only a sport so competition is only a minor side of the business. This was a choice I did not regret.

Yes, I think martial arts have some benefit on reflexes, I have notice that on myself since I practice. I knew one guy who was a goalkeeper in a soccer team and he was cross-training in kickboxing. He told me that since he was training in MA he had the impression to see where the ball was going in advance.... it is hard to explain... like a sort of mixture of better reflexes and better awareness of body dynamics.

I bought the DVD recently, the plot is nothing special but the coreography is great!

I have a simple one back-foot mae geri chudan that then become front foot closing the distance, kitsami tsuki to face same side.

Ok I will make my (personal) list. Bruce Lee C. Mijagi (not sure about the spelling on this) Morio Higaonna Dan Inosanto W.Wallace C. Norris ... and maybe others...

Congratulations

Welcome

Gekisai Ich and ni at Yellow (Orange belt test). Our belt system goes (White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Brown, Black). So Gekisai Ich (and ni) is the 4th (5th) kata we learn.

I practice a modern MA like JKD (which is also a MMA), and a classical art like karate and in the past I have practiced a modern MA like kickboxing and another 'classical art' like TCC. If you are talking about self-defence I think that modern arts gives you the advantage of getting efficent faster than traditional arts. Traditional martial art may work as well for self-defence in the longer run. Traditional MA have more internal, cultural and phylosophical aspects you may enjoy resperct to modern MA. This is my 2 eurocents anyhow...

Glad you are back Mu. Good luck for your tournement.

Welcome to KF.

Welcome and congratulations

Hi welcome to KF. *Bow you back.*

Welcome to the forums.

Welcome to KF, I'm also a beginner anyway I started MA in March 2003 and I think I will remain a beginner for the rest of my life.

Welcome to KF. What style of Okinawan karate are you practicing?

Welcome to KF.

Hello and Welcome

When I train I feel a lot better but when I don't (like now, in August in Italy is too hot to train) I do not feel so irritable I just look forward to train again. That'a all.

Total of 7.5 hours of MA a week 2 x 2.5 in karate 2 x 1.25 in JKD. Total 7.5 h/week.