kangaroo

I'll definately second the point about knowledge on this site! Also, https://www.google.com or https://www.wikipedia.org can be your best friends for questions like these.

Just like any other Martial Art, it can be as hard as you wish it to be. I don't think it's a complex art, but it all depends on what sort of detail you are looking to get. What style are you looking at?

Sounds like fun. I would love to be able to go overseas to train, particularly Japan. Pitty I can't afford it right now.

Really, only you can answer that question. What I woud recommend is that you evaluate your goals and find out what it is you want to achieve. Then, work out what it will cost you (eg. your time etc). Then, it's just a case of weighing up the pros and cons and making the decision. Once you make the decision though, be true it. If you decide to stick to it, then give it all you've got. If you decide not to, then let it go and don't feel bad. Just be honest with yourself and that's anyone can ask.

I recently started learning naifanchi shodan. I think it's a great kata and there are some movements in there I haven't done before.

So true! There is no such thing as a finish as far as I'm concerned, but I guess that depends on what you think is the objective of studying the art.

WOW! I would love to train with someone of that calibre!

Jiffy, a well written article. Certainly not a way that I have looked at the arts before though!

Good article. I think all too often we concentrate on what is "Traditional" in favour of what works.

I was about 16

As mentioned above, I think you have to take into account some odds. The odds are that the martial arts school around the corner is likely to be either TKD or Karate. I think it's a fairly simple art to grasp and therefore is a good one for beginners. I agree that this is a good way to start the MA journey

Actually, just to add to that, if I could train with someone like Eneoda, Kanazawa, Royce Gracie, Jeff Speakman or Chuck Norris on a daily basis (and I could convince my wife), I would sell anything I have to move there. It just depends what value you place on the teachings....

MMA has definately gone too far in some cases. I think people forget that MMA means mixed martial arts, nothing more. The level of contact (and therefore, usually, injuries) is dependant on the training methods used, not the style taught. As for the cost of the trip, I would pay that if I believed the instruction was worth it. In fact, i have a course coming up that will cost me $2,500.

Aikido is very traditional in a lot of schools (compared to other styles). Do you feel that this has an impact on it's effectiveness?

i think you hit the nail right on the head. This is something I've been thinking about lately. Unfortunately, you will receive resistance from those that have only trained in one or the other styles because they are not seeing it from a neutral point of view. Nothing I can add to your post, summed it up perfectly.

I would say to point the fingers to the ground. I think there's too much risk of bending the wrist and too much restriction on power if the fingers are pointing back.

JKD still has a set layout. While it does assume formlessness, it does not mean there is no form. There is form to the way of thinking, just not form to individual way of techniques. Just because someone is doing bits and pieces from different arts doesn't mean they are doing JKD.

I think it's important to try and negotiate first, but if verbal attempts fail, once you decide to engage physically, do not wait. He who waits meditates in a horizontal position - Ed Parker

I think both have their purpose. A punch will have a more devistating effect in most cases, but an open hand strike is better for people with less experience, or ladies with long nails.

To me, a junior black belt is exactly the same a senior black belt, but they are not expected to have the same level of dedication, or more so, understanding.

IMHO, MMA is a term that is way over used. For instance, I have seen places that teach multiple arts, but call it MMA. It's not. To me, MMA is where concepts of various arts have been mixed together to form what they believe to be a complete system.

I have never trained in Aikido either, but a friend of mine does and he says it's quite effective. I have watched a couple of demonstrations by Steven Segal, and they are not staged!