The Way of the Scorpion

[FrozenRose]

I've always wanted to learn a martial art, preferably a japanese style, yet I've never really pursued it, until now. It's either the increasing number of shows on the subject or that I recently finished reading Legend of the Five Rings: The Scorpion. A great book! Everyone should read it!

 

I'm sorry in advance because I know that you probably get a bunch of newbs posting like I have.

 

I really want to learn how to use a Katana and learn Ju-jitsu. The katana is at the top of my list. I don't wish to get strong, nor do I wish to be able to beat the crap out of people for no reason. Self-defense is ok........but I really want to learn because........I don't know.......I want to. I would love to have great balance, focus, and agility with and without the katana. It would be great to learn a skill as ancient as a martial art. to be able to focus mind and body in one...

 

the problem is that I'm a kid. there aren't any schools around on karate, seriously. I would just like to buy a book on the subject or go to websites and learn. I would like to go in my backyard and practice with a simple stick. maybe I could set up rocks.......and balance on top of them while practicing.

 

I really just need some help. are there any good books or websites that might be of assistance? I know one on one training is what everyone suggests, but I don't have that, so any help is greatly appreciated.

 

thanks

[battousai16]

i'm sorry to tell you this, but not really, no. swordsmanship is a very difficult thing to learn, and really not something that transfers over to books and tapes well. most of what you see is watered down, they leave stuff out, they're not specific enough, and most of all, tapes and books can't correct you. are you sure there aren't any MA schools around you? sometimes they just don't advertise much; ask around, look in the yellow pages, look online. if not, since what i say probably dosen't hold much weight to you anyway, if you're desperate for books and videos, try martialartsmart.com. i've had plenty of good experiences with them

[aefibird]

FrozenRose, I know this probably isn't what you wanna hear, but if I were you I'd try seeing if there are martial arts schools in your area. Maybe you could ask around at school or try asking at a local sports/leisure centre, classes are sometimes held in those.

 

Martial Arts isn't really something that can be learned from a book or a video or over the internet. It can take years of dedicated practise to become proficient in martial arts, especially swordsmanship, which you obviously want to do. It's much better to try and have some classes in a martial art and practise at home as well, rather than just struggle through by yourself with a book. A book can't correct your technique/stances etc, but a good instructor will do. Try and find one!

 

I don't know where you live, but if you're in the UK then a good club directory is https://www.crackedfinger.com or try https://www.martialartsregister.co.uk or https://www.sportslinks.info

 

Good luck with your search.

[Practice is the key _]

Your toatal Idea is so wrong, you cannot study from book website etc. trust me you are soooooooo far from the real world.

[Hoju]

I'm going to have to go with what the Survey Says on this one as well. Look around for a school in your area. I'm sure (& hope) there is at least one.

 

Weaponry isn't something that you can just jump into unfortunately. You need to be comfortable with your own balance, agility, speed & physical ability prior to being able to use a weapons.

 

And strength is a large necessity for weapons training. Just try taking a broom (as a light example), gripping it like it was a sword & holding your arms out at approximately chest height. The longer you pratice, the longer you can keep your arms up without the burn.

 

But, the first step to MA is enthusiasm. And you definitely have it! Good luck with whatever path you choose.

[tsukimaster]

if there were no newbies the arts would die.

[WolverineGuy]

We were all there once. I bought my share of karate books hoping to learn to be invincible.

 

Good thing that now I am.

[delta1]

I agree with the rest. Look around for a good school in your area. Learning another martial art right now may not be what you want, but you are young and have time later to do that. Right now, lay a foundation. Learning another art will still work on mind and spirit, teach you to focus, train your body to move in ways that are at this point foreign to you. Most of all, it will train you to learn. It will also get you involved with the martial arts community, expose you to what all is out there. You'll make contacts and friends that may be helpful later. You'll get an idea how to judge schools and styles, so that later on you can pick one that offers what you want. No training is wasted, but time can be.

 

Some ideas for schools:

 

TKD- seems to be a TKD school just about everywhere, and it has a heavy Japanese influence. Any Japanese school, since that is what you are drawn to.

 

Tai Chi Chuan- absolutely don't overlook this one if it is available. It's Chinese, but it will improve any art you study, now or later. And if self developement is your thing, it will get you started on the internal path, and in time can take you farther than any other art I know.

 

Reality arts, not the first choice since they don't seem to be your thing. But if that is all you find, you'll still get a lot of the bennifits you want, and learn to work under pressure as well.

 

And last, but by no means least, since you are still in school you have access to many sports programs. They are an excellent start, especially wrestling, boxing, gymnastics, even ball players and runners. Sports have a lot in common with martial arts training, and school programs are relatively inexpensive.

 

You are on the right track, wanting to get started early in life. But don't get discouraged if you can't start out exactly like you want. You have many options to lay a foundation for later. Set your goals, and work within the limmits of availability to start accomplishing those goals. Good luck!

[battousai16]

uh... why so anti-chinese, there, delta 1?

[delta1]

uh... why so anti-chinese, there, delta 1?

 

I'm not. I study Taiji, and my base is American Kenpo, which is primarily of Chinese origins. But this statement

I've always wanted to learn a martial art, preferably a japanese style,

lead me to answer based on primarily Japanese style availability. He doesn't want the same thing out of the arts I do, and I don't have any problem with that. I just geared my advice to what he (or she, guess I really don't know) wants and his situation at the present.