Poll: why did you start in the martial arts?

[Tal]

Did your dojo do much in the way of kata applications training? None of the Shoto schools I have trained at did before the least three or four years.

 

No, my dojo was quite sport-oriented. Very little of the 'real' bunkai were tought to us. We just got these crappy applications for use in competitions. It wasn't until after I got my shodan and started going on lots of courses that I learnt some real kata applications; and I was surprised how many of them are really 'close in' techniques rather than the distanced punching and kicking you do in competition.

[IronZ]

I have always been interested in the MA. Sure, I was a kung fu theatre junkie and Bruce Lee was my hero when I was a small boy, but honestly, I have always wanted to know the "art" side of things also. I know a lot of people that want the self-defense type of training, and nothing is wrong with that, but I want to know where it came from, why it's here, and where it's going. I really want to be someone who is in the Martial Arts and not just "taking Karate".

 

Cheers!

 

IronZ

[White Warlock]

Hmm... two threads on pretty much the same topic?

 

Well, i already posted on the other thread but i must say that i 'intentionally' avoided watching any Bruce Lee stuff until i was in my late 20's. I didn't want to be thought of as 'yet another' Bruce Lee wannabe.

 

Oddly enough, i found that when i was around 11, i had watched all the Green Hornet clips at the library in Los Angeles, just to watch this Kato guy kick things around. I was clueless as to who he was, but did enjoy those fancy moves.

[Chrisyama]

I was too young to appreciate the "art" side of shotokan, as I was 6 when I starting training. My friend started so I went along and have trained non-stop for 13 years.

 

Learning to protect myself was the option I chose on the vote as I think this was my earliest motivation

[wado_lee]

bullies are a big reason people look at martial art not only as children but also adults

[ramymensa]

Those who think they'll be able to give the bullies what they deserve must consider the time needed to do so. Many MA practitioners think they are qulified for combat the second they enter the dojo. Sometimes they are brought back to reality in an unpleasant manner

[wado_lee]

i agree totally

[Mc. Steve]

Most of the stated reasons. I wanted to keep fit, learn to defend myself, my dad was going to attend with me (and still does, but only attends one lesson a week still) and of course I wanted to learn to fight like Bruce Lee. Who wouldn't?

[White Warlock]

and of course I wanted to learn to fight like Bruce Lee. Who wouldn't?

*raises hand*

 

I wanted to learn to fight like me.

[angelica d]

I don't really know why I started, I just thought 'Yeah, Why not? that looks cool' and I've never looked back!