kurohitenshi Posted June 8, 2004 Posted June 8, 2004 Hello. I'm rather new in this forum, although I've been reading a lot of posts for the past few nights. As you might guess, this is my first post here and may I add that I'm honored to be a part of this community. First off, I suppose I must introduce myself. I'm in my early twenties, studying in college, living in Southeast Asia, and am currently am a 4th Kyu in Combat Aikido (focus is not only on defense but on proper striking as well), where we also train quite vigorously in Arnis, seeing as it is our national sport of sorts (Philippines) - vigorous enough to land me in the one of the top three places of each local Arnis tournament that I've attended. I also have background knowledge on TKD, though not very much. Anyway, my question is, what would be a good complimentary martial art to Combat Aikido? I've been checking around our city and my current schedule allows me only a few options: Karate, TKD, Arnis (advanced), and possibly (not sure yet), Wushu. I've been encouraged lately to look into Karate because of the personalities and talent that I've seen in the latest MA gathering in the local YMCA, wheras before, I was actually quite discouraged since it was such a mainstream and popular MA (see: the Karate Kid fiasco; yes, I admit that it was an immature way of thinking). Also, I've heard that a prominent Arnis personality who had retired here (Nestor Fernandez) teaches the students... It's intriguing. TKD is also quite interesting, although I know most everyone believes that it is a very ineffective art. The school I've found though are run by Koreans and I've seen the training - there's almost a 1-to-1 type of instruction (1 teacher to 1 student) - and the instructors are quite talented. The problem there is fee - they ask for way too much... $_$ My third option would have to be Arnis. This is an MA which I am really into - we dabble into it (but not as much as I want to) in my Combat Aikido class. I know the head instructor - he's a 5th Kyu in my CA class, and a friend of mine. I also know a few students there, guys who also attend the CA class. Unfortunately -- if I join, I would be the only female there, and I'm quite hesitant still. I suppose I need confidence for this, although there's the option of dragging my cousin to join me... The fourth option would be Wushu, which I heard just recently is offered in my university (I would have to check the schedules first, though). I don't know much about this yet, except that it's a beautiful art... Well, here lies the problem. I really can't decide which one to learn. Can anyone give me a good advice on which art may be the better choice? I'm sorry if this message is far too long (is there a limit?) or I'm wasting people's time but it's so hard to decide and I would really like to know more information and get more advice before joining any of the ones I mentioned above... Thanks for reading! That is all. (And glad to be here, once again.) --+ kuro +--"...Even at his most powerless, man's existence is never without meaning..."-"Suikoden"
CloudDragon Posted June 9, 2004 Posted June 9, 2004 I would look at the TKD again and see if the quality of instruction is worth the cost. Sometimes things cost more because they are worth it, sometimes. TKD would compliment the CA in that you will be enhancing your long range fighting skills that will compliment the CA. If the TKD isn't worth it I'd check the Karate next. Good luck! A Black Belt is just a white belt that don't know when to quit!
ramymensa Posted June 10, 2004 Posted June 10, 2004 1 to 1 training? Dude this is HEAVEN. If the guys really know their stuff, I'd take their TKD classes. It might be worth the financial effort. World Shotokan Karate
aefibird Posted June 10, 2004 Posted June 10, 2004 Hi and welcome to Karate Forums! I'd check out the TKD if you can afford it; 1-to-1 tuition sounds great!! If the TKD classes are a little beyond your budget, then I'd suggest karate. I train karate and aikido and I find they're a good complement to each other. However, the best plan would probably be for you to go and try out a few classes of each MA to see which you prefer. You've already had some Arnis experience - the fact that you'd be the only female there might not be an issue once you get training. I'm the only female student at my Aikido club. Good luck! "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers!
White Warlock Posted June 11, 2004 Posted June 11, 2004 Aye, attending a few sessions at each school, as a student, is probably the best way for you to find your niche... without spending too much. Some schools offer a few free sessions, others you have to pay. The goal is to find out if you like the instruction, the instructor, the other students, the pace, the philosophy, and whether it works well for your body type. It depends more on the stylist than it does the style. "When you are able to take the keys from my hand, you will be ready to drive." - Shaolin DMV TestIntro
delta1 Posted June 11, 2004 Posted June 11, 2004 Anyway, my question is, what would be a good complimentary martial art to Combat Aikido? I've been checking around our city and my current schedule allows me only a few options: Karate, TKD, Arnis (advanced), and possibly (not sure yet), Wushu. I'll go with the others who've said to try them out and pick the one that interests you most.Karate because of the personalities and talent that I've seen in the latest MA gathering Depending on the system and whether they teach what you want (the 'way', self defense, sport,...) can be a good choice.TKD... run by Koreans and I've seen the training - there's almost a 1-to-1 type of instruction (1 teacher to 1 student) - and the instructors are quite talented. The problem there is fee - they ask for way too much... $_$ TKD can be a very effective style, and can be good at all ranges, if taught properly. I'd look at them closely, see if they do work in close as well as out at longer ranges. If so, I'd seriously consider them. If not, I wouldn't bother.Arnis. This is an MA which I am really into - we dabble into it (but not as much as I want to) in my Combat Aikido class.Unfortunately -- if I join, I would be the only female there, and I'm quite hesitant still. I suppose I need confidence for this, although there's the option of dragging my cousin to join me... Since you are 'really into' it, and you are in the PI, this would be my pick. Wushu, which I heard just recently is offered in my university (I would have to check the schedules first, though). I don't know much about this yet, except that it's a beautiful art... If you just want to learn an art for its beauty or form, or are studying acting, this would be good. Otherwise, I'd go back and look at the others. Based on what you've said, and my own preferences, I'd list the priority order: 1. Arnis 2. TKD 3. Karate 4. Wushu Just my advice, but then I'm not you, and I'm not there, so take it for what it's worth. Good luck! Freedom isn't free!
kurohitenshi Posted June 12, 2004 Author Posted June 12, 2004 I appreciate all the response and have read each one over and over. I've also researched more about the classes, and the arts (online). I've gone back to the TKD place too and thought the trainings are very well-done. I would love to study there - really, I do (it's the ideal school) - but unfortunately, I'm just a poor student, at the moment. The price is really beyond my range. Perhaps in the future... No, I'm not an actor so I suppose Wushu wouldn't serve me well. And I don't really practice for the beauty, more for practical reasons... I guess that's out then. Anyway, it's boiled down to two arts: Karate or Arnis (you're right aefibird, the fact that I would be the only female there shouldn't be an issue - sometimes, I'm the only female in my Aikido class too, since I'm the only female who regularly attends class ). Both are offered in the same school, though I only have time for one, so... I would have to look into them again, I suppose. Karate or Arnis? Hmm, I think Arnis has the edge at the moment, but I'll see... Oh yeah, I'm not sure if there are free trial classes though, so I'd have to check again... BTW, two of my guy friends have recommended Kendo, and one of them also suggested Muay Thai, but I don't know, I'm busy enough (aka too tired at the end of the day) and I know MT can be a very rigorous art. Kendo though is only taught one-on-one (there are no formal schools) and I'd have to find a master. I have connections to various MA instructors though it might take awhile to find a teacher willing to find the time to teach... Anyway, thanks for all the response! I appreciate them. Here's hoping that I'll finally make up my mind one of these days and actually start the training. Can't wait to learn a new art... --+ kuro +--"...Even at his most powerless, man's existence is never without meaning..."-"Suikoden"
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