Help me choose.

[chiflow]

ApHoTiC,

 

Hey man i think thats great you want to start martial arts

 

heres my two cents

 

fisrt you need to figure out what you want to learn and why.

 

So if you want to grapple or apply yourself to a sticky hands more kung fu approach perhaps a kicking art or traditional Karate. All arts have great knowledge and skills to offer. Some cater better to body types and approaches. All of the previous suggestions are good ones.

 

What you need to focus on in a good instructor. that will be key.

 

Do some shopping and i bet you will know which one is best for you.

 

Of course options wil be limited to what you have locally im sure.

 

to me a good sign is when an instructor comes and greets you when you walk in. Or when students do the same, to me in the past it has been a sign of a "safer" dojo. And starting off this is a good thing

 

I have not been out your way but i believe Renzo Gracie is in your area.

 

And Dillman may also be in your area

 

I dream of the day to be in the same room as such greatness

 

Good luck in your search

 

FYI Watch out for any school that allows too much head contact when sparring for people under 20, age and opinion varry but study shows while still growing your at more risk of permanant damage to the brain

 

most learn to protect the future not get hurt before it happens

 

Chiflow

[ApHoTiC]

I have been looking into aikido, but im not sure on the grounds that it covers. Is it more of a grabing and throwing style? Help me out with a little info on aikido. Here is a place near me if any of you would care to look http://aikidosuimei.com/ . You guys have been a great help. Thanks alot!

[chiflow]

You can never go wrong with that art.

 

I love this art, Aikido in my mind is one of the best

 

get good with this art and you will be a man of peace who is ready for war

 

If you want to go to tournaments later on Aikido will not assist in this area

 

allthough more importantly randori (Aikido's form of sparring) can generate some great skills

 

read about the founder Morihei Ueshiba he was an amazing man

[fangshi]

My advice would be to join a school with a great teacher. Many martial arts train in weapons . The style will dictate the kind of weapon but if you have no huge preferance look around your area . See what is offered. Find a great teacher. A great matrial art experience is sure to follow. Most schools that train in wepons display them openly so you will know what weapons you will be trained in and you can decide if you are interested. Most schools teach weapons after a certain time period of training has passed so be sure that you do not over look the empty hand form that is taught.