LOOKING FOR NEW ART

[martialman101]

I am a fairly new martial artist (ive been doing it for roughly a year) and am begining to doubt the depth of the studio in which i train. I would like sugestions for a new art to traverse to. I would like an art that has some focus on philosophy and depth, besides that im open to sugestions. please also state why you would sugest it.

[martialman101]

and by the way, how does the rank system work on this website?

[Red J]

If philosophy is what you are looking for, you probably need to find a traditional Japanese or Okinawan based art. Shaolin Kempo and other "kenpos" are typically considered eclectic styles with more emphasis on scientific principles and less on philosophy. It could also be just your particular instructor/school.

The depth part is probably there it just takes a while to discover it. Start by taking a look at your material and break down the concept that you are learning and apply it to various situations and attacks. Practice with a buddy outside of class to hone your techniques against right and left handed attacks from different angles. Practice against front punches, roundhouse punches, boxer's crosses etc. You will start to "see" the potential in what you are learning once you really understand it. It is like a onion, and you need to dig deeper. I am amazed by my interpretation of techniques from when I first learned them until now. It is constantly evolving.

[DKizzle]

And the rank system here is based on your post count.

[martialman101]

thx for the input, but as i stated before, i am looking for a more philosophical one any way wich means ill be moving for those reasons. so the depth isnt a problem. THZ!

[pineapple]

The most philosophical school that I attended was a WadoRyu school that was taught by a master from Japan.

[Razor11]

Well it appears you have trained in Shaolin Kempo, Aikido, and Tai-Chi? those are pretty deep and philosophical as far as I am concerned. (Philo Sophia or Philosophy means lover/seeker of knowledge)

One could train for a life-time in each style you have listed and you say you've been at this for about 1 year? And you have practiced all 3? I am not sure what you are looking for but I would recommend visiting as many schools as possible to find one you like- I would also recommend staying awhile when you find a good one, even the most philosophical and complex arts seem simple and almost boring at first---

Where I train most folks quit at or around advanced Yellow belt (Yellow and Purple), not because the lack of techniques or poor instruction but because they think they are progressing too slowly in rank!

In other words I do not usually spend a lot of my teaching time on philosophy or history (which I really enjoy by the way-), but rather helping the students understand and master the basics which will provide a solid foundation when we get to the more advanced tech's. I have been training 13 years and the "set" of techniques I am learning (clumsily) now are like nothing I have ever seen before, if I had quit after a year or two I would have no idea these exist! I would possibly be on this board saying what you are saying now---

Whatever you do, take care and train hard!

Jamey

[JusticeZero]

You've bounced through three schools in a year looking for depth? For crying out loud, you won't get the secrets of the universe in the first ten classes. Find a good teacher and you'll have lots to think about in even a Boxing school. Find a bad teacher and they can make esoteric stuff shallow.

[italian_guy]

Ok if you like philosophical aspects you may take any internal art. Aikido (Japan), Tai chi or Ba gua or Hsing-I (chinese), or the korean internal art (forgot its name).

[Kreisi]

Tai chi , kung fu or other chinese martial art