How should I approach this?

[TheArtOfBattle]

Hi, I'am new here.

I joined these forums because I have a passion for martial arts, a passion I have not been able progress in over the years. I had always wanted to take Martial arts classes, but because of family problems I never had the chance. Still I train by myself, as best I can without proper guidance. I'm 16 now, and I'm finally able to take classes, I was just wondering if I should approach this with a certain style of MA, is it going to be different now?

[Kenpo man]

Well, if I were you I would pick a MA that I liked and wanted to train in. There are a few web sites out there that will list them all and explain what their strengths and weaknesses are.

Decide what you want to get out of the MA's and then go looking for a school around your area that teaches it.

Personally, I find it much better to look for a good instructor, rather than a certain type of MA. These can be hard to find to be sure, as there are many, many McDojo's out there.

First and foremost, you need to find a school close to you though.

If I understand your question, you want to know that if you studied one type of martial art a while ago, would it have changed with the times.

It all depends on the style you chose back then. Most traditional styles do not ever really change, as far as the katas and such... But a lot of MA's will add some other MA's techniques into theirs, to better round out their own art for practicality. Moslty grappling, ground fighting, and close in stuff like this.

If you have been practicing some type of martial art on your own, without any prior guidance, you will be suprised at how much you ahve probably been learning wrong. Kicks, punches and Blocks are pretty much the same with all MA's, but the techniques and katas are not.

Just go into whatever school you choose with an open mind, clean slate, and you will do just fine.

I hope this helps bud.

[fangshi]

Find a great teacher ! No matter what the art the teacher will make a huge difference . I am not saying go out and join an art that you have no interest in but make sure you know what the teacher is all about . Some teachers focus on kata or competition or self defence or what ever . Find the the right combo for you and jump in with both feet . Many schools will offer free intro classes so you can see for yourself what you will be getting in to . Good luck !!

[TheArtOfBattle]

Thank you so much for your responses, they have helped me a great deal. I feel like I know what to expect now.

Thanks again!

[Aodhan]

Best advice - Try out several different styles and see what suits you and your abilities best.

If you are extremely athletic and agile, then an art such as wushu or capoeira may suit your abilities best. If you have a wrestling background or prefer that type of sport, then judo, bjj or similar may be best for you. Somewhere in the middle between all those fall the striking arts such as TKD, TSD, Shorin Ryu, Kenpo, Karate, etc.

If you are fascinated with weapons, then one of the budo arts may be more your style, or perhaps kung fu. If you prefer indirect confrontation, then aikido might be right up your alley.

Try them all, take advantage of the 1 or two weeks free, and find out what you enjoy and what fits you the best as far as style.

Aodhan

[makiwaraman]

My advice would be to go to as many different classes as you can explain what your doing first. Those that you dont like dont go back those that you do try again as sometimes a club may make a special effort for new people and once you join you find out its not the norm. There is a particular mc style of karate that wont let you look or train unless you are a member avoid any that say that.

regards makiwaraman

[TheArtOfBattle]

Thanks everyone, I will use this advice.

[Muaythaiboxer]

get a good school that pushs you to get better and dont join a mcdojo (a school out for money)

i would recomend that you find a school that trains alot (not 2 times a week) and is right for you.

[Sam]

Id just follow up everyones advice - make sure whatever art it is, it has a good instructor running the school this will make all the difference to your training.

[BMmonk]

If you dont mind me asking but what style were you learning on your own.

Alot of guys here are definitely telling you very useful information. One advice i was given by my father in law(he is a Wing Lu master) wasn't to pertain to looking for a school to train but to watch how each school trains. I've seen alot of schools who are just giving black belts away to little 12 yearolds maybe even younger. I usually just go to these schools and watch them, their fighting techniques, body language, and realised that what they are taught is different from what they execute. They are taught these fancy forms but when they compete one on one compitition sparring they dont use what they are taught.

Ask yourself if this is the right MA for you. See whether the instructors are men/women who have really dedicated their lives to the art, and not taught by some 20 year old black belt who's just received their black belt in a matter of two years.

I myself take the MA pretty strictly. I've seen way to many americanized/commercialized MA that just go for the money/slap a black belt on you/ and then when it comes to shine you didnt excel as high as you hoped. Just my .02