I want to get started, need some guidance

[Lonesome]

Hi everyone. I'm 19 years old and about to go into my sophomore year at college. I will be at home until mid-August and have some questions. I've always been interested in starting martial arts, but never really have. I took two classes of Tang Soo Do at the YMCA but the time didn't work out. I am 6'3" and weight about 145, so I am rather skinny. I do not have much muscle either. I wanted to start martial arts my freshman year, but I just didn't do it...probably lack of motivation. I've decided that no matter what though, I will make time for it this year because it is something I really would like to do. Probably the first thing that I am looking for is self-defense. I never have been, nor do I plan on getting in any fights, but I would just feel better knowing how to take care of myself, especially at college. After that, I would like for it to be a good workout. I know that martial arts aren't a good way of building muscle, but that would be a plus if possible. I would definately like to get more stamina though. Also, I am not very flexible, and I would love for it to help me in that area.

Ok, now on to the options. Being home until mid-August, here are my options for over summer.

• -There is a Tae Kwon Do class at the local community college which runs for 7 weeks, once a week, 1 1/2 hours, $70. Tae Kwon Do does not really interest me though, as I am looking for self-defense and I've heard it is a lot of sport. Another thing is the teacher is a 10th degree blackbelt in his own art (Kun Yong Do) and you get a lifetime membership...Sounds a little odd to me.
   
  -Our city offers Aikido and Shotokan Karate. Aikido is $40 for one month, two 1 1/2 hour classes a week. Shotokan Karate is $107 for 10 weeks, three 1 hour classes a week.
   
  -I could just not take anything and wait until I get to school, where training would be more often and there are more options.

(Sorry for the length, almost done )

When I get to the university, here are my options.

• -Aikido: Taught by a guy who also teaches at a studio. 3 months, 2 1 1/2 hours classes a week, $45.
   
  -Capoeira: 3 months, 2 2 hour classes a week, $70. (Doesn't really seem like self-defense to me, more fitness, cool nonetheless)
   
  -Jiu Jitsu: Just over 3 months, 1 2 hour class a week, $45.
   
  -Self Defense - Krav Maga: I think it's taught by a person that teaches at a local Jewish center. Just under 2 1/2 months, 1 1 1/2 hour class a week, $40.
   
  -Wing Chun Kung Fu: All semester pretty much, $40, 2 classes a week, not sure how long though. I just found out that the advisor is one of my math teachers from last year. I had heard that he did some sort of martial art, but didn't know what type. He is from the Ukraine.
  

The only thing to add about those options, is that all of them are classes at the rec center except for the last. It is listed as a club that meets at the rec center. I'm not sure of the difference, maybe it's just the type of instructor or something.

Sorry again about the length, but I do appreciate any help that you guys can give. I know that I need to go and actually see the classes, but I think that I can make a pretty good decision before hand and if anything about the class looks bad I can always switch then. Again, I appreciate the help! Have a great evening!

[Lonesome]

Ok, just a couple quick things to add that I was thinking about. First, I am not sure if any of these arts will actually focus on the meditation and stuff like that. I don't think that's what I want though, atleast right now. Second, I said that it was about self-defense and feeling safer. It's also somewhat about self-esteem and feeling better about myself that I could protect myself in a situation (if that makes sense). Third, I have long legs. Not only am I tall, but I have longer than average legs. Now that doesn't do much, since I'm not that flexible, just something to add. I don't want that to mean that I should do an art that's mostly kicking, because that's not what I want. I would like it to be well-rounded. Thanks again

[Kaminari]

All of them are really good arts, so it's really about what you want. If you haven't already, ask to watch them do their thing, and see which one seems like the one you're looking for.

Aikido, Jujitsu, and Krav Maga are all really self-defense oriented arts. Also, how long would you want to do something like this? Whether or not you want to study more than the 2-3 months each offers might determine what you pick. Say, for example, after the 3 months you wanted to continue studying outside the university. The Aikido guy has a studio you could study at after the 3 month class. I don't know how close this studio is, however, so it all depends on what you want.

Hope I was helpful.

Good luck!

[Lonesome]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that it's 3 months out of each semester. So I would like to do this for each semester that I'm at the university. After college, I would also like to continue, but that would depend on where the art is offered. At this time, going to the studio wouldn't be very easy because it is a rather far distance and I do not have access to a car. But I would be able to take the class each semester. Krav Maga seems to be more of a self-defense type art (not sure if it's considered an art), but it does not seem like there is much training time. I've always thought that Aikido would be a fun art to learn, but from what people say, it takes much longer to master for self-defense, and I'm not sure if that's what I'm currently look for (I may be wrong, any info?). Jiu-Jitsu has always sounded like fun to me and they've never offered it in my area, this would be good for self-defense and not something that takes years to master? Also, I've heard wing chun can be good for self-defense, but I question how it's taught since I am unsure of the rank or qualifications of the professor that oversees the club. I may try emailing him (even though it didn't work to well when I was in his class, lol).

Just a kind of disclaimer for what you may think after reading this. I am not looking for something where I will be able to completely defend myself after a month. I understand that it takes time to learn and understand, and that I will always be learning. I just know that some arts take more time than others, and at this point in my life, I'm not sure if I have the dedication to spend that time.

Thanks again

[JusticeZero]

I never have been, nor do I plan on getting in any fights, but I would just feel better knowing how to take care of myself, especially at college. After that, I would like for it to be a good workout. I would definately like to get more stamina though. Also, I am not very flexible, and I would love for it to help me in that area.

...over summer:

- Tae Kwon Do...the teacher is a 10th degree blackbelt in his own art (Kun Yong Do) and you get a lifetime membership...Sounds a little odd to me.

I agree that that sounds pretty dodgy. I'd give it a miss.

- Aikido

- Shotokan Karate

What ryu of Aikido? Would it connect well to the Aikido mentioned below?

When I get to the university..

- Aikido

-Capoeira (Doesn't really seem like self-defense to me, more fitness, cool nonetheless)

What teacher and what lineage?It's not like Capoeira is one monolithic art. Plus, you're the one who wanted fitness.

-Jiu Jitsu

-Self Defense - Krav Maga

-Wing Chun Kung Fu

I'd contemplate linking the Aikido classes, but you wanted fitness and Aikido isn't all that known for that, or flexibility. You get thrown around and shown how not to use muscle from narrow standing positions. You might also consider starting the aikido and going to the jiu jutsu (which will build rather more stamina etc, though being very situational in a self defense situation as jiu jutsu tends to focus on a range which is often a bad place to be), as they are related arts and should thus mesh to some degree.

Neither the wing chun nor the capoeira mixes well with either of the pre-uni arts at all, nor any of the others listed, but they might be right up your alley, you'll have to try them out and see. Both of them are very atypical in their structure.

[Lonesome]

Fitness would be appreciated along with self-defense. I have a friend who is doing capoeira, and from what i've heard...it's just not the best thing for that. The aikido that is available over summer is Seidokan Aikido and the one available at school is Aikikai Aikido and the Sensei is affiliated with the USAF. Thanks

[Mr. Mike]

if you had the time, I would suggest that you visit each school, watch a class, observe the higher belts, talk with the instructor, and possibly see about a couple of free classes to see if you will like the program.

[JusticeZero]

Frankly, what Capoeira is good for varies from style to style. There is admittedly a lot out there that is very physical Regional acrobatic flippity-ness, I will admit. And at the best of times it is highly esoteric. But not all styles of Capoeira are that way. Mine and one other common one I can think of, for instance, does not do jumping movements, does everything at actual range, and regularly uses a number of throws. The same applies to some other things.

Is your friend in the class at the university?

[Lonesome]

I will try and visit the classes once I get to school, and see how they are. I was just wondering if there is one in general that really stands out more than the others. I guess it's kind of hard to assume though. I'm really interested in Krav Maga, but it isn't offered as long or as much as the others. Maybe a combination of Krav Maga and Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, or Capoeira would be fun. Also, I just found out that the class that is offered is Capoeira Mandinga do Sertao. Thanks

[kunyongdo]

Lonesome, if you want to swing by the class at GCC, feel free to do so. Class starts at 7:30pm. For this 7 week session we are only teaching the basic techniques. It's fairly simple. And as far as the membership goes, I'm simply waiving the normal membership fee of $35.00 for all of the GCC students.

It seems as though your looking for the answer to the perfect art to study, and honestly there is no correct answer to that question as the correct answer is different for everyone. Find a style that works for you and move on from there. Learning 10 different styles all at once will do nothing for you. Since you are just starting out and you want to get fit, pick a few styles that focus on physical fitness and go from there.

BTW, What was it that was so "dodgy" about me or my class?