Decision Time

[Dillan]

Hello everone,

I am currently an Active Duty Air Force member stationed in Germany. I have always been drawn to the Asian culture and martial arts, but have never acted upon my feelings. Well, the topic came up in a discussion with my friend the other day, and we decided that we were going to look into taking classes. I started to do some research and had a few questions I was wondering if yal could answer.

1. I looked around and found that they offer two styles on base: Shotokan and Kuk Sool Won. There are classes off-base as well and there is a good chance they will speak English, however, I feel I will be more comfortable on-base. I looked into the two styles offered, and found that Shotokan is a free-hand style and is a forceful style compared to others. In researching Kuk Sool Won, I found that it is made up of multiple different styles of Korean Martial Arts to include striking and kicking, throwing and grappling, joint-locking and pressure points, animal-style techniques, falling and martial arts gymnastics, traditional Korean forms, body conditioning, and traditional martial arts weapons. I guess what I'm asking here are for inputs for the two kinds and what yal suggest.

2. My next question is along the lines of physical condition. I'm completely new to martial arts training, so I don't know exactly what to expect. I see from clips and movies what the end product is per say, but don't know how to get from point A to point B. Things like eating habits, physical conditioning, etc.... I'm 25 years old, 6'2" weighing in at 150 pounds... To be honest, I do not have much physical strength so I'd like to know where to start.... Are these things an instructor will go over with you?

3. Inquiring about the classes on base, I've found out that for Kuk Sool Won, they are held Monday and Wednesday for an hour each day.... Is that enough training time with an instructor to be worthwile? I mean, I know it is better than nothing, but was wondering how it compared to others back state-side...

Sorry for the long post, I'm just excited that I'm actually going to start after years of wanting to... Any and all replies are extremely appreciated!!

[tufrthanu]

Well hmm, Shotokan karate is mostly going to be striking and forms work. Kuk Sul Won will have grappling and striking and all that jazz. Mostly it depends on your preference although most good schools will allow you to take a class for free which I recommend you do. As for fitness levels MA is basically designed for any fitness level. If an instructor wont take someone who is out of shape then they just arent that good. I also assume since you are in the military you are in some sort of physically fit state. As to training times it doesnt really matter. I mean if they have 1 hour a week but you practice 6 hours a day outside of class you will be further ahead than somewhere that offers 5 classes a week where you dont practice outside of class at all. I would add that most MA practitioners in the us probably dont train more then 2-4 times a week. Hope this helps.

[KwicKixJ1]

do both.

you should be in plenty good shape to train in martial arts. just stretch a lot.

i hope you enjoy your training. remember that that's the most important thing. that you like what you're doing. it's not the old samurai times when you put on a karate gi to protect your village, now it's about having a good time and learning about a really really cool culture.

[sk0t]

i think that enjoying the martial arts is the most important aspect of your training...if you cant do both, choose the one that you feel in your heart is the best one.