Training.

[Gen_Tora]

I used to pick up little thingd from books when I was in Karate Tournaments (I was like 12 to 14) anyway it was funny seeing my opponent's face when I started using wing chun trapping hands or an aikido throw. My sensei used to laugh at it he called it "showing off my martial arts IQ"

Anyway quick self-help guide, I could list a few books but it all depends on what style you wonna learn. Personally I say buy a few books & videos on Muay Thai basic & effective enough. Or some on karate, there are a few "teach your self" books on Karate, judo, jujitsu & Aikio.

I had a shirt made for my shool that says "The second most dangerous thing in life is an educated man. The most dangerous thing in the world is a self-educated man." Self-educated means you are only limited by what you choose to know. So I say since you have the chance to look outside a taught style or form. Take adavntage of it!

On that note two things to remember;

1) A training partner will help you out allot, even if they are the preverbial clean slaight as you are now.

2) Think outside the box, you've been reading Lee's work. You need to understand one thing, all martial artist are self-taught. If we limit ourselves to what we see & hear in the dojo then we have no place in the martial arts. Knowledge is a gift, how you use it is upto you...

Peace,

Ron

[Toby]

Those are very wise words Ron and I am thinking a lot about what you have said... Since thinking about it I could put it another way.

I admit, seeing Bruce Lee/Jet Li in a movie(s) is what first got me into liking Martial Arts. So I began to look deeper into it and researh it.

Since then however, I have also really wanted to learn Martial Arts so that I can defend myself when need be (that's not to say that I don't have respect for Martial Artists with Black Belts, Because I do. I admire them infact.) Basic self defense is just a starting point for me, whether it be from one style, or gaining a little bit of knowledge from various styles. If I go beyond learning just basic stuff and end up with a Black Belt (doubt it), then that's just a bonus.

The styles I am interested in are JKD, Karate, TKD, and Wushu (think that's spelt right)... This doesn't necessarily mean however, that I will not look into other styles. Hope that gives you a clearer picture.

Thanks again, Toby.