Karate or Ninjustu: A beginner in need of help

[LightFighterZero]

I am starting my first martial art and I have narrowed my search down to two places in my area. One is a Shindokai/Shin Shin Mugendo and Shotokan Karate dojo and the other is ninjutsu school. Being a short and stocky guy I was hoping for studying something more fluid and flowing. I have listed the websites so you guys can see the school and tell me what you think about each place. I havevisited both and both seem interesting. The karate place seems more traditional where as I sort of picked up a vibe at the ninjutsu place of being over decorated/advertised in some sorta way...then again that might jsut be me.

Karate: http://www.camarilloshotokan.com/

Ninjutsu: http://www.warriorquestsociety.com/

Thanks for your time and kind consideration. Any response is much appreciated.

[patusai]

Shotokan...my vote

[marie curie]

Why don't you email both schools and ask if you can sit in on a class? Then you can see which has more of what you are looking for.

[LightFighterZero]

I did sit in on both. And they both really appealed to me. The gripe I had with the ninjutsu place was the fact that it seemed to commercial in look and appearance, but at least the conetent seemed relatively traditional, or at least from what I can tell. The karate one was awesome too, but then again I am being a bit nit picky about it dealing with competion in some sense

[LightFighterZero]

I am looking for an art that uses quick strikes due to the fact that I have more speed then strength. Also as of now I am not to flexible, I mean I can touch my toes and what not like that but I can't kick high or anything like that. I also am not coordinated to do any roundhouse kicks or what not. I want to learn how to do thing circular moves like this in the future, but I don't know what martial art would offer the most fluidity. I guess what you can say is that I am looking for something smooth and flowing. From what I have seen shotokan incorporates strong linear strikes though which is also nice. I have a little bit of a boxing background so besides hooks jabs and all those little goodies, my punching technique is pretty limited. Thank you again for your help and comments.

[marie curie]

Sounds to me like Shotokan is more of what you are looking for.

[jaymac]

LFZ, it is really hard to tell how a school would be by just visiting the website. Take a few classes at each school. I would bet they offer trial memberships. I take shotokan and I love it, but we do not have circular movements. Shotokan has powerful and low stances with strong linear punches. A circular art might be a style of Kung fu. Also some Kenpo incorporates circular movement. As for coordination (in regards to a roundhouse kick), nobody can do a decent roundhouse kick the first day they walk into a dojo. It takes time. I bet you will be able to do it with practice. Good luck.

[jaymac]

LFZ, I just looked at the websites. I know I previously stated that you cannot accurately judge a dojo by their website, but I have to say that the instructors at the camarillo dojo have an unbelievable amount of experience and trained with and under some very notable instructors in Shotokan.

[LightFighterZero]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll check out the Shotokan dojo again to get a better feel of it.

[jaymac]

Good luck!