Aikikai or Iwama style aikido? Muay thai? Wing chun? Help!

[ebff]

Hey all!

I've browsed the forums a bit and finally decided to post, I'd be really grateful if you could help me out!

I'm a student in the UK and would like to start a martial art this term to help stay sane during exam term and generally for fitness purposes (you can only do so many different half hour jogs every morning before you get really bored). Obviously there's the added advantage of getting at least some fighting experience on the side which could be useful later (although running is often the best defence) but I'm not too fussed about that.

Now the question is, which art to start? I've narrowed it down to 4 schools in the area, and it would be awesome if you could help me choose one.

First there's aikido. I've always wanted to study aikido, and it has the added advantage of letting you finish a fight without permanently injuring the other person which in today's lawsuit-mad world is a plus. However I'm not so sure about the general fitness aspect of the sport, it doesn't seem to include that much moving (jumps etc.) compared to say muay thai or karate. It's still pretty cool to be able to do breakfalls and rolls and I find the whole "blending" aspect of the art very appealing - I developed a similar concept playing chamber music.

There's two dojos in my area, one teaches aikikai style aikido and the other iwama style. I have no idea what the difference is on a practical basis though - according to the second website iwama style is more focused on weapons training and more akin to o sensei's earlier aikido but aikikai style is the most popular and most widespread as well as being closest to o sensei's later art. There's also the cost factor where iwama is twice as much as the other!

Another art I've always been really interested in is muay thai. I knew a guy who did it and he was incredibly fit, could run up walls and flip back down onto his feet etc., there's a lot of moving about involved and this is definitely a factor. Also it seems the art is very effective in fighting situations but only if you practice sparring which does break your bones a lot. The school seems very friendly and professional, is very cheap for students and does a lot of work with the local community - it does feel like the most attractive option.

Finally I have done a year of Wing Chun but I feel it was mostly useless in terms of teaching me the art (useful to learn about martial arts training, mentalities in China etc.) considering I couldn't do a quarter of the first form after the year. But that's more my fault than the kwoon. There is a kwoon nearby but it seems like a shadow of my previous kwoon, just a westernized watered-down version. Still an option though.

I've also done two years of sabre which I thought taught me a lot so I wouldn't mind an art which is similar to fencing (except with limbs rather than steel blades) but my MA experience is so incredibly small that I have no idea how that applies - maybe all arts end up in a similar fashion once a certain level is reached?

Also important, to practitioners of the arts in question: how often and how do you get injured during training? I found the deep black bruising involved in wing chun irritating but alright but broken bones would be a disaster during exams, and I'd like to avoid head damage too.

At the end of the day I'd like to try all the schools but I have limited time and limited funds! And every school has a different insurance policy, and I can only afford one as of now...

Sorry for the long speech, I've been wanting to post this for some time! What do you think?

Thank you very much for your time.

[Nick_sam]

aikido is good for the brain. i have been doing it since june 2005 and have found that you learn a lot about moving, ie, the way things work and it gets you thinking. as for the exercise factor: since it's done in partners, its as physical as the person you're doing it with. admittedly sometimes i find it a bit slow, but thats the nature of the art and IN THEORY it could be a flawless system - then again most are! i do the aikikai style and am thinking of taking up karate too (its something completely different and more physical too. i think one could compliment the other!)

i wouldnt worry too much on the exercise aspect of the art you do. if you're not getting enough exercise then just run or swim. what you learn in the arts goes a lot deeper than that.

[ravenzoom]

Yes, but he wants a physical martial art. In this case I would choose Muay

Thai. It's effective, plus it's very physically demanding.

[ebff]

Well that's the thing, I think ultimately aikido would be more rewarding, it's probably an easier art on your body to train in as well (I most definitely want to sparr, a martial art without sparring is like going to an opera with a mask on your eyes). But muay thai would be great for fitness...

I think I'll try aikikai aikido, it's the most convenient (after all this talking). Also my Japanese neighbour is a karate black belt and says he thinks aikido is ultimately a really good art, if very hard. Challenges are good.

Thank you very much for your help!

[Sohan]

First there's aikido. I've always wanted to study aikido, and it has the added advantage of letting you finish a fight without permanently injuring the other person which in today's lawsuit-mad world is a plus. However I'm not so sure about the general fitness aspect of the sport, it doesn't seem to include that much moving (jumps etc.) compared to say muay thai or karate. It's still pretty cool to be able to do breakfalls and rolls and I find the whole "blending" aspect of the art very appealing...

Another art I've always been really interested in is muay thai. I knew a guy who did it and he was incredibly fit, could run up walls and flip back down onto his feet etc., there's a lot of moving about involved and this is definitely a factor. Also it seems the art is very effective in fighting situations but only if you practice sparring which does break your bones a lot.

Also important, to practitioners of the arts in question: how often and how do you get injured during training? I found the deep black bruising involved in wing chun irritating but alright but broken bones would be a disaster during exams, and I'd like to avoid head damage too.

You say that you like the idea of winning a fight without seriously injuring someone. If that is the case, Muay Thai is not your best bet, though its hard to end any street fight sometimes without inflicting some quality damage. But MT will get you in the shape of your life also.

If injuries are a concern, both aikido and MT will give you some bruises, though the training is very different. But if you train with a good coach and use the right equipment, you should come out of MT OK. Tough choice. I think both are great, but you sound like you might enjoy MT more now, and gravitate to Aikido later. IMHO of course...

Respectfully,

Sohan

[lordtariel]

Of the list, I like aikido the best. Of course, I like manipulating opponents attacks more than throwing my own.