Bit of advice please!

[Dazed and Confused]

Hi everybody, new here.

I'm returning to Martial Arts after a few years off having previously studied TKD. I know nothing about the various arts available in my area and was wondering what you would suggest I try. I'm afraid I have neither the money nor the time to try them all, so any help would be greatly received. I'm 6'4", about 190lbs and looking to something physical and athletic, preferably with a practical self defence side. My options are boxing, wing tyun kung fu, kick boxing, muay tai, shotokan, iaido (I have no idea what this is), aikido, judo, lau gar, contact karate, and wado ryu karate. so quite a selection. All views hugely appreciated.

[obiwansbane]

i practise shotokan myself, and our club has everything that you say that you are looking for...

although this does vary from club to club so even though two clubs teach shotokan one can be really bad and give u the wrong impression

kung fu, correct me if im mistaken takes some degree of flexibility... so if u are not for that i wouldnt try it...

but since muay tai is available... i would suggest that first and foremost before the shotokan... this is because you have a background in a kicking art (TKD) so your legs would be developed well allowing for devestation to occur once trained to utilise it properly through muay thai... yes im partially a fanboy through the ong bak and the protector movies but ive seen some practical application of this other than movies and it seems quite powerful...

All martial arts in my opinion will give u a beneficial physical training and get you into decent shape as long as you dont cheat out on the warm ups and training... sorry that i couldnt comment on all of them.. but if i was yo i would try the above mentioned two

[AT]

What is iaido?

Iaido is the art of reacting to a surprise attack by counter attacking with a sword.

An in-depth reading of the Japanese characters for iaido is:

I = being, AI = harmony, DO = way . "The way of harmonising oneself in action”.

The Iaidoka (a practitioner of iaido) wields a sword: not to control the opponent, but to control himself. Iaido is mostly performed solo as a series of Waza. The Iaidoka executes various techniques against single or multiple imaginary opponents. Each Waza begins and ends with the sword sheathed. In addition to sword technique, practitioners require imagination and concentration in order to maintain the feeling of a real fight and to keep the Kata fresh. In order to properly perform the waza, Iaidoka also learn posture and movement, grip, and swing. Iaido is never practised in a free-sparring manner.

Iaidoka practice to prepare for a surprise attack, where an immediate, efficient solution to the problem of aggression is necessary. Therefore, the technique is highly refined. Every unnecessary movement is cut away. Technique is simple and direct. The training method is aimed towards development of the practitioner’s every mental and physical resources.

Iaido is an authentic martial art that proved its martial values in a time of constant battle and warfare, that was preserved and passed on directly from teacher to student over generations in an unbroken lineage for 450 years. Iaidoka developed the mind towards an ultimately peaceful, harmonious, and active state ready to react and deal with any life situation.

[bushido_man96]

If it were me, from that group, I would take up Muay Thai and Judo. I have done TKD for quite some time, and I am partial to it. I like to watch the Thai fights, and I know that I need to learn some grappling, so I would get into those styles, time permitting.

[Dazed and Confused]

Thanks for your advice everybody. I probably should have mentioned that the reason I stopped TKD was that I tore the cruciate ligament in my right knee playing football (or, seeing as I think most of you folk are Americans: soccer ). Its healed now but I don't think it'll ever be as strong as it was. Still gets stiff every now and then. Should this influence my decision?

Also been told about a slightly further afield gym that runs beginners classes, with kickboxing training available three days a week and vale tudo once a week. Got to be honest though I'm slightly intimidated by the place, please tell me any thoughts you have from the look of the website.

http://www.fightingfitcombatsports.co.uk/

(MODS I'm not using this link by way of advertising, so hope its OK)

[P.A.L]

with your size and the fact that you know how to kick already, i would go to learn some boxing and then Aikido as my base style.

[Symphony-x]

Boxing, muay thai or contact karate would be my safest bests

[bushido_man96]

Also been told about a slightly further afield gym that runs beginners classes, with kickboxing training available three days a week and vale tudo once a week. Got to be honest though I'm slightly intimidated by the place, please tell me any thoughts you have from the look of the website.

http://www.fightingfitcombatsports.co.uk/

The site looks good, but you should check it out anyways, before making any decisions. Vale Tudo would be a good time, I think.

As far as tearing up your knee, if it is healed, I don't see why you couldn't do TKD anymore. You just have to know what your limits are, and how far to push yourself. That would go with any art that you study.

[Dazed and Confused]

Well I had my first boxing lesson (not at the gym I posted the link to) and it wasn't great. The training was the sort of thing I was looking for but I could do without the talk about breaking bouncer's jaws and beating folk up etc. Oh well, you live and learn.

Returning to my formerly beloved TKD on monday, so I'll let you know how that goes. The local instructor was very keen to impress on me the fact that he was willing to help me condition my knee if need be, and apparently I needn't go back to 10th Geup, but can keep my old belt and train till I'm back up to scratch. I'm not convinced by the self defence aspects of the art, but can hopefully address this through cross training.

Thanks for your help everybody, I'll let you know how the TKD goes.

[bushido_man96]

Sounds great...keep us posted!