XMA tricking is tricky

[redruss]

I would love to get into the whole XMA thing. Those trick kicks look amazing and whilst many would consider them flash, the popularity it growing fast... everywhere but in Cornwall UK!!

Like many i have been on Youtube, seen Tony Jaa do his stuff in Ong Bak and watched the likes of mike chat and steve terada online. Inspired i went in search of a club where i could learn this fusion of acrobatics and martial arts only to find nothing local.

My big problem is that i live in the very south west tip of the UK where we are last to get everything (VHS and Betamax are currently the latest thing to arrive here - my money is on betamax!). We seem to have virtually every other martial art here except this style.

Unperterbed i figured i could learn the moves myself by following tutorials on youtube etc. I'm a good kicker, pretty flexible and very keen so why not? Not as easy as it looks i have to say.

I then found a capoeira club 20m down the road. I have learnt a few moves as a result of things picked up at this class (540 kick) but the emphasis isn't on the acrobatics, more on the basics of capoeira as you would expect! I would still rather spend a whole session tricking!

Anyone got any advice?!

[bushido_man96]

That's a bummer that they don't have exactly what you want. However, I think the Capoeira class may get you into the kind of shape that will acclimate you more to the tricking. At any rate, it should be fun!

[DWx]

Gymnastics might be an alternative. Looking at them most XMA moves are gymnastics with a MA spin on them. But Capoeira would still be awesome to learn.

You could also try doing a bit of stuff on your own as there are some good websites out there like: http://www.trickstutorials.com/ .

[redruss]

thanks for the advice guys, always appreciated. I have looked into gymnastic but the classes i have found so far are aimed at kids. Will keep looking.

The capoeira is certainly a help, i joined for the gymnastic elements of the style but have come to enjoy everything about it and will stick at it for def.

[axispower]

Just to give you an idea on the gymnastics thing - my daughter (who is not an XMA kid) competes against the top four or five teenage girl XMA kids in the world from time to time. In chatting with these kids and their parents we learned that just about all of them are level 6-7-8 gymnasts. You'll find that many of these kids - now in their mid teens - have been in gymnastics ten years or longer.

The funny thing about these kids is that they all show up at World and compete in every kata event - but when it comes time for sparring the majority of them quickly leave the building. On the flip side, as they are on the way out the door a completely different group of competitors walk in - kids who show up only to spar and do not compete in kata.

Now - on to the topic of finding someone to teach you as an adult . . . probably the best way to accomplish that is to get a small group of like-minded martial artists together and approach a local gymnastics school with the idea of putting together a special class for your group.

[ps1]

Find an open area and work on tricking. You may also find a gymnastics gym that has an open floor night and work some stuff there as well.