Comparisons

[DanielM]

Hi all,

 

When I was about 7 I took Shaolin Kung Fu for about a year, but then I stopped. About two years ago I took up Tae Kwon Do, and advanced to Red Belt, but then stopped.

 

Now, I'm looking for a good fighting art that would actually help me in a street fight, or for that matter, in any other fight (aside from those in class such as sparring, etc.). I've considered Silat, but there are NO schools in Maryland, and I don't know of any other gurus.

 

I've considered Capoeira, but again, no schools.

 

Right now, I'm considering Thai Boxing, Muay Thai, and Hapkido. Which do you guys think is the best of those? or if you know of another, do tell. Also, if you know of any Silat (preferably) or Capoeira schools in Maryland, please let me know.

 

I'm looking for an art that I can take up for several years, and in any fighting scenario, come out triumphant, whether an opponant is using knives, guns, chains, whatever.

 

Thanks!!

 

[ This Message was edited by: DanielM on 2002-06-24 16:33 ]

[--]

Coming out triumphant every time? No art can guarantee that. It's up to you.

 

As for a good, all around fighting art for the streets, I HIGHLY recommend Wing Chun. It is very easy to learn, for one thing. In under a year of training, you can effectively defend yourself against almost anything. It's very effective, being streamlined down to the fastest, most conservative movements, and is very adaptable. It's also supposed to be very good against boxers, who will probably be your most common adversaries on the streets.

 

 

[Pacificshore]

Well if your looking for fights, why not just become a professional at it and make some $$ off of it win or lose

 

As for defending against weapons.......you're sure to come out injured, and if you don't get killed in the process

[HarvesterofSorrow]

I agree with -: about wing chun. I'm taking it and it is great! Muay Thai and Thai Boxing are the same thing. Muay Thai is also a good art to take up (great workout too). Hapkido is good from what I here. My cousin teaches it but he's 2000 miles away in Guadalajara Mex. so he's not readily available for info. I'll see what I can dig up.

 

[DanielM]

Thanks HarvestoerofSorrow. Pacificshore - I'm not looking for a fight, but I want to be thoroughly prepared in case of one.

[G95champ]

What littel bit I know about Capoeira its not a fighting art. Its karate hidden in dances. Maybe its just me but I don't think that is good combat idea. However Im sure it would be fun to learn.

 

From the arts you listed the Thai Boxing is the more hardcore and you will fight much more. The Hipikido is really a good art. Has lots of nice SD moves and has all your basick kicks and punches as well. The kickboxing may lead you to more of a sport than atucally combat because American kickiboxing is not much more than full contact TKD. IMO....

 

 

[Iron Arahat]

I would go back to learning Shaolin, but that all depends on who was teaching. There are alot of Shaolin schools out there that are far from it...ie. Simon's Karate (AKA Temple Kung Fu).

 

Anyway Capoeria...cool stuff, but in a street fight, I would say no.

 

"I'm looking for an art that I can take up for several years, and in any fighting scenario, come out triumphant, whether an opponant is using knives, guns, chains, whatever. " Your expectations are too high here, nothing will make you bulletproof.

 

Stay away from any school that does "sport" karate, "spot" tkd. "sport" jujitsu.

 

 

[spinninggumby]

I would tend to agree with Iron Arahat, but perhaps only because my Shaolin kung fu school was excellent and the ideology and drills always proved effective. Plus the curriculum encompassed everything from grappling to striking to forms to weaponry. However, I do believe that it is the connection between the practitioner and the art that matters the most. It doesn't matter how well Brazilian Jujitsu works for your friend if you yourself cannot adapt or find yourself to really like it or use it to work for your body or tastes. Sure it may sound cliche, but like many people have said, there is no perfect or most effective art. It's all about you and how well you relate or incorporate what you are taught. :smile:

 

Also, you have to take into consideration the fact that just because Wing Chun may prove relatively effective for 'most' people who try it, there are many bad Wing Chun schools as well as good ones, and I won't even go into the whole taekwondo discussion. I would have to admit that there are WAY more crappy money-hungry taekwondo schools out there than there are good ones. Does that mean that taekwondo sucks? You have to look at the options or schools in your area. Muay Thai may have a reputation for being brutal, basic, and practical in real life situations, but if the Muay Thai training camp in your neighborhood is not up to par, it's not gonna do you any good.

 

_________________

 

Power can accomplish a lot of things. But no amount of power can force another soul to return your love.

 

[ This Message was edited by: spinninggumby on 2002-06-24 20:47 ]

[Deirou Kuzan]

The style doesn't matter that much, it's the instructors that will be teaching you that matters most. Make sure they are good and experienced. But Muay Thai and Hapkido are both good from what I've seen(which isn't very much by the way lol).