Nick117 Posted April 19, 2003 Posted April 19, 2003 I'm having a hard time choosing between Aikido and TSK. I have a few questions about both. Maybe some people who study either art can help me. Basically for Aikido, I want to know if it is just a nice "dance" or actually a good art for self-defense. I realize Aikido isn't about fighting, it's more about conflict resolution, correct? That is fine, but one of the major reasons I want to study a MA is for self-defense. Now for TSK: Is it really a "McDojo" like some people say? I called TSK awhile back and I never got a response which put me off a bit, but I'm still interested. Does anyone know how much they charge? Money is an issue for me. I can afford what the Aikido schools charge around my area but I have no idea what TSK charges. So if anyone could just tell me what they pay or would pay for a single person I would very much appreciate it. Also, do they make you sign any contracts? Like so you have to pay for six months? I think that's all I need to know for now. Thanks!
TJS Posted April 20, 2003 Posted April 20, 2003 from an unbiased standpoint i have read alot about TSK from others forums as well as this one...many of the comments from students or former student...I have heard mostly negative feedback but I have also heard they have produced some good fighters...so you never know. as far as aikido...just be preapared to wait several years before actually being able to apply it in a real fight.
CheekyMusician Posted April 20, 2003 Posted April 20, 2003 Well Aikido would certainly be useful for self-defense, but not until you'd studied it for years. Its a difficult art to master and takes a lot of time, effort and patience before you'd be comfortable enough to use Aikido in a self-defense situation. TSK. I can't make much comment on. I've heard a few things about it being mentioned here and there, and from what I've heard it sounds like a bit of a McDojo, but as I said, I've got no real experience of it. I've never been to a TSK dojo and I've never spoken to someone who attends one, so I can't be certain. I guess the best way to find out is to go along to one, watch a class and ask lots of questions! Good luck! Smile. It makes people wonder what you've been up to.
shotochem Posted April 21, 2003 Posted April 21, 2003 Your wallet may decide for you . I would give Aikido a try since it is in your price range. TSK is a known money machine. If you do not like the Aikido you can always change to something else later. The most important thing is to enjoy what you are doing if you dont...... there is no point in doing it. Pain is only temporary, the memory of that pain lasts a lifetime.
LOILOI44 Posted April 28, 2003 Posted April 28, 2003 A girl I know paid a large amount of money for a life time contract. I am put off by a place that doesn't think it's product is good enough to stand on it's own, and that you must sign a commitment to them. I find that people on the aikido mat usually have less to work out emotionally that people in mcdojos.
hobbitbob Posted April 28, 2003 Posted April 28, 2003 One of our yudansha had studied at a TSK location as a child. He was 3d dan at 16 (this in itself should say something). He began training in Wado at University,and was not overly pleased with what he had done before.The TSK system has become somehting of a buffet, judging by their website (Karate, BJJ, kickboxing, etc...). A few of our University Karate club members at UMBC had had experience with TSK and their skills were marginal. Also bear in mind that the chain was the loser in a fraud lawsuit a few years back, where it came out that students were paying upwards of $10-15,000/year in contract "upgrades." There have always been Starkadders at Cold Comfort Farm!
LOILOI44 Posted April 29, 2003 Posted April 29, 2003 I just went to https://www.tsk.com. I have to say it's a slick website. If you have a high speed connection, you have to watch some of the early propaganda, sorry I mean promotional videos. That dude had a great perm. I love watching guido karate videos. Seriously though...I had to say I was pretty impressed by the dojo in Manhattan. I train in Manhattan and 20,000 square feet is unheard of for a martial arts school. That in itself is impressive. I can't say I have ever personally trained with anybody who studied TSK. Aside from the girl I knew with the life time contract(she needless to say signed the contract and stayed with the school for only 3 months), the only other time I heard their name mentioned was a father I knew was upset because instead of teaching his child; the instructors played dodge ball. He was upset and felt it was a waste of money. I can't say much about the style because you never hear anything really about it. If I think it's a mcdojo...Well let's put it this way; with 25 locations I would ask if I could super size my black belt for an extra 39 cents.
hobbitbob Posted April 29, 2003 Posted April 29, 2003 My favourite part of teh videos was the blonde female instructor with the big hair. Sigh...I miss the 80s... There have always been Starkadders at Cold Comfort Farm!
LOILOI44 Posted April 29, 2003 Posted April 29, 2003 Actually I have to say that there was one thing about the video that I really did like. The segment where they were teaching karate to a guy in a wheel chair. That I felt was a good thing
hobbitbob Posted April 29, 2003 Posted April 29, 2003 That was true. I did appreciate that. The W/C segment alone would have made a good promotional video. I recall seeing something somewhere about an Isshin-Ryu school in Pennsylvania that has a deaf instructor. I think WJZ-13 in Baltimore ran a piece on her last Fall. She was very impressive, too. Excellent technique! BRTW.. "Guido Karate".. I Love it. There have always been Starkadders at Cold Comfort Farm!
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