Ask a Martial Arts Instructor

[Tee Kay]

Can anyone become proficient at martial arts or are there people who are just really hopeless at it?

What's a good way for people with little to no income to get into a martial art?

 

[Chazumi]

I'm 5'7" 170 lbs.

I am level 1 Combatives certified US Military (Mainly Brazillian Jujitsu)

But I would put my core abilities in "Napoleonic Small man Drunken Fist" technique.

I can take a punch. I can throw a punch. I'm small and "squirmy" so to speak, and I can take a beating before I go down. How can I use this to my advantage? Typically in a fight I end up bloody nosed and messed up, the victor, typically, though I've lost my fair share of fights.

I've been interested in learning Hapkido (Learned the word from mortal kombat, scorpion moves, I believe it is the exploitation of bones and joints?). What do you suggest?

 

[Alassius]

For refreshing. Martial Arts is about muscle memory. If you do it for an hour once every two weeks, you're going to struggle, because the first twenty minutes or so will be spent trying to remember what happened last time.
However, if you can spend a few minutes a day to just keep yourself refreshed, somewhere between 5 and 15, you'll move forward. This doesn't even have to be in a physical sense. For example, if you are taught forms, go through the form in your head at least once a day. If you're not taught forms, visualize the motions you were taught. Of course it's better to go through the motions physically.
This way you'll actually know your material better when you get back to class, rather then needing a review. That will make a load of difference how you progress.
Physical fitness isn't really necessary to advance, and it's certainly no guarantee. You can build up fitness quickly, building up skill sets is what takes time.

Right, in that aspect it's not different from dancing, so I have hope after all Thanks!

 

[Leifmk]

There is a perception that people skilled in martial arts are disciplined with their skills and thus don't use them to generally be violent dickheads I.e purely used for self defense . Is this accurate or cliche ?

In my experience (maybe 11 or 12 years altogether in a handful of different martial arts ranging from Aikido to BJJ) most serious practitioners have no time for getting into trouble anyway. A not uncommon line of thought would be something like "this guy may be an idiot and in a just world he'd get a fist to the face, but then if I get into a fight tonight I could get arrested or injured which would MESS WITH MY TRAINING SCHEDULE, so screw that".

 

[ParkCungHee]

Can anyone become proficient at martial arts or are there people who are just really hopeless at it?

Just about anyone physically can become proficient at it. Regardless of age or even physical disability, people can develop a respectable proficiency. The only exceptions are those that are unwilling to put in the effort.

What's a good way for people with little to no income to get into a martial art?

If you know someone who is paying, ask to practice with them. They'll usually be happy for a partner, and not even think of it as helping you.

I'm 5'7" 170 lbs.

I am level 1 Combatives certified US Military (Mainly Brazillian Jujitsu)

But I would put my core abilities in "Napoleonic Small man Drunken Fist" technique.

I can take a punch. I can throw a punch. I'm small and "squirmy" so to speak, and I can take a beating before I go down. How can I use this to my advantage? Typically in a fight I end up bloody nosed and messed up, the victor, typically, though I've lost my fair share of fights.

I wish I could give helpful advice on this. I'm usually the one giving advice on how to fight small squirmy guys with the "Napoleonic Small man Drunken fist" technique.

My usual fighting partner is about 5'4 and the same weight as me. I'm 6 Feet, so it always makes for an interesting matchup.

I've been interested in learning Hapkido (Learned the word from mortal kombat, scorpion moves, I believe it is the exploitation of bones and joints?). What do you suggest?

Hapkido is a Korean Martial Art. It does involve bone and joint locks, but also leg sweeps and throws, and like most Korean Martial Arts, lots of high kicks.

I suppose the biggest difference you'll find from combatives is that Combatives, like BJJ is part of what can be described as "slow wrestling" that is, the emphasis is on eventual victory and is geared along these lines. Hapkido is what can be called "fast wrestling" where the goal is to achieve a short immediate throw or lock from the standing position.
If you're familiar with them, think the difference between Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling.

Right, in that aspect it's not different from dancing, so I have hope after all Thanks!

No, it's not! Martial Arts are not as different from other physical disciplines as most people think.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Can you give me an overview of the psychological side of martial arts

Oh well that I could go into so many things about! There's really so many aspects of it. I think the central psychological aspect of most martial arts, and the really appealing part is that you have no opponent other then yourself. As such it has wonderful reward & challenges (In the psychological meaning of the term).

How does one attain the necessary mindset for anticipating and reacting to an opponent's moves quickly and efficiently?

It's not really a mindset. It's a skillset. Again I'll draw a comparison to a different athletic endeavor let's say...soccer. A soccer goalie needs to be able to anticipate where the ball is going to go, because it's too fast for him to actually physically react to.
It's just the same for the martial artist. No matter how fast you are, you can't react to a punch or kick after it's thrown. You'll get caught every time.
The key is actually in acting before the opponent, which I suppose falls under anticipation. The only way to do this is to repeatedly face off against an opponent. Practicing again, and again, and again against a variety of opponents will teach you the ebb and flow of fighting, "Ring Generalship" and the ability to "read" someone. Now I think it's easier to describe the state you shouldn't be in, that will throw you off even with these skills. The first is getting too caught up in what you want to do. This is very common, especially amongst students who practice alot and fight little. They decide beforehand "I want to hit my opponent with an Ax Kick!" and they try that. Maybe it doesn't work so they try it again. Low and behold the opponent sees it coming and nails him with a back kick to the chest.
The other is to be tense or aggressive. This is a similar problem to the first one. A fighter will decide he's going to knock his opponent's head off, but he can't really visualize how he's going to do it.
Generally if one is relaxed, attentive and most importantly experienced one can react in a way that anticipates an opponent's moves.

What's a good martial art to get into for somebody who really hasn't done any sort of sporting activity that isn't just wandering around a hill for the last six years? I could really do with taking up some sort of active exercise, and I think something with a bit of structure to it may help me stick to it.

All of them are good for someone who's out of shape. I never did any sports before Taekwondo. Any half-way decent school will not place you in a situation, such as sparring, if you're not ready for it. Even if you can't keep up with the physical routine, they will understand if a new student can't keep up, and you're allowed to catch your breath or what have you.
The only things I'd warn you off from are things that tend to be full contact, like MMA or Muay Thai, but even these can be good. The best bet is to ask an instructor, and unless he warns you saying this class is intended for advanced students or what have you, dive right in.

From your experience, do Asian and non-Asian martial artists seem to have different attitudes and/or approaches when it comes to (Asian) martial arts?

From my experience they have a little more dedication, but a little less seriousness. Most the asians I've met have been in Taekwondo, and in Korea it's the national sport. So they don't see it as much different from other sports. As such they're very focused on the three forms of competition: Either sparring, breaking or forms. They tend to show less interest in cross training, or training techniques not used in the ring. But these of course are generalizations.

 

[GenMarshall]

If returning, Should I start exercising now in the gym to get back to shape?

What's a good way for people with little to no income to get into a martial art?

Not sure if this is mentioned, but a martial marts club in college or a university would be one way. Though so far I have not gotten any luck finding one (let alone if they would be comfortable with a late twenty something non traditional student joining the club composed of late teens to younger twenty somethings )

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

The only way to do this is to repeatedly face off against an opponent. Practicing again, and again, and again against a variety of opponents will teach you the ebb and flow of fighting, "Ring Generalship" and the ability to "read" someone.

In the end it's always about practice. Thanks for answering my questions.

Now I think it's easier to describe the state you shouldn't be in, that will throw you off even with these skills. The first is getting too caught up in what you want to do. This is very common, especially amongst students who practice alot and fight little. They decide beforehand "I want to hit my opponent with an Ax Kick!" and they try that. Maybe it doesn't work so they try it again. Low and behold the opponent sees it coming and nails him with a back kick to the chest.
The other is to be tense or aggressive. This is a similar problem to the first one. A fighter will decide he's going to knock his opponent's head off, but he can't really visualize how he's going to do it.

Do students typically pick up quickly on this or does it take some time?

 

[Algeroth]

Actually, since fencing is considered a martial art and I have several years' experience doing it (and a trainer certificate) I could also answer questions in this thread. I've been out of it for more than 2 years, though.

I've finally found which fencing club works with my university, So I'll finally start fencing in October. Should I exercise myself somehow? I got out of shape in the last year and i think that semiregular swimming is keeping me from decaying further rather then improving my condition.

 

[aelf]

I've finally found which fencing club works with my university, So I'll finally start fencing in October. Should I exercise myself somehow? I got out of shape in the last year and i think that semiregular swimming is keeping me from decaying further rather then improving my condition.

Hmm. You probably should. Fencing is a tiring sport. Some people think that it looks refined or whatever, but I can assure you that it's a sweaty, exhausting exercise.

I don't know how your university club trains - mine was pretty relaxed - but the basic of training I went through and would recommend putting people through (I was given certification as a trainer by my high school club, but I think it's mostly for internal purposes) is pretty physically demanding. You need fitness for proper footwork, but also for 'handwork' - it's pretty tiring to hold up an epee and use it to attack/defend even for just a 10-minute bout.

I'm not trying to scare you or anything. The good news is if your training is tough enough, fencing makes you lean and fit. And you'll get strong legs just by fencing a lot.

Fitness isn't everything, though. My high school club was good at churning out fencers that were fit enough, but our tactical training wasn't so effective. You might need quite a bit of one-on-one lessons with a decent coach to train that effectively. Some people are naturally good (i.e. they have faster reaction time and good hand-eye and body coordination), so they may do well at beginners' level just learning through sparring with people a lot. But, in any case, lots of sparring is good for learning. So get fitter and fence a lot!

 

[Alassius]

It's not really a mindset. It's a skillset. Again I'll draw a comparison to a different athletic endeavor let's say...soccer. A soccer goalie needs to be able to anticipate where the ball is going to go, because it's too fast for him to actually physically react to.
It's just the same for the martial artist. No matter how fast you are, you can't react to a punch or kick after it's thrown. You'll get caught every time.
The key is actually in acting before the opponent, which I suppose falls under anticipation. The only way to do this is to repeatedly face off against an opponent. Practicing again, and again, and again against a variety of opponents will teach you the ebb and flow of fighting, "Ring Generalship" and the ability to "read" someone. Now I think it's easier to describe the state you shouldn't be in, that will throw you off even with these skills. The first is getting too caught up in what you want to do. This is very common, especially amongst students who practice alot and fight little. They decide beforehand "I want to hit my opponent with an Ax Kick!" and they try that. Maybe it doesn't work so they try it again. Low and behold the opponent sees it coming and nails him with a back kick to the chest.
The other is to be tense or aggressive. This is a similar problem to the first one. A fighter will decide he's going to knock his opponent's head off, but he can't really visualize how he's going to do it.
Generally if one is relaxed, attentive and most importantly experienced one can react in a way that anticipates an opponent's moves.

Do you play fighting games like The King of Fighters or Samurai Shodown? Sounds like these advices apply there too!

 

[TheDanish]

I've got the same number of years of experience as you, and I believe we're the same age, though my training is almost exclusively in taekwondo. My schools have focused almost entirely on forms (poomsae) and Olympic style sparring, at the expense of self-defense. If I were to train in a martial art purely for the purpose of getting out of dangerous situations, what would you suggest?

 

[Leifmk]

If I were to train in a martial art purely for the purpose of getting out of dangerous situations, what would you suggest?

Running. Both sprinting and some distance work. Seriously.

 

[FriendlyFire]

I've got the same number of years of experience as you, and I believe we're the same age, though my training is almost exclusively in taekwondo. My schools have focused almost entirely on forms (poomsae) and Olympic style sparring, at the expense of self-defense. If I were to train in a martial art purely for the purpose of getting out of dangerous situations, what would you suggest?

Lots of sparring, boxing is also good (though I dont like getting repeatly hit in the head so consider brain damage from repeated head hits)

 

[Akka]

I've got the same number of years of experience as you, and I believe we're the same age, though my training is almost exclusively in taekwondo. My schools have focused almost entirely on forms (poomsae) and Olympic style sparring, at the expense of self-defense. If I were to train in a martial art purely for the purpose of getting out of dangerous situations, what would you suggest?

The very words "martial arts" mean "arts developped for war", though they tend to be severely misused (which is why we often have SPORTS like boxing, which are a completely different thing, considered as "martial arts" despite it being totally wrong).

And there is three things you can be sure of :

1) Every actual martial arts that stood the test of time is good enough, because if it wasn't, its practionners would be dead.
2) Whatever the art, the practionner himself is much more important.
3) Practice is what makes theory works.

In other words : what is the most important is you, your dedication, your mindset and your abilities. After that, just take the martial art that you feel the more in adequation with your mentality and physical abilities, and then don't be in a hurry. Like all arts, it's something you will never "master", and it will take a LOT of time to actually bear fruit.

 

[Eretz Yisrael]

Hi Park, Im been practising Taekwondo since primary school and other martial arts on and off and just recently started all over again with Taekwondo from 9th Kup.

I've been practising my skills, sparring with friends in the Dojo as well as friends practising different martial arts, but Im still a bit worried if its already too late for me to improve on my skills.

I guess I do 'mimic' a lot of other styles when it comes to free sparring, but thats a different story.

 

[Perfection]

Do you yell/grunt/make noises when kickin' dudes?

 

[Leifmk]

The very words "martial arts" mean "arts developped for war", though they tend to be severely misused (which is why we often have SPORTS like boxing, which are a completely different thing, considered as "martial arts" despite it being totally wrong).

And there is three things you can be sure of :

1) Every actual martial arts that stood the test of time is good enough, because if it wasn't, its practionners would be dead.

Ahahaha. No, not really. The vast majority of modern martial arts are rarely tested in life-or-death situations. The continued survival of a martial art today proves nothing more than the art's efficiency in attracting new students. Also, martial sports definitely are martial arts.

 

[Akka]

Ahahaha. No, not really. The vast majority of modern martial arts are rarely tested in life-or-death situations. The continued survival of a martial art today proves nothing more than the art's efficiency in attracting new students. Also, martial sports definitely are martial arts.

You answer to a post by specifically missing all the points made in it... I guess I can give a "Congratz" in a twisted sort of way...

 

[Hygro]

True, but then isn't your statement basically tautological and unhelpful in deciding what martial arts to learn if real combat is important to you?