9 December 2010, 9:41 am
I have been currently trying to find a martial art that appeals to me and would appreciate feed back in trying to find the correct path to follow.Here is the deal. I am 42years and have no desire to fight in the ufc. I am not against sparing but have no career type of aspirations. I am a former smoker so i dont have the greatest endurance in the cardio department. It is not that i dont want to change that but would hate to become discouraged early because i can not keep up. I have some boxing experience and love it. I am just looking for something new and to add a regular practice. I suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, so i am looking for something that will engage my mind and body. I would like it to help manage stress, depression, and anger as well. I am not to big on wearing a uniform although history and tradition appeal to me. Here are a few things i have seen and like and dislike. Please tell me if I am wrong or right in my study and observations. I like the idea of wing chun as a style that comes from a center line and the general theory of operation. I like that it uses striking. I like that it is easy to learn but will require time to perfect. What I dont like is how it appears to be a very up close style. I am 6 foot three 180 lbs with long limbs. It seems this style better fits a smaller person and i should use my limbs as a asset in creating and using distance. It also seems impossible to train at home alone in my free time without a large investment. Jeet kune do seems to me you would want wing chun prior to studying. Taekwondo and karate appear to have large sweeping strikes that seem great for ending early but really have very little application as a defensive style against other fight styles. It appears to be a great work out but to really only be effective in a studio with other students. It also appears to be much more formal. Tai Chi appears great for stress and meditation but not really a fighting exercise. jiu jitsu and akido appear to focus more on throws and submissions and little to no striking which I really enjoy. It is ground fighting that I think will require alot of flexibility I am unsure I have at present. It does from appearance have a meditation base and connection to samurai code that I am fascinated in and trying to incorporate into my life. Muay Thai along with mma and American kick boxing appears to be more focused on the sport and physical conditioning that I like but less with character development. Sorry to spend alot of time typing but I really want to choose wisely and I am unsure how correct my understanding is. Many of the places I have access to want a financial commitment of at least a year. I really dont want to waste my time or money. any advice or correction in what I have seen would be appreciated.... Read More »
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