Which Style Is The Best One For Me?

[StarryEyedLass]

Hi everyone! This is my first post. I've decided to ask you, O seasoned practitioners of the martial arts, which style is the best one for me? I have recently decided that I'd like to take some martial arts classes even though I've never even set foot inside of a dojo.

But there are so many styles that I don't know where to begin! I want to study a formal style that teaches me how to be graceful and quick, and how to use weapons such as a sword or daggers or... anything, really.

I want something that teaches you how to perform flips and throws and other gymnastic-type things, and also offensive combat. I'd like to get a good workout while doing all this!

If it matters, I am a sixteen year old girl who is pretty average in every way. I weigh about 120 and I'm 5'5... I don't excersize unless you count what my school forces me to do in gym class, but I'm still in shape. I think.

Anyway, will you give me the names of some styles that offer these things? And if you don't mind would you to give me an example or two of what you've learned from the style you guys (and girls) study? Thanks in advance!

[Bleda]

If you are looking for gymnastics than you probably won't find much help on this forum since it seems we stick more to the traditional styles which don't involve flips and jumps and such since they are pretty worthless in combat. If you want to learn a weapon that is fluid and graceful though i would recommend the naginata as its probably one of the most beautiful weapons when done well.

[mystic_kendoka]

chinese wushu (not sure if this is part of kung fu or not...)
anyway, its the stuff that shaolin ppl do, i did it for a month...
its mainly hand/feet fightin but there is some sword/spear/other more insane weapons (ive seen a wooden flail once... very painful to fight against)

[Hai_hai]

Hi everyone! This is my first post. I've decided to ask you, O seasoned practitioners of the martial arts, which style is the best one for me? I have recently decided that I'd like to take some martial arts classes even though I've never even set foot inside of a dojo.

But there are so many styles that I don't know where to begin! I want to study a formal style that teaches me how to be graceful and quick, and how to use weapons such as a sword or daggers or... anything, really.

I want something that teaches you how to perform flips and throws and other gymnastic-type things, and also offensive combat. I'd like to get a good workout while doing all this!

If it matters, I am a sixteen year old girl who is pretty average in every way. I weigh about 120 and I'm 5'5... I don't excersize unless you count what my school forces me to do in gym class, but I'm still in shape. I think.

Anyway, will you give me the names of some styles that offer these things? And if you don't mind would you to give me an example or two of what you've learned from the style you guys (and girls) study? Thanks in advance!

Jogging-do

[not-I]

But there are so many styles that I don't know where to begin! I want to study a formal style that teaches me how to be graceful and quick, and how to use weapons such as a sword or daggers or... anything, really.

I want something that teaches you how to perform flips and throws and other gymnastic-type things, and also offensive combat. I'd like to get a good workout while doing all this!
Hi Lass,

Sounds like you want to be the next Uma Thurman :wink:
But seriously, just get as much info as you can from the net, see what catches your eye (try here: http://www.martialarts.org/styles/index.html), and then start looking for a dojo. Then you can ask here or better in www.e-budo.com (http://www.e-budo.com) to find out if it's a serious one, and not a fraud or mcdojo.
We don't use daggers or do flips and throws in Kendo, but it is a very graceful and quick art, and you would definately get a lot of exercise.

As Mystic mentioned, Wu Shu might be what you're looking for. It is a general term for Chinese martial arts, including Kung Fu and Tai Chi (look under "Chinese styles" in the first link). You can also get some basic info about Kendo under "Japanese styles".

Good luck!

[taiwnezboi]

what you described is definitely Wushu

basically a performance martial art.. jumping around and doing flips.. they also teach you how to use a bunch of weapons

[[Kensei 剣の聖者]]

wu shu kwan. anything to do with kung fu,

[tantadi]

Or taido, if you can find it where you live. Or capoiera.

[Jerry Wellbrock]

StarryEyedLass, Indeed you are! Oh the dreams of youth. I personally would recommend a school that offers kendo, iaido, and perhaps jodo. That should cover most of your wishes except for the acrobatics. Who am I but an old man who doesn't jump much anymore! :old_man:

[npk9]

Okay, here's the run down on Kung-fu and wu-shu since many people here don't have that kind of experience. If you're seriously into the acrobatics then application (more fighting oriented) then go with wu-shu. Wu-shu forms are the most acrobatic. Stay away from anything that says free-style because it has very little practicality behind it even though some of the moves really look cool. Traditional kung-fu has all the weapons of wu-shu and more. But with kung-fu its more practical then flashy. It really all depends on what you're looking for. What area do you live around - I can recommend a few good schools to you if you're interested.

[mystic_kendoka]

Matorikkusu-jutsu
Art of the Matrix

i bet something similar exists...

[StarryEyedLass]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! Several people mentioned Wushu so I'll go find info about that one first. I haven't been to the movies since LOTR last year, so I haven't been influenced by Uma Therman. Manga is the thing that made me want to do this. Of course I know that no one can do some of the things that superhuman manga characters do during battle scenes, but I'd like to try this anyway.


Thanks for the links, not-I! Many places claim to have the most experienced teachers and promise to make you a master in no time, so it's good to know that I can find out about different dojos here or by using the links you supplied.

npk9, I'm in San Diego and recommendations would be great!

I've heard of Kendo and Iaido before! They are supposed to be two of the most formal styles, right? Being a starry eyed lass is usually very fun and entertaining, but occasionally wild mood swings get involved and make it a lot less fun.

Thanks again.

[npk9]

Hi Starry,

Here's the link to a directory of wu shu schools which are affiliated w/the US Wu Shu Federation. http://www.usawkf.org/home.htm - I'm not famaliar w/the west coast whatsoever so this will probably be the best bet but as far as recommendations. Find the schools that are in your area and then visit them watch a class and take a few. Some of them will let you take on class for free. Go to more then one school because its all compulsory - which means that they all teach the same form because its regulated by the federation. SO the only difference would be the teaching style, price, distance from home, type of students. Sorry I couldn't be too much of help but if you have any other questions just let me know!

[jonjayjaca]

hi there,

whatever you wish to do, to have a good outcome is simply to start from a strong foundation.

choose an art that prepares for what you are aiming for. You have to stretch not just your muscles and nerves, but might as well your mind and spirit...then anything you want to have will come naturally.

Kendo is not all physical, it's mental and spiritual. You may also try Aikido. Perhaps, taekwondo.

goodluck,

jay

[StarryEyedLass]

I found a dojo! It's called the JING Institute of Chinese Martial Arts and it's certified by the CWA and the USA Wushu KungFu Federation. The instructors are seriously talented, especially Qiu DongXing who has been training since he was six years old. One student is a professional acrobatic performer while some of their students are training for the Olympics! And luckily enough, I can afford the classes! Now all I have to do is head down there and have a look around. :)

[Marine_Boy]

How about taebo?

[Knicky]

I'm partial to Sin Moo Hapkido and Kendo.

[Hai_hai]

I found a dojo! It's called the JING Institute of Chinese Martial Arts and it's certified by the CWA and the USA Wushu KungFu Federation. The instructors are seriously talented, especially Qiu DongXing who has been training since he was six years old. One student is a professional acrobatic performer while some of their students are training for the Olympics! And luckily enough, I can afford the classes! Now all I have to do is head down there and have a look around. :)

Great. This is a forum for kendo, iaido, jodo, budo, samurai, naginata, insane waza, and high-shrill kiai.

[Kishaba]

Never limit yourself on one type of martial arts. People that practice one type of martial art limit themselves in the art altogether. They become repetitive in their techniques, mere copies of their robotic sensei. Keep your horizons limitless for thats where the true strength in budo lies. Knowledge lies in all of the martial arts, not only in one type (even kendo). Before you practice martial arts for whatever reason i recommend reading books such as Miyamoto san's book of five rings, Bruce Lee's book on his very own martial art Kune Do, and others.

[npk9]

Never limit yourself on one type of martial arts. People that practice one type of martial art limit themselves in the art altogether. They become repetitive in their techniques, mere copies of their robotic sensei. Keep your horizons limitless for thats where the true strength in budo lies. Knowledge lies in all of the martial arts, not only in one type (even kendo). Before you practice martial arts for whatever reason i recommend reading books such as Miyamoto san's book of five rings, Bruce Lee's book on his very own martial art Kune Do, and others.
I agree but on the same note - one must have a very strong foundation before moving onto anything else. Otherwise if one just takes a style for a couple years and then moves on and repeats this over and over that person would really accomplish nothing. Even if they understood the application and technique but they wouldn't fully understand the theory and that is the most important.

[Zato Ichi]

Never limit yourself on one type of martial arts. People that practice one type of martial art limit themselves in the art altogether. They become repetitive in their techniques, mere copies of their robotic sensei. Keep your horizons limitless for thats where the true strength in budo lies. Knowledge lies in all of the martial arts, not only in one type (even kendo). Before you practice martial arts for whatever reason i recommend reading books such as Miyamoto san's book of five rings, Bruce Lee's book on his very own martial art Kune Do, and others.
Surely a recipe to become a dabbler! I can see why you might try a few things when you are deciding what to practice but, as the saying goes, it's not the art it's the teacher.

Also, I recommend NOT reading Go Rin No Sho before starting the martial arts. Take advice from the Hagakure: When you finish a book throw it away. Reading is for the Imperial court, whereas the Way of the Samurai is death.