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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 10/8/2006 3:29:09 PM | Oh yeah... to further add...
Im biased to the max!
I detest kenpo karate (a bias Im sure I developed thru my shotokan sensi)...
And remember... if you are well trained, you will have a few advantages on the street (where the real battlefield and place for 'self defence'), but you can train all you want in BJJ, kenpo, TKD, whatever... and train hard enough to puke, and whether you light spar or go full tilt when you practice... in the end... if Im bigger, stronger, faster, maybe a lil luckier, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY if I want it MORE than you....
all your training, sparring practice and belts mean diddly squat.
Example:
I watched Royce Gracie's greulling training regimen prior to his fight with Matt Hughes, and he still got smoked. one reason? im pretty damn sure... royce never ONCE in his training had someone really hungry on him, who would train with him... and show him absolutely NO respect or mercy-- one who would grab him, rear mount him, and beat him like a biotch, like Hughes did-- and properly prepare him. So, not only does heart count most in the end, but, for those of you who train, try gettin in there with someone who has no respect for you, has no interest in advancing your growth, and is only really interested in smashing your face in, regardless of your belt or dicipline.
Unfortunately... my best source for that... has been on streets, where Im NOT known...
out here, in the dojo, at least, its hard for me to find many who do not respect me enough to really push me... except for a few young hotshots lookin for a name... and they never prove to be a real challenge or opportunity for growth... just a place to drop some pent up anger. And a reason to call my mom for bail and my lawyer...
back to the thread..... again... martial arts is for every one... EXCEPT for the**** and confident... they are the ones, along with strip-mall dojos that hand out dyed belts like cotton candy (i.e. pay for your belt, not EARN them), that give martial arts like karate a jaded rep. A good dojo, when asked, cannot tell you how long it will take you to earn your belts... a really good school should be able to provide you with a detailed list of the specific katas you must master before moving to the next belt; however they should also be able to tell you how many approximate hours of dojo study are a MINIMUM requirement, and should have PLENTY of kumites (ie tournaments or contests where you can spar and fight at full contact with those in your own gender, weight, and belt level) within the school IN ADDITION to contests with other schools of the same (or closely similar) Art, preferrably one sanctioned by an accredited Martial Arts organization or Federation, and contests that are RELEVANT to the individual Martial Art (by this, I mean, for example... form -kata- competitions, or weapons contests, relevant to the sport. For example... Form or technique is far more important in most Chinese and Japanese forms, and subsequent contests of profiency, as are weapons mastery, than in judo or kickboxing-- real muay thai teaches a very specific style of weapons fighting-- or BJJ). As mentioned before... it all comes down to your sensei, and not even so much the dicipline. A real ood sensei... will bring in fighters of various sizes AND STYLES for you to practice with, styles that are close, like judo/ jujitsu or TKD/karate, and styles that differ greatly). I will say, however, that although TKD may have made my feet deadly, and jujitsu my ground game and subs razor sharp... when Im weilding busted pool cue in a bar against multiple bogies on a wet tile floor.... karate weapons training was a hell of alot more useful than using, as an example, BJJ; an art that was created primarily for one-on-one contests, and has stolen the basics of japanese JJ, judo, and a few other sources, to make an art best suited for Mixed Martial Arts forums and not for street defence. Arm bars... are inaffective against multiple fighters, and taking it to the ground, in these situations, will get you bottled, stabbed, kicked and choked out, and even though you succeeded in tripping, taking down, controlling your opponent, and then finishing off your superior positioning to end the confrontation with a choke out, kimoura, and americana or KO, it wont stop your assailants buddies, or the cops, from caving in your head with a stick or giving you a nice dose of Mace..Trust me when I say this!!
in the end... as was mentioned... whatever your dicipline... PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!! And, above all else... have HEART! Fighting... is like the game free cell on your comp.... theres always a way to win... you just gotta want it more than the other perso... ya gotta be hungry and be willing to go to your full limits... without..I say again... WITHOUT[/B] THE FEAR OF LOSING OR FAILING!!! | |
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chinua
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Joined: 9/30/2005
Msg: 77 | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 11/11/2006 10:53:59 AM | | I have been involved in the Martial arts/Karate since I was 5, in that time I earned my 4th dan.. Karate is a 'Self Defense art'. if taught properly?.. the sad thing is today alot of schools are just out to make $$$.. I call them MCdojos! you just pay your fee and sail through there simple 'blackbelt program' and after a couple of years your a BB! its very hard to find a good dojo! | |
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chinua
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Joined: 9/30/2005
Msg: 79 | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 11/16/2006 5:52:54 PM | | Anyone can do it, but those who are devoted will become masters at it, those who arent and only get far through luck are the arrogant ones, I have met many martial artists who are like that, especially kids. Their parents would gripe at the instructor cause their kids were not advancing, yet I would sit there and laugh inside because I knew as both a student and as someone who also taught the little kids, I knew who the kids who were advancing and did not deserve it because they didnt work hard enough. It does build confidence to some extent, but it depends on how seriously you take your training. Working hard and taking it seriously is what will build confidence, as well as strength. | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 1/23/2007 9:56:42 AM | I took up Karate this past summer.
It was probably one of the worst times in my life... I had lost so much within just a few months. The final blow being my fathers passing. I happened by this Karate Studio where they were offering two weeks free... (You know the sales pitch) well why not then right.
Well, I have continued with it ever since (going for my fourth belt now). I never had any training before this... yes there was interest in it.. the self defense was and is a huge thing for me. But the biggest thing was the confidence building. The group of people who run the facility and who attend the classes are a mix of the nicest, funniest and kindest people. I suggest you have a look around at the different schools, see which one fits you best)
I now feel like I have found the confidence that I had misplaced, I am in better physical and for that matter mental shape than I have been in a long time and I have a blast doing it too. That in the end is the biggest thing. Do you continually enjoy it and yes I do.
I hope you at least tried it... cause you might like it. | |
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chinua
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Joined: 9/30/2005
Msg: 82 | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 1/23/2007 9:01:24 PM | I used to practice Gorin-ryu karate in conjunction with my training in filipino martial art of Arnis. I find that the way they teach karate here is kinda watered down as compared to the way they teach it in the far east. At anyrate Karate or any martial arts for that matter is good not only for your self esteem but also helps to keep you alert and in good shape! | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 1/31/2007 3:39:35 PM | Reading through the thread I think perhaps a point is being missed. To quote my Sensei "Its the martial artist not the martial art." In other words it will be up to you to get what you need from any martial art. If you are seeking self confidence through understanding yourself and personal growth on a deep level you aren't going to want a school that just teaches you how to bash each other. For example, at my dojo we try to live our lives bases upon six words: humility, compassion, honour, loyalty, patience and gratitude. Most traditional martial arts teach similar principals and, yes, this can increase your self confidence and self knowlege as much as understanding basic principals of self defence.
Some schools have lots of women enrolled and some have almost none. Don't look for a date at a dojo. But by chosing a path and sticking to it you will likely gain that self confidence you were looking for and that is very attractive to women. I'm not talking about "kicking ass" as was referred to by someone previously, but about the self confidence that comes from knowing who you are and liking who you are. | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 1/31/2007 7:45:11 PM | | As long as you are physicaly able (IE: Not in a weelchare) You should be able to take part in the martial arts. Karate is about mind, body, and spirit. If you have the right instructor and studdy the correct disipline then martial arts can improve all three of those aspects even if your fat and lack confidence in your self. Martial Arts can improve your life if you want it too I truely belive that and I have next to no expirence in the dojo. I realy do want to get back into karate. | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 8/20/2007 2:35:28 AM | I haven't read through all the posts on here just had a quick flick.
I have been practising karate for just over 5 years. My styles are Wado Ryu and Shito Ryu. In 3 weeks time I will be grading for my first black belt. I have put alot of time into it over the last 5 years including courses and training weekends.
What have I gotten from it? Well has been a fantastic way for me to stay pretty fit. We have quite intense warm-ups. It is also a good social and an excellent way to meet new people. It also has an element of discipline and you learn to focus the mind. Basically as with anything in life you get out of it what you put in. Again as in any walk of life you will always get the**** ones it is certainly not confined to martial arts in any form.
Dave | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 4/25/2008 10:19:31 PM | This is an old thread but I wanted to respond in case it lives on somehow...lol.
I want to deal with a few things, briefly;
a. MMA is a sport, its not a fighting system. On the street if you start grappling with one person looking for a submission, they other 3 guys will beat you to death. Lets make one thing clear, the majority of real fights are several people attacking one person, usually armed with edged and blunt weapons. So take your UFC shorts and go find a cage and a corner guy and be a competitor. None of this stuff is for fighting, its for MMA rules. On the street you attack everything illegal in UFC, the neck, the temple, the groin, the knees, you get the drift.
b. MMA has no longevity. I assure you that when you hit 50 years old you wont be going full contact in a cage with someone. Its a sport for young dudes and gals, and thats the end of it.
c. MMA has been placed on a pedestal, like no one else, in the history of mankind has ever mixed grappling and striking. Mixing these methods is an invention of the UFC commission. Please, give me a break. How do you think Karate was invented? You think you are the first person in the world to use a head butt, a groin shot, a choke, who tried to gain the top position and ground and pound? Please....
d. MMA is a great educational tool for people with a primary discipline in a foundation art. Pure MMA practitioners just plain suck. They use wide looping haymakers and jump onto each other like kids fighting in grade 1. But a martial artist with a strong primary focus can learn alot watching fights and respecting other styles.
Karate is a lifelong practice which yields returns many years down the road. I am 51 years old, have practised since i was in my teens, and every day I learn something new from karate practice. I dont think the same thing can be said of 51 year old MMA practitioners.
Lastly, traditional karate is very practical. Study the older moves like "to topple a folding screen" from the work of Funakoshi. In Goju Ryu katas like Seisan my first few moves consist of;
a. an arm grab
b. an arm lock
c. a forearm break
d. a release from a rear hair pull
e. a shoulder throw
So lets not diss karate just because when you were a kid you hoped it would turn you into a superman and it didnt so now you angrily reject the whole package.
I have sustained 15 fractures in my hands, broken ribs, broken toes, my Sensai had a total hip replacement, my fellow karateka have sustained lacerations to the liver, broken collarbones, lost teeth and other fractures. If you train real karate, you will have plenty of contact. Good karatekas train 1-2 years of judo or other grappling methods to learn to defend against them.
If you doubt my statements, just watch some K1 strikers from the Kyokushinkai style.
I love MMA and watch alot of it, and have cross trained it as well. But dont confuse a sport with a lifelong discipline that offers meditative practice, confidence, total core training, balance and most importantly, continous self improvement that lasts well into your 7th decade or more. If we want to kill someone, use a gun. If we want to find out who we are, practice a discipline. MMA is a great thing, dont get me wrong. But so many young people today think its the best system, and in reality its not a system at all.
And for those of you who need to defend yourselves, dont waste time on Muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, MMA or other similar arts. Study Krav Maga. | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 6/9/2008 12:18:04 PM | Anyone can do it, it's usually with time and a green belt that people get****...by the time they hit 2nd Dan they've pretty much calmed down (Due to many people kicking them in the rump). 
If you want nice people, practice Tai Chi. Everyone's pretty relaxed and happy, dude 
If you want insanity on the coffee Coffee COFFEE!!! level, try Eskrima or Muay Thai.
If you just want to do inordinate amounts of damage...Aikido. Steven Seagal ego not included. (Or suggested) | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 6/16/2008 11:18:17 AM | | Martial Arts is great for selfesteem!it's also great for self defense!I am a kenpo black belt and it has helped me alot!especially with boxing!I'm a canadian golden gloves champion!and I find studying martial arts has opened a door of understanding aswell as developing more energy!personally I'd suggest studying the arts to anyone young or old!it's my life and it has given me alot! | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 6/17/2008 5:07:14 PM | | I think that karate is something anyone can take up, especially if you are low on confidence. It allows for an easy setting where you are all trying to learn something fun, and talk about and meet people. I used to do it when I was a kid and had fun. Plus you can take all your aggression out :) Give it a try you never know! | |
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| can anyone take up karate, or is it just for the confident and cocky
Posted: 8/21/2009 5:25:22 PM | Seriously.
Take it up.
look for a reputable club and go for it.
im aware that saying "look for a reputable club" wont mean anything to a beginner, but on the whole avoid clubs that do door to door canvassing, and ones that have sepcial offers for families etc. thats my top tip for choosing an association!
Im KUGB for all those interested. | |
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He's in Shotokan karate............since about jan-feb..........
