Self Defense

  • Thread starter Thread starter jimmy
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I was fortunate enough to study Aikido with an instructor who dispensed with the philosphic/religious baggage, but I would only recommend studying this art if you find an instructor who will do likewise.

You could study the art that Aikido is derived from: ju-jitsu. I would recommend this and guess what?..Wrestling! The reason for this is that both of these emphasize ground-fighting skills, which is almost always going to happen in a the kind of scraps one is actually likely to get into.

Scott
 
I strongly recommend that you study the Brazilian martial art known as Capoeira.
 
Whwn I was younger I learned to box and my self esteem soared. I later studied the martial arts and learned that if yu could easily break someones arm you would almost never do it. The better fighter a person is the least likely they will be to fight.
 
40.png
Isidore_AK:
No offense taken. i just favor Kenpo Karate for the practicality of its style…and its no-nonsense view of self defense. Martial arts are an awesome way to defend yourself, but many of the styles have taken a tournament/sport mentality. If you fight in real life like you fight in a tournament, youre dead.

And yes. Aikido is probably the best defensive art out there in its pure form (and I don’t have anything against Eastern philosophy either, as long as you don’t mistake it for the True faith…).
Click to expand...
I agree, the “softer” styles are always more effective (IMHO Thi Chi is the most effective). However, they take a lot of time and energy to get proficient. I found Kenpo to be the quickest to learn and practical style. For a sport I prefer Judo. There is no significant holding back in matches.

I have not taught my boys any of these. I have only taught them to never back down, never be afraid of a kid without a weapon, but don’t ever start a fight. Note: my kids live in a pretty benign neighborhood.

Oh, BTW I practice the oldest form of self defense: RUN AWAY:D
 
I find the best style to be the style to be wrestling. Wrestling focus’ on positioning and being able to get someone into a position where they are at a disadvantage. If you can take someone down to the ground it is much easier to control the situation.

Not all people know how to wrestle but there are many styles that incorporate it into the technique as much as possible. I would say that Jujitsu and shootfighting are probably the best of the styles of fighting that anyone can learn. Judo is another style that is pretty good.

These styles are good because they take wrestling and teach you how to wrestle a little plus they teach you some other techniques like arm locks and leg locks and other submission holds.

I think this is a problem with the styles of Karate. They are focused on fighting where all circumstances are equal to both fighters. That is not always optimal. If the antagonist is bigger and stronger than the defendant then the defendant is at a severe disadvantage even if he knows karate.

The forms I spoke of above take this factor out of the equation somewhat. While it might play some part in the issue, it is not as big of an issue anymore.

If you want to see this you can watch the old UFC fights. Some of them are brutal but they show what styles are the most effective. The winner of the first five was a man who was in brazilian jujitsu, Joyce Gracy. Then after that they were either shoot fighters or wrestlers who won.

One reason why it is important to know how to fight is because if you know how to fight, you are less likely going to need to fight. The tougher you are the more people will respect you and leave you alone. No one wants to embarass themselves so they probably won’t pick on someone who can handle themself.
 
40.png
jimmy:
Should a parent teach his child to defend his honor and to defend himself if in a fight?
Click to expand...
To defend his/her (or another’s) physical safety? Yes.

To resort to physical violence over “honor”? No.
 
I think that having some form of self defense is very important. Especially since running away is not always an option. There were several girls in high school that were beat up by other girls, one dropped out and one was put in the hospital. Although the womens self defense classes are great, I wish I had learned more of how to fight off other girls. The guys I can deal with as long as there is no weapon involved, but girls fight dirty.

Kat
 
I like Aikido because of the philosophy of it. One of the first lessons you learn is that the best form of self-defense is to avoid situation where you might need to fight. It’s easy to defend yourself when nobody is attacking you! Aside from the obvious, there are some forms of martial art out there that encourage bravado. You don’t do yourself any favors by going out and looking for trouble, however, most of these schools are few and far between. The second lesson I learned from Aikido is one that has stuck with me and been of more value in my every day life than any other lesson I learned (outside of Catechism :D)). The lesson is this: “The student has no opinion.” THe moral of the lesson is, if you want to LEARN, shut up and let the teacher teach. The only way that knowledge is transfered is when one party is in broadcast mode (the teacher) and one party is in receive mode (the student). If the student, by subjecting himself to his own opinions, goes into broadcast mode, then he cannot learn. Imagine if the disciples of Jesus kept jumping in with their opinions during the Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are the poor of spirit…” “But Jesus, I thought poverty was a curse…” It would have turned into a debate rather than a sermon.
40.png
KittyKat:
I think that having some form of self defense is very important. Especially since running away is not always an option. There were several girls in high school that were beat up by other girls, one dropped out and one was put in the hospital. Although the womens self defense classes are great, I wish I had learned more of how to fight off other girls. The guys I can deal with as long as there is no weapon involved, but girls fight dirty.

Kat
Click to expand...
 
40.png
jimmy:
I find the best style to be the style to be wrestling. Wrestling focus’ on positioning and being able to get someone into a position where they are at a disadvantage. If you can take someone down to the ground it is much easier to control the situation.

Not all people know how to wrestle but there are many styles that incorporate it into the technique as much as possible. I would say that Jujitsu and shootfighting are probably the best of the styles of fighting that anyone can learn. Judo is another style that is pretty good.

These styles are good because they take wrestling and teach you how to wrestle a little plus they teach you some other techniques like arm locks and leg locks and other submission holds.

I think this is a problem with the styles of Karate. They are focused on fighting where all circumstances are equal to both fighters. That is not always optimal. If the antagonist is bigger and stronger than the defendant then the defendant is at a severe disadvantage even if he knows karate.
Click to expand...
You are speaking to the points I made much better than I could. I also studied Karate and think it’s great and would not disparage it or say that it is useless for self-defense; but I think punch/kick styles are designed with the idea of scoring critical hits on your opponent, which you can’t really do without exposing yourself to the same. In the kinda of “street” scenario the original poster is describing, I don’t want to score blows, I want to survive.

Also, we are not talking about learning a martial art in order to take out Israeli commandos, we just want to be able to fend off the average untrained scuffler. Most of these guys are going to be shovers and punchers. If you try punching you are fighting on his terms. Rudimentary self-defense can teach one to avoid a critical punch, so if they guy really wants to hurt you he is going to have to get in close which means grappling and probably one or both parties on the ground. This is where training in grappling/ground-fighting pays off.

Scott
 
The ‘Ki’ in the middle of Ai-ki-do is the same as ‘Chi’ as the Chinese call it. Ki is the demonic spiritual energy cultivated by ‘internal’ martial artists.

Is this power the Holy Spirit? No.

What does this leave aside from the demonic?

As for those who are recommending Groundfighting make sure you learn how to fight standing up first and foremost. I study Brazilian Jiu jitsu but it is always preferable to take one’s attacker out in a couple of seconds with high quality boxing / punching skills.

You won’t find a better martial art than Krav Maga. It’s got the lot: punching, kickboxing, self-defence as in breaking holds, chokes etc, defences against knives and weapons and some groundfighting too. I do believe its the best martial art that is widely available in America.
 
40.png
dalcent:
The ‘Ki’ in the middle of Ai-ki-do is the same as ‘Chi’ as the Chinese call it. Ki is the demonic spiritual energy cultivated by ‘internal’ martial artists.

Is this power the Holy Spirit? No.

What does this leave aside from the demonic?
Click to expand...
I have never had any problem finding Aikido, TaiChi, Yoga, Archery instructors who do not teach spirituality. Without such teaching there is nothing demonic.
 
NO ONE can defeat L’lap Goch… the famous Welsh matial art of Llap Goch., whereby you take out opponents before they’ve even thought about picking a fight wih you, kinda like the ultimate pre-emptive strike. Just walking down the street, see someone and clobber them. they no longer pose a threat.

but seriously…
“Too much horsing around with unrealistic stances and classic forms and rituals is just too artificial and mechanical, and doesn’t really prepare the student for actual combat. A guy could get clobbered while getting into this classical mess. Classical methods like these, which I consider a form of paralysis, only solidify and constrain what was once fluid. Their practitioners are merely blindly rehearsing routines and stunts that will lead nowhere.
I believe that the only way to teach anyone proper self-defence is to approach each individual personally. Each one of us is different and each one of us should be taught the correct form. By correct form I mean the most useful techniques the person is inclined toward. Find his ability and then develop these techniques. I don’t think it is important whether a side kick is performed with the heel higher than the toes, as long as the fundamental principle is not violated. Most classical martial arts training is a mere imitative repetition - a product - and individuality is lost.
When one has reached maturity in the art, one will have a formless form. It is like ice dissolving in water. When one has no form, one can be all forms; when one has no style, he can fit in with any style.”
-Bruce Lee

When Bruce Lee was asked which form of defense was most likely to prevail in a tournament, he responded “American Boxing”

I personally think a Heavyweight Professional Boxing champion would destroy any martial artist in the world.
I took Aikido for years, as an exercise… it’s only practical for self defense at the highest levels of expertise. if your not an aikido master, sorry to break the news… but you’ll get your butt handed to you on a silver platter by any decent street fighter.
when my niece was 7 i started teaching her knee strikes to the groin, eye gouges and pressure point takedowns… i’ve been teaching that little girl some of the dirtiest street fighting imaginable for the past 6 years… i feel sorry for any boy who tries something not so honorable with her… he WILL be in pain… no belts, no formal dojos… just pre-emptive merciless ruthless and absolutely mind-blowingly aggressive attacks.
(i find it much easier to carry concealed weapons (licensed of course with almost every NRA shooting course offered taken and certified))
 
40.png
JamesD:
I have never had any problem finding Aikido, TaiChi, Yoga, Archery instructors who do not teach spirituality. Without such teaching there is nothing demonic.
Click to expand...
Can you give me an explanation of what Ki / Chi is then please?

Also, I thought all Yoga classes started with Surya Namaskar, the Sun Salutations. Yoga is pure paganism.
 
40.png
thechrismyster:
I personally think a Heavyweight Professional Boxing champion would destroy any martial artist in the world.
Click to expand...
Years ago that may have been true, but today heavyweight boxing is a sideshow barely removed from the choreographed hijinx of professional sports entertainment “wrestling.”

– Mark L. Chance.
 
40.png
thechrismyster:
"Too much horsing around with unrealistic stances and classic forms and rituals is just too artificial and mechanical, and doesn’t really prepare the student for actual combat. A guy could get clobbered while getting into this classical mess. Classical methods like these, which I consider a form of paralysis, only solidify and constrain what was once fluid. Their practitioners are merely blindly rehearsing routines and stunts that will lead nowhere.

I believe that the only way to teach anyone proper self-defence is to approach each individual personally. Each one of us is different and each one of us should be taught the correct form. By correct form I mean the most useful techniques the person is inclined toward. Find his ability and then develop these techniques. I don’t think it is important whether a side kick is performed with the heel higher than the toes, as long as the fundamental principle is not violated. Most classical martial arts training is a mere imitative repetition - a product - and individuality is lost.

When one has reached maturity in the art, one will have a formless form. It is like ice dissolving in water. When one has no form, one can be all forms; when one has no style, he can fit in with any style."
-Bruce Lee

When Bruce Lee was asked which form of defense was most likely to prevail in a tournament, he responded “American Boxing”

I personally think a Heavyweight Professional Boxing champion would destroy any martial artist in the world.
I took Aikido for years, as an exercise… it’s only practical for self defense at the highest levels of expertise. if your not an aikido master, sorry to break the news… but you’ll get your butt handed to you on a silver platter by any decent street fighter.
when my niece was 7 i started teaching her knee strikes to the groin, eye gouges and pressure point takedowns… i’ve been teaching that little girl some of the dirtiest street fighting imaginable for the past 6 years… i feel sorry for any boy who tries something not so honorable with her… he WILL be in pain… no belts, no formal dojos… just pre-emptive merciless ruthless and absolutely mind-blowingly aggressive attacks.
(i find it much easier to carry concealed weapons (licensed of course with almost every NRA shooting course offered taken and certified))
Click to expand...
I agree that a boxer would destroy a karate or tai kwan do person but I think that wrestling(real wrestling, not WWE) is the greatest form of defense. It is rare that a fight will stay standing, it will usually endup going to the ground.
 
I study the ancient Chinese martial art known only as xing-xing-bang.
 
40.png
Almeria:
There’s a form of martial arts that uses your opponent’s strength against himself (I don’t know the form’s name off-hand).
Click to expand...
Besides Judo and Aikido (both of which are fine), there is Ju-Jitsu. It teaches you to defend yourself and subdue an opponent, but not necessarily harm him.

Ju-Jitsu is not as commonly taught in the West as karate, but if you can find a good teacher it is well worth the effort.

I was tormented by bullies as a child, while my dad told me to “just ignore them”. Trust me, that didn’t work. When dad finally taught me to fight and I fought back, the bullying stopped immediately.
Bullies don’t want to fight, they want to torment. If you fight, they go away and look for easier prey.
God bless you,
Paul
 
I did not take the time to read all the posts, so there may be irrelevant, or repeated ideas here…

I am a martial arts instructor, and I must say that I think martial arts is a WONDERFUL thing for children to experience. Yes, there is definitely the act of defending one’s self, but MORE IMPORTANTLY is the other things they learn: discipline, courtesy, integrity, self-control, perseverance, respect for self and others, a sense of accoplishment, goal setting. I think I shoudl clarify a little though…It is a good idea to teach your children self defense, but there is something that doesn’t really get transferred when you’re being taught by your father (or mother). You know kids get into that point where they don’t always believe or accept or pay attention to what mom or dad says. I think this should be taught from a martial arts school.

I’ll throw my two cents in on the “which style is the best” too. I am a practicioner of Taekwondo. However, if you’re looking for the best self defense martial art, you’re not going to find it. It doesn’t exist. EVERY martial art has stylized techniques and such. That’s why it’s called a martial ART. Yes, there is the self defense aspect, but there is also the art aspect. Obviously every martial art teaches self defense, but what do you do when that self defense isn’t applicable. What does Taekwondo person do when you hit the ground? What does a wrestler do when the other person punches or kicks them? You have to have some of everything and none of everything (and I wax philosophical)!

As for trained martial artists against others…I’ll put my money on a trained practicioner of Tai Chi over any other trained martial artist out there!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top