Help

So I’m finding myself in a bit of a rut, and contemplating things to get out of that rut.

One thing that has come to mind is starting a martial art, but I have no clue about the differences and advantages of the various martial arts nor do I have any clue about how to choose a program.

Here’s what I’m trying to do:
Get more flexibility
Get better at SCA fighting
Get lighter on my feet
Get in better shape physically
Gain more discipline/mental strength

I’ve never done a martial art other than SCA fighting, so I will be coming into this very inexperienced. I would also appreciate any suggestions or ideas of what I can expect as a newbie in this arena at my age.

14 thoughts on “Help”

  1. I did stage combat last year mostly for a different take on this fighting thing but looking at yoga and tai chi this year I think. Much about the core body strength….

    1. Yoga for flexibility, strength and hot MILF’s in minivans. Cycling or swimming for cardio, weight loss and strength. Climbing, when you get fitter, for upper body strength.

      I would suggest that you focus on things other than SCA or other martial sports for a change. You can gain the strength and skills doing different activities that will easily cross over to what we do. Volleyball or basketball might also be a fun alternative to serving spagetti!

  2. You’ll hate me for suggesting it, but fencing, especially foil. It will make you lighter on your feet, give you better foot work, and better point control. I fenced in college, and I’m glad I did.

  3. I’ve always been interested in Aikido. It’s a circular or soft martial art as opposed to boxing or karate.

    Foot work is very important. You do not directly oppose your opponent but use his own energy and force against him. It’s about controlling the fight more that hitting. I’ve always wanted to try it, but haven’t yet.

    Good Luck!

    1. I second the recommendation on Aikido. I and Gerald have done it (Gerald much more), and it teaches you how to redirect your energy (instead on falling on your face, roll and come back up standing) as well as how to redirect your opponents energy (many moves use a slight side-step and turn, and then a pressure point or joint lock to strongly encourage them to go in the direction you want.)

      One thing I love about Aikido is that the moves are completely defensive. If you are not attacking me, not bringing force to me, aikido won’t do anything. However, if you are attacking me, I can redirect your energy to bring you to your knees. Once you stop trying to hurt/attack me, the holds stop being painful.

      Also, size is less important. What is important is how you move your body, not how big your body is.

      Stretching is usually a significant part of the warm-up. Practice involves using the assorted holds on one another, and if you haven’t stretched well, the holds will hurt more.

      You will get lighter on your feet, as being aware of your center of gravity and shifting your body mass at just the right time is the essence of Aikido.

      This will improve your fighting, as you will be more likely to see and be able to react to situations where a slight side-step/weight shift/turn can open up new blow possibilities.

      It is work, and you will get in shape. It is also not very likely to break you, while still having the actual physical contact of a martial art, rather than the much more stylized Tai Chi.

        1. I’m not sure, as I haven’t really learned about Judo. But I have an unsubstantiated feeling that Judo has moves which work regardless of the opponents attack status, as well as moves that redirect the attack. But like I said, I have no proof to back that feeling up.

  4. If you have a partner…formal dancing is actually a good hobby for teaching people timing, manipulating multiple body parts at the same time and to be light on one’s feet.
    And it’s excellent excercise…and you get to look at your partner without a grill in the way!

  5. like I would know…

    My youngest brother, Philip, was active in the SCA for two year, and is now into mixed marshal arts and cage fighting (he wasn’t allowed to hurt people as much as he wanted in the SCA;-P).
    His advice to me when I was thinking about starting to fight and was asking similar questions was “Philipino stick fighting”, also known as kali, or kali escrima. I could ask him if he knows of anyone in your area who teaches it if you’d like… and of course, there are youtube videos if you wanna see what I’m talking about… Here’s an example of the stick fighting:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22-pGJbI5Wo&feature=related
    At the very least, it would help if you were interested in Florentine… 🙂

    1. Re: like I would know…

      I have a squire brother that did escrima… I can kick his ass 9000 different ways, kali/escrima teaches you very little that is effective in sca combat. It might be a good get in shape thing, it is not a good “become a better sca fighter” thing. IMHO, YMMV, Take this advice as though it were being offered by a man with 9.95 fingers…

  6. “Get more flexibility
    Get better at SCA fighting
    Get lighter on my feet
    Get in better shape physically
    Gain more discipline/mental strength”

    I have not done other martial arts and I generally do not recommend them for getting better at SCA fighting. I advocate performed general fitness exercise to get in better shape and focused SCA fighting to get better at that sport.

    As a man you are designed to be strong therefore I recommend resistance training to take advantage of that. You can get quick results. Strength will help you in SCA fighting in many ways. This will also get you into better shape. Add in some changes to your diet and you will drop body mass making you lighter on your feet.

    Throw in interval cardio and you will get the quick cardio recovery that our anaerobic sport.

    Lastly I recommend stretching every single day. This is best done with yoga and similar activities. I enjoy Les Mills “Bodyflow” program at my gym.

    A regular exercise program will help to improve your discipline. The mental game I will leave to those better than me in the SCA.

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