Martial Arts

[Jewcrew]

Because not everything we talk about has to be political in this forum.

I take and teach Krav Maga, with a little bit of Wing Chung mixed in to add some punching (which I don't think I'd ever use in a fight).

Krav Maga was founded in Czechoslovakia by Imi Lichtenfield during the rise of Naziism. It was designed to quickly teach Jewish civilians had to fight effectively and brutally against roving Nazi gangs. It was later taught to the Paritzans. Post WWII/Shoah (Holocaust), it was moved to Israel and became the official martial art of the Israeli Defense Forces. Aspects of Krav Maga have been widely incorporated into the hand-to-hand teachings of organizations all around the world, including police, military, special forces and clandestine agencies. Krav Maga isn't a static martial art and will change if necessary, always preferring usefulness and effectiveness over tradition.

When I've spoken to people that have spent years to decades learning numerous martial arts, every single one has created their own system and these systems are nearly identical to Krav Maga (which was the point in its creation, to shorten the time it takes to get to this system by simply skipping the stuff that doesn't actually work in a fight or are dangerous to use in a fight). I like Krav Maga because it teaches you quickly and effectively to be able to fight and defend yourself, including defense against armed attackers, including knives, bats or clubs and guns.

Anyway, what martial art(s) have you taken? Tell a little about its history, and what your favourite aspects of the martial art are.

[Samuraikoku]

I do Ansatsuken, Bushin-Ryu, Shin Tenpu Kosai-Ryu, kickspamming, and recently I've taken up boxing.

[Primo Victoria]

A decade and a half of Kempo, two years of Jujitsu, and 8 years of SCA.

Kempo taught me the basics,

Jujitsu is paid for by the station,

and SCA is more fun than i should be allowed to have.

[Gaveo]

My mom had a black tip belt in Taekwondo. And now I might do Taekwondo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taekwondo

[Cill Airne]

I have taken classes in Bata (Bataireacht) the longest, four years in total. After this, I have taken Taekgyeon classes, for two years. And finally, I have taken T'ai Chi classes for nearly a year now.
Ultimately, though, I am best with Bataireacht and enjoy it immensely.

[Ovisterra]

I used to know Karate, but now I only do Foil and Epee Fencing.

[San Thomas]

I briefly did Judo, but I switched to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which is historically direct descendant. It's a style of grappling which focuses on ground fighting, and like Judo, the training emphasizes sparring against a resisting opponent. The philosophy is that most fights end up on the ground, so that's where the training should focus too. Apart from the difference in focus, the greatest difference to Judo is that the rules are less restrictive, and you can for example do leg locks, shoulder locks and neck cranks, which are all forbidden in Judo.

My motivation is that it's great exercise: Few minutes of rolling is enough to get met soaked in sweat, and just learning to pace yourself without getting submitted is a feat in itself. Also I think the mechanics of different submission holds, escapes and sweeps are really interesting. When I was still doing Judo, I used to love every time we practiced mat technique, but I never really got a feel for the throwing game. Eventually I just decided that BJJ was a much better fit for me, since nearly every practice is mat practice.

[Salandriagado]

Twelve years or so, kickboxing.

[Jewcrew]

I do Ansatsuken, Bushin-Ryu, Shin Tenpu Kosai-Ryu, kickspamming, and recently I've taken up boxing.

I'd love to discuss how you fight with you, what your primary strikes and defenses are. The addition of boxing into the mix could make for an interesting fighting combination.

[Jewcrew]

I briefly did Judo, but I switched to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which is historically direct descendant. It's a style of grappling which focuses on ground fighting, and like Judo, the training emphasizes sparring against a resisting opponent. The philosophy is that most fights end up on the ground, so that's where the training should focus too. Apart from the difference in focus, the greatest difference to Judo is that the rules are less restrictive, and you can for example do leg locks, shoulder locks and neck cranks, which are all forbidden in Judo.

My motivation is that it's great exercise: Few minutes of rolling is enough to get met soaked in sweat, and just learning to pace yourself without getting submitted is a feat in itself. Also I think the mechanics of different submission holds, escapes and sweeps are really interesting. When I was still doing Judo, I used to love every time we practiced mat technique, but I never really got a feel for the throwing game. Eventually I just decided that BJJ was a much better fit for me, since nearly every practice is mat practice.

A lot of Krav Maga's ground fighting comes from Jiu Jitsu, so I can appreciate the art.

[Jewcrew]

A decade and a half of Kempo, two years of Jujitsu, and 8 years of SCA.

Kempo taught me the basics,

Jujitsu is paid for by the station,

and SCA is more fun than i should be allowed to have.

I'm not familiar with SCA. What does this mean?

[Samuraikoku]

I do Ansatsuken, Bushin-Ryu, Shin Tenpu Kosai-Ryu, kickspamming, and recently I've taken up boxing.

I'd love to discuss how you fight with you, what your primary strikes and defenses are. The addition of boxing into the mix could make for an interesting fighting combination.

Depending on what I'm using, but my favorite is Hadoken. *nods*

[Risottia]

I practice Intimidating Glare, Extreme Immovability in Face of Onrushing Riot Police, Curbstomping the Nazis, Creative Use of Ordinary Items to Cause Pain, and Evading and Parrying like Crazy.

[Cantalon-Escchelaria]

I am a practitioner of Tae Kwon Do. Over the years I have been able to rise to Second-degree Black Belt.

[Malshan]

Twelve years of a mixture of aikido and bushido (third degree black). At the same time, side studying of Muay Thai for three years and an adaptive combat course based in bushido for six years (first degree black).

[Natty Narwhal]

Kenpō and Krav Maga.

[Cannot think of a name]

Took Kenpo, sucked. Took fencing, sucked. Took some other martial art I forget the name of, sucked. Took Tai Chi, loved it but I was taking it from a flaky guy in a park. Also, I sucked.

Since then I have adopted the art of "don't piss people off to the point they want to hit me," have found it profoundly effective.

[The Black Forrest]

Is it "real" KM?

Everybody is teaching it now as it's the current fad.

Me. Over 4 years of TKD and still going.

I would mind White Crane but nobody teaches it near by.

It's funny but an "ancient" Chinese fellow suggested I study it as it would suit me.

[Zeppy]

Kick you in the balls and run-aki.

[Sedikal]

I do
Wrestling (freestyle and Greco-Roman)
Judo
Taekwondo
And sambo

[Jewcrew]

Is it "real" KM?

Everybody is teaching it now as it's the current fad.

Me. Over 4 years of TKD and still going.

I would mind White Crane but nobody teaches it near by.

It's funny but an "ancient" Chinese fellow suggested I study it as it would suit me.

Yes, it's real Krav Maga. My instructor's father learned from the progenitors of the martial art. If you don't believe me, I can always demonstrate in person.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Various, but I'm best in taekwondo (which I used to teach) and Gatka.

[Marcurix]

I've taken Karate, Judo, boxing and Taekwondo over the years. I still practice Judo and boxing regularly. Throw in some street fighting, improvised grappling and some off hand training in Close Quarters Combat.

I'd really like to go learn Karate in Okinawa though, then I'd be happy.

[Jewcrew]

I've taken Karate, Judo, boxing and Taekwondo over the years. I still practice Judo and boxing regularly. Throw in some street fighting, improvised grappling and some off hand training in Close Quarters Combat.

I'd rally like to go learn Karate in Okinawa though, then I'd be happy.

You would be so fun to cross-train with.

[Samuraikoku]

I'd love to discuss how you fight with you, what your primary strikes and defenses are. The addition of boxing into the mix could make for an interesting fighting combination.

Here's a kickspamming/boxing combination!