From: naldrett@bcarh893.bnr.ca (Steve Naldrett)
Subject: Re: How to choose a Martial Art discipline?
Reply-To: naldrett@bcarh893.bnr.ca (Steve Naldrett)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 20:27:37 GMT

In article <og7NiB1w164w@student.business.uwo.ca>, gsteen@student.business.uwo.ca (Garnet Steen) writes:
|>      I have been interested in the Martial Arts for years (no, not the 
|> movie garbage, but the defence, physical fitness and mental discipline 
|> aspects) but now that I am ready to get involved, I have no idea where to 
|> start.  I picked up a couple of magazines, and they are like comic books. 
|>  I think they must be primarily for wanna-bee tough-guys or something.
|>      One of my problems, is that I have no idea what the REAL differences 
|> between Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jude, Aikido and all the other forms are 
|> (excuse any spelling errors).  I also don't know what the diffence is 
|> between "schools" of Karate, say, are.  Like, what is Kenpo Karate?  
|> Finally, how do you choose a school to learn at?  
|> 
|> gsteen@student.business.uwo.ca (Garnet Steen)
|> Western Business School  --  London, Ontario


Here are a few suggestions, but this is only from my limited
experience.  Every school varies somewhat, and many fit in to
more than one category, but these are what I believe to be
the main emphases of some MA's.  If anyone can add to or correct
this list, please do so.
(P - primary focus of MA)
(S - secondary focus, ie. taught, but to a lesser extent)

1. Reason for studying martial art?

   a) Physical fitness: (all in one way or another)
      Intense:
      P - tae-kwon do, karate, judo, kung-fu
      Moderate:
      P - tai chi, aikido

   b) Self defence:
      P - aikido, aikijitsu, ju-jitsu, kung-fu
      S - tae-kwon do, judo, karate

   c) Sport (ie. tournament competition):
      P - judo, tae-kwon do, karate, kendo
      S - kung-fu

   d) Mental training:
      P - tai chi, iai-do,
      S - all others

2. Type of art desired?

   a) Soft - redirect opponent's energy using soft, flowing motions,
             and very little of your own energy, control opponent 
             through leverage and balance
      P - aikido, tai chi, aikijitsu??, kung-fu

   b) Hard - stop opponents energy with your own, direct blocks, 
             kicks and punches, break boards, etc.
      P - tae-kwon do, karate, kung-fu, kendo

3. Means of striking, or defeating opponent?

   a) Kicks and punches:
      P - tae-kwon do, karate, kung-fu

   b) Throws, twists, sweeps, locks:
      P - aikido, aikijitsu, tai chi, kung-fu, judo, jujitsu
      S - tae-kwon do, karate

   c) Weapons:
      P - kendo, kenjutsu
      S - kung-fu, tai chi, karate, tae-kwon do

4. Gentle or Crush-and-Maime?

   a) Gentle (protect yourself without hurting opponent):
      P - aikido, tai chi

   b) Crush-and-Maime (beat opponent into quivering, broken,
      bleeding mass):
      P - all others?? 8-)  <- note smiley before flaming please!

5. Anything else?



Some MA's, like tae-kwon do and kendo have international
organizations which regulate them, and are therefore the
same almost anywhere you go.  Others, like karate and kung-fu,
have hundreds of variations on styles, are not necessarily
regulated, and you have to choose your school carefully
as you sometimes find crackpot instructors who will do you
more harm than good, and are only in the business to make
money.  (This can happen in any MA, but more likely in the
unregulated ones.)

As for the differences between styles within an MA, you
can spend a lifetime trying to learn all that.  There are
also a lot of other MA's that I don't know anything about,
and haven't included here, so perhaps some better
informed netters can add to or expand this list.

Steve
--
naldrett@bnr.ca --------------------- My opinions only.
Bell-Northern Research Limited, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada