Hello and questions :)

[joyseau]

Back when I was in the booj they never told me not to exercise, and did in fact encourage it. It could just be that class or something. Even still, take it from an ex-ninja, keep as far away as possible.

[inufreak1]

“	Originally Posted By: Ymer Hi, I just came across this forum and as I am right in the middle of trying to get in shape and into martial arts, I decided to join. Right now I am working out pretty hard and going through a diet and I want to start with martial arts. I am really undecided between Ninjutsu, Muay Thai and Kung Fu (Shaolin/Choy Lay Fut or Northern). I am definitely going to stick with whatever I choose for at least the next 10 years, probably more, so I'd like to make the right choice. Right now I am rather overweight, so that should be taken into consideration as well, but that will go away soon. What would you guys recommend? Thanks	”

I guess it depend which one seems like the one for you.
There's a form of marshal arts for every fighter.
I would check out the dojo's in your area.

If the Dojo has a lot of discipline that good, because they'll work you hard and the weight will fall off. Make sure that the Shogun and the Dojo is serious you know make sure they're not in it just for the money or they might baby you, and that's never good.

Oh yeah, Welcome to dragons list Ymer.

[Ymer]

Hey,

This is really great, thanks for all the replies!

I think that, in the end, I'm taking Kung Fu 3x a week a boxing twice a week. But I will visit the Muay Thai dojos this week as well anyway.

Are there any Kung Fu styles that should not be considered at all?

Thanks!

[inufreak1]

“	Originally Posted By: Ymer Hey, This is really great, thanks for all the replies! I think that, in the end, I'm taking Kung Fu 3x a week a boxing twice a week. But I will visit the Muay Thai dojos this week as well anyway. Are there any Kung Fu styles that should not be considered at all? Thanks!	”

good choice.

[Mei Hua]

“	Originally Posted By: Ymer Hey, This is really great, thanks for all the replies! I think that, in the end, I'm taking Kung Fu 3x a week a boxing twice a week. But I will visit the Muay Thai dojos this week as well anyway. Are there any Kung Fu styles that should not be considered at all? Thanks!	”

Study any KF that teaches you practically and realistically

[Seh]

Yeah.
Like Shaolin.



Nah man, good choices. Good luck on your journey.

[Doughboy]

“	I think that, in the end, I'm taking Kung Fu 3x a week a boxing twice a week. But I will visit the Muay Thai dojos this week as well anyway.	”

Sounds great ! Just don't overdo it between KF and Boxing. Make sure to rest on your days off.

You asked what other styles of Kung Fu ? But what style are you doing 3x a week ? CLF ?

You will find that certain concepts are going to be different, or even conflicting, between KF and Western Boxing. Especially with regards to footwork and stances. Don't fall into the ma politics trap, and feel blessed that you are getting the best of 2 worlds. That was what my KF teacher told me when I asked if it was ok if I learned another style of MA as well.

At the same time, if you want to learn from the KF guy, and he tells you to use low stances, you can't go telling him every time he tells you to lower your stance, "but in boxing you use light raised stances that are never fixed". A good teacher probably won't take offense to that, and there are better times to ask these questions ( before or after training time ). What I'm trying to say is, if you want to learn from someone, respect their system/material. Keep an open mind, and if you find that you simply cannot agree with what you are doing anymore, then it's time to move on to something else.

[aaradia]

Greetings Ymer. Just thought I would throw out the minor point that Choy Li Fut contains elements of both Northern and Southern styles of Kung Fu. So you can mix the Northern and the CLF in one fell swoop. But I am obviously biased!

I know others may think this goofy, but I found the "Martial Arts for Dummies" book to be really good in giving me thinking points in what to look for in a MA school and a particular style. You don't need to buy it, go to your local library. (Again showing my personal bias)

Doughboy once again gave excellent advice (there is a reason he won member of the month twice in a row) I would only voice a minor difference of opinion that you don't need to pay a lawyer to read a contract IMO, but you DO need to read it carefully. In particular, make sure of the clauses regarding if you move or are injured. Get any clarifications you ask about in writing. Don't sign a longer term contract until you are absolutely sure 100% that you will be just as thrilled with your school and using your membership during the whole length of the contract. Otherwise, go for the month to month places. (I do the contracts, but it isn't for everyone.)

Also I echo what others said here. Commit to doing MA for 10 years, but don't feel tied to a particular style. As long as you make the commitment to getting healthy and being dedicated to the MA of your choice, feel free to explore until you find the one you love.

Finally, don't worry about being out of shape. If you commit to your MA, that will change. I lost about 35 pounds and had lots of people asking me what I did. The look of disappointment that my answer was " lots of martial arts workouts and eating better." Seems they wanted me to tell them of some magic pill or special easy diet. I find that I naturally want to eat better when working out. It becomes a natural by product of the MA.

(p.s. I was very lucky, I walked into a school I always passed by. I KNEW the first 10 minutes into my first introductory class, it was exactly what I wanted. Years later my passion for CLF/ Tai-chi and my school has only gotten stronger.)

“	Originally Posted By: Ymer Hi, I am definitely going to stick with whatever I choose for at least the next 10 years, probably more, so I'd like to make the right choice. Right now I am rather overweight, so that should be taken into consideration as well, but that will go away soon. What would you guys recommend? Thanks	”

[aaradia]

One more thing, since I started off in poor shape and overweight, I can relate to changing your lifestyle.

Really be careful to move into being more fit carefully, so you don't get injured. You sound really gung-ho and excited which is good, but nothing dampens enthusiasm like injury. It will take time if you are not starting out as someone already athletic (and maybe age is a factor? Are you older or younger?) Don't think you can match the low stances of advanced students right away. Build up that leg strength to get there!

And be sure to not skip up warming up and stretches. I see so many new students who don't warm up properly.

Like my first teacher told me "martial spirit, not martial stupid." (Some of the best advice he ever gave me.)

[Doughboy]

“	that you don't need to pay a lawyer to read a contract IMO	”

I agree with what you are saying. I just want to clarify what I am saying a bit.

There are lawyers that will do it for free. For example, friend of a friend, or relatives, or in-laws, pro-bono, etc.

There are lawyers here who will represent someone for free who cannot afford it. They are listed in the Yellow Pages. There are also some lawyers/accountants who do small stuff like this for very small fees on the side of doing bigger work.

Or maybe someone who has more experience with contracts at your office can look it over for you. The secretary at my last animation job did that for me once. It wasn't for MA, but had nothing to do with that company either.

A simple contract can be looked over by yourself. Hopefully most MA schools will have a very simple contract.

However, I have been given quite a few contracts in my life, that I had to take home to look over before signing, and had to look up a lot of words, and get some help from my father understanding certain things.

The most important thing, is, don't sign something if you don't understand it.

Aardia,

I am still a bit overweight. But I am at least at a point, where I just can't see how the fat will stay on anymore, unless I were to lame out and quit. I'm doing 1 hour a day solo exercise 5 days a week. And once a week sparring/partner work for about 3-4 hours. If I lose 10 more Kilos and get a little more muscle definition, I will be at my short term goal.

I would probably lose quicker if I was eating like a saint. But, I just can't. Sorry. I love burgers n s***. I have always eaten lot's of good stuff as well. Lots of veggies, fruit, nuts, etc. But I will totally eat a bunny chow, or a steak today if I feel like it. I drink fizzy drinks, but also lots of water and juice. The one thing I did stop doing was snacking on s***. I still snack whenever I want, but for a snack I always look for a healthier option. Since I've been doing more serious exercise, my body has started demanding things. The one day, I just had to get this Ceylon/Berry Iced Tea stuff I'd had a few months before somewhere random. My body just started demanding it ( like NOW! ), and when I got some, it really felt like there was something in there. Some mineral or something my body really wanted. My eating habits aren't that great, but I can't live on rabbit food, my friends. Life is short and food is wonderful . Plus a tiny bit of flab won't hurt to absorb the gut shots my sparring partner loves dealing out so much. He's like a freaking gut punching chain gun.

“	martial spirit, not martial stupid.	”

I like that.

I also recommend the Red coloured Tiger Balm ( strong ), for treating sparring related injuries ( ie: bone shock and bruises ), and for deep heating pulled or cramped muscles. Like mentioned by aardia, not skipping warm up and stretching will avoid a lot of pain later on. Especially in winter !!

As an added tip. Bas Rutten, on his training tapes, recommends to also stretch a little bit after any power training ( striking the heavy bag, weight lifting, etc. ). He said it will enhance your overall power gain from the session by quite a bit and relieve any tension built up from the exercise.

[aaradia]

Oh jeez Dougboy, I got in a lot better shape, but I still have a stubborn few pounds I would like to lose. I didn't mean to give the impression I started Kung fu and am now in perfect shape.

I also eat a lot better than I did, and a lot healthier than many I know, but I could do better.

As for the contract thing, thanks for clarifying. I just didn't think people should get put off from a school they like because they could not afford a laywer.

[Doughboy]

I can't afford a lawyer. LOL.

[Ymer]

I can't afford a lawyer either, lol

Anyway, thanks so much for the precious feedback. I'm glad I've posted here. I'll stay around from now on.

I've decided on Kunf Fu + Boxing because my gym has boxing classes included in the monthly fee, and the instructor is pretty good. I figured it didn't make much sense to take boxing and muay thai.

So in the end it's gonna be kung fu twice a week and boxing twice a week. I'm starting next monday, very excited aboot it :P

Thanks again

[Doughboy]

have fun

[Jade_Dragon_03]

Avoid Ninjutsu. I do kung fu and enjoy it a lot. I also work on my wrestling & BJJ skills. I like kung fu the best though. Kung fu, wrestling, and BJJ are all good though and they all three will help you get in better shape. I would recomend kung fu to start out in then after maybe a year start cross training.