Weapons-only training?

Question

I've had an interest in learning to use of Sai and Katana for a while, and am also interested in learning sword fighting (I don't know much about martial arts to know the kind of sword fighting I mean... think more Kill Bill than Knights of the Round table... and yes, I know Kill Bill is fiction!). I wouldn't mind learning some hand-to-hand combat skills too, by my primary aim is in weapons, it just interests me far more. I am very physically unfit and overweight, and do not have the confidence to go to group classes. Are there UK teachers and teach on a 1-2-1 basis? How do I find reputable teachers in the UK?

I'm willing to spend time each day practicing, but how do I start? Do I need to be trained in normal martial arts first? Which genre or type of martial arts should I be looking at for weapons training?

Thanks!
Aqua
xXx

Answer 1

Hope this gets you started.

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Answer 2

Dear Aqua,
No one is too old or too "unfit" to learn martial arts. There are some schools with the attitude of the first answerer. I'm sure that if I had asked him before I started, he would have told me that I was too old. Keep this in mind when you are looking for a dojo. You will be amazed at how fast you will develop muscles and coordination, just with learning and practicing the basic forms, and techniques. It's a wonderful way to get into shape, and you will build confidence and self esteem at the same time. I was 38 when I started, competed internationally at age 40. and became a national kata champion at 42. You will be successful too.
Good luck and have fun,
Donna (nikyu-brown belt
2nd class)

Answer 3

If you want to learn to use a katana you need Ken-do. Just look in the phone book for teachers and talk to them about what you want, then go see them practice.

Warning! It takes lots of physical ability to learn to use a sword. Since the weapons you mentions are Japanese, I recommend a Japanese martial art with ties to sword-fighting: Jujitsu

You can tell a good instructor because he will look good doing his techniques even to a beginner. He will be modest and not talk about how he invented this or that or how he is the best at everything. He will discuss his rates upfront. And he will not tell you that it's all going to be easy.

Answer 4

Okay Im in the states and really can't help you out sorry. but the reason I'm writing this is in response to the first listing under your question. being a student of many styles of martial arts i find this coment stupid and uniformed. in the days before martial arts found it's way to the states most all student s first learned to fight with a weapon (espically those in the army, many troop were sent to die why spend time teaching them to fight with their hands when they are holding a spear??) this forces you to concentrate on what the body is doing, verse slacking off like so many students.

You are going to be fine learning a weapon fist, though i don't know of any schools in the uk here are a few styles that might peak your intrest.
arnis (prepare to get whacked, a filopino style of sword fighting
that uses sticks to train and spar against. though good
for small classes cause it scares everyone else away)
chi lin or sho lin gung fu (though the classes arn't usally small
you do learn a varity of weapons includign the
sword)
And many other japanese styles including Iado, kendo, Kendojitsu, and many others.

sorry i couldn't be more helpful.

Answer 5

Some of the post's here have been more concerned about your honesty about being unfit than about martial arts.

It is not about the shell but what is inside that counts last year i invited some ti chi students in to my mixed martial arts school and an eighty year old man pushed me over during a "sticky hands drill" i was very impressed considering I'm a third degree black belt kick boxer with years of experience. He made it seem so easy.

Yes i agree that many forms of the arts require a high level of fitness physically but equally there are those that require a high level of mental concentration and perfection. In working with these you will develop the discipline to be happy with who you are or make the change its up to you.

You say you like weapons and you wouldn't mind hand to hand what about the Philippine art of eskrima which works stick knife and hand to hand more or less as one developing the movements utilized in one form into the next.

Hope you find what you are looking for Martial arts is for every one ENJOY

Answer 6

If you are interested in learning katana sword fighting, you can join a kendo class. You also may join aikido class, since they also teach sword art beside empty hand technique. You will practice using wooden sword (bokken).

For your overweight body, I think you shouldn't be feel un-confidence about it. You even could loss some weight by training your sword skill.

Answer 7

Truth is you will perform better and feel better if you start getting in shape.
This will take less than a year!
Your interest in weapons training will drive your will to shape up.
Work in private,start with standard push ups and stretching.
Keep thinking about your goal,you "can" do this!
There is no one to push you,you must push yourself!
You were in shape once,time to get there again.
If you are serious about training in sword and other weapons you can muster the will to get in shape and start enjoying this wonderful aspect of Martial arts!
As a reward I will make you a wooden training sword.
Contact me after you have a program to get fit and have worked at it for three weeks.
Time to start living again! Welcome Back!

Answer 8

if you are in London then Batto Do is the Japanese sword style i have learnt with a teacher that is trained by Nacamora in Japan the Islington school of yoga has a web site that is run by my teacher because learning yoga to warm up is the best way to ground and centre yourself and bring focus to your sword training obviously i cannot give out any names on this site. the way of the samurai will definately be a very amazing experience and they go to Japan for sword cutting competitions once a year you can also learn one to one with this teacher.

Answer 9

You want a japanese style if you want to learn a samurai type weapon. Kendo is good, or aikido, but it takes a long time to master aikido.

Kung FU (chinese) has LOTS of weapons you prob never even heard of and can be quite fun and VERY good exercise. I wouldn't discount it right off the bat.

Answer 10

ok well here r some sites/.... i recomend joining some club that uses swords or watever to practice and u can learn ... theres also a 2 week camp were u can learn to b a ninja!! no its not some crappy kids camp either .

Answer 11

hey xXx
first of all try to make your body by jogging and jogging and jogging
it will help to get ready for martial arts
then search for a teacher