Suggestions for Grappling Schools and Self Defense?

Question

I've been looking for some suggestions for schools of grappling and self-defense. I've come to the conclusion that, for the most part, I generally just don't like hitting people. I won't claim to be a pacifist, but I typically finish things rather than start 'em!

I had a little training in Hapkido from an instructor of a different art before I moved to a different city. Now, I'm in Dallas and basically starting over. (My old Sensei didn't have any suggestions for this area.)

What other arts would you folks recommend for grappling, joint-locks, or other related submission holds? I'm less interested in striking, etc. Physically, I'm large, heavy, and like to lift weights. Knowing I'm stronger than most people might help explain my aversion to hitting people, lol. It makes me overcautious in training.

Chewtoy

Answer 1

If you like wrestling, Brazilian Jujitsu is an abvious choice. Great for self defense and very little striking.

If you are more interested in the spiritual aspects of the martial arts, then Aikido is the ultimate pacifists art. Effective only after years of training, Aikido has no striking, and works in fluid, circular motions that render an opponent helpless, ideally without harming him.

So: jujitsu more realistic and easier to learn, Aikido more peaceful.

Aikido also teaches sword and staff techniuqes if you're into that.

Answer 2

I think your best bet is to find a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu school in your area. Most of these schools will teach you both jiu-jitsu and submission wrestling (pretty much the same thing as jiu-jitsu without the formal gi and belts). Both of these are considered to be the most effective form of grappling today. In fact, you'll never see a mixed-martial arts fighter that doesn't include techniques from these disciplines as part of his training. They simply wouldn't last very long in a ring without it.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission wrestling incorporates the most effective take down techniques found in traditional wrestling and also judo, with a focus on controlling your opponent once on the ground and then moving to the joint-locks and submission holds that you mentioned.

Keep in mind that although it is extremely practical and effective, its not a complete discipline. You should learn some striking forms of martial arts too if your goal is to be a complete fighter. If its not your goal then don't worry about it. I too had an aversion to striking and of course getting hit back. Even just a year or two of kickboxing though would help out tremendously. You'll quickly lose some of the anxiety you feel now with striking. Its good to push yourself outside of your comfort zone a little.

Answer 3

I would also say that Aikido sounds like what you are looking for. I would not agree that it is less realistic than Jujuitsu, just different. Jujuitsu uses techniques that take both fighters to the ground, where as Aikido redirects the attackers energy and keeps you standing up. I also disagree with the idea that it takes years for Aikido techniques to be effective while other arts offer instant gratification. Virtually every style of martial art offers techniques that are simple and effective from day 1. The higher level throws of Aikido do take years of practice to develop, but there are much simpler joint locks that can be applied with about an hours worth of training.

The best advice is to check out the schools in your area and see if what they offer matches what you are looking for.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I agree with alot of the answers that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is great for grappling but I tend to lean towards Submission Wrestling. To me BBJ you lie alot on your back and might wait for your opponent to give you at a chance for an attack where Submission Wrestling uses amatuer wrestling as an attack to get leverage for your submissions/joint locks/chokes and be more pro-active.

Good examples of Submission Wrestlers are Erik Paulson and Josh Barnett. I also studied Russian Sambo, Fedor Emelianenko's and Oleg Taktorov's styles and it feels more natural than Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Try what's out there and go with what feels more natural for you.

Answer 5

You could try Aikido - it is a soft form martial art very similar to Hapkido. It is the japanese equivalent of the korean hapkido. Aikido is a softer and gentler martial art that doesn't involve a lot of punching or striking or kicking. It is basically a defensive art that uses the attacker's energy against himself without you using much of your own energy. It is my favorite, since I have a lower back problem, and I don't like to pick a fight. It is considered a gentleman's martial art.

Answer 6

You could try Seven Mountains Kung-Fu. Master Phaun teaches self defense and other diciplines. He is world famous for his style(Spirit Fist). Go to the website and check it out. He is located in Philadelphia though. My Husband studies there and will open a school in California. He is a year away from his Red Sash. http://www.sevenmountainskungfu.com/

Jenna

Answer 7

Most traditional martial arts are good, though some are too flashy for real self defense. I wouldn't recommend anything Americanized such as most karate taught in America, it's been censored. I would recommend a martial art meant for self defense, and not war. Some examples would be Gracie Ju-jitsu, Aikido, etc, but if you want something extremely effective, but may seem brutal I'd recommend Hapkido, Krav Maga, or Muay Thai.

Answer 8

gracie backed jiu jitsu school