I want to try a new martial art?

Question

I am a brown belt in Shotokun Karate, and I am interested in trying a new martial art! I found a Kyokushin Karate club that is free, does anyone know how similar this type of karate is to Shotokun? Also, does anyone take Jujitsu? Any suggestions for other types of martial arts?

Answer 1

well I agree with the freestyle Karate opinion that BUSHIDO has presented. Less looking good while you practice and more functionality under threat. it has come from his personal experience, not someone else's, or a friend of a friends experience. at least there is an explanation for his answer, not just a one sentence recommendation.

As for me, I would go for Muay Thai. If you are doing one type of karate another one would only be more of the same with a different angle. Muay Thai is nothing like traditional styles of kung fu or karate themed martial arts.

no belt system, and it has an extensive use of elbows and knees in close quarter fighting. it aims to severely injure the platform (legs) of the opponent, and this is effective outside the training environment. there is ample chance to compete full contact. because the techniques are not as fine (or fancy) as in other arts, they are easy to reproduce when under the fear and stress of real fighting. no need to learn 200 moves when a few good ones can ensure your opponent is in a lot of pain.

but this is from my personal view on what we should be taught and why. I loved it, and would recommend it to anyone who feels they need a fresh perspective. so if you want a change from oranges, dont try another citrus, try a totally new fruit. its good to subject your beliefs to cross training, for without it how can we know what is effective or not, except by getting into real trouble.

you wont be a better martial artist by staying in teh same art forever, you only get better at the same old same old. broaden your horizons, and never cry over what might have been. as the Nike add says: Just Do It!

Answer 2

First, I have to agree with gretsch 16. It makes no sense to begin a studying new martial art at the brown belt level. Unless there is serious reason to change, such as an abusive teacher, your current school closing, or you have been kicked out of your present school, you need to continue with what you are doing at least until 2nd Dan. Remember there are ten degrees of black belt, first Dan only means that you have a good grasp of the basics.

If you feel that you must change the art you study or add an art then I recommend following correct protocol. Talk to your teacher first. Humbly inform him/her what you would like to do, why you wish to try a new art, and get your teachers blessings. This approach will go a long way in developing and/or maintaining proper respect between you and your teacher. At this point your instructor may even suggest an art that will complement what you are studying.

If your sensei gives you the go ahead but does not have a good suggestion, providing you do not wish to switch gears altogether and study one of the internal Chinese arts, I would recommend studying something from the Philippines. The Escrima type arts are very complete and realistic in their approach. The weapons training is superb and the principles are transferable to empty hand applications. As an added bonus the principles and techniques are battle tested thus very applicable to a real life situation. Those I have personal experience with are: Balintawak, Escrima, and Doce Pares. You do not state where you are located, but an instructor I can recommend is Mr. Gary Myers located in Richmond, VA.

If you wish to stick with Japanese style then I would recommend Aikido are Judo. No real personal experience here with these arts but what I have read they would seem to make a good addition.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Why would you want to change Arts at this point when you are so close to dan-rank. I have done that once and now 20 years later wish I had stuck it out in that Art. Though My case was very rare at the time, I was a red belt in Tang Soo Do and in the Summer of '88 a good friend of mine asked me to go with him to his Tae Kwan Do classes. Vern was preparing for his dan test and his two instructors did not care as long as I did not wear any school colors, I agreed and in 6 months I made It to brown belt in TKD. Vern passed his test and went onto becoming a Police Officer.
In that summer I attended two Korean Karate Schools 6 days a week and stayed with TSD but left after my 2nd dan do to work, birth of my son, etc. Later I went back and was not welcome so I moved on.
For the past 10 years It's been Kenpo Karate, awesome self defense techniques, truly a devastating Art.

Answer 4

A good well rounded style would be freestyle Karate.You will learn stand up,ground,grappling and weapons.What a lot of people don't understand is that freestyle Karate is about practical street defence not who can kick the highest or punch a pad the hardest.It's definitely not a sport martial art like TKD or BJJ.The motto of my style is the best of everything in progression.Basically that means we don't care where the technique comes from we improve it and integrate it into our style while still maintaining tradition as do most freestyle Karate's.
The hardest thing is finding a good experienced instructor.I would recommend Bushi Kai or Zen Do Kai, but if your not in Australia or New Zealand you may have some difficulty finding some one who teaches these styles.These styles also usually have separate classes available to everyone in Muay Thai and BJJ/Submission/Shoot wrestling.If you can't find one of these i would suggest Kempo or Enshin or another freestyle Karate.
http://www.zendokai.com.au/countries2/USA/index.htm
EDIT>first of all i have done martial arts for 39 years and happen to know what i'm talking about second of all i have done many different styles and hold bb dans in a few as well as a 4th degree in muay thai and black sash in pm style kung fu.the reason this answer is pasted is because this is just a general question that gets asked over and over again.this is just my advice no one is forced to read it or take it.and this answer is my own words not copied from a web site or taken from some one else as a few ppl on this site do.if you have a more specific question i will answer it more specificly.anyone with an iq of 1 would know this.so to the big mouth under me anything else to add motor mouth?

Answer 5

I have studied Martial arts for many years and theirs one thing I can pass along. You don't really begin to learn until you have attained a black belt, then you are ready to begin to learn martial arts, then you can tackle other styles and develop amazing skills. But bounce around and you will be a jack of all styles master of none. I'm not sure of the spelling but Aiki Jitsu is an excellent art to study if its available to you. My advise find a home its not the art but what you do with it that makes you a top martial artist.

Answer 6

my dad does Ju-jitsu (black belt)it is a effective self defence system and it is what they teach the police force and the military around the world. Special features of the art includes defences against knife attacks and immobilizing techniques. Another unique skill taught to highly qualified practioners is the art of resuscitation. This technique known as 'kuatsu', was developed on the battle field where, following the delivery of a non-fatal ju-jitsu technique, rather than deliver a final killing blow, a japanese samurai would revive the injured enemy for questioning.

Answer 7

First of all, do NOT listen to BUSHIDO, that's the same answer he gives to many other questions and it's in the same words.
Second of all, no matter which new martial art you choose, do not quit your shotokan karate practise.
But you shouldn't go for Kyokushin because obviously you're looking for something new and you can't really say that about Kyokushin, all martial arts have the SAME principles but different techniques.
Whatever you choose it WILL help you be a better fighter (if that's what you're looking for) so i wont be giving you any suggestions.

Answer 8

martial art

Answer 9

Learn Kajukenbo, on top of what You already know. It will make You well rounded. Look it up at Emporado.com

Answer 10

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A Black Belt
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