Martial Arts...Pretend I Know Nothing!?

Question

I am very curious about studying some sort of martial art. I have no idea what, but everything I am hearing about tai chi sounds appealing. I know there are many many arts out there and I would have no idea where to start looking. Hoping that someone who knows their way around can help me figure out what would suit me best based on why I want to study.

I am really going for that mind body spirit connection.

I am hoping to improve my concentration, attn span, relieve some stress. I also want to help balance my emotions a bit, I have a hard time with anger and depression.

I am hoping to get in much better shape. I have just quit smoking, have a lot of weight to lose, and I am dealing with back pain. I also have weak ankles and lots of previous sprains.

I'm not so into the whole fighting idea in and of itself...as in self-defense, etc. If that comes with the me-vs-me part, then that's fine.

Also hoping that it is easy to find a teacher in the N Houston suburbs.

Thanks

Thanks for your interest in my question everyone. I have a lot to think about. I have heard that martial arts can help with a lot of things...and I am hoping my expectation is not too high. I am hoping to get some hands on experience very soon.

A side comment for New B-Boy. I added you to my network and read some of your other stuff here. I don't know why but your answer to this question was very touching. Not the most info packed answer but you seem so kind and helpful, like a really nice person... I hope I run into you again somewhere!

Answer 1

Yoga and Tai Chi, as mentioned above, sound like good ideas for you.
If you are really attracted to martial arts per se (Tai Chi is a martial art, but it hardly ever is taught as such any more), you might like Aikido.
Aikido might be a little rough on you if you have sprains, because it involves ankle postures and wrist bends that are unconfortable to most people at first, but if you explain you'd rather not do certain things for medical reasons, instructors are usually understanding (And if they're not, you don't want to study there) and will allow you not to do certain things. Actually, slowly getting into those positions might improve any medical conditions as Aikido develops flexibility.
Most Aikido dojos also stress the philosophy of the art (Aikido roughly translates as the way of the loving Ki) and is strongly oriented to the mind/body/soul connexion.

Answer 2

I tended to always excel in martial arts where there was NOT a 'one size fits all' method of teaching. By that I mean that the art-form molds itself to you, not the other way around.

Arts that are NOT traditional in nature, tend to better take into consideration an individuals' body type, skill, and overall ability more than arts that ARE traditional. Practitioners of traditional arts MUST all learn and practice techniques the same way, independent of the attributes stated above.

You should also seek out an art that is in-line with your personality. If you are not a fighter, or don't have that 'aggressive type personality', perhaps you should not join a Muay Thai gym.
I would, however pick something that is practical, like Kenpo. I've heard people say that they only want to study martial arts to 'get in shape', or to relieve stress, or for the 'spiritual connection'.

I believe that you should primarily study a martial art for the purpose of learning to defend yourself. Getting in shape, or relieving stress should be by-products of training to learn to defend yourself. If those are your only goals, then you should just join a gym.
If you have weight to lose, and are wanting to definitely take martial arts however, you should also engage in some sort of aerobic activity (outside of the dojo). Losing weight will also cause you to lose some of that back pain. Good luck!

Answer 3

try a few different ones.get your self a criteria of what you want and try different ones until you find 1 or 2 you like.the things you need to think of first are availabilty,locality,cost and suitability think about style and the things you want after that.hers a bit of info that may help.
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>dont sign any contracts most classes give free trials so try a few before you decide,pay per class if you have to until you get an idea of what you want.

Answer 4

Tai Chi incorporates both effective self defense, and that mind body spirit connection you were talking about, i would highly reccomend this, but there are 2 main tai chi styles.

Chen Tai Chi: Original Tai Chi, Has more self defense
Yang Tai Chi: More modern Tai Chi, focuses on fitness

Answer 5

From a aggressive attitude, it somewhat is a outstanding of passage. once you ultimately income the muscle potential to break a bone, knock somebody out, or the administration to kick a cup off of someones hand or head, those are seen as milestones in Martial Arts. From a self secure practices attitude, it somewhat is large. She is gaining the potential mandatory to guard herself from attackers. it could basically be in her leg potential now, yet arm potential will stick to. As a ensure, you may make stronger the coaching you have already given her that scuffling with is, and could continuously be, the very final hotel. this could be sufficient to maintain her from wanting to test her new chanced on potential on her classmates.

Answer 6

I suggest Ron Van Brownings Trainers Elite
Much more than I can explain
Look in the yellow pages
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then go to the Fun Links page
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Answer 7

Tai Chi is the thing for you. Also you might want to try looking into Aikido. Both of these are what you are looking for and are very interesting.

Answer 8

This isn't a martial art but yoga sounds like what ure lookin for to me. If you aren't into the fighting aspect then i'd say that yoga would be good, but i don't do yoga so i don't know for sure. my mom does it and sais it works really well for her, and she is getting increasingly less stressed.