What style of Martial Art do you practice, and what are it's strong points?

Question

I practice Isshinryu Karate, which is quickly learned, traditional (8 kata) but still effective with strong and unique striking techniques as well as some torite. (grab, pull and attack)

Cool. Never heard of Sang Doo though.

Lee: Yeah, my lineage of Isshinryu doesn't have the 45 Kumite though I have seen many of them demonstrated.

Answer 1

Like you, I also study Isshin-Ryu, but the lineage that I hail from have almost 30 kata instead of just eight as well as the 45 kumite of Tatsuo Shimabuku. The system is strong in punches (using both chincuchi and gamaksu), multi-purpose techniques, throws, joint locks, traps, pressure point strikes, and some ground work. It has served me well and helped save life and limb a couple of times.

I also train in Tamiya Ryu Iaijitsu, a 425+ year old sword art. What's not to like about swinging swords and cutting things into small pieces?

Answer 2

I don't think that breaking as a training method is all that great. Unless you're doing multiple breaks every time you train, it won't really "toughen the striking tools". Such "toughening" is caused by micro-fractures in the bones that, when healed, become more dense. Unless you're using impact to create micro-fractures on a regular basis, any benefits you get will be temporary. Hitting other striking tools, such as the makiwara, heavy bag (punching bag), or wall bag on a regular basis for an extended period of time would be more beneficial to this process than breaking a board every now and then. I also think the accuracy and power of a technique can be tested on the kicking shield, focus mitts, heavy bag, double-end bag, or Thai pads without the need to waste money on construction materials that don't get used for their original purpose. All the striking pads I listed above are reusable, and with a good "feeder" are great for developing the attributes you're describing. The only thing breaking is good for, exclusive to it, is a "wow, that's cool" factor. A PSI meter on a heavy bag is a better indicator of power than breaking some pine boards, but actually shattering something is more visually impressive. It's great for demonstrations because of that, and gives the student a visual, if somewhat inaccurate, idea of how powerful they are. I say inaccurate because, unless you're fighting someone made out of boards and bricks, the sensation to using your techniques on a person isn't the same. People are very durable, composed largely of water, and have far more curved surfaces than straight lines. The perfect inanimate object for breaking techniques would be a ballistics jell dummy. In the end, not a fan. I've seen some awesome demos, but for the attributes you're trying to build, modern striking equipment works better, lasts longer, and is cheaper in the long run.

Answer 3

I am belted in Youn Wha Ryu TKD, which, as the legend goes, is made up of alot of other styles/stuff. So it isn't all traditional TKD and we always did alot of other neat stuff and cross training. We also took some upper belts to work on BJJ and did some ground fighting as part of regular training.

I would like to explore tai chi and aikido too, but its never convenient to do so.

I like what I've learned because it is effective both for keeping attackers away with the kicking and punching and you also have some kind of response for the ground fight as well. Although, I would always rather not grapple with someone if given the option to end it quickly.

Answer 4

I study Vovinam. its pretty fun
Its simple and easy to learn yet it is pretty effective. It is a blend of many martial arts (mostly viets) and includes a range of combat including wrestling. it was used against the french and in the Vietnam war. Everything is simple at first but there are some cool moves. One signature move of Vovinam is the leg lock to the neck and force the opponent to the ground hard to explain just youtube "vovinam leg techniques".

Answer 5

Kajukenbo - Americas first mixed martial art. It was created by five blackbelts from different styles. They kept what worked, and left the rest behind. It is a mixture of Korean karate - tang soo do (KA), judo and jujitsu (JU), kenpo (KEN), and Chinese boxing (BO). It was created for straight forward - nothing fancy fighting. For more info on what some people call the most brutal martial arts style, go to http://www.kajukenboinfo.com/

Answer 6

I actively practice MMA, Krav Maga, and Judo.

My MMA blend is Muay Thai, Boxing, No Gi Submission grappling, and Wrestling. The strong point is I get to train in every range of unnarmed combat. Additionally I get to train and spar at high levels of intensity against skilled fighters. I go to specialist (a boxing gym for my boxing, a BJJ gym for my Jitz, and work muay thai, no gi, and mma sparring at my MMA gym).

Krav Maga: I actively train it as much as I can, I have gone to seminars by Levine, and studied in Wingate, as well as done Seminars put on by Wingate in Israel. I haven't been to Israel in about 2 years, but I am hoping to go back next spring. The bonuses to this art is that it is alive, fast paced, and focused on realistically dealing with some self defense issues not addressed in MMA or Judo. It has realistic disarms, work with improvised weaponry, and high intensity sparring.

Judo: I train with two former Olympians, my Coach is a 3 time Olympic Alternate, and well connected. We have produced many National champs and still take time to address some of the old Judo methods such as leg locks, punches, etc. Great training, highly realistic training that allows you to spar at 100 percent speed and intensity.

I have also completed 4 Tactical shooting (Advanced Skills Handgun, Tactical Pistol 1 and 2. and HK Pistol Operator) courses with Blackwater USA at their facilities in Myock, North Carolina.

Above ALL other things I have studied, the most useful for self defense has been the Blackwater courses. If you are in a conceal and carry state, it is an absolute must in my mind for you to take some realistic tactical shooting courses, one that teaches stress shooting, rapid response shooting, speed shooting, as well as low light shooting. Just owning a gun and having it on you is great, but reality is even if you are an avid shooter and go to the range once a week, you will learn SO much from a shooting course that addresses things you never thought of, and teaches you true instinctive shooting under stress.

Other than that I have spent a year or two in various arts, picking up anything I can. Done some full contact stick work, little bit of this and that. I try to educate myself on as many Martial Art things as I can.

Answer 7

I practice Aikido.

Strong points are you develop excellent balance. You learn you don't necessarily need to apply a lot of strength to be efficient. I also like that Aikido teaches controlled force, so you have a lot of options before escalating to the most painful (and damaging) thing you know to try to dissuade someone.

Answer 8

I used to practice TKD (8 yrs), but switched to BJJ and Krav Maga. Everyone knows BJJ is for ground, but Krav is a no BS fighting style. No points, just self defense against single/multiple attackers, weapons, etc.

Answer 9

I study Ninpo because it's challenging, practical for self defense and is so historical. My favorite parts are the meditations and energy techniques we practice. There's a poem we begin each class with in Japanese and it just centers me and moves me. It's an amazing art! I love the Bo-jutsu too...

Answer 10

Jeet Kun Do - Combines different styles

Sang Doo Kung Fu - Deadly reversals

Filipino Stick Fighting - Hit people with sticks