TKD or Martial Arts

I was just wondering how many people on here do martial arts? I personally do TKD (Taekwondo), currently a 3rd Dan and preparing for my 4th Dan testing next October. Anyways just curious.

I am seriously considering taking tae kwon do.  I toured a place by last weekend- but they want alot of money per month- you have to commit for a year but you pay monthly.

I am afraid that I will not like it or can't do it.  How long have you been practicing TKD?  I am a female and I am looking for another way to get in shape (mostly core, flexibility, arms and legs).

I work in a gym where they are going to start doing TKD for adults. I can only go to one class a week because the other day interferes with my work schedule- it is much cheaper- but I don't know that it is better or what I need.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Gina

I have been doing TKD for about 18 months and am a Red Belt.  I hope to test for Sr Red in October.  I started it for the excercise and to keep my 16 yr old son company. 

I have gotten much more flexible throughout the training, but always had a real stamina problem when sparring.  That's why I started my diet on CC in Feb.  I  finally decided that trying to do jump spin and 360 kicks while carrying 50-60 extra pounds was ridiculous.

Since dropping weight, the kicks are easier, faster and hit harder, and I can go 3-4 rounds (2 minutes each) without feeling like someone needs to have EMS on standby. 

If I can keep up my training schedule through the holidays, I should be able to reach Black Belt in about 6 months.  After that. I don't have any plans other than to continue it as a compliment to my gym workouts.

TKD is a great MA for women.  In fact, I've found that the women tend to be a little more flexible than the guys and what they may lack in mass, they can make up for in speed, which is the physics behind the application of force. So some of the "girls" are pretty tough "opponents".  Also, it helps to develop the self defense mechanism which is great for women too.

We are a Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu family here.  Hawiian/ Shaolin Kenpo type martial arts.  It's definitely NOT a sport karate.  I haven't been training for a while, but my husband is on track to earn his first Dan sometime late next year.  The kids are high-intermediate belts.

anyway... KGS is more of a MMA style than TKD.  Lots of bone breaking, ground and pound, submission holds, and multiple attacks.  My husband found out very fast that carrying 30 extra pounds during sparring was not only uncomfortable, but dangerous, even.

My daughter (14)  has been taking TKD for 3 years now -- for the first 2 years, I took her 2 or 3 times a week, but we moved away and now only go once a week.  So she is a red belt, about to test for sr. red belt.

She really likes it and I'm so glad that we decided to put the money into it.  She is very motivated to get her black belt and already has done some assisting - teaching the white and yellow belts the first and second forms (patterned movement).

I wanted to take lessons too - but didn't think my knees or ankles would stand up to it.  But I was talking with an instructor last weekend and since I've lost about 30 lbs and my knees and ankles are doing better - they're going to let me try it for a month and see if I can do it.  Daughter said, "Alright! now you have to call me ma'am!"  ha ha - we'll see. They tend to not pair up family members in the same class and especially not mothers with their teenage daughters.  :)

Go for it!

Well I have been doing TKD now for over 10 years. I do also other forms of martial arts at our school, Judo and also some Tai Chi. Though the primary one is the TKD. I have found it has helped me mentally, physically, and many other things. I think it is a great thing to get into myself because you can make amazing strides, which I did. My instructor and his wife always tell me, "We knew that you would be going as far as you could Paul." If you have more questions feel free to email me at tkdcompdude@yahoo.com

As for stopping after your 1st Dan, I don't think this is the best way but it is up to you. I have found you learn alot more about yourself than you ever had known previously until you train for a next degree of black. I have enjoyed it alot. I have made amazing friendships and learned more about myself. Good luck, and let me know if you need anything.

tkd

Me! I am hopefully testing for my 2nd degree brown belt next week, but I don't know yet. *crosses fingers*

Not that great at it at all- in fact, I'm pretty bad, but it's so much fun! I love Fridays because they are sparring days, and I love exercising there anyway! ^^

I'm still not in great shape or anything, but without it, I would be so much less fit. It also helps mentally a lot- it gave me a slightly higher amount of confidence. : )



Overall, I've been going to the place I'm at now for about 2 years. Before, I went to this totally worthless place for 2 years, but that almost doesn't count. When I was little, I was also enrolled in a completely different place. XP

So...out of 15 years, I've been enrolled for 6 years on and off.

It's so much fun- I really recommend it. However, make sure the place you go to you will enjoy!

I take tkd off an on... Currently a 2nd degree green belt

I just started ju-jitsu in the summer.  I started going one day a week, but loved it so much that I'm going two nights a week now, even though that meant having to find another running group.  I'm hoping to get my yellow (I'm just a newbie) within the next month or two.   Love it, love it, love it.

I take tang so do. Not many people have heard of it, but I've been doing it for about 6 and a half years. I'm currently a 2nd degree blackbelt. :)

Ooh! Our Sensei got his first Dan in Tang soo do.  Hats off to you.

:D Thank you very much.

Hey everyone! Currently a practitioner in Wado ryu karate started when I was about 9 years and have been training a total of about 6 years.

Shall be testing for my dan grade hopefully within the next few weeks was due to go for it on December 11th, however 3 days before I bruised my foot by kicking someones elbow(great idea) unfortunately I was in plaster for a week as the doctors seemed to think I'd cracked a bone!

Now Im full of cold so its been pushed back again but as soon as I'm better I'm going for it!

Glad to see a few other people crazy enough to enjoy punching people!!!

Currently hold the rank of purple belt in TKD, but have not trained in some time.  My husband holds the rank of brown belt, my daughter has a purple belt, and my son has earned his black belt.  We were a TKD family for quite some time, then schedules got crazy.  Now my husband and son are the only ones still working toward higher ranks.  I am grateful for the training I've had, it crosses over into many areas on one's life.  The discipline I developed has helped me to focus and lose 55 lbs. over the past 7 months.  The physical skills and body awareness enabled me to avoid getting hurt in a fall a couple of months ago -- rolled up and out of it instead of landing on my arm and busting a shoulder.  I have more confidence in my ability to defend myself if I should be attacked.  The focus and discipline helped me run my first mile today -- can't say enough good things about the training I've had.

XD A purple belt? That's cool, but weird! : P

Hopefully testing for my 1st degree brown on Friday, assuming this stupid cold allows it, and if I do, 8-12 months until black belt!! : D

I did TKD for about 9 years and earned my second degree. My favorite thing to do was weapons, especially double nunchaku. It's very good for exercise, but I had to quit when I moved because I didn't like my new instructors who taught with the same organization (American Takewondo Association). I was considering joining up with a new style or group or whatever, but it's very expensive.

My husband is a 1st dan in Kenpo. He got me in to Arnis/Staff/Iado I really like the weapons. When we train we do a lot of aerobic work outs. When I loose about 50lbs I may try Kenpo just do not feel comfortable with myself to try some of the forms.  

HEY!
My 5-year-old goes to USA Karate.  He tests for Blue Belt tonight (no belt, white belt, gold belt, green belt, purple belt, then blue).  He loves it and USA Karate is not so focused on the "eastern religiosity" of Karate, but self-discilpine, respect, and responsibility.  He loves it, and I love watching him.

www.usakarate.net

:)
Kathy

Ooo! Arnis is cool. We have an Arnis studio around here, they put on our local tournament each year.  Very interesting art form. 

oo That's really cool! I've done a bit of escrima, arnis, and kali myself, but haven't actually been to a place that totally specializes it, though a friend of mine is teaching me a bit more.

Also trying bocan, but am rather horrible at it to say the least. Any suggestions? XD