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Most "real-world applicable" type of Martial Arts?
- Thread starter someguy
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I beg to differ.
OK, the New Age pseudo Tai Chi that's taught "for health" isn't for fighting, but at its core it's a martial art: the man who first brought it to wide attention, Yang Lu Chan, was the chief combat instructor of the Chinese Manchu Imperial Guard. A significant number of teachers (esp. those from lineages like that of Cheng Tin Hung) still teach it as an effective fighting art. Have a look here and here for some more details.
I beg to differ.
OK, the New Age pseudo Tai Chi that's taught "for health" isn't for fighting, but at its core it's a martial art: the man who first brought it to wide attention, Yang Lu Chan, was the chief combat instructor of the Chinese Manchu Imperial Guard. A significant number of teachers (esp. those from lineages like that of Cheng Tin Hung) still teach it as an effective fighting art. Have a look here and here for some more details.
Thank you - I knew it was based on certain Martial Art ideas, but it's a slow-movement type of thing and I didn't know it was taught for self defense.
I'm closer to the other end of the spectrum. I'm looking more to avoid getting hurt.
I practice Wing Chun, which is a southern Shaolin style which emphasizes structure, relaxation and simplicity (directness). A scientific approach to fighting really, reputedly devised by a buddhist nun Ng Mui, her goal was to create a style which didn't need brute force and could be used by physically smaller or weaker people (lacking muscular strength), women generally being in this category. There's a saying in Chinese that "4 ounces to move 1000 pounds" (or something like that) meaning with the right structure and relaxation you can direct someones force either into the ground or right back at them with the added increase in energy potential similar to when a spring is forcefully compressed. Wing Chun is also one of the more lethal styles in that we focus on attacking the vulnerable parts of the body including the eyes, throat, groin, elbow and knee joints (easiest way of not getting hurt in a bad situation is to hurt the attacker). People of note that have practiced this style include Bruce Lee, Sammo Hung and one of my favorite actors Robert Downey Jr ("Iron Man"). Reputed masters of Wing Chun in the US are Augustine Fong, Gary Lam, Kenneth Chung, Duncan Leung, Randy Williams and a whole lot of others which I'm ignorant of.
Also note what my instructors have tried to drill into us. Avoid putting yourself in a bad situation (trust your intuition sometimes) and never be too proud of complying to reasonable demands (depends on how much you value your life) or running away (martial arts of any description are pretty ineffective against a shiny Rambo knife or Desert Eagle).
I forgot to include that if you have a MacBook handy you could consider throwing that at the assailant, especially if you choose the "flight" option.
Sorry guys had to include something Mac related in this thread otherwise it would just be banter.
Thanks to everyone so far for the comments and suggestions.
I haven't made it to any of the local training centers in my area yet, but I've got a few in mind that I am planning to check out. I'm not so sure any of them offer any free "trial" classes, though. I just hope I can find one that offers what I'm looking for at a price I can afford.
I haven't made it to any of the local training centers in my area yet, but I've got a few in mind that I am planning to check out. I'm not so sure any of them offer any free "trial" classes, though. I just hope I can find one that offers what I'm looking for at a price I can afford.