Karate looks like fun

[Vallerina 2]

In about a week and a half, I get to enjoy a fun life again. One thing I've always wanted to do was take karate or some martial art. I don't want to be in a class with 12 year olds, though. They might beat me up. What sort of advice would you give someone in the Chicago area who is looking to take some classes but has zero knowledge of martial arts? Where do I start looking? Can anybody recommend me to a certain place?

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[wmw999 2,583]

Nothing specific, but I took karate with a bunch of 12-year-olds when I was in my 30's (my son was studing with the 6-year-olds).

It was fun, and if the school hadn't kept moving farther away, and making its hours less convenient, I might well still be taking it.

Those 12-year-old boys take awhile to decide it's OK to kick someone old enough to be their mom
Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Tonto 1]

You're going to get a thousand answers with each person telling you their system is the best.

Some basic facts.

1. Martial arts don't teach you how to fight or defend yourself. They give you a "toolbox" not a mechanic's course.

2. Harder styles (Karate, chinese boxing (or Kung Fu)) are easier to learn at first, but less effective than the softer styles (Tai Chi, Akido) after 20 years of training.

3. Choose a style that suits your lifestyle. If you can't do 6 ft leaps and full splits with power, don't do an arial style like Tae Kwon Do, but choose something more grounded like Wing Chun.

4. If you want to learn to defend yourself - do "Model Mugging" or "Impact" as it is sometimes now known as it focuses on boundry setting as well as the emotional aspects of personal conflict - and where to find the committment when the chips are down. Training can be emotionally harrowing though.

PM me if you want to chat about basics, but I'm nowhere near Chicago!

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[murrays 0]

I've been going to Muay Thai Kick-boxing for 7-8 months. Our classes are a lot of fun..the tunes are blasting..and it's not as formal/structured as other martial arts. Classes are a great combination of stretching, aerobic activity (skipping usually) and learning/practicing combinations and techniques. Suits my personality and schedule as there are a lot of classes and I go to the ones that fir my unstructured life. I've dropped about 8 pounds, am stronger and way more flexible. I feel 10-15 years younger (I'm 51) and it has vastly improved my outlook on life. It's worth taking a look.


I think any martial art will benefit you, choose the one that works for you.

--
Murray

"No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets." - Edward Abbey

[SDiver218 0]

I'm not from Chicago, so I can't give you any help in determining where to go, but I can give you some general advice, considering the fact that I've spent years training (kickboxing (western & Muy Thai), pancrase/shootfighting, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu).

I assume that you would be looking at training to learn self defense (correct me if I'm wrong). In that regard, you have some options. You can take a course specifically designed for women's self defense, which will give you the basics of defending yourself from attackers. Its mostly a hodge podge of techniques from different styles. Its a good course if you only want the basics, and if you don't want to devote much time to training, but all you will learn is a few techniques for specific situations, and it is much better to learn self defense on a more fundamental level, where you can absorb a styles basic principles and apply them to any situation instinctively. IMO, if you are willing to devote the time and energy, you will be better served by delving into an effective style fully, then by just taking a weekend self defense class for a month.

If you decide to devote the time, the next step is to determine what style to train in. Each style emphasizes different qualities and approaches. Karate is a generic term referring to a large variety of styles that primarily emphasize the "hard" skills of punching and kicking, such as Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo, Shotokan, Goju-ryu, kickboxing, and boxing. So-called "softer" arts: Jujitsu, Judo, and Aikido emphasize close-in combative arts that prepare you to escape from holds, take an attacker down to the ground, and immobilize him with joint locking arts, nerve pressure and organ striking techniques. Then of couse you have the hybrids - schools that teach a mixed combination of the "hard" and "soft" styles. Examples would be pancrase, Jeet Kune Do, shootfighting. These are typically your more effective methodologies, as you won't be stuck with one style of fighting.

For my money, I believe the most effective form of self defense is to find a place that combines a style like kickboxing (western or thai) with a healthy dose of ground fighting (Jujitsu would be a better choice for a woman than judo, IMO). I wouldn't go to a place that specializes in women's self defense, because those classes are generally less intense than if you actually trained with 'the boys'. The way I look at it, if you can skydive with 'the boys', you can certainly train with 'the boys', instead of learning in a sanitized three hour women's defense course.

One more thing, spend some time researching before you commit to a school. Talk to many instructors...most will offer you an introductory class. Take the class, and see if you feel comfortable with the intructor and the rest of the students. Ask the intructor what he/she thinks about other styles. IMO, you don't want an instructor who thinks his/her style is superior to everyone elses. Anyone who says that one style is better than all others is dead wrong. You're better served with someone who is able to teach effective techniques from a variety of styles, particularly an instructor who can tailor your instruction to your body style, flexibility, fitness level, etc.

Lastly, make sure you challenge yourself, and don't just blow through training. Just like skydiving...commit to learning this stuff to the point where its instinctual. It may save your life someday.

If you would like to know more, just let me know.

Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin

Ah that's just drunk talk, sweet beautiful drunk talk. - Barney Gumbal

[Michele 1]

I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Yes, Tonto, I can do splits (all three ways), with power...but not the 6 foot leaps. Rather, my personal development showed I was a very flatfooted fighter - meaning I didn't do any arial fighting, and tended to not "bounce around" (that hurt my boobs). I was still very effective.

Val, here's what you need to find.

1. A studio which teaches in a style you can learn in regardless of form. Observe - watch several different schools -and feel the "vibe". Each school will be different...find the one you are more comfortable with. Watch the class you intend to take - see what the teachers do, how they communicate.

2. Most schools have adult classes. It is hard learning with 6 year olds.

3. Don't be pressured into going into a black belt program. Most places (here, at least), will allow you to go month to month.

4. Be prepared to have a whole lot of fun.

I didn't start until I was in my early 30's. I was in my first tournament 3 weeks after I started...and won. Dunno if it was because I was so aggressive (kept chasing a 6'1" lady out of the ring...finally told her to stay still so I could kick her! LOL) or because I was good, but that was fun. My final record was 22 tournies, 1 second, 20 firsts, and one where no one would fight me in the finals, so I took the whole division uncontested.

I didn't get my blackbelt until I was 35...and there were few things in my life more satisfying than having a 22 year old man as my sparring partner, who lost his temper and "fought angry", meaning he lost control of the fight (because he got pissed) and that allowed me to totally dominate that fight. That was fun as hell.

Anyway, you should have some fun. I know I did, and if finances/health were cooperative, I have a school I'd join right now...

Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[selbbub78 0]

I love karate. Granted i haven't taken it since i moved to New Jersey, but i know where i went, they had beginner adult classes, so they were seperate from the kid classes. It was great because karate was all about personal development. There were people there that when they started they could do a full split (which i couldn't do in the beginning), and it pushed each person to their limits, and such. It was great! It's a great way to exercise too. I hope you find somewhere, i bet you're going to absolutly love it.

"Women fake orgasms - men fake whole relationships" – Sharon Stone
"The world is my dropzone" (wise crewdog quote)
"The light dims, until full darkness pierces into the world."-KDM

[Vallerina 2]

Thanks for the thoughtful replies, everyone!

I don't really know what I want to do, and I have no idea of what would be more fun for me, but I don't really want a self-defense kind of class.

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and there were few things in my life more satisfying than having a 22 year old man as my sparring partner

HAHA! You kick ass, Michele! That was really funny!

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Take the class, and see if you feel comfortable with the intructor and the rest of the students. Ask the intructor what he/she thinks about other styles.

Thanks for the advice! I think I will do just that!

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3. Choose a style that suits your lifestyle. If you can't do 6 ft leaps and full splits with power, don't do an arial style like Tae Kwon Do, but choose something more grounded like Wing Chun.

This is the part that I'm having problems with. I really don't know!

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PM me if you want to chat about basics, but I'm nowhere near Chicago!

I don't know any basics!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[Nightingale 0]

Your profile says you're in Indiana...
dunno how close you are to this place, but its an excellent organization. I can find you some more schools if you need. I'm one of the moderators on the largest martial arts bulletin board in the world
www.martialtalk.com so I have a lot of connections in the MA world. Let me know what you're looking for, and where.

Universal Kenpo Karate Dojos
50 Professional Court, Suite B
Lafayette, Indiana
(765) 446-1920
(AKKS)(FKKE)


I would highly suggest Kenpo Karate. I did a lot of research before selecting a style, and even did Tae Kwon Do for two years, and Kenpo is basically down and dirty self defense without all the fancy stuff. Its saved my life at least once. Been training for 14 years now, but we've had yellow belts (beginners) save their lives using something we taught them the night before.

Think about it... if you have to defend yourself, do you think you're going to do a jumping spinning hook kick with your foot connecting with his head?! HELL NO!. You're going to kick out his knee and get your ass out of there, and that's what kenpo teaches.

Let me know if you need any more info.

-Kris

[Vallerina 2]

Cool! Thanks for the link! Actually, I'm basically in Chicago (I work downtown and spend a few nights a week up here.)

Thanks for the link, though! I have nothing to do today, so I'm gonna read it!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[favaks 0]

Try American Kempo. It is a well establablished and reputable art.

favaks

[PLFKING 4]

Poor Seth....the guy just can't catch a break.


Don

"When in doubt I whip it out,
I got me a rock-and-roll band.
It's a free-for-all."

[TaeKwonDoDo 0]

When I started TKD I was actually looking for a real "Karate" style school (I studied Ishynru karate for a year or so in my 20s), but once I evaluated the quality of the schools and style and personality of the instructors in my area, I'm glad I went with the school and instructors rather than locking myself to a style and then getting a boring/bad teacher/school.

We mix it up too - we focus on TKD, but also as part of our testing for upper belts includes some Escrima (sword/stick fighting), Judo and Muai Tai. And we also get trained in knife, chucks and kammas once-twice a month. See if they are tradditional (don't expand beyond their dedicated art) or expand into other arts too.

My $0.00002 the style is not what you should base your decision on - if you are going to make a long-term commitment to earn a black-belt in any art, find a place that is personable, has a friendly staff, a good method of teaching, flexible schedule, and lots of people in the class that will become long-term friends (they will become some of your best friends - much like the family you inherit at the DZ).

If you make black-belt a goal, it will take 4-5 years and if it isn't fun, it isn't worth it.

And WRT to flexability: my flexibility is shit - I can't get more than 120o on my splits (and that's in severe pain) and still can't touch my toes (when my legs are straight)... but I can hold my own (with head-kicks) in any sparring situation. You're body will learn to adapt to what it is capable of - and sometimes suprise the hell out of you (and the person you are sparring ).


- Jeff

"That's not flying, it's falling with style."

[Nightingale 0]

This is what I've already got, kenpowise, in Illinois. I'll ask around some more if none of these are close enough to you.



Academy of Self-Defense, Ltd.
Address: 22 E. North Ave.
Northlake, IL 60164
Phone: 708-409-0800
Head Instructor / Rank: Jay Larkin, 3rd Deg. Black Belt
Rob Hanrahan, 2nd Deg. Black Belt
Style: Ed Parker's American Kenpo, Paul Mills



Charatin's White Wolf Kenpo Karate
Address: 7614 Madison St.
Forest Park, IL 60130
Phone: 708-771-4425
Head Instructor / Rank: Patricia Charatin, 3rd Deg. Black Belt
Style: Ed Parker's American Kenpo


A- Academy of Self-Defense & Fitness, Inc.
Address: 3753 W. 95th St.
Evergreen Park, IL
or
9056 S. Harlem
Bridgeview, IL
Phone: 708-499-1500
708-430-3355
Head Instructor / Rank: Ray Pohl, 4th Deg. Black Belt
Style: Ed Parker's American Kenpo


Littleton Kenpo Karate
Address: 7735 Conventry Lane
Frankfort, IL 60423
Phone: 815-469-0345
Head Instructor / Rank: Jim Littleton
Style: Ed Parker's American Kenpo


Smith's American Kenpo Karate Academy
Address: 2500 Bluebird Ct., #1
Springfield, IL 62703
Phone: 217-529-3478
Head Instructor / Rank: Troy Smith, 6th Deg. Black Belt
Style: Ed Parker's American Kenpo, Paul Mills / Shaolin / Dragon

[Jib 0]

One thing I really, really didn't like when I was looking were the places that wanted a year contract, did 40 minute classes (including warm-up) that you could only go to 3 times per week out of more than twice that many offered to beginners (or pay for private lessons) and required almost monthly testing (to generate fees). I saw one owner in court suing former students over their contracts. Others teach the same thing, for the same money, have a better vibe and shorter contracts, if any, you can do whatever you want to as far as classes, test when you're ready and the owners are interesting in teaching you. Also, just because it says XYZ on the door, doesn't mean it's the same as another XYZ dojo. I trained in 2 Aikido dojos; both head instructors earned their black belts from the founder. One style was soft and spiritual; the other was harder and used more force. I don't think one's necessarily better than the other, but may be better for one person.

--------------------------------------------------
the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[skreamer 1]

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Poor Seth....the guy just can't catch a break.

Things are looking up, I hear Jessica offered him a free reserve repack.

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