06-07-2004, 05:19 PM
Hi Yrrek,
I had been doing shotokan karate for six years until my a-levels. This is a martial art that is based mainly upon heavy repetition (then again: which ma isn't), but also esthetics. It's basically divided into kata and kumite, whereas kata is the traditional way to pass on style and form of the technics and kumite is the more or less free combat against another fighter. What's special about shotokan is that it isn't about breaking boards (how embarrassing) or your enemy's extremities or knocking him out. The fight system relies on flags and points and allows only half-contact. What distinguishes this art from others sports such as jiu-jiutsu is , imho, the forming of the students character towards a peaceful and tolerant attitude. Avoiding combat with inferiors is one of the principles, enjoying it with coequals another.
I had to give up on this art though, due to lack of time. After a certain grade (mine was the second purple belt) you have to exercise at least twice a week to improve and it doesn't hurt to go on tournaments and workshops, too. Hope that's not too much of a turn off! ;)
Since you mentioned wrestling, I gotta admit that karate contains rather few throws, and is more about fist and foot jab technics. See if you like it, though.
As for the technic that Yip-Man tought to Bruce Lee before the latter went to the U.S., I believe it's called Wing Chun. Wing Tsun is the name of the martial art that one of Yip-Man's sons developed. If you want to get into the Bruce Lee thing, try out Jeet Kune Do (way of the intercepting fist) that he developed. I suggest this for advanced fighters only, though.
Greetings, Fragbait
I had been doing shotokan karate for six years until my a-levels. This is a martial art that is based mainly upon heavy repetition (then again: which ma isn't), but also esthetics. It's basically divided into kata and kumite, whereas kata is the traditional way to pass on style and form of the technics and kumite is the more or less free combat against another fighter. What's special about shotokan is that it isn't about breaking boards (how embarrassing) or your enemy's extremities or knocking him out. The fight system relies on flags and points and allows only half-contact. What distinguishes this art from others sports such as jiu-jiutsu is , imho, the forming of the students character towards a peaceful and tolerant attitude. Avoiding combat with inferiors is one of the principles, enjoying it with coequals another.
I had to give up on this art though, due to lack of time. After a certain grade (mine was the second purple belt) you have to exercise at least twice a week to improve and it doesn't hurt to go on tournaments and workshops, too. Hope that's not too much of a turn off! ;)
Since you mentioned wrestling, I gotta admit that karate contains rather few throws, and is more about fist and foot jab technics. See if you like it, though.
As for the technic that Yip-Man tought to Bruce Lee before the latter went to the U.S., I believe it's called Wing Chun. Wing Tsun is the name of the martial art that one of Yip-Man's sons developed. If you want to get into the Bruce Lee thing, try out Jeet Kune Do (way of the intercepting fist) that he developed. I suggest this for advanced fighters only, though.
Greetings, Fragbait
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