anyone agree

[gt3]

I don't think that external martial arts (or any form of fighting) should be considered less effective so long as the student is trained to be fast and accurate. You dont have to be an internal martial artist to be able to defeat someone bigger than you, you just have to be able to hit their 'soft targets' (eyes, ears, throat, groin, pressure points, pull hair, bite...) Unfortunately most people think the real test of a martial artist these days is to enter one of those MMA tournaments which have rules against this kind of fighting (at least half of the above mentioned soft targets would be banned even in cage fighting competitions).

This isn't to say that having MORE advantages is bad, but by this logic it would mean IMA guys should learn firearms.

I do however think taiji can be considered superior to external martial arts from a health stand point. Training that doesnt shock your joints and organs (sure you have swimming and walking for this but you dont get self defense skills plus you gotta hold your breath a lot in swimming!)

[nzric]

Long and interesting debate. Do a search on this and you'll find a lot of threads on this topic!!

[Shadowdh]

You forgot weight training...

[Wu_W3i]

If I wanted to become a great fighter I would practice MMA/BJJ/Muay Thai/Krav Maga... Taiji is a martial art, yes, but if fighting is the only thing you want then in the same time (5 years or so) you get OK at taiji fighting you would be GOOD at most external styles if your normally gifted person etc..

I practice Taiji (I do external arts aswell tho) cause its
1. BOTH health and fighting
2. I can do it for like 15 min in the morning and get a good all body workout without really having to take a shower or get tired (acutally get me going doing my form in the morning).
3. I can do it all my life, my external practice will be lessend with time. (Well.. Gracies still do their BJJ even in high age..)

[gt3]

If I wanted to become a great fighter I would practice MMA/BJJ/Muay Thai/Krav Maga... Taiji is a martial art, yes, but if fighting is the only thing you want then in the same time (5 years or so) you get OK at taiji fighting you would be GOOD at most external styles if your normally gifted person etc..

I practice Taiji (I do external arts aswell tho) cause its
1. BOTH health and fighting
2. I can do it for like 15 min in the morning and get a good all body workout without really having to take a shower or get tired (acutally get me going doing my form in the morning).
3. I can do it all my life, my external practice will be lessend with time. (Well.. Gracies still do their BJJ even in high age..)


Good post, i totally agree

[Shadowdh]

2. I can do it for like 15 min in the morning and get a good all body workout without really having to take a shower or get tired (acutally get me going doing my form in the morning).



15 mins is better than nothing but thats just my warm up/stretching... and afterwards I need to take a shower as I am sweating alot...!! But it does get me going and I feel energised afterwards...