introduction/question

[MichaelV]

Hi . . . I've been lurking around the forums here for a while; lot's of good info, for that I thank everybody that's contributed.

I'm 27, 5'7", 160 lbs (I'm muscular, not fat). I work out 15-20 minutes every morning, plus about 2 hours in the evening, 3-4 times a week. I generally do about 1 hour of running, jumping rope, heavy bag and about 1 hour of weights, although I try to change it up enough to keep me from getting bored. I'm not in excellent shape, but in "good" shape.

I have no previous experience in any MA's, and have recently become very interested in studying one (or more). Based on my research (mostly on this site), I'm very interested in mauy thai. I'd like to eventually supplement that with BJJ once I've spent enough time with mauy thai (1-2 years from now).

I've only found one local school (I have not checked it out yet, I will probably do that this week) that teaches mauy thai. The url is http://www.francisfongacademy.com if anyone wants to check it out and give me any opinions of the school based on that.

The problem is basically one of schedule. They offer classes from 8:30 - 9:30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 11-12 on Saturdays. I have two young children (I'm a single fulltime father) whose bedtime is 9:00 pm. As such, it is very unlikely that I'd be able to attend the Monday and Wednesday classes, unless I want to hire a babysitter twice a week (which I am considering). I can certainly make it to every Saturday class.

So blah, blah, blah. Is it realistic/acceptable to attend a 1 hour class only once a week and practice on my own 3-4 days a week? I would like to become proficient in the art, not merely add to my exercise routine.

If not, then I'll consider the issues involved with hiring a babysitter twice a week, or try to find another school that offers mauy thai at another time, or find another MA which is more popular, and therefore offered at a wider variety of times (probably kickboxing).

tia for the advice

[YODA]

Hi and welcome

Francis Fong is an exeptional martial artist - count yourself lucky to be with reach of his instruction - be that every day or just 1 hour per week.

[Alexander]

Hi there,
Muay Thai is a brilliant system from what I've seen of it, but it may be an idea to try several clubs in your area before making your decision as to which style to study. Generally I've found that the instructor is what makes you good and not the actually style (although that does play a part).
It is certainly viable to practise martial art with only one session per week from your instructor. But if you do just remember to stick to what you know, and not to get ahead of what you've been tought by completely ridiculus means.
Reason for this is someone I know began studying martial art in the club that I belong to and only did one lesson a week but watched a lot of films and attempted to teach himself what he saw. As a consequence his technique is riddled with errors and he is too arrogant to see this because he is good in comparison with the classe's Junior Rank. But everyone who's actually got to grips with the technique can take him to pieces as he does not realise what he is doing wrong. Sorry if that was a tad longwinded.

[MichaelV]

Alright, that's one vote for not finding another school. I'm going to leave work early today and go by there. I might not tell him that Yoda sent me, though, as I'm pretty sure that would earn me a rather odd look.

I don't think I'll have too much problem trying to get ahead of the class. I'd rather spend the week trying to perfect what I've been introduced to, rather than learn anything new and be mediocre at best. Knowing a few advanced moves is useless unless you're good at the basics.

One of the things that attracted me to the school (as far as it goes, not having gone there yet), is that they offer classes in mauy thai, bjj, jkd, and wing chun as well as kali and capoeira. I think that's enough variety that I can start with mauy thai and add other styles as my skill and attention span dictate.

I've already visited a few other schools in the area that I have not been overly impressed with. McDojo is the term of choice, I think?

[MichaelV]

I just got back from visiting the school - I was very impressed.

I went by early before any classes and spoke with Sifu Fong at some length. Wow, the man moves with such fluidity and grace, and everything he said seemed to be what I was hoping he'd say. I'm going back this evening to sit in on a mauy thai class and speak with some of the students, but I've already pretty much made up my mind.

I talked to my ex-wife about watching the kids a couple evenings a week, which she seemed to be willing to do. I also talked to a couple of friends that said they could help me out, so hopefully I won't have to resort to a babysitter very often.

Anyway, yeah! I'm all psyched up now - looking forward to getting my ass kicked.

[KickChick]

That's great to hear Michael! (BTW, Welcome to MAP!)

"Where there's a will there's a way" ... many of us here have spouses and children and lead very busy lives but still find it possible to train ... and still keep things intact (somewhat ;) )

Keep us posted!:)

[MichaelV]

Thanks, nice to be here. :)

I got back from watching the MT class a little while ago. Looked, well, it looked painful to be honest, but also like a lot of fun. I decided I had to do this within the first 5 minutes.

I'll start my first BJJ class tomorrow night, although I won't be able to make my first MT class until Saturday. Hopefully I will actually be able to physically make it through the class. I'm not in nearly as good a shape as I thought I was.

[Alexander]

Good Luck.

[hongkongfuey]

Michael,

welcome to the forums. I hope you will let us all know how your first class went.

James

[Jim]

Congrats on not only 1) asking our advice, 2) actually listening to and acting on it, 3) actually GOING TO A CLASS, but 4) actually getting back to us to let us know how things are going (unlike so many who have come before you).

Welcome to the site, Mike. I hope more wanna be like.... you ;)

[MichaelV]

Ha, ha. Everybody wants to be like Mike. I like this board - I'm going to try to stick around.

Went to my first BJJ class last night. I feel like I actually did pretty well for my first class. I alternated between getting my ass kicked and . . . getting my ass kicked.

We got to freeform wrestle at the end of the class, and although I consistently lost, I learned well enough to actually use a few of the moves we went over in class, as well as a few of the moves that were used on me. Of course, all of these were rather quickly countered, but I kind of expected that. At least I was able to learn and apply some of that knowledge quickly. I think I'll enjoy it and hopefully become fairly proficient at it.

I felt good enough that even after an hour of fairly strenuous wrestling, I still came home and did the exercise bike and punching bag for about another 45 minutes. I wish the class was more than an hour, because while it's a good workout, an hour isn't really enough to completely wear me out.

Muay Thai is tonight, although I'm not going to be able to go. That's ok, though - I'll get to spend some time with my kids instead, and lift some weights after they go to bed.

BJJ again on Thursday, I'll probably eat some potato chips and chips ahoy on Friday, then I'll finally get to go to muay thai on Saturday. I'm guessing that'll wear me out more than BJJ.

[KickChick]

Originally posted by MichaelV
, I'll probably eat some potato chips and chips ahoy on Friday,


you need to get out Mike ;) :) .... just kidding, really, don't use a move on me!!:eek:

Seriously though .... "chips ahoy"??? Famous Amos rules ... but then again you've never tried my chocolate chip MAP cookies!! ;)

Do try to stick around.... and stay as focused as you are !!!

[hongkongfuey]

Mike,

thanks for sharing your experiences. As Jim says, its nice to see someone ask for advice and then tell us how it went as well.

[MichaelV]

Originally posted by KickChick
you need to get out Mike ;) :) .... just kidding, really, don't use a move on me!!:eek:

Seriously though .... "chips ahoy"??? Famous Amos rules ... but then again you've never tried my chocolate chip MAP cookies!! ;)

Do try to stick around.... and stay as focused as you are !!!

Yeah, tell me about it. A two y/o son and a three y/o son don't make for a very interesting social life. A move . . . hmm . . . queen's knight to C3? That's probably not what you meant, huh? ;)