blind which martial art would be best for me?

[elitegroupuk]

hi i am new to this sight i have been thinking of doing martial arts for a little while now but i am not ure which martial arts would be best suited to me i lost my eyesight about 2 and a half years ago and am now registered blind. feel i need to do something for myself i live on the south side of birmingham by the lickey hills so if anybody can suggest any particular instructors it would be great,a couple of people have suggested a couple of aikido or wing chun would be suited any help much appreciated :hat:

[Aegis]

Judo is a great starting point for most people anyway, and for the blind it makes even more sense because you can start off gripping the opponent and can do all of your techniques without having to see where they are.

Anything involving striking is going to be extremely difficult without being able to see the opponent, so a grappling art might be for the best.

[simon s]

Judo is a great starting point for most people anyway, and for the blind it makes even more sense because you can start off gripping the opponent and can do all of your techniques without having to see where they are.

Anything involving striking is going to be extremely difficult without being able to see the opponent, so a grappling art might be for the best.

I would totally agree. One of our most respected mappers (Koyo) always tells everyone to do Judo somewhere along the line.

I remember that we had an Olympic Champion from the UK who was registered blind.

[Hatamoto]

I dunno about aikido, but wing chun would probably be very good, Bruce Lee started out with that coz he had poor eyesight, I read somewhere (think he told it to something Hyams who related it in a book).

[inthespirit]

I would go with something like Taiji or some other IMA, a lot of it is based on sensitivity, awareness and balance. I think these three attributes would be of most benefit to a blind person, bar the martial applications, many of these attributes can be trained solo. May be difficult to find a good teacher, but not impossible. Check the taichi or internal martial arts sections of MAP.

Also, many of the sensitivity exercises in Taiji can be done with eyes shut and in fact your tactile sensitivity generally improves when the eyes are shut, so you may have some training advantage in this respect. In regards to balance and spatial awareness, the balance developed through Taiji does not rely on the eyes, but on awareness of the body and structural integrity developed through awareness and understanding structural balance of the body.

Hope that's of some use to you. Good luck.

[Knight_Errant]

Humph. I don't see why just because he's blind he should be restricted to unathletic eastern practices that propagate pseudoscience and mysticism. I'd say judo or some kind of grappling art. I don't think you could compete in a striking art, but grappling is much more tactile.

[Mitch]

Having watched a blind judoka train I can only say that I was very impressed with both his proficiency and how little impact his visual impairment seemed to have on him doing full on competitive grappling.

I think judo would be an excellent choice of art.

The website of the British Judo Association might be a good starting point to finding a club, Click here (http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/thesport/findclubresults.php)for the page of clubs listed by area.

Mitch

[inthespirit]

Humph. I don't see why just because he's blind he should be restricted to unathletic eastern practices that propagate pseudoscience and mysticism.

Mysticism, pseudoscience and unatheleticism in internal martial arts is only propagated by chi bunnies and tree hugers who have superficial understanding of the art. Hence I advice finding a good teacher with the help of other members via the taichi/IMA sections.

There is nothing mystical in it, nor is there any pseudoscience, nor is it unathletic, its just plain old awareness, relaxation, structure and balance training. Unlike you Knight, many members on this forum have showed up to several map meets and crossed hands with several Taiji practitioners, why dont you ask them about our athleticism, mysticism and pseudoscience. Or better yet, make an appearance yourself next time, instead of sniping cheap blows at us from behind your PC.

If you think there is mystical BS and pseudoscience in it, then you are as blind as the chi bunnies and tree hugers. All of this has been explained to you before many times on this forum, yet you persist with the same old ignorant view. Please stay on topic, stop trolling and review the TOS, your constant, ignorant bashing of IMA's is getting old.

[Knight_Errant]

I'm sorry, but how am I to draw any other conclusion about a group of martial arts that so often advertise to the world that they work by 'chi' or 'internal energy? That, at one stage, was the definition of 'internal martial arts', although I imagine that you have now shifted the goalposts, at least on the internet. Oh, and stop implying that I have to fight one of these nutters in order to 'prove' something. It's immature.

Oh, and it is on topic- it deals explicitly with the perception of disabled people as regards martial arts.

[inthespirit]

Hey if you wanna generalise and group all of IMA in to one group of nutters, then so as not to appear prejudiced, you should also group all arts with McDojos in to one group too. Cause that would just make sense and keep things simple wouldn't it?

No goal posts have been moved, there are no goal posts, you just chose to belive the same crap as the people you so dislike and close your eyes/ears to anything that does not conform to your stereotypes. But yeah, just keep troling and believing what you like, it's definitelly logical.

There are crap schools and delusional views in all arts/styles, but that does not mean it's all like that. Don't be so ignorant.

[Knight_Errant]

The fact that you do not agree with what I am saying does not make it trolling. Neither does the fact that IMA people do not want it to be said.

Goal posts haven't been moved? Then you continue to claim that IMA 'works' by chi?

I repeat: IMA openly says that it depends on 'chi', 'internal energy', etc. This is a mixture of pseudoscience and mysticism.

[inthespirit]

IMA does not say anything, it can't even talk. Chi is a complex term, usually used in old Taoist texts, the charachter for chi is represented by steam. If you speak to any teachers with any skill they will tell you it's breath/awareness. The people that say it's mystical cosmic etc etc energy are usually ignorant or deluded, maybe even part of some cult.

Why don't you reexamine our past conversations on this topic and see my past explanations, there is nothing from me saying chi is some magic mystical energy. Like I say, I've already devoted a lot of time in the past trying to explain this stuff to you, I can't be bothered any more, use the search function.

[Knight_Errant]

IMA can say something. Its representatives certainly do talk- indeed they often seem to do little else. And when you nitpick my posts by pretending to take what are obviously figures of speech literally, you do not seem educated. You seem petty, and as if you don't have an argument. And 'chi', as the term is understood in traditional chinese culture, is a mystical life force. The re-definitions of chi that have happened recently only serve to shoehorn ancient cultural beliefs into a modern worldview. If you can't be bothered to argue, by all means feel free to go away? There is no need to explain this stuff to me- I already understand it.

[Mitlov]

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/415/thedramallama.jpg

Anyway, one more vote for Judo. It's all about feeling out your opponent's balance, upsetting and exploiting it, and relying on eyesight instead of feel is not really part of a smart game for anyone.

Also, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, for the same reasons.

[Topher]

I remember seeing a program on Bravo about a blind Wing Chun practitioner. Might want to check that out.

Master James Sinclair's UK Wing Chun Association has a Birmingham branch:
http://ukwingchun.com/branches.htm

Also note this:
"The UKWCKFA has expanded to teach Wing Chun to children from 5 years of age and the classes are developing well. In 1997 James and a few senior students attended the Kent Martial Art Festival For The Disabled. Here James showed his considerable teaching talent by taking novel training ideas and adapting them to help the the blind, paraplegic and persons with learning disabilities. Wing Chun is such a clever and flexible system that most people can be taught and achieve a reasonable skill level even in the face of adversity. These humbling experiences make teaching and sharing skill a pleasure."
http://www.ukwingchun.com/Master_James_Sinclair.htm

[elitegroupuk]

thankyou everyone for your help i have also been found a blind chap who is a fourth dam in ikido but is based in norwich which is a bit too far to travel but if anyone is intested in having a look http://www.aikidoinnorwich.net/ if anybody knows of any good instructors that are willing to do 1 on 1 training i would be greatfull,many thanks to you all

[UNarmed]

I would put my money on wing chun ... with lots and lots of training.

[koyo]

Go with Judo. An excellent art based on balance and sensitivity respectfully two of the "benefits" of being blind.

I knocked my eye out in an accident when I was a blacksmith and trained "blind" for a while. Thankfully I recovered.

My sincere best wishes for your progress.

[Omicron]

Add another vote for judo/BJJ. These are arts that require you to have a feeling for the balance and posture of your opponent, and that is something that you don't need sight for.

[Freeform]

Hopefully I don't come across as an ass, but I'm seriously curious as to how a blind person can use a computer screen? I know there are degrees of blindness so maybe you have a big screen or maybe a disability helper. Just curious.

To your question, I've helped coach two blind Judoka. Judo would be my first recommendation for blind or partially sight people. Learning martial arts is usually done via one, or a combination, of the following methods:

Watch
Ask
Do (i.e have it done to you)

For a blind student the first two are problematic, but in Judo it's very easy to teach by 'Do'.

Also, in terms of alive practice or competition, blind competitors can compete against sighted compititors. The only difference between this and sighted competitors is that both get to take a one handed grip of their choice on the other (the blind competitor gets to choose first).

And via the extensive Judo network, there is access to coaches who have taught potential and actual paralympic athletes. So there is already a support network built in.

And if you're worried by 'reality issues' (self defence) Judo is one of the obvious main choices, because as a blind person you're going to be oblivious to many of the visual attack cues (though there can be pre-assault 'chat').

Hope you find something that works for you. The main aim of course is to find something you enjoy.

[slipthejab]

I'm sorry, but how am I to draw any other conclusion about a group of martial arts that so often advertise to the world that they work by 'chi' or 'internal energy? That, at one stage, was the definition of 'internal martial arts', although I imagine that you have now shifted the goalposts, at least on the internet. Oh, and stop implying that I have to fight one of these nutters in order to 'prove' something. It's immature.

Oh, and it is on topic- it deals explicitly with the perception of disabled people as regards martial arts.

How about for just five seconds you stop flapping your gums and go train a bit of it? Naw... that'd be too easy. lol:rolleyes:

[righty]

Another one for Judo or at least a grappling art. What other people have said in that you can feel what you opponent is doing because you are gripping each other. It's often advantagous for normal sighted people to train blindfolded as here you should be relying more of feel than on sight.

I would go for Judo over other grappling arts as there is more of a network already set up. It's part of the paraolympic games and there is already a record of blind people doing very well and becomming extremely skilled.

I would find the Judo places available in your area and contacting them and talking about your interest in training. At the very least they are likely to be able to give you contacts on who to talk to for more details or suggestions on where to train.

Good luck!

[Light123]

I wonder, can you see anything at all? I myself am visually impaired and, as you might notice in my sig, am a brown belt in karate. I am tazught techniques either by being shown up close or by having the techniques bebdon on me. But if you can't see your opponent, I'd take the others' advice and do an art like Judo so you can grab onto your opponent, then you'll azlways know where they are (until they break free, of course).

Be warned, though, you'll get hit a bit.

[Aegis]

KE: please don't make me delete any more posts.

[Freeform]

What about BJJ, pretty much the same advantages of Judo but no issues of being thrown and not knowing where you're landing.

@ Slip: I was worried you may have mellowed with age.... ;)

[inthespirit]

IMA can say something. Its representatives certainly do talk- indeed they often seem to do little else. And when you nitpick my posts by pretending to take what are obviously figures of speech literally, you do not seem educated. You seem petty, and as if you don't have an argument. And 'chi', as the term is understood in traditional chinese culture, is a mystical life force. The re-definitions of chi that have happened recently only serve to shoehorn ancient cultural beliefs into a modern worldview. If you can't be bothered to argue, by all means feel free to go away? There is no need to explain this stuff to me- I already understand it.

Same old argument from you hey.

Look at it this way, they are just exercises, what you think or believe is irrelevant as the exercises work your body, not your belief system.

If you wanna go ahead and beleive info from McDojo sources, please be my guest, you just embarass yourself. But if I wanted info on some style/system I sure as hell would find a better source instead of swalowing trype. Good luck with that aproach, it will get you far in life.

[Knight_Errant]

The same old argument... which you've never been able to effectively counter. Sorry, but I don't think we should all be forced to swallow the official line about chi being about biomechanics just because the IMA community is so passive aggressive that it has forced everybody into surrendering. Exactly what biomechanical principles does chi training promote?
As an example of real biomechanically sound training, take sprinting drills. Sprinters quite often perform drills that are not actual running in order to 'program' their nervous systems and help their technique. Two commonly recommended ones are 'fast feet' and 'butt kicks'. 'Butt kicks', however, have recently been abandoned by all but the most old-fashioned coaches, as they do not prolong knee recovery. Such practices are the result of exhaustive, scientific research, and often prove counter-intuitive. I cannot believe that a series of exercises invented hundreds of years ago according to received oriental wisdom can have the same effect.

[inthespirit]

The only person talking about chi training and chi in general is you Knight, and since your the only one going on about it maybe you can tell us all about it.

[Knight_Errant]

uh, no? you're the one who brought up internal martial art, and therefore chi. You argument-dodger.

[Tommy-2guns...]

Judo would be great as for blind Judoka, often you are both put into grips and then begin randori. Many judo clubs also have exersizes where they blindfold full sighted judoka for randori to work on sensitivity and reaction to movemnet, if you go to a club where bthat is a common exersize im sure you will have tons of Randori partners who will roll with you both them sighted to you being blind, or both of you being unable to see. Either way, because you start with a grip, and can learn in a tactile manner, its a good strong art for both athletics and self defence you should certainly consider this.

Be wary of people advice to ' take up any grappling art' as, things such as wrestling require keen eyesight for its lateral movemnet, dynamisicm and so forth, it may feel too fast past and the darting in and out movements could cause a clash of heads, or lead to you being put down over and over because the attacks can often come in quickly from outside a fixed grapple.

I think Gi and Grip based grappling is the best for you as because of the 'grips' you can take, you can have a good tactile sense of control. BJJ would also be good however the takedowns are often wrestling orientated which may pose the same problems as wrestling. However once on the ground or within grip to grip grappling you should be okay.

Another suggestion id like to make is dependent on your blindess. do you for instance carry a guide stick? if so, martial arts from the phillipines such as eskrima, arnis and all that jazz would be very good as your weapon ie: stick, would be with you at all times. The training might be hard, but a mix of being able to fight with your stick from distance, and then go into judo if it goes to grapple would be very much in your favour.

Good luck!

[Freeform]

Be wary of people advice to ' take up any grappling art' as, things such as wrestling require keen eyesight for its lateral movemnet, dynamisicm and so forth, it may feel too fast past and the darting in and out movements could cause a clash of heads, or lead to you being put down over and over because the attacks can often come in quickly from outside a fixed grapple.

I think Gi and Grip based grappling is the best for you as because of the 'grips' you can take, you can have a good tactile sense of control. BJJ would also be good however the takedowns are often wrestling orientated which may pose the same problems as wrestling. However once on the ground or within grip to grip grappling you should be okay.

Seconded.

Another suggestion id like to make is dependent on your blindess. do you for instance carry a guide stick? if so, martial arts from the phillipines such as eskrima, arnis and all that jazz would be very good as your weapon ie: stick, would be with you at all times.[/QUOTE]

Some of us DBMA instructors were discussing this in quite some depth. The unfortunate problem is that for a stick to be light enough to be useful for a visually impaired person to have 'tactile sensation' is not usually heavy enough to be used as a weapon. We've trialled this with some blind students, the biggest benifit of Kali for the blind is the sensitivity/energy drills of hubud. However, disabled MAists who use a stick to support an injured leg are another story however :)

[Tommy-2guns...]

Ah that is a shame about the stick! But alas, Judo and some aspects of BJJ, Sambo, and other jacketed wrestling arts be they asian or western all are promising to you and your particular needs and i beleive they would give you most bang for your buck in regards to inclusion into the mainstream enviorment of the class, athletiscm, self defence capcity and so on.

I wish you all the luck in finding something you enjoy.

[inthespirit]

uh, no? you're the one who brought up internal martial art, and therefore chi. You argument-dodger.

Lol... Keep grinding that axe and don't forget your meds.

[embra]

http://www.aikidojo.nl/gehandicapt.html

In this clip from Holland you can see some of Erik Louw's handicapped students' training.

For those in any doubt, Erik Louw is as tough as nails but a very friendly and helpfull fellow.

In the 80s at Lancaster summer school, I remember him well as the only Aikidoka who could keep pace with Chiba Shihan with Aikiken, matching him for change of pace, speed, timing, movement and blending.

Erik is now one of a small handfull of fully licensed Tenshin Katori Shinto Ryu teachers outside of Japan. TKSR looks even faster than Aikiken.

I always rated Erik very highly.

So for disabled MA students, the answer is the same as able-bodied students, seek out the tuition from the very best teachers - they will adapt the teaching according to your needs.

[47MartialMan]

I vote for Judo as well. Not that I have anything agianst Vsing Tsun. I know there are not too many qualified VT instructors out there in comparison to Judo instructors.

[YouKnowWho]

registered blind.
There are 2 MA skill that may suit you well.

1. Bear hug:

- Get a heavy bag.
- Start with 100 lb weight (gradually increase to 200 lb).
- Use your bear hug to lift if up.
- Walk 10 steps.
- Set it down.
- Repeat this 20 time daily (gradually increase to 30, 40, ...).

2. Head lock:

- Put a steel fence pole on the ground.
- Wrap it with carpet.
- Twist your leg around it.
- Lock your arm aroung it.
- Lift your other leg off the ground (now your whole body weight is hanging on the pole).
- Try to hang on for 30 second (gradually increase to 40 second, 50 second, ...)
- Repeat 20 times daily (gradually increase to 30, 40, ...).

[Humblebee]

[QUOTE=Aegis;34124308]Judo is a great starting point for most people anyway,


Judo is often referred to as a starting point or a back up art when in fact Judo stands strong on it's own.

[Fusen]

I know this may not help the OP, but heres a video of a 100% blind student training in BJJ:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh9iUEg_6GE&feature=player_embedded

and heres one of a social project dedicated to teaching the art of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to visually challenged kids.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztk1FSgzPaI&feature=related

[Yohan]

I recommend that you try Brazilian Jiu Jutsu.

[SleepySasquatch]

I knocked my eye out in an accident when I was a blacksmith and trained "blind" for a while. Thankfully I recovered.
I think that sentence alone just gave you more man-points than most will ever make in a lifetime :p

[hkdstl]

Wrestling or Judo. Sure you can do BJJ as well. The point is that you will be grappling. Go by feel and not by sight.

[Jiu JitsuNation]

I have competed against the blind in BJJ and they are not to be underestimated! I would say a legit BJJ school would be perfect as it is more complex and addresses more self defense situations than wrestling or judo. Both of which I believe should also be integrated into your program.

[WhitePanda]

Take up swordsmanship. (http://mmimageslarge.moviemail-online.co.uk/AE-ZAT-05_cmyk.jpg)

[Mister C]

Hello Elite, we have a blind instructor at our Tae Kwon Do studio. He's been blind since birth and got his black belt in Tae Kwon Do when he was 14. However, Tae Kwon Do is probably not the best martial art for a blind student. The reason he succeeded was all because of the teacher (TKD Lady on this site), who was willing to modify the curriculum and give extra instruction by touch rather than sight. The most difficult challenge is to associate a command with exactly how your body should feel, since you cannot see yourself. So, for example, if the instructor says "front stance", you have to remember all the different parts and how your body feels doing them (back leg straight, front leg bent until you can't see your toes, fists with thumbs up touching your ribs, shoulders square to your opponent, heels on the ground, toes all pointing forward). You don't get hints from the other students by watching. It takes a lot more repetition than a sighted student.

My suggestion is focus on a ground-fighting art such as Ju-Jitsu or Judo. But, the most important thing is the instructor and are they willing to give you the extra time and instruction needed. If you find an instructor like that, I am sure that you will love the martial arts as it's a great way to keep in shape and develop self-confidence with your condition.

Just as a note about our school, since we have a blind instructor and two other instructors with training and a passion for teaching special conditions, we actively recruit physically challenged students. I am currently trying to recruit a teenage girl with 2 prosthetic legs, although she doesn't think she can manage it. In our school, trying hard is much more important than high kicks. And just in case that makes you think we just give belts out, I am proud to be able to say that we have more current state champions (10) than any other school in Arizona. Unfortunately, Arizona would be quite a commute for you.

Good luck in your search.

[Taiji_Lou]

I think he should try Tai Chi.

[Shiho-Nage]

Judo, jujutsu or sambo.

I would lean towards jujutsu only so as to incorporate close striking (ie. feet, hands, knees, elbows, forearms, headbutts).

Judo will teach you the subtle art of kuzushi through tai sabaki/body movements. Or you can be lazy like me and acquire kuzushi by palm heeling them in the chin or a forearm strike to their neck.

[kilat02]

WHO...WHO...WHO wait a minute
are you really blind? if you are how Can you come over to this site?
or do you have a braille keyboard? and how can you read all this? and how did you chose that Smilie? is are there braille Smilies?

I do not mean to make fun of you and Forgive me if you take this offensive but I find it a bit strange.

[WhitePanda]

WHO...WHO...WHO wait a minute
are you really blind? if you are how Can you come over to this site?
or do you have a braille keyboard? and how can you read all this? and how did you chose that Smilie? is are there braille Smilies?

I do not mean to make fun of you and Forgive me if you take this offensive but I find it a bit strange.

What's wrong with you man? He's obviously not not completely blind. Most Blind people aren't completely blind.

[iammartialarts]

you could try brazilian jiujitsu

[kilat02]

What's wrong with you man? He's obviously not not completely blind. Most Blind people aren't completely blind.


aint that called being "impaired" or "impaired eyesight"?

but I heard that there are special computers for blind people
People who are blind can use their computers by installing hardware or software that simulates the human voice reading the computer screen or produces hard-copy output in braille.

[elitegroupuk]

Hi and thankyou to everybody for your help and advise i decided to go for win chung and have had around 12 private lessons and am enjoying it a great deal, i want to take up something else to go with this was thinking about karate but judo sounds like a good bet now,can anybody suggest a good tutor whom would be able to do 1 on 1 tuition within the birmingham area although for me i cant use a computer my lovely wife uses it for me,many blind people use talking software to help navigate through the net,the only thing i use it a talking mobile phone which is an absolute godsend but yes i am completly blind,thankyou all again will stay in touch

[kilat02]

that is really inspiring. and enlightening.

good luck with your future martial arts training:cool:

[MatsunoCj]

glad to hear that youa re enjoying ur martial arts training so far, if you are looking to do something else also i would still recommend something like BJJ or jujitsu just because i think it would give you experience in different positions and also i think it would work best for you because it doesnt really rely on sight to be effective

[elitegroupuk]

once again thanks to you all i lost my sight 3 years ago and i have only just started to come to terms with it as i have been in denial i have good support through my wife and am hpoing the martial arts will give me more confidence,if anybody can suggest anyone local to birmingham or worcestershire whom can train 1on1 in any of the suggested marial arts please let us know so i can have a talk with them too.

many thanks to you all once again
kind regards
jay