Hi guys I have been training in Martial Arts for 5 Years. 4 Years of Tiger and White Crane Kungfu, and then I moved onto WingChun and Escrima (same time) for a year. Due to work and family I took a break for 12 months and now want and need to get back into what I love. I really fancied doing something different. Although I am miles away from mastering any of my previous styles I feel that in the 5 years I trained Hard, I learned what I feel is a good level in regards to throwing a punch, kick, evading, moving, blocking, displacing, rooting etc etc etc, everything you associated with Kungfu and Escrima (weapons). One thing these lacked were locks and throws and a real sense of evading, and a real in depth look at using an opponent's momentum and centre of gravity to my own advantage. Going from a Chinese and Filipino Martial art WILL be a shock to the system, even though all MA share common principles. WingChun and Tiger/Crane had very close similarities in regards to rooting etc, but I have always been taught to "empty your glass" and start afresh, so I did not go into my first WingChun classing telling everyone I knew alot about certain things, but instead started from scratch whilst at the same not forgetting what I had been taught for the 4 years prior. Some tips from some Aikido practioners in here will be of great benefit and will be greatly appreciated. Not only am I going from Kungfu to Aikido, but also Chinese to Japanese. I have never trained in a Japanese style, but whilst at Kungfu we were always told (rightly or wrongly which I will find out) that Japanese styles are much harder (externally) where as chinese styles such as Kungfu tend to be more fluid and softer externally. I will of course start at this new club with my glass empty, but any tips etc would be great! FYI I will be learning Yoshinkan Aikido. Thanks in advance!
Hi TigerCrane I myself am a Yoshinkan practitioner. Do you mind me asking where you will be training? I would recommend learning to fall (Ukemi) as a priority as a beginner, the sooner you are able to be thrown around by higher grades the quicker you will be able to learn by feeling the technique As you come from a kung fu background you understand the importance of correct form and posture. In Yoshinkan this is considered very important If you have any other questions just ask
Hi, just a club local to me Epsom and Ewell Aikido. I'm looking forward to trying something different. An ex kungfu practitioner/friend of mine who now does MMA said that Aikido "is quite impractical and near useless until you reach a level of mastery that takes so long to achieve that many never do". He only did it for a short while so I will take what he says with a pinch of salt and just try it for myself before listening to him!What are your thoughts as a practitioner of aikido? Is it useful in a fight situation? It surely seems so
Well, obviously I like it and think there is definitely something to it or I wouldn't be doing it What I will say is that it does take a long time to become proficient in, it's not really a pick up and go kind of thing. You'll be moving your body and using your muscles in very different ways, sometimes counter intuitively and that can be a lot to get your head around. Sometimes you may feel you've finished an advanced algebra class rather than a martial arts one. I don't think going into it with the idea of "fighting" will help. For a while it's going to be very cooporative and compliant while you learn the basic forms (Kihon Dosa) and basic techniques (Kihon Waza), resistance comes later, but it does come. Also, there is no sparring or competition. In Yoshinkan we have Free Technique (Jiyu Waza) where someone will attack you over and over again with a pre determined attack and you have to respond with a repertoire of appropriate techniques. Again, this will begin as more of a cooperation, but will get really ramped up as you progress and you will become seriously concerned about the attacker coming at you full force. These are just my opinions, I couldn't possibly speak for the club as I have had no dealing with that particular group. As always, go along and find out. When do you intend to start? Please report your findings whatever they are
Hi Aikidojomofo Thanks for the advice! Regardless of what my "friend" says about a martial art, I will always try it first before making my mind up. Just because he has a view on it, it may not be the same as mine. So I will reserve judgement until I actually try it out. My first lesson is on Thursday next week. I must say that Kungfu was very much the same. Alot of people think you can attend kungfu for a few months and by then you will know how to punch, kick etc. You dont. Things for me only starting kicking in in year 2 of 4. I love technical Martial arts, where you have to think rather than just throwing a punch. I like principles such as displacement, rooting, momentum etc
good luck! hope you enjoy it. I would echo what aikidomofo said in that it takes a long time to conquer the basics and feel like you're really doing it. also, for ages it feels impractical and counter intuitive and there will be times where you think 'this is not realistic' but stick at it because when it hits you what you are doing it is a wonderful realisation. the most important thing is to uke as best you can, master ukemi so that you feel the effortless power of those more skilled than you. the moment I decided to really stick with Aikido was not when I performed a technique well, it was the first time I really went for it attacking my Sensei knowing I could roll well. it was all a blur but I ended up about 10 feet away and knew I wanted to know how to do what he did. it will probably take another 10 years to get there but every time I am thrown, I'd like to think I learn something. the harder you attack the more you learn. compliance is only useful when Tori is a beginner and learning the movements, after that the real learning starts. another thing, completely relax. Aikido is highly medicinal, i regularly go into a class tired and leave energised. it's great for posture and an antidote to sitting in front of a pc all day. hope you enjoy it man. let us know how your first class goes.
Thanks guys! Your advice and personal experience is greatly appreciate and taken on board. I shall update you after my first class on Thursday evening!
