I'm a northwest UK based martial artist looking to meet likeminded people and socialise within the community. As far as arts I've studied I began in the Bujinkan in the mid 00's and gained my first degree black belt before moving on to more contact based work, searching to test myself. I feel I still have a lot to learn. I currently train in Goju Ryu Karate in a club that regularly practices hojo undo and has a lot of sparring in a knockdown and K-1 format (the coach is a K-1 instructor and also teaches MMA and BJJ). I am currently a 5th kyu (I havent been able to make a grading in nearly 3 years due to work commitments but thats changed now). I have also been studying Judo and I am a 3rd kyu, though I am considering dropping it. As far as hobbies, I enjoy reading and painting, I am a personal trainer, so naturally I enjoy a wide variety of strength training and cardiovascular exercise. I enjoy dog walking, some video games and art based activities (I work freelance as a storyboard artist and animator). I've got something of a goal to travel the world over the course of my life, and if I can, stop by a gym training a local style and see what I can learn (Ie: if in kerela, go check out kalaripayattu for a few lessons). There's a whole lot of world to see after all.
Hey man, welcome! Nice to have a fleshed out intro thread. How did you find the transition from Ninjutsu to more combat sport orientated martial arts?
I used the intro guidelines and went from there ^_^. I found ninjutsu was hard to move from, mostly from a fitness point of view. There were little things here and there, for example I found breakfalls and rolls really easy in Judo and some stepping and throwing principles I already had, but I found striking under goju ryu was so different to what I was used to (lunge punches) that I just didn't grasp some things to well by habit initially.
Hi IronMaiden, in Goju, do you belong to any bigger organization? I also do Goju with IOGKF that's why I'm curious), but don't have experience in other martial arts. I, however, also enjoy drawing a lot, so I think we have a few things in common. Welcome to MAP!
To be honest, it doesn't ring a bell. But it looks like it is also a big international organization. It looks like there are no dojos anywhere near me, so that may be why I am not familiar with the name.
Welcome aboard, I first saw Maiden on Somewhere in Time Tour in Liverpool around 86 I think Some Goju in the city too, people I know still train there.
