I think that goes back to my whole "practicality" thing.

If you're looking at more competition sparring and a way to keep fit, improve strength and flexibility etc. then Kung Fu would be for you.

However if you're looking for Self Defence, then usually the plan is to incapacitate your opponent as quickly as possible and then get the hell out of there.

Either way, you should definitely at least give Kung Fu a go just to see what it's like.

When i was a kid, I wanted to be a Shaolin Monk (blame the TV show Kung Fu: The Legend Continues!).

Learn whatever martial art you can - it's gonna stand you in better stance than knowing nothing. Just as important as combat is physical fitness (maximise stamina) and mental agility.

I learnt kickboxing. Loved it but in a streetfight, it wasn't as easy to utilise. I'd look at close combat stuff - kicks are useful but you need the range. If someone's in your face, your hands/arms are gonna be more useful. Wrestling/grappling/boxing IMO are gonna be much more useful at close range.

Ultimately try out various martial arts and see which one feels right to your type of fighting.

Just got back from it.

I fracking loved it! Awesome 2 hours!

We spent a while doing punches and kicks and stuff in partners and then I learnt some form work and then some kicks and stuff. Awesome!

My jitsu knowledge helped ridiculously also! Even if it just meant picking up the moves quicker. But also the rolling out of stuff was easy as I've done it a million times before.

Will definitely be going back next week!

I'm impressed by the levels of experience here - it seems a lot of you have some knowledge of martial arts.

I've thought about it myself. I'm a slightly over weight 40 year old with a bad back. Should I stick to T’ai Chi Chih and forget about fighting ?

You could maybe convert to T'ai Chi Chuan which is the visually-similar fighting and meditating style that Tai Chi Chih is based on.

How bad a back are we talking?

I suggested Chih because Chuan sounds like it may encompass things which might do me in.

My back is absolutely fine compared to someone with real trouble. I spent last weekend moving furniture up and down stairs, and provided I'm steady and careful I just need a break now and then.

What gets me is sudden movement or twisting. For example, sometimes if I just look over my shoulder too quickly or move clumsily I can put my back or neck out for about three weeks. It's bloody painful and very debilitating when it happens. My knees are the same. I have mild arthritis and some obviously damaged joints. The arthritis is getting worse, inevitably...

Remember though that Chih is not actually a martial art but rather an American exercise routine based visually on Chuan.

I know. I was using it as an example of me not doing "proper" martial arts. I can probably handle a reduced subset designed for old fools like me

There should be plenty of Taijiquan classes for duffers such as yourself

This seems an appropriate place to put this … The Origins of Wing Chun Sticky Hands.

Mark

How about Yoga?

Yoga's hard. But it's effective.

Very true.

Mark

I did Chuan for about.. three years maybe. If you get good at it (I was OK I suppose) it's a very good martial art. It is actually the martial art David Carradine used to do, so if you really want to be the guy from Kung Fu, it's actually the one to go for.

It's a soft chinese style if you wanted the thumbnail version. Not a lot of emphasis on large kicks & punches - my instructor would tell me off if I ever put a kick above waist height - more a mix of close in punches, low kicks and Aikido style traps and throws. There's also a lot to do with balance and body posture, both yours and your opponents. A good Chuan student is almost impossible to knock over or even grab hold of if they can see it coming.

As to it 'doing you in', it's quite hard on the legs - particularly the thighs - but it's not a massive CV workout in general. I did a bit of judo and found that much harder physically.

Jon