What do mixed martial artists think about the "family" styles of T'ai Chi Chuan?
914510
I studied karate for many years, and then studied tai ji for a while. I am not specifically familiar with the Wu style, but in general I can say that Karate goes directly to the martial application. In other words, a given technique has obvious application as a punch or a block, etc. With tai ji, the martial application is more concealed within the technique. It takes a longer period of training to develop tai ji into an effective martial art, as well as a knowledgeable instructor to explain how a technique is applied. I found tai ji to be worthwhile, and enjoy the daoist philosophy behind it. But if my goal were to become proficient in self defense, for example, it would not be my first choice.
1143183
I think that Tae Kwon Do is the perfect martial art for him. I have taken Tae Kwon Do for 10 years and so has my brother. It teaches self defense, self discipline, respect, etc. I think that if you go to a traditional Tae Kwon Do school that you will learn those things, but if you go to an olympic style you wont learn as much. I think that what you learn also depends on the Tae Kwon Do school that you go to.
953216
they are trying to sell their "training" as better...of course they will say "theirs" is better.\n\nYou answered your own question, the art doesn't make the fighter.  Someone with zero ability is not going to become a "fighter" because they learned someones "art".
427281
Wow, you just opened a can of worms with that question. There's always a big debate about "which is the best style?" and "is there such a thing as a best style?"\n\nI am of the opinion that there is no best style, but some styles are better for certain goals than others. Tae Kwon Do is good for those who want to take up martial arts purely for sport and competition. But I wouldn't pick up TKD if self-defence is your main goal. \nAnd just a note, usually, how you get along with the instructor is much more important than the style. If you plan on taking up any martial art, see what you think of the instructor, and then move on to the following steps (choosing a style, etc.)\n\nEvery style has its benefits, so why not tell us what your goal is, and we could help you out.
990352
I have heard of some South American tribes that use a form of martial arts.  Apparently, it is very different from Eastern Martial Arts.
441949
Martial arts is a very personal thing.  Each style and type will appeal to different people.  Obviously you should try out several styles before making a decision.\n\nAs a general rule, Japanese martial arts are very "straight line" and "to the point".  Meaning they attack, attack hard, and don't waste much energy trying to look pretty.\n\nChinese martial arts are less direct, utilizing many circular movements.  Just as effective as Japanese arts, they also give a lot of emphasis to physical training and spiritual development.  \n\nI can't speak much about Korean or Thai martial arts.  But both Tae Kwon Do and Kickboxing are very popular arts.\n\nMy favorite Japanese martial art is Aikido.  It is a defensive martial art.  There are no attacking moves.  But if anyone violates your "circle of control" you will easily and quickly toss them on their ear, literally.\n\nMy next favorite Japanese martial art is Judo, particularly the Brazilian flavor. There is an Afro-Brazilian art called Capoeria which is very physical and will keep you in great shape.\n\nMy favorite Chinese martial art is Kung Fu.  There are many types of kung fu, so you'll have to do some online research to find the type that appeals to you.  Wing Chun is a popular style, once studied by Bruce Lee.\n\nMy favorite American martial art is Jujitsu.  This is one of the best martial arts ever invented.  It has a little bit of everything in it - ground work, kicks, throws, punches, you name it.\n\nKempo is an American martial art that is quite popular. It has many elements of similarity with karate and judo.  Throws, striking, kicking, etc.\n\nIf you want to get involved, just find the closest school or dojo and give it a try.  If it doesn't feel right, try another.  You'll quickly find the one that fits you.
929992
Exactly, well said. Kveldorgondlier has said it several times "how you train is how you fight."\n\nit's a tough stigma to break once someone has it in their minds.\n\nI mean look at the UFC match between Matt Hughes and Royce Gracie, Gracie is one formidable fighter in JuJitsu, but he was beaten by someone who more than likely came with a better strategy, and who had experience both as a Greco-Roman wrestler in highschool and college who also learned JuJitsu.\n\nNow seeing someone so well trained in JuJitsu like Royce get beaten, does that mean that JuJitsu sucks alltogether?\n\nNo it doesn't, every Martial Art has a practical application's use for it's techniques, and it's all in how the INDIVIDUAL uses those techniques accompanied by how well they've put the time and effort to train.\n\nand the whole part of it is just as you said "adapting to the real situaton". and that's why you train to learn how to use the techniques in a practical situation.\n\nexcellent question.
125691
Bruce lee is the one who started the whole karate/kung fu movie style. He was the original. Before him this whole concept of "fighting" in a movie was unheard of. He inspired countless directors and movie makers in their style. Jackie chan is merely a product of What Bruce lee created, how can he possibly be his equal in any way? also Bruce lee had a higher degree black belt than Jackie chan.\nBruce Lee also has written entire theories,essays and books on the subject of martial arts, and Jackie chan has none so far. Also Bruce lee recovered from an injury that causes death or paralysis for life in most people, he taught himself how to move again from scratch, thats true willpower. Look at his physic and compare it to jackie chan, Bruce lee was a real athlete, a real master of the mind and body
1130215
1. Obviously the boxers. Do they hate each other? Is there a show within the show? Is there history between the two fighters? Think Tyson vs. Lennox. Vargas vs. ODH. \n2. Two combatants who came to fight. One sided fights then BAM! one punch and the fight is close again. Castillo vs. Corrales comes to mind.\n3. When the announcers hype a fight up so much as "this maybe the fight of the year"---and the fight actually lives up to the potential. Think Hearns vs. Leaonard/PAcquaio vs. Morales\n4. When the fighters are actually fighting by the 'textbook.' That means no holding, flinching, running, and all of that other crap that stalls a great fight. I love him, but he stalls a lot--Hopkins. Who doesn't stall? Think Arce. That kid never stops punching. Exciting EXCITING fights. \n5. If one of your favorite fighters is fighting. I love Sugar Ray; so I bought all of his fights on DVD. I watch them over and over when I have a chance--regardless of opponent.\n6. When a great, older champion is fighting a young lion. Will this be the last fight of so and so? If it is, was it a classic. The last 10 fights for Ali and Chavez, I thought to myself, "Could this be it?" I wanted to take it all in multiple times because this may be the last time I will see them fight.
874171
I am not going to use this forum to discuss why BJJ is effective or why it isn't effective either in real life situations or as far as UFC is concerned. Rather that do that, I will try to answer your original question and ignore your rambling philosophy (to which I agree to a great deal, actually).\n\nIt seems that in martial arts, just as in every other aspect of society, there are fads. In this, something grows extremely popular for a while due to many different factors, such as film, sports, or television, or something else entirely. \n\nIn the 70's "kung fu" (Chinese Boxing) was all the rage, then in the 80's, ninjas were cool, then enter the 90's with TKD gaining such popularity that now instead of just soccer moms, we also have TKD moms. These days, it seems that BJJ, Muay Thai, and MMA is the current fad.\n\nPeople who follow trends never stick it out to become life-long learners. People who are life-long learners shouldn't mind the fads one way or another anyway.
1084933
You had one response that states "TKD is nothing more that a watered down version of Kung Fu". This statement is absolutely ridiculous. TKD is a form that has evolved over many generations. It is for lack of a better way to describe it, "a mixture of several different forms". Very, very few forms of martial arts are "pure". I suggest talking to students of TKD or researching on the Internet ( ITF or others, a general search on TKD is a good way to start). Please, do not take advice from someone who "hasn't done their homework" about TKD.  If I can be any help, feel free to ask. On Yahoo I am kywildcat_70.
1129994
How refreshing to see that some still hold the same belief I do about "traditional" martial arts!\nWould it be a no holds barred match, or include the increasing in numbers rules doled out in UFC matches that limit more "vicious" tactics? I notice those guys like to wear pads on their fists and roll around on the floor with one another...\nI don't hold any disdain against so-called "mixed martial artists", I mean, after all, most traditional systems are mixed in one regard or another, but I dislike the idea that they take bits and pieces of what would otherwise be "whole" systems to become more "well rounded". But I ask how they can take the best of any one system if they have not mastered it?\nTo them, I say they are jacks of all trades, masters of none.\nLittle old Buddha man wins!
401260
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_martial_arts should help.
695757
Tai Chi Chuan is an entirely different ball game than Tae Kwon Do. Your confusion might stem from the words themselves sounding similar.\n\nSince you are a TKD practitioner, I don't think I need to explain the concepts to you, save the fact that it is what is categorized as an "external" system; that is, you work hard physically, then the mental prowess comes in time thereafter.\n\nTai Chi Chuan is an "internal" system, which first focuses on slow, fluid movements and forces you to be aware of your physical state at all times. Once this awareness is attained (which usually takes years of practice) and one feels the flow, the movements are sped up, and can actually be very devastating. The words themselves roughly translate to "Supreme Ultimate Fist". Beyond that, as what I assume is the case in your TKD class, weapons come after learning with empty hands. Furthermore, many people never progress beyond the slow fluid movements since the motions massage the internal organs and this results in benefits to all around health. Some even dub Tai Chi Chuan as "moving meditation".\n\nAlso, TKD is from Korea, and Tai Chi Chuan is from China. If you wish to learn Tai Chi Chuan, seek out a kung fu school ("kwoon"), but be careful as there are a lot of bad schools out there. Just do some research as to what is in your area, and you may find something that benefits you.\n\nI used to take TKD, and was in it for about 9 years, got my 2nd degree black belt, then moved on the Chinese Martial arts to continue being challenged. Some of my training over-lapped, and I was able to use some Tai Chi Chuan concepts during sparring exercises, much to my delight! They are physically, though, quite different, so mind the fact your training will grow more difficult should you take both simultaneously.\n\nBy the way "Tai Chi" is philosophy, and has been around for roughly 4,000 years. "T'ai Chi Chu'an" is the martial art, and has been around for a considerably shorter amount of time, about 500 years or so.\n\nI hope I helped!
810921
chi sao sticky hands a training exercise used to develop sensitivity in the art of wing chun
22032
Search for Hsing-I online. For example, www.hsing-i.com actually has some videos. Hsing-I isn't really a style you can pick up from watching a video though... \nAlso, the style has many variations and lineages as well as names in English. Do your online research first with searchs on terms like "Hsing-I, Xinyi, Xingyi, Hing Yi, Singyi, Hsing yi, mind and intent boxing, shape and heart boxing, etc."
956210
Forms are crucial to any true martial art. This is where your fighting skills are developed. Otherwise, how do you explain the fact that they have survived all these centuries? \nI'm not sure I followed everything you said here. \nSome people think that they know more than thoses who haved trained for decades & studied with other who trained for decades. These grasshoppers have much to learn.