Infinite Recursion

Are any of you involved in martial arts? Thinking about joining a local Tae Kwon Do class and I'm interested to hear ideas and experiences that any of you have had.

__________________
http://jasonpowers.net

"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

Arevos

I did Jiu Jitsu for about a year, but I found it took up too much of my time, as it demanded 5 to 7 hours a week. Unfortunately, studying for my degree took priority.

However from what I've heard, Tae Kwan Do's not as demanding as Jiu Jitsu, so it might be okay, time wise. Then again, maybe you have more free time than me anyway!

In terms of benefits, a martial art is a very cerebrial way of keeping fit. It keeps you interested, as well as being very beneficial for your health. Your balance somewhat improves, and you get used to thinking about the human body in mechanical terms, considering the movement of joints and the centre of balance.

I'm not sure how useful it would be for self-defence, however. Generally speaking, you need to be pretty good at it for it to matter, and Tae Kwan Do is more of a sport than a method of self-defence. As my old sensai used to say, the best defence is to run like hell

DaWei

I, too, took Jiu Jitsu (Judo). Arevos is right, in my book: it develops a mental attitude that is as important as the fitness. It's great for play; in serious competition, one will get some joint injuries. The physical situational responses engendered by Jiu Jitsu are diametrically opposed to those ingrained by Tae Kwan Do or other 'karate' disciplines.

__________________
Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code.
Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

Mjordan2nd

I did Tae Kwon Do from 6 to 12, and I got my black belt. To be honest, the classes I attended were too commercialized and I don't think I have achieved anything out of all that work. However, I did Shorin Ryu (a year) for a while, and liked that a lot better. That felt a lot . . . relaer, however, I'm sure that Tae Kwon Do is great also, it's just that the classes I attended were aimed at younger kids, and I believe they were too adulterated by the commercial aspect of the business rather than actually teaching you an art.

__________________
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, from those who are cold and are not clothed. The world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Infinite Recursion

Thanks guys... I've decided against joining the group and will partake in other activities. Just need to get away from the computer for a while... ya know what I mean?

__________________
http://jasonpowers.net

"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

Jessehk

I did Karate for about 3 years (never was good at it), and Kobudo ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okinawan_weapon ) for about 1 1/2 years. I was going to move on to the Tonfa from the Bo when I realized I just didn't have the time.

I didn't love Karate, but I really liked Kobudo.

__________________
Dr. Zoidberg: [ecstatic] I'm going to a movie... with FRIENDS!

King

I also did Shorin Ryu, I am 1 belt away from my black belt.. then school got in the way. I plan on going back soon.

__________________
I am Addicted to Linux!

DaWei

IR, can we talk....

__________________
Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code.
Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

Infinite Recursion

DaWei: Of course.

__________________
http://jasonpowers.net

"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

nnxion

Yeah I know what you mean, go to some friends, and talk about something else than computers, or meet some people that can become your friends that dislike working with computers.
Go jogging, bowling, go to the movies, play some baseball, soccer, football, have some fun. That's what I do, when I to get away from the computer. Of course you have a loving wife, where you can spend some great time with, whereas I'm still single.

__________________
"Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for."
-- Socrates