Need Help in Selecting a Martial Art

[Mugen]

Hi everyone,

I’m interested in learning a martial art. When I was young I took Karate-Do and Twe Kwan Do so I wouldn’t be completely new to the whole thing (but it has been a very long time). I’ve always wanted to take Ninjutsu and I understand there are some really excellent dojos in San Diego. However, from other posts I’ve seen on here it sounds like you have to dedicate your life to it. Is this true?

What I’m really looking for in the art is self discipline, relaxation, exercise, and of course enjoyment. I have no desire to compete in tournaments. By the way, I do workout 3 times per week and do yoga once a week. I’m hoping a martial art could also take me to the next level physically.

Thanks in advance,

Jimmy Lewis

:bow:

[Kennin]

Asking people what your favorite martial art would be, is like asking other people what your favorite meal would be.

There is only one possible way to receive any valid answer: get into the dōjō and get thrown around and get kicked.
Asking in forums if a martial art is good for you is no good. It doesn't serve any purpose at all.
Furthermore: you come into a BBT-Genbukan-Jinenkan-forum and ask if we like our own art. What kind of answer do you expect? Of course we find our art the best choice for ourselfs. What else? We wouldn't practice it if we wouldn't deem it best fitting for ourselves.

[Mugen]

Asking people what your favorite martial art would be, is like asking other people what your favorite meal would be.

There is only one possible way to receive any valid answer: get into the dōjō and get thrown around and get kicked.
Asking in forums if a martial art is good for you is no good. It doesn't serve any purpose at all.
Furthermore: you come into a BBT-Genbukan-Jinenkan-forum and ask if we like our own art. What kind of answer do you expect? Of course we find our art the best choice for ourselfs. What else? We wouldn't practice it if we wouldn't deem it best fitting for ourselves.

I appreciate your response. I understand it’s often easy to misinterpret things in an online setting versus in person. Maybe I can make myself more clear in a response to your post.

If you reread my post you’ll notice I wasn’t asking what my favorite martial art is/would be. I do agree with you as far as the only way to really know is to get in a dojo and experience the art first hand. However, I was in hopes of avoiding as much trial and error as possible (hence my post asking for this community’s suggestions).

I’m afraid I disagree with you regarding asking if one art is more appropriate than another. For example, I’ve mentioned I have no desire to enroll in an art that stresses competition and/or competes in tournaments. This characteristic alone could eliminate many martial arts right off the bat.

Also you notice that the primary art I’m interested in is Ninjutsu. And what better place to inquire about if the art is right for me than in this section of the bulletin board?

Perhaps one of thing said in a post has lead me to believe that the art is extremely demanding and that it may not be appropriate for those of us working your typical 9-5 week. For example, see QuaiJohnCain’s comments on post http://www.budoseek.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=6004


“San Diego Bujinkan
http://www.sandiegobujinkan.org/
Ninjutsu. Head Instructor is Jon Warren, a personal student of Massaki Hatsumi. He is the only Ninjutsu intructor that I have found worthwhile in S. Cali. VERY DEMANDING TEACHER. Don't bother with him unless you really want to study Ninjutsu as a lifestyle, 24/7. Definitely the real thing, just be prepared to marry it.”

Hopefully this is helpful to anyone reading this thread. I would appreciate any feedback and/or advice the community may have to offer.

Thanks,

Jimmy Lewis



:bow:

By the way Kennin, isn't it the rules of this forum that each user sign his/her posts?

[Don Roley]

I would avoid Jon Warren for reasons other than it being a total life choice.

But lets not go there.

There are a lot of people in the SoCal area like Kyle Hayes and Dan Weidman that I could reccomend you take a look at. Don't just stop by one.

[Mugen]

I would avoid Jon Warren for reasons other than it being a total life choice.

Can I ask why?


Jimmy Lewis

:bow:

[Kennin]

But lets not go there.


I guess this means: "don't even bother to ask why"... but put in a very respectful, polite way. ;)

[Uriko]

@_@

I am learning Kenpo,
Because i like it

I really pick smething i like to learn
Because if u like smething, u put more effort and take it seriously because...

YOU LIKE IT~!

So, pick what u wnt, instead of jst being forced to do smethin else -_-

[Kennin]

I see we agree, Uriko san!

[Uriko]

Hweeee~!!!!

Im correct~! im correct~!

[J4d3]

i think you could honestly get what your looking for in just about any martial art if the instructor is on par.so the only way is to just check a bunch of dojo's out.

[Nin]

I think to choose the best martial art for you, just practise as many as you can, ask for their pilosophy, see the martial art that suits best your personnal philosophy.

And about Ninjutsu, it is mostly a life style. To live with your environement basically to fade in your environement, to understand the meaning of all the things. An example, a Ninja does not look a tree as a big thing green and brown, but more like a living life, its role in the nature etc...

Then many martial arts are true life styles, but then depends on how "deep" you want to be into it. I personnally got into Ninjutsu because it helps me in my life.

[Dale Seago]

I would avoid Jon Warren for reasons other than it being a total life choice.

But lets not go there.

There are a lot of people in the SoCal area like Kyle Hayes and Dan Weidman that I could reccomend you take a look at. Don't just stop by one.

Ditto. What Don said. All of it.

I agree with Uriko as well.