thegirlsclub

[Dorothea]

I'm getting tired of having no structured practises around. Not only are we too few, but we also have a very hard time finding a suitable venue, not to mention time, for practise.

So, I am seriously thinking of finding an alternative martial art/ sport with the purpose of becoming a better fighter. Does anyone here have any good tips on what would be best for this purpose?

I figure that one could learn, not the correct technique for rattan fighting, but other areas such as mental focus, competition nerve, initiative, reaction time, speed, footwork to some degree etc.

No matter what, training for example escrima and/or boxing must be better than not doing any practise at all.

What do you think?
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Dorothea Weberin, KSCA
Dun in Mara, Insulae Draconis, Drachenwald

[freiman the minstrel]

Karate worked well for me.

f
_________________
Surf less, fight more

[Dorothea]

Why Karate?
_________________
Dorothea Weberin, KSCA
Dun in Mara, Insulae Draconis, Drachenwald

[freiman the minstrel]

[Maria-Therese]

[audax]

Boxing
karate
tae kwon do
jiu jitsu or judo

These would be my suggestions. The first three will teach you striking and footwork, the last will strengthen your body to extraordinary levels, especially your core.

I will also let you in on a little secret: All martial arts are the same. Whether Fiore or Mas Oyama, it's all the same. If you get grounded in the principles of one art you will be able to grasp the fundamentals of any other art.
_________________
Martel le Hardi
squire to Meser Lyonel Oliver Grace, fostered to Sir Gaston de Clermont
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The Minstrel's Champion

[Maria-Therese]

[Azad]

I never had any training with any martial arts, tho I very much wish i had. However since I started training for the SCA I have included things into my own workout plan that I think will help me become a better fighter. Namely I work on strength training with free weights at the gym, cardio, and I've recently gotten started with gymnastics to help with balance, movement, and flexibility. I'm not very graceful and I was hoping that this would help, without resorting to....ballet. Which I could never picture myself doing. That's my ideas. Hope they help.

[Khai]

I'm a new fighter to the SCA, this past weekend was my fourth time in armour. I'm still learning the ins and outs of this interesting situation I've put myself in, but I'd like to offer my suggestions on the martial arts subject.

I may be new to the SCA but I'm not new to fighting.
Mundanely I'm a Kung-Fu instructor.
I'm celebrating my 11th year of study in about 2 weeks. *YAY*
I also spent 15 years as a ballerina. *urk*

If you don't mind, I offer my personal experience, perhaps it will be helpful.

In regards to Ballet, it can be a very beneficial experience. It teaches you body awareness, good posture, muscle strength, flexibility and endurance. It builds LEAN muscle, not bulk and it can help you gain strength in your lower body that will enable you to be light on your feet. But it comes at a price. The dancing world is harsh. If you do not fit into a very specific body category it is difficult to be taken seriously. It can be damaging emotionally. The pressures to be thin and tiny are enormous. It can also be very damaging physically over time. I suffer from hip dislocations if I don't do a lot of strength training for them. Loose joints are common among dancers.

If you are able to find classes at a community college or private school that are willing to teach you just for the exercise of it, take the opportunity to try it.
I had the unfortunate experience to spend 15 years dedicating my life to the pursuit of dancing only to find out that not only am I too tall (5'7")
but far too huge (a lean 175).
So I changed my interests to Kung-Fu.

I've studied two different styles but settled on a Northern Shaolin style.
My Master is very traditional. We have no belt system, only a family designaiton. I'm an instructor / disciple "rank" but known as "big sister".
When I began training I asked my Master how I should begin considering my background.
He told me that I need balance.
So I stood on one foot for about 10 minutes, an easy task after all the Ballet.
He frowned at me and shook his head.
"No...." he said in broken English. (he's from Taiwan)
"Balance of Internal and External"
Oh.....*sheepish grin*
So when I began learning the External style of Kung-Fu I also began the Internal style of Tai-Chi.
I've been doing both ever since.

The Tai-Chi is probably the closest thing I've found to accomplishing the same benefits as Ballet, but without the damaging effects. If 90 year old ladies in China and Japan can do it, it must not be bad for you. I myself teach senior classes. They love it. They can even do it in chairs.

I don't know what schools are available to you in your area, but if you can find one that teaches Tai-Chi, Kung-Fu, or both, I'd recommend trying it.

Tai-Chi not only builds your strength and endurance, but it is the world's oldest fighting style. Every move is either an attack or defense. Speed it up....you get Kung-Fu.
I learned more about attack and defend just by practicing Tai-Chi because it was slow enough for me to see it coming and think about how to respond. Soon your body gets used to it and moves automatically.
It's pretty dang cool stuff.


If you have any interest in this avenue of martial art I can recommend some great books and training exercises.

Kung-Fu, as with a lot of other styles, employs a lot of other training than just fighting. Body and bone conditioning (awesome for getting your muscles and bones used to getting hit) Iron palm, and Iron body training. Qi-Gong, or Chi training, teaches you how to correctly use your body's natural energy and movement against your opponent. Very handy for us fierce ladies who can't always hit as hard as the guys can with brute force. It helps you learn how to use your low center of gravity to exert force with little effort.

So now that I've rambled a ton......sorry... I'd be happy to answer any questions I can about this stuff if you or anyone else is interested. I teach high-school age kids so I'm learning almost as much from them as they do from me!!! I get some great questions.

To teach is to truly learn.

I've just joined the forum and am starting to look at all the info available to me. I'm so excited to be learning so much from all of you!!
I can't wait!!

Hopefully I won't drive you all crazy with MY questions!!

Thank you!

Khai

[Lilyofdawest]

Has anyone studied kendo? Or know anyone who does both? it would seem to apply.

I used to compete in TKD, many ages ago. I'm just starting to learn SCA fighting, and I have the most bizarre muscle memories popping up; I have to suppress the urge to kick the guys in the head

[Amaris]

Well,....if you kick a guy in the head, just remember to wear sabatons (http://home.messiah.edu/~gdaub/armor/pictures/fletcher/sabaton.jpg)


Of course,... there are always a pair of these,.... http://www.swordandstone.com/armour/metalheels.html


Amaris

[audax]

[Cunian]

A number of the knights in my area, Sir Strykar, Sir Thomas of Calais, Sir Grethfyrdd, studied kendo of varying sorts - Sir Strykar before starting SCA fighting, the others after. It's good for movement and using a weapon, and directly for bastard sword, but it tends to make one hate to have anything to do with shields.

[Dorothea]

So, I actually did start something new... kickboxing The main reasons are that 1) It is very convenient, both in time and location 2) They also have MMA classes there, so I managed to drag my bf with me as he is into that.

So far so good. It is incredibly fun for a start and will be useful for fighting in many ways. I have loads to say about it but I am so tired in the head right now so I will write more a little later.
_________________
Dorothea Weberin, KSCA
Dun in Mara, Insulae Draconis, Drachenwald

[Wrenn]

I find swimming helpful-when I go I do laps with arms only.
I find it helps my core, mobility and cardio.

I fight heavy, 2-3 times a week, nothing like the real thing
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Adwen Wrenn, Squire to Sir Hrothgar Thorvaldsson