Learning Martial Arts

You can definately learn some basic fighting techniques from books, but I wouldn’t try learning forms from a book. So I guess it depends what your goals are; if you just want to get a little exercise and learn some basic defense skills you could do okay with a book and a heavy bag.

you cannot learn martial arts from a book without direct instruction. what is realistic is learning basics from an experienced trainer that you trust, then when you feel comfortable enough with that and you know the principles of basic movements, you can evolve on your own.

but to learn how to learn you must receive instruction from an experienced trainer.

i’m gonna start some recreational MMA training myself with a trainer i trust. i’m gonna exchange resistance training information to him in exchange for martial arts information from him. he’s gonna teach me basic moves, starting with punches, etc… once i’m comfortable with the principles of the movements i will monitor myself without instruction, then we’ll introduce more advanced shit like reaction speed training, dynamic defenses/responses, sparring, etc.

never try to learn complex shit like MMA from a book.

you cannot learn any sport from a book unless you already know basics and have received direct instruction.

edit: that’s not to say books are worthless, but they are like supplements, not foundations.

[quote]Robert Monti wrote:

  • And is there any benefits from doing martial arts combined with bodybuilding? (Or it can results to overtraining?)

Thanks,

Oh, to answer this one: absolutely!
I used to go to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Muay Thai class on my off days. Of course, I lowered the volume on lifting days to compensate for this. It worked very well for me and others as I was able to gain strength and stay lean year round. Flexibility also comes to the forefront. You may be able to get away with being a little tight in bodybuilding but not MA.
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I must second that. When I did Muay Thai 4x a week I got strong from lifting and Muay Thai training developed just about every other physical attribute. I also had abs all year round despite gaining a lot of weight and strength and eating whatever I wanted. If you have the time definitely go for it.

[quote]kungfudude wrote:
Spirituality is developed over time. My spirituality skyrocketed when I devoted a few years to Chinese Kung Fu (Northern Style Shaolin Longfist). My opinion is to check out the Eastern Styles…China (in particular…my bias, of course), Japan, and Korea.

I am sure that there are other styles that have a basis in Spirituality too, but I am only familiar with these countries (China in particular), so if anyone has any others, please feel free to PM me about them…it is wise to learn all that we can and all, you know?

But as stated earlier, spirituality takes time…so (IMHO) any place that shows off trophies or promises rapid growth/rank should be carefully considered. In my opinion, a show of trophies/medals is a physical representation of something that we should know within ourselves…follow what I mean? Spirituality starts without physically displaying our knowledge, so any place that prominently displays signs like “Do you want to be the best, then come here” or the like should be shunned.

Now, saying that, Spirituality can definateley be gained by reading GOOD books. Every spiritual person reads spiritual books…sorry, that’s the way it is.

It’s kind of cool…every spiritual person I know or have met seem to have read a few of the same books…maybe that is how we connect.

You will pe pleasantly surprised on how, once you begin your spiritual quest, many spiritual people you will meet and share time with. Some of these people come and go quickly (but still leave a message for you), while others tend to stay in our lives for some time. Spiritual people tend to attract each other…it is a wonderful phenomenon.

Looking forward to everyones thoughts

Jason
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I’m just curious, but how exactly do you define spirituality?