Thanks all for the warm welcomes.....
I reply to TomoeTamara, I live around inner western Sydney, Australia.... and as anyone who has been too or lives in Sydney can attest, it is a city of massive proportion with a heck of alot of varying dojo's and styles.
I am a professional jockey, I ride in races, so it is evident that I am not big but I am extremely fit and strong for my size .... I am 5' 6" and weigh in the vacinity of 55 - 60 kg's or 121 - 132 lbs. Not sure how I would go with high or long range kicks, but I guess I strike alright due to the eons of traditional and thai boxing training I have done. I have no ground fighting skills but would love to learn for obvious reasons and there are Bjj schools close by. At present I just box at home in my own gym and spar with a few of the local lads. I take Krav Maga during the week inconjunction with a soon to be private lesson in FMA.
I would love to cross-train in a traditional MA, I assume that there would be some styles that would be a better fit for a guy of my stature... meaning and again only assuming a spectacular style of MA with flying kicks, high kicks etc...would in essence probably be not ideal. I am assuming an art that concentrates on strikes and low kicks would possibly be more appropriate and essentially applicable.
I would have no hesitation in jotting down a list of what is available to me here if that is a help....
Kindest regards and thanks in advance...
WOW! SYDNEY! Very cool! I (OBVIOUSLY) am not familiar with your city being born, bred and raised in Western NY!
I also share with you a short stature. (5 foot 4 inches)
The wonderful thing about that is we have a natural LOW center of gravity. But, alas....I too lack knowledge of ground fighting tactics.
ANY OF YOU GROUND FIGHTERS OUT THERE--FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN!
Your search for the right fit MA for you...is gonna come down to what are you looking for. Do you WANT to become skilled in ground fighting? If so...most of those schools in your area should be happy to let you take a lesson of 2 without ANY cost to you whatsoever. WATCH a few classes also....see what the atmosphere of the room is--how are the other students, are they receptive to you...to each other....what is their relationship and comfort level with their teacher?
You can easily pickup on all of this with a simple visit or two.
It sounds like you have already decided heavy kicking arts aren't for you.
This, in no way implies they are BAD arts! They just may not be YOUR thing. I did TKD as my 1st MA when I was 11. Year and a half.
Just wasn't my thing. I found my true love in the Okinawan arts and have been doing that ever since. Now my newest obsession is in the Japanese Koryu arts (Ko-Ryu meaning old styles). Swordsmanship, naginata, etc.
I have this
thing with bladed weapons. Some believe I need help!! :mst:
BEST thing to do is lots of visits....if you feel comfortable with a place.....ask what kind of introductory offer they may have. Try a few classes for free. Maybe a small payment for a 2-3 week tryout. Really see how it fits you.
Have any friends in the traditional MA? Grab them and get their help. Chances are....if they have been in the martial arts for any good length of time....they may be able to help you weed out the really GOOD, AUTHENTIC true traditionalists from the Charletans and the Cheats!
They ARE out there--looking to take your $$$! AVOID places that require pricey contracts guarenteeing you BLACK BELT in 2 years.
WARNING: YOU MAY HAVE FOUND THE ALL DREADED McDOJO!!
GOOD LUCK! Keep asking questions. We are all here to help!
Tamara
