Karate / Martial Arts / Self Defence

[ssar]

Hiyas,

Complete newbie to Martial Arts here.

As a family (mid-30's age wife, 3.5yo son, & myself late 30's age) looking at getting into some kind of martial arts, mainly for:

1) Some fitness & exercise,
2) Learn some self defense,
3) Enjoy a challenging, progressive activity as a family,
4) Some reasonable education about confrontation techniques, balance, coordination, etc. especially for the boy as he grows,
5) Improvement on some self discipline and something healthy, productive & active to focus on.

Prob looking at getting into something 1 night a week during whatever season (if they even have "seasons"), with a view to giving it a good somewhat regular go over the coming years if we all enjoy and find we are getting a fair bit out of it.

We may find some karate type of activity more enjoyable, or some Tae Kwon Do type of activity more enjoyable - don't know.

Only something pretty casual, I cannot see any of us getting into it seriously.
However I personally would like to achieve some reasonable level of beginner's self defence at some stage.

In the Newcastle NSW area I see:

1) Tae Kwon Do - southerncrosstkd.com.au - has some weekly classes at certain suburban locations.

2) Kumiai-Ryu Martial Arts - krmas.com - at the Broadmeadow PCYC have weekly sessions including Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Kata Class, & Karate-based Old Style Okinawan/Kyusho Jitsu/Ju-Jitsu/Kali etc. (instructors accredited thru AKWF & MAIA) (Whatever all that means 😉

3) HVMAC - huntermartialarts.com.au - Chitokai/Chito-Ryu Karate

As well as some other places.

Any advice on how we might get into this type of thing, what I should be considering & looking for?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fro]

I'm a black belt in Origami 🙂

Seriously though, give a few a try and whatever feels like a good fit for you and the crew go with.

I'd think they are all reasonably good as far as fitness goes if yuo get right into them.

 

[ManlyBacker]

ssar, if you can find an organisation that does or incorporates a form of Wing Chun, that is what I would recommend.

Karate, kickboxing etc styles rely enormously on toughening up the body which will result in endless hours of pounding each other and objects, bruising and pain. Taekwondo has a huge emphasis on kicking and training up to breaking blocks but has probably the most practitioners worldwide so at least you could continue this style no matter where you are.

A style like Wing Chun looks at fitness, speed, counter attack while defending in the one motion and is friendlier. This style was originally developed by a nun so is good for all sexes.