Drakmar said:
LGodamus: That's cool, I didn't think you were knocking the styles. I have noticed that there are two major views..
1) A particular style is more effective than all other styles and is the most effective in street fights
2) that it doesn't really matter what style... it all depends on the instructor, and how hard and long you train.
I would add something to your second statement, Drak, and this, I think applies to any martial arts school.
Your instructor and your dedication is very important. But you should also never forget that a huge part of the "effectiveness" of any martial art in a life-or-death situation is mental.
All martial arts are combat effective. They wouldn't have been invented in the first place, or survived this long, if they weren't. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The various teaching styles out there mean that you will have to take your instructor's approach into consideration when you do your own practicing. I study Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido, both of which are darn useful in combat if you are willing to inflict serious harm upon someone.
For example, if your instructor believes in a very traditional class that is focused on forms practice and technique repetition, ask him what a particular move in a form is for. They all do something nasty and unpleasant. Trust me on this. A move may look flowery and sort of pointless, but it's likely something that inflicts a lot of pain on someone.
Real-life example: My dad studies Tai Chi. He leared it from his dad, and so on. Standard asian cliche. All those slow-motion, graceful techniques are actually strike defenses, joint manipulation techniques, and finishing moves generally involving throat strikes. I don't study Tai Chi, but I understand the point now. It's not just slow-motion exercises for old people.
So here's my point for you. Study the schools. Yeah, if you're looking for self-defense, competition-oriented styles like Muay Thai and Judo will probably not do it for you, but one thing they will do is improve your conditioning and reflexes. And as a matter of self-defense, remember that 99% of the world's population does not study personal combat. If you hit them real hard, they will probably go down.
The JKD school might be nice for you. Try it out and see if the teacher's approach works for you. Same with the others. The name of the style is largely irrelevant. I've experimented with a variety of martial arts, both eastern and western, and while training approaches may differ, many of the techniques are quite similar. When it boils down to it, a punch is a punch. You can punch with your fist vertical like Isshinryu Karate guys, you can twist it like Tae Kwon Do guys, or you can use the heel of your hand or whatever. It really doesn't matter as long as you train yourself to throw it with the proper distance, timing, and force to make it hurt. The human body only moves in so many ways.
So as a practical matter, here are some things to consider that I find to be much more important than the name of the style or the sales pitch that the instructor gives you that will really tell you whether or not you are interested in the school.
1. What's their policy on "trying it out?" Can you come in and watch a few classes? How about taking one for free to see what it's like? If the answer is no, walk out. Any instructor who wants to lock you into a deal without letting you try out his product isn't looking out for your best interests.
2. How do they bill you? Does the instructor insist on long-term contracts? If he does, you might want to look elsewhere. This goes along with the first statement. On the other hand, a variety of billing structures suggest that he's flexible and understanding of your needs and is willing to work with what you can manage.
3. What are his facilities like? What kind of equipment does he have? How you train yourself is ultimately at least as important as how your instructor trains you. My school has a big space with heavy bags, hand weights, and other fitness gear and it lets paying students come in and work out any time during business hours (which is 10-10, M-S in my case) as part of the school membership. That's a great deal.
4. How does the instructor teach? Can you work with him? Does he take time to answer questions about techniques? Do his classes give you what you are looking for? If you can't get along with him, then you won't learn, no matter how good he is.
5. How does the instructor handle advancement? Is it even an issue? I know some aikido schools have two belts: white and black. Does the instructor speed people along to tests or is he willing to tell someone that they aren't ready for the next upcoming advancement test? This will show you something about his goals. Every instructor need to make money, but there is a balance between the business and the teaching.
These are all things you should be able to learn by talking to the instructor and some of the students in the class. Do your homework and see what fits your needs. The label the school gives itself is much, much less important than the substance of what it teaches.
