martial arts

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I'd love to study Aikido again. To busy with the munchins right now.

Then find a teacher or style that suits you better.

I believe that martial arts can alleviate aspergers symptoms. Not just any old martial art. The ones focusing on fighting would not be what was needed.

For a child, I don't think the style would matter. Being in a class with others and becoming acquainted with the movements and his own body would be the only goals for a child.

I took martial arts classes all throughout High School, twice a week wehn I could make it, and I was often taught under Bill FitzPatrick. He was a great guy, too. He taught Shaolin Kempo Karate, from Fred Villari's studio.

With regret I wasn't able to continue in the program, because I went off to college. I try to remember my katas and pinions, but my knowledge is rusty. I made it up to the rank of brown belt, which Bill tells us is the highest technical rank (black signifies the authority of the teacher). I certainly would have made it to black belt had a continued another few years. There was one other studio for Villari's, but it was elsewhere and too far away for me to visit with much frequency.

I have been doing martial arts for the past 9 years and it does so many good things for my brain, I don't even know where to start. It is the only kind of school that I have been able to 'keep up' with due to the constant repetition, and to the senseis teaching each student at their own level.

It is a way to learn by doing something, rather than reading or being told something. I have concentration problems, and even if I miss all the verbal instructions, I can still watch what is being done and imitate it. If I get it wrong, a teacher will correct me as many times as it takes for me to get it right.

Sometimes it is very hard and frustrating, but one of the things I learn is that as long as I do the best I can at the time, i will be okay, even if the best I can do is leave and go home. I know I will go back because it is okay to go home sometimes. It is a safe place.

I think the most important thing is to find a good school where the teachers will work with you and your strengths and not hold your limitations against you. I am lucky to have found a school like this. The teachers have found ways to teach me so that I can understand and move forward. Many martial arts have similar philosophies to this. I think martial arts is a really good way to help aspies and other autistic people learn to think outside of their heads.

I just noticed that. I do Cuong Nhu too!

I took Tae Kwon Do for a little bit but hated it. I then took Shaolin Kempo and loved it. Right now, Im interested in Russian Sambo and Bujinkan Ninjutsu.

I do Judo at least twice a week; it has signifantly improved my health, routine, concentration and discipline. The great thing about Judo is (unlike many martial arts) there is less of a focus on group activity and more placed upon the individual. furthermore, even though much of the discipline is based around balance, it acts as a balance-practicing exercise and significantly improves one's confidence in one's self and abilities. Although i also have Dyspraxia i am still able to fully participate in the classes and have benefited from the instruction and health routine.

By having a specific focus on the sport in common, the members of the club can fit in easily and socially interact by-proxi (through the communal interest in Judo)

one note though, i did Judo as a child and hated it, the problem is that unless you have a general interest in wanting to work out or try the sport it can be quite daunting and alienating.However, now i am a Judo-holic and would recommend it, coupled with a healthly lifestyle and diet to anyone



numark

Last edited by numark on 22 Jan 2006, 6:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

I do Western martial arts which is fencing and medieval fighting in armor. The weapons that are used are made from rattan instead of steel. I really enjoy this sport, and it is very much like any other martial art. It's helped me to relieve stress and one of my friends who I haven't seen in a while said that I looked like I've been working out.

To build even more strength because shields are heavy, I weight train in the gym at least 3 times a week, and combine cardio training for endurance.

I remember a couple years ago when I wanted to learn about martial arts, and I did so through a book. Even there they were fun, except for the fact that I wanted to actually be part of a group to teach me things, and so that I could actually learn to defend myself in case something ever happened. But, yeah, I heard that martial arts could get someone in great shape, plus for young aspies, it could make a good sport because it's more of an individual thing instead of a team sport (which some young aspies tend not to get the concept I heard).

When (adult) mates want to show me their 'self defense' skills its usually;

them 'go on, try and grab/hit/kick/stab me. dont look so worried - i promise i wont hurt you'

me: SMACK!

them: OW! no,no dont attack me like that, do it like this!

I think the psychological toughness needed to defend yourself instinctively in the real world simply cannot be taught in a safe warm environment. In truth it would be painful, disturbing and usually developed only through necessity. So i find it disturbing when people talk about martial arts in terms of 'self defense', especially where young children are involved. Many of the techniques taught simply cannot be applied effectively in the real world (even if youd developed enough nerve to actually do it in the heat of the moment, whilst sustaining serious injury)

That said, as a form of therapy, sport, exercise or social event im sure its terrific and well worth pursuing.

What about mixed martial arts and others that use live sparring technuiques? Of course you need the bottle to fight but that can also be a learned technique. I have found that boxing has helped me greatly in the "real world" as im sure others that have used such as judo, muay-thai and brazzilian ju-jitsu have helped others. In fact im thinking taking up judo as well. I guess it depends on who you give the knowledge to and which martial art (taekwondo, karate, and kung fu and other non-sparring set move martial arts im more sceptical of) but some of them have been proven to help the dedicated martial artist that has "live" sparred.

I take Taekwondo, and I love it! It was the best thing I've ever done. I have a little notebook where I write down all my poomse (that's Taekwondo for "kata") and sparring techniques because I couldn't remember half of what I learned when I got home. And it is doing wonders for my eye-hand/eye-foot coordination. When I first started, I could only do things if I led with my right foot forward. Now, while still difficult, I can mostly keep up with the class when we "switch feet," or put the left foot forward.

On my yellow belt test, I was so embarrassed because I was the only one in the class who could not, no matter how many attempts I made, finish a sparring technique with my left foot forward. My arms got all crisscrossed and it was terrible. Now, though, I am going in for my orange belt test tomorrow, and I am much more confident. Plus, I get to break a board with my foot!

I like Taekwondo better than "team sports" because the outcome is completely up to me, plus I don't have team mates upset at me for failing to kick the ball away from the incoming team, or failing to catch a softball, or standing in the key for more than three seconds...it took about 8 years of regular sports to realize I just wasn't cut out for 'em.

And I made sure before I signed up that my do jang (Taekwondo for "dojo") didn't require sparring or entering competitions because I cannot judge what an opponent is going to do before it's too late and I'm flat on my back. The one-step sparring hand techniques are fun when done slowly and with someone who is patient. I highly recommend it. At least try it for a few months.

I agree with the fight dirty and live but that's the thing when your sparring there is nothing really at stake except maybe your pride. If you get mugged or attacked on the street that's different. when your sparring it's dirty fighting to go for the neck or under the belt when your mugged or attacked on the street that just might save your life. so they are two very different things.

I've been doing some martial arts self-teaching; mainly just bits and pieces of various styles (the style I wound up with is kind of a mix between Judo, Olympic Style Wrestling, and Sumo), and I've been doing it for quite a while. It has helped me with mental discipline quite a bit, and I've also learned how to work with my mind and my body as one (such as quickly blocking out pain, which works great for Mc.Donald's).

Martial Arts is a perfect thing for aspies to take. It'll help develop mental focus, relaxation techniques, and (if in a class) they may actaully make some friends out of it as well.

Discipline is imperative in martial arts. Without them, accidents will be common place. I have seen what happens when people goof around. An accident can very quickly, and easily, put your training partner out of commision for some time. If they cant train, then that will hinder their progress.

As far as honour goes, its a good thing to have in the dojo. You must always respect your partner (for reasons I stated above). Plus you must always respect your instructor, for they have dedicated themselves to that art. Sure, when you get mugged it will be different. You will not bow before and after kicking their @$$. However you must realize that martial arts are bound to tradition and have deep roots in zen bhuddist or budo philosophies (usually).

Personally, I have trained in Shotokan for several years. I currently hold a brown belt. Karate has helped me shed so many of my aspie-ish ways, before Karate I could not hold eye contact. After many years of sparring training it has become second nature to stare people down. I have gained so much confidence in myself, where once there was none. I often teach classes, something at one time I could never have imagined myself doing.

The thing with martial arts, is there very personal. You must pick the style that suits you, and even still you have to struggle to find a place to learn it, and a good instructor to teach it. I am very lucky to study under one of the top shotokan masters in the world. Some dojo's revolve around competition, others (like mine) have no part in competition at all. Some dojos are full of BS, have self proclaimed Senseis and made up styles... Its hard to sort out the BS from the true arts. So always make sure you try out several dojos (of varying styles) before you decide which you are going to dedicate so much time to.