(Part 2) Top products from r/martialarts

I would think that really important things to learn first would be proper situational awareness, and learning how to avoid things before they become problems, and learning how to run. I think a great cardio routine and the ability to put it in full gear with a sprint would be a great too. And then having the endurance to outrun your attacker. If you have to engage I think having a weapon on you (legal in your state) could even the odds, yet be sure you practice with that weapon and use it in a way where it can't be turned against you. Practice reaching for it too and pulling it out, and then be prepared to run afterwards. If you can't do that and somehow you still get taken into the fight then I would recommend BJJ, which will help you permit someone's bodyweight to go in the direction you want it to more and give you more of a fighting chance off the ground, and also Judo so you can help trip larger opponents (and then run). If you have to strike I would recommend something that has live sparring like boxing, kickboxing, or certain forms of karate, just so you get used to being hit and figure out the spacing needed for combat. Once you get used to that you'll be able to fight easier, and then run. And if you can practice going from one thing to the other, from striking to grappling. and vice-versa. Also learn to use your voice, and your posture, be assertive. Sometimes being direct but non-confrontational with people, (is there something I can do for you?) letting them know that you see them in a confident tone with direct but non threatening eye contact can let people know that you see them and maybe make them think twice.

I would recommend some books

Defensive Living: Preserving Your Personal Safety through Awareness, Attitude and Armed Action

The Gift of Fear and Other Survival Signals that Protect Us From Violence

Solo Training 2: The Martial Artist's Guide to Building the Core for Stronger, Faster, and More Effective Grappling, Kicking, and Punching (there are some great tips in here for the mental side of the game too, including tips for women)

Good luck with everything.

Also there's a great DVD set How to Defeat the Bigger Stronger Opponent with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

And Frank Shamrock has a good series on Defending the takedown Avoiding Takedown is Simple Part 1/3 (this one's on youtube Edit: Warning at some point there's some crackling in the right ear, be careful if you're on headphones)

Good luck!

I've trained in Judo, Aikido, and Ninpo Taijutsu. Been in one, the other, or both for about half of the last 20 years.

Your weight does not preclude your participation in most martial arts, as I'm sure you've seen just about every martial art under the sun suggested here. And I definitely recommend that you choose an art that appeals to you and go for it.

Having said that, if I were in your shoes I'd add a year of conditioning to my weight loss program before I joined any art. You'll simply get more out of the art itself if you show up in shape the first day. Also, if you are 346 pounds, right away you are choosing an art based on your current physical condition and not based on what you think the art can do for you long term. Remember, quality martial arts are a lifetime pursuit. They will still be there waiting for you in a year.

As for the conditioning program: Running and Lifting, via C25k and Starting Strength.

Normally I'd recommend you plow through c25k and get to running a couple 5k's a week, then maintain that while you spend the rest of the year working through Starting Strength. You may find that at your weight, it's not a good idea to start running yet. Certainly make sure you do it on a treadmill if you decide to do it first since that will be easier on your knees.

While you are working on your conditioning programs, spend the next year researching your options for martial arts. Find out what is locally available, which of those options interests you, go and watch a class from each of the candidates. Take your time and try to assess the quality of the instructors, quality of their students, whether the dojo is a blackbelt factory, etc. Learn the issues.

What I have described will keep you very busy for one year. I'm not saying this is a prescription for what you should do, or that it is superior to any other plan you might come up with. I'm just giving you something to think about, how I would approach this from my perspective. I like to have long and short term goals that dovetail together.

EDIT: Another benefit to having a non-martial art conditioning program in place before you start training your art is if you get injured, you have running and/or lifting to fall back on while you are recovering.

I love Aikido, I'd choose it for sure. A good book on Aikido for you to read is "Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere"

But if Judo was available I'd definitely look into that as well

For de-escalation in general: Verbal Judo is a great starting point. I also likedthis book by Mark Macyoung for more "broad strokes" of situational awareness and de-escalation.

In terms of if it's too late and you're being mugged: Ramsey Dewey gave pretty good advice for this during his "MMA fighters try out women's self defense techniques" videos. He lived in Argentina for a while and said he was robbed at gunpoint 6 times. The important thing to remember is that a simple mugging (no second location, etc) is basically a transaction-- you give them what they want (wallet), they give you your safety. Ramsey's answer was to keep your hands high, move slowly and do as you're told. Sudden movements or attempting to resist will get you shot.

Someone mentioned a book by Neil Ohlencamp as being really good for improving one's Judo/Sambo game and being an all-around great read in regards to technique with principle.

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https://www.amazon.com/Judo-Unleashed-Essential-Techniques-Intermediate/dp/0071475346

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Also the Judo Master Series many have said are very Good Books for Judo/Sambo/Grappling.

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https://www.amazon.com/Pick-Ups-Masterclass-Techniques-Robert-Walle/dp/1874572100/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=judo+pick+ups&qid=1556987181&s=books&sr=1-1-spell

Hi guys! I did an AMA last week on r/bjj and had some awesome questions about my book The Combat Codes, a sci-fi novel immersed in the martial arts. The mods here thought it would be a good idea if I posted to r/martialarts as well. Great to meet you all, and ask me anything!

The Book of Martial Power talks about strategies and general MA principles. Some are very good and intrinsic to many MAs, but the more I read the more I felt the author was very influenced by the Internal Chinese MA shtick. So a lot was pretty good, but some was really weird and definitely does not apply to most or even many MAs. So I would say it's a 'must read' about intangibles, but some of it you might not even understand unless you've done CMA, however those bits are mostly rubbish so don't worry too much about it.

If they can still travel, it's very worthwhile to watch classes even though they're not on the mat. And it's still a way of actively participating and learning.

Here's a great book for any martial artist with a lot of insights about life and martial arts by Bruce Lee.

http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Jeet-Kune-Do-Expanded/dp/0897502027

Also another excellent all around book.

http://www.amazon.com/Book-Martial-Power-Steven-Pearlman/dp/1585679445

Lets just answer all your comment history questions since clearly you're fishing for a direction in life:

>Sexy cologne that's attracts girls ?

Smelling good is only a small portion of what makes you attractive. Shower regularly, brush your teeth, wear deoderant. But as a cheap option that smells pretty good, this is a pretty good cologne.

>Does L dopa turn into dopamine no matter what?

Don't bother with this shit. Same with L Tyrosine and Ashwaghanda. They aren't the answer to your problems. You're not going to improve yourself through substances.

>How much alcohol makes you confident

Alcohol doesn't make you confident. It just removes your inhibitions. There's a massive difference. Confidence comes from belief in self, and competency in aspects of life that are important to you.

>Good movies with motivational endings I can watch ?

I'm not normally a fan of preachy movies. But in terms of movies that have a good message, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Creed.

>Whats the best martial art for self defense without any weapons

Running/not being there in the first place. After that, de-escalation tactics. I recommend reading this book. After that, Muay Thai, BJJ, Wrestling, or Judo. Be sure to read up on your local self defense statues so you understand when and where you can use force, and its worth talking to a lawyer to have it explained to you.

>If I have no fighting experience, can I learn how to fight from shadow boxing ?

No.

>Tips for first fight w no experience

Don't fight. Get experience in a safe sparring environment with a good instructor.

>Fought this kid at in class today. How do I hit someone pushing me?

You report him and move on.

>Will phenibut counter fight or flight mode?

No. You don't counter fight or flight. It's a subconscious automatic response. You learn to deal with it through consistent repetitive training which can ingrain learned behavior that takes over instead of the default fight or flight. It's also a fucking stupid idea to try and use substances to prepare yourself for a situation where Fight or Flight is likely to happen.

>Can i beat someone who's 5'8 untrained and has some weight due to fat while I'm 5'6 and trained in muay thai?

Depends on how much training you have.

>Can i beat someone in a street fight 1v1 no other people and no weapons who's 5'8 untrained 180 pounds if I'm 5'6 130 pounds and trained in BJJ

If you're a purple or brown belt, then maybe/probably. Otherwise unlikely.

You might find 'The Life-Giving Sword' a bit interesting on an intellectual level then.

There's an interesting couple of pages at the back where there are plates and some poetic verses, just like how Talhoffer is set out.

You mentioned fine motor skills so I just want to say that unfortunately the only thing that will help your central nervous system recover is rest.

If you are concerned about bruises and lumps get some Dit Da Jow. If your Sifu is actually a Sifu he should make it. A true Sifu should have some knowledge of healing and first aid so I would ask him this question first.

*You might be interested in this book. I absolutely love it and it will probably say the opposite of what most people will tell you about RICE.

Great novel! seconded for sure, I started reading this when I first started learning kendo.

Keep in mind its a work of fiction, and is often times mixed up with historical fact. if you want something fact-based on Musashi, I highly recommend this book:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/4805314761/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_di5IDbQHQPQG9

its the best translation i've read, it not only contains "the book of five rings" but also Musashi's other works. The Author is an established history professor and kendo instructor.

I would give this a read. Came across a copy in my university library a few years back. The phrasing and writing style is a bit esoteric for my tastes, but if you're looking to get into Aikido for the long haul, soaking in the philosophy and lifestyle as well as the techniques, then I think it's worth having a look at.

To what I understand, Aikido will serve you quite well as you age and become less able to perform in more striking-centric disciplines.

I bought this guy on Amazon for about 20 bucks. Put it together in about 5 minutes, and I use it whenever I work out at home (the days I don't head over to the dojo). Worked out pretty well for me.

I own about 3 pairs of these "cloth shin guards" and they really don't offer much protection. These shin guards are for light contact sparring like taekwondo or karate where they tell you to not go hard. If you throw it hard and hit someone's bones, you'll feel it. If you want to throw hard kicks, just get the full shin guards like TKB, Twins, Fairtex, etc.

As for the sizing for the cloth ones, S, M, L all are the same length and the difference is how much wider they are. I'm 6'0" 150 lbs, and I can wear a small all the way to a large. If you want to be safe, get a large since it should be quite snug once you wash and dry them.

Additional advice:
They usually aren't branded,and even if they are, don't get it branded because it's such a crap shinguard that you shouldn't spend 20 more dollars just because it has the words VENUM or something on them.

Generic (Pro Force):
https://www.amazon.com/ProForce-Cloth-Instep-Guard-Black/dp/B0056D2BN0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1465367635&sr=8-4&keywords=shin+guards

VENUM:
https://www.amazon.com/Venum-Kontact-Instep-Guards-Black/dp/B008TM6LQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465367667&sr=8-1&keywords=shin+guards+venum

The most interesting yet not really useful wrestling book from a practical perspective. Very interesting from a historical perspective. Basically a Judoka put together and reconstructed a historical German wrestling treatise.


https://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Wrestling-Practice-Fifteenth-Century-Martial/dp/1937439119

Yeah, get a banana bag. Problem solved.

You can paint areas on it to simulate different areas, IE a face, or a body, the location of the liver.

I think some companies have actually made hanging bags that are shaped like people, but seriously, a heavy bag is more than sufficient. I actually have a banana bag myself.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07RN11C9N/

if you really want something that's human shaped, there are hanging bags you can find shaped like a person.

Wall + Gravity = Free

http://iradance.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/wall-straddle-stretch.jpg

No stress on the ankles either. Towels are cheap as well. You won't find many people that recommend those things. But if you are really set on one: http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Claw-Steel-Leg-Stretcher/dp/B0000CA2PA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_6

$19.99

But again, these are not generally highly thought of. I think there is a reason they are generally pushed at martial artists instead of fitness professionals or even gymnasts.

Something like these will do: https://www.amazon.com/ProForce-Cloth-Instep-Guard-Black/dp/B0056D2BN0/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1542217612&sr=8-9&keywords=proforce+sparring+gear

You don't need heavy gloves for a bag. It's just to give some cushion for your knuckles so that you don't hurt them when you hit full force.

Musashi's Book of Five Rings (Gorin-no-sho) is often referenced but many people do not know about Yagyu Munenori's Heihokaden, translated as The Life-Giving Sword.
Even less known is Chozan Shissai's Tengu-geijutsu-ron. I'm not sure if Chozan's Neko-no-Myojitsu was also translated but it's similar though a little more accessible.

Disclaimer: I've never read the translations so I can't comment on the quality but the content is interesting.

Also along those lines, The Gift of Fear.

This is a damn good book written by a zen master on the integration of zen mediation with martial practice

Seems interesting, see also Angry White Pyjamas for the somewhat equivalent Aikido-course.

Everyone who is serious about building power for martial arts should do these five lifts http://www.amazon.com/Starting-Strength-3rd-Mark-Rippetoe/dp/0982522738

squats and deadlifts in particular will make so much of a positive difference that there is essentially no reason not to do them.

Well, there are two problems here, and both relate to the terms ninjutsu and taijutsu, and both are due to people inferring more than what is actually said.

Both are just general terms, and people misuse both. So, ninjutsu is just intelligence gathering techniques. I mean the CIA technically practices ninjutsu, but no one calls it ninjutsu. The English term used most is "Spycraft." During WWII, the Japanese taught indivduals ninjutsu. It was called the Nakano School.

Now, to be a good spy, one should know some hand to hand in case things go really bad. This is where taijutsu comes in. But taijutsu just means "body techniques." Technically, every martial art is this, and it's the equivalent of "fighting method." Nothing special. The Bujinkan has taken the 6 samurai arts that it teaches and called those "ninpo taijutsu" or "Bujinkan Budo taijutsu", which is just their form of arts, no different from saying something like Gracie Jujutsu. Most of the modern school stuff comes from Kukishinden ryu, which stems from a koryu, Kukishin Ryu. TEchnically, you could be a ninja and learn any fighting method you wanted.

The last thing is that none of the modern schools actually state that they teach ninjutsu. They say things like "ninpo taijutsu" or "the fighting art of the ninja." Scrub their websites and you will find that you won't find them saying that they teach ninjutsu. Even Stephen K. Hayes's most well know book, The Ninja and Their Secret Fighting Art, only talks about "ninjutsu" for 31 of its 156 pages, and even then, it's mostly from a historical perspective. The other books do so in a similar fashion.

In reality, there are better methods today than there were back then. Camouflage used to be a secret technique, but now there are books on it everywhere, and you can learn it from different sources.

Really enjoyed The Combat Codes: https://www.amazon.com/Combat-Codes-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B017OMXR7O

Book 2 is supposedly in the works.

this is probably one of the more useful manuals I've read. but as everyone else has repeated, wouldn't be useful on its own without other training.

Here is the desktop version of your link

Medieval Wrestling by Jess Finley.

Btw in case anyone has read them and can give their opinions on them, I own a translation by Thomas Cleary and one inside The Complete Musashi translated by Alexander Bennett.

The Zen Way to th Martial Arts

Yes, in fact, I have one coming up here at the end of March.

My class is a 4 hour crash course, so I teach primarily (edit) maiming techniques (eye gouging, biting, groin strikes, simple punching and kicking), but even more than the physical techniques the time is dominated by psychological tools such as

• situational awareness
  
• understanding manipulative behaviors
  
• social behaviors
  
• a little bit of legal info
  
• some quick statistics
  
  One of the the books we (myself and the other instructors I work with) highly recommend is the Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker.
  
  Two things that I stress and I stress hard is that:
  
  
• because statistically most rapes and sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone the victim knows, they MUST make the decision to injure and potentially kill someone they care about. This is not a simple decision to make.
  
• and that they should not rely on other people to help them. You just don't know what other people are going to do, so you have to assume that responsibility yourself.
  
  Hopefully, this helps, it's just a sample of all the information I go through. If you need more info about statistics and such let me know and I can give you more details regarding what I teach.