Am I turning Bullshido?

[Walkman]

I'm mid 30s. I started training in MA when I was in 3rd grade. I've done Shotokan (yeah, yeah, I know-I was young), Uechi-Ryu, some Judo & some Boxing. I just moved to a new city with a new job and I'm looking to get back into training after being out of it for too many years. So that means I'm fat, and not very flexible anymore.

So here's the issue: I've got a wife & 5 kids and I live in literally one of the safest places in the country (from a crime standpoint). I don't go to bars, or really anyplace where the common SD situations come-up. So the need for me to keep my fighting skillz honed to perfection like some of you is pretty low. I did my share of scrappin' when I was younger.

I really just want to train for 1. the exercise and 2. I like MA movement. I like kata and kinda' enjoy analyzing the kinetics of techniques. I guess I'm getting more into the "Art" of it. Yeah, I still really like a good sparring match, too. But I'm not entering into tourneys or anything like that.

So am I going Bullshido? I'm wise enough to see through the BS of a McDojo about how effective most of their techniques are. Chi is a joke. I don't get into the "spiritual yin-yang" of MA.

Does that make sense?

[BlueChargeBoy]

You don't HAVE to do martial arts with the intention of fighting, as long as you admit it to yourself. I think you will find that Bullshido is claiming to be deadly with no evidence, or in the face of evidence to the contrary. If you just want to get fit, then do whatever you want and enjoy it (hint: judo).

Although 5 kids sounds like multiple opponents to me...

[Gringo Grande]

Walkman,

Some people may flame me for this and disagree, but I think the difference between you and your average person who is thinking about starting a MA is that you know what you really want and you know what is Bullshido or not.

Personally, a family-friendly McDojo might be right for you (if think you can live with that little voice in your head constantly going..."this is bullshit, this is bullshit".

I think it is very respectable that you are aware of your needs and desires and don't feel like you have to go join an MMA Gym...it's not what you want. I'd research the local McDojo's or maybe independent MA studio, try and find a place that doesn't rape you with longterm contracts, has a good rep, and enjoy your exercise and time with family.

GG

PS: You can do all of the above with BJJ. =)

[Red Rocket]

Train in whatever you want. As long as you know what you are getting out of it. I don't think it turns into Bullshido until you starting making crazy claims about your choosen art.

[Walkman]

Walkman,

Some people may flame me for this and disagree, but I think the difference between you and your average person who is thinking about starting a MA is that you know what you really want and you know what is Bullshido or not.

Personally, a family-friendly McDojo might be right for you (if think you can live with that little voice in your head constantly going..."this is bullshit, this is bullshit".

I think it is very respectable that you are aware of your needs and desires and don't feel like you have to go join an MMA Gym...it's not what you want. I'd research the local McDojo's or maybe independent MA studio, try and find a place that doesn't rape you with longterm contracts, has a good rep, and enjoy your exercise and time with family.

GG

PS: You can do all of the above with BJJ. =)

To be honest BJJ intrigues me, but besides being chuuby, I have an inner-ear disorder that has symptoms similar to vertigo. I'd get thrown once and the world would start spinnin' like crazy. Can't do Judo anymore for that reason.

Of the 5 kids, 4 are boys. They all are enamored with MA, like any good American kid, but I'll be shot before they go to a McDojo. My fighting days might be over, but theirs are just beginning. I want them trained right. I don't think they should start until they're 10 or 12, tho'.

I'd love to find some "independent MA studio", I think.

[Walkman]

Although 5 kids sounds like multiple opponents to me...

So far, I'm pretty good at fending them off, but I outwieght them by 100 pounds or so. ;)

[theraydiator]

Hey Walkman - I thought people were supposed to lay down on the floor when they hit a bout of vertigo?

maybe bjj from the knees would be better for you than you think?

[Walkman]

Hey Walkman - I thought people were supposed to lay down on the floor when they hit a bout of vertigo?

maybe bjj from the knees would be better for you than you think?

Well, yes, when I get the spins, I have to lay down on my side with my head elevated for it to go away, but what triggers it is sudden changes in my head's orientation (i.e. getting thrown). This is a bit embarrasing, but I can barely ride the carousel
at the fun park with my baby without getting a bit dizzy anymore. If I want, I could take Anti-Vert for the rest of my life, but for now, I just have learned to avoid the movements that trigger it.

My 12 year old is a good candidate for BJJ, though. I don't think that there's a gym near enough to my area. but I keep my eyes open.

[Walkman]

p.s.- raydiator, Your avatar rawks.

[Gezere]

As stated Bullshido is doing one thing but claiming another.

If you know you are in it for the exercise and you simply like the activity, fine. However is you start claiming Uber Badass Skills and your training doesn't reflect that then you are definitely Bullshido.

With that said go do BJJ. You won't be getting thrown for awhile anyways.

[MONGO]

Muay Thai, the kicks to the head will work really well with vertigo. Just tell them to kick you in the opposite way as the spinning, hopefully it will cancel out.

[Askari]

Iaido, Kendo. Katas and fighting - excercise and you get to wear the fancy pants.

A good club of this type should be small and inexpensive.

[Shaolinz]

you get to wear the fancy pants.

The only reason I tried Aikido was because of the pants...

[weechey]

You don't have Meniere's disease do you? If so, I'm assuming that you've already seen the specialists re: this...but since you know what triggers your symptoms, maybe you can ask your doc if its OK to take Antivert a couple of hours before your class. That way you can use the medication only when needed, and avoid having to take it on a daily basis.

On the other hand, most of your BJJ time is on the ground, rather than being thrown, so perhaps it won't get triggered as much.

Well, yes, when I get the spins, I have to lay down on my side with my head elevated for it to go away, but what triggers it is sudden changes in my head's orientation (i.e. getting thrown). This is a bit embarrasing, but I can barely ride the carousel
at the fun park with my baby without getting a bit dizzy anymore. If I want, I could take Anti-Vert for the rest of my life, but for now, I just have learned to avoid the movements that trigger it.

My 12 year old is a good candidate for BJJ, though. I don't think that there's a gym near enough to my area. but I keep my eyes open.

[Walkman]

You don't have Meniere's disease do you?

Yup, that's the one. It sux.