Hello all.
I must start by saying thanks to this website, without it I might of never discovered the meaning of bullshido. I am also looking for some advice, but first let me give you my MA background, as it is.
I started in ATA TKD when I was about 14. I praticed this for many years and did have an excellent teacher. I developed a good sense of how to deliver a kick and learned alot about point fighting. At this time I was totally blind to any other martial art and therefore thought mine was the cats ass. After attending a few tournaments I started to see what the organization of ATA was about ($$$$$). My original instructor left our school to go on to more profitable regions. I stuck around long enough to earn my BB in the system after five years (my first instructor actually belived in faling people, hence why it took me five years...most people in ATA seem to make it in about 2.5ish). My friends and I swore if a "karate for Kids" banner ever hung outside our dojang we would quit. Well it did and we did. I now view ATA as a good system that has been totally corrupted and is a stain on the Martial arts.
When I finally left for college I searched for a new system. I found one with Youn Wha Ryu (YWR). I truly liked YWR and had an amazing teacher. While this system might have some extreme bogus history and "legend" to it, the techniques were pretty sound for the most part. There were still some stupidness to it though (X-block knife defense). I did train up to BB level in this system but never tested, so I am not going to claim any rank in it. They allowed me to wear my BB and said they would test me when I was ready. I quit before my test. I could look past the questionable techniques since they were few, but kiddy black belts I cannot ignore. Sadly, I went on my way, about to give up.
About a year later I found myself in a new area again and decided to check out what was around. I had heard of Kuk Sool Won and decided to give that a try. It seemed historically sound and the demo looked solid. This is where I am today. In another organization that promotes kiddy black belts (from what I know) and has overly intricate techniques that, IMO, will never work when needed.
I will be moving again soon, probably to the Columbia, MO area and from what I see searching on the net there is not much there (ATA, ITF, WTF). So here is my first question, is there anyone around the columbia area that can recommend a good fighting school where I will not have a chance of being taught be a 12 year old. Second would be this: Is it better to train at a McDojo or kiddy martial art than not train at all? There is not much here in the midwest area, and I am about to give up on the martial arts all together. Would I be better just beating up my heavy bag? I am 25 now and have been doing martial arts for over 11 years, so I would like to find something true and stick with it. I am not a big person, rather thin, but wouldn't say I was weak. Any advice is appreciated.
I must start by saying thanks to this website, without it I might of never discovered the meaning of bullshido. I am also looking for some advice, but first let me give you my MA background, as it is.
I started in ATA TKD when I was about 14. I praticed this for many years and did have an excellent teacher. I developed a good sense of how to deliver a kick and learned alot about point fighting. At this time I was totally blind to any other martial art and therefore thought mine was the cats ass. After attending a few tournaments I started to see what the organization of ATA was about ($$$$$). My original instructor left our school to go on to more profitable regions. I stuck around long enough to earn my BB in the system after five years (my first instructor actually belived in faling people, hence why it took me five years...most people in ATA seem to make it in about 2.5ish). My friends and I swore if a "karate for Kids" banner ever hung outside our dojang we would quit. Well it did and we did. I now view ATA as a good system that has been totally corrupted and is a stain on the Martial arts.
When I finally left for college I searched for a new system. I found one with Youn Wha Ryu (YWR). I truly liked YWR and had an amazing teacher. While this system might have some extreme bogus history and "legend" to it, the techniques were pretty sound for the most part. There were still some stupidness to it though (X-block knife defense). I did train up to BB level in this system but never tested, so I am not going to claim any rank in it. They allowed me to wear my BB and said they would test me when I was ready. I quit before my test. I could look past the questionable techniques since they were few, but kiddy black belts I cannot ignore. Sadly, I went on my way, about to give up.
About a year later I found myself in a new area again and decided to check out what was around. I had heard of Kuk Sool Won and decided to give that a try. It seemed historically sound and the demo looked solid. This is where I am today. In another organization that promotes kiddy black belts (from what I know) and has overly intricate techniques that, IMO, will never work when needed.
I will be moving again soon, probably to the Columbia, MO area and from what I see searching on the net there is not much there (ATA, ITF, WTF). So here is my first question, is there anyone around the columbia area that can recommend a good fighting school where I will not have a chance of being taught be a 12 year old. Second would be this: Is it better to train at a McDojo or kiddy martial art than not train at all? There is not much here in the midwest area, and I am about to give up on the martial arts all together. Would I be better just beating up my heavy bag? I am 25 now and have been doing martial arts for over 11 years, so I would like to find something true and stick with it. I am not a big person, rather thin, but wouldn't say I was weak. Any advice is appreciated.
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