A few months ago I joined this community. After finishing a PhD in social sciences' research techniques in march; I was then happy to find myself with enough time to train martial arts (been holding that wish since HS).
I live in El Paso, Tx -Juarez, Mx border, home of amazing boxers. Since I was still under the influence of the movies and the "all western is inferior" myth I wanted to train something with oriental roots. The UFC craze made BJJ my choice, but I couldn't find a decent school around. I kept looking. Since my job keeps me crossing the border everyday (I work for El Paso Community College and for Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua) I could shop for dojos on both countries.
El Paso's TMA gyms were, through their websites, kind of not serious (in my opinion, and based purely on my web browsing). I could mainly find the typical TKD, Shotokan and 'my very own personally developed style' places. The Mexican side of the border is plagued with Lima Lama, TKD & Shotokan schools.
A friend of mine (amateur full contact fighter) told me sensei Humberto Miranda used to be a tough prize fighter and an incredible brawler when young (now is 55). After some thoughts I joined Miranda's Shotokan club, on the Mexican side of the border. Miranda is a very experienced man who also trains bodyguards and LEOs. Everyday I woke up at 5:30 am so I could join his daily classes. I am very grateful for sensei Miranda's zeal and dedication, he is a very humble, down to earth man.
We were performing the usual: low stances, air kicking, air blocking, air punching & kata. Kumite was point sparring and happened once in a while. Since I didn't know better I thought that was the way MA training is supposed to be. Then I started reading about shotokan online (I wanted to be knowledgable about the art I was practicing)... You guys know what is coming. Much to my sadness I commenced to read about shotokan's lack of aliveness and why its endless repetitions, low stances, kata & punch pulling wouldn't prepare me to fight.
I the wanted to switch to kyokushin karate, but there are not any schools around west Texas area (none that I could find). So, no BJJ, no Kyokushin, and I didn't want to keep going to Shotokan. Then, while reading you, I learn that Judo is an effective MA. So I joined a judo club under the guidance of Hector & German Calvo (3rd & 6th degree BB and international class A referee, respectively). I couldn't be happier. Awesome workout: 30-40 minutes stretching/warming up; 20 minutes ukemi, and 40 minutes randori.
I also plan to take advantage of the boxing gyms around. I plan to join a boxing gym ("box no good" myth debunked by you), so I can add some striking to the game, next January.
And its all your fault. If it were not for you, I'd still be practicing shotokan (no disrespect, just that it is not what I wanted).
Thanks gang.
Bill
I live in El Paso, Tx -Juarez, Mx border, home of amazing boxers. Since I was still under the influence of the movies and the "all western is inferior" myth I wanted to train something with oriental roots. The UFC craze made BJJ my choice, but I couldn't find a decent school around. I kept looking. Since my job keeps me crossing the border everyday (I work for El Paso Community College and for Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua) I could shop for dojos on both countries.
El Paso's TMA gyms were, through their websites, kind of not serious (in my opinion, and based purely on my web browsing). I could mainly find the typical TKD, Shotokan and 'my very own personally developed style' places. The Mexican side of the border is plagued with Lima Lama, TKD & Shotokan schools.
A friend of mine (amateur full contact fighter) told me sensei Humberto Miranda used to be a tough prize fighter and an incredible brawler when young (now is 55). After some thoughts I joined Miranda's Shotokan club, on the Mexican side of the border. Miranda is a very experienced man who also trains bodyguards and LEOs. Everyday I woke up at 5:30 am so I could join his daily classes. I am very grateful for sensei Miranda's zeal and dedication, he is a very humble, down to earth man.
We were performing the usual: low stances, air kicking, air blocking, air punching & kata. Kumite was point sparring and happened once in a while. Since I didn't know better I thought that was the way MA training is supposed to be. Then I started reading about shotokan online (I wanted to be knowledgable about the art I was practicing)... You guys know what is coming. Much to my sadness I commenced to read about shotokan's lack of aliveness and why its endless repetitions, low stances, kata & punch pulling wouldn't prepare me to fight.
I the wanted to switch to kyokushin karate, but there are not any schools around west Texas area (none that I could find). So, no BJJ, no Kyokushin, and I didn't want to keep going to Shotokan. Then, while reading you, I learn that Judo is an effective MA. So I joined a judo club under the guidance of Hector & German Calvo (3rd & 6th degree BB and international class A referee, respectively). I couldn't be happier. Awesome workout: 30-40 minutes stretching/warming up; 20 minutes ukemi, and 40 minutes randori.
I also plan to take advantage of the boxing gyms around. I plan to join a boxing gym ("box no good" myth debunked by you), so I can add some striking to the game, next January.
And its all your fault. If it were not for you, I'd still be practicing shotokan (no disrespect, just that it is not what I wanted).
Thanks gang.
Bill
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