Wolfling

Been interested in trying it myself. It looks like a lot of fun.

What is best for you? That depends on what you are interested in learning and why :-) Find a place where you fit in, where you have fun, where you want to go. Don't worry about how effective it is, worry about what kind of people it turns out. Look at the people who have been going for a long time, are they the kind of people you want to be with and be like? If you like the group, and are having fun, you will keep going. Chances are, you will never get into a violent situation, so training should always be focused on the day to day benefits it provides. The best style is the one you train...often :-)

I have heard good things about Cold Steel katanas in that price range.

OK, I have an opinion here :-) What is that saying opinions are like.............. OP, You are looking for real-world effectiveness and something that strengthens the body. Go with a traditional Shaolin style. Let the flame war begin :-) Here is why. Shaolin works really hard on conditioning in a way that is designed to promote longevity. Many styles will sacrifice longevity for rapid effectiveness, either as an athlete (competitive fighter) or soldier. Traditional styles tend to have healing aspects, modern styles can include them as well. You have to look at what is being taught and judge for yourself. Look at senior students (especially senior citizen students ;-) ) to determine what you will look like in 20 years...... Real-world effectiveness.....*sigh. What kind of violence are you planning on getting into? That determines what you want to study. Actually, it more determines how you want to train. The best style is the one you practice regularly. Styles never meet, only stylists (B. Lee). Pick a style you like and practice it, it will work when you need it. Much better than the "best" style you never practice. Some criteria to think about: Does it work on multiple terrains (wet grass, rocks, parking lots, ice)? Does it work against skilled opponents outside of your training group or style? Does it work against pickup weapons, sticks, clubs, bottles, knives? Multiple opponents? (If it teaches the use of lethal force, does it teach you how to hire a lawyer and how to deal with the police? or study with the master: http://www.ayoob.com/df.html ) But, most important, pick a style you enjoy and have fun with it. Play hard, it will be there when you need it, and, the more you train, the less likely you are to need it.

Ping....Pompano Beach here

How many Tai Chi teachers does it take to screw in a lightbulb? 11, 1 to screw it in, 10 to tell him why he is doing it wrong. I have been studying and training since the early 90s. The only form I have kept is the Yang short form. Learned some Chen and Wu along the way, took what I wanted and let it go. Also love Bagua. Studied a few other things for a while along the way, but I keep going back to basics. Peace :-)

Well, I will start with, when the blood is flowing, it doesn't matter much, in the training hall and discussions of strategy and tactics and philosophy, it can be a useful framework to describe the universe. (everyone has a plan until the get punched in the nose :-) ) So on to what you asked, the 2 big systems have Taoist and/or Indian (Hindu/Buddhist) origins, and they are very different in many ways. (there are also western alchemical systems that have their own.......) The Taoist 5 elements are Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth (in the creative cycle, each generates the next, In the controlling cycle, Earth subdues Water, Water subdues Fire, Fire subdues Metal, Metal subdues Wood, Wood Subdues Earth...) You can look at them and maybe see how this might impact technique. Some systems of Hsing I use these elements, as well as chi kung and chinese medicine, philosophy, feng shui, etc. Indian origin are based on the chakra system, often 7 chakras or 5 (Japanese Go Dai for example). These are Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and Void when associated with elements. (Stephen Hayes popularized these in his interpretation of ninjitsu) as did its descendant, Hoshin system. Each one has physical postures and movements, mental imagery, emotional (attitudes), etc attached to them. If I had to really illustrate the big difference in the viewpoint, in the Buddhist systems, Void or Spirit is the culmination of the elements, in the Taoist systems, it is Earth. Please remember, for many, this is a discussion about religion, not martial arts, and some will respond that way to it. My knowledge is my own from my own studies and may not be accurate anywhere else. Let me know if you have questions. I have many answers, some of which might even be correct ;-)

Hi All, Into, let's see....hmmm. So much to tell, so little you need to know. I always find it difficult to think when the space is too big, too much information and very little filter. I guess that means I am in the right place. Anyway, been a SciFi nerd for as long as I can remember, Tom Swift, Kim Kinneson, Lazarus Long, shaped my childhood more than anything else. Well, after a decade or so of injuries and neglect, I have discovered the temple I call my body is falling apart. I paid too much attention to the internal and not enough to the physical. It has come time for me to return to the path of the anti-hero (well, if it is just 4 or 5 moments, maybe I can pull that off), get myself together, and try to take over the world..... Why am I here? I am here because I really think you all are just awesome in what you are doing (there is no try). I am a huge fan!! Where am I starting? , I have about 30 years of Tai Chi, Pa Kua and Chi Kung experience, and have a bit of knowledge I can share, if anyone is interested. But I have really let myself go, 10 years of neglect can do bad things to the mind, body and spirit. Where am I going? (To infinity and beyond!!) right now, Oliver Queen comes to mind, for a realistic physical starting point, actually, if we are going into fantasy, Remo would be nice :-). Well, I think Jackie Chan always was happier and better adjusted than those two not to mention Goku. Happy, Healthy, strong, capable, confident, totally geeky and totally OK with it. Well, I look forward to walking (or jumping, dancing and flying) the path with you all, never give up, never surrender!!! Peace Wolfing :-)

Hi Wolfen, like the name :-) Yes, I have a bit of experience with this, is there anything I can help with?