How much time would it take to earn a blue belt in a martial art if one were to train twice a week?
It depends on at least several factors: 1) Some martial arts are harder to learn than others. Aikido, for instance, is sometimes called "the twenty year art", because it'll take you that long to fully master it. In contrast, karate (for example) is easier to learn because it is less nuanced. In general, 'soft' styles (like the former) are more difficult to learn than 'hard' styles (like the latter). 2) Each student will learn at their own pace, which can vary greatly. Related to this is the level of instruction you receive. Obviously, some teachers are better than others. Look for a school with a nice mix of students at various belt levels. You will be receiving instruction from them as well as the master. 3) Each dojo has its own standards for achievement, which may be significantly higher or lower than another. If you join a 'belt factory', you could have a blue belt in six to eight months, probably. 4) The belt hierarchy can be different from school to school, and from style to style. A blue belt is usually somewhere about halfway between white and black. I earned a blue belt after almost two full years of practicing a style of mixed martial arts. This was twice a week for one to two hours. The belt progression went like this: white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, red, brown, black. At my school, you might expect to have just earned your orange belt after six or eight months. The belts will often take longer to earn as you move into the advanced curriculum. Finally, do not put too much emphasis on earning belts. Focus on learning your craft. A top-notch blue belt from a high-quality school might whoop a black belt from some 'belt factory'.
Which Martial Art or styles have you studied over all?
I am not sure who is the thumb down culprit most likely our famour mr captain who loves to thumb everything i do down, it is his only way of se8ual excitement i think. I never thumb down, i am giving all a thumbs up after this post. so if you have a thumb down it was not me. ask the captain, he is the child in the ma arena here..=] thank you all for your great answers. I will not pick a best answer, this one i will let go to a vote, all are great styles. I started in TKD at age 5, then to Kenpo from 11-17 then Kick boxing 17-20 and finally Shotokan from 20-current day which i am almost 37 so I have a long career in Martial Arts and I think that every style has its beauty.
What makes a martial art legitimate?
This is really an issue and thoughts that makes full, wide and long debates on some people involve in Martial Arts, because being legitimate has wide meaning in it and interpretation varied a wide definition, every person insist what he thinks is right behind his minds, especially if those people had been corrupted by the wrong teachings about legitimacy of arts that rises on certain place. But for me, if one style been occur on one place bringing the name of certain arts, it is hard to say about its legality, unless a person will check the instructors background and the origin of his skills and knowledge, judging them is like you are saying that such is the content of the books by just reading his cover. What matter most here is the know how of the instructor and he followed the curriculum of the style the taught, he knows what to do, what to give and what to instruct. This is the hard point on this recent forms of Martial Arts, once you are not involve or not a member under their organization, then you will feel the discrimination point of being out in the line, they will not consider you a legitimate instructor, a side scenario because most existed organization now are relying on the contribution and support you can give to them. Being legitimate, wow, so funny but things are really hard to know if how some people consider this. . . . . . . . .
What r the pros and cons of each martial art?
Karate: designed for self-defence and some styles, like wado-ryu, also incorporate take-downs. Mostly a 'stand-up' fighting style. Muay-thai: designed for self-defence, mostly kicks and strikes. Stand-up fighting style. Taekwondo: designed for self-defence, mostly kicks and strikes. Stand-up fighting style. Capoiera's circular and evasive movements, combined with its rich tradition of music and song, place it in a unique position as an art, and always poses the question "is Capoeira a game, a fight or a dance"? Capoeira games require the grace and agility of a dancer, with the strength and skill of a warrior. Judo: The use of balance and off-balancing. The use of leverage to achieve greater power. Taking advantage of the opponent's strength. Taking advantage of the opponent's weaknesses. The value of yielding and giving way. The proper application of timing, momentum and force. Not much 'stand-up' fighting i.e. punches, kicks. Aikido: On a purely physical level it is an art involving some throws and joint locks that are derived from Jujitsu and some throws and other techniques derived from Kenjutsu. Aikido focuses not on punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to throw them away from you. It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement. Hapkido: These include Tan-Jeon breathing for improved general health, fitness and power. Also practised are a wide variety of kicks, punches, blocks and strikes. As the student develops they will go on to learn tripping, throws, wrist & arm locks and holds. At advanced levels the Hapkido students can also study weapons like sword, staff, fan, dan-bong (short stick), cane and belt. Pretty much a 'well-rounded' art. Shihan J: the people of Okinawa formulated karate in order to protect themselves from assault in a civilian environment (which is why most people start practising the art today). Read the following article: http://www.iainabernethy.com/articles/ar...
Which form of Kung Fu takes the least time to master; Hung Gar, Northern Shaolin, Baguazhang,or Tai Chi?
Start with Xingyiquan with a good instructor. The day you can beat him in a fight you can start training in another form of kung-fu. Seriously, start with Xingyi since you seem impatient. You will understand in a year or two and thank me.