Martial Arts

[Rainbow Werewolf]

Does anyone else here study a martial art? I wasn't sure which forum to put this into, but I am trying to learn how to use self-hypnosis or lucid dreaming to practice my martial arts, and to visualize through time distortion techniques. This way, when I practice for real, I can perceive time slowed down so that I become faster than my opponent. Anyone else have experience with these types of phenomena.

[Amethyst Star]

I've been studying Judo, though only long enough to where I've earned my yellow belt, so about a year in total. I, too, would love to try and use my LDs to improve my abilities, but you have to be careful. Normal physics don't usually apply to the mind. You may try something in a dream but find that it doesn't work the same in real life. However, it would be interesting to try and theorize what could happen and possibly find a way to make it work in the real world. However, LDs would probably be a great place to work on things that are repetitive so that you can get them just right. For example, in Judo the most important thing is to learn how to fall, so practicing the various break falls could be easier (and safer) to do in a dream.... I wish I had some LDs so I could experiment with that. I'm sure the same could go for a lot of situations that require repetitive motion (swimming, fencing, etc.) I think I'll move this to the lounge, too.

[A Lost Soul]

I studied Shaolin and Shotokan for a while. I haven't had any experience with the technique you're suggesting, but it's not a bad idea at all. Depending on the situation, I've noticed that some fights go blindingly fast and you don't even realize there was a fight until it's done. Other fights seem like they're in slow-motion and your body calmly takes over while your mind goes out to lunch. Let me know what your results are. I'd be interested in hearing them.

[Rainbow Werewolf]

I've been practicing for about four months, and am a yellow belt in Hoi Joen Moo Sool (a Korean style). Also, there is a certified hypnotherapist locally that offers hypnosis certification courses where we pick our area of interest. I am trying to find out from her whether I will be able to use self-hypnosis to improve my perception of speed and also to become certified to where I can train others in this as well.

[InTheMoment]

Third degree black belt in Kunt Fu. In some parts of the world I'm known as the Nookie Ninja.

[Dangeruss]

black belt in Tae Kwon Do, over here. Recently I've been working on my own fighting style that I call Russ Fou, which in French means 'crazy Russ.' The russfou style is based on the same basic techniques as tae kwon do, but the advanced moves are a collection of things that I got from dreams, friendly scraps, and my good old anatomy book. As far as using your dreams to hone your fighting skills, I think you'll find it's quite useful. Apart from playing with time, why not try spawning several opponents for yourself, see how many you can handle? Or maybe splitting yourself into two people and controlling them both simultaneously? there are lots of fun things you can do that have all sorts of real world benefits. so, in closing, go nuts!

[AirRick101]

Several years of Kung Fu lessons and form practice. I do some qigong too, but it's usually for mental and emotional reasons because of the subtle aspect. I'm a bit out of practice, though, need to get back into making myself more flexible. This is off topic, but I breakdance too, which helps maintain some of that martial arts tendency.

[jacobo]

boxing is all you need. it's the most efficient way to use your fists in a fight. seriously. time distortion? lame. grrr.

[Rainbow Werewolf]

You wouldn't stand much of a chance against a skilled kickboxer. I believe it is better to learn what you can and use the tools you need at that time. Originally posted by adidas boxing is all you need. it's the most efficient way to use your fists in a fight. seriously. time distortion? lame. grrr.

[Dangeruss]

Boxing? shyeahhh right. Any fighting style where you're not allowed to use any part of your body except your hands is bound to be limited at best. Can you headbutt in a boxing match? yeah, didn't think so.

[Liam]

I used to study martial arts. I've done alot of different styles, including Taekwondo, Shaolin Kung Fu, Judo, Karate. The part that always fascinated me about martial arts was the flashy moves like you would see in movies. So that is pretty much what I do now, gymnastics and extreme martial arts tricks.

[Oneironaut Zero]

Just a yellow belt in Karate when I was a kid, but I'm looking on starting my daughter and I up in Kung-Fu when she turns six; more than likely a Shaolin style, but I'm thinking about giving Wing Chun a try. I dunno. I'm still thinking of taking a boxing course later on down the line, but I have to disagree with boxing being the "most effective" way of using your hands in a fight. I don't speak from experience, so take that as is but, at face value, I'd think Wing Chun was more effective. [Edit: But then, the two are like apples and oranges, so it's hard to say. There are too many different variables between the two of them.] Before anyone sets their heart in one style, I'd suggest reading some of Bruce Lee's philosophy of Jeet Kune Do. You'll never get the most of your potential by confining yourself to one of someone else's style. But yeah, I think dreams are a great way to practice something like martial arts. (I'm also pretty good at popping/gliding/liquid dancing, also, and I "practice" them often in dreams. It's hard to say whether or not it helps me get better in waking life, (I don't don't dance in dreams that often) but I definitely think the mental exposure to 'working myself through the motions' helps me get much more comfortable with it. I feel a fluidity while dancing in my dreams that I only very rarely feel (when I'm really on my game) in waking life.

[Liam]

Combine Boxing, Taekwondo and Jiu-Jitsu and you are in for some major ass-whooping...

[Rainbow Werewolf]

I am anxious to see where my Hoi Jeon Moo Sool will take me. It is actually composed of 4 different styles. There are over 3000 different types of kicks. The art allows for handling up to 8 attackers at once. I still have years to go before I get that far. Once I get black belt, I will go into Tae Kwon Do or something along those lines.

[Dangeruss]

if you want to learn some of those advanced moves from hoi jeon moo sool, stick around for a little bit after you get the black belt. Everything up to that point overlaps with other fighting styles a lot, the cool stuff comes after black.

[Rainbow Werewolf]

I plan to, but you have to be 1st Dan for two years before you can test for 2nd Dan. The black belt test I heard is 4 hours. Absoloutely I plan to stick with Hoi Jeon, but will also diversify. By that time I'll be in such rediculously good shape that it won't be that hard to work with another art as well. Originally posted by Dangeruss if you want to learn some of those advanced moves from hoi jeon moo sool, stick around for a little bit after you get the black belt. Everything up to that point overlaps with other fighting styles a lot, the cool stuff comes after black.

[JSTEVEKANE]

I ve done Tai chi kung fu for many years and did some capoeira for a while ,My tai chi teacher is a tibbetan buddhist /taoist and he very into the meditation spiritual cultivation thing. His master is known to appear in dreams and teach people stuff ,ive had a fu kung fu classes in my dreams but im sure they were just a product of my imagination

[Lucifer Sam]

This is going to sound wierd, but the guy that I learned Shaolin and Tai Chi under insisted that I learn both simultaneously, and he refused to let me wear any belt other than for the function of a belt, to hold up my pants. Anyway, he tought a class out of a room he rented in a gym in my hometown. It was cool because he always mad frequent trips to fly back and forth from China, probably once a month. He was kind of wierd, but he had to be loaded, with all the flying he was doing. Anyway, I think dreaming is definitely a good way to go about learning martial arts. Keep in mind though, that wshat seems literal may not always be so, and what seems to be philosophy may infact be action. In this way, we each are practicing our own form of combat, not only are no two styles of fighting the same, but no two fighter will ever fight the same. There is no such thing as a superior style, only a superior fighter. Go for it.

[Rainbow Werewolf]

That sounds sweet. I don't know the spritual side of the Korean art I am studying, but there is a lot of tradition in it, like formal bowing to the masters. I'll ask the one of the master's about lucid dreaming. He seemed interested when I told him about time distortion. From what I've seen in the art I am studying, it has moves like a Hoi Jeon Circle Punch where you spin around and use a bowwrist for striking, followed by a backfist; all very cool looking. And this is just a yellow belt technique. Originally posted by JSTEVEKANE+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JSTEVEKANE)</div> I ve done Tai chi kung fu for many years and did some capoeira for a while ,My tai chi teacher is a tibbetan buddhist /taoist and he very into the meditation spiritual cultivation thing. His master is known to appear in dreams and teach people stuff ,ive had a fu kung fu classes in my dreams but im sure they were just a product of my imagination [/b] Couldn't have said it better myself. <!--QuoteBegin-Lucifer Sam There is no such thing as a superior style, only a superior fighter. Go for it.

[Dangeruss]

wow that sounds pretty cool. I never bust out the spin punch except for a good laugh, but that's because I've never seen one done properly and I don't know how to actually get damage out of one. If nothing else, dream fighting will help you with improvisation. Some fighters stick rigidly to the techniques that they learn from their masters, and those fighters tend to not do as well in sparring matches. I won a few sparring trophies by catching my opponents off guard with some bizarre move that I'd dreamt up. The dream moves weren't always as practical as the traditional moves, but at least my opponents weren't expecting them. A good fighter attacks both mind and body, using both mind and body. My old TKD school sold these t-shirts that read "mind, body, and spirit." Indeed, TKD was all about cultivating the three and using them in trinity against your opponent.

[Liam]

Not weird at all man, that sounds like a pretty good teacher....Belts are for McDojos...

[CryoDragoon]

does anybody know Aikido??? i'm thinking about going to learn that...

[Oneironaut Zero]

I'm planning on learning Aikido, also. That's a great style, as far as I know. Don't know a thing or two about it from the inside, though.

[Rainbow Werewolf]

I'm not sure if Aikido uses belts, but whatever you choose, stick with it. It gets better as you go. And having a black belt I'm sure does wonders for confidence and pride (in a good way). Originally posted by Oneironaut I'm planning on learning Aikido, also. That's a great style, as far as I know. Don't know a thing or two about it from the inside, though.

[Evogen]

im a muay thai kick boxer.. start competition in a month