Do you practice a martial art?

No, I don’t.

I practiced Judo for 6 years before moving countries and couldn’t find a club. So I took up Karate which I have been doing for the past 2 years under the teaching of one of the best instructors in Australia. I did Judo for 1.5 hours twice a week and Karate is for 2 – 2.5 hours twice a week.

No, although I do practice tai chi chih, a form of chi kung.

@Marina many of the older martial arts people who have stopped much of the heavier stuff because of their age practice Tai Chi or the Karate equivalent of it using the breathing and controlled movements as a form of meditation. The Kancho (7th Dan) in Australia spends much of his time doing this form because he can still stay fit and mentally strong

@joeysefika I cannot say enough about the benefits!!! I love it.

@marina, Before we train we often do some Kata that is very similar to Tai Chi it’s very relaxing, with rhythmic breathing to the movements. It’s this state of relaxation that allows you to move faster and train longer and harder.

I’ve practiced Brazilian Jujitsu since I was about 7. I also have studied Jeet Kune Do, and Muy Thai Boxing.

I took Tae Kwon Do (Korean Karate) for 10 years, and have the equivalent knowledge of a black belt.

@JA, so you were a black belt or you just knew all the kata and techniques of a black belt?

I tested for (and was awarded) the black belt, but because of a special arrangement I had with my instructor, my earning of the belt was never “official,” and the reason for that was because of the fact that, had it been formally awarded, my instructor (in the state where this occurred) would have been required by law to report my rank to law enforcement authorities (similar to the way a gun store owner reports a gun sale) and I would have been required to “register myself” with the local police department, just as if I was the owner of a lethal weapon.

Without any formal recognition of my rank (and no participation in tournaments or competitions) I was able to technically avoid those requirements.

it only took you 10 years to get a black belt? How often did you train?

I have a black belt in Hapkido. During the six years I spent working for my black belt, I also studied a Kung Fu style called Tai Sheng Pek Kwar (Monkey Kung Fu). There are no belts in this style but as I moved through the Hapkido belts I learned more and more advanced forms. I also studied Gracie (Brazilian) Jujitsu, and had a blast!!

When I was really heavy into the martial arts I belonged to a group called the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists. They have a weekend martial arts retreat for women where tons of different styles are represented. During these weekends I was exposed to Jeet Kun Do, Capoeira, Iaido, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Krav Maga (a very bad ass Israeli art that deserves to be linked), and a bunch of other styles.

I love the martial arts, and I miss having the time to dedicate to studying them.

@joeysefika: It didn’t take me 10 years to get the black belt knowledge; I just took formal lessons for 10 years.

I studied Shoringi Kempo for several years, but when my sensei moved away, I was unable to find a similar school in my area. I’d like to get back into martial arts, but just about the only thing you can find around here is Tae Kwon Do, which I am not a fan of.

Yes, I do kickboxing, I practice about 4 days a week, in between my yoga and pilates. These days I do it, more for the cardio benefits. I no longer do it for a competitive sport, because of foot injuries in a auto accident. I’ve been doing kickboxing now for about 25 years and love it!

Shao Lin Kempo ...and within that training, the sensei adds in judo, krav maga, bjj, grappling, boxing and naturally plenty of Shao Lin Kung Fu.

I am on my own for training right now as I am in Germany and there just is not anything here. Women here dont spar and they certainly dont take it seriously. I have had no luck finding a sparring partner (male or female). Back in Colorado, I only sparred with men. I mean, when I step on the mat, my gender is not an issue. I dont spar like a girl and I will take the hits they dole out. (If you cant take the heat..dont even go in the kitchen) I sooo miss playing with the boys.

Tae Kwon Do (it’s not Korean Karate, it’s just a Korean form of martial arts) for the past 2 years.