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Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

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Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#71

Post by cabacon »

stummjr wrote: post #37

I think Aikido is a very good option, not only to programmers, but to all the people. It's a martial art which is meant to preserve the integrity of both players. Both mental and body health are the main concerns of this martial art.

For what it's worth, I found that the aesthetic of Aikido was typically appealing to people in the math/computer science fields. While I hold no strong opinions about its ability to make one a good fighter, I did think it was enjoyable, grounding, and beautiful. That combination seems to line up with the original poster's appreciation of Kendo.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#72

Post by wushupork »

I think any martial arts taken seriously is good for you. You realize that mastery comes w/ only years of practice and don't develop that short sightedness of thinking you will hit a homerun on your first time (competing). My martial arts training has tempered my own patience. If I get impatient as to why I am not getting something already, I go back to what I tell my own students: If you haven't done it a 1000 times yet, it's ok that it's not great yet, don't be frustrated. Practice practice practice.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#73

Post by lmkg »

Estragon wrote: post #69
ryanelkins wrote: post #47

I study Krav Maga. I prefer a practical self defense oriented approach. It is the system developed by and taught to the Israeli military. Moves are generally very simple (important so you can be effective without years of training). The problem with pretty much all other martial arts everyone is mentioning is that they have morphed to work ideally in a competitive environment. Sure, knowing just about any martial art…

I found American Jiu Jitsu to have a similarly practical orientation.

Jiu-Jitsu is one of the more practical martial arts, since it's much closer to its street-fighting origins. Krav Maga stretches the definition of 'martial art' for some people, because of its focus on practicality, lack of formal competitions, and complete disregard for the safety of the person you're attacking. Jiu-Jitsu has the sometimes-useful property of generally being less-than-lethal, although the majority of the techniques have a high chance of causing lasting, sometimes permanent, damage.

In terms of relations to programming: Krav Maga has a heavy focus on edge cases, and a "good enough" philosophy. Jiu-Jitsu focuses on perfecting a smaller number of core cases.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#74

Post by barmstrong »

As others have mentioned BJJ because... 1. A weaker opponent can take down a much stronger/bigger one using leverage and his mind 2. It's comparable to chess or a mental sport

For a striking example of #1 see this video where Royce Gracie (6'1" 180 lbs) defeats Legendary Sumo Grand Champion Akebono (6'8" 486 lbs) using BJJ. I can't imagine that being possible with any other style of martial arts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POJ2T023M4I

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#75

Post by philwelch »

ryanelkins wrote: post #47

I study Krav Maga. I prefer a practical self defense oriented approach. It is the system developed by and taught to the Israeli military. Moves are generally very simple (important so you can be effective without years of training). The problem with pretty much all other martial arts everyone is mentioning is that they have morphed to work ideally in a competitive environment. Sure, knowing just about any martial art…

Heh, that reminded me of this practical self defense oriented approach:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2REG3-Wb5gM

"First you're going to want to get wrist control. Then, you pull out your gun."

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#76

Post by alinhan »

nazgulnarsil wrote: post #13

doesn't matter as long as there is sparring. martial arts without sparring is a dance class. martial arts with sparring is an unmissable experience.

I also agree.

I've started training in judo a couple of years back. I love it and I recommend it to everyone.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#77

Post by lmkg »

If you're not concerned with practicality at all, Capoiera is worth a look. It's a much slower martial art (especially Angola), and tends to focus more on prediction and setting the other player up. How movements flow into each other is a significant consideration as well. I wouldn't ever use it in a fight. But it's more approachable as a casual interest.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#78

Post by fallintothis »

wushupork wrote: post #72

I think any martial arts taken seriously is good for you. You realize that mastery comes w/ only years of practice and don't develop that short sightedness of thinking you will hit a homerun on your first time (competing). My martial arts training has tempered my own patience. If I get impatient as to why I am not getting something already, I go back to what I tell my own students: If you haven't done it a 1000 times…

Agreed.

I find martial arts discussions funny. More often than not it's a bunch of people arguing over which one is the "best" in a "real-world fight", which usually degrades into arguments over what "real-world fights" are like, because none of them has ever actually been in one. But it's pretty silly: I know I'd have fun in any martial art right now. If I wanted to know how to fight someone for real, I'd study some form of military combat.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#79

Post by ivansavz »

I really like this thread for its information content about different styles. I have a few general comments:

- The school/teacher is much more important than the style. Make sure you find a teacher than is not profit oriented or arrogant. Signs of a bad teacher: has his face on the wall, has his name on the school, won't talk to you when you visit, tolerates bad attitude amongst his students.

- Martial-arts is essentially applied classical mechanics. Leverage, angle, distance, bone structure, hip turning... make sure people explain this to you instead of talking about tigers, praying mantii or age old traditions.

- practice horse stance on your own: it's the shit ! http://images.google.ca/images?q=horse+stance

- I highly recommend wing chun kung fu. You learn a few basic moves and then you can combine them like lego pieces. Check out these doods controlling the space in front of them in a RELAXED manner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFuqC6CTKV8

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