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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

#51

Post by jamesnvc1 »

mrkurt wrote: post #21
robg wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know. It's always seemed more about point scoring. When we practiced against advanced students, they relied too much on kicks which aren't very practical against anyone who knows to move in. The sparring is too controlled. Plus, in real life you aren't wearing padding. That's just my take. But then I think some of the mystical "crap" has a physiological basis. How many of us breathe deeply?

The reality is that most people don't need or have much use for practical fighting skills, they need practical running skills. Modern Taekwondo is a sport and it can be great fun. If you can find a good school that isn't just a belt factory, it's well worth doing. Particularly if they teach a little Hapkido on the side.

Yeah, I went to a Taekwondo place that also taught Hapkido and found it a very good combination: Taekwondo will get you in very good shape (Olympic-style sparring builds up cardio and flexibility quite well) and Hapkido is what you actually use if you have to mess a dude up.

In general, I'd have to say it really depends on the teacher...a good teacher can make any martial art useful, just as a bad one can make any completely useless.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#52

Post by a-priori »

I've studied a couple martial arts in various amounts: Judo, Kendo, Tae Kwon Do, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. All are interesting in their own ways, but I recommend Judo and BJJ... or Kendo if you need to vent by beating people with sticks :)

In fact, I would say to try Judo and see what you like about it. If you like the throwing, then stick with Judo. If you like the grappling (which unfortunately, sport Judo mostly lacks these days...) then switch to BJJ.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#53

Post by ryanelkins »

wyclif wrote: post #30
robg wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is if you're a beginner, you think those locks are easy in the real-world. Meanwhile, you're getting punched and kicked in the head. Staying on your feet and knowing when to run like hell is just as important a skill, as is avoiding getting hit. BJJ works well in a cage and between two people. Keep in mind that's a very controlled environment.

BJJ works well in a cage and between two people BJJ works well between two people. There, fixed that for you. Please don't confuse UFC matches with applied BJJ, just because Gracie won the first few.

No, the original was right. You'll find it loses its effectiveness when you clinch someone who then stabs you repeatedly. Or perhaps you roll across a large piece of glass or get your head bashed against a curb or pavement. I think BJJ is great for what it is but I hate to see people confuse it for something it isn't.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#54

Post by rabidgnat »

robg wrote: post #20
wyclif wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is very appealing to me because it's very "realist." In a real-world fight or confrontation between 2 people, most of the time (above 90%, I think) the combatants wind up on the ground. BJJ really teaches the student how to deal with fights on the ground. If you're in a ground fight, you need to know how to control the centre of gravity as well as the numerous holds and limb locks.

The problem is if you're a beginner, you think those locks are easy in the real-world. Meanwhile, you're getting punched and kicked in the head. Staying on your feet and knowing when to run like hell is just as important a skill, as is avoiding getting hit. BJJ works well in a cage and between two people. Keep in mind that's a very controlled environment.

"BJJ works well in a cage and between two people. Keep in mind that's a very controlled environment."

I knew a cop in Philly who said it's saved his life countless times, and asserted it was more useful than Judo and Tang Soo Do. YMMV

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#55

Post by edw519 »

I prefer training for martial arts over martial arts themselves.

I do dands (Hindu pushups) and bethaks (Hindu squats) almost every day.

Want to build character? Do 500 bethaks. Your quads will be screaming, begging you to stop at 200, 300, even 400. But you keep going. Because you know that as soon as you stop, you gave up too easily. But once you finish, you can do anything. Eerily similar to starting a software business.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#56

Post by grk »

sgdesign wrote: post #12

I would say Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You can make good progress very quickly, it's a lot of fun, can be very demanding physically (but doesn't always have to) and is called "chess on the mat" which should appeal to a programmer's analytical minds. Plus, there's a ton of BJJ ressources on the net and the community is very active.

BJJ is great, but: get a brazilian teacher if possible, and avoid BJJ if you have any knee problems, I messed mine up.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#57

Post by bjelkeman-again »

I went back to classic karate after a really long brake, Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate, and it is really making a big difference to my life. Goju-Ryu is quite physical in the training, which means that most training passes give you a really good workout.

There are a number of things which I find particularly beneficial to my work (I am not programmer as such, but a founder of an internet services startup), some fairly obvious:

- It is great to be forced to use another part of the brain regularly, my body may be tired but my head is less tired after each training pass, it is like an energy injection

- I am physically much fitter now, 15 months after I started, this may be obvious, but it makes a big difference to how much work I can do and how well I feel

- my wife tells me I don't stall or give up so easily anymore when I have more work to do, particularly stuff at home

- I am forced to leave work on training days (I work from home) and not stay and, ineffectively, trying to get more done. I feel like I am more effective, despite the hours that go to training and commuting back and forth to the dojo

- I have no back problems or issues with circulation in my legs anymore, I tend to spend a lot of time sitting working, this is great

My club and the particular style I practise doesn't put much emphasis on competition (it is actually discouraged) which means that there is a really helpful, non-macho, atmosphere at the dojo. Everybody is very helpful and the training really becomes about self improvement rather than trying to be better than the others. It helps that we have some really excellent trainers as well. The head of the club is well respected internationally for his work. http://www.iogkf.se/

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#58

Post by nazgulnarsil »

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.

god I hate the "peaceful warrior" crap pushed by certain practitioners of aikido. Osensei tells us that the best way to start an aiki is to belt someone in the face. traditional aikido teaches both striking while the opponent is pinned down and completing the movement of joint locks to break bones. most easily understood: would aikido teach the katana if it wasn't about inflicting harm? how many non-lethal cutting techniques do you know?

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#59

Post by nazgulnarsil »

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…

one of the problems with grappling that BJJ doesn't address is that in many holds your opponent has the opportunity to stab you if they have a knife/shiv etc. this is most apparent in rear chokes. real self defense is not at all glamorous which is why it doesn't have the market that martial arts does. typically you're crushing or breaking something as fast as possible and then RUNNING.

I remember I was particularly impressed by one krav maga instructor who had the students spin in circles and then have another student blindside them before they knew what was happening. he also later had us get attacked from behind while sitting in a chair. of course we all looked like idiots and it wasn't very pleasant. several students complained. they just wanted to look like ninjas.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#60

Post by aphyr »

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.

I would also like to recommend Aikido. I've studied Aikido Yoshokai for four years, and found it incredibly rewarding. It's a unique blend of happy enthusiasm (I've heard new students ask why everyone is grinning all the time) with respectful discipline.

Probably best to not characterize it as a martial art, though. You'll learn timing, joint locks and throws, sword, staff, and knife techniques, how to fall safely... but most importantly, how to clearly lead and completely follow, depending on circumstances. I've heard it phrased as "the study of harmony"--not just in physical confrontations, but in arguments, office power struggles, and hard life decisions. It's not necessarily a good way to beat someone up: maybe more of a way to resolve a conflict without so much fighting.

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