Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#11

Post by robg » Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 2:40 PM UTC

I wouldn't have made it through grad school without Shotokan Karate (http://www.ska.org/). It helps that they're non-profit, so you know you're learning and not just paying for belts. Plus, they have very intense "Special trainings" around the country at different points in the year. They're a great organization.

While it's easy for some to dismiss "mystical" aspects, look at the real world applications. If you suffer from "pressure" that could be a moderate form of anxiety. A great combat to the parasympathetic response? Breathing.

Watch what happens when you get punched in the gut. Your immediate, initially uncontrollable desire is to blindly fight like hell or turn and run. Keeping a calm head takes practice to overcome the rush of hormones. Breathing slows the heart and tempers the response. It's the same reason elite athletes, especially runners, know the power of proper breathing.

I tend to think many mystical aspects had some physiological root that then got adulterated over time. Breathing as the route to relaxation is first on my list.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#12

Post by sgdesign » Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 2:49 PM UTC

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.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#13

Post by nazgulnarsil » Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 2:53 PM UTC

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.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#14

Post by robg » Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 2:55 PM UTC

mml wrote: post #9

Taekwondo. Lacks mystical energy crap, and is practical.

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?

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#15

Post by robg » Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 2:58 PM UTC

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.

I really enjoyed BJJ for the short time I tried it. The problem is I could easily see overpaying for it, with poor teachers, in the current MMA context. My other concern is that it's more grappling than contact, which seems less practical. I had a strong background in wrestling (4 years) and Karate (5 years) by that point. I really liked it, but I'm not sure it's right for a beginner.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#16

Post by jeromec » Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 2:59 PM UTC

Growing up we watched tons of martial art related shows because they "looked cool", but while my brothers took some courses I never did (I was teaching myself BASIC). Being older and seeing life a bit differently I see martial arts differently as well. I stumbled across a new show where I was surprised to see childhood action-hero Steven Seagal as a real sheriff. It's a good example to me of the real, rather than tv side, of martial arts, and I'd probably study Aikido if I got into something. Check this out: http://www.aetv.com/steven-seagal-lawman/video/?bcpid=468810...

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#17

Post by wyclif » Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 3:00 PM UTC

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.

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.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#18

Post by robg » Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 3:03 PM UTC

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 agree completely, especially free sparring with few rules. Getting punched (or kicked) is an important experience to have and understand. The parasympathetic response is so powerful, the only way to truly understand it is to go through it.

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#19

Post by wyclif » Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 3:04 PM UTC

robg wrote: post #15

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.

I really enjoyed BJJ for the short time I tried it. The problem is I could easily see overpaying for it, with poor teachers, in the current MMA context. My other concern is that it's more grappling than contact, which seems less practical. I had a strong background in wrestling (4 years) and Karate (5 years) by that point. I really liked it, but I'm not sure it's right for a beginner.

My other concern is that it's more grappling than contact

Grappling isn't contact?

Re: Ask HN: A martial art for a programmer

#20

Post by robg » Sun, Feb 28, 2010, 3:06 PM UTC

wyclif wrote: post #17

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.

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.