About Colin Wee Expertise Do you need some insight on your martial arts path? Do you find you're lacking direction? I'm happy to share my knowledge as a martial arts and self defence instructor.Colin does Traditional Taekwondo in Perth W. Australia.
Experience Started training in 1983 and have participated in three main styles in three continents over the last 23 years. I have a 4th Dan in Taekwondo, 1st Dan in Renzhe Kung fu, and while unranked, have trained for several years under an Aikijujutsu instructor. I have teaching certification from two organisations, and play an active role in an international martial arts organisation. The last couple of years have seen me researching and documenting the evolution of Taekwondo and its bunkai. My approach is to pair pattern applications and drills to student skill level. Lastly, while I enjoy the respect and comradeship from my colleagues, I am an instructor working with a small group of students, and am on my own martial path.
Organizations American Karate and Taekwondo Organization
Molum Combat Arts Association
International Alliance of Martial Arts Schools
Publications 1. http://a-kato.org/articles.html
2. Ch'ang Hon Taekwon-do Hae Sul: Real Applications To The ITF Patterns
3. Combat Magazine (UK) - part of an interview
Education/Credentials BBA 1995 Cox School of Business
MBT 2005 University New South Wales
Awards and Honors Teachers Certification 2003
MLCAA Honor Society Award 2004
Past/Present Clients A few years in the past had me deal with a range of corporate and retail students, though mostly I don't teach for or charge any money.
Expert: Colin Wee Date: 4/3/2007 Subject: Martial arts path.
Question Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
Your answer history shows that you have gotten many of these questions. They were answered properly and correctly, hence I am here asking you a similar question.
I have done a few martial arts/sports, including Gojo Ryu, Silat and Systema. They were great, but I never really got anything out of them.
The full contact of Systema is not bad, but it is really not up my alley. Gojo Ryu Karate was okay as well, but it focused too much on the mastering of kata's.
What I look for in a martial art/sport is aggressiveness (in the sense of being able to fully dedicate yourself to it), an ability for true sparring in the dojo/center, and a way to competitively practice your chosen art/sport. Because armed arts/sports are rather dangerous to practice outside of sparring, they wouldn't really fit the bill. I am no weapon expert however, so if there are any that can be competitive outside the obvious ones like Kendo, that would be great.
Thanks in advance,
Damian.
Answer Damian
Yours is a difficult question to answer. It's almost like asking "who should I marry?"
I have myself had the luck to meet fantastic individuals and train in several amazing schools. In fact you would probably enjoy the school that I was trained in, and perhaps one that I am currently affiliated with.
It seems like you know what you want - a good blend that challenges you. If so, perhaps you should list down these criteria, put a rating scale and start walking through the yellow pages to see how they rank up against your needs?
I don't think there'd be a particular 'style' that I would recommend. It's really up to the individual instructor. I myself trained in an american taekwondo/traditional taekwondo school and absolutely loved it - the sparring was 'hurt but don't injure' and you can strike *anywhere* - with control. I would recommend a forward-thinking traditional stylist OR a traditional minded sport-based instructor. :-)
As for your weapons interest, the only thing that comes to mind is Chanbara. http://www.ryokukai.com/chanbara.htm. The Sifu that I am associated with in Indiana has both a chinese and japanese background, and practices Chanbara - and loves it. I assume that there are others around that do the same.
Of particular note you may be interested to explore escrima or kali schools. These places practice both weapons - with a view towards real life scenarios - and unarmed combat. I personally have a very high opinion of the philipino arts, and would consider spending more time researching it ... if I had more time.
The last option for you is to start your own group on the side ... made up of like-minded artists who come together to practice and improve on skills.
I hope I was helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Or any specific issues.
