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: 3/3/2007 Subject: martial art
Question Hello Mr. Colin!
As far as you know in Aikido there is neither kicking, punching your opponent nor techniques that teach you how to fight (grapple)on the ground, a so called "ne waza" (ground technique). I'm just wondering which martial art to start training in (apart from Aikido) to get both of these. A martial art which is more offensive and teaches ground techniques. I know I could train in both Karate and judo. They would teach me what I'm looking for. However I'm thinking only of one art which focuses on both aspects. I was thinking of Wing chun, but don't know if it is a good idea I don't know if it's really effective. How do you think? Thank You!
Answer Hi Lucas.
As far as I know, there are atemi strikes in Aikido, but those that are used in practice and taught at higher belts are extremely limited. I have seen few Aikidoka strike convincingly - of those that I know who do strike well, they typically have a depth of expertise in a hard style system that surpasses me.
The most logical martial art that is "more offensive and teaches ground techniques" would be jujutsu or a variant of jujutsu - such as BJJ. Going further you might want to look in on Mixed Martial Art schools which offer a combination system that includes grappling, boxing, and kicking. Whether or not you're getting a martial 'art' is debatable, but undoubtedbly you'll be learning some pretty solid skills.
Wing Chun recently has gotten some interesting press regarding modern approaches to teaching. Some instructors have seem to incorporate self defence elements such as ground defence (the fight using WC principles). Don't discount what a good instructor could offer. Explore!
As for your exploration ... good for you. It's exciting being able to look at the martial arts and wondering how to embark on a lifelong journey. If I may, I'd like to offer you some good advice. Don't get too stuck on labels. The instructor is by far more important. Many times I get students asking for so-and-so martial art, wanting to learn a particular style. Yet they forget to ask my opinion as to who they should learn from. This is much much more important. Learn some good skills first ... then take a step back and then add to this base art. You'd be better for it than if you try to dilute your effort in two or three styles. Whilst you may gain quickly at first, you might reach diminishing returns fairly quickly too.
It sounds like you're doing your research. My best wishes to you.
