(Part 2) Best products from r/martialarts

I've trained in Judo, Aikido, and Ninpo Taijutsu. Been in one, the other, or both for about half of the last 20 years.

Your weight does not preclude your participation in most martial arts, as I'm sure you've seen just about every martial art under the sun suggested here. And I definitely recommend that you choose an art that appeals to you and go for it.

Having said that, if I were in your shoes I'd add a year of conditioning to my weight loss program before I joined any art. You'll simply get more out of the art itself if you show up in shape the first day. Also, if you are 346 pounds, right away you are choosing an art based on your current physical condition and not based on what you think the art can do for you long term. Remember, quality martial arts are a lifetime pursuit. They will still be there waiting for you in a year.

As for the conditioning program: Running and Lifting, via C25k and Starting Strength.

Normally I'd recommend you plow through c25k and get to running a couple 5k's a week, then maintain that while you spend the rest of the year working through Starting Strength. You may find that at your weight, it's not a good idea to start running yet. Certainly make sure you do it on a treadmill if you decide to do it first since that will be easier on your knees.

While you are working on your conditioning programs, spend the next year researching your options for martial arts. Find out what is locally available, which of those options interests you, go and watch a class from each of the candidates. Take your time and try to assess the quality of the instructors, quality of their students, whether the dojo is a blackbelt factory, etc. Learn the issues.

What I have described will keep you very busy for one year. I'm not saying this is a prescription for what you should do, or that it is superior to any other plan you might come up with. I'm just giving you something to think about, how I would approach this from my perspective. I like to have long and short term goals that dovetail together.

EDIT: Another benefit to having a non-martial art conditioning program in place before you start training your art is if you get injured, you have running and/or lifting to fall back on while you are recovering.

I would second Mas Ayoob's stuff. Some of it is a bit dated, but still great stuff especially for the application of deadly force. His book In the Gravest Extreme is sort of considered the de-facto "self defense firearms 101" by most people.

Judicious Use of Deadly Force, and Shoot to Live are on youtube and are very fascinating, especially the Judicious Use of Deadly Force.

I'd also recommend checking out videos by Clint Smith, the operator of Thunder Ranch.

Coming into firearms from martial arts I quickly noticed that the mindset is exactly the same. That is, from a self defense stand point and not a sport fighting stand point. Martial artists who try to learn "not to die" as opposed to "win" have exactly the same mindset as defensive firearms proponents. Notions such as de-escalation, only acting when you are basically justified in stopping another human and possibly removing their right to live and things like that. The whole pride fighting, bar fights, etc have no place there. And just like martial artists, skilled firearms instructors across the board teach situational awareness above everything else and emphasize that the gun is simply a tool in the repertoire of a person seeking to not be a victim.

I really agree with swilkeni in that it is a martial art all its own. Throughout history the martial fields concerned with actual defense (and in this case offense and defense are practically the same thing), save a few small examples, are primarily concerned with the use of weapons. You can see that in any culture's history, from Japan where modern martial arts concerned with unarmed fighting are entirely a modern invention, to Europe and where ever else. People who want to survive learn to use weapons, simply put, and in America we have the right to carry the most effective single weapon a modern human can get: a gun. =D

I'm reading this one right now....it had an interesting beginning, and a slow and boring middle, but I hope the last few chapters get fun again. It's about an Englishmans experiences in Japan while enrolled in a tough Aikido class for policemen. It's worth a read, I'd say....just for fun.

https://www.amazon.com/Angry-White-Pyjamas-Scrawny-Lessons/dp/0688175376

Hi guys! I did an AMA last week on r/bjj and had some awesome questions about my book The Combat Codes, a sci-fi novel immersed in the martial arts. The mods here thought it would be a good idea if I posted to r/martialarts as well. Great to meet you all, and ask me anything!

Sounds interesting and economical, if you're handy with construction. Did you weld it together? Do you have a photo? I'm very curious.

As for the ceiling bags shaking the house, I use a heavy spring inbetween the ceiling mount and the bag. Does great in dampening the vibrations and it's better for your joists.

You might find 'The Life-Giving Sword' a bit interesting on an intellectual level then.

There's an interesting couple of pages at the back where there are plates and some poetic verses, just like how Talhoffer is set out.

Sigh.

I've got to do it again: check out Rory Miller's book "Facing Violence:Preparing For The Unexpected", in which he talks about this very thing, among others. Seriously; he's thorough, clear, easily readable, very experienced and knowledgeable, and if you haven't read it, I suspect it will seriously alter your approach to martial arts.

Here's a few links:

http://21dragons.com/blog/2011/facing-violence-by-rory-miller

http://www.amazon.com/Facing-Violence-Unexpected-Rory-Miller/dp/1594392137

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9904173-facing-violence

Honestly, I'd love to offer some insight - but anything I'm likely to say, Miller has said already, and more effectively.

If you think pankration is interesting, I recommend this excellent book. It's a work on combat sports in the ancient world, including pankration.

There's also an interesting series of articles that came out recently that discuss 'interpretive' systems like pankration and their place in the martial arts community. Worth a read if you wonder about how and where these 'dead' arts come from.

Great novel! seconded for sure, I started reading this when I first started learning kendo.

Keep in mind its a work of fiction, and is often times mixed up with historical fact. if you want something fact-based on Musashi, I highly recommend this book:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/4805314761/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_di5IDbQHQPQG9

its the best translation i've read, it not only contains "the book of five rings" but also Musashi's other works. The Author is an established history professor and kendo instructor.

Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro

It's an excellent resource for beginners and advanced students that shows a progression of techniques from novice to expert. Even though it is centered on sport (gi) BJJ, I highly recommend it for developing BJJ or any ground game.

I think you should take some Judo or Aikido (ugh, I know the subs general feels on this but hear me out) because the ukemi (which is the falling) can help make the choreography look cool without getting hurt. If you can train the falling portion meant for dynamic movement.

And maybe TKD chest and rib guards for the getting hit portion: https://www.amazon.com/Pine-Tree-TaeKwonDo-Reversible-Protector/dp/B00PSOFRM4/ref=lp_3415221_1_7?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1557263319&sr=1-7

If you were in Maryland, I know a stunt group that deal with filming fight sequences. Maybe they have more answers. u/obscurereferenceman any thoughts on protection for filming?

That's right! Like The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker, where he basically says fear exists to keep us safe, and when we feel something is not right, we should trust it.

For my school club I made people pay 10 or 15 dollars and got these pads (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HHPQATQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Ag2Uzb6C7KEMH). They're super soft and basically large sponges, but it was ok because we could hit them bareknuckle. Maybe do some fundraisers and stuff as well. You probably won't need shinguards because people probably won't be sparring especially at school (liability and such)

https://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Safe-First-Piece-32-Piece/dp/B01G45DWOK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1542376067&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=first+aid+kit&psc=1

I'm a nurse and we use live swords in our iai training so I made sure our dojo had a good first aid kit.

Ventolin is (at least in the US) prescription only. If your students have severe asthma they should bring their inhaler. For heart attacks you want full-strength aspirin on hand. Hypoglycemia, have disintegrating glucose tabs.

http://www.amazon.com/Facing-Violence-Unexpected-Rory-Miller/dp/1594392137/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341408013&sr=1-1&keywords=facing+violence

People, if you would just read this book you wouldn't have to fill this subreddit (weekly) with the same question and a bunch of almost-got-it answers.

Its $12. Read it and I promise you will have the answers to these questions and the mindset to prepare you for these things (as well as a new approach to training which should maximize your results).

)

You're thinking of the Yi Jin Jing which is the "Tendon-Washing Classic". The Xisui Jing translates to "Marrow-Washing Classic," and is called "Marrow/Brain Washing Classic," here, which I believe is the most thorough exploration and easy-to-understand translation of the former title, and the best attempt at consolidating the known information of the latter title--which has been lost to time. The Xisui Jing chapters cover small circle chi kung and large circle chi kung, and reverse breathing chi kung, with attention paid to the brain's role as the "upper dan tian".

Please only correct people when you've actually read the subject being discussed.

I recently finished reading it. It's a good book, and the course seems rather interesting. Just realize that it's going to screw with you mentally as well as physically.

Good reading books:
https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Musings-Portrayal-Arts-Century-ebook/dp/B00F3GV7B2/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480049500&sr=1-2&refinements=p_27%3ARobert+W.+Smith

https://www.amazon.com/Angry-White-Pyjamas-Scrawny-Lessons/dp/0688175376/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480049639&sr=1-1&keywords=angry+white+pajamas

If you want to learn to fight, go into a bar a few times and pick one. The best way to learn.

You asked about martial arts, I'll give you some tips. I can appreciate what the other folks mentioned about running and stuff, but in my mind, a good martial arts class that has a self defense bent will talk about those kind of things as well.

You need to look for a class that teaches with a force on force component. Basically, something that includes full contact sparring. Something that also includes weapons, and at least the basics of grappeling.

Then you need to do some reading. I like Rory Miller's take on dealing with confrontarion. Meditations on Violence , Conflict Communications, and Facing Violence are all great books.

All of Rory's stuff makes you think and most importantly, gives you things to think about regarding using communication skills against attackers.

If you are not opposed to the idea, you should buy a pistol and learn how to use it. And by use it I don't mean how to target shoot and clean it, I mean use under stress. There are civillian classes that teach pistol skills on many levels, close range fighting, low light fighting, basic combat medicine, and much more.

If you think you are going to be accosted, or even have the chance you may, prepare. Learn skills, get gear and use your brain.

If you are looking for specific martial arts, there are many out there that can fit your needs. It all depends on where you live and what schools that are around are like. I'd rather have a Tae Kwon Do school that practiced full contact non-competition style sparring and produced fighters than a Krav school that was more like a Jane Fonda workout class. I practice Pekiti Tirsia Kali, and not every Pekiti group is the same. We spar full contact every month. We work on ground work, weapons, and communications skills. We have even had a class where we trained with Simuitions doing scenario training.

Look around and if you have any questions, ask here. You may have to install a crap filter, especially lately, but someone will try to help you out.

I bought this guy on Amazon for about 20 bucks. Put it together in about 5 minutes, and I use it whenever I work out at home (the days I don't head over to the dojo). Worked out pretty well for me.

I own about 3 pairs of these "cloth shin guards" and they really don't offer much protection. These shin guards are for light contact sparring like taekwondo or karate where they tell you to not go hard. If you throw it hard and hit someone's bones, you'll feel it. If you want to throw hard kicks, just get the full shin guards like TKB, Twins, Fairtex, etc.

As for the sizing for the cloth ones, S, M, L all are the same length and the difference is how much wider they are. I'm 6'0" 150 lbs, and I can wear a small all the way to a large. If you want to be safe, get a large since it should be quite snug once you wash and dry them.

Additional advice:
They usually aren't branded,and even if they are, don't get it branded because it's such a crap shinguard that you shouldn't spend 20 more dollars just because it has the words VENUM or something on them.

Generic (Pro Force):
https://www.amazon.com/ProForce-Cloth-Instep-Guard-Black/dp/B0056D2BN0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1465367635&sr=8-4&keywords=shin+guards

VENUM:
https://www.amazon.com/Venum-Kontact-Instep-Guards-Black/dp/B008TM6LQ8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465367667&sr=8-1&keywords=shin+guards+venum

It's fiction, but I recently read and really enjoyed City of Jade by Fonda Lee. It's got a ton of great martial arts action, about warring gang empires who train to the bone and wear mystical jade to augment their perception and reflexes. It's kind of like a great crime drama, plus martial arts action, plus some light fantasy elements.


Maybe not what you're exactly asking for, but related? And probably not a bad way to pass the time if you're laid up with an injury.


https://www.amazon.com/Jade-City-Green-Bone-Saga/dp/0316440868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542818367&sr=8-1&keywords=jade+city+fonda+lee

The most interesting yet not really useful wrestling book from a practical perspective. Very interesting from a historical perspective. Basically a Judoka put together and reconstructed a historical German wrestling treatise.


https://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Wrestling-Practice-Fifteenth-Century-Martial/dp/1937439119

I don't think either of us is saying that Rory Miller has a monopoly on thoughts re: self defense, Massad Ayoob is also quite well spoken on the subject, but from more of a "gun" standpoint. (for those who are unfamiliar, see his dated-but-thoughtful In The Gravest Extreme).

I would totally support including Miller's books in a larger "recommended reading" section on the sidebar.

Wall + Gravity = Free

http://iradance.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/wall-straddle-stretch.jpg

No stress on the ankles either. Towels are cheap as well. You won't find many people that recommend those things. But if you are really set on one: http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Claw-Steel-Leg-Stretcher/dp/B0000CA2PA/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_6

$19.99

But again, these are not generally highly thought of. I think there is a reason they are generally pushed at martial artists instead of fitness professionals or even gymnasts.

Something like these will do: https://www.amazon.com/ProForce-Cloth-Instep-Guard-Black/dp/B0056D2BN0/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1542217612&sr=8-9&keywords=proforce+sparring+gear

You don't need heavy gloves for a bag. It's just to give some cushion for your knuckles so that you don't hurt them when you hit full force.

Probably a good read if you want to understand this stuff a little better

Plus what the other guy said too.

Musashi's Book of Five Rings (Gorin-no-sho) is often referenced but many people do not know about Yagyu Munenori's Heihokaden, translated as The Life-Giving Sword.
Even less known is Chozan Shissai's Tengu-geijutsu-ron. I'm not sure if Chozan's Neko-no-Myojitsu was also translated but it's similar though a little more accessible.

Disclaimer: I've never read the translations so I can't comment on the quality but the content is interesting.

here's a good one for grapplers

Here are some that haven't been recommended:

• Qigong The Secret of Youth - Yang Jwing Ming http://www.amazon.com/Qigong-Secret-Youth-Changing-Classics/dp/1886969841
  
• Scholar Warrior - Deng Ming Dao http://www.amazon.com/Scholar-Warrior-Introduction-Everyday-Life/dp/0062502328/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324789854&sr=1-1
  
• The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi - Bruce Frantzis http://www.amazon.com/Power-Internal-Martial-Arts-Chi/dp/1583941908/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324789889&sr=1-1
  
  Yang is very scientific. Deng is practical, some of his other books are more spiritual and one chronicles his master's life and more like a crazy novel. Frantzis is also quite practical and most informative regarding martial arts. All three have classic understanding of Chinese medicine, haven't come across any new age BS in their writing.
  
  Each author has other books that you should look into.

ConCom by Rory Miller is also worth a look.
https://www.amazon.com/ConCom-Conflict-Communication-Paradigm-Conscious-ebook/dp/B00IO9TTAG

Really enjoyed The Combat Codes: https://www.amazon.com/Combat-Codes-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B017OMXR7O

Book 2 is supposedly in the works.

Read Facing Violence.

anonlymouse said it perfectly:
>You're asking the wrong question, you just don't understand that.

Be you martial Artist or not, the reality of self-defense is often not even close to what we imagine it to be.

Read the book. It's a must-read for anyone who is serious about self-defense.

Alternatively, you can just learn to rip peoples eyes out with your fingers. To practice: Scatter 108 pennies on the ground. Pick them up as fast as you can using your thumb, index and middle finger. Perform 2 sets of this exercise on a daily basis.

There are a few popular versions of the LEAPS acronym for de-escalation. My personal favorite is:

• Listen
  
• Empathize
  
• Ask (for clarification)
  
• Problem-solve
  
• Summarize
  
  
  Also popular is HEAT:
  
  
• Hear,
  
• Empathize
  
• Apologize
  
• Take action
  
  If you make a mistake and the problem escalates, use corrective action AAA:
  
  

1. Acknowledge: “Jim, I can see that mentioning your medication is a real sore point.”
   
   
2. Apologize: “I’m sorry to have upset you. I didn’t mean to.”
   
   
3. Try Again: “I want to help, not upset you, so let’s try something else.”
   
   
   Things to remember about YOU:
   
   

• Keeping a level head is paramount. stay calm, cool, and collected. This takes practice and confidence.
  
  
• Your goal is not to be declared right. It is to find a solution to the problem. So… Ignore challenging questions or statements. You don’t need a power struggle. Don’t try to argue or convince. Try to collaborate. Try to see past what someone is saying to what is actually causing the crisis.
  
  
• Try to get agreement on a course of action. Repeat what the plan is and what is expected.
  
  
• Meet reasonable demands when possible
  
  
• Contain and control the environment. If you can limit the confrontation to one on one, without distractions, the better for you.
  
  
• Showing signs of anxiety will only make things worse. Minimize body movements like excessive gesturing, pacing, fidgeting, etc. practice controlling your vocal pitch and speed in a crisis. Speak slowly and confidently (low pitch, steady breath).
  
  
• Keep it simple and concise.
  
  
• Repetition is essential.
  
  
• Most violence comes with instructions to avoid it. “wipe that smirk off your face or I’ll wipe it off for you!”. If possible, just follow the instructions.
  
  
• Avoid clichés like “Calm down!”. No one calms down when being either patronized or yelled at. It doesn’t help.
  
  Things to remember about the aggressor:
  
  
• Empathize and validate their feelings (I can understand why you’re frustrated…etc) but don’t ask them how they are feeling (it’s patronizing)
  
• Allow them to vent. Some people just want to be heard. Listening can go a long way sometimes.
  
• Always leave them a face-saving way out.
  
• Acknowledge any any attempt to cooperate.
  
  
  “A soft answer turns away wrath,
  but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
  Proverbs 15:1
  
  Bonus material:
  
  ConCom: Conflict Communication by rory miller
  
  verbal Judo by George Thompson

Medieval Wrestling by Jess Finley.

Btw in case anyone has read them and can give their opinions on them, I own a translation by Thomas Cleary and one inside The Complete Musashi translated by Alexander Bennett.

It's not that this question is asked a lot, it's that you literally asked the equivalent of "Teach me programming." That's a big field. No one could possibly rip off a forum post and tell you.

Here's what you should do instead. Pick up Facing Violence by Rory Miller, or any of his books, really.

Also, if you are actively looking for street fights, stop doing that.