13)It really depends on what you are looking for. Boxing is by far the more practical of the two, and falls under the category of "sport". You will find it to be intense, physically demanding, and no-nonsense. Emphasis will be placed on strategic approach, proper hand technique, knowledge of footwork, sizing up an opponent, and above all, realistic application.
Hap ki do is far more archaic and philosophical in its application. It focuses a great deal on translating mental concepts into physical movement. The principles of passive circular motion and fluidity are paramount in this style, and it contains many of the aspects that are often found in what would be termed "art". It's kicking style is often flashy, with a great deal of importance placed on short kempo style punches and daring Tae Kyon kicks, and its grappling techniques operate on a loose translation of "push/pull" theory and redirecting force. Also, the principle of mental and physical harmony gets a strong nod.
Having boxed for two years at university and having done akido for six years, a major influence on Hap ki do, I would say that if you are looking to push yourself, or actually learn a method of defense that could more realistically protect you, not to mention if you are interested in it for the competition aspect, go with boxing. It is a hard line sport, with simple concepts that are adaptable and easy to understand. If you are looking for something more mentally dominant, or if the idea of harmony or spiritualism appeals to you, Hap ki do will offer a lot in that area, not to mention its theory is rather interesting. To put it in another way, boxing is a concrete science, blunt and to the point, with no room for splash and little patience for esoteric shananagins. Hap ki do, is a philosophy where concentration on oneself is paramount, and where rigorous training and the more physical side of martial arts takes a bit of a back seat to theoretical belief and faith in certain principles of defense and motion. They are vastly different. Which is right for you totally depends on your own preference.
15)This is the exact same thing I discovered after my break-up. Nearly every female friend I had started acting like more than a friend. I found it to be rather annoying, especially considering the immediacy of it. You being you and exceptionally gorgeous despite your confusing doubts about your build, have it much worse I am sure.
Wow. Thanks for the info! I DEFINITELY don't want to compete though. I've had 5 concussions and I'm not allowed to do contact sports anymore.
I'm the furthest from a gym bunny imaginable, it's gotta be a skill/sport I'm learning, I cannot just run on a treadmill. It's got to be a whole body involving thing that is really bloody demanding. I really want a martial art, and I want it to be something actually useful for defense (I took Tae Kwon Do and it was really useless for that, I feel). For some reason I thought boxing would be shitty for actual self-defense.
Well Hap ki do is somewhat similar to TKD in its striking, so I am afraid you will find little use there. The main difference in the styles, is that boxing trains you to fight people. That may seem like a silly thing to say, but it is true. It's main focus is to get you in shape, teach you how to hit someone, how to not get hit, and get you in a ring to do just that, where as most traditional martial arts are far less focused on actually putting another person down in reality, and far more on the idea of doing so based on passed down techniques.
Boxing is easily one of the most realistic and more reliable arts when it comes to defending yourself. My only question for you would be that, one, you're short, which while not an inherent disadvantage in striking it definitely requires some extra finesse and good footwork to get in on people, and two, you're a woman. I don't mean this to be in any way offensive, but women in general don't possess the upper body strength that men do. Now, I know that you have boasted of your formidable drumming conditioning, so maybe you do have enough snap to put some sting in your punches, but if not, it may not be a good selection. Martial arts are physical. Anyone that tells you differently has never fought anyone formidable, or is so deeply rooted in dogma that they fail to see the difference that their own athleticism makes.
Generally speaking, I think the two best martial arts a woman can take for self-defense are kickboxing and brazilian jiu-jitsu. The first because it utilizes leg strength, something women have in ample quantity, in addition to containing all the realism of boxing, and the second because it is a practical battle-tested style that at its root employs the principle of isolation submissions, which is to explain it simply, learning to quickly and efficiently isolate a particular part of your opponents body and subsequently applying a joint lock or strangle that places your entire body strength, in particular your hips, against an opponents single muscle group. The draw back of this style for many women is that it requires many hours of close proximity rolling with big sweaty men. It is most certainly an up close and personal style.
In general, if you are looking for something that is truly useful, a good rule to follow, is does it promote experience, or does it emphasize theory.? It's like playing the drums, you can read about playing them all you want, but that will do very little for you if you have to step up and play the damn things with no hands on experience.
Thank you again! I like the sound of the kickboxing. I am actually a little peculiar for a woman vis a vis the boxing body type. Recall my very broad shoulders and yes, large unfeminine pipes and back from drumming. I have been told on numerous occasions that I do NOT punch like a girl. I know damn well I don't, I never have. And I am ALL ABOUT the snap. (I do however THROW like a girl, I don't know why.)
The only reason I didn't want kickboxing is cause TKD was all kicks and they seemed impractical for bar fights :) No, seriously.
TKD is very flashy, kickboxing is not. Once again, it is designed to beat another person in an actual fight, not get you knocked out while trying to throw a confusing ass axe kick. Most kicks that you will throw will be to the leg, if you are doing muay thai at least, head kicks have a greater priority in american kickboxing, or the body, short, fast, torque the hip, small pivot, hit with the shin, make the person hate you in the morning, effective kicking, combined of course with the same hand techniques as boxing, if to a lesser degree.
Hap ki do is far more archaic and philosophical in its application. It focuses a great deal on translating mental concepts into physical movement. The principles of passive circular motion and fluidity are paramount in this style, and it contains many of the aspects that are often found in what would be termed "art". It's kicking style is often flashy, with a great deal of importance placed on short kempo style punches and daring Tae Kyon kicks, and its grappling techniques operate on a loose translation of "push/pull" theory and redirecting force. Also, the principle of mental and physical harmony gets a strong nod.
Having boxed for two years at university and having done akido for six years, a major influence on Hap ki do, I would say that if you are looking to push yourself, or actually learn a method of defense that could more realistically protect you, not to mention if you are interested in it for the competition aspect, go with boxing. It is a hard line sport, with simple concepts that are adaptable and easy to understand. If you are looking for something more mentally dominant, or if the idea of harmony or spiritualism appeals to you, Hap ki do will offer a lot in that area, not to mention its theory is rather interesting. To put it in another way, boxing is a concrete science, blunt and to the point, with no room for splash and little patience for esoteric shananagins. Hap ki do, is a philosophy where concentration on oneself is paramount, and where rigorous training and the more physical side of martial arts takes a bit of a back seat to theoretical belief and faith in certain principles of defense and motion. They are vastly different. Which is right for you totally depends on your own preference.
15)This is the exact same thing I discovered after my break-up. Nearly every female friend I had started acting like more than a friend. I found it to be rather annoying, especially considering the immediacy of it. You being you and exceptionally gorgeous despite your confusing doubts about your build, have it much worse I am sure.
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I'm the furthest from a gym bunny imaginable, it's gotta be a skill/sport I'm learning, I cannot just run on a treadmill. It's got to be a whole body involving thing that is really bloody demanding. I really want a martial art, and I want it to be something actually useful for defense (I took Tae Kwon Do and it was really useless for that, I feel). For some reason I thought boxing would be shitty for actual self-defense.
Final thoughts?
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Boxing is easily one of the most realistic and more reliable arts when it comes to defending yourself. My only question for you would be that, one, you're short, which while not an inherent disadvantage in striking it definitely requires some extra finesse and good footwork to get in on people, and two, you're a woman. I don't mean this to be in any way offensive, but women in general don't possess the upper body strength that men do. Now, I know that you have boasted of your formidable drumming conditioning, so maybe you do have enough snap to put some sting in your punches, but if not, it may not be a good selection. Martial arts are physical. Anyone that tells you differently has never fought anyone formidable, or is so deeply rooted in dogma that they fail to see the difference that their own athleticism makes.
Generally speaking, I think the two best martial arts a woman can take for self-defense are kickboxing and brazilian jiu-jitsu. The first because it utilizes leg strength, something women have in ample quantity, in addition to containing all the realism of boxing, and the second because it is a practical battle-tested style that at its root employs the principle of isolation submissions, which is to explain it simply, learning to quickly and efficiently isolate a particular part of your opponents body and subsequently applying a joint lock or strangle that places your entire body strength, in particular your hips, against an opponents single muscle group. The draw back of this style for many women is that it requires many hours of close proximity rolling with big sweaty men. It is most certainly an up close and personal style.
In general, if you are looking for something that is truly useful, a good rule to follow, is does it promote experience, or does it emphasize theory.? It's like playing the drums, you can read about playing them all you want, but that will do very little for you if you have to step up and play the damn things with no hands on experience.
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The only reason I didn't want kickboxing is cause TKD was all kicks and they seemed impractical for bar fights :) No, seriously.
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