Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MollyBloom]

I would really love to get into some martial art, but I am not sure which would be good for me. I'd like to use my body to an advantage. I'm petite, have good lower-body strength. Took 10 years of dance.

I'm not taking this for self-defense, just to get more in shape and to learn a new skill.

Looking for a place in Seoul.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to learn any weapon-based styles because it wouldn't be practical for me. Stand-up styles, ground fighting/grappling styles and throwing styles look attractive, as does the general idea of low impact or internal styles. I actually really enjoy wrestling, not that I have any experience, but sometimes I will mess around with family and friends, and I find that I am quite physically strong in holding someone down or using my legs.

Karate or Kung-Fu always looked interesting. But maybe I should take advantage of Tae-kwon-do while I am in Korea?

My boyfriend practices Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, but I don't think that's for me.

I'd also like to continue the sport when I get back to the US.

Also, if there's a certain style that women excel at I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on that.

[mnhnhyouh]

Tae Kwon Do is now more a sport than a martial art.

Maybe Hap Ki Do? Punching, kicking, throwing, falling, and ground work.

h

[ED209]

[MollyBloom]

Okay, good suggestions. Questions:

1. boxing or hapkido places in Seoul, preferably near Gangnam

2. places that have English instruction

In the meantime I will do some research.

[Mint]

Definitely take Hapkido. It's self-defense oriented unlike many of the other forms. If you have strong legs and a low center of gravity it will fit very well since evasion is such a fundamental principle part of the word Hapkido contains the idea of avoidance.
I am currently studying the art and will continue to do so for quite some time. Plus it really helps me learn Korean, as my Kwang-Ja-Nim refuses to speak a lick of English.

[MollyBloom]

I just watched some videos on youtube, and the Brazilian ju-jitsu killed the hapkido!

[red_devil]

Hapkido, Aikido, Wing Chun (if you can find)

[browneyedgirl]

Most dancers do well in wushu because it's more graceful, but I don't know if there are any wushu places where you live.

[freshking]

[MollyBloom]

[skconqueror]

[freshking]

[ublove]

I'm not sure why more women don't practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It's almost tailor-made for them, with its emphasis on technique over brute strength and moves that rely on the hips/legs.

A man intent on raping a woman will try to get between her legs. In this scenario, the woman is playing "guard" -- the bread and butter position of bjj -- and if she's proficient in bjj, that man is in for a world of hurt.

Hapkido is excellent, but it's hard to find a gym that isn't overrun by elementary/middle school students. A gym's atmosphere can be more important than the martial art itself, imho.

[aboxofchocolates]

[aboxofchocolates]

And 90% of fights end up on the ground. If you end up on the ground with multiple attackers you're toast.