I am looking for a martial art with teaching of the Ki or whatever in it, using the opponents force against them. Spiritual mixed with the Martial.

And does anyone know the name of the art of taking the weapon off the opponent?

Thanx

If you want a martial art with spirituality mixed with it, then try shaolin gung fu. Using a opponents force against, would be aikido. Be aware though that martial arts are very physically demanding, and takes a very long time to learn properly. Immediate results are never guaranteed, also learning qi is totally different than fictional jedi, so don;t be disappointed if it doesn't live up to your expectations.

I would choose Tai-Chi, Chen style (it's the best variation) if you want a soft art that is devestatingly effective and pays heavy emphasis to the Chi side of things. it takes over 10 years to master but by the time you're 50 you will be as healthy as someone 20 years younger, and also a lot tougher. The beauty of Tai-Chi is that you only get better as you age, not like a harder art where you reach a peak at 30-35 then go sownhill form there. Tai-Chi never peaks and id likely the most effective Chinese Martial Art in existence, it covers every possible scenario and also has weapons forms... as I say it just takes a long time to master. It also won the full-contact Kung-Fu competitions a few years in a row. where all the styles competed. Google a guy called Dan Docherty.

Shaolin Kung Fu is good, but a lot harder as far as styles go, and doesn't put as much emphasis on Chi.

Wing Chun is also an excellent martial art for women, as it was designed by one.

Another soft MA is called Aikido that pays a lot of attention to Ki (japanese way of saying Chi) but isn't really street-effective.

I'd go Tai-Chi if long-term fulfiullment is what you're lookign for. And it also combines excellently with Wing Chun if by some fluke you can find someone who teaches both... or can afford both.

EDIT - If you tell me whereabouts in Australia you are i'll help you find a good school close-by, whichever MA you choose.

I don't expect it to work like the force, it's just a movie.

Wing chun eh? Tai chi....
I've heard of Akido, very peaceful one.

I am a Gold Coaster.

Thanx

Umm so what was your answer there? I need to know the city where you live, my Australian geography is unsusprisingly poor. And you gave no indication which MA you were interested in.

Wing Chun.
South of Brisbane.

Brisbane

Brisbane Kung Fu & Tai Chi Centres

P.O. Box 433 Kenmore, Brisbane, Queensland, 4069
*Tel/Fax: (617) 33740608
*Mobile: 0418 783 783
*Email: tomlo@powerup.com.au
*Contact: Sifu Tom Lo
*Notes: Headquarters - Holy Family Church Hall, Cnr Ward St. & Central Ave., Indooroopilly. Beginners classes every Tues. & Thurs. from 6:00 P.M.-8:30 P.M., Tai Chi 6:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. & Kung Fu 7:00 P.M.-8:30 P.M. Master Sifu Tom Lo has over 25 years teaching experience in Australia and overseas, with branches throughout Brisbane and suburbs. Traditional forms and weaponry, group and private lessons available, with first introductory lesson free.

Brisbane Wing Chun Academy

248 Postle Street, Acacia Ridge, Brisbane, Queensland 4110
*Tel: 33666724
*Email: tsangd@ozemail.com.au
*Web: www.ozemail.com.au/~tsangd/
*Contact: David Tsang
*Notes: The Academy teaches Wing Chun and Philipino Arnis/Escrima. The Academy is a branch of the Canberra Wing Chun Academy.

Queensland Wing Chun Kung Fu Academy

P.O. Box 3062, Norman Park, Brisbane, Queensland 4170
*Tel: 3349 6394
*Email: k.burton@globec.com.au
*Contact: Ian Protheroe
Rasmus Wing Chun Federation
*Tel: 0407 550004
*Email: rasmuswingchun@hotmail.com
*Contact: Matt Hulett
*Notes: Discover the power of Internal Wing Chun in a relaxed friendly environment.

Street Wise Wing Chun Academy

2/30 West Street Highgate Hill, Brisbane, Queensland 4101
*Tel: 07-3844-9694
*Email: cminall@bigpond.net.au
*Contact: Sifu Chris Minall
*Notes: Sifu Chris Minall has been training in the art of Wing Chun for twenty five years, having learnt from great masters such as Yip Chun, Yip Chin, Wan Kam Leung, Nino Bernardo and Simon Lau. Classes at Highgate Hill on Sundays, Pomona Sunshine Coast on Thursdays or by appointment. For more details contact the above addresses.
Update: 4oct02

Wing Chun Kung Fu Organisation

2nd & 3rd Levels, 51 Edward Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000
*Tel: (07) 3229 8694
*Email: adb.wwckfa@fox.uq.net.au
*Web: www.uq.edu.au/~zzadelbr
*Contact: Mr. Alfredo Del-Brocco (Si-Fu)
*Notes: Full-time training facilities offering 38 classes per week on two fully-equipped floors. Also suburban branches located at The Gap, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Shailer Park & Ulverstone Tasmania. Our Kwoon is affiliated with Sifu Rick Spain's Wing Chun Academy in Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia.


God it took me ages to add those tags, lol. Anyway, the top one does Tai-Chi AND Kung-Fu, and I would really reccommend it, it looks good.

-Post removed by request-

I don't know, didn't hear about JKD in the tournaments, I don't think it's widely practised in China as it's not a 'traditional' MA, it incorporates Muay Thai and grappling etc.

But as to which is the 'best' martial art, there isn't one. There's only the best fighter.

JKD is not a martial art but a concept, refer to my last blog entry for details.

I don't think JKD would be the best martial art just because it was thought of by Bruce Lee. He isn't as great as everyone thinks he is.

Oh and pagan_jedi_girl you're welcome.

you are right and wrong BA. There are definate techniques that are taught only in JKD classes.

Nowadays in the martial arts world, JKD has branched into 2 seperate schools. There are the "junfan JKD" pratcitioners and the "JKD concepts" practitioners.

The Jun-fan JKD stylist use the phycical techniques that Bruce passed down to his students. It is a mix of wing-chun style trapping combined with kicking from many different gung fu styles.But the technques are definatetly something that can be learned in a class. Just like any martial arts class, they use drills and repetition.

Bruce's whole thing was "having no way as way". yet if one was to witness one of these classes, they would see that these martial artists are , infact, praticing one way. they are peforming. they are making a fancy mess out of something so simple. Now, anyone who has read Bruce's book would question this. Bruce was against mindless repetition and mimicking and very much favored aliveness. These martial artists arent really doing Bruce's teachings any justice.

Now the "JKD concepts" people use Bruce's philosophies and tactics as opposed to his physical techniques. This is where BA is correct. These people follow Bruce's ideas. The concept of broken rythm. The concept of individual expression. And with these martial artists, they are not doing JKD, but each are practicing their own interpretation of it.

go and have the school give you a tour or a have thier master and some studnents demonstrate their abilities. that 's what i did.

AAAAARRGGGHHH lol i feel i have to clarify.. Aikido is NOT a soft martial art! this is a major misconception- because Aikido propounds sphericity in its movements, everyone seems to think it is just a flowery diversion for old people in a park on a sunday morning.

Aikido is an EXTREMELY effective form of self defense, if required, within the 'concrete arena'. The fact that you hardly ever hear about any Aikido related confrontations is probably due to the attitude sincere practitioners manifest within themselves through years of hard training.

Anti terrorist special forces uses mainly aikido (e.g. riot police forces in japan)

Go to any Aikido dojo (i suggest shodokan or yoshinkan) and share your thoughts with their instructors (a.k.a sensei's).
best of all ... go to an aikido dojo and try it out...

it wasent designed by Bruce lee just used by him, it utilaizes all martial arts, you use karate, judo, mai tai ect and you make your own in a sence, you are your own matser.