Hi fellow parents. My wife and I are discussing which martial arts style we should enroll our child in.

The list contains MA styles that are available within 15 minutes from us (yes, I do research).

Our goal is to instill discipline, live a healthy lifestyle, self confidence and learn self defence.

I was wondering if any parents here can share what their experience has been with their chosen style and whether they would have chosen another style.

So far, I've narrowed it down to TKD (ITF or similar) which allows kyorugi and Judo which allows randori at early age. I also found a Muay Thai school that takes kids. This is attractive because no gi washing involved, no exam fees.

What do you guys think?

Aikido is elegant & aesthetic.

elegant & aesthetic <--- Respectfully, this will get you killed in the streets.

Learn martial arts need to fight on street? I thought the highest level of skill is to turn any aggression to neutral situation without having to fight. Isn't that the highest level of art ? Winning without fighting via mental warfare. Fighting on street so low class.

Anyway, you win. Perhaps learning martial need to fight on street more suitable for you. Sorry to disturb.

Sorry. My remarks were well intended but came off really poorly and rude. I apologise.

As mentioned earlier, "Our goal is to instill discipline, live a healthy lifestyle, self confidence and learn self defence." I would like to emphasise the self defence element.

Hence, pressure testing (sparring) is important. Hence why I believed that "elegance & aesthetics" can, in all seriousness, get one killed.

That is not to say that high level Aikido practitioners can't fight and break arms. I'm sure Sonny Loke has had some regular spars before.

However, the likelihood of a train one-hour-a-week school kid will be able to use Aikido skills (I stress, most Aikido schools in Malaysia don't spar) against another kid who includes regular spars as part of their training.



This post has been edited by trent666: Nov 23 2024, 09:30 PM

Sorry for my rudeness as well.

Then in your personal opinion as the parent, what is the best martial art to be learned by the school kid? You put on the survey, you already have something in your mind prior this. You only want to hear some different opinions before you decide isn't?

I mentioned in my original post that we are considering Judo, Taekwondo and Muay Thai for our child.

Jujitsu + Muay Thai.

mma you need some basic too, like sanda, muaythai, boxing

If only within these 3 options, I'll choose Judo over the rest. Maybe because I have tendency to appreciate the grappling technique or concept of borrowing momentum (influence by the Eastern philosophy).

Alternatively, I personally think Western boxing is equally cool & practical. The foot works for boxing / boxer skip is equally elegant. The setback, not many places has the boxing class. In the past(based on my memory), it was only available at the military's gym (TLDM,TUDM, etc) which is not accessible by the public.

Taekwondo and silat

Easier to choose form what's available nearby & on weekdays. No need hassle to send & pick up during weekend. My son school provide got silat every thursday

As a former judo/taekwondo/MMA practitionist, I suggest Judo.

Why?

It's an olympic sport, you can potentially represent your state or country if you are good.

It's a self defense martial arts

It's a grappling art which can submit your opponent without causing hurt, unlike striking base martial arts.

Judokas are very cool and chill compare to boxers/strikers.

It's a very high and strict discipline culture, traditional sport(respect and bow to the founder and your senior, and respect to the dojo)

But yes, the gi washing and drying is a pain in the ass, suggest buy 2 Gis.