General Chat & Info Board

Hey there.

Got a few questions and some dilemmas spinning around in my head, so I figured I’d toss them out here. I’ve been scrolling through the forum for a bit, but honestly, there’s so much going on that I might end up asking something someone else already covered a dozen times. Sorry in advance if I’m repeating myself.

So, I’m 19 and decided it’s time to get back into some kind of martial art. I did Taekwondo for about five years, but then I spent the last four doing absolutely nothing. I’m really drawn to Eastern styles—specifically stuff tied to Japanese culture. Calling it a "sport" isn't quite right, though, because I couldn't care less about the competitive side of things. It's purely about the skill for me.

Physicality is key. I need the training to be intense enough to actually build some decent conditioning. I gave Ki-Aikido a shot recently, but it just didn't hit that level of physical demand I was looking for.

Now I’ve got Kenjutsu and Ninjutsu stuck in my mind. The problem is, I have zero clue what a typical session for either one actually looks like. What do you guys think? I'm based out of Chicago...

Thanks!

Bryan Brown said:Hey there.

Got a few questions and some dilemmas spinning around in my head, so I figured I’d toss them out here. I’ve been scrolling through the forum for a bit, but honestly, there’s so much going on that I might end up asking something someone else already covered a dozen times. Sorry in advance if I’m repeating myself.

So, I’m 19 and decided it’s time to get back into some kind of martial art. I did Taekwondo for about five years, but then I spent the last four doing absolutely nothing. I’m really drawn to Eastern styles—specifically stuff tied to Japanese culture. Calling it a "sport" isn't quite right, though, because I couldn't care less about the competitive side of things. It's purely about the skill for me.

Physicality is key. I need the training to be intense enough to actually build some decent conditioning. I gave Ki-Aikido a shot recently, but it just didn't hit that level of physical demand I was looking for.

Now I’ve got Kenjutsu and Ninjutsu stuck in my mind. The problem is, I have zero clue what a typical session for either one actually looks like. What do you guys think? I'm based out of Chicago...

Thanks!

If you aren't sure what the classes look like, your best bet is to hold off for a few days until early September. That's when regular sessions start back up for everyone. Just head down and observe a class in person.
Once you've seen them, feel free to ask more questions.

Bryan Brown said:Hey there.

Got a few questions and some dilemmas spinning around in my head, so I figured I’d toss them out here. I’ve been scrolling through the forum for a bit, but honestly, there’s so much going on that I might end up asking something someone else already covered a dozen times. Sorry in advance if I’m repeating myself.

So, I’m 19 and decided it’s time to get back into some kind of martial art. I did Taekwondo for about five years, but then I spent the last four doing absolutely nothing. I’m really drawn to Eastern styles—specifically stuff tied to Japanese culture. Calling it a "sport" isn't quite right, though, because I couldn't care less about the competitive side of things. It's purely about the skill for me.

Physicality is key. I need the training to be intense enough to actually build some decent conditioning. I gave Ki-Aikido a shot recently, but it just didn't hit that level of physical demand I was looking for.

Now I’ve got Kenjutsu and Ninjutsu stuck in my mind. The problem is, I have zero clue what a typical session for either one actually looks like. What do you guys think? I'm based out of Chicago...

Thanks!

Since you aren't afraid of a grueling workout and you seem to have an affinity for Japanese traditions, I’d suggest looking into Kendo.

I gotta be honest, Kendo just doesn't do anything for me.

Got a question for you guys—does Kenjutsu actually involve any throwing techniques, disarming moves, or anything like that, besides just swinging the sword?

Bryan Brown said:I gotta be honest, Kendo just doesn't do anything for me.

Got a question for you guys—does Kenjutsu actually involve any throwing techniques, disarming moves, or anything like that, besides just swinging the sword?

Alright, I only brought that up because you mentioned Kenjutsu specifically.
Kenjutsu can certainly branch out into other elements beyond just swinging a blade, though honestly, that really depends on which specific school you're looking at. There is the Katori Shinto Ryu style, for instance—though if you ask me, their curriculum seems a bit questionable. Still, you should probably go check them out for yourself.

crimsonbison10 said:Alright, I only brought that up because you mentioned Kenjutsu specifically.
Kenjutsu can certainly branch out into other elements beyond just swinging a blade, though honestly, that really depends on which specific school you're looking at. There is the Katori Shinto Ryu style, for instance—though if you ask me, their curriculum seems a bit questionable. Still, you should probably go check them out for yourself.

Explain 🙂

It’s funny, isn't it? How we sit here, typing away into the digital void, expecting some kind of profound connection or perhaps just a moment of clarity. I find myself staring at the cursor—that little blinking line—and thinking about how much like life it actually is. Just this rhythmic, repetitive pulse. On, off, on, off. Waiting for the next character to give it purpose. I was reading this article earlier about urban planning in Chicago—not that it has anything to do with our discussion, but my mind tends to wander toward these structural things. The way streets intersect, the way certain avenues feel purposeful while others feel like accidents. It’s like a poorly choreographed dance. We try to impose order on the chaos, much like we try to impose logic on these forums. We build these rigid structures of usernames and timestamps, hoping they’ll hold the weight of our opinions. But then someone drops a comment that defies all reason, and the whole architecture starts to wobble. Anyway, I suppose I’m getting ahead of myself. My apologies. I tend to drift. It’s a habit. Like a slow-moving current pulling you away from the shore before you even realize you’ve lost sight of the sand. One minute you’re focused on the task at hand, and the next, you’re wondering why the light hits the skyscrapers in Manhattan just the way it does during the golden hour. Where was I? Right. The point. Or rather, the lack of one. Let's see where this goes. kaže:
Explain. 🙂

Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu (TSKSR) stands as one of the oldest—possibly *the* oldest—martial arts lineages out there where you can actually trace the unbroken chain of transmission from the founder straight down to the current headmaster. Because it’s a true koryu, this isn't some hobbyist club; it’s a serious matter, and very few people on the planet actually hold the official authorization to teach it. Now, let's be real: plenty of people go around teaching it without any formal credentials at all. As far as I know, Mr. Scherk falls into that category of unauthorized instructors. I could be wrong, obviously—I don't claim to have all the answers—but if anyone here has actual, verified information on his status, please, do speak up.
Personally, I’ve only caught small glimpses of those TSKSR school presentations. But based on what I’ve gathered from people who were actually there in the room, looking at them eye-to-eye? I have to say, what they’re presenting as the "TSKSR standard" here in America doesn't bear much resemblance to reality. Maybe that’s an overstatement—call me cynical if you want—but until someone brings some actual proof to the table to debunk it, I’m sticking to my guns on this one.
I honestly feel like this exact question has already surfaced on this forum before, so maybe do yourself a favor and dig through the archives for a bit...

So, like, is that kenjutsu training in the middle of the city actually legit? Can you even get a real session in over there?

Bryan Brown said:So, like, is that kenjutsu training in the middle of the city actually legit? Can you even get a real session in over there?

I'm pretty sure it falls under that "Dan Gun" martial arts club—can't recall the exact URL, but if you just pull up Google, it should pop right up on the first page.

www.dangun.org

Just in case Google doesn't get offended by this. 😬

Look, I'm living in Chicago and want to sign up at an MMA gym. Just wondering if there's a specific group or something for people under 18 (I'm 17), or is it strictly for the older crowd?

You could head over to www.profightstore.com and then try reaching out to local gyms directly.

That said, I suspect there might not be enough interest in joining those specific circles. Regarding actual progress, you probably get the most value working with older practitioners—those who have more physical strength and technical skill. Of course, that’s assuming they’re decent people who actually want to teach you rather than just bully you. The only downside is that you might end up feeling a bit helpless at times. Training with people at your own level is arguably more fun—you can trade techniques and mess around—but your growth will likely be slower.

Have you done any training before?

edit: by the way, this is the first time I've encountered someone worrying about being too young compared to everyone else.

I'm really getting into Tai Chi and Qi Gong lately. So, who’s actually the best instructor for this kind of stuff in the States? Also, what’s the consensus on Jasim Miklecu?
thanks😁

urbannomad3 said:Look, I'm living in Chicago and want to sign up at an MMA gym. Just wondering if there's a specific group or something for people under 18 (I'm 17), or is it strictly for the older crowd?

There are about 5 or 6 MMA gyms in Chicago.
Not totally sure how the other spots handle the younger crowd—but at our place, we’ve got about ten guys in that 16-18 range, plus kids from elementary all the way through middle school. You’d fall into the beginner group—they train Mon, Wed, and Fri at 7 PM, and Saturdays at 10 AM.

Here’s the flyer info:
The local neighborhood gym and its ultimate fighting (MMA) division are taking on beginners and hobbyists. Training: Mon, Wed, and Fri at 7 PM, plus Saturday at 10 AM.
It's located over at the community center in the West Side area.
The advanced and competitive sessions stay the same—every night starting at 8:30 PM.
Monthly dues are $83.

For the youth grappling-MMA program—school-aged kids can hit the Tuesday and Thursday morning session from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, or the afternoon slot from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Price for kids is: $50.

Ethan Hayes6 said:There are about 5 or 6 MMA gyms in Chicago.
Not totally sure how the other spots handle the younger crowd—but at our place, we’ve got about ten guys in that 16-18 range, plus kids from elementary all the way through middle school. You’d fall into the beginner group—they train Mon, Wed, and Fri at 7 PM, and Saturdays at 10 AM.

Here’s the flyer info:
The local neighborhood gym and its ultimate fighting (MMA) division are taking on beginners and hobbyists. Training: Mon, Wed, and Fri at 7 PM, plus Saturday at 10 AM.
It's located over at the community center in the West Side area.
The advanced and competitive sessions stay the same—every night starting at 8:30 PM.
Monthly dues are $83.

For the youth grappling-MMA program—school-aged kids can hit the Tuesday and Thursday morning session from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, or the afternoon slot from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Price for kids is: $50.

Hey referee, you spammer, shame on you.🙂

Hey everyone,
I have a son who isn't quite four yet. He’s pretty hyperactive—definitely high energy—so I’m looking for ways to help him channel all that spirit into something productive, though I can't help but wonder if he might be just a little too young to start anything structured. I was thinking about signing him up for karate—mostly just to get him moving and focused in a good environment—but honestly, I don't even know which local dojo or martial arts academy in the area would be a good fit for a kid his age. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Looking for some Aikido in Split—before I dive in, I’m trying to figure out which clubs are actually worth the time. Does anyone have any specific recommendations regarding schedules, or more importantly, what your actual experiences have been like? 😁

David Jackson17 said:Hey everyone,
I have a son who isn't quite four yet. He’s pretty hyperactive—definitely high energy—so I’m looking for ways to help him channel all that spirit into something productive, though I can't help but wonder if he might be just a little too young to start anything structured. I was thinking about signing him up for karate—mostly just to get him moving and focused in a good environment—but honestly, I don't even know which local dojo or martial arts academy in the area would be a good fit for a kid his age. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Check out Profightstore, it might give you some ideas.

http://www.profightstore.com/content.asp?mode=adresar

There was actually a segment on ESPN recently about judo featuring a lot of little kids, maybe it's worth looking into that...

Just speaking as a layman here, isn't your boy still a bit too small? It feels like most people recommend starting sports around age 6 or 7 because they usually look for a certain level of discipline and coordination, which is hard for a toddler to grasp. Then again, if the instructor is solid—someone who understands child pedagogy and actually knows how to handle kids—then why not...
Maybe someone else will weigh in too...

Eric Alvarez3 said:Looking for some Aikido in Split—before I dive in, I’m trying to figure out which clubs are actually worth the time. Does anyone have any specific recommendations regarding schedules, or more importantly, what your actual experiences have been like? 😁

Check the bottom of the page for the club list.

Does anyone have experience with MMA or grappling over in the Trešnjevka area? What are the training sessions like, and how's the crowd there?