Karate Lessons in Udon

[rickschoppers]

Does anyone know if karate lessons are available in Udon Thani? I have a five year old son that I would like to enroll.

[nigelandjan]

You had a scare Rick ??

[rickschoppers]

Not for me, for my son who needs to learn how to defend himself from TD stalkers.

Seriously, it would be good for him to learn how to defend himself in today's unforgiving world, plus it is good physical exercise.

[baconandeggs]

Muay Thai is far more effective.

[kingwilly]

Muay Thai is far more effective.

and just as good for a 5 year old.

[rickschoppers]

If I am not able to find a Dojo in Udon Thani, Muay Thai may be an alternative. I was looking more for a defensive martial art rather than an offensive one. Muay Thai is a lot like boxing, and that is not the direction I wanted my son to take.

I am sure there are martial arts schools in Bangkok, but that does not help me.

[baconandeggs]

Muay Thai techniques are better for defense. Also better for fitness. You learn how to block punches and kicks. If you want the kid to learn various holds then judo or bjj would be better.

Some karate is useful but a lot of it is crap.

[rickschoppers]

Plenty of Muay Thai classes around, but not so many for judo. I am getting the feeling that karate and judo will have marginal instructors in Thailand. When in Rome.

Muay Thai is just so close to boxing, I am hesitant.

[kingwilly]

When in Rome.

Yep..

[rickschoppers]

Of course, I will have to see if my son is willing to partake first, but I am thinking of the physical fitness aspect and keeping him occupied.

Idle hands are the devil's workshop, and all that.

[baconandeggs]

Knees, kicks, elbows, grappling and throw downs. MT is a fair bit different to boxing. Plus a good front kick or leg sweep are good defensive moves. No boxer can do that.

[rickschoppers]

Agree, but both are more offensive IMO. I was hoping for something a little more mind developing and hopefully a good teacher would train the students to develope a more peaceful solution to their altercations..

There is nothing wrong with learning how to take care of yourself, but I would like him to learn and use the martial art without 100% contact and a must win attitude.

[nidhogg]

^ Plus they do take their MT seriously here - even for very young kids it can get very physical.

I would pick any gym very carefully indeed.



Thailand's Child Boxers Compete in Brutal Fights for Money, Better Future - ABC News

[Neverna]

Tae Kwon Do seems to be more popular/common in Thailand than Karate. It's not quite the same as Karate but it's nearer to it than Thai boxing, and if you can't find a karate dojo, you might find somewhere to learn TKD.

[rickschoppers]

Agree with you there Neverna, but I still need to locate an instuctor near Udon. I will ask around at my son's school.

[rickschoppers]

^ Plus they do take their MT seriously here - even for very young kids it can get very physical.

I would pick any gym very carefully indeed.



Thailand's Child Boxers Compete in Brutal Fights for Money, Better Future - ABC News

My concern as well nidhogg.

[Neverna]

Thailand Karate Federation Facebook page. Maybe they can help you.

https://www.facebook.com/Thailand-Ka...1296225266010/

[AntRobertson]

I studied Karate as a kid. Achieved a relatively high level of proficiency too, reached black belt.

I used it precisely once to defend myself and got my arse kicked.

[rickschoppers]

Are you serious Ant? I thought the idea of Karate was to stay out of fights.

[rickschoppers]

Thailand Karate Federation Facebook page. Maybe they can help you.

https://www.facebook.com/Thailand-Ka...1296225266010/

All the students look much older than 5, but maybe they can point me in the right direction. Thanks Nerverna.

[baconandeggs]

I studied Karate as a kid. Achieved a relatively high level of proficiency too, reached black belt.

I used it precisely once to defend myself and got my arse kicked.

Had a friend do taekwondo. He got embarrassed by a kid who did nothing in a school fight. Dented his self esteem.

[baconandeggs]

Are you serious Ant? I thought the idea of Karate was to stay out of fights.

You cant if the other person wont stop. Judo or bjj far more useful for defence than karate crap.

[AntRobertson]

Are you serious Ant? I thought the idea of Karate was to stay out of fights.

Yep serious. In my, err, defense it was self-defense though. Wasn't me who picked the fight.

I kinda think a lot of martial arts type skills are wasted in the majority of those school-yard/bar fight scenarios anyways. They almost inevitably end up in a shambles of people tussling on the ground not the stand-up, knock-out punch, style of Hollywood films.

That's why I also think that MMA-type training is so good. Pretty much takes into account all styles/eventualities.

[kmart]

^ Plus they do take their MT seriously here - even for very young kids it can get very physical.

I would pick any gym very carefully indeed.



Thailand's Child Boxers Compete in Brutal Fights for Money, Better Future - ABC News

True. Most all Muay Thai gyms are for professional fighters only (no matter how young), and are pretty hardcore as one might expect. Wouldn't want my kids training at one.

For young (5 yo) kids, I would recommend Tae Kwon Do or other 'light' martial art for fitness, activity and coordination. TKD is pretty popular in Thailand right now, (as the National team did very well at the last ASEAN games). My 4yo is doing it as an extra at Kindergarten school, and seems to really enjoy it.

[longway]

Taekwando is very popular - though give judo a thought too. It's one of the few martial arts, though perhaps considered a sport now, that does alot of live 'sparring' it's why so many martial arts are ineffective Imo, they do very little simulation of actual fighting.

I think it would be safe too, but check things out for yourself. I discovered bjj late in life and find it excellent in terms of skills learnt and the people involved in it. It also focuses alot on 'sparring'.