What are the views on all Traditional Arts?

As well as Karate (Obviously) i like JuJitsu, as it covers a wide range of disciplines, such as punches, kicks, strikes, throws, joint locks and ground fighting. Also i think that Aikido is good to watch, but some of the Demo's look a little unconvincing. It would be good to see Aikido demonstrated against a more conventional attack, and wihout the attacker diving and rolling away so skillfully, sometimes with the absolute minimum of contact.

Often wondered how real this was? When you watch, they sometimes don't seem to touch, yet get thrown.

Having had some of those joint locks demonstrated on me, i can honestly say that they are very painful. The reason for all the diving is to avoid injury. It would also be good to see some kick attacks too, as they just seem to run in with their arm outstretched. Still, there are also some pretty dodgy karate demos on the web too, so i suppose there's good and bad in all styles and arts.

I have also had these holds put on me, but I felt I had to keep still for them to get hold. What would a real life situation be like? would it work?

I suppose it would depend on the skill of the person doing the grabbing. There are some instances in our practice where we have to grab and apply joint locks, and sometimes it goes well, other times, if i don't get it straight away, it feels very clumsy and awkward. There are also some good Hapkido clips on Youtube, i think that it looks a bit more real than some of the Aikido i've seen.

No more comments here either???????

Akido always looks graceful, although I'm sure it's one of the most technically challenging of the arts.

I'd also like to try Kendo - I think this would be a good test for stances.

Above all I like the concepts of having so many arts. That way we can choose the art which suits our body shape/type. I also think some may people may change styles as they age/change body type - not as a get out clause when it gets hard, but best utalising their strengths.

Why have so many ok the well known Karate Ka from the past gone fat, when you are supposed to stay fit? Not much discipline there then!