Kilts in martial arts

[Yaish]

Yeah Jeff, thats the one. It may be a new location since you checked it out, as they moved a year ago, but its still in basically the same place. Its part of the Samueli Jewish Center, and they also share a second location at an Aikido dojo in Lake Forest.

I'm going to another workout tomorrow morning and Ill go in pants, but when I take Tuesdays class I think I will bring the kilt with me at least.

I'm thinking for I'll wear one of the camo kilts for this since they are the lightest weight. The workmans might be just a bit too heavy to bother with for the whole class, though with the ease of constriction on the knees it might actually be a lot easier to kick than in track pants.

[Andrew Breecher]

A kilt isn't too different from hakama for Aikido. I could see doing seiza/suwari waza techniques in a kilt, but I don't know if I'd want to be the one flying through the air.

I definitely think a kilt is fine to actually do martial arts in. And I'm all for wearing kilts as much as possible, so if a situation arose while you're wearing a kilt, why should you let it stop you? But martial arts often have their own traditions and garments that go with those traditions. When practicing, I wouldn't want to wear a kilt if there is another traditional garment associated instead. Just as I wouldn't dream of wearing a crumpled Utilikilt and t-shirt to a friend's wedding, I wouldn't dream of wearing a kilt - however formal or whatever colour - onto the mat in a dojo.

Andrew.

[Jewddha]

I figure if it's fine by your instructor (and maybe the other class members?), and you did have soemthing like compressions shorts (I'm assuming they're something along the lines of rowers spandex) I don't see why it should present an issue.

[Sciuropterus]

I think I've mentioned it here before, the Indonesian martial art of Silat is traditionaly practiced using a tube sarong, get the (incredibly expensive) video at http://www.coldsteel.com/vdfs.html
Silat would be very compatible with a kilt.

I did Tae Kwon Do all thru high school (early 1980's), up to brown belt, I thought it was the greatest until I checked out a Kali/JKD school, it was a rude awakening to say the least, I thank god I never got in a fight knowing just TKD, especially against someone with a boxing or wrestling background. It was fun learning the spinning kicks, I still practice them but would not try them on the street. I also dabbled in Kenpo and Aikido in the late 80's.

I currently have a black belt in Kosen Ju-Jitsu (been doing it for about 7 years) and I will probably do more Wing Chun and Kali as I get older (I'm pushing 40), and start doing Tai Chi or something once I retire.

I'm not sure I would want to be wearing a kilt if I got attacked, especially if we ended up rolling on the ground, where nearly every fight eventually ends up. Unlike Lazarus Long, I don't have a blaster strapped to my thigh under my kilt.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

... end up rolling on the ground, where nearly every fight eventually ends up. Unlike Lazarus Long, I don't have a blaster strapped to my thigh under my kilt.

Ahhh, but to HAVE a blaster to strap under my kilt! Still wonder where exactly it goes and how large a weapon it is!

But beyond that, ol' Buddy Boy would never end up wrestling/rolling on the ground unless it suited him to finish his opponent that way!

Oh Robert, where are you now that I have discovered kiltdom? And for those that might have known him, did he ever wear a kilt or have an opinion on the subject? Steve?

[Nighthawk]

Now this is an interesting question! I just spent the whole weekend fighting kilted. I am in a living history group called the Renaissance Scots. We do a lot of sword fighting. Most of us do it kilted- myself included. Most of us study formal martial arts- myself included. Personally, I find moving in stance to be a lot- and mean a lot- easier in a kilt I study a form of Shotokan karate. My best friend is an 8th degree black belt in Shotokan and Jujitsu, and is a shiatsu... massage... person. He combines all three. We use the grappling and holding techniques of Jujitsu, the raw, nasty, brutal power of Shotokan, and the gentle pressure point applications of shiatsu massage. Those pressure points are the most interesting things! The same pressure point that can relax you to sleep one way can bring you to screaming agony with just the slightest twist of the wrist! My friend is a very formal, very old school instructor, though, so if you aren't in uniform (clean and pressed) you don't stay in class that night. So I practice at home kilted, with my broadsword. It's made me really fast with the bamboo swords that we duel with in my living history group- but not quite fast enough... I got nailed in the forehead this morning... I have a nice wee lump on my noggin. But if I didn't come home injured, then in wasn't a good weekend! This is the YouTube page of one of the guys I fight with.

***Funny Aside*** I was in my back yard practice kata a couple weeks ago when someone from ADT Security came to the house. I heard the doorbell ring, and I yelled that I was in the back yard- come on back. I finished my kata, and then went to talk to the guy. He asked me if I knew there had been a breakin in my neighborhood. I didn't. He asked me if my security system was active. I told him "Yes it is. I figure it's more for the good of anyone breaking in than it is for my own protection, though. The security system will get the paramedics here in time to keep you from bleeding to death on my carpet." I held up my sword and said "This my good friend Ragnar." The ADK guy got this horrified look on his face and said "Man, I feel sorry for any idiot breaking into this house! Thanks for your time!" And he went away. I would point out here that I was wearing my SWK Nightstalker kilt, black boots and an Iron Maiden t shirt, so I suspect I was a fairly terrifying sight. If you haven't seen me, I'm 290 lbs, with long redish brown hair and look lot Imish from Braveheart.

So- does this do anything to answer your question about me practicing kilted? By the way, I would love to learn Krav Maga. It sounds like a great form. Problem is, my classes are almost free. I just moderate the website to pay for my training. Good luck with yours!!

Ive faught Kilted before, though arguably you could say it was part of the style. It does allow, for me at least, better vertical and horizontal movement:

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzmY_...e=channel_page

I loved watching those vids!!

[Nighthawk]

I think I've mentioned it here before, the Indonesian martial art of Silat is traditionaly practiced using a tube sarong, get the (incredibly expensive) video at http://www.coldsteel.com/vdfs.html
Silat would be very compatible with a kilt.

I did Tae Kwon Do all thru high school (early 1980's), up to brown belt, I thought it was the greatest until I checked out a Kali/JKD school, it was a rude awakening to say the least, I thank god I never got in a fight knowing just TKD, especially against someone with a boxing or wrestling background. It was fun learning the spinning kicks, I still practice them but would not try them on the street. I also dabbled in Kenpo and Aikido in the late 80's.

I currently have a black belt in Kosen Ju-Jitsu (been doing it for about 7 years) and I will probably do more Wing Chun and Kali as I get older (I'm pushing 40), and start doing Tai Chi or something once I retire.

I'm not sure I would want to be wearing a kilt if I got attacked, especially if we ended up rolling on the ground, where nearly every fight eventually ends up. Unlike Lazarus Long, I don't have a blaster strapped to my thigh under my kilt.

I love sparring Tae Kwon Do students. I get in close so they can't use their legs, and it's all over. Yeah, it wouldn't do you any good at all in a street fight. My friends style, on the other hand- he tailors particularly to be a useful form of self defense.

[thoth51]

I think I've mentioned it here before, the Indonesian martial art of Silat is traditionaly practiced using a tube sarong, get the (incredibly expensive) video at http://www.coldsteel.com/vdfs.html
Silat would be very compatible with a kilt.

I'm afraid I must disagree.



The sarong as you can see, is worn OVER pants, and even so the traditional wear is mostly reserved for performances. In training and tournaments, silat practitioners usually wear a black gi like garment, sans sarong:



In most forms of martial arts, it seems there's a bias towards pants.

[RobertStewart]

I must say I had to laugh a bit when I saw this thread...I've had similar thoughts myself, and was glad I was not the only one. I have not studied Krav Maga, but I have looked into it. It is quite interesting, originating in Israel after WWII. I have studied Soo Bahk Do for two years, and was very happy to earn my first Dan while stationed at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. Practicing in a kilt there would not be acceptable, however I might be able to talk my instructor back in the US to let me

[Fit2BKilted]

...but in all other respects, kilts are ideal garments, given the freedom of movement and lack of potentially binding structures; however, I would be more concerned that a heavily laden sporran might be a hindrance. Still, I prefer to train in the nude, on my own; and conform while in class. Nonetheless, my style disdains high-kicks in favour of solid dynamic balance and efficient movement; so, employing it in combat while maintaining one's modesty, regimentally kilted, would perhaps be somewhat more probable than while employing other arts. I have already noted that sitting seiza and in other popular meditative postures is easy whilst kilted.