Thanks, ita. Capoeira seems waaaaay too complex for me, so I wasn't really considering that one, although I think there is a capoeira school right by me.

What ita said, and I'd just add that you should focus on finding an art that appeals to you and a teacher you trust, rather than going in focused on your limitations. Everyone, in any art and any skill level, has limitations.

And if self defens is part of why you are interested, learning to work with and around what you are able to do make sense.

Capoeira seems waaaaay too complex for me

It's not that complicated. Depending on where you study, for instance, it doesn't have any prescribed sequences to learn. Krav has its self defense techniques that must be memorised, traditional eastern arts have forms that get longer and longer--capoeira is mostly about improv, once you know the individual moves. More like sparring, but without much physical contact.

Everyone, in any art and any skill level, has limitations.

Except for one guy I know. I hate him.

How'd that get double-posted?

To sum up--I'd study just about anything with the right teacher, and I'd avoid anything with the wrong teacher. I recommend the latter method of unselecting classes to everyone. As for the former, the right teachers can elevate one art beyond others quite demonstrably.

And if self defens is part of why you are interested, learning to work with and around what you are able to do make sense.

Yeah, that's a good point.

capoeira is mostly about improv, once you know the individual moves.

Ah, I see what you mean. It looks so pretty, though! I could never do that.

I'd study just about anything with the right teacher

I guess I'll look around to see what's around and if there's a teacher I like. Thanks!

Unrelated to martial arts—unless I am playing Streets of Rage 2—anyone have a recommendation for an inexpensive vacuum? I don't need to spend eighty to a hundred bucks on a vacuum for such a small apartment, but I'd like one that actually...vacuums. The one I have makes noise but doesn't seem to really pick up much.

Whew. I had to watch the Saints on tape delay, but I could place all of Dana's exclamations easily. And then the 30 minutes I tacked on to the end of the recording weren't enough to catch the last minute or so of play!

OK, people who know about martial arts. I've got a question that *no one* has been able to answer for me, in about five years of asking. Is there a martial art that I could do? I use a wheelchair or crutches, although I have good upper body strength, and can stand some of the time (I'm used to falling, and wouldn't mind, if I had a mat to fall over onto). I am so desperate to do something more interesting than pilates and swimming. Any ideas?

Hey, check out Google! It's celebrating Melbourne Cup Day. I'm chuffed.

Huh. Google's not showing anything new for me, billytea. Maybe it's based on your ip address?

I get bored very easily with exercise. I'm on the verge of quitting my running group, which I loved the first time I tried it. But it's not doing it for me this time around. Aikido was great until the head of the dojo got arrested for child molestation. I shouldn't let that put me off a whole martial art, but it did. Biking remains fun, so maybe I just need to focus on that for a while.

I am a little bit interested in fencing (waves at amych), but not enough to drive 45 minutes to try it.