In addition to dancing does anyone here either actively train and practice in the martial arts or done so in the past?

I took classes in Tae Kwon Do briefly some years back and while this is different from dancing I did find one similarity in learning each of these and that is the emphasis on technique, timing and focus. Each time I took a lesson or class in one it reminded me of the other in this respect. That's my perception anyway.

"Dancing is a contact sport; football is a hitting sport" - Vince Lombardi

I have been doing a whole lot of different things. Ballet, Jazzballet, Tap , Tae Kwondo Karate (okinawa style) and ballroom (both standard and lating, international)

Today I am still involved with both Karate and Ballroom dancing. Like you describe there are many similarities and things you can cross over. There are also distinctions that can make it difficult to learn specific techniques. I found that once you "understand" better how your body moves using any of these disciplines you really have a head start on many other people in acquiering new techniques.

The perfecting of Kata's in front of karate competitions teaches you the required detail for movements to be correct and easy to execute. This is exactly the same as in trying to learn new steps and techniques in ballroom dancing.

And do not forget the felxibility aspect !

I would not wnt to miss out on both things.

Roland

When I was learning to do kick steps such as Charlestons I tended to kick high; think I got that habit from Tae Kwon Do.

One of the instructors at the studio I attend is also a black belt who does some martial arts instruction and I've met one other who teaches as an independant dance instructor and we've had discussions about this sort of thing.

"Dancing is a contact sport; football is a hitting sport" - Vince Lombardi

I used to study TaeKwonDo as well, for seven years(got up to Brown belt). I much prefer dancing now. (Didn't do both at the same time) Martial arts can be good, but you can't go out and fight with a bunch of different guys for fun!

In any event, I've met quite a few dancers that also did martial arts, and I seem recall that my TKD instructor was a dancer (and musician).