What Martial Art Is Right For You? Which Ones Are Effective? What Style TO Learn?

reply to post by NoJoker13


I agree and think that women should learn JiuJistu to equalize the lack in size, speed, weight, strength to the average man.

Depends on how much time you can devote to the artform. Also should take into consideration if the art goes full contact during sparring.

If you want to learn a discipline that is quicker than the most, go for boxing. Take a person who trained in boxing for 6 months vs a person trained in another form for 6 months. The boxer would win almost every time. Take the same 2 and have them compete after 5 years - the art form would surpass the boxer.

In a lot of defensive situations, throwing a high kick could throw you off balance. Do you train in your work shoes or heels? Trying to kick with them on won't be normal to you and you could end up on the ground due to a lack of judgement. But for a boxer, you take a wider stance and your foot work is always the same - no kicking involved. The boxer would have the upper hand and be much quicker to react with his/her fists than a martial artist trying to prep a kick. A boxer would also spar, with pads, with almost full force hits and would have learned how to take a punch long ago. Punching multiple foe's would be a difficult task though - but if the boxer is still a novice, their chances of surviving will be much higher than any other of equal time training.

But, if your martial art practices full/almost full contact to include grappling - you would be able to take on multiple people due to your training. You would have learned to parry with your hands while your knees and elbows did their stuff. Eye gouges and ear slaps would come second nature. You would also have learned how to strike a persons vital pain points all over the body that boxing doesn't include. But to reach this level of self defense will take 2-3x longer than the boxer. In the long run, if you stay with it, your skill will surpass the boxer.
(edit: my instructor always taught us to kill the first attackers if there were more than one and to leave the last guy alive for legalities)

If you want a way of life - go for a martial art that spars full/almost full contact (with pads of course - think that is a law). Go for a martial art that teaches real world grappling (includes pain compliance). If you see many awards lining the training center - that is probably not the place for you. A lot of those centers will train you on how to win in a match, not in real life.

...or you could join the Marines. Their combat technique is a proven killer in real world situations.

reply to post by PaxVeritas


Aikido isnt allowed into the MMA, because the fights end to quickly and violently. In aikido u break the guys arm in 3 places on his first punch then flip him. No ones going to pay to see a fight that ends in 20 sec , and the losing fighter cant fight for the next 6 months while his arm heals.

Before MMA was a big hit, there was fights like that allowed to take place. U can find some old video's if you look hard enough. But aikdo is actually one of the only "Banned" martial arts in MMA

I am surprised at how many here aren't aware of the full benefits of internal martial arts and don't appreciate its full spectrum benefits.. Tai Chi is an internal martial art.. Means it begins to work on the inside first ... However it takes years to get something of use from Tai Chi.. However one of Tai Chi's sister art is called Hsing-i and is lethal. It is an internal martial art, however one can train into a good attack/defense system within just 6 months with regular practice... History of this art says that it was developed inorder to train good fighting soldiers at a quicker pace than just training them using Tai-Chi... This art is focussed on training oneself into using the entire body into every punch, kick etc, and thus one minimizes the loss in efficiency by using the biggest muscle ( if you look at it that way ) - your abdomen (cross section wise) If you begin to use your hips into your punch, you will find it to be more lethal than using just the muscles in your arm for punch .. That is what puts Hsing-i or any other internal martial arts apart from other external martial arts ( KravMaga, Kungfu, Karate, Taekwondo, even Bruce Lee's Jeet Kundo etc , Jujitsu ) ..

Also, Just like Tai-Chi Hsing-i also helps in improving your health, natural body posture and even longevity .. If you are walking with both of your feet at an angle, then as per chinese medicine, your body isn't aligned in its best possible way ... Hsing-i is also tied up with the Chinese medicine system in some sense... For instance, as per chinese medicine, you are supposed to do less workout during winter, and more heavy workout during summer .. just like animals hibernating in winter, and playing around in Summer .. Sames goes with the Hsing-i Training ...

Having said this.. At the level of master in any martial arts, it's all the same.. All the master's are more aware of the little subtleities involved in a simple punch or a simple kick .. And a simple punch from a master can be lethal in that sense.. However, I must say that by training in Hsing-i you become aware of these little subtleties from an early stage itself.... This was probably the best thing I have ever learned self defense wise..

Many here have already advertised their school.. I have been fortunate to have found AIMAS ( American Internal Martial Arts Society ) .. It's an organization created by Dr. Ed Hampton , who developed his own system derived from his extensive knowledge of Hsing-i , known as Energetic Movement Arts or EMA.. He is a very powerful healer in the chinese medicine system as well .. One of his advanced student is my teacher .. All his students with a background of other martial arts have found EMA to be far more effective than anything else...

Anyway... Do your research on Internal Martial Arts .. Find out more about Hsing-i .. See if you can find any local instructor in this art .. And see the difference for yourself ... Also, I don't intend to engage in a war of words with trolls .. God knows if I will ever be checking this thread again for that So soak up the wisdom of experience in this post ATSers

reply to post by thegremlin666

Bas Rutten seems to disagree

www.youtube.com...

There are Many different flavors of martial arts, but depending on what you are looking for would probably be the best determining factor. Are you looking for enlightenment, or defense, Or, are ya lookin to be " Billy Bad Ass " and use it to get even? Please make a small personal note, if you are looking for the later of the 3, you will find a cold day in hell before you will ever find anyone to teach you anything.
Incidentally, All of the different styles will teach you enlightenment, to include defensive and offensive moves. In addition, you may need to learn a couple of different styles to get what you are looking for as well as to help you develop your own style.

If I might, I would suggest you try Ninjitsu. It is very well rounded. You will learn flips and throws, grappling, kicks, punches, weapons and many other fun things. You will learn how to apply it all with stealth and or deception. You will also learn defensive strikes which are powerfully, incapacitive, and deadly if applied correctly.
Though it does require a Great deal of discipline, it is very rewarding as far as the body, mind, and soul are concerned.
BUT, remember, the best martial art is one that Never has to be used.

When people say studying martial art, do they mean they read them in the books rather than practice them? Thats how it sounds, but maybe they mean practice. But if you have only studied, dont go in to a fight..with anybody

reply to post by kingoddball
Exept they teach you not to protect your head all times. Like if you keep your hands at the level of your chest, you have no time to block a headpunch, when it comes from somebody that can really punch.. Thats a fact.

Thats why I wouldnt recommend karate or TKD for anybody. (there are more arts where you dont protect your head properly)

Originally posted by thegremlin666
reply to post by PaxVeritas

 

Aikido isnt allowed into the MMA, because the fights end to quickly and violently. In aikido u break the guys arm in 3 places on his first punch then flip him. No ones going to pay to see a fight that ends in 20 sec , and the losing fighter cant fight for the next 6 months while his arm heals.

That's only if the opponent submits for the "pass me your arm technique"

Seriously, if a fighter is coming at you with everything he's got, you are not going to break his arm in 3 places. If you do manage to grab hold of one arm, you are going to get punched with the other, if not, kicked. It isn't in the MMA because it doesn't work.

reply to post by daaskapital
Of course aikido is allowed in MMA. Its just not very effective in the cage. The footwork in aikido would be good though..

Oh, sorry..this was adressed to thegremlin666

reply to post by skywalker_
And for you, most of arts that use punching(boxing, kickboxing, savate, muay thai..etc.) they all generate the power to punch from below. From leg to hips, through the midsection and through your arm into the fist. At least when done correctly.
So I didnt quite understand your meaning in your post. I understood you said any other martia art uses only the power of the arm to punch?
Thats redicilous, but if I got it wrong somehow, then sorry


And no offence meant here.

Originally posted by WeekendWarrior
reply to post by skywalker_

 

And for you, most of arts that use punching(boxing, kickboxing, savate, muay thai..etc.) they all generate the power to punch from below. From leg to hips, through the midsection and through your arm into the fist. At least when done correctly.
So I didnt quite understand your meaning in your post. I understood you said any other martia art uses only the power of the arm to punch?
Thats redicilous, but if I got it wrong somehow, then sorry

And no offence meant here.

I will also chuck in mate, that, yeah in Muay Thai, we generate power for strikes through the hips, but the punches are different to those used in Boxing. The punches are still very, very effective, however are more used to set up kicks, rather than to do heaps of damage.

I have chosen to train in the art of Wushu. It is a defensive art and focuses primarily on a quick end to all fights through escape or knock out. I choose to never use lethal force unless absolutely needed.

hmmm where to start, if i had to pick any martial arts style, i honestly would have to say that i would naturally express a very unorthodox combination of many techniques i have seen in kung fu movies and good fighting movies.

i always get a special feeling when i watch a good fighting movie, as if i know more about fighting ( not like the way a child feels pumped up after watching superman ) but more like an autistic person can absorb things they see and experience sometimes in some cases.


the best one i have felt a touch of is drunken fist. clearer alcohols work better for this.

the unprecedented unpredictability and strange flowing balance is just, not easy to type on a keyboard.


anybody feel similar?

judoinfo.com...



You could always try the above. It's cheap and won't take you years.

It depends on the individual's size, speed, stamina, pain thresholds and objectives.

Shaolin Kung-fu and Ninjutsu are personal favorites of mine for the discipline and mental conditioning.

...and to remember that the physical fight is ALWAYS taken as a LAST RESORT.

I stand 6'3" and am built like a brick $#!thouse and carry myself well so I rarely get eyeballed or "challenged" much.

Keep your Qi in balance and you will never have to resort to physical combat and can subdue an opponent with just a glance.

Hi there, I'm new to posting but have been lurking fer a lil bit. This post got me to start wanting to add my $.02.

I know Krav Maga is effective. They do sparring rounds that are one vs 3-7, work on escaping subs, and work a lot on parrying strikes. There are even drills for unarmed vs knife/pistol/assault rifle attacks.

I think it's good fun.

reply to post by Shagga


I dont know where you get your idea about WC but you are seriously misstaken.I could teach you to be a better fighter with WC in six weeks,yes you wont know the ins and outs but you will be better able to handle yourself.
WC like most other arts has many levels but the first thing i do with a new student is to get them moving and chain punching properly.most training is one to one where the novice is partnered whith a higher graded student.
Yes it does take time to learn some of the sensativity concepts and apps but as i said basic hands and feet is quite straight forward and WC's basics beats most.

reply to post by daaskapital
One thing I have noticed is that european style of muay thai uses more fists than a actual Thai-fighter. Its almost like the opponent gets pissed in thailand if he gets punched to the head? Is it a cultural thing?
And european thai-fighters does use the punch very effectively(I have had honour to be receiving some in the ring

).
Not to mention the kicks..they are epic and thats why MMA-fighters are using mostly those.

reply to post by ManBehindTheMask


I didn't get to finish my post before I had to cut it short, I do apologize. Let me elaborate on my comment...
In my experience, much of what you learn in the McDojo's do not work, since what they teach Kata's, high kicks, double tap kicks, jumping back spin kicks... Use those things on the street and you'll get yourself killed. What most instructors don't teach their students right away is that you can really cut through all the formal trainning and learn the real stuff. If all instructors did this, they wouldn't make any money. Realistically, can you make a wrist/joint lock work on a great big powerful man thats trying to kill you? No, unless you're the same size or bigger. Can you roll around on the ground getting into a grappling match with a flack jacket on, all the heavy gear? Is that going to work? No. I teach joint locks... sure they work in the dojo against a much larger person, because you respect each other, he's being nice. In my opinion, to test your trainning, get the biggest guy you know or in your dojo, have him NOT be nice. Have him use all of his strength when he grabs you. As far as punching goes, one should not punch the bony structure of the face or head. You'll likely damage your hand, you may not notice right away, but it will be rendered useless. Elbow & knee: When a man intent on killing you had grabbed you and if using all of his might, do you really think that an elbow or knee is going to stop him? No, not likely.
Anyone thats ever been in a fight, know's that much of our trainning goes out the window, of the hundreds of techniques we learn, you'll be good to remember that you have hands,especially when your walking to your car, unlocking your front door of your house and three men walk up and put guns in your face. As far as MMA goes, there was a case I read about where a MMA Guy was being car jacked as he walked to his car late one night. He got into a grappling match with the assailant. The bad guy had gotten the better of him, he tapped out (as his trainning went) and the guy killed him anyway. That's why it's dangerous to think that much of what is taught today is viable.
With my real life experiences, when your life is on the line, throat strikes a best, and if you can springing upon the enemy works. Don't fight defensively, if will get you killed. If a man is trying to stab you, don't just keep trying to block it, because you will get stabbed! Instead, neutralize the threat right away, be the aggressor. Rember it's not the weapon thats the threat, it's the brain! Take out the brain, you take away his wheels. If you're going to aim for a specific target, make sure that by the time your done, It doesn't work! The origional martial arts were created for killing the enemy in battle, not for compitions, trophies, self control, confidence, better grades, or even for self-defense. Most poeple don't realize this.
I love the martial arts although I feel the way I do. I've been a martial artist nearly my entire life. I do beleive that others can greatly benifit from them! I also try to the reality of it all as well. I stay with the 1,500 year old aancient traditions of Budo (Ninjutsu) and have evolved it to fit to our time as well. Ancient tradition with modern tactics...my students learn both. After all, our Grandmaster-Masaaki Hatsumi says that Ninjutsu should evolve to fit with the times while honoring and trainning in the old ways. Any other questions, I'll be glad to answer. Again, I apologize for the short vague post from before. I hope this answer will help to clear things up a bit.