Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Which Martial Art Is Right For You?

By David Weinberg

There are thousands of different martial art styles. It can be confusing which martial art you should study when they vary widely and many claim to be the best one. The perfect martial art for you is the one that suits you best.

Karate is a popular self-defense choice among martial artists. Karate generally focuses on standing blocks and strikes with the hands and legs. Most Karate schools today teach sport-based styles which allow practitioners to compete in various martial art tournaments. That can be a great way to become more disciplined and fit, but if you are primarily seeking a martial art for self-defense you may want to find a Karate school that teaches combative forms of this discipline.

Ketsugo Jujutsu is breaking out into the forefront as an effective martial art for street combat. It is a complete martial art that teaches striking, grappling, joint locking, choking, throwing, escaping, weapons training, energy work, and spiritual development. For those martial artists who desire to compete in tournaments Ketsugo Jujutsu may not be the right martial art for you. This may be the perfect martial art for martial artists who want to learn practical self-defense against all possible situations on the street including weapons and multiple attackers.

Krav Maga has exploded into popularity over the past decade. The Israeli discipline was designed to be an effective martial art for the military in real life confrontations. Many martial art enthusiasts appreciate that Krav Maga works well in the street, but law enforcement, bouncers, and civilians need to be careful of the legal ramifications if Krav Maga is ever used for self-defense. The martial art has a hard style to it so you might want to find a Krav Maga school that also incorporates restraints and submissions for subduing an attacker without having to severely injure them.

Ba Gua is the only martial art that was specifically developed for bodyguards taking on multiple attackers. This esoteric martial art consists of rapid footwork, circle walking, internal striking with the palms and fingers, energetic development, and spiritual realization. It is rare to find a good Ba Gua school, but if you locate one hold onto it with your life.

Penjak Silat is a versatile martial art from Indonesia. You will not typically see this martial art in the UFC since it is not sport-based. From standing to knife fighting to ground fighting Silat is about as well-rounded as martial art systems come. Penjak Silat is an excellent choice for martial artists who wish to learn effective techniques for the street.

Eskrima arguably offers unrivaled stick and knife fighting strategies. Originally from the Philippines, Eskrima will teach you how to defend yourself using rattan sticks. The movements are easily applicable for self-defense purposes with or without a stick. There are many levels of proficiency, but Eskrima basics can be learned in a short amount of time since the art focuses on simple and effective strategies for real life combat.

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