What is the best Martial Art to practice and why?

Answer 1

well, it's a highly subjective choice, one which depends on factors like, your physical size, stregnth, discipline, and your reasons for studying a martial art in the first instance. I studied wushu (kung-fu) for a number of years, I will never forget the wisdom and calmness of the teacher. Most martail arts will help you greatly with physical conditioning and confidence, but if you want to take a philosophical journey, during which you will ajust your perception of the world around you for the better, there can be only one art form. Learn yourself some kung-fu.

Answer 2

The best would always be "Mixed Martial Arts"

It actually is a category of its own. Its made up of all the possible Martial Arts combination that you can master.

It is the most lethal form. If that is what you want to accomplish.

If you want to learn a useful martial art - go clean my car and say
"WAX ON WAX OFF"

Anyway, back to the mixed martial arts thing, time and time again, it has been proven in UFC - a show on cable TV - that no matter what martial art you master - if you get pinned down strategically - you are as good as dead.

Answer 3

It's not so much the art as the school that matters. I would look for a teacher who doesn't make his living off teaching martial arts. Those making a living off it tend to be more about quantity and not quality. Testing and advancing students before they are ready can be a common practice in this type of environment.

And oh yeah I study in the Korean art of Tang Soo Do.

Answer 4

It depends on your goals. The perception of "best" will differ depending on if you are interested in self-defense, development of the internal self, or development of your physical capability.

Personally, I practice Tai-Chi. Although very much a martial art it is focused on development of the "chi" (our internal energy) and it takes the average person years to develop the skill level necessary to make it practical in an actual combat situation.

I studied Judo as a kid. It is good for developing close quarter combat skills.

I know several people who do akido. It is more of a passive self-defense art, and like Tai-Chi will take years to make practical. However, the techniques will let you control very large aggressive individuals with a very small effort (and make them look *very* silly in the process...).

Kung-Fu is an excellent art because they study multiple weapons forms. Part of the "ninja" skill is in the use of everyday items at hand as improvised weapons.

Karate and Taekwando lean towards the more physical and will have you breaking boards in no time.

IMHO, no mater which martial art form you choose it will help with both mental and physical discipline.

Answer 5

Wow, you may as well have asked "what's the best religion?"

It really depends on what you're going after. Staying in shape vs. defending yourself.

If it is for staying in shape then any are fine but it all depends on how much you put into it.

If it is for defending yourself, take women's self defense classes. They aren't "martial arts" in the sense you were probably thinking of, but they are designed specifically to keep you safe without the years of training that most martial arts require before getting to a level where you can honestly defend yourself in a street situation.

My personal favorite is Tai Chi; but like I said, what's right for me may not be right for you. If you are just looking for something to do and to meet people, most martial arts establishments offer free trial classes / reduced cost trial periods. Try taking a few trial classes of several different ones and see which one suits you the best.

Answer 6

hmmm, difficult question: obviously, all martial arts have their pros and cons, but the one that sounds the best to me is actually two - tai chi and kung fu. these two go hand in hand: you can train both from the same instructor, the first for the mind, soul and the 'togetherness' that makes physical movement assured, calm and controlled. the second for more extreme fitness, flexibility and actual fighting... eventually, at a certain level they merge into one, generally the point at which you start learning weapons. this is the most rounded way to approach a martial art.
personally, i've always loved judo and kapowaira (spelling?) for their non-abusive fighting style, which is all about balance and your opponent's balance, using their weaknesses against them, but with no or very few 'destructive' moves such as punching and kicking.
anyway....

Answer 7

There is no one Art that will teach you all you need to know to defend yourself in a fight. That is why MMA (mixed Martial arts) is the best way to train. Learning aspects of different martial arts, Taekwondo, I prefer Mui Tai for stand up, Judo for throws, and Jui Jitsu for ground fighting, all fights end up on the ground. Find a Dojo that allows you to train for everything.

Answer 8

Wing Chuan.
It was invented by a nun,
so is perfect for a woman.
It is said that with dedicated practise, a student can become proficient after only 1 year.
Also it is with this style that the great Bruce Lee first entered the world of martial arts, and is evident in much of his on screen fighting style.

Answer 9

I'm trying to find out the same thing!

Many of the basics are the same.

I took Karate for 2 years and although I learned a lot, much time was wasted learning traditional form (kata) and useless moves (spearhand, cat stance) .

If you're in it for the art, then a traditional school whether Karate, Kung fu, TKD etc. are fine. But if you want to learn to defend yourself on the street, you're wasting your time with tradition. This is something even Bruce Lee preached and has proven itself in recent years via UFC (ultimate fighting)

UFC has taught us that a combination of basic striking skills (like kickboxing) and groundwork (like brazilian ju jitsu) work best.

"Mixed Martial Arts" is the keyword.

I intend to find a school that is no-nonsense and teaches these skills first and foremost with repetition.

Good luck.

Answer 10

I'm not a martial artist, but I'm interested in the subject, and I've done a little research. Aikido is defensive, and the first thing you learn is how to fall. That's always appealed to me. It's tough, but it seems less offensive than other martial arts.