I'm a 23 year old woman, I'm pretty petite, 5foot 4, 100 pounds. I've always loved watching them but I don't know which would be best for me as I have no martial arts background. Thanks for the help!
2006-10-20 03:19:48 · 22 answers · asked by Ashley 4 in Sports ➔ Martial Arts
First you have to answer the question.... Why do you want to study a martial art? Sport? Fitness? Self-defense?
If you're looking for sport, all the main stream stuff found most places.... Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kick-boxing, etc. would work for you.
If you're looking for fitness and self-defense, Krav Maga may be a good method for you. It has a good basic approach that works on the "KISS" principle. An example of this method is showcased by Jennifer Lopez in the movie, "Enough".
Wing Chun and Aikido are good for women too, but they takes more time to learn well. Wing Chun is good for close up fighting/self-defense and it doesn't take a lot of brute strength. Aikido with the right instruction is good for self-defense, but it takes a long time and some schools are very formal.
Filipino arts (Kali, Arnis, and Escrima) are good for learning to deal with weapons and empty hand self-defense. If you're a fan of that warrior chick, "Tayla" on "Stargate: Atlantis" you've seen some examples of this method.
The best way to decide is to go check out some schools and instructors.... See what environments suit your own tastes.
2006-10-20 03:38:27 · answer #1 · answered by Shaman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The main question is, what Martial Arts disciplines are avaialable in your area, and which one of these disciplines would interest you the most?
There is no "best" Martial Art that is tailor made for certain types of people just as there is not a Martial Art that is "better" than another; because each discipline has it's own strength and weakness and both practical and impractical applications.
Find out what schools are local to you, and choose three or four (if there are that many or more in your area) and then watch or take some trial classes (like a week or two) if it allows to find out if you like the class. then narrow the choices down to two and pick the one that intrests you the most.
The next big thing is to watch out for the "Mcdojo" or cookie cutter schools that say you can get a blackbelt in a shorter span of time than 3-5 years or more because basically you'll be paying for a belt instead of actually earning it, and they usually have very high "turnout" rate, meaning that they are constantly cycling students through and may not really be teaching the students to perfect their techniques. which basically means that their students will prob'ly not be abe to handle themselves well should a conflict arise.
These schools also emphasize their achievements like how many tournaments their students have won or placed in which is often a good sign that it's a "belt factory", because a school that focses on actually teaching the students won't put emphasis on tournaments (because competition is the least necessary aspect of Martial Arts) but rather let it be known that they can enter tournaments if they wish, but is not a requirement.
You also need to watch the instructor to see if they are good with the students, and take time out to show them proper technique or just let them go without correction. And a good instructor should know the history of the school and it's affiliations with any international or world organizations for their discipline, and also find out how long the instructor has been teaching the discipline.
finding the right Martial Art for you is more about what you like or want to get out of the discipline, but you have to like the class and the instructor if you want to continue enrolling in the class.
good luck
2006-10-20 05:12:50 · answer #2 · answered by quiksilver8676 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Hello Ashley,
I have studied a traditional martial art for about 13yrs. I have discovered a basic truth, the quality and frequency of training far outweigh the style of your training. So, find a good quality school and train there , regardless of the style. Refuse to pay for rank tests and never sign a contract. Find a school with a clean, friendly, family environment.
I am sure people will tell you this style is better than that style and all that jazz. But think about it logically, if one style was totally superior wouldn't everyone train in that style..
There are no best arts, only best artists.
Best of luck and enjoy your new found life as a martial artist.
2006-10-20 05:42:43 · answer #3 · answered by spidertiger440 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
What are your goals.
Movie martial arts are not reality.
In reality if you are looking to compete in a sportative martial art but don't want to get involved in heavy striking take something like tkd and do point sparring, or take judo or bjj which are grappling arts.
If you are looking to kick someone's *** in a hand to hand fight, then find a school that teaches and trains hard and reflects the concepts of both striking and groundfighting. They also need to train realistically with resistance. (a fully resisting opponent)
If you are looking into something for real self-defence and protection then your primary focus should be a weapons course. If you are able to then a carry permit for a pistol is obviously the best, If you can't get a carry permit or don't want to deal with firearms you could try knife fighting or other small weapons training. However this doesn't mean you should ignore hand to hand because you would need to know distancing at which someone is a threat to you and how to effectively incorporate that into your training to give you a chance to pull the weapon.
2006-10-20 05:09:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
As a martial arts instructor I see hundreds of people each year that ask a very similar question, "Which martial art is best for me?"
My recommendation is that you visit many local martial arts schools in your area and try to find from them, the one that you are most interested in learning.
Evaluate those schools for instructor experience (he should be training for at least 10 years), business longevity (the school should have been in existence for at least 3 or 4 years), school values (the school should emphasize the lessons you are most interested in learning ie fitness, self defense, weaponry, forms, sparring, etc), and pricing (make sure you can afford the tuition) and atmosphere (does the location feel like a place that you can "home" to your training?).
2006-10-23 09:09:34 · answer #5 · answered by ninja lessons 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to watch some different styles, take some free lessons, and decide which you are most interested in. Make sure the school doesn't require contracts, the instructors are knowledgeable, professional , courteous, and enjoy their martial art.
What you are interested in and if you have any particular goals, such as self-defense, keeping in shape, etc., should be a part of your decision as to what you study. Make sure that you enjoy it and would want to continue to study it. Many women enjoy all sorts of martial arts from karate to aikido to kung fu, so there is really no limit except your interest and what is available in your area.
2006-10-20 13:03:14 · answer #6 · answered by Jerry L 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you try a Mixed martial Arts school that way you'll get a taste of everything!
2006-10-22 21:15:08 · answer #7 · answered by channille 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably Thai Chi,it's a form of Chinese martial arts and it's the softer form of Wushu.
2006-10-22 02:12:59 · answer #8 · answered by black_cat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure you want a Martial Art? Surely the whole concept is a philosophy of self defence. Defence being the operative word
2016-03-18 22:10:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
check out a Chinese Kenpo Studio in your area. I have been studying for several years and have a 1st degree black, im also an instructor. Chinese Kenpo has been and probably always will keep evolving into a system that is designed for "street encounters" meaning that most all of the techniques are designed for situations you will Actually encounter on the streets.
We do not believe in breaking boards or bricks, out phylosophy is as soon as we get attacked by a tree or a house we will develop techniques for that. Im not putting down other systems by any means but my advise for you would be chinese kenpo.
2006-10-20 03:39:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋