i want to join a self defence class. how will i know whats best for me.?

Answer 1

Visit some schools & watch classes & talk to students & instructors. Find 1 where you feel comfortable. There is no "best" style.

Answer 2

I think the best type of self defense is the style that suits you, and fits your schedule.

A good start for a medium to large build and if you are fairly flexible, might be Judo/Jujitsu, with average time to train. This style is good, if you want to protect yourself, but do not have the personality to actually punch someone in right one the face. Instead just tie them up in a knot.

If you are willing to put some time into the training, try Aikido. It takes practice and balance. It's an overall good style, but takes some time to get good. Aikido is very effective in diverting and dodging attacks.

If you just want basic training in kicking butt, getting right to the basics, you can protect yourself in a short time training in Kick Boxing, or better yet Mu Thai boxing (which adds the knees and elbows). This is what most women I know take. (but not a good style if you can't punch your way out of a paper bag) No fancy moves to start, just a knee in the gut, and an elbow in the face should do nicely.

Personally I trained in many marital arts, gaining my best proficiency in Tai Kwon Do; but I'm 6"2" and have lots of leg power.

You have to pick what suits you and your body, and what most of all, gives you the confidence to protect yourself. Other factors are the teachers in your area. There are those who might as well teach dance; with no practical use in real world situations. Other teachers are too tough, where people might break something every class. Go with a teacher who will teach you properly how and when to use what technique, with out putting you in the hospital. Watch a whole class if you have to, the teacher is the key. In the end, no style is good unless you have the confidence to use it.

Answer 3

you should shop around and attend different classes until you find something that suits you - dont rush into one style or another

also decide on how long you want to wait until you have skills - many martial arts take years to master and you may in fact want to do a much shorter defence type training

simple things like overcoming the freeze response - attacking instep, knee, b@lls, diaphragm, throat and eyes can all be learnt quickly and can be more effective than a standard martial art style

so shop around

Answer 4

Your really best bet is to visit as many martial art schools and self-defence classes as possible (if they don't let you watch, leave, they might be hiding something).
That way, you will be able to decide which style you like best/feel comfortable with.

Answer 5

Every martial arts class is good. It really depend on personal preference. My advice is to try one of them, and look if you are comfortable within the class. If you are okay, keep go on, but if you don't like you can find another.

For your addtional information, i can share some martial art short description.

Aikido. Aikido is often think as a soft style self defense. It depend more on re-directing enemy power, thus enable a weaker person defend him/herself from more bigger opponent. From my own training expereince, aikido is very suitable for girl like us. Futhermore, there are many aikido technique to counter grab, and being grabbed by someone is the most possible scenario we (as girl) encounter in daily life.

Taekwondo. Taekwondo dominatly use kick, and some punch. As a hard style martial art tkd require strength, which girl like us usually do not posses. But anyway, I really enjoy practice taekwondo because it's high kick is very beautifull. Futhermore, taekwondo training sure increase our overall stamina.

Answer 6

I joined my class as it was on a night that I had free - okay not that ethical and all spiritual but it has got me into something really worth while, good luck with what ever you end up doing.

Speaking from personal experience - not some high academic level; cause that what I always ask for

Answer 7

What culture interests you? The martial art that you will most likely stay with is going to be one that gives you more that just a fit body and some defense moves to impress your friends, it will become part of your life, you will think, breath and feel it every waking hour, and if you are good as you dream.


lr

http://www.wingchunassociation.com
http://www.pacificwingchunassociation.com

Answer 8

You must be georgeous if you need self defence. The best way to find out is to ask the man you are with. If he can't help look after you then he should be able to help you find something suitable for you both. Your local bt directory will have all known self defence classes in it and you could ask your local police to help. If there is nothing close enough then you should move somewhere safer.

Answer 9

you have to know somethings about yourself first. are you defensive or offensive..i.e. when you get engaged and the adrenaline hits, do you tend to attack or to run? what are your actual risk factors? are you just dealing with high school bullies, in which case a good left hook will take care of it, or are you looking to actually engage in combat. knowing just a little of the right stuff will make you better than 90% of the world, and most of the people you couldn't handle would be professional fighters anyway. If you want to simply know how to defend yourself on the street - its more about situational awareness, and the willingness to fight with bloodthirsty madness when you get attacked. most muggers or rapists will back off if you rip out an eyeball or crush their larynx.
to learn to fight is something else though. experience in both combat and full contact fighting has taught us that the simpler arts are the right ones to know - 80% of the wins are caused by 20% of the techniques, and the question is who is in better condition (never let someone tell you size and strength arent a factor. they just arent the only factors.) so, western boxing, muai thai, wrestling, ju jitsu, these tend to be favored by professionals. what you really need to do is find out what is available in your area. If you live in a small town, likely that all you may get is the local highschoool wrestling coach. but take advantage of what is there.
a good school that is serious about the combat aspects will expect you to spar (practice fight) often,and hard (while taking appropriate safety measures - its no good to get too hurt to learn) you should expect, even desire, to get hit. the first time someone punches you hard in the face you wont forget it. Its not terrible, but the first time sucks, better to have it done by people you know in a safe environment, than to have a meaningless blackbelt and get knocked out the first time you're in a real fight. if you're in a big city, look for MMA gyms (mixed martial arts) the proprietor should be an active competitor, or have several student instructors who are. be warned - sometimes they concentrate on the competitors and the rest of the people who come in and out are just to pay the bills. demand personal attention should you find that to be the case.
however, most of this is physical. thats necessary, but only part of the equation. defending yourself is about attitude, about excepting responsibility for your own welfare. pay attention to whats going on around you. decide now that you will fight to the death - because if they take you off the street, you're going to die, may as well try to kill them back. its about learning about weapons, about your own strengths, and about becoming stronger. i hope you decide to. good luck, and if you have anymore questions email me

Answer 10

You may want to considar Tae Kwon Do. It ranges from sparring (fighting-optional of course) to froms and breaking.
Some things you do are:
1. Sparring
2. Breaking
3. Self Defense
4. Forms
5. Tournaments
6. You work very hard, but it is GREAT self defense.
I'm currently a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do. I suggest a Korean run Tae Kwon Do studio though. A great studio is J.K Lee Black Belt Academy.

Here's the site-----Check it out!
http://www.jkleeblackbelt.com/index.html

Answer 11

It really depends on what type of Martial Art you prefer. They range from Judo,Karate, Kung Fu etc etc. I suggest finding out a little about each one and then finding a club you feel most comfortable in.

Good Luck