martial arts style...?

Question

I'm trying to find a type of martial arts right for me. Breathing and focus are important to me, as well as light footwork and sudden attacks. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

This is a question that only YOU can answer for yourself. Noone can do this for you.

The best thing to do is to incorperate all of the aspects of the martial arts that you are looking for into your own training regimen. This means that you may have to cross-train with different martial arts to find what you are looking for out of each. It's a journey that many people have to go through before they find what's right for them, so there really is no easy way out.

Jeet Kune Do and an art like Tai Chi may be a good start for you, considering what you said you are looking for.

Jeet Kune Do will help you out in your self discovery and is highly practical for street fighting. No traditional or wasted movement. Quick movement, light footwork, low kicks, quick & powerful punches, trickery, grappling, and more is what you will learn in Jeet Kune Do. Being as Jeet Kune Do is not a fixed style and is all up to the individual, I can actually recommend this art to you.

Tai Chi will take a long time to learn, but it will definitely help with your breathing and focus. Please note that Tai Chi is not the only breathing art, as there are many more and better arts than it that combines breathing, focus, and combat techniques as well.

Try looking around online for info on some training regimens that will fit you the best. Use the internet as your advantage. As I said earlier, this is an answer that only you can find for yourself. All everyone here can do is recommend.

Answer 2

i have studied karate, teakwondo, hapkido, aikido and kung fu. i believe the best of all styles is (especially for women) wing chun. it uses focus and the mind and the theory that to be able to repel or initiate an attack you dont need strength and infact in martial arts muscle is a disadvantage. an analegy is that of a bullit and a boulder 1 is much larger and heavier but slow so less effective than something light and fast. it is true wing chun was developed by a woman for a woman (to repel an unwanted suitor as legend has it) and if you are interested i would definately say it is the most efective and easily learnt (giving fast results too) of all the martial arts. its also great for fitness mental focus and changes your outlook on life. the most important aspect in considering martial arts though is to find an academy that is proffesional and honors the fact that martial arts is only for defence. if their emphasis is on killing you will never master it. hope ive been of help

drew

Answer 3

Actually, competition karate would be good for you.

But you probably be better at kickboxing then regular competition karate.

Kickboxing involves focus (you see the opponent's opening and you create a sudden attack by a combination of punches or a sudden kick to bring the opponent off balance or to knock the opponent down), and breathing---you take longer breaths when you are away from the opponent...and short breaths when you are in close quarters for an attack.

I also forgot that there is also another focus in kickboxing.....You focus on not telegraphing your intent. For example, you don't raise your leg for a few seconds (this will mean that you are going to likely do an offensive kick) unless you intend to block a kick.

Answer 4

Yep, that is Goju Ryu... or Uechi Ryu, they are both from Nafadi (Naha-Te).

Don't be intimidated by the loud breathing... it should only be loud in your beginning training... until your Sensei hears that you are breathing correctly. Then your breath becomes intimidating to the unknowing.

These are Okinawan Arts.

If you prefer Chinese Arts... Fujian Boxing styles like White Crane Fist, Five Ancestor Fist and other Hakka Kuen also have this. The above arts from Okinawa come from these arts.

Answer 5

erm, i am guess you want some sort of stand up style and not grappling. If you want an intense and effective style in martial arts then its got 2 be Muay Thai. It does require light footwork like boxing and other standup striking style. In Muay thai you also use elbows, knees, and kicks. Strikes in this style are deceptive and u can pull of sudden attacks. Muay thai is know to be the best stand up style in MMA.

Answer 6

hmm, i started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu recently and am progressing efficiently and love it...if i had to pick another? not sure...i always thought capoieira, TKD and karate were exciting...but i actually may lean more towards M. Thai or Boxing. Anderson Silva: Uncanny with his strikes(knees, kicks, elbows, fists) yet elusive and deadly on the ground (brown belt in BJJ) but theres alot of BJJ/ boxers out there which i noticed is becoming more popular as well. (ironic because my gym only does BJJ and Boxing) Mac Danzig - love him or hate him, he cant even showcase his true groundgame bc he pummels opponents and then just chokes them out... Mastering Boxing and BJJ would be my choice

Answer 7

I've taken jeet kune do and been very satisfied with it for al the reasons you've mentioned. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is real tough but super effective as well

Answer 8

Wing Chun Kung fu was created by a woman, I think. It's all about speed and overcoming larger opponents. Check that out.

Answer 9

Breathing and focus are important to me, as well as light footwork and sudden attacks.

Sounds like the main requirements of GOJU KARATE

Answer 10

it sounds like your looking for a trasitional japanese art. i do goshin jitsu but you wont find any of those near you. unless your in VA Beach and thats one of the styles our school teaches. umm look for some traditional japanese schools around your area and see if what there doing and how there doing it appeals to u and suits u.