Which martial arts is right for me?
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Which martial arts is right for me?
Many people ask themselves: "Which martial art is right for me?". Another question I have recently asked myself was: "What martial art is right for my kids?" I wanted one that would show them the physical aspects for self defense along with the mental discipline derived from continued focus on getting better. There are many martial art styles out there, some popular and easily accessible while others are secretive and distant. It is important to understand the basic features of a style so that you can decide if it is something you will find interesting or glad you decided with your kids (not advocating pushing your kids in martial arts). The following is intended to help you get a starting idea for your search. There are a few broad categories of styles - stand-up styles, ground fighting or grappling styles, throwing styles, weapons based styles and low impact or internal styles: Please note: This is by no means a complete list. Stand-up Style Martial Arts * Karate * Kung Fu * Tae Kwon Do * Boxing/Kickboxing * Krav Maga * Wushu * San Shou Ground Fighting Martial Arts or Grappling Styles * Brazilian Jujitsu * Shooto or shoot fighting * Sambo * Greco-Roman Wrestling Throwing Styles Martial Arts * Judo * Aikido * Shuai Jiao (Chiao) * Hapkido Weapons Based Styles * Kali
* Iado * Kendo Low impact or Meditative Style Martial Arts * Tai Chi * Bagua Zhang * Chi Gong based styles Consider which type of practice appeals to you. It is important to think about the reasons why you want to train and what you hope to gain out of your training. Is it for physical activity, mental discipline, self defense, any combination of the three? This can lead you in the right direction. It is also important that you choose a system that you think you can realistically stick with and are comfortable with if you are going to make martial arts a part of your life.
Many people ask themselves: "Which martial art is right for me?". Another question I have recently asked myself was: "What martial art is right for my kids?" I wanted one that would show them the physical aspects for self defense along with the mental discipline derived from continued focus on getting better. There are many martial art styles out there, some popular and easily accessible while others are secretive and distant. It is important to understand the basic features of a style so that you can decide if it is something you will find interesting or glad you decided with your kids (not advocating pushing your kids in martial arts). The following is intended to help you get a starting idea for your search. There are a few broad categories of styles - stand-up styles, ground fighting or grappling styles, throwing styles, weapons based styles and low impact or internal styles: Please note: This is by no means a complete list. Stand-up Style Martial Arts * Karate * Kung Fu * Tae Kwon Do * Boxing/Kickboxing * Krav Maga * Wushu * San Shou Ground Fighting Martial Arts or Grappling Styles * Brazilian Jujitsu * Shooto or shoot fighting * Sambo * Greco-Roman Wrestling Throwing Styles Martial Arts * Judo * Aikido * Shuai Jiao (Chiao) * Hapkido Weapons Based Styles * Kali
* Iado * Kendo Low impact or Meditative Style Martial Arts * Tai Chi * Bagua Zhang * Chi Gong based styles Consider which type of practice appeals to you. It is important to think about the reasons why you want to train and what you hope to gain out of your training. Is it for physical activity, mental discipline, self defense, any combination of the three? This can lead you in the right direction. It is also important that you choose a system that you think you can realistically stick with and are comfortable with if you are going to make martial arts a part of your life.
