| er you're enrolling yourself or your kids into martial | | | | stresses grappling as opposed to striking. By |
| arts classes, one of the most difficult decisions you'll | | | | contrast, karate underscores a "full" striking strategy |
| make is to choose between fighting styles. It is rare | | | | that encompasses the use of the hands, feet, arms, |
| for a student to be proficient in more than one | | | | legs, and elbows. Taekwondo also focuses on strikes, |
| approach; mastering a single discipline is often a | | | | but emphasizes blocking and positioning with the goal |
| lifelong adventure. To that end, millions of aspiring | | | | of staying out of harm's way until a finishing blow can |
| students hesitate before enrolling because they're | | | | be delivered. Hapkido, aikido, and judo (as already |
| uncertain regarding which style is "best" to learn. | | | | mentioned) stress throwing. |
| In truth, there are pros and cons to each of the | | | | You'll likely find some fighting techniques more |
| varied disciplines (karate, judo, taekwondo, kung fu, | | | | appealing than others. This will be an important factor |
| etc.). Some are better suited for a particular set of | | | | in selecting an approach to the martial arts that |
| goals than others. Below, we'll discuss the issue of | | | | resonates with your personality and goals. |
| selecting the "best" martial arts style from several | | | | Self-Defense Versus Sport |
| perspectives. I'll explain the importance of considering | | | | A lot of students completely ignore the difference |
| your physical condition, fighting preference, and | | | | between learning the martial arts for self-defense as |
| reasons for enrolling. | | | | opposed to sport. Here's the crux of the problem: if |
| Putting Your Body To Work | | | | you're learning a particular technique for self-defense, |
| The shape your body is in, and the level of physical | | | | you need to do so at a dojo that allows full sparring |
| conditioning you're willing to endure, will play a key | | | | with nothing held back. Most studios that encourage |
| role in your selecting a discipline. Some methods | | | | students to participate in sparring for sport do not |
| require an enormous level of fitness. For example, | | | | allow complete follow through on strikes. As a result, |
| jujitsu (especially the Brazilian approach popularized by | | | | when placed in a real world situation, students are |
| mixed martial arts) emphasizes takedowns and | | | | untrained to deliver finishing blows. |
| submissions - activities that require significant | | | | That said, if your goal is to improve your physical |
| strength. | | | | fitness and coordination while developing your ability |
| On the other hand, judo trains you to use your | | | | to concentrate, self-defense may be irrelevant to |
| opponents' force and momentum against them. While | | | | you. In that case, the instruction you'll receive from |
| strength and physical fitness are valuable, neither are | | | | most dojos will be invaluable. |
| essential. In fact, it's not uncommon to see students | | | | Choosing A Dojo That Fits Your Life |
| who are proficient in judo appear out of shape. | | | | If the dojo you're planning to attend is far away |
| Related to physical conditioning is the likelihood of | | | | from your home, you're far less likely to devote |
| sustaining injuries. Some disciplines, such as kung fu | | | | yourself to the classes. This may not seem like an |
| and taekwondo, highlight striking. There is a | | | | important criteria for choosing a martial arts style, but |
| substantial level of contact and as a result, a greater | | | | it is. What if the system you'd like to learn is only |
| chance of becoming injured. Judo doesn't carry the | | | | taught at studios that are located far away from |
| same risk because the emphasis is on throwing | | | | you? If the classes do not fit into your schedule due |
| rather than striking. | | | | to time constraints or the distance from your home, |
| Your Preferred Fighting Style | | | | you'll eventually lose motivation and stop attending. |
| One of the first things you'll notice while observing | | | | The question of which martial arts style is "best" to |
| different martial arts styles is that each focuses on a | | | | learn is misleading. Instead, identify a discipline based |
| specific approach to fighting. For example, jujitsu | | | | upon your goals, personality, and lifestyle. |