Which martial art to study?

Hi! I'm a female university student and am interested in taking martial arts for fitness, discipline and personal enjoyment. So far the three I am looking at are Tai Chi, Shaolin, and Savate Kickboxing 1 because they are the only ones that fit my schedule.





I am about 5'10" and my normal exercise consists mostly of walking for about 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours everyday (I take public transportation and walk to school and everywhere I need to go). I enjoyed Tae Bo workouts from high school gym class, but other than that, I've never taken a martial art before.





Naturally, the idea of being able to defend myself as a single female in an urban setting is appealing. I'm also taking an East Asian Religions class (including Taoism and Buddhism) and wondering if taking a martial art will help me understand these religions and disclipines more thoroughly.





Mainly, I want to increase my physical fitness. Which martial art do you think I should take?

Which martial art to study?
for a girl if you want to gefend yourself in an urban setting i reccomend krav maga. my sister did krav maga and she said it was awesome. it teaches how to defend against men.





but the best martial arts to me are.


1 muay thai


2 jiu jitsu


3 judo
Reply:Doesn't seem like anyone wants to help you- only tell you their OWN favorite art. See if I can help ya...


The Tai Chi is more of an "internal art" focussed on building internal energy. It has been described as "moving meditation" and any self defense aspects will not really be learned until later in training. Basically, if you are looking to learn how to block, kick, punch and do self defense training, this is probably not it. However, it will certainly be nice as a philosophical side to the Religions class.


Savate is a form of French kickboxing. It will probably seem more comfortable to you because the techniques are very similar to what is used in the Tai Bo exercising. You will learn kicking, punching, blocking and you will learn the PROPER techniques for this and not just a 30 second primer of throwing a punch like in Tai Bo however. This will be a real self defense class with real techniques.


The Shaolin Kung Fu (or Gung Fu) will be similar. REAL techniques that will have REAL applications in self defense situations. Expect blocks, kicks and punches as well as some joint locks, trapping and maybe even some throws involved.


Either of the last 2 I talked about will be better for self defense. I doubt highly whether a class taken at a University, FROM the University will be very in depth for beginners though. In my own experience, these classes are a sort of Martial Arts assembly line where there are several long time students who have stuck with it and then some 5-10 others who are taking it just as an elective. Since the turnover is so high, the instructor(s) have a certain program they will work new students through and it will be the VERY most basic of stuff. SO, don't get your hopes too high.


I actually suggest you go to one or all of these classes before you sign up and talk to the instructors. A good instructor will greatly enhance your experiences. Ask him about the curriculum and what you can expect from classes. Tell him your thoughts about learning self defense for your new urban environment and see if the answer suits you. Your class will be MUCH better if you check things out beforehand.


Hope this helps...


Sensei Cox
Reply:Tai Chi will help you understand the spiritual aspect, but it's basically useless as an actual self-defense system. Shaolin is better and it also has meditational aspects, but in a straight up fight between a Shaolin practicioner and a Savate kickboxer, I would place my money on the kickboxer.
Reply:I would suggest Kali because its not that stressful like the other martial arts and its a very effective art for defese and offense.
Reply:Any of these will work for physical fitness, although Tai Chi focuses more on the internal aspects than does the Gung Fu and Savate. Your understanding of basic principles of Taoism will certainly be enhanced with a study of Tai Chi.





Unfortunately none of them will really give you the capability to adequately protect yourself without many years of practice, if you wish to learn how to do that, you can do so effectively in a long weekend by taking Target Focus Training. It is an awesome weekend and will instill in you the tools to protect yourself should the need arise.
Reply:Look up Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do





If you follow that up all the way, you'll be able to do 2 fingered one handed push-ups, just like Bruce.


Bruce is the best.
Reply:try practice wushu.
Reply:Just so you know, Tae Bo is not really a martial art, teaching you to defend yourself. It is a martial art related exercise. If you want exercise and self defense, I suggest Savate or what I assume is Shaolin Kempo. Tai Chi does have self defense concepts, but they are deep and difficult to understand. Tai Chi and the Shaolin you mention may help with the religions/disciplines you mention.


For self defense for women, a great thing is an alarm that you can carry. I think you can set it off fairly easy (as long as it's not buried in your pocketbook). It's not a weapon and will scare off trouble. Tanya Harding used one once when stalked by a guy in the woods. He got real close to her and she dropped that alarm thing. He ran away one way, and she ran the other.
Reply:Check out Tang So Doo, it's Chinese influenced Korean Martial Arts. Check out the American Tang So Doo Association online.
Reply:there are many martial arts people havent heard of one of those is san soo. as far as self defense is concerned its the best. the purpose of it in combat is pure violence directed at the opponent. its so violent that it isnt allowed in contest fighting (mma, ufc, etc). jeet kune do is another good one. thing is its difficult to find instructors in these martial arts because they arent used in contest fights. if you can find someone who teaches either of these go for it.
Reply:I think you meet with your potential instructors and choose the one who seems the happiest and friendliest . It may also also be possible to watch a class in each style . Which students are smiling the most . Physical fitness can be achieved with the ' no pain no gain mentality' but this is not really enjoyable and so not sustainable . Any style can make you fit . My advice on fighting is to stay on the sunny side of the street .