Martial Arts: Which One Suits You?

First off, my experience has mostly been in the fields of Ninjutsu, kickboxing and tae kwon do. For me, ninjutsu was the answer to my needs – it offers a fluid fighting style, training in armed and unarmed combat, and doesn’t neglect the psychological aspects of ‘fighting’. Ninjutsu trains its pupils in the art of intuition and sensing negative intent from others – it may sound like voodoo, but it really is a sixth sense that everyone has – you know that feeling you get when you walk into a room and instantly know that something bad has happened? That’s what i’m talking about, and it can be fine tuned and enhanced through study. Ninjutsu covers a wide range of techniques – punching, kicking, throws, grappling, wrestling, even the occassional head-butt. There is also the opportunity to train with all sorts of weapons – both contemporary, like knifes and machetes and traditional. like ninja throwing stars (shuriken), spears, swords, staffs and weighted chains. Plus, after a few lessons, you can go around calling yourself a ninja! Although this is against the actual teachings of ninjutsu, which extoll humility and grace in all things. As you can see, it’s a subject dear to my heart.

If you’re looking for something a little less taxing but still want the health benefits of exercise, you might want to look into tai chi. Tai chi strengthens muscles, encourages healthy deep breathing and is very relaxing. It is a great option for older people or those recovering from injury/illness/surgery. A main tenant of tai chi is to use softness to receive an opponent’s attacks, instead of hardness. Movements mirror those of the attacker, but redirect his power, nullify it or use it against himself. If you’re a believer in traditional chinese medicine, tai chi also helps to open up the body’s meridians, through which chi (or energy) flows. A beautiful, passive and relaxing style with many health benefits.

For those looking for a little more bang for their buck, Karate teachers and dojos are fairly easy to find, which is a major plus. Karate is a very strong-looking style. It mostly utilises punches, kicks and elbow and knee strikes. If Tai chi can be likened to water, then karate would be fire. It has a rigid system of ascending belt colours to represent levels of training and required techniques needed to gain these. It uses katas, or patterns of movement to learn techniques. A strong and effective form of sport and self defence.

If you’re more interested in weapons training, then maybe fencing is for you – graceful, deadly and requiring speed and reflexes, fencing is fun and exciting, with plenty of room for advancement and professional competition. If you’re looking for an eastern equivalent, maybe kendo would appeal to you – kendo students train and spar with bamboo swords called shinai, and utilise shouts (called kiai) and timed foot stomps to generate and project power. Fascinating and very challenging.

If you’re looking for something totally outside of the box, or you want to combine your great sense of rhythm with kicking ass, how about Capoeira, the afro-brazilian dance fighting style?

Or maybe you’re just into the brawn and sweat and fighting spirit of western boxing? Easy to learn but impossible to master, its a great way to get fit and defend yourself, even if you never get past the novice stage.

Kickboxing is a fun adjunct, great for cardiovascular and respiratory health. Plus there’s plenty of contests and if you train hard enough, there might just be a gold medal in it for you.

If you’re a big guy and you think you can make it in the sumo wrestling ring, then go for it! that or just get drunk with your mates and draw a big circle on the living room floor

Of course, there’s about a million more styles i haven’t covered here, so if you still haven’t found what you’re after, grab yourself a copy of Dead or alive or Mortal kombat and see if any of the characters are throwing out some awesome moves you wish you could do!

Everyone, especially women (not to be sexist!! i’m a girl!!) should have some kind of self defence training to keep them safe from the random acts of violence which could be thrown your way at any time. Even if its a simple as learning a kick to the groin or being told where the solar plexus is!

So be safe, explore the options and don’t let anything hold you back from the health and confidence benefits that the wide world of martial arts has to offer!