http://hokuto.wikia.com/wiki/Hokuto_Shin...
Ok Ok, its Anime! :p
Well, martial arts are for when you're already in trouble. ;-)
I looked into Mui Thai. Didn't really "like" it. But, it seems very effective at close range.
I have years of experience in Tae Kwon Do, or TKD. But, I have had times when I found it useless for varous reasons. I had a "falling out" with it when it's founder defected to Communist North Korea, several years back, and my fees were going there. It was iffy before, but...
One I have, so far, enjoyed is Krav Maga. It's very effective and works from the start, which is something that I cannot say about most others. The only other one was a fad in the 1980s, called Ninjitsu. But, there were a lot of FAKES out there, then, and it was hard to find a real one. Even then, travel was a problem since they were usually far in between. Krav Maga is a little easier to find trainers for. And, it works. In fact, it might be a little too easy to use.
Krav Maga is not 100% strikes, but then few are. You're using most of your weight to do the damage, so... If you want a striking art, then look into Bruce Lee's form of Kung Fu, which I forget what it is called. I remember seeing it in action, back when Mr. Lee was alive, and was very impressed. But, his body style and mine are not similar, and I could in no way compete. Speed is not something I have in abundance. :-(
The biggest issue is usually what is near where you live. Free training is available in the military, but it isn't specified. It has changed over the years, and probably will continue to. The next issue is with the courts. Today, at least in the US, you are a threat if you can defend yourself. So, if you do, you may face more time in prison for having training than if you didn't. It's a shame that politicians and judges don't understand how the martial arts formed under socialist systems that prohibited weapons, making people more dangerous than their weapons.
LIONDANCER gave great advice, avoid the sports. They are not martial arts.
You need to look around, watch and learn, then join. You need to also read this:
When you decide to begin training in martial art you have some questions you have to answer for yourself. Are you looking for a sport to play, an art to dedicate a lifetime to, or a quick fix method of self defence? Some combination of that perhaps? Most of us are, or were all three at times. Where do your priorities lie? You must first decide martial art , or fighting sport. The two are worlds apart, although they overlap in several areas, their mindset, and intent are opposite. You have to know also what is available to you. If you have Uechi-Ryu, and Bak Mei in your area, wanting to do TKD would not help you. Of the available options you must decide which one(s) interest you. Then you have to decide (take your time, it's important) which available instruction is the one for you. You can change or quit if you don't like it, but better to stay with the program right through (providing the program is a good one) for the best training. Style-hopping has in my experience cost many a martial artist their potential, so choose wisely, nobody here can tell you what to do for you. So do your homework well. Talk to instructors and students, watch classes, take 'free introductory' classes, make your decision. One more thing, good luck
Since you want self defense stay away from schools that teach sports. Training for competition is not the same as training for self defense. You will be in a heap of trouble trying to throw scoring techniques in self defense. Know that all martial arts can be taught for self defense because this is what they were intended for and they also can all be watered down for sports. So bottom line rather than looking for styles look for a good teacher who teaches self defense. All styles can be taught many different ways and for many different reasons and there are good, better and also bad teachers. The style will not guarantee that your training will be good. A good teacher does.
I'm guessing looking into means googling? People here will recommend you styles to the left and right. Don't mean $hit. What you do if find out what is available in your area and then you have to find out what is off high quality.
Hi, I really would love to learn a martial art for self defence. In case S*** really hits the fan. I have been looking in to Aikido, MMA, Krav Maga, Mui Thai, and Tae Kwon Do. I really need to know which ones would be the most effective and if anyone has any experience using or having one used against. I prefer more of a striking strategy rather than grappling if that helps!
