if i had a penny for every time i answered this question i could retire.
There is no best style.
They will all work as long as you train right and have a good instructor.
Your size, body type and sex have nothing to do with the style you want to choose. People that think that your size and body type determine the style know little to nothing about martial arts
styles are made to adapt to your body type
Most people will tell you there style is the best or they heard such and such is a great style,
The style is not important, what matters is how good your instructor is and how you train. The style is secondary, they all have there pro's and con's there are no superior styles.
If you have an instructor that can’t teach you how to fight, regardless of the style, what good would it do you?
Choose a school with a good instructor in the end that’s all that matters, that and how you train.
Its the person that has the ability to fight not the style
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
For what you are describing I would point you in the direction of Tai Chi as opposed to a more dynamic martial art. I also would recommend meditation. Being that you are a grad student the first place I would look would be on campus to see if there are and tai chi clubs. They are often free. I did bjj, Muay Thai, Jkd and a number of i
Other martial arts for years, but doing tai chi for the first time was a real eye opener to me. You really can reach a near meditative state if you approach it properly. Good luck.
No one here can answer this question for you. You need to look at what's available in your area, visit the school and observe classes, try out classes if you can, and pick the one that you like best.
Yes its good.
Karate would be good.
I am looking for a martial art which will help me achieve inner peace, focus and discipline. I am pretty fit. I run, swim and do circuit training regularly. I like Capoeira due to its grace and the entire emphasis on coordination with a partner. I also like aikido, karate and the chinese martial arts, which tend to focus more on the spiritual awareness and mental discipline. I am 26 years old and am not very flexible, but I think that can be developed with some practice. Also, since I am a grad student, I don't have much money to spend, so spending on accessories maybe an issue. Please answer only if you have extensive martial arts teaching experience.
