Thread: What martial art should I learn?

I want recommedations of what martial art I should learn...

EDITED:

For now, I'm looking for something to help with anger issues.

My current interests:

Taekwon-do
Kendo

I recommend Taekwon-do, but I'm biased. I've already achieved Black Belt in that style. However, it certainly is a great build of character, as well as body and mind.

Originally Posted by Stoney the Ditto

I want recommedations of what martial art I should learn...
My requirements are:

It needs to be something that teaches me how to deal with anger.

I'd like to learn something practial for street fighting.
(learning how to street fight is the most practial thing for self-defense, my logic says.)

It should be something I can practice by myself...
I won't always have a partner...

The ultimate street fighting technique is Krav Maga. It was developed by the Israeli military specifically for close range, down and dirty combat. Dealing with anger, though, I suggest taking up Tai Chi as well. For all the cliche and pomp it is extremely relaxing.

If your goal is to be good at street fighting, you basically have two choices.

1) track - you're guaranteed not to lose a fight if you can outrun your opponent.
2) Italian karate - shoot him dead before he can lay a finger on you.

Please don't learn a martial art for the purpose of beating people up.

The thing about martial arts is they have rules. They have rules so competition can take place without people getting injured all the time, and non-competitive martial arts have rules so you don't seriously injure your training partner. When you're on the street, there are no rules. Why risk getting beaten up when you can just stand back and throw rocks at your opponent?

I've done judo, kendo and fencing. In my experience they all help you control your anger, because if you attack when you're angry in any of them you're probably going to get your ass handed to you. Nothing is going to explicitly teach you to control your anger, that's something you need to deal with on your own. However, you will be required to control your anger if you want to continue with any of them, so I suppose they implicitly teach you to control your anger.

Originally Posted by Lord Fedora

The ultimate street fighting technique is Krav Maga. It was developed by the Israeli military specifically for close range, down and dirty combat. Dealing with anger, though, I suggest taking up Tai Chi as well. For all the cliche and pomp it is extremely relaxing.

Good luck finding legit Krav Maga in the US.

Originally Posted by Stoney the Ditto

I want recommedations of what martial art I should learn...

On that alone, I'd recommend Tae Kwon Doe. I've taken it for 6 years.

My requirements are:

It needs to be something that teaches me how to deal with anger.

Every martial art has their own process for dealing with this. Tae Kwon Doe (Sang Moo Kwan Style) is based on control and continuous improvement (mind, there are at least 8 styles, and each may be different). The Muay Thai classes I've taken, inversely, are about hitting stuff. Jiu-Jitsu is wrestling.

I'd advise you to pick a martial art with on expectations about what it will do for you. In my disciplines, even those who don't practice are considered white belts. You have to make the choice to stick with it. If you come in with prerequisites, you're going to be disappointed.

I'd like to learn something practial for street fighting.
(learning how to street fight is the most practial thing for self-defense, my logic says.)

No one martial art is particularly advantageous for this purpose. They all have their advantages. Ultimately, martial arts are disciplines of the mind and body. They are not courses.

It should be something I can practice by myself...
I won't always have a partner...

My experience is limited, but again I'd reccommend Tae Kwon Doe. The 'forms' component lends itself to solitary improvement. Otherwise, if you're willing to invest in the equipment required to practice striking alone, you should be good with almost any martial art.

Originally Posted by Ryuutakeshi

I recommend Taekwon-do, but I'm biased. I've already achieved Black Belt in that style. However, it certainly is a great build of character, as well as body and mind.

Originally Posted by Phoenicks

On that alone, I'd recommend Tae Kwon Doe. I've taken it for 6 years.

You two should fight o.o

Also, what are your opinions on WTF tae kwon do?

I'm out of practice sadly. Besides, while it would be an honor to spar Nick I'm afraid it would be difficult. However, I would be honored if we did.

Taekwon-do. It will change your life.

Why would it be difficult?

Jung-Sim-Do. It's a mix of TKD, Judo, and Hapkido. Basically, the Tae-Kwon-Do helps with concentration, Judo is pretty much throwing people, and Hapkido techniques are things you can do if someone grabs you. I've been taking for 4 years and I'm going for my adult black belt. I've gotten a lot better at controlling my anger too.
As for the street fighting aspect, street fighting isn't actually a very good way to defend oneself. Best way is to take out an arm, a leg, or an eye and run while they're still recovering from the shock.

Shouldn't this be more of a blog topic?

Originally Posted by Hallow♥

Shouldn't this be more of a blog topic?

It could be, maybe should be, but this would be a good place to recommend martial arts to others who are also just beginning.

Also, Taekwon Doe, in my opinion, is very good as it helps with anger too.

^Yes, I believe it could benefit other members if it was more open to discussion outside of Stoney's need to find a martial art. Good luck, Stoney, on finding the martial art you need, and hopefully we can get this thread in an area useful to others as well =)

I was also a Tae Kwon Doe student for a number of years, and I admit, if my teacher played less games with us and taught us more moves, I might be a much stronger person, both physically and mentally. In two years I only ever got to yellow belt green stripe...

Anyway, as for my recommendation... Capoeira.

My opinion on street fighting is that the best way to win is to avoid the fight altogether. If this is in impossible, create a way to run from the fight.

There is a difference between cowardice and wisdom. There is no wisdom in wishing to learn to fight people and beat people up. A good martial artist will never have to fight another man in combat.

Originally Posted by Ryuutakeshi

My opinion on street fighting is that the best way to win is to avoid the fight altogether. If this is in impossible, create a way to run from the fight.

There is a difference between cowardice and wisdom. There is no wisdom in wishing to learn to fight people and beat people up. A good martial artist will never have to fight another man in combat.

Wise words.

My Teacher in Taekwon Doe told me to tell everyone I know that I do Taekwon Doe. The word spread, and exagerated, until the people that bulied me earlier are now a bit afraid of me. What they don't know is I'm not very good at Taekwon Doe yet...