Which type of martial arts should I take?

Question

I am looking into taking a martial arts class, but I'm not sure which one I should take. I am small, only like 5' 2'' but I lift weights, run and keep in shape. Also, I'm 15 by the way. I was watching a tv show and they mentioned ninjutsu? I don't know if they even teach that or if it's approprite, I just heard of it.

Also, I don't want to take something common like karate. But, then again, I'll settle for anything. Also, could you mention any types you know of so I can look into them? Thanks!

I'm a girl by the way. If it makes a difference...

Answer 1

That depends on what you want to learn.  Aikido teaches you defence by redirecting an attack.  Kendo teaches you to use weapons.  Tai chi teaches you balance.

Answer 2

I think you should take something like judo, which is a grappling type of martial art, or maybe aikido, which re-directs attacks, because you have short legs. Aikido is very effective because you use locks and counter-attacks.

Answer 3

well since your so small and u have short legs, its kinda hard to kick someone far away, so I recommend martial arts that use hand strikes(boxing, kung fu), grappling(jujitsu, ninjutsu), or throwing(judo, jujitsu) techniques.

if you want a martial art that combines all that, try ninjutsu, japanese jujitsu, Sanda, or MMA

Answer 4

krav maga, totally practical for women

Answer 5

Take judo, or maybe karate. I would go with yoga however.  

Answer 6

well it doesn't really matter if you are a girl or not, I'm in Ying Jow Pai eagle claw kung fu and I'm only 17 but the point is i know of 5 girls that are in my class. My sifu doesn't train them any differently than he trains my friends and i. but to answere your question, it is up to you...i have seen alot of people come and try kung fu and sometimes its just not what they are looking for. i know kung fu is alot of fun for me, i get to do alot of flips and cool kicks and everything so id say go for kung fu.

Answer 7

There are thousands of different martial arts out there and many of them are very worthy. It really depends on what you want to get out of it.

As a female for self defense I would highly recommend Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in particular. I have taught several self defense and rape prevention courses with my local police and the rape prevention course was largely drawn from BJJ.

As far as what martial art you should consider otherwise, go check out some of your local schools. Most have no problem with you just sitting in and watching a few classes and many offer a few lessons for free with no obligation to be sure that you are comfortable with the school, people and style before asking you for a comitment.

Don't rush it and just jump into the first thing you find, take some time and check out a variety of schools of different styles. Don't get yourself too caught up in the hype either, a lot of schools try to promote themselves as the greatest and best around. In 32 years of training in a wide variety of styles I can tell you that lots of them have their place but I don't beleive that any one could be labeled as the best. You can only get out of any of them what you put in. I have known black belts that in a real life situation couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag and I have worked with white and yellow belts that I would want on my side if things turned ugly.

Take your time and don't rush, find someplace where you feel comfortable and you will be just fine.

Good luck!!

Answer 8

you should take tae kwon do. its like karate but its a little different. different belt colors or something. its a good work out though.

   does this help?

Answer 9

There are thousands of styles and people get so hung up on it to the point where they are almost militant.

The fact is that the artist is far more important than the art.  FInd a school is close by, affordable, and has instructors you get along with.