Which martial arts style fits you best?

In the vast expanse of martial arts, you can have almost any flavor you want: fast or slow, hard or soft, full-contact or no contact. Unfortunately, like everything else, you also may be good or bad grade.

In the process of selecting the system becomes even more complicated, because almost all of these subsystems and options.

Example: Wun Hop Kuen Do, developed by Grandmaster Al Dacascos, includes elements of kung fu, karate, aikido, judo, jujitsu and escrima, Filipino empty hands and stick fighting systems.

Promising martial artists must know that, for example, Tae Kwon do in two different styles, which have little resemblance to each other. The "new" style, designed for the Olympic Games in 1988, was designed to attack, full contact competition. The traditional style has limited contacts, and emphasizes the form of spiritual development and self-defense, the elements missing from the sport style.

Here's a brief rundown of the most popular types of martial arts:

Karate: a rigid, linear Japanese style, which emphasizes striking techniques. In the course of its evolution, karate adopted elements of Zen Buddhism. Buddhist influence (whether meditation belongs to the class of normal) varies from school to school. Styles also vary. Karate is also competitive in sports matches held in a format similar to boxing.


Kung Fu: Chinese system of hands, more fluid than the style of karate. It emphasizes the various strikes, kicks, try the methods, throws and weapons. Physical and mental discipline are key elements of kung fu. There are several varieties. Kung-fu became popular in the United States during the 1970's, largely due to Asian martial arts movies and television show Kung Fu with David Carradine.


Tae kwon do: a very popular Korean martial art which is based on kicking and jumping techniques. As mentioned earlier, the traditional style stresses the development of character and fitness. New sport style is competitive full contact.


Judo: from Jiu-Jitsu, Judo was developed by Professor Jiguro Kano in the late 1880-ies. Ju-jitsu is considered a fairly dangerous system because of the risks associated with its joint locking and choking techniques. Judo, on the other hand, stresses the shoulder and throwing techniques designed to shock opponents off balance and then put them on the ground.


Tai Chi: Another very popular system, Tai Chi is a style that focuses on inner strength, self-defense, re-directs the energy and defensive units. Tai-chi, as well as many other systems, in different styles. Chen Tai Chi is a difficult style emphasizing a low posture. Yang Tai-chi is a gentle, flowing style that some may think resembles a ballet (minus tutus and pointy shoes). There are many other forms. Word of caution: Tai Chi is easy, because it is very slow moving meditation, if you will. It is not easy.
They are among the most well-known forms, but many more exist.