When you begin exploring the world of martial arts, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the array of different styles. If you're thinking about trying out a martial arts class, your best bet is to find a style that matches your needs and personality, according to Cezar Borkowski, national director of Northern Karate Schools in Toronto, and Marion Manzo, fifth degree karate black belt, authors of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Martial Arts."
Choose Wisely
Step 1
Attend as many different martial arts classes in your area as you can. Most instructors will allow you to observe a class if you're trying to decide if it's for you.
Step 2
Observe how students in each class use their bodies as they train and spar. Some martial arts, like karate, use hands and feet to execute strikes, kicks and blocks. Other styles focus on grappling, throws and choke holds---this includes jujtsu and judo.
Step 3
Note whether students seem to be using muscle tension as they move, or if their bodies are soft and fluid. Some styles emphasize muscular power, and include preparatory exercises like push-ups and sit-ups as part of training. Other styles, like tai chi and aikido, focus on stretching muscles and tendons.
Step 4
Write a list of your training goals. Possible goals include self-defense, learning to spar, developing strength and flexibility, working with qi or vital energy, health recovery, acquiring meditation skills, learning to move with precision, and sharpening discipline and focus.
Step 5
Eliminate some martial arts from consideration on the basis of your list. If you are looking for health recovery and you want a class that includes meditation, then krav maga, the Israeli street fighting art, is probably not your best choice, but you might enjoy tai chi. If you know you want to develop sheer physical power and are interested in precision movements and sparring, try tae kwon do or karate.
Step 6
Interview prospective instructors to find out more about their teaching styles and philosophy. If strict discipline appeals to you, you might benefit from joining a traditional class where you must arrive on time and bow to the teacher before you are allowed to begin training. If you want to work on developing internal discipline, a more casual class might appeal to you.
Step 7
Choose a martial art that agrees with your personal philsophy. Tae kwon do emphasizes courage and refusing to give up in situations of conflict. In aikido, you deflect an attacker by using throws, wrist locks and arm locks to turn his force against him, all the while making sure he doesn't come to harm.
Tips and Warnings
- The attitude of your instructor and the tone she sets for the class can be more important than the style of martial art she teaches, according to the website USA Dojo. Look for a class where respect between the instructor and students is mutual.
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