Karate is a popular self-defense choice among martial artists. Karate generally focuses on standing blocks and strikes with the hands and legs. Most Karate schools today teach sport-based styles which allow practitioners to compete in various martial art tournaments. That can be a great way to become more disciplined and fit, but if you are primarily seeking a martial art for self-defense you may want to find a Karate school that teaches combative forms of this discipline.

Muay Thai kickboxing is a popular martial art. The martial art teaches powerful striking techniques with the fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Muay Thai can be an effective martial art for competitions and also for street combat. The techniques of Muay Thai will help you attain stellar cardio vascular conditioning. Muay Thai is an art that usually appeals to younger people, but the hard style can be difficult on the body if you are not utilizing herbs, proper nutrition, and energy work to counteract the demanding physical striking routine of the shins and elbows.

Muay Thai is a powerful martial art from Thailand. The martial art is famous for its devastating low kicks and ferocious knees and elbows. It is a great martial art for competitions and for developing stellar cardiovascular conditioning. Muay Thai may not be the right martial art for you if you do not like regular bumps and bruises. Muay Thai is definitely in a league of its own, but it can be extremely physically demanding on the practitioner.

Tai Chi is one of the softest yet most potent martial arts in existence. Most martial artists today only learn watered down versions of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is phenomenal for supporting good health and destressing the body. Tai Chi is also an effective combative martial art if you are lucky enough to find a teacher who will share a complete and pure Tai Chi system.

Muay Thai has some of the most powerful martial art kicks around. Muay Thai is not only a popular sport, but it can also be a great martial art for street combat. Muay Thai is demanding on the body so you must be prepared and willing to accept regular bruises and injuries as part of your training.

Aikido is an offshoot of Jujutsu which was once practiced by the Samurai. Aikido aspires to teach efficiency and fluidity of movement, grace, and spiritual development. Aikido is beautiful to watch and can be effective on the street provided the martial art dojo teaches combative Aikido in addition to the regular curriculum.

Sensei David Weinberg is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Instructor of Freedman’s Method Ketsugo Jujutsu, a Reiki Master, a Certified Personal Trainer, and an Integrative Flexibility Specialist. To learn more about Freedman’s Method, visit the official new hampshire jujitsu site or the official new hampshire jujutsu blog.