rtiq

I'm likely to settle on Japanese kenpo/kempo (I know there's different spellings). This isn't just sport or self-defense for me, this is also about the fascinating history of MA. I guess in hindsight, looking at different styles, I was always thinking what would be the perfect style? There perhaps isn't one, or perhaps there is, but *I* have to work at it. Thanks sensei8 for quoting Bruce Lee - the also infamous - a kick is a kick, a punch is a punch. Uechi is interesting aurik but I'm not sure its a good fit for me though the kata in this style are interesting.

Thanks for replying and the welcome message. Your feedback is quite helpful. Thank you. My goal is a combination of fitness and self-defense. I'd like to at least learn proper form and technique - otherwise what's the point? And I'd at least like to develop some power in case I ever need to use it. But for the most part, I'm just looking to Martial Arts because I find it interesting in many ways. > I always tell people that best MA is the one that fits what you are looking to get of your training. Exactly. I feel the same way rather than saying x style is good / bad. I had considered Muay Thai. I do have a physical limitation, in some kicking but it may be a flexibility, muscle issue. There are a few schools nearby that I'll look into. Hapkido is also interesting as a suggestion.

I feel stuck weighing choices of styles and hoping someone here can help. I'm looking for a style that doesn't 'require' high kicks and has some sort of drills and combo training so that I can learn from home - for now. I'll commit to a school with a similar style when I feel I can jump in and will like it. I'm not super flexible. I can pull off Shomen Geri easily enough but not side kicks or roundhouse. Over the years I tried a judo school, some karate and more lately learning Goju with book and instructional video but didn't stick to it. I filtered a lot of styles and would prefer something in: 1) Sport or Okinawan Karate 2) Kenpo / Kempo 3) Southern Chinese boxing (some look a lot like Karate) 4) Arnis or Phillipino Sticks. The "issues" I'm having with Karate is that I find a lot of focus on Kata which I think is also common to American Kempo and Chinese style 'forms' . I think I'd stick to something with teaching using waza, drills and shadow boxing. It would seem usual way to learn a sport. I'm not sure about boxing but Arnis seems interesting. I love the idea of some Southern Chinese Boxing which really seem to be the roots of Okinawan karate. But finding material to learn is difficult. I've been trying to look into some sort of standing jiujitsu with striking and weapons training like unarmed samurai combat. Does this exist? I'd appreciate pointers for further consideration. Thank you.