What style out of these who you pick?

[Mtal]

I am trying to pick a style. These are the ones that are fitting into my schedual. I like to hear what everyone thinks. I am really looking for self defence. I want a style that pretty much will prepare me for diffrent situations I might come across.

First off there is a kali class, twice a week, hour and a half class, they might add a class. I did try a class. They did some stick work, then we learned how to get out of wrist locks, and then a little ground fighting. If I make this Kali class, I probably also go back to my old JKD school. The teacher lets you pay by class, so when I have time, I can pop in.

I can also pick a systema class. I have not observed one, but I am a little hesitent about it. When I look what people post about it, its half and half about how good it is. Well this class is 3 times a week for an hour and a half. From what I read, systema is all about self defence. Also if I did this class, right after it is a Go Ju Ryu class (twice a week, probably an hour and a half). I was thinking of taking both, get the self defence in Systema, and a good traditional karate workout, but it might just be too much for me in one day, and I probably could not do to my schedual.

Then the next choice is Kempo. I dont know much about the art. It looks pretty traditional. Kind of karate with locks in it, but I really need to learn more about it. I think this is 3 times a week too, hour and a half.

I am still looking, right now that is what I have found.

Thanks, any thoughts would be great. I am just trying to think this all out and figure out what would be good for me.

[Jiffy]

Kali is most commonly only taught as a weapons art. There is however, a lot more to it. If you find an instructor that teaches the whole art, it is much like JKD. In fact, the foremost authority on JKD (Dan Inosanto) teaches his JKD with a heavy Kali focus. This would be a good art for self defence in it's whole form, not so good in just stick form.

Goju Ryu Karate is traditional Japanese karate. It has fairly long low stances and linier movements. It's focus is on power and making few movements, but making them work well.

I have no knowledge of Systema

Kempo is a Chinese form of Karate. Think of it this way. From one martial art, the Japanese took what they liked and called it Karate, the Chinese took what they like and called it Kempo. There is also an amercian version created my Ed Parker. Kempo is also a stand-up striking art, but concentrates on a closer distance and more rapid movements. It concentrates on more hits, but they are probably not as effective of that in Karate.

Having trained in Kali, Kempo and Karate, I would recommend Kempo if your main criteria was Self Defence.

[TigerDude]

Systema may be effective, but the videos I've seen (by the systema people) make it look a bit squirrelly to me.

[italian_guy]

Goju Ryu Karate is traditional Japanese karate. It has fairly long low stances and linier movements. It's focus is on power and making few movements, but making them work well.

I think what you describe resembles more shotokan then goju.

The stances in goju are not that long and the movement are both circular and linear. It has powerful hard techniques and soft block-and-grab techniques to initiate grappling... and it's not even completely Japanese it is mostly okinawan even if there is also Japanese GoJu.

[bushido_man96]

Watch a class of each, and get some information from the instructors. I have always thought kali would be fun, but I already study a traditional style. You may want to look into the goju or kenpo, if you don't want the focus to be on weapons.

Good luck to you!

[Jiffy]

Goju Ryu Karate is traditional Japanese karate. It has fairly long low stances and linier movements. It's focus is on power and making few movements, but making them work well.

I think what you describe resembles more shotokan then goju.

The stances in goju are not that long and the movement are both circular and linear. It has powerful hard techniques and soft block-and-grab techniques to initiate grappling... and it's not even completely Japanese it is mostly okinawan even if there is also Japanese GoJu.

Thank you for picking out the minor inconsistancies in my reply. I was however, trying to give an BASIC OVERVIEW for a beginner. While the stances are shorter than shotokan and it is less linier, Karate as a whole (including Goju) has longer stances and straighter movements than many other styles. FYI - Most Karate styles derive from an Okinawan background, but are often referred to as "Japanese" due to the origins of it's early practitioners.