What are the most practical and effective martial arts?

[Tweedy]

So far, I've got Mau Thai (sp?), Lau-gar, Akido, Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do (which I know is a derivation of WC), Jubutsu, shootfighting and submission fighting.

 

Can anyone add anymore if they know of some, and explain what fighting techniques these incorporate, as I'm wanting to take up martial arts again but I'm researching all the different types before I make my choice.

 

Cheers

[Kyle-san]

You might want to add Aikijutsu to that list and, from what I've heard, Chin-Na. I know Aikijutsu is very effective and have heard Chin-Na is similar, however I'm not positive on that. I'm sure someone will be along in a short while with links that'll give much more information.

[JerryLove]

Try http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~mcweigel/rmafaq/rmafaq2.html

 

That said... As this is a groaner question, I am not about to answer it. But I would like to address one thing.

 

"Jeet Kune Do (which I know is a derivation of WC)" Mr.Lee stopped using Jun-Fan KungFu as a name for his art (and hence started JKD) specifically to get away from the "classical mess" that he percieved CMA to be. As such, while JKD is based on Bruce's work; and while his early training was WC; I think calling JKD simply a "derivation of WC" is not accurate.

 

JKD is more of a conglomerate art, containing pieces of many arts (including WC). You may be aware of this, and that may have been what you ment; but it doesn't appear that way in the way you said it.

[tessone]

There's no good answer to this question, but I'll try to point you in the right direction. Any art can be tremendously effective, but it depends on what shape you're in, how you were taught, how far along you are in the curriculum, and how dedicated you are.

 

I'd suggest looking for an art that sounds interesting to you. Once you've done that, look for a studio nearby. Go and watch or participate in a class or two. Watch how the instructor deals with his students, and you'll see the focus of the studio. Some focus on sparring, others on forms, practical applications, and still others on things like ki. Look for an instructor who talks about how the curriculum applies to the real world and join up. Not everybody's in martial arts for the fighting, but most arts will provide that in spades if you want it.

[Tweedy]

Try http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~mcweigel/rmafaq/rmafaq2.html

 

That said... As this is a groaner question, I am not about to answer it. But I would like to address one thing.

 

"Jeet Kune Do (which I know is a derivation of WC)" Mr.Lee stopped using Jun-Fan KungFu as a name for his art (and hence started JKD) specifically to get away from the "classical mess" that he percieved CMA to be. As such, while JKD is based on Bruce's work; and while his early training was WC; I think calling JKD simply a "derivation of WC" is not accurate.

 

JKD is more of a conglomerate art, containing pieces of many arts (including WC). You may be aware of this, and that may have been what you ment; but it doesn't appear that way in the way you said it.

 

Well okay, I'm not as well informed as you. I just had it understood that Bruce Lee first practiced Wing Chun, and when he decided to invent his own school of fighting, Wing Chun provided the foundaton for it. Bruce Lee just evolved it from there and, as you said, assimilated the best elements of other disciplines into his fighting style.

[G95champ]

Reaction. If you can react you can do ok reguardless your training style. Too many times people are caught off guard or just lock up. Style or Art IMO don't matter as much as personal readiness.

[Kensai]

Bruce Lee, never intended for JKD to be a style, it is a way of thinking.

 

G95champ, I could not agree more.

 

Take Care

[Radok]

Okinawan Karates in general.

[SD]

i believe JKD as more of a phylosophy and a way of thinking than an actual "style"

[Xtreme Fury]

take whatever you want but personally if i had a choice out of all those arts i'd pick wing chun. muay thai is good too but you can't really practice it with other people too well once you get old.