Martial arts question

Mist · White Belt

Hi, im new here. I have a few questions about a few things.

Im interested in taking either Wing Chun Kung Fu or okinawan karate. I have been told by a few different people who are also martial artists that these 2 styles are not effective for real world self defense. These people were more into MMA and seemed to be biased against other styles that were not MMA based.

So my question is are Wing Chun and okinawan karate good for real world self defense? Meaning, if i were to study either of these styles and i got attacked on the street would these styles really teach me how to defend myself well? If not what styles would you recommend that i take? For me i want to learn how to fight and how to defend myself well.

Thanks!

Sokusen · Orange Belt

It's not the style that matters but the school, or teacher. I study an Okinawan style of karate so I am biased for that style. But I would be very disingenuous to say only study karate, especially if the karate schools around you suck. When it comes to MMA and other styles like kyokushin they are just as effective as any other martial art but they are hard on the body. This is mainly because it's meant for full contact competition. But if competition is not what your interested then I wouldn’t recommend it as a long term art to study. I don't believe they are anymore street effective then any other martial art. Study something you’re going to enjoy and that you can do for the rest of your life. Of course this just one mans opinion.

evergrey · Brown Belt

A good instructor and a good martial artist can overcome a lot of weaknesses in a style.

The thing, as a Kyokushin person, that I would say about Kyokushin being hard on the body is that you also aren't so likely to crumble when you take a good hit, because you are conditioned to it. Kyokushin is also about practical instead of pretty. Does it work? Will it bring your attacker down so you can get out of there fast? Then we like it. :}

Kyokushin was not developed to be a simple sports style. It is both a practical technique, and an internal spiritual style... though that has been forgotten by some.
_________________
http://kyokushinchick.blogspot.com/
"If you can fatally judo-chop a bull, you can sit however you want." -MasterPain, on why Mas Oyama had Kyokushin karateka sit in seiza with their clenched fists on their thighs.

Mist · White Belt

evergrey · Brown Belt

Well if you're really worried about it being hard on your body... I would say Aikido, but it has a very steep learning curve, for one, and for another I am not sure how effective it is on the street.

I hear gun-fu is good for the street though. Bang-jutsu?
_________________
http://kyokushinchick.blogspot.com/
"If you can fatally judo-chop a bull, you can sit however you want." -MasterPain, on why Mas Oyama had Kyokushin karateka sit in seiza with their clenched fists on their thighs.

Mist · White Belt

evergrey · Brown Belt

I have tendonitis in my achilles tendons, an offset patella with a messed up ACL, and a couple of herniated discs in my spine. So I am pretty much crazy for practicing a martial art, especially a hard style, haha!

Sounds like gun-fu could be a good choice, if you need to take really good care of those wrists for your career, honestly...
_________________
http://kyokushinchick.blogspot.com/
"If you can fatally judo-chop a bull, you can sit however you want." -MasterPain, on why Mas Oyama had Kyokushin karateka sit in seiza with their clenched fists on their thighs.

Mist · White Belt

Nevinyrral · Blue Belt

The other question is how fast do you want to learn to defend your self?
Because in my opinion every martial arts is good to defend your self, but in some you must devote more time.
And if its only self defence you seek you can try finding some self defence classes.
_________________
A style is just a name.

Sokusen · Orange Belt

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