With the several systems and styles of martial arts available, how does a woman choose? In your opinion, what style(s) are the most suitable for the average woman in regards to practical self defense?

It depends on her goals is she looking for a lifetime long art or just a more short term art. Anything that doesn't rely on brute force but on structure and technique. Wing Chun,Tai Chi (make sure it's a good school that teaches as a combat art). There's more out there.

don't know if you want a woman's opinion or not, but from my experience it doesn't realy matter, what matters more is what she needs or wants to practice for. But if you are going for self deffence it wouldn't be wise to challenge a stronger opponant in a test of strength (and I would say most men are stronger than most women.). Otherwise it probably doesn't matter, one exception to the above statement would be ground fighting, strength can help out alot on the ground but when you have alot of skilll it starts to matter less (and it's a blast watching a 130 pound person thrashing around a 250+ pound person ;-)). But realy it doesn't matter, you will simply have to take into account your strengths and weeknesses and fight in a manner that maximises your strength and minimises your vulnerabilities.

Originally posted by sweeper

... But if you are going for self deffence it wouldn't be wise to challenge a stronger opponant in a test of strength (and I would say most men are stronger than most women.). ..


I am confused - is your reply about test of strength or self defense?

So Sweeper, am I to understand that it is your opinion that men are stronger than women, and therefore it really doesn't matter what martial art the woman may be proficient at since her male opponent is stronger so her skill is irrevalent?

Regardless, I am not suggesting a test of strength ... but would like to know what other's opinions are on which martial art would be best for a woman's self defense (considering most women are physically smaller than men)

Respectfully,

I can't speak for the women of the world, the women on this board or even my own wife. I can only speak to and about the way I present the material. Every human being has a different psychological and physical make up. What I try and teach them is to realize what their own strengths and weaknesses are and to use both to their own advantage. Some women are physically stronger than most men, some are taller, and some are more aggressive. It's about channeling them in the right direction.

Originally posted by lifewise

With the several systems and styles of martial arts available, how does a woman choose? In your opinion, what style(s) are the most suitable for the average woman in regards to practical self defense?

Personally, I believe, man or woman, the best choice is not the art per se, but the instructor. Find an instructor that you trust and feel comfortable learning from. The instructors style of teaching may make it easier or harder for teh student to learn.

Just my opinion. :)

Have a nice day

Rich

Originally posted by Rich Parsons



Personally, I believe, man or woman, the best choice is not the art per se, but the instructor. Find an instructor that you trust and feel comfortable learning from. The instructors style of teaching may make it easier or harder for teh student to learn.

Just my opinion. :)

Have a nice day

Rich

Well said! :asian:

no what I meant is, in most cases a male will be stronger than a female, so if in comparing a male and a female's method of fighting I would suggest that a female not rely on over powering their opponant as their oponant quite posably could be more physicaly powerfull, now not all men are more powerfull than all women, so it's not realy advise to women as much as advise to anyone who is smaller than the norm. I am not suggesting that a woman can't win a fight with a man, but I'm suggesting that a woman not try to fight a man in an area that he has a physical advantage in.

Well my choice was pretty easy.. I went with my husband to his school at the time and found it something I enjoyed and now that we have our own school I am very happy with American Kenpo. When we have visiting stylists, it's enjoyable to see other Art forms and to be able to learn from them as they do from our style.

My daughter who had been training in AK before moving to NC and unable to find an AK school in her area.. went around to many different schools of different styles before settling on Muay Thai, which she found to be very different from AK but it was something that interested her. Unfortunately life got in the way and she had to set MA's aside for now.. I'm sure she will return someday..

There seems to be a great mystery surrounding Martial Arts as a whole to most laypeople.. They all think of Kung Fu or Karate or even Tae Bo.. (eek) no offense anyone :)
. and until we as Martial Artists get the word out .. Women will continue to think Kickboxing and Tae bo are the only 'woman oriented 'martial art'.
just my thoughts

Tess

why do people assume kick boxing is a female oriented MA ?? I have heard this before and I don't realy understand the reasoning.

Originally posted by sweeper

why do people assume kick boxing is a female oriented MA ?? I have heard this before and I don't realy understand the reasoning.

Could it be because of the kicking? Women are generally more flexible and physically smaller in stature than men thus allowing them to move quickly and prefer kicking over the more grappling styles.


Or maybe ... could it be because of the apparel? ;)

How I chose...

I read a lot. I did a lot of research online. I visited different schools and looked at different styles. I talked with different instructors and looked at how they treated me. My mom drove me to the dojo, I went in alone, talked with the instructor, watched a class, and my mom picked me up after. I chose one style and one instructor that I liked. I was ten years old. I'm 23 now, and I still train in that style. (other instructor retired, and I did the same kind of research looking for another one, and I've been with my current instructor since I was 14). My guess would be that I chose wisely, because I did need to use my martial arts, and since I am here to tell about it, you can guess that the situation worked out in my favor.

I don't know if my choice had anything to do with me being a woman, but several things were involved.

After two years of high school swimming, my coach retired, and I didn't really know about the new coach. My friends were involved in Kempo, and I'd been to a few classes of theirs to watch, since martial arts intrigued me (of course, sponges, Assyrian architecture, and the life cycle of the slime mold intrigued me also. I was, and still am, a very curious person.)

After some ruthless decision making, I decided to opt out of swimming and give Kempo a try. I didn't have very much exposure to the martial arts at all, but the class seemed very at ease, and everyone was very friendly. There was no competition, which I could definately do without, and the style seemed to cover a lot of different elements that sated my sponge-like curiosity. So, I started and stuck with it, and I still really enjoy it and hope to continue as long as I am able.

I don't think choosing a martial art has so much to do with gender as it does to the individual person. The style I chose was very appropriate for me, but may not have been the best for someone else.

Great answers Nightingale and Wertle!

Gives a feel for where you both are coming from. Nice.:)

Well in my case, my art was pretty much chosen for me. As I have posted before, my older brother is basically mentally ill (among other things) and can get violent very easily. My mom and I told our situation to a friend of ours from church (Mr. Ed who is a policeman) and he told his police partner who teaches Aikido about us. Does all this make sense? I hope so. Anyway, our future Aikido sensei told Mr. Ed about the class he teaches and he also said that it sounds like Aikido would be good for our situation. We started Aikido and have been enjoying it for the last 2 years. :) (Aikido has been excellent in our situation by the way!;) )

Robyn :asian:

Originally posted by The Opal Dragon

Well in my case, my art was pretty much chosen for me. As I have posted before, my older brother is basically mentally ill (among other things) and can get violent very easily. My mom and I told our situation to a friend of ours from church (Mr. Ed who is a policeman) and he told his police partner who teaches Aikido about us. Does all this make sense? I hope so. Anyway, our future Aikido sensei told Mr. Ed about the class he teaches and he also said that it sounds like Aikido would be good for our situation. We started Aikido and have been enjoying it for the last 2 years. :) (Aikido has been excellent in our situation by the way!;) )

Robyn :asian:

Yes it all made sense Robyn, at least to me. I am interested to know - are there many women in your Aikido club? Is Aikido supported by women? The reason why I ask is that I have a friend that studies Aikido in one of the local clubs and I believe she is the only woman in the whole club.

are there many women in your Aikido club? Is Aikido supported by women? The reason why I ask is that I have a friend that studies Aikido in one of the local clubs and I believe she is the only woman in the whole club.

My Kempo class shares a space with an Aikido class, and I've noticed that when our class is over and their class starts, I've spotted several women involved. Many of them I have seen in that Aikido class as long as I've been taking Kempo. They're not a majority, but there are several of them

Originally posted by The Opal Dragon

Aikido has been excellent in our situation by the way!

I hope this isn't too personal, but could you say more? Do you use literal Aikido techniques or more the "feel" and confidence you get from Aikido? Are these techniques to gain control or just to keep yourself from harm?

Well, our Aikido class is pretty small. Including myself and my mom, there are 3 women and about 6 men.


Originally posted by arnisador



I hope this isn't too personal, but could you say more? Do you use literal Aikido techniques or more the "feel" and confidence you get from Aikido? Are these techniques to gain control or just to keep yourself from harm?

No, it's not too personal. Hmmm. I'm trying to organize my thoughts and think of how I can best answer your questions.....Aikido has made a big difference in how I feel. When my brother does start his "stuff" I still feel scared but behind that, I feel like I can do something to protect our house and my mom. Before I'd just feel scared.

Since people like my brother get all the more enraged if they feel pain, that crosses out some of the techniques and some of the pins. My sensei showed me a wrestling choke/pin that I've used twice and that really keeps him under control without hurting him (usually I come out with a few bruises and he doesn't even look like he was in a fight). I'm not sure if that wrestling choke/pin is really an "Aikido" technique but I like to include it in Aikido since it was my sensei who showed it to me. :D Aikido itself has also helped. For instance, getting out of the way, and I know I can use the first part of several techniques I've learned to get behind him or turn him so I can get in the position to use the choke.

I hope that answers your questions. If not then I'll have to try again. ;)

Robyn :)

It sounds like Aikido has been a real success for you!

Originally posted by arnisador

It sounds like Aikido has been a real success for you!

:D :asian: ;) :D :asian:

Robyn :boing1:

I know I'm going to be attacked in here for saying this...but...
I think a good system for women is Kung Fu. Saying that, I mean a style of Kung Fu that heavily relys on sticking and pressurepoint/locking manuvers. Kung Fu is very involved, but I study 7 star praying mantis Kung Fu, and our most advanced student is an 18 year old small girl. When you grasp the true power of Kung Fu, it is about using the attackers energy against them, so you don't have to exert much of your own. Very effective, I believe with its grabs and locks.

Again, just my humble opinion.....

7sm

Sounds pretty cool to me, 7starmantis! Pressure points and joint locking manuvers are awesome! ;)

Robyn :asian:

How do women choose a Martial Art?? In our situation, we chose Tracy's Kenpo as it was the only option available to us in our area of Canada at the time. All of the other MA schools/styles had age and/or scheduling restrictions that we simply couldn't meet. When we finally came across a MA instructor who had no problem accommodating a tiny little girl and her fat old very busy mama at a time convenient to our almost impossible schedule, we were sold on the place right away. We had fun and felt successful from the start, so were encouraged to continue to train, and in due time, compete.

Although I am no longer training at that school due to my health issues, my daughter continues to train there, making good progress thanks to the individualized instruction. I have somewhat changed my own focus in the past year, and have done a large amount of research in an attempt to find a way to continue to train, and a style or system that will allow me to train in spite of debilitating disability. This is far easier said than done. The school I had attended was unable to adapt to my situation, and I began to look for a way to train at home at my own pace.

At this point, it seems to me that either online or video training in some form of AK would be most suitable to my needs, but that also seems to be easier said than done. How will I decide? Probably same as last time, by searching until I find an instructor willing to bother dealing with me, and hope it works out! If all else fails, I'm sure it's possible to teach oneself by video, and there are video systems, such as IKCA, in which many people have trained successfully which offer a supportive network for those who train at home.

I don't think there is any easy answer for all women searching to find appropriate MA training, as people's individual needs must be taken into account. I think that when women find instruction which they feel comfortable with, they will train, regardless of style. In the end, it all really comes down to the instructor, and how they influence our attitudes about ourselves and our training. :asian:

That must have been a tough post to write. Good luck with your search. Ask in the Kenpo forum for pointers!

so, everyone else, how'd you choose?

I initially started Jujutsu back in high school because they were started to offer a new class at the local YMCA for people 15 and over and I'd just turned 15. It was also affordable. I didn't know anything about MA's and neither did anyone I knew so I just picked one that was a convenient location and started. I ended up stopping after two years because I was very busy with school and some of the techniques were getting more harsh that I was ready for at that age.

About 5 years later I decided I'd like to study again so I looked at the classes available at my university (again because of location and schedule). I still didn't know much about different arts but I'd heard about the kicking and stuff involved in TKD so I decided to try that class (and it fit in with my school schedule). Really not the best way to choose but it's worked out well. I have pretty long legs for the height I am so a kicking art seemed to make sense. It actually turned out that this particular style of TKD is kind of closer to Karate in that we don't do the big complicated kicks that a lot of TKD is known for. We keep it to the basics front, side, roundhouse, turning back kick and spinning hook kicks are all we really do. I've been in the club for 2 years now.

Unfortunately I'll be moving again in about 8 months so I'll have to see what arts are available in my new location. I know a lot more about different styles now, partly thanks to this forum, so I'll be making a more educated decision. Thanks everyone. :asian:

I strongly suggest you look at martial arts that concentrate on self defense... such as Krav Maga. Or perhaps Defendo, or Systema... Also, for rape situations, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is top notch because it's specialty is fighting on the ground, which is where most rapes will happen (being pinned). BJJ provides a great number of escapes and ways to incapacitate you attacker. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. I've seen little bits of Krav Maga (ie. JLo in "Enough") but I don't know much about it. Looks good from what I've seen.

Unfortunately I'm moving to a city of only about 50,000 people so I don't know how much choice I'll have.

why do people assume kick boxing is a female oriented MA ?? I have heard this before and I don't realy understand the reasoning.

Probably Billy Blanks' Tae Bo and other women's oriented cardio-kickboxing programs. I'm guessing here...but more women are doing programs like those, I wager, than doing the martial art forms.

The majority of people I get calling for kickboxing are women. I steer them to Muay Thai. They love it.


Regards,


Steve