Martial arts have grown more and more over the years. It’s not only a great way to get fit but it also adds a more of a personal growth element to the practitioner. This list looks at five of the best martial arts for self defense.
5. Kick-boxing (muay thai)
Muay Thai, which roughly translates to “art of the eight limbs”.
Muay thai is from Thailand and is a martial art that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques.
The word muay derives from the Sanskrit mavya and Thai comes from the word Tai. Muay Thai is referred to as the “Art of Eight Limbs” because of the use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, thus using eight “points of contact”.
A practitioner of Muay Thai is known as a nak muay. Western practitioners are sometimes called nak muay farang meaning foreign boxer.
4. Wing Chung
Wing Chun also romanized as Ving Tsun or “Wing Tsun” is a concept-based Chinese martial art and form of self-defense utilizing both striking and grappling while specializing in close-range combat.
Wing Chun was made famous by Yip Man. He taught such legends as “Bruce Lee”.
Wing Chun is a perfect art for people who aren’t looking to use brute force. The system relies on biomechanics, not brute force and is recommended for women to learn.
3. Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial arts system which is a mix of Wing Chun, Boxing, and Fencing, founded and developed by the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee.
JKD teaches that the best defense is a strong offense. For a person to attack another the attacker must approach the target. This provides an opportunity for the attacked person to “intercept” the attacking movement.
Bruce didn’t believe in methods but in styles. He believed that one should use what one found useful in any martial arts and make his own style. Anything that was not found useful should be discarded.
2. Keysi fighting
Keysi Fighting Method is a method of self defense that is based on natural fighting instincts and several street fighting techniques, developed by Justo Diéguez Serrano with the help of Andy Norman.
The Keysi Fighting Method became famous after it was used in the fighting choreography of the movies Batman Begins.
Keysi fighting makes uses of multiple attacking ranges, with or without weapons.
Unlike many other martial arts, Keysi tends to get into extreme close quarters when in combat. It also relies on understanding how people typically move or attack in a fight so that when striking, the opponent’s body moves to expose further targets.
The Keysi Method teaches one to being able to defend themselves against any number of attackers!
1. Krav Maga
Krav Maga meaning “contact combat” is an eclectic hand-to-hand combat system developed in Israel that involves striking techniques, wrestling and grappling, mostly known for its extremely efficient and brutal counter-attacks, and used regularly with special forces in Israel.
Krav Maga has a philosophy emphasizing threat neutralization, simultaneous defensive and offensive maneuvers, and aggression.
It’s said that Krav Maga is the most effective martial arts for self defense and threat neutralization purposes.
It incorporates Western boxing punches, Karate kicks and knees, Greco-Roman wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu ground fighting, Jiu-jitsu throws and grappling.
Also stressed are attacks to vulnerable body parts: the eyes, throat, and groin. Since most situations are a matter of life-or-death.
One can learn Krav Maga in only 3 to 6 months which is highly appealing to many interested in learning Self Defense.