Which is the best martial art(s) for a jedi

muhammad any form of self defense is good to learn, but the one that's best suited to you can only be determined by you, things to take into consideration would be, your strength,speed,size,agility,flexability,endurance,durability, then look around and see what styles are available to you that accomodate your abilities.

being in southeast asia, muay thai will most likely be the easiest to find, but there is also arnis, escrima, maharlika kuntaw...those last 3 are all stick fighting styles which in my opinion are very useful as sticks and pipes are abundant in every day life.

I would sugest Kenpo Karate

the Ed Parker System

In my opinion the reason why there are so many right answers is because everyone is a little different and there's a system out there that speaks to the needs of just about everyone.

Here are some questions you can ask?

About the dojo:

1. Is the dojo obviously clean, well-run and well-maintained? This may not seem immediately important, but having a place to shower and change that isn't nasty goes a long way to attracting students and ensuring the dojo you choose stays open long enough for you to learn something.

2. What is the instructor's method of teaching? Does it suit you? Watch a class or two. If you find yourself thinking \"Wow, that's harsh, or Wow he's really not paying attention to the nonsense happening over there..\" then you're better finding someone that behaves the way you'd expect.

3. Does the instructor trash other systems, styles or instructors in favor of his own style? If this happens, leave. A mature person teaching martial arts should understand innately the thesis in my first sentence above. If they break into a sales pitch, you know what they're in it for and you can find someone else.

About you and the system:

1. What is your body type? Are you stocky, are you lanky, are you muscular, do you work out regularly? Your level of existing fitness and body type is the major determining factor of how much effort you'll need to put in to be able to defend yourself. If you're stocky with short legs.. Taekwondo is going to be harder than an art form that teaches you to not kick and focus on controlling your space.

2. What is your level of determination? If you really need to defend yourself you'll be determined to do so, if you don't and it's a hobby, you'll be less so. Don't take Krav Maga as an exercise form. That's more to the cache of Tai Chi. Don't take Tai Chi as a defense form, that's more in the realm of Krav Maga or certain styles of Ninjutsu. Additionally, certain forms take longer to master based on point 1 above. Don't take a form that's diametrically opposed to your body type if you are a hobbyist. You won't get far.

In closing:

As stated above, every system has value to someone. Finding the right one based on some common sense principles will put you on the right path to getting what you want out of it.

don't limit yourself to just one style either, as no one particular style has all the answers. on the rare occassion that i've taught self defense i modified techniques to suit the student's body, speed, and agility. it's a lesson i learned long ago: we don't all have the same body, or abilities so we can't all learn the same style. what i use now is a full hybrid of every style i've learned(which is quite a few) i took what were the best techniques(for me) from each style i know. this doesn't mean i don't know other techniques just that they aren't for my needs or abilities.

i definately agree that if an instructor is bashing a particular style then they have an issue and should not be teaching, likewise they should not be teaching solely for financial gain. when i taught i looked for certain personality traits in each student before agreeing to teach them and i taught for free, all they had to do was be willing to listen and have the drive to learn. i have no interest in teaching someone that would make me look bad as an instructor or make my style look bad, and i have no interest in passing on such a personal skill for profit....but that's just me

ok - as said dozens of times in this thread - no one art is better than another - its the person behind them that ultimately makes one better.
No one art suits everyone - think about how each region has a slightly different take on an art - and thus different styles develop - no two humans are the same - thus one art may suit you better than another.

BUT a good starting point for 'younglings' in my opion (and only my opinion) could be either Judo or Aikido.

But really, if you can, try a few lessons of different martial arts and see which one you simply enjoy the most.

Other things which concentrate the mind and teach self discipline and control include shooting (pistols/rifles) or archery - but ALWAYS at proper facilities/clubs with fully qualified coaches.

If you want a 'survuval' self defence - you local police force may run classes or be able to advise on acredited courses.

MTFBWY - A

Reading this thread made think of this quote from the late Bruce Lee.

“I have not invented a \"new style,\" composite, modified or otherwise that is set within distinct form as apart from \"this\" method or \"that\" method. On the contrary, I hope to free my followers from clinging to styles, patterns, or molds.

Remember that Jeet Kune-Do is merely a name used, a mirror in which to see \"ourselves\". . . Jeet Kune-Do is not an organized institution that one can be a member of. Either you understand or you don't, and that is that. There is no mystery about my style. My movements are simple, direct and non-classical.

The extraordinary part of it lies in its simplicity. Every movement in Jeet Kune-Do is being so of itself. There is nothing artificial about it. I always believe that the easy way is the right way.

Jeet Kune-Do is simply the direct expression of one's feelings with the minimum of movements and energy. The closer to the true way of Kung Fu, the less wastage of expression there is.

Finally, a Jeet Kune-Do man who says Jeet Kune-Do is exclusively Jeet Kune-Do is simply not with it. He is still hung up on his self-closing resistance, in this case anchored down to reactionary pattern, and naturally is still bound by another modified pattern and can move within its limits. He has not digested the simple fact that truth exists outside all molds; pattern and awareness is never exclusive.

Again let me remind you Jeet Kune-Do is just a name used, a boat to get one across, and once across it is to be discarded and not to be carried on one's back.”

Traditional martial arts styles are essentially a product that is given to a student with little provision for change. These traditional styles are usually fixed and not tailored for individuals.

Bruce Lee claimed there were inherent problems with this approach and established a \"Process\" based system rather than a fixed style which a student could then utilize to make a \"tailored\" or \"personal\" product of their own. This is the premise behind Jeet Kune-Do.

I have studied thirteen different forms of martial arts, and I am always looking for more to study. With the knowledge of those styles I developed my martial arts personal system. The system that I personally express is my own personal martial art, tailored for me. Before anyone can do this, you need to first develop your martial arts framework.

Framework provides the guiding principles. Experiment with many styles and techniques to reach your conclusions. These principles are truisms. The framework is not bound or confined by any style or system. This is the process.

Personal System utilizes the framework along with any techniques from any other style to construct your \"personal system\". This constructs a personalized system that is especially tailored to you, as an individual.

Only an individual can determine for themselves what the usefulness of any technique should be. The uniqueness of this mindset is that it is a \"process\" not a \"product\" and thus not a \"style\" but a system, concept, or approach.

All that being said a good foundation for self defense are: the Judo, Aikido and Ju-Jutsu styles that are out there. Many places focus now on Hybrid martial arts or more commonly called mixed martial arts (MMA)s. Look more for the combat realism styles and not so much the point spar, tournament and sport styles. Pick a style based upon its effectiveness in real life combat situations and less emphasis on flowery techniques.

it's always good to see someone else that was inspired by the legendary bruce lee. he has been a tremendous influence on myself and many other martial artists,even in death.

another of his quotes(one of my favorites) : be water, water can flow or it can crash, be water my friend.

i was 7 when i saw my first bruce lee movie and i have been fascinated by and studied martial arts ever since. i've read a couple of his books and incorporated those concepts long ago with phenomenal results.

Yes, he definitely has influenced and still influences my life. His vision and unique for its time ways of thinking are worth contemplation.

The \"Be like Water\" is classic. Water is infinitely flexible. It can be seen through, yet at other times it can obscure things from sight. It can split and go around things, rejoining on the other side, or it can crash through things. It can erode the hardest rocks by gently lapping away at them or it can flow past the tiniest pebble. Bruce Lee believed that a martial system should have these attributes.

Sorry to digress the discussion.

sorry, I jump from page one, so I didn't read it all yet, but I'll do it

The best martial art, by concept is Aikido

aikido it doesn't have an attack, but can be the most destructive defense

aikido use enemy force/speed/weapon, in his own benefit

aikido attempt to control everything inside your spheric universe

aikido philosophy is clear.

I'm was a martial art trainer from several years...

kung fu 30 years with \"animals\"
(sifu Tamura shaolin original/traditional style)
mixed with
karate 4 years
tae kwon do 3 years
ninjitsu 2 years
kendo
aikido
GJJ
and many others.

you can evolve in your own style, but your base need to be solid.

as a kung fu guy, I recommend aikido anyway... is what i think goes to perfection, and remember, as a jedi you use a saber, the best techniques with saber come from kendo and aikido so again

for a Jedi, the option if you start fresh is AIKIDO

if you like to inject a drop of real fight attack/defense gracie jiu jitsu, can help you a lot due, almost 90 % of the fights, hand by hand ends in ground, and the technique is really good.

I like some especial weapons also, like sais and kalis, so to learn this you need to go to shotokan and filipino martial arts.

we do not have lightsabers but we do have TOKUSHO KEIBO (Automatic batons) --->check your state law for portability
I carry one with me, and I develop my own style based on kali/sai (baton,sai) kendo/aikido (saber) technique


need more info?

Just to further clarify regarding Aikido - it grew out of Jujutsu styles and is regarding as being one of the most peaceful of martial arts due to its concern for the attacker as well as the defender.

Aikido teaches how to use an attackers strength, power and force against them safely. There is also a major component of Ki (energy/Force) development which is lacking in some of the more Westernised (or forceful, Yang-style) arts. Look it up on Wikipedia for more details

Having said that, everyone finds the style that they need at that time. I'm currently training with a form of \"kickboxing karate\" (with a Fudoshin emphasis) while complimenting this with Qigong. This provides me with the discipline and martial outlook as well as the Force development that I seek.

Why not do a bit of research into which arts are taught locally to you, then go along to a session of the ones that you feel drawn to and allow the Force to guide you to the right path for you! Ultimately, if the style fulfills all of your requirements with regard to the Jedi way, and if it feels right, then it probably is!

MTFBWY