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

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

also like others point, there is no true \"Better\" martial art
is more like, you feel better in one than in the other...
Different Martial Arts, come from different geography, and different needs

in Korea, they develop the use of legs, more than arms, just because the geography make more robust/solid legs over there.

in china, they start using labor tools as weapons, because the people was not allowed to use weapons, so now we have a cool selection of weapons and techniques, nunchakus, bo, Tonfas, and many more

like someone point also, \"ARNIS\", a great martial art, if you like to use batons, canes, stiks, or whatever become handy if needed.


but if you are new in martial art world, put your eyes first in aikido.

Or T'ai Ji?

not as main core, yes as complement, but to do it right finding your balance , you need several years of deep training.

Darn! And here I was trying to figure it by watching Kung Fu films! (j/k)

Seriously, I think that all that's necessary is to find what works for you, the individual, and not to prescribe any particular martial arts regimen. That's why I really like JKD, because there is no specific requisite for form or style, it's just a \"go and figure out what works best for you, and then use it\" philosophy.

lets do a stop and slpit...

Tai Chi, is part of Kung fu ( part of the main balance, kung fu is not martial art, kung fu is life, philosophy, and the martial art part of it, is the way to balance mind / body with spirit

JKD is created by a Kung fu guy (yeah B.L.), with embedded Kung fu philosophy on it., what JKD do is open the door, in the martial art aspect to others disciplines, because \"IN COMBAT\" there are better techniques just read \" IN COMBAT\" this is why Inosanto is a big influence, not a kung fu guy at start, but eventually they share both martial arts and philosopy.

90% of the people now, start doing martial arts, because that... the fight, self defense, combat... bla bla bla...
how many take care about the \"other side\", not much, is just the fisical technique used in combat...

How many grow up as part of that philosophy?, not much, not outside china.




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So the question is

What are you looking for?

a combat art?
a philosophy?
a self defense technique?

Why?

to looks better in yours friends eyes?
because self esteem problems?
because you like to use a sword? (or any other weapon)

so many questions to do it right...

so if you never do any MA and you like to start....
1- ask yourself why
2- do a big research
3- select one.
4- start practicing

and remember do not trust in movies...
ninjas don't fly,
a sword fight ends in less than 20 seconds
any association that give you a black belt in less than 3 years of heavy training, is bullshit
belts actually are for your pants, and the color is only important to make it match with your outfit.

in the old days martial arts were more then just self defense techniques. they were also a lifestyle, philosophy, means of self improvement. for a long time zen was taught with martial arts then the 2 concepts began drifting apart. i found that by re-uniting the 2 you gain a complete concept. the techniques have more meaning, and power.

true a good swordsman can end a fight in 1 move, however a great swordsman can end it without even drawing his sword

my brother does ty qwando (dunno how to spell it) and he is going to teach me

tae kwon do would be the correct spelling, it's a good starter style in fact it's one of the first styles i learned, of course it doesn't have all the solutions needed but then again no single style does. good luck and have fun

as hard as it might be to believe, i would say ninjutsu.

The best martial art for a Jedi is the same martial art that is best for anyone else. Being a jedi doesn't give an individual a different set of requirements in a system of self defense. I would suggest striking arts with real sparring, like Kyokushin or Thai Boxing. Grappling that doesn't involve a compliant partner, like Sambo or BJJ. I would avoid arts swathed in psuedo-mysticism and hokum, like no touch knockouts or energy projection.

I think the question referred to Jedi principles and teachings, which would involve a concern for your opponent, non-aggressive intent, engaging and using the Force, etc. I would be interested to hear your opinion on which martial art encapsulates the Jedi teachings - there's a link at the bottom of the front page if you need to re-read them.

MTFBWY

i stick by my view that the best style varies from person to person, you have to look at what style works best for your personality, body, and abilities. trying to force yourself to fit into a specific style will not yield the results you want. while it is true that some styles are more aggressive then others that should only play a part in the decision process. you should make a full and thorough examination of all your available options, then choose the one that best matches your criteria...

Body composition has very little to do (if anything at all) with what makes a sound martial methodology. All martial arts use body biomechanics (or at least, they should...) to maximize leverage, power, ect. As long as the people in question all have four limbs and similar joints to match, they all work on the same biomechanics. Any system can be used defensively or offensively.

Mark, the Jedi that I saw in the movies didn't have much in the way of concern or non-aggressive intent for their opponents. Darth Maul was cut in half, clone troopers dispatched by the thousands, beasts with legs cut off, creatures stabbed, and plenty of hands cut off in the process. When you're at peace, be at peace. When it's time to open up a can of WA, open it up. Connection to the 'force' is completely an individual thing, so you can utilize it in any martial endeavor (\"If you understand the Way broadly, it will be apparent in everything.\" says Miyamoto Musashi).

Personally, I currently study a style of kickboxing that incorporates Fudoshin karate but I find it very offensive and without the level of Qi development that I want from a martial art. So I'm looking into Aikido or Tai Chi for that reason, which I feel closer represents my own Jedi ideals.

On the subject of the Jedi way, you seem to be confusing the movie Jedi with us. Although Jediism is inspired by the films, the practices can be very different. They were recognised, official peace-keepers and therefore needed to be offensive at times, in the same way that our police forces operate. We, as Jedi, do not hold that much authority and therefore do not need to act in the same way. I would rather protect myself (and those that need it) in as passive a way as possible (i.e. disabling my opponent without crippling them) instead of just opening that can of WA and seeing what happens.

But like RyuJin says, each person should find the style that resonates with them, otherwise you're just forcing yourself to use a technique based on someone else's opinion of what's best.

MTFBWY