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The best martial art forms for self defense are those that are practiced in a school or training center under the auspices of a qualified instructor. Martial arts must be practiced in order to be effective in warding off an attacker. It is easy to attend one or two self defense classes and be lulled into a false sense of security. If specific techniques can be taught and learned to defend oneself from an attacker, it would be those techniques that are easiest to remember and target the sensitive, vital areas of the body.

I am a former student of the martial arts and through several years of training I have learned that anyone can develop techniques that work for them in most dangerous situations. Techniques take constant practice in order to become second nature to the people defending themselves or they are useless. I know this from first hand experience and three years of training in the art of Tae Kwon Do(Korean martial art).

Training in any martial art depends upon enlisting the aid of an experienced, qualified instructor. Proper physical conditioning is always a prerequisite for surviving a vicious attack. Staying in good physical condition helps an individual defend themselves better and apply kicks, punches, and blocks with more effectiveness.

Choosing a specific martial art to learn self defense is a personal choice. Every school or martial art form may lay claim to being the best. A potential student of the martial arts should visit schools of the various martial arts and decide for themselves which martial art form is best for them. Speak with students and instructors alike when visiting the various schools before making a final decision. Reputable instructors will lead you in the right direction based on their training and experience.

Many forms of martial arts exist in the world today. The most common name people apply to the martial arts is Karate. Karate is actually a Japanese word that means "open hand". The Japanese have several martial art forms that fall under this name. Japanese styles of martial arts are focused on using the hands more than the feet. Kicks are used in Japanese Karate, but with less frequency than other styles.
Korean styles like Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido use the feet for kicking more than the hands. Chinese styles mimic the movements of animals to develop beautiful styles effective in defense of oneself from an attacker.

Whatever form or style of martial art you choose to learn, be prepared for discipline, training, and conditioning. No one can become a serious student of Karate or Kung Fu without the three.

Learn more about this author, Danette M. Scott.
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