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by Seang-Lim Tan

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With so many martial arts available to study these days, choosing one is very much a bewildering task. However, if your priority is self-defense there are a few things you can think about and look at to make your choice an easier one.

Unless the instructor really is totally clueless, most systems will have movements and techniques of combat value. Some systems, such as the aptly named Systema from Russia have no forms whatsoever. Exponents of Systema do not appear to have any structured movement, but are highly effective. When self-defense is the priority, it is your teacher who is more important than the art.

Teachers who understand self-defense incorporate street survival principles into their training methods, and it should impress upon you how random and dangerous real self-defense situations really are. Moreover, the teachings should be accessible, you should be able to understand why and how something would work in real situations.

What I would deem most important is to assess if the teaching you receive works on psychology. Self-defense is all about psychology, both your own and that of your assailant(s). Do bear in mind that the exercises designed to work on one's mind are usually more abstract and take some thinking about to understand. The most skilled teachers I have met have all worked on fear when teaching, as understanding and dealing with this emotion is pivotal in ensuring survival. It has been known for experience martial artists who have been training for years to freeze when faced with a real street situation. One could speculate that it was because they were not mentally prepared. You have to work on your mind and emotions as much as you work on your body.

With this in mind, if self-defense is your priority, what should you do or look for?

Firstly, try out a few martial arts until you find one that resonates with you. We're all different and will nave natural aptitude in different fighting styles, striking, grappling or a mixture of the two. You cannot really understand what it entails unless you try.

Secondly, whilst you are trying out an art, examine your teacher. Do you understand what is taught? Do they inspire you or fill you with confidence? Does their senior class have the same sorts of people? The Wing Chun school I ended up training at for six years had people of all sorts of shapes and sizes in its senior class. That tells me that the system works or can be made to work for big as well as little people, which says a lot about the skill of the instructor.

Thirdly, become more aware of yourself. The learning outside of yourself is just as important as the inner preparation. Get to know how you react to different things, such as being hit or thrown whilst you are in the safe environment of the dojo.

Lastly, give yourself time. Self-defense is a skill like any other, to acquire it will take time and effort, and hopefully you'll have some fun along the way!

Learn more about this author, Seang-Lim Tan.

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