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by Nathaniel Whitley

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Virtually all martial arts were created as a means of defense. Karate was first used by the Okinawans against Japanese Samurai and was so effective that when Okinawa became a part of Japan, the art was wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese. Shaolin kung fu is derived from the arts Buddhist monks created in order to defend their temples from marauding bandits and warlords. Capoera, a Brazilian art, was originally created by African slaves who would later use it to rebel against their oppressors in order to gain their freedom. It was intentionally designed to appear like a dance so that they could practice in full view of their captors without fear of repercussions.

But all of these martial styles have something in common. They were each created to ward off attack from opponents who themselves had to rely on hand-to-hand combat or crude weapons such as swords and staffs. The modern threat comes in the form of guns more often than not, and these martial arts once designed for defense have become obsolete in the face of a speeding bullet.

The problem is that most martial styles have failed to adapt to the times. In the way of defense, they're held back by tradition. Most aren't even practiced for defense anymore, but as a kind of exercise or a means to discipline the mind. In the area of defense, however, there are still a few that prove themselves effective against modern threats.

Karate, aside from being a favorite of kids and soccer moms alike, can in some cases be used as an effect means of self defense. Karate, practiced correctly, can build a person's physical prowess beyond the normal human limit, as well as extend the practitioner's threshold for pain. Though virtually useless against firearms, this style can be utilized to defend against most other conventional weapons. It will also help you keep going in the very real event that you are injured in a fight.

The downside to this style is that modern dojos, those not located in Japan itself, are typically more interested in the money practitioners bring in rather than how they develop. Most sensei are all too happy to award new levels and colorful belts to undeserving students just to ensure that they do not get discouraged and quit, taking their money with them. Thus it becomes difficult to tell whether or not your training has really paid off without first finding yourself in the very situation you had hoped to avoid.

Most defensive regimens these days also focus on kickboxing. A simplistic style, kickboxing relies more on the power and stability of its forms rather than a bunch of fancy moves. Among all the martial arts, Muay Thai kickboxing is recognized as having the absolute most devastating kicks. It also trains a fighter to use his or her elbows and knees, as both are exceedingly effective weapons.

The downside is balance. Because kickboxing relies heavily on stability, it is very susceptible to throws or takedowns. Like Karate, the style requires constant strength training, and few people are truly willing to put in the time and effort to develop their muscle structure to the point of making this style truly effective. Also like Karate, it is still useless against a gun.

Against modern weaponry, there is really only one way to go. Fighting arts designed by the military are the only ones around that have anticipated, and performed, against opponents bearing actual firearms. Most modern military arts are not so much real individual styles as a collaboration of various other styles which have been rigorously and scientifically put to the test to create forms specifically for the purpose of self defense. Many of these are in fact a fusion of such fighting arts as boxing, judo, jujitsu, karate, and ninjitsu.

Perhaps the most famous, and widely available to the public, is the Israeli fighting art of Krav Maga. Krav Maga was developed and taught by Jews during and after the Second World War. It has its roots in persecution and was created specifically to fight off modern threats. Among Krav Maga's repertoire are moves intended for disarming opponents with both guns and knives, as well as fighting off entire groups of attackers. It is currently in use by military and law enforcement agencies the world over and has recently seen a boom in training centers open to the pubic.

All in all, whatever martial style you choose to employ, it all comes down to drive and effort. Self defense is not a weekend pursuit. It isn't something to be squeezed in between yoga and palates. Nothing will be effective unless you are willing to commit yourself to it and to make it a part of you.

Learn more about this author, Nathaniel Whitley.

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