Guess wHo'S BaCk....

I have never seen anything more touching and inspiring than those photos. never ever. I hardly can put my emotions into words~

P.S. searching for the genius author of those pictures~

I frequently get asked by people interested in martial arts, “where do I start?” TV and movies don’t paint a useful picture, and our culture has an incredibly unhealthy relationship with violence. If you’re completely new to this stuff, it can be pretty overwhelming. I do think that martial arts can be a very helpful activity for most people, and here I’ll outline a basic guide to what different kinds of martial arts offer and what you should look for when seeking quality instruction. 

I’ve been a martial artist for 25 years in multiple styles and taught for 10, I’ve travelled quite a lot and have had the privilege to work with some excellent people. I hope I can provide some useful advice.

Quick FAQ:

I’m never going to fight someone, what’s the point of this? In many styles, the main benefits are physical and psychological health, with self-defense being a useful by-product. It’s all about conflict resolution, violent or otherwise.

What styles do you know? Soo Bahk Do/Tang Soo Do, Karate, Northern Shaolin Longfist, Bajiquan, Xingyiquan, Liang & Cheng-style Baguazhang

Ever been in a real fight? I’ve been in three street fights in my life. While I “won” all of them without getting seriously harmed, I don’t recommend it.

What’s the best style for athletic fitness? Shaolin Kung Fu, Brazillian Jiu-jitsu, Wushu, any Korean style with kicks (Soo Bahk Do, Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, etc.)

What’s the best if I don’t like getting hit/don’t want to hit people? Taijiquan (Tai Chi), Aikido

What’s good for learning self-defense very quickly? Krav Maga, Kenpo, Jiu-jitsu

Are belts, uniforms, or ranks important? This depends on the style. Some systems need more structure than others.

What’s best for health and longevity (and easier on the body)? Taijiquan (Tai Chi), Baguazhang

What if I just want to hit things really hard and explode them? Xingyiquan, Bajiquan, Goju-ryu Karate

No style is “better” than another, they just offer different things. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, or want more information, I’ve put together three basic approaches martial arts can take: