How to Choose a Martial Art

Series Summary

Mixed martial arts kickboxing, normally associated with cage fighting, blends many different fighting forms including: muay thai kickboxing, judo, Brazilian jiu jitsu, boxing and wrestling. Mixed martial arts (MMA) has gained in popularity since the first Ultimate Fighting Championship won by Royce Gracie. MMA is so popular, in fact, it will soon become an Olympic Event and was scheduled to be included in the 2004 games before losing its place at the last minute. MMA fighters have historically trained in a specific martial art such as muay thai boxing or Brazilian jiu jitsu before combining the techniques. Recently, however, students have begun to train specifically for MMA with other students and a variety of trainers. In this free video series on mixed and various martial arts, instructor Mike Quebec covers many fighting techniques for self-defense and various martial arts traditions. Quebec teaches stances like the hourglass and horse stances of karate, tae kwon do kicks and punches, and strategies for training in mixed martial arts. Quebec also gives instruction in jeet kune do techniques like feinting moves and straight punches. Viewers will learn valuable self-defense moves for use in real fights, including how to avoid a fight like a true martial artist.

Video Transcript

"Hi, my name is Michael Quebec over here at the Heritage Gym in Union City, and the topic for today is how to choose a Martial Art. Well, you want to ask yourself what it is you want to get out of the martial arts, and also; you also want to ask; you want to be honest with yourself; who you are, your physicality and what you want to improve. So for instance, let's say, I was the type of person who is very flexible and I enjoy flashy high kicks. Well, in that case, a Martial Art like Tai Kwon Do would be perfect for someone who likes that. On the other hand, let's say, I'm very tight and kicking doesn't appeal to me. Not only that, but I really; I'm the kind of guy whose job is to be a bouncer in a crowded area where I don't have a lot of room. Well, obviously, high kicks aren't the; aren't the answer for that type of goal. In that type of situation, then, I probably want to use something that utilizes my hands, elbows, knees as well as grappling, simple grappling techniques so, that way, I'm not going to the ground while other people are jumping on me. In which case, I might want to go with a Martial Art like Thai boxing, Muay Thai. If my goal is, let's say, I happen to be a Chinese American, who really wants to explore my culture; well then maybe traditional Kung Fu would be the answer for that goal or Wu Shu or something like that. So, how to choose a Martial Art is really determined by your personal goals, your physicality, and what you'd want to improve. In getting back on the subject of like Tai Kwon Do and kicking; well okay, let's say I'm the type of person who isn't flexible, but I need to improve my flexibility; well, then in that case, a Martial Art like Tai Kwon Do would be perfect. So, all of those factors go into how to choose a Martial Art, and my name is Michael Quebec. Thank you."