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in your case, i would just carry some pepper spray or a tazer.

Any of the traditional arts would be good, Karate, Kung Fu, Jui-Jitsu etc. I would stay away from Kick-boxing, and MMA stuff as they require a much higher physical effort, and more than a starters level of fitness.

Any martial art could help you with self defense. Visit several schools around your area and talk with the instructors about your specific goals and limitations. Find the school that will best suit your needs. All arts start out easier and get harder as you gain strength and skill. Remember that you’ll get out of it only what you’re willing to put into it.

Also remember that it takes time to learn enough to really protect yourself. Don’t think that you will be ready to take on any attacker after only a few months of training. Don’t put yourself in potentially dangerous situations because of a false sense of security from a short amount of training. Even someone who has practiced for 20 years needs to use common sense. Your brain is your most important weapon.

Take some yoga classes. Flexibility is the number one asset in defending yourself. Or—this may sound dumb ; you could start running. If you can outrun your opponent he doesn’t have a chance.

Look around your area and see what you can do and what you like Most Martial Arts school will teach SD
its just the one that you feel would work the best for you

Good luck

there is no best art, only best artists. the quality and frequency of the training will far outweigh the style being trained in.
find a good school, not a good style.
check out all the schools in your area, take free classes.
ask to see their contact drills.
never sign a contract. never pay for rank testing.
look for a clean school with respectable people

tae-kwon-do would be the best for an individual to start in the learning process of martial arts, and may be a beginning to learn the other ancient arts. i have seen people that didn’t have legs protect themselves or were blind and still defended themselves.

Krav M’gar - Israeli Defense Force hand-to-hand combat

Gracie Jujitsu - sometimes called Brazilian Jujitsu

Hwarang Do - derivatives of this Korean martial art were the original Navy SEAL hand-to-hand combat

Wing or Win Chun - a more traditional Chinese style that was the foundation of Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do; developed by a Buhdist nun and usable in about a year

Jeet Kune Do - if you can find it

American Combat Judo - just to be a bit patriotic, the original NSMC hand-to-hand combat training

And last but not least, jailhouse rock - the close quarters fighting system, not the Elvis song

Most martial arts, being taught as they are today, more as competition or sport activities, I’m pretty sure are not very reliable as self-defense techniques. Though there are some that are more realistic and practical, I’m wary of martial arts as self-defense.

Go to your local YMCA or something, they should offer self-defense classes.

i personally like brazilian jui jitsu. it is becoming more and more popular in the US, and it concentrates on leverage more than strenght. Many beginning moves consist of being on your back while an attacker stands or tries to get ontop of you. You will learn sweeps and simple chokes that could help get you out of alot of situations. I am not experienced in other forms of martial arts besides boxing/kickboxing, and those i do not feel are what you are looking for…. You want to get away, not stand toe to toe right? I really enjoy Brazilian Jui Jitsu, and learn alot every day I train. You should check it out, most trainers will definately let you check out the class for free to see if you are interested