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Krav Maga is a good martial art that can be used for both offense and defense, and is designed to work in real life situations (whereas some martial arts are designed solely for competition). It’s a fast-paced style so you should find it “physically energetic.” Also you’re correct that Tai Chi is considered to be the Grand Master of Martial Arts

You have it a little mixed up. Tai-Chi-Chuan means Grand-Ultimate-Fist. It was developed around 1300 in China by a martial arts master named Feng. He created Dim Mak (Death Point Striking, ….Not Death Touch). He then created Tai-Chi-Chuan to contain the Dim-Mak techniques yet hide them so no one would be able to understand them. Many years later as what we now call karate was being developed some of the karate kata were influenced by the forms from Tai-Chi-Chuan.

As for what art to study. It is more a question of finding an instructor that really knows the art he teaches. If you find someone that does then it will have good self-defense training.

Hope this helps!

What your looking for is a hard style because Tai Chi and Aikido is as soft as it gets. I would suggest that you try some hard style of Kung Fu. Especially if you want something philosophical and physical.

Jeet Kune Do

Krav Maga

Combat Hapkido

Lotar

I study a standing form of jujitsu called yoshin ryu. It is strictly self defense. There are no offensive moves in this style. Strictly ways to respond to real-life attacks. Unfortunately it is a very old and traditional form and is not widely taught. You may not be lucky enough to have someone teaching it in your area. If you are, it would probably meet your requirement for a “philosophy” as well. It is similar to aikido in many ways but is based on small circles instead of large circles, which I think makes it easier to learn and become effective at. Aikido can be a very effective art but it takes a long time to get to that point.

There are other forms of standing jujitsu which may meet you requirements as well. Look in your area.

I would stay away from ground grappling forms of jujitsu if you are strictly looking for self defense. If you end up on the ground with someone in a self defense situation you are in a very bad position. If there is more than one attacker, the others can be kicking you in the head while you are on the ground. The idea of self defense is do damage quickly and get away. You want to stay on your feet.

Listening to you, it sounds like you may also want to look into hapkido. It is steeped in self defense and has a lot of soft techniques, but also blends in some strikes, and would certainly be more energetic than tai chi.

freesyle karate would be the most practicle self defence,you will learn stand up,ground/grappling and weapons while still maintaining tradition,philosophy and physical disipline.

your obviously not looking to fight in the UFC. if tai chi is too slow the perfectthing for you to get into would be wing chun. self defense is not street fighting. if your not looking to engage and only get away from an attacker that would be a good art for you. your not going to be able to beat up a brazilian jiu jitsu black belt but you should be able to boost your confidence and engage in some deep philosophy for sure. do yourself a favor and dont waste time with aikido, there is lots of discipline but you will be very dissapointed with how much participation there is on making those moves work. outside of a gym where there are two mutually agreeing people to make the moves work its damn near impossible (like on the street)

KJ W , has no idea what he/she is talking about!
I train in Aikido, and it’s not considered a “soft form”.
In our dojo, we’re completely committed to our attacks,
and if you’re sloppy with break-falls, and rolls, you can seriously be hurt,being slammed hard onto the mat.

We also train with weapons, and one day my partner
decided to dodge my wooden Bokken with his face, and I assure you, there’s nothing soft about being hit with a wooden oak sword,is there? Sensie teaches that Aikido is the one of the only forms, you could put a 100% into, yet walk away without bruises, that’s if you’re paying attention..
Take care M.Dmon