Which martial arts style would be appropriate for me?

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bulldog22

New member
Hello, i'm looking to take up a martial art style that will compliment my current skillset and suit my body type. I'm a pretty small guy (5'8 ~160lbs) and my speed/agility have always been my strongest qualities in athletics. My only training thus far has been private boxing instruction i have been getting the last few months. I really enjoy the competitive aspect of boxing, and would like to step up my game and make myself more rounded. I have researched a few of the more popular martial art forms, and from what i've seen/read i'm most interested in some form of the chinese internal style Xing yi quan. The fluid movement, chaining of strikes, emphasis on close-up hand acrobatics, and the aggressive 'offense=defense' nature are all qualities I admire from this style. I have also seen some wing chun videos that were fairly appealing. I would also like some of these skills to carry over into real life self-defense situations in ways boxing falls short.

Anyone have any suggestions or advice?
 
You know a bit what you're looking for. From this point, the instructor will matter far more than the art, as two instructors teaching the same art may take completely different approaches.

Take the time to visit every non-competition school in your area. I have nothing against competition schools, but what you're describing is unlikely to be found in one. Watch at least one class. You should be sure to see some beginners and some advanced students. Make sure you see the chief instructor in action (teaching), and if he won't be your direct instructor, be sure to see that instructor, as well.

Watching beginners lets you see how they introduce the art and what your first year of classes will feel like. Seeing advanced students lets you see where you're heading.

Only after these visits can you choose a school (and, thus, an art). You don't have to visit all of them, just keep searching until you find one that "feels" right. When you walk away from a school excited about what you just saw, that's probably the right school for you.
 
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