Aikido

kmabarrett recommended this 2 years, 7 months ago

Makes you much more in tune with yourself and with others (energy flows)
Projecting and redirecting art
Cons: Not a ground fighting art
Not a striking art
Although the basics can be taught quickly, they cannot be learned quickly.

dystopic_thinker recommended this 3 years, 11 months ago

Useful very quickly, many techniques are connected and even early on you learn an entire system: from intercept to person crying out on ground. Easily scales from simple avoidance to all out pretzel
Cons: Lack of ground fighting techniques, some schools completely eschew striking. Good when paired with Judo for those with short or stocky body type.

tonyfelice recommended this 4 years, 1 month ago

very effective as a defensive art, especially against weapons, one of the central influences in modern police training
Cons: sometimes difficult to locate a school with true, direct lineage to the founder, may seem very ineffective, like acting, to the beginner

heidi recommended this 4 years, 1 month ago

While not literally practical in self-defense situations, it teaches your body and reflexes how to respond. Not as much focus on memorization of forms.
Cons: Requires a slight level of physical flexibility to be comfortable practicing.