How did you pick your style?

[nitrogen]

If you study any of the Chinese Martial Arts, how did you pick your style? Did you choose it based on just "liking" it, or being "fit" for it.

[yoda1]

i don't do any of the chinese martial arts, but i picked mine based on what was best for me. in other words, the style i like, but more importantly, the style that was best suited for my personality, body type, and overall demeanor.

[applexcore]

how many types are there exactly? does anyone know?

millions..... :P

[Twinkle]

There are many styles and schools of martial arts; broadly speaking, they share a common goal: to physically defeat a person or defend oneself. Some Eastern martial arts have a tradition of being about more than simple fighting, which is perhaps why their practice has been seen as worth preserving in the face of their military obsolescence in modern technological culture. Some believe that it is worthwhile practicing martial arts, because the principles of warriorship and understanding of tactics and strategy remain applicable in modern warfare. Certain martial arts, such as T'ai Chi Ch'uan, may also be practiced to maintain or improve mental or physical health.

What differentiates the martial arts from mere unarmed brawling is the organization of their techniques into a coherent system and the codification of effective teaching methods. One common training technique is to have a series of routines called forms (also called kata, poomse, ch'ůan t'ao, kuen, tao lu, hyung, sequencias, or tuls) which can serve as a dictionary of essential techniques to be memorized and drawn from at need. Martial arts are also characterized by the controlled, mindful application of force in ways selected for empirical effectiveness. In this sense, boxing, fencing, archery, and wrestling can also be considered martial arts.

Martial arts may focus on

* striking (e.g. Boxing, some styles of Karate, Southern Praying Mantis, Wing Chun, Krav Maga, Bando)
* kicking, (e.g. Taekwondo, Savate, Capoeira, Lethwei, Tantui)
* grappling and throwing (e.g. Wrestling, Shuai Jiao, Jujutsu, Judo, Pehlwani, Sambo, Naban, Aikido, Qin na, Kampfringen, Hapkido), or
* weaponry (e.g. Iaido, Naginata-do, Bojutsu, Kendo, Fencing, Kali, Gatka, Banshay, Fechtkunst).


as to exactly how many forms of matial arts there are, I wouldnt even like to guess, new form s are being created and recognised all the time.

[applexcore]

that is awesome!! you are a help full resource.....

[Twinkle]

Thanks :P
As to how I chose my martial art, it was actualy simple. I wanted an art that would teach me both defencive and offencive techniques, but I didnt want the strict teaching methods that are asosiated with alot of martial arts. I was shown Kickboxing by a friend, and fell in love with it there and then. I'm hoping to get back into kickboxing this year, all being well.

[blueangel]

I've not entirely picked my style as of yet, I'm really interested in alot of the different MA's out there, but havnt desided on one in particluar yet.
I did deside that I wont be kick boxing though :P