I am often asked the question, if I were to get some great martial arts instruction, which style should I study?

If the person asking is serious about obtaining martial-arts instruction, then we continue the conversation by exploring what's available in this person's area. After all, there's no use suggesting Russian Sistema, if there isn't a teacher available in the person's city or surrounding area.

For the purpose of this article, let's take a "the-sky's-limit" attitude. If you could take any martial arts style in the world, which would you choose?

You need to ask yourself a few questions:

What's Your Martial Goal?

If you want to enter competitions and tournaments, then you might be happy with a larger school, with several instructors all wearing gis (martial arts uniforms).

If, on the other hand, you want to learn pure, efficient self defense, then maybe you should look for a small class, taught by someone out of his (or her) home -- garage, backyard, or down at the park.

Observe classes of potential schools. See if the schools' goals are in alignment with your own.

What's Your Build?

If you are a small individual, then don't get a lot of martial arts instruction in grappling arts. That's not the best for you. Chooses a style where you can rely on your speed.

Do you have long legs? Then maybe a school that emphasizes kicking would be in order.

Do you have 'meaty' arms? How about a progressive style with Western boxing mixed in?

If you are a woman, then a Gung Fu style like WIng Chun might be the perfect choice.

So, if you had all of the options in the world, I'd advise you to choose a style where the ideal practitioner has a similar build to you. (After all, the sky is the limit.)

Does the Teacher Have the Ability to Teach You?

There are good teachers and bad teachers. This is one of the reasons that you can't always a say a particular style is good or bad. It depends on the teacher.

My teacher is a genius -- after all, I am not particularly athletic, yet over the years, he helped "me" develop into a competent martial artist. Not an easy task.

I know that I wouldn't be this good without the instruction of someone so talented at tailoring the art to the individual.

And that's what it will all boil down to -- finding martial arts instruction, that not only gives you skill, but helps you develop the confidence to use the techniques should the need arise.

While you are searching for the perfect martial-arts class, read this free ebooklet on conquering fear in a fight....