Recommendations - what M.Art would suit me?

[RainbowSerpent]

I'd like some advice as to what martial arts style would suit me best,
I'm a dancer, but i want to take up a martial art.
I tried Aikido but it wasn't really for me, too slow, not enough action, but maybe i just wasn't doing it long enough.
I'm 5foot3 and small build, (although i'm surprisingly strong for all that, but obviously strength isn't going to be my strong point in a fight with someone bigger than me), i definitly have stronger legs than upper body.
I want something that is elegant (I'm not really into wrestling), has a nice form, but not something that is really rigid in rules or stances, i hate strict rules/form unless there is a good reason (i.e not just cos tradition says...)
I want something that i can also use for self-defence, which doesn't rely on sheer force. It also has to be very good for fitness.

Ideas?

[Tant01]

Judo is fun! Pentjak Silat is artistic and deadly. For SD nothing is better than a blade except a gun.

[Tom Yum]

I'm a dancer, but i want to take up a martial art.
I tried Aikido but it wasn't really for me, too slow, not enough action, but maybe i just wasn't doing it long enough.

Your flexibility and coordination would be an asset for the traditional martial arts, especially the arts that involve kicking like tae kwon do or muay thai.

I'm 5foot3 and small build, (although i'm surprisingly strong for all that, but obviously strength isn't going to be my strong point in a fight with someone bigger than me), i definitly have stronger legs than upper body. I want something that is elegant (I'm not really into wrestling), has a nice form, but not something that is really rigid in rules or stances, i hate strict rules/form unless there is a good reason (i.e not just cos tradition says...) I want something that i can also use for self-defence, which doesn't rely on sheer force. It also has to be very good for fitness.

Ideas?

Most self-defense is not elegant and not choreographed, you might take well to a martial art that does forms practice - like most traditional arts, but again those arts have rigid rules.

Wrestling is actually a decent skill to have in my very humble opinion.

Have you considered looking into muaythai and or fillipino martial arts? Muay thai is called the science of 8 limbs, meaning you attack with fists, elbows, knees and feet (the head is not considered a limb but is used). The fillipno arts have empty handed work that can blend well with muay thai, but they spend alot of time working with weapons (sticks, blades etc.)

[muaythaiguy15]

Try some kung fu or muay thai or maybe even JKD.

[jeff5]

Kali and/or Silat would see to suit you well from what your saying.