Another Newbie...tsk tsk

[begins]

Sup everyone,

I'm a 17 year old from the Toronto area of ontario Canada, for the most part i know very very little about martail arts in general accept what i have learned from anime, bruce lee films and the odd show here and there. My interest in learning a martial art is really to become in control of myself mentaly and physicaly, not to go out and beat on people. As of now I am looking for an art to practice, trying to find one that works well with my build and lineage, being not very flexible (though trying to work on that ... slow process) and having a low (i.e. leg) and high (i.e. chest & arms) muscle build...meaning my legs are naturally large and same with my chest and arms(i cant really become a thing, thin person). And all i have been doing physicly to say in shape is running a few miles 2-3 times a week, sit ups and push ups and hitting a 70 pound bag 3 times a week (using boxing tape). It's such a large area ( the arts field) that im having a hard time. Yesterday i was searching around the net and found this forum. After checking it out i found it very good and decided to join. Ill be on this alot, asking enough questions to make everyone go insane, as my interest in this so so vast. If anyone reading this has some ideas where i can start(looking, researching), please dont be shy, i dont usually bite.

arts i have been thinking about are...
Jeet Kune Do
Judo
Jujitsu
Hapkido
Wing Chun Kung Fu

any advice is great, ill be around the forum a few times a week

love n'peace

[Hook]

Glad to have someone new interested. I have been into BJJ, MT, and some light boxing. I have found that JJ to work the best for me because it isn't all about strength, it is using leverage. Being a small female this is what works best for me. Have you been watching MMA events, such as Pride, UFC, KOTC or anything like that? You won't really know what you like untill you get more involved, as far as actually looking for a school and doing more research. I say this because if you were to choose JJ ( as an example ) you might go to one school for awhile and find that you aren't happy. Then you start shopping around and fimd another school and like it a lot better. I think that a lot of MA is having a good teacher. They can have Twenty diffrent certifications and hold four diffrent types of Black belts and still not be a good teacher. I have found that there are a lot of great teachers that don't hold a specific title or belt. If you can choose an art I might be able to help you more. Good Luck.

[begins]

Actually i have chosen an art to study, Wing Chun Kung Fu and found a place about 40 minutes away. I havent been there yet but talked to the teacher on the phone, he was nice, funny guy so im hoping for the best... any suggestions on the art..like if i may have chosen a bad one... i read up on it for sometime and find it very good...

peace

[kengar]

Well hello begins. WC is a good art and it was actually designed for a 15yr girl so it good fit a smaller person quite well. I put some links to WC sites here so you could check them out.
http://www.leungting.com/
http://www.wingchun-kungfu.com.au/

I would also encourage Judo/JJ because, as hook stated, you don't really have to rely on strength. Also there is always a lot of contact in the two arts.

Good luck in your search.


Ken

[Touch of Sleep]

Hi begins...I too am new to this forum, but I have a pretty solid MA/boxing background. I think you are on the right track. Find a gym and a trainer that you like, and that you have fun with. Later on you can always try new and different arts. And don't neglect your basic physical conditioning (running, weights etc) that is the foundation of any solid training program, no matter what style you choose. Good luck and have fun.