In most martial arts schools today you can take regular lessons and add some self-defense classes. But there is still the problem of the effectiveness of the martial art and the so called self-defense moves being taught. It has been my experience that many of the martial art methods being taught in the United States are not completely functional in today's world. You have Tae Kwon Do schools, Karate schools, Ju-Jitsu schools and Kung Fu. For the most part these systems are sport oriented in to some degree. There are few like Wing Chun who claim to be strictly "real world self-defense". So what happens if you have a martial art that still incorporates RULES in their system? You end up with a less effective fighting method. What happens if you learn one of these sport oriented systems and also learn some self-defense? Well, your chances increase if you've learned to make the self-defense seamless with the martial art but that is almost impossible with 95% of what's being taught out there.

However, if you have a martial art that is concept based, real world minded, no sport orientation, deadly in nature and guided by true scientific biomechanics, then you can have a seamless self-defense system. This way you can become "a motion martial artist'. In other words no matter what the opponent does he has to move to attack you. That becomes his downfall because you are an expert at detecting motion through sight first and then touch. With this you can create a COMPLETE self-defense system and move effortlessly using the attacker's energy against them. I know of only one martial art in the world that functions at high levels in this manner. This system is called Wing Chun Kung Fu. The only thing I can add to this complete martial art is weapons in hand. But even those become one with the body of the practitioner as if the weapon was an extension of the body. Even firearms feel like an extension of the body.

If you are serious about learning then consider this fact. Policemen are no one's personal bodyguards. Their jobs are to find and arrest people who have committed crimes, not to prevent crimes from happening in the first place. Clearly, the responsibility for victim-prevention lies with you. The idea is to not become a victim.

Wing Chun and Krav Maga are two martial arts designed for real street self-defense. Let me just say that I like Krav Mag but as a complete martial art only Wing Chun closely adheres to its concepts and the scientific use of the human body. Furthermore it produces a unique seamless and fluid characteristic. It is not sport oriented at all. It is a real world martial art. Its focus is on hand to hand self-defense, whether standing or on the ground, with or without weapons.

With high level control and relaxation, the skilled practitioner is able to defend him or herself and inflict great damage to any attacker quickly. No matter the sex, body type or muscle development, anyone can these skills are within anyone's grasp as long as they have dedication and consistency. This proficiency is developed through our unique method of training and has been refined to be one of the most advanced and effective self-defense systems in the world.

I highly recommend if you are looking for a complete fighting / self-defense, real world system, that you give Wing Chun a try. But remember; not all Wing Chun is good Wing Chun so do the research. If you don't live near my school then I recommend you find a competent Wing Chun instructor in your area. If that is impossible then I recommend you arm yourself. It's still your right!

About the Author:
Armando Sainz is also owner of Sainz Personal Defense Systems. A company dedicated to helping others stay safer through the use of self-defense products http://www.sainzpds.com/ and surveillance equipment. http://www.sainz-pds.com/ He has been involved in martial arts since 1979. His school is highly recognized in the industry as being one of the top Wing Chun schools in the country.