It is important to remember as individuals we all possess different natural physical and mental attributes. A Martial Art style that incorporates your natural abilities, can increase the speed and ease of learning,two important factors to consider when choosing an art for self-defense purposes.

There are many other reasons for training besides self-defense, such as physical fitness, competition or sport, and many sources of self-empowerment(self-development, esteem building, assertive communication, stress management) or maybe even just to have fun learning some new skills. In fact I've spoken to many an ex-student from military strict dojos who may never study the arts again simply because they didn't enjoy themselves. Learning can be a very emotional experience, positively or negatively speaking, but it's the positive experiences that keep you coming back for more!

For the beginner it is important to understand your goals as a Martial Artist, as well as your body type and level of fitness before you choose a path to follow. In real combat it is imperative to utilize every advantage possible, employing all your talents as well as strategy, speed, timing and technique.

It is of great importance to understand some basic principles of combat including the Four Ranges of Fighting (kicking, punching, trapping and grappling); Angles of Attack; the Methods Employed in the attack and some of the variables that can affect these principles.

Developing a personal style will also indicate the direction in which your training should proceed.