You're looking for a breathtaking workout, a physical path to spiritual growth, or no-holds-barred moves for dropping an attacker. But where to begin? With Jujutsu? T'ai Chi? Use this guide to sort through the best-known martial arts -- and pick the path that's best for you.
Translation: "The way of the empty hand."
Origin: In the 16th century the conquering Chinese banned weapons in Okinawa; the islanders learned Kung-fu style boxing as a means of defense. Karate was perfected in the 1920s by Funakoshi Gichin, an Okinawan schoolmaster.
Big Picture: Kicks and punches concentrate the greatest amount of energy into one spot. The Karate "chop" was first used by Okinawans to smash through the bamboo armor worn by invading Japanese.
Best For: People looking for a no-nonsense mental and physical workout.
High: Executing a perfectly synchronized team kata with two partners.
Low: Sparring against someone who's out of control.
Beginner's Heads Up: Newcomers spend many hours practicing basic techniques and drills before sparring.
Competition: Points are awarded for controlled techniques that lightly tap an opponent's vital point.
Web Coordinates: Cyber-Dojo WWW home page (http://www.ryu.com/CyberDojo/) includes an extensive list of recommended schools and a bulletin board for corresponding with Cyber-Dojo members in 20 countries.
Translation: Bruce Lee popularized the Cantonese term, Kung-fu, meaning "a man's effort."
Origin: In the 6th century Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk, developed a series of 18 exercises combining motion and meditation and taught them to the ascetic monks of the Shaolin temple. Kung-fu grew out of these exercises, which proved devastating in combat.
Big Picture: A complicated martial art of some 400 styles developed from careful observations of animals fighting. The motions are fluid, even acrobatic.
Best For: People who are looking for a dancelike martial art, where technique counts for more than raw power.
High: Throwing a 360-degree rolling kick -- only Bruce Lee-types can do it.
Low: Maintaining a "horse stance" until your legs shake uncontrollably.
Beginner's Heads Up: A neophyte might feel silly at first because the moves require you to be simultaneously alert and relaxed -- a counterintuitive combination.
Competition: In sparring, score one point for a simple kick, three points for a throw.
Web Coordinates: Kung-fu, the home page: descriptions of different styles and a listing of schools in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. http://www.uwm.edu/~porath/kung/kung.html
Translation: "The way of harmonizing energy."
Origin: Aikido is rooted in the medieval art of Aiki-jujutsu, which was taught only to initiates loyal to the Minamoto clan. It was in a school founded by the clan's descendants that Ueshiba Morihei (1883-1969) learned the techniques from which he would later develop modern Aikido.
Big Picture: Practitioners are taught to tame aggression and harness the attacker's force. Throws are executed using wrist and arm locks. Aikido is based on the use of ki, the Japanese term for the life force.
Best For: Those seeking spiritual and physical well-being (meditation is integral to Aikido), and turn-the-other-cheek types who favor a defensive way of handling conflict.
High: Subduing two opponents by turning their energy against them.
Low: Sparring sessions when you can't get into the flow, and the attacks seem like, well, attacks.
Beginner's Heads Up: Everyone takes a turn being the attacker. Meaning? Get ready to get thrown.
Competition: Most organizations consider competitions to be antithetical to Aikido's philosophy. U.S. Aikido Federation, 413-586-7122.
Web Coordinates: Aikido Today Magazine home page: there are just a few highlights from the magazine -- and a list of hundreds of schools, books, and videos, plus a calendar of events. http://key.cyberg8t.com/atm/index.html
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