[iDriveX]

So I have decided I'd like to take up martial arts, but with so many styles out there, I have no clue which style to choose. Here's what I'd like: I'm not looking for one where you kick ass and are trying to destroy someone but more of an artistic martial arts form where the emphasis is on form and meditation, almost something spiritual. Think: Pei Mei in Kill Bill. Any suggestions?

[E's Lil Theorem]

Start by reading this thread: http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...t=martial+arts

It may have what you're looking for.

[biscuit]

While I'll always recommend Wing Chun Kung Fu (the style I've studied for 5 years), it sounds to me like you're after T'ai Chi. I'm lucky enough to know a guy who is an expert in both Wing Chun and T'ai Chi (both are internal artforms, so there is overlap) and have learnt a little T'ai Chi from him. I would say that the most important thing is to get a very good teacher, preferably one who understands the martial aspects of T'ai Chi as well as the meditative side. How do you find a good teacher? Well my tip is footwork. If they teach you the footwork separately from the T'ai Chi Form, then that is a very good sign.

biscuit

[zigzag]

I recommend Call Nine Wan Wan.

[RonnieoftheRose]

If you want to learn self defence look for a modern hybrid martial art. In my teens I studied with Bob Breen. If you're in England look him up. He'll put you in great shape.

http://www.bobbreen.co.uk/

[Millennium]

An artistic form? If this is the case, T'ai Chi and Capoeira sound as though they would fit well. I admit to not being familiar with Capoeira's philosophical aspects, however you just plain don't get more artistic; there's a reason it's sometimes called "Brazilian Combat Breakdancing". Savate may also be worth looking into, though it doesn't have nearly as much of a mental aspect.

[budster101]

There are several that I would recommend.

- Sho-me-thu-do
- Wat-u-seez-watu-get
- Tai-foo-diz-spa-se




Seriously now.

'Tai-Chi' is the one for you.

[ThinkInsane]

So you don't want to kick ass, but you still need to know how to snatch someone's eye out of their head?

As others said, depending on how meditative you are looking for, T'ai Chi would probably suit your needs. Or you could also look into Tang Soo Do.