What martial art is right for me?
I want to get in shape in both body and mind(Meditating for mind), and I was wondering what martial art I would like. I am sort of a tiny guy (5' 4.5") with semi-broad shoulders. I am not really stocky, but I am not really a stick, so right in the middle. I dont want to hurt people, I just want to know how to defend myself from harm, and learn the discipline to be able to handle situations while keeping my cool.
Actually, if you want to focus on self-defense without causing too much harm to the attacker, you can still go into any style, even Karate.
With the appropriate amount of control you can disable an attacker using Karate or Hung Gar and other hard styles like that without destroying him - just use only the amount of force needed.
You would need this kind of control no matter what art you study, even Aikido. Hard arts can be delicate, and soft arts can be destructive.
Advanced Goju-ryu teaches pressure point striking so you can disable an attacker without breaking his bones if that was your intention.
Aikido, on the other hand, can be misused to cripple opponents by breaking their joints and bones. And yes, as opposed to what was said of it above, Aikido can be extremely effective (if you're not so much into Ki as the next guy, you can check out Yoshinkan Aikido).
Aikido also emphasizes keeping cool and calm in dangerous situations, which is also what you said you wanted to be able to do.
So, styles for you could be any style of Kung Fu, Karate, Aikido, Jujutsu (Japanese or Gracie style), but I'm not sure about Taekwondo for you because of your height...
 |
 NWT Courart white leather shoulder bag with adjustable straps handbag purse $125.00 Time Remaining: 36m |
 NWT MADISON SIGNATURE OP ART MAGGIE SHOULDER BAG 17689 SILVER GREY NO OUTLET $197.77 Time Remaining: 40m Buy It Now for only: $197.77 |
 NWT COACH KRISTIN BLACK SIGNATURE OP ART HOBO SHOULDER HAND BAG 14753 $170.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 58m |
 COACH Madison Op Art Sateen Maggie Shoulder Handbag Lt Grey Gray NWT 17689 $175.99 Time Remaining: 1h |
 NWT COACH 18762 MADISON GRAPHIC OP ART MAGGIE SHOULDER BAG 298 CHERRY MULTI $177.50 (18 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 37m |
 COACH PEYTON OP ART Canvas Shoulder Bag $95.00 Time Remaining: 1h 38m |
 COACH TRIBECA Black Shoulder Bag Handbag OP ART SATEEN 14127 RARE BEAUTIFUL $51.00 (16 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 55m |
 Art TIE DYE HIPPIE Crossbody Sling Bag Purse Shoulder Top Zip Tha Art New N12 $13.99 Time Remaining: 2h 1m Buy It Now for only: $15.39 |
 Coach Kristin OP Art Logo Black Shoulder Bag Handbag 14753 100 Authentic VGC $23.50 (22 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 51m |
 GENEROSITY Dark Brown LARGE TOOLED Leather Shoulder Hand Bag Purse Novica Art $187.95 Time Remaining: 3h 6m Buy It Now for only: $209.95 |
 NWT COACH SOHO PLEATED OPTIC ART SIGNATURE LRG HOBO SHOULDER BAG 14491 W RECEIPT $200.08 Time Remaining: 4h 26m Buy It Now for only: $200.08 |
 MINT Coach MADISON OP ART CLOVER SOPHIA Large Blue Shoulder Bag $67.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 31m |
 NWT COACH SIG MADISON DOTTED OP ART SOPHIA SHOULDER SATCHEL BAG 15935 MAHOGANY $219.00 Time Remaining: 4h 36m Buy It Now for only: $219.00 |
 Shoulder Clutch Bag Purse art painting Dog 79 black Chihuahua ladybug daisy $22.99 Time Remaining: 4h 55m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 |
 Shoulder Clutch Bag Purse art painting Dog 80 black Chihuahua $22.99 Time Remaining: 4h 55m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 |
 COACH SIG MADISON DOTTED OP ART SOPHIA SHOULDER SATCHEL BAG 15935 BLACK $229.00 Time Remaining: 5h Buy It Now for only: $229.00 |
 NWT COACH JULIA OP ART PERRY SHOULDER BAG TOTE 15013 27800 AMETHYST PURPLE $199.99 Time Remaining: 6h 9m |
 Pom Pom Fairy Girl Cartoon Art Large Tote Shoulder Pink Bag Purse Handbag $27.95 Time Remaining: 10h 21m Buy It Now for only: $27.95 |
 Shoulder Sling Bag Purse from art painting Abstract 3 colorful $29.99 Time Remaining: 18h 10m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 Shoulder Sling Bag art painting Cat 396 Siamese $29.99 Time Remaining: 21h 4m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 BURBERRY POP ART LETTERS Hand Tote Shoulder BAG $399.95 Time Remaining: 21h 21m Buy It Now for only: $399.95 |
 Coach Op Art Sateen Brooke Purse Handbag Shoulder Bag $37.00 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 21h 52m |
 BLUE COLLAGE Silk Shoulder Bag w Buckle Thai Art NWT $134.99 Time Remaining: 22h 43m Buy It Now for only: $134.99 |
 Shoulder Clutch Bag Purse art painting Dog 78 Yorkshire Terrier Fall Autumn $22.99 Time Remaining: 22h 56m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 |
 Gold beaded small evening bag Shoulder strap Dressy Fine Arts Bag Co Inc $15.17 Time Remaining: 23h 31m Buy It Now for only: $15.17 |
 NWT COACH MADISON OPTIC ART SIGNATURE SATEEN MAGGIE GREY SHOULDER BAG 17689 $178.00 Time Remaining: 23h 38m Buy It Now for only: $198.00 |
 SILVER CLOUD Handmade GRAY LEATHER Shoulder HANDBAG ART $101.21 Time Remaining: 1d 12m |
 NWT 398 COACH 13252 PINK MADISON OP ART RED PATENT PURSE SHOULDER BAG HANDBAG $298.00 Time Remaining: 1d 56m Buy It Now for only: $298.00 |
 NWT COACH 12929 MADISON GRAPHIC OP ART AMANDA SATCHEL SHOULDER BAG PURSE HANDBAG $259.00 Time Remaining: 1d 58m Buy It Now for only: $259.00 |
 Coach Op Art Sateen Signature Gallery Tote 19404 19404m No Reserve NEW Shoulder $72.00 (23 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 1h 21m |
 NWT RARE COACH MADISON GRAPHIC OP ART JULIANNE SHOULDER BAG HANDBAG PURSE 13253 $398.00 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 48m Buy It Now for only: $398.00 |
 COACH Blue Op Art Sateen Hobo Handbag Shoulder $51.00 (18 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 2h 7m Buy It Now for only: $120.00 |
 AUTH Coach Purse KRISTIN Op Art Signature IKAT HOBO Shoulder Tote Bag 16936 NEW $149.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 47m Buy It Now for only: $149.99 |
 Coach Signature Op Art Satin Lurex Brooke Shoulder Bag Olive Gold 14144 Metallic $149.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 52m |
 Classy BLACK COACH Pop Art Shoulder Bag $40.00 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 53m Buy It Now for only: $80.00 |
 Kate Spade Pop Art Stevie Nylon Black Shoulder Bag Purse NWT NEW 295 $159.00 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 8m Buy It Now for only: $159.00 |
 New Coach 14305 Madison Op Art Maggie Peach Sateen shoulder bag purse tote $150.00 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 13m Buy It Now for only: $165.00 |
 LARGE FASHION SHOULDER FAIRY BAG TAN WHYMSICAL WITH ARTFUL FLOWING FARIES $35.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 12h 41m |
 Black Patent Gray White Fashion Art Print Women Medium Shoulder Purse $24.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 45m Buy It Now for only: $27.99 |
 HMONG ETHNIC CHIC shoulder bag THAI handmade art $34.79 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 47m |
 Coach 19180 AUTH Graphic OP ART Sequin MAGGIE Shoulder Handbag Purse 358 O15 $224.12 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 50m Buy It Now for only: $224.12 |
 Coach 17689 AUTH Beige Madison OP ART MAGGIE Shoulder Handbag Purse 298 O15 $164.90 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 51m Buy It Now for only: $164.90 |
 COOL CRANBERRY Alpaca Wool Shoulder Bag Peru Art NOVICA $57.95 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 17m Buy It Now for only: $57.95 |
 Shoulder Clutch Bag Purse art painting Bird 56 Duck $22.99 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 37m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 |
 COACH PARKER OPT ART SILVER HOBO SHOULDER BAG HANDBAG 13508 $130.00 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 23m |
 COACH Kristin Op Art Ikat Hippie Shoulder Handbag $75.00 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 34m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
 Coach Kristin Ikat Op Art Hippie Shoulder Handbag Purse Tote 17083 NWT $139.99 Time Remaining: 2d 29m Buy It Now for only: $154.99 |
 Vintage Black Shades of Gray Leather Large Clutch Style Shoulder Bag Art Purse $24.00 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 49m Buy It Now for only: $24.00 |
 Coach 14788 Black Kristin Op Art Sateen Flap Shoulder Handbag Authentic $69.99 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 57m |
 Art Deco Black Knit Shoulder Handbag Purse Satchel Popcorn Textured Designs $18.88 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 29m Buy It Now for only: $18.88 |
 AMAON ALLIGATOR Handcrafted FINE LEATHER SHOULDER BAG HANDBAG PURSE Novica ARTS $69.95 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 47m Buy It Now for only: $87.95 |
 RECYCLED ART Recycled POP TOPS SODA TABS SHOULDER BAG Brazil Handmade NWT $188.95 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 4m Buy It Now for only: $244.95 |
 NWT COACH MADISON claire Inlaid OP Art Applique Patchwork Tote Shoulder Bag NEW $558.00 Time Remaining: 2d 5h 13m Buy It Now for only: $558.00 |
 NWT 100 AUTH COACH MADISON OP ART SATEEN MAGGIE SHOULDER BAG F17689 NO RESERVE $102.50 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 5h 14m |
 Black Patent Gray White Fashion Art Print Women Medium Shoulder Purse $27.99 Time Remaining: 2d 12h 31m Buy It Now for only: $27.99 |
 HYPNOTIC TILES Black HAND TOOLED Leather SHOULDER Handbag PURSE Novica ART $87.18 Time Remaining: 2d 14h 8m Buy It Now for only: $97.95 |
 Shoulder Clutch Bag Purse art siamese Cat 547 sepia $22.99 Time Remaining: 2d 14h 9m Buy It Now for only: $22.99 |
 BELGIUM ART TAPESTRY SHOULDER POCKETBOOKFLORAL DESIGN w LEATHER TRIM BELGIUM $24.99 Time Remaining: 2d 14h 37m |