Martial Arts As Learning A Style Or Martial Arts As Learning Self-defense

Before I decided to try my version of an answer for this question, I read all the previous answers. Whereas I can absolutely agree that the physical aspect of martial arts is best learned from a person who can evaluate your efforts and lend years - if not decades - of insight to your training, there are other facets of martial mentality that have not yet been covered. Here is a “short” list of books I recommend to ALL of my students if they are avid readers. Please keep in mind that - unless used as a physical weapon - none of these books will help you in a crisis situation, but almost ALL of them will help you stay out of one. That is the FIRST step in any self protection system.Tao Te Ching - Lao TzuArt of War - Sun TzuThe Art of Peace - LaoTzuGo Rin No Sho (Book of Five Rings) - Miyamoto MusashiThe Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defense - Suzette Haden ElginSee You at the Top - Zig ZiglarHow to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale CarnegieThe process I recommend for these books is:Read them - don’t try to understand them the first time around. Just read them and absorb what little information you DO understand. There is going to be a LOT that you don’t.Spend a year or so with an instructorRead them again and ask questions to your instructor regarding the aspects you don’t understand.Spend time practicing and drilling in the methods taught by your chosen instructor.Read them again.I have read each of these books at least a dozen times over the last 3+ decades of my martial training and I can tell you from personal experience that every time I read them, I gained a new insight, new information and new wisdom. The funny thing is, the books never changed. Every time I picked them up, they were the same old dusty books I purchased years prior but they always had new information in them. I wonder what it was that changed….I hope this helps you.

Aikido is great because the martial art revolves around self-defence, body mechanics and how to utilise strength. There are some ‘killing techniques’, but for the most part it isn’t about that.Krav Maga is full of good techniques, but remember it’s the Iranian military martial art and is designed to deal with the opponent as fast as possible with complete disregard for life.If you want to spend your life in prison learn Krav Maga. If you want to avoid it, learn Aikido, but it’s all about how good the instructor is.My best advice: don’t get into a fight in the first place. Avoiding confrontation is, and always will be, the best self-defence.*Edit*As pointed out in the comments, Krav Maga is the Israeli martial art.

Tricky question, but my answer is yes…..TO A POINT. I taught myself basic boxing and I began my martial arts journey learning all I could from books (1980) and practicing as best I could in my basement growing up. Once I was able to start real training while stationed in Korea, I found that I had done a pretty good job learning all of the basics and advanced quickly. That was before the internet and YouTube.If you get a book written by a qualified instructor, you can study the book and most likely he/she has a YouTube channel with videos where you can see the techniques in action. I would not abandon books for YouTube, but use them both, being careful to choose your sources wisely.I know there are those who disagree and say you can only learn enough to get yourself killed, but there are many people who would like to learn an art or self-defense and live in remote areas with no access to a school or cannot afford classes at a dojo. What are they supposed to do? Remain, victims?While learning from a book, video, or online is not the best way to learn, it is definitely better than not learning at all, and can be done with work and consistency!

Here’s the Original Question:How can a person learn self defense, or a martial arts technique online? An adult friend in India is under bullying threat due to their perceived sexual orientation and may need to protect himself?These are two parts to this.PART I : How can a person learn self defense, or a martial arts technique online?With great difficulty. Here’s how it breaks down.Fighting or in this case survival is not something that can be done through YouTube videos or videos in general. Here’s an example of what I think is not a bad video:Great, easy to learn and easy to apply. But …How do you drill it in without hurting your training partner ?Where do you find a willing training partner ?How do you drill this to respond under stress ?It’s a ear slap, good … what happens when you slap side of the head instead ?All of these (and more) are often addressed by instructors.That’s why a real life instructor is important.The internet is full of resources but some of the most sensible ones that I’ve come across so far happen to come fromRichard Dimitri (Senshido)Kevin Secours (Montreal Systema)Both of them incidentally are based in Montreal, Canada.Yes, he’ll need to pay for them but remember the free stuff is worth exactly what you pay for.PART II: An adult friend in India is under bullying threat due to their perceived sexual orientation and may need to protect himself?Unfortunately, learning to right may not be enough. The bullying quite sadly is usually tacitly condoned especially in a country like India.They’ll more than video lessons, they’ll need a stronger support network and fare more resources. That’s beyond the scope of this answer.Good luck, I hope your friend stays safe.

BJJ and likely Boxing are the top 2 of best on the quick end spectrum and effectiveness.Boxing is limited to upright striking and of course endurance. Which serves exceptionally well if you don't get tackled. The lack of variation leaves much to be desired. But that means you'll learn quickly in under 3 months all that's needed, Then you're drinking up stamina and endurance on top of perfecting form but for a street brawl provided you don't be stupid and do horizontal fists you'll survive.BJJ will take much longer but they are good when trained. Grappling, kicks and a average upright form. You'll be more then capable on soloing any average guy. Provided he doesn't have any experience on the streets. 5-6months to both have the needed endurance and understanding the various moves and forms.Neither is absolutely perfect and each has exploitation areas.MMA was built around these 2 areas and mixes and matches the best making for some of if not the most formidable fighters out there. Because of the large swath it covers don't expect effective or efficient within 6 months unless your already a violent or natural fighter.Kravmaga was built for violence and it's good at maiming or killing opponents when done correctly. The fact it's used for military H2H Combat drills is a signifier of its effciency and lethality. There's non-lethal forms but training is long and tedious so I left it here at the end.There's one thing to note likely the second most important fact I have. You'll be woefully unprepared if you go and face an experienced street fighter. We have no training except experience and violence. We don't fight fair or give up. Expect dirty, nasty and brutal moves that aren't seen in or on the mat, For good reason they're career enders for both parties. The ground is our anvil and we're the hammer. You? You'd be the chunk of lead we're going to crush into scrap.The most important piece I have for you. Don't fight it never goes well no matter how good you think you are, Nor How tough or strong. All it takes is a flash of silver and you're dead. A knife, The streets great equalizer is the nastiest thing you'll get a gun would be kindness itself verse a knife wielder in the dark cold place that the streets can be. Don't fight it's your best bet.