Martial Arts advice

I did Wado Ryu karate for 12 years (got my 1st black belt and everything) - it's a synergy of the punching/kicking moves of more trad styles of karate (e.g. Shotokan - don't do it, it's shite) and the grappling, holds etc of Jiujitsu. The good thing about Wado Ryu is that it's also designed for scrawny little toerags who can move fast and have good balance but very little strength like myself, who otherwise would have no chance in another martial art that is more based on strength or weight.

I think the one clear thing is that no one seems to agree:)

I did Shotokan - didn't liek it either, did Wado Ryu didin't liek that too much either but that's probably because I started by doing Gendo Kai which I loved - after that all other styles didn't work simply because they weren't the one I began with. That and my sensei was so funny - it was like doing stand up comedy fighting.

No idea if they do it down here but when I did it it was a karate base with loads of other bits thrown in and the 'less useful' bits thrown out. Very focused on 'real life' application - with locks, holds and those things that hurt your opponent the most.

I never had to use it but felt confident that if somethign did happen I'd at least be able to react (then leg it). i think the key thing in preparing you for a 'street situation' is being able to deal with being hit. first time it happens it's a surprise and it bloody hurts. Getting over the shock of that is important .