While I'm preparing an article on the topic, here is a brief overview of the Martial Arts section of Physical Training. Having some experience in the area already, I have some familiarity with various styles, their traits and their individual focus, which various from style to style. In my "Superhero Training", I want a well rounded education, touching on different aspects of combat and fighting.
Wikipedia provides a good general overview of martial arts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts
There are four general areas I want to focus on in my martial arts training:
1. Combat Effectiveness - If I can't take care of myself in a fight, I'd be a sorry excuse for a superhero, wouldn't I? I need something fast, effective and reliable. Because I want to complete my training within the context of my book, I can't really afford to spend five to ten years studying before I am proficient enough to seriously fight. I need something that can be picked up quickly, used easily, and that is totally effective.
After plenty of research, I've selected Jeet Kune Do as the style to study for combat effectiveness.
Bruce Lee, a life long student of the martial arts, developed a style known as Jeet Kune Do (JKD for short). Wikipedia gives a good overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeet_Kune_Do. Bruce's style and concepts are still taught by many of his students, such as Dan Inosanto, long time friend and student of Bruce Lee. One of Inosanto's top students was Paul Vunak.
Paul Vunak is considered by many to be one of the most dangerous fighters in the world. His own JKD based system PFS (Progressive Fighting System) has been taught to Navy SEALs, SWAT teams, FBI, DEA and many others. As far as combat applicable martial arts courses are concerned, this is the best there is. It's taught in a matter of days, and is learned quickly. Even better, it's available for a fairly reasonable cost to normal civilians. Here's Paul Vunak's site: http://www.fighting.net/main.php
2. Freedom of Movement - I need to not only be able to fight, but to be adaptable to any circumstances. I need an art that will train me for more than just combat; I need something that will help me push the boundaries of what the human body can do.
I've selected Capoeira as the style best suited to exploring freedom of movement. A Brazilian art, it was developed by slaves and disguised as a dance. As a result, it is wildly different from any other martial art. It utilizes handstands, flips, cartwheels and more. It's perfect for the development of movement and overall conditioning, that's for sure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira
3. 'Hard-style' Martial Arts - Traditionally, there are two general classifications of Martial Arts, "hard" and "soft". Hard styles tend to focus on striking and blocking, developing strength and speed. The 'hard-style' arts are very athletic and very powerful. They don't simply teach how to block, kick and punch, but they train students to kick and punch with tremendous force, to block against the strongest blows.
I want to study one 'hard style' martial art in order to develop the aggressive style I would need to proactively fight crime. I want the physical, athletic training that such styles generally use.
Because I have a strong background in Karate (generally a 'hard-style' art), I think I will stick with it. Because of my past familiarity, I should get back into fighting form pretty fast.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karate
4. 'Soft-style' Martial Arts - "Soft" martial arts, on the other hand, focus less on hard, aggressive attack, but instead upon defensive action, utilizing grabs, throws and training the spirit just as much as the body. Where hard styles are aggressive, soft styles are more passive, pacifistic.
I want to study one 'soft-style' martial art in order to develop the pacifistic mindset and to develop the spiritual aspects of martial arts study. Softer styles tend to embody the grace and spirituality that serious martial arts study leads to. From what I've seen, I believe that Aikido will best meet my needs.