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But I suggest you go to some martial arts classes, but the best thing you can do is trying to stay away from all the trouble in your area. Avoid all those dangerous people and never walk alone. Always be with some friends, so you have better protection. Be aware and ready for anything, if the area is that dangerous. Do what I do. Lift some very heavy weights + many non-weight exercises every day (if you are not too young) and eat a lot protein and high carbohydrate foods and fruits. Do a big research on healthy foods and workouts. Get inspiration from Bruce Lee and Jean Claude and many more. If you already do many of these things, then I have nothing more to say. This is mostly what I do.
Fighting, regardless of style, must be based upon natural body movements, rhythm, balance and timing which is why so many styles appear to be lacking in that they emphasize a set way of moving which may not follow the natural movements.
This is often seen in any style that is based on purely a long range approach or one that is based on purely in fighting or close range fighting.
In real combat, like the tide of the oceans, one will necessarily move from one to the other and thereby cover all points in between.
Once you know the basics of any style (which would imply that you have attained shodan or black belt level of proficiency) you should be able to adjust what you have learned so as to adapt to such.
For example, you mention that you studied Tae Kwon Do (no "e" on the end of the word signifying a way or path of living). So how would you apply the kicks when an attacker is standing within an inch or so from you? How would you apply the hand techniques? The same would be true is you had studied Tai Chi Chuan Chin Na but in the reverse. You would know how to deal with close in fighting however, how would you fight someone who used a long range style?
As all styles teach essentially the same basics (the human body can only move in so many ways unless you can grow extra legs or arms, etc.) they all have the ability to adapt. Once you begin to understand and develop such you will be on your way to mastering the art of martial arts. Until then, you will merely be a student who can not think for himself...and there is nothing more dangerous to ones self than having to be lead by another.
This, of course, takes years, if not a life time of study during which one must be open to all styles and techniques so as to not be contained in the rigid forms of any style.
One must also apply this to the proper understanding and use of power, breathing so as to make it functional.
The secret is constant practice and analysis of that which you are practicing until you reach a point where you no longer have to think and can react and adapt as needed.
Be well and be wise.
I've seen some free-hand combat instructors in adds travels through different places; most of them comes from USA (looks like). They teach the impressive style of 'mind over muscle' techniques I guess, as they say the training completes within a month or two. I've learned couple of those techniques which surly can beat a stronger opponent if you're fast enough. All it takes is a little bit of quick reaction, control over your balance and see the next obvious acts of the opponent. You'll know it's an art. Do you remember Jeremy Renner's fighting sequence in Dubai in the movie 'Mission impossible - Ghost protocol'? Something like that.
What do you mean Taekwondo doesn't help you at all? Is it because you left when you're a white belt or something? I don't get it. Taekwondo works if you know how to use it, just like any other Martial Arts. What I mean is. You don't just LEARN how to do it. You also improvise. You did the front kick right? So now what? Make a combo!
An Example combo:
Jab, jab to the face, front kick, back kick.
@Reply to Dilshan: you said you're black belt or something? Well I think you're not. I bet you're just someone who talks big. Karate or Taekwondo is actually not bad. It all depends on your way of thinking. The only thing that's bad about both of them is you'll usually find crappy Dojos that doesn't teach you anything.
I'd say to learn from as many martial arts as you can. There's always something useful to take from them.
Aikido- Swinging around your opponent
Muay Thai- Effect ways to punch/kick/elbow/knee
Brazilian Jujitsu- How to grapple on the ground
Escrima- Disarming knifes and other weapons
It's fine to study a single martial art, but since you say your area is pretty rough, don't limit yourself to one or just a few techniques. Learn many of them, but then again try not to overload yourself
I suggest you to do both of boxing and mma. Boxing is all about fast and killer punches and defending. But sometimes MMA will be useful in a real fight because it has many ground fighting techniques. Karate, Kung fu, Judo are not best like boxing and mma. Because of Karate teach you some stupid Japanese words and some yells. 'yeaaaaaa'. But Boxing and MMA are all about punching. Also If you want to attend to a tournament, then you may select boxing. Because of MMA tournaments may be dangerous. But MMA is good to know.
MMA BJJ or Muay Thai
MMA.
I really want to learn to defend myself, I was formerly in Tae Kwon Doe years ago, but that didn't help me at all, but now I really want to learn how to defend myself because there is so much violence in my area, what ways do you suggest I learn?
