Hi looking for an MA

I'm new to the Phoenix area and I'm looking for a place to learn martial arts. I don't have any previous exp. and am looking for a way to defend myself. What arts should I start with? groundfighting? muay thai? boxing?

I'm only 5'6 and am worried that even if I take MA I won't be able to succesfully against a bigger guy. Whats a good training regimen to start with?

Thanks guys.

Gustavo Marzi.

Hey, I'm new to the Phoenix area, too, Goodyear, in fact, down near Litchfield Park, anybody know where that is?

I'm a 5'5' 117 lb (ripped!) blue-eyed busty blond lady who is looking to take up self-defending lessons of some kind. Are there good schools around this area? Seminars to attend? Where do I start sending money?

Oops, I forgot, I'm really only 5'3', had my pumps on. I might weigh just a tad more than 117, too. But my contacts really are blue! Now, anybody have any really really really good suggestions about which martial art I should get into?

Love, Phyllis Inyo, darn it I meant Yoin! (You know what they say about us

This depends on what YOU want. You are on the short side so I'd recommend against TKD as even the military style TKD favours the long and tall body types. Other than that, I'd suggest you visit a few Dojos. Watch, listen, ask lotsa questions. You'll soon get a feel for the tone of the place. Take a few introductory lessons. Talk to the seniors & the juniors. Do you want to be like them? Are they where you want to be. Can you relate to the teacher. Get favourable answers to these and any others you think of & that's the place you need to be.

Yeah I just recently moved here also and have been going back and forth between taking either Aikido or Judo. I have only been able to find two Judo dojo's in the west valley, neither of which are close to me. Aikido dojo's seem to be numerous, however.

Check out the schools & go with your gut feeling. I could give you good styles to try but with a poor teacher any style is bad. With a good teacher a not so good style can be great.