What martial art should I learn?

[Satyadhi]

Ok, I want to one day create my own martial art called Yudharmyapatha (it's loosely based off of sanskrit and means the way of just or righteous fighting.
In order to create a martial art I plan to spend years studying as many other martial arts as I can, to the point that I probably won't get around to startingmy own martial art until I'm about 60 or something like that with over 30 years of experiance. The question I have is what martial arts would be best for me to study, of course that's a personal choice but, let me give an outline of what I already know I want to learn.
Let's say I've been practicing Daito-Ryu Aiki-jujutsu as well as tai chi, and chin na and dim mak for many years as my main martial arts though I also have extensive knowledge of many other styles of jujutsu and aikido and baguaxhang and yingiquan, the main weapons my own martial art i wish to create one day mainly focuses on are various swords and knives (especially kirpan), and sticks of various sizes and the fighting sash sometimes also called the fighting sarong.

What martial art would be best if I wanted to better balance my martial arts skills? Preferably a more external art with some internal qualities, an art that could take a lifetime to master, and could be practiced effectively well into old age. Focusing more on striking than grappling but with an element of grappling nonetheless. I'd also like it to focus on chin na type techniques. any suggestions?

[Satyadhi]

Let's simplify my previous post. If I wanted to create a new martial art do you think a mix of jujutsu, silat, and internal martial arts would form a strong basis, if not what should I add or take away in order to strengthen my martial art, you must also consider that I plan to study as many martial arts as possible but I need to focus on mastering a few.

[reviewer]

I'm not sure what area you're in, but I would imagine the limiting factor would be the dojos/schools in your area. I would much rather pick the dojo than pick the art - meet the trainers/senseis, see which seem knowledgeable and good teachers, for example.

[MartialArtGuru]

Have you tried the Systema Russian Martial Art style by Vladimir Vasiliev, it seems like it would fit with what you are looking for

[sirdarksol]

I was unaware that Systema drew from chin na (which Satyadhi said was an important aspect). Please elaborate on the history of that connection. Even with arts that I will probably never study, I love learning about the interconnections of the various arts.

[Spartan]

OK...train all 4 ranges...kicking, punching, elbow/knees or "trapping" range, and grappling range...train standing, kneeling, and on the ground...
Study Wing Chun, Kali, Silat, Muay Thai, Western Boxing, Aikido(purely defensive with no strikes)...
Wing Chun, Kali, Western Boxing will give you superb hands...
Silat for the "foottraps" & best takedowns where you can pin the opponent...
Kali for the weapons...knife and stick(this is what you need for the modern era...not swords)...and for the "triangular" footwork...get this and you will have the best footwork
After this, add whatever else you want to the mix...
Chin Na is great because it is the "master" system when it comes to locks...you can probably trace all locking systems back to Chin Na...other systems have locks, but not as good as those in Chin Na
I have done what you want to do...I have studied, trained, researched, analyzed, cross-referenced & taught 36 different arts and combative systems for the last 35 years
Hope this gives you some insight and direction...
So enjoy the journey...I know you will
Any questions feel free to email me at cqbspartan@yahoo.com

For every one hundred men you send us,
Ten should not even be here.
Eighty are nothing but targets.
Nine of them are real fighters;
We are lucky to have them, they the battle make.
Ah, but the one. One of them is a warrior.
And he will bring the others back.

[sirdarksol]

While learning multiple arts has its advantages (ask disgruntled), there is also something to be said for focusing on a particular art. Moving from art to art leaves you with a little bit of knowledge in each art. Working on one art as the primary, you don't just learn some neat moves, you learn how to work with your body and most efficiently utilize those techniques that you know.

[disgruntled]

awe, thanks for thinking of me

i totally agree that there are many advantages to training in nultiple arts at once, i think that you should definately have a soild ground in a MA before you cross train.... and never cross train in a way that you end up neglecting one of the MAs (or your main style).

[sirdarksol]

Originally Posted by disgruntled

awe, thanks for thinking of me

i totally agree that there are many advantages to training in nultiple arts at once, i think that you should definately have a soild ground in a MA before you cross train.... and never cross train in a way that you end up neglecting one of the MAs (or your main style).

Thank you. "Main style," is an excellent way to say what I was trying to say. I will eventually learn another art, but I will never stop training in karate. I've been learning karate for over five years, and have barely scratched the surface of knowledge. I see the way that Sensei and Sempai can move, and know that it will take a decade of training, at least, to reach that point. It's not something you can pick up just by learning from them for a year.

[disgruntled]

it is kinda odd, but a really great way to learn about your main style martial art is to take a different martial art. you really learn the strengths and weeknesses of the art. and it challenges you to think about your main style through a new set of movements or concepts which lead to a better understanding.

so like you said Sirdarksol, you really do need to stay with one martial art to master a martial art, but i think that cross training is a great aid in that process. in the end it comes down to your goals to figure out how much cross training to do and how long you stay with each martial art.