Internal and external artists painting a picture

[nvinson85]

I've read that internal and external martial artists are striving for the same goal, just in opposite directions. The external artists train the form and refine the technique, strengthening the body from the outside in. The internal martial artists trains the structure and refines the technique, strengthening the body from the inside. In that way, external arts would be working with colors and the internal artists would be working with line drawings. Both can make a complete picture but both together would be a powerful combination.

I'm a stroke survivor that's always been into fitness. I've also had the unfortunate luck of being in a physical altercation while in my current condition. At the the time, i was able to perform optimally. Thankfully he was drunk and we weren't alone but i still had to defend myself initially. Every since then, I've been researching the most effective combination of martial arts to end fights and improve my balance.

You ever meet me in real life, you'll learn that I'm a massive nerd. However, I'm also into fitness, so forming this theory has been very interesting. Bruce Lee's approach to the philosophy of the creation of Jeet kune Do was my place to start. However, his mother art was wingchun and he used methods from other systems to make a more comprehensive system, creating the foundation for MMA.

The main 2 styles I found were Muay Thai and Yiquan.  I feel Muay Thai is excellent in the sense of a comprehensive striking system and Yiquan requires you to slow your movements down to fine tune the little balance issues i have. I understand i have no real fight experience and that has been an obstacle but i have experience in physical training and am ready to take advice and criticism