Hello Throwawaybaby:
Welcome to Fighting Arts!
The short answer
there is NO one perfect art, nor practice. It will be the teacher that determines what is and is not explored. My art, Duane's, Iaibear's, Gojuman59's... irrelevant. In the same school, with the same instructors each one of us (in the role of a teacher) would present information is a different way than one another.
Duane might be a great fit for your specific temperament/needs. Or you might be a much better fit with the way iaibear does things. If the presentation does not fit what you believe you seek... don't care what the particular art might be... if you dont like the way any of us packages things (so to speak) you will not stay.
Some of the most powerful people I know are your height. They learned how to enter, and exit MOST effectively. On the way through they left many "gifts"
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Observe several classes, see what appeals...
Good Luck,
Jeff