I've taken martial arts since I was 8.
Moving a lot didn't help though, so my styles are mixed.
I've learned knife-hand block three ways x-x.
But my favorite that I've had at the moment was called Kenshindo (Way of the Truth Sword). I learned a lot there and I found every bit of it efficient and effective.
I've also taken lessons in karate, taekwondo, Jiu Jitsu, and shotacon. I had the most trouble with Shotacon sparring because before I was learning Shotacon I was learning Kenshindo and back/head points were not counted in sparring. The style was always very different =/. I felt as though a lot of the movements were wasted and flashy. The whole point that I learned in Kenshindo was to not waste any unnecessary movements that would tip off what you're about to do. It may have just been the teacher I had, but it felt very ineffective.
I do miss sparring though. Very very much D:. For my size I consider myself a good spar. Being 4'11" and ~90lbs I took on a guy two belts higher and twice my height.
People tend to criticize me for my sparring stance though because the stance I use isn't meant for sparring but for training the upper thigh muscles. I spar in Horse stance and knife hand for blocking but I extend them out a lot. If someone moved in I shifted my weight back on my back leg and then followed up. It really worked for me.
I really want to start martial arts again though. It's just soooo expensive
. 50$ a month is just too much at the moment.