Most practical martial art?

I know this is an old thread that I actually just saw, I thought I would chime in with a MA that I was looking into myself (I took it for a couple of months before I had to move...) after being pointed towards it from a couple of friends of mine, which is Hapkedo.

Taken from a style overview page from the International Academy of Martial Arts

Hapkido combines joint locks, pressure points, throws, kicks, and strikes for practical self-defense. More soft than hard and more internal than external, but elements of each are included. Emphasizes circular motion, non-resistive movements, and control of the opponent.

Although Hapkido contains both outfighting and infighting techniques, the goal in most situations is to get inside for a close-in strike, lock, or throw. When striking, deriving power from hip rotation is strongly emphasized.

Training varies with organization and instructor. As a general rule, beginners concentrate on basic strikes and kicks, along with a few joint locks and throws. Some of the striking and kicking practice is form-like, that is, with no partner, however, most is done with a partner who is holding heavy pads that the student strikes and kicks full power.

Advanced students add a few more strikes and kicks as well as many more throws, locks, and pressure points. There is also some weapons training for advanced students - primarily belt, kubatan, cane, and short staff.

Some schools do forms, some do not. Some do sparring and some do not, although at the advanced levels, most schools do at least some sparring. Many Hapkido techniques are unsuitable for use in sparring, as their use would result in injury, even when protective gear is used. Thus, sparring typically uses only a limited subset of techinques.

I really enjoyed the physical aspect of this art. It was a quick-and-to-the-point style designed to end a fight quickly once one began. It teaches everything from striking, grappling, joint locks, pressure points, weapons, to reacting to the said moves properly as well. I will say however that being tall in my class was a disadvantage as it works a lot with using the center of gravity. You can overcome it (and have advantages in other areas such as striking), but it is hard. I would definately recommend this form to others.

Jam it back in, in the dark.