A fun little kung fu parlor trick of mine to try out at a party:

put the tip of a 20 dollar bill in your mouth and put your hands in your pockets

and tell everyone that whoever can take it out of your mouth gets to keep it

you can do this one on one, or if you have the talent, try two or three at a time

you cannot strike them, only check them

the best block is not being there

this is a good way to practice and have fun at the same time, but if your too slow then just try a cigarette or something

peace

As I've said before, Muay Thai is a joke compared to Muay Boran(the birth-style of Mai Thai). Why learn something that doesn't teach you the essentials of ruthlessness. If you learn Muay Boran, you can easily choose to tone it down for your opponent's sake, or the law. But any Mai/Muay Thai Kick boxer going against someone using Muay Boran, or Jujitsu will lose their life...fast.

Originally posted by sdrawkcabII
As I've said before, Muay Thai is a joke compared to Muay Boran(the birth-style of Mai Thai). Why learn something that doesn't teach you the essentials of ruthlessness. If you learn Muay Boran, you can easily choose to tone it down for your opponent's sake, or the law. But any Mai/Muay Thai Kick boxer going against someone using Muay Boran, or Jujitsu will lose their life...fast.

It teaches you enough to know what you're doing, why it's effective, and equips you with the timing you need to pull it off. When are you going to run into a Muay Boran expert who wants your wallet when you're going to the movie theater? Muay Thai is everywhere these days, and is very effective in many situations.

"I'm not going to buy this Infiniti because it's not a porsche."

Glad this topic came back up!
I just started (2 weeks now) training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
It's a bartering deal where I get free training 3 times a week, and can also take my son when he gets older, in exchange for my doing website, database work for the facility.
I've never trained in anything as far as sports or martial arts.
I really just wanted to get some skill embedded in me in the event some emergency or crisis happens I can kick some butt and protect myself and my family (yes I have a gun also).
Also, the work exchanged for the training is only a few hours a week and not really laboriously. So in essence it is completely free.

My question is, is there a more effective or better style that would better suit my needs? The facility also offers Kick Boxing.
I only chose Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from the 2 as I was a Royce Gracie fan in the early UFC's. Otherwise, I had nothing to base my decision on.

Thanks for the advice!

Jeet Kune Do,, been doing it almost 20 years and various other martial arts before that, so far JKD has not let me down yet in both physical fitness and practical experience.

Krav Maga is my choice for survival, hands down.

Originally posted by Badge01
Have you ever met grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi? Where did you train, if you don't mind my asking?

BTW did you know Capoiera is a favorite art of the Brazilians who do BJJ? They mainly use it as a type of calisthenic, but it helps to develop good body control, or so I've heard.

I'm afraid I've never had the pleasure of meeting the Sensei. I very much wish to of course. One of these days I'll go to his trainings in Japan. But as for getting the chance to actually meet him? I don't think so, there's too many people involved.

I have trained in the towns in Sweden where I have lived. Nothing fancy or anything just regular Bujinkan training. Lots of warm-up followed by at least 30 minutes of Ukemi and then technique, technique, technique. Learning solid form is the only way to reach the formless.

I did not know that about Capoiera, but it seems to make sense. They seem to have exstreme control of their movements, almost at a gymnastic level at times. It would be fun to try it out.

There is no perfect martial art. Each style will have strengths and weaknesses. A good example is TKD. It is an excellent art, with good, practical applications for self defense. But, as one poster mentioned, when you get older, you can't kick so high, and I won't attempt jumping or flying kicks even in slow practice. Way to much pressure on the lower arts.
Akido's joint locks are good. But you have to be fast, and sure of yourself.
Take what is given. If you can use it, incorporate it. If you aren't ready for it, put it on the shelf. It might come in handy some day.
I have found groin strikes to be almost impossible to land. Men instinctively block a strike to the balls, but when they block, they generally leave themselves wide open for a strike to the head, or a leg sweep.
No matter what art (or science) you practice, just remember, the key is practice, practice, and practice some more.
It has been a while since I worked out, but this thread has inspired me to go back to the basics and refresh my memory on some of the forms. They're great excercise, physically and mentally.
This is a great thread. Hope it continues.
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You can't kill a free man. The most you can do is kill him.

Originally posted by CoffinFeeder

Your best and most useful move? learn how to kick someone in the balls properly, and stay in good enough shape to make the most of that 5 second head start you just gave yourself and run like hell.

Ego and martial arts don't mix.

You're half way there, grasshopper.

I started boxing when I was about 12ish then a few years later made a friend who praticed Aikido (his girlfriend was the Sensai, she was about 5ft tall at the most and I was 6 ft something so she loved kicking my arse) I've also done Kendo and Aikiken and a bit of BJJ. Started teaching Akido which I did for quite a few years. after watching the first UFC's started to have ago with some close friends in the garden which was great fun (one of these was a young Aikido student who is now fighting in Cage Rage!!!) I also got my younger Bro (about 6 or 7) into the Arts which started with Kendo and boxing and him being 3 times British junior Kendo Champ. He is now 20 and a professional Muay Thai fighter here in the UK.
I think its great that so many people with Martial experience can get together like this and dismiss some of the myths about martial arts and show some of the positives about the Martial Arts.