martial art styles

Agreed

Ninjutsu seems useful simply because it's the closest to becoming a secret agent without joining a government agency. That sounds promising.

JohnDoe: check out the paper I wrote in this thread [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] . You might find it useful in your martial arts evaluations.

Government agents are nit ninja.

Seconded. "Secret agents" learn how to do secret stuff. Fighting-wise they're lucky to get a week or two of training on how to run away. The stuff Robert Redford does in the movie "SpyGame" is generically reflective of what actual people do, although in that movie he directs them all against the CIA.

Gauge wrote:

Government agents are nit ninja.

I simply meant to draw a line connecting the mentality behind the creation of spies and ninjas. Not in the light of notions portrayed in movies or hollywood but from a historically accurate point of view. Ninjas were created to suit the purpose of espionage and murder in the same way as spies are employed by international government agencies.

Both employ martial arts if necessary but for the purpose of disabling a threat and escaping as soon as possible if and when compromised with the least possible amount of effort through efficient technique. I feel this is almost self-evident.

Ninjutsu = crap, in my experience. Maybe with the right instructor it's good, but most of it is commercialized garbage and black belt factories, profiting off the ninja craze.

I want to disparage those who pump out
"martial artists" for profit ( not much profit )
but
children, raised in martial arts schools
tend to become fine adults


generally speaking.

Most "ninja masters" nowadays are hacks who teach you how to meditate (easy), how to walk quietly (easy), how to use inferior climbing equipment (moderate), and basic, women's-self-defense combat techniques with the occasional lesson on how to stab someone from behind (dangerous). And for some reason alot of them have blond hair and goatees. Unless you plan on discreetly poisoning drug dealers, using blowguns to stop drunk kids from driving, and carrying throwing knives/shiruken for personal defense ninjitsu is a pointless and expensive martial art to learn for RLSH work. Learn a striking system you are comfortable with, followed by a grappling class.

...and I'll put in another vote for Tai Chi - the pinnicle of redirection

I'd still love to see a Tai Chi practitioner vs Muay Thai. Blue Alpha, as someone who trains Muay Thai and BJJ, there is a weakness I have to admit, and thats the gap filled by a military martial art...the knife defenses, gun disarms, multiple attackers, weapons of opportunity, and other facets you will never train in a striking system designed for sport.

I'd love to see a Tai Chi practitioner vs Nemesis.

Nemesis wrote:

I'd still love to see a Tai Chi practitioner vs Muay Thai. Blue Alpha, as someone who trains Muay Thai and BJJ, there is a weakness I have to admit, and thats the gap filled by a military martial art...the knife defenses, gun disarms, multiple attackers, weapons of opportunity, and other facets you will never train in a striking system designed for sport.

Tai Chi is great for training sinew and form, and for meditation.

@ Nemisis: Exactly why I supplemented my training in Karate and shoot wrestling with Krav Maga.

Blue Alpha, cool, it wasn't an attack, I was just adding to your prescribed regimen for martial arts for a RLSH. That's great you did, others need to as well.

Dogman, you and me both. None of the people I've known who have done soft arts have ever agreed to full contact sparring with me. I would genuinely love the opportunity.

what do you-all suggest for a beginner with little money
when you don't know their fitness level?

Blue Alpha wrote:

Tai Chi is great for training sinew and form, and for meditation.

I don't know too much about it, but I've heard there's the more common form of Tai Chi people recognize today and an older fighting-oriented version that some people still practice.

Finding a teacher who will teach the martial applications of Tai Chi
is not easy.


The very point of Tai Chi is - no contact.

Since Tai Chi is just one "dance' , it is easy for complete beginners to learn
for almost no money

I woudn't recommend cheap training any more than I would recommend the cheapest taser or the cheapest "bulletproof" vest.

This takes an investment if you want to be successful and safe. If you have to cut corners, you aren't ready. And Tai Chi won't give you a foundation for the full contact training necessary.

Your suggestion should be for them to work on their fitness, and their finances, until they can do realistic training.

Not to be contrarian, but in principle -- you have to cut corners. This might not be the one you want to cut in particular, but nobody has unlimited resources. Even a billionare doesn't have unlimited time.

Nemesis wrote:

I woudn't recommend cheap training any more than I would recommend the cheapest taser or the cheapest "bulletproof" vest.

This takes an investment if you want to be successful and safe. If you have to cut corners, you aren't ready. And Tai Chi won't give you a foundation for the full contact training necessary.

Your suggestion should be for them to work on their fitness, and their finances, until they can do realistic training.

So, what will they do about the beatings until these problems are solved?

I should start a new thread for this one.

Nemesis, since you are unendingly wise,
please,
list suggestions about how to solve financial problems.

Most of America would love to know your answers

Nemesis wrote:

Blue Alpha, cool, it wasn't an attack, I was just adding to your prescribed regimen for martial arts for a RLSH. That's great you did, others need to as well.

I viewed nothing you said as an attack,or even as rude. You made a good point.

Eon wrote:

don't know too much about it, but I've heard there's the more common form of Tai Chi people recognize today and an older fighting-oriented version that some people still practice.

Many of the movements of tai chi are reminisent of the "bobbing and weaving" movements of american and chinese style boxing,and the blocking movements of Shaolin Kung Fu. And remember what I said about shadow boxing painstakingly slow working out your muscles? Tai Chi is a great full-body slow shadowboxing routine. I really wanna learn more than the little I know.

I wsa lucky enough to be married to a guy who taught Tai Chi.
He learned and taught the martial applications.

I had no idea that Tai Chi was/is a martial art until I learned
from him.

Because it was invented and developed by monks who didn't want to be beaten and robbed any more, it got 5000 years of testing.

I've learned five other styles and had plenty of cross-training,
but, if someone has limited resourses-time-fitness,
I feel very comfortable sending that person to learn Tai Chi,
even if they don't learn the martial applications.

Once they create the new reflexes, they WILL be better at getting out of the way

Flora V. Arbor wrote:

Nemesis wrote:

I woudn't recommend cheap training any more than I would recommend the cheapest taser or the cheapest "bulletproof" vest.

This takes an investment if you want to be successful and safe. If you have to cut corners, you aren't ready. And Tai Chi won't give you a foundation for the full contact training necessary.

Your suggestion should be for them to work on their fitness, and their finances, until they can do realistic training.

So, what will they do about the beatings until these problems are solved?

They could try not being RLSH until they can actual defend themselves.

Sleepless, there is always volunteerism.

Animals LOVE volunteers