SBN Doug

Fortunately, I've never had the disspleasure of studying at any of those type of dojang.

Oh, was I supposed to soak leaves in my crystal clear water? Just kidding.

Skateboarding & 40? Darn, I thought I was supposed to stop after college! Congratulations on the family affair, and welcome.

Hi........finally.

I personally don't believe in learning anything (martial arts related) from books/videos. However, I think I've seen them advertised in Black Belt Mag. for tonfa.

Again, I practice KSW, not Hapkido. I have no idea the extent of their groundfighting. Our system is tightly regulated by the Grandmaster. So, there is nothing thrown in by individual instructors.

I'd have to agree with most everything said already. Make sure there's no hidden deal behind the 3 free months. Just get in there and get after it. If you don't get what you were expecting, you can always change schools, or even just get into some other plain group exercise program. MAs will not help you quit vices, but it may help motivate you to do so. No one is too old, out of shape, inflexible to join the martial arts. However, not everyone truely enjoys the martial arts once they're in. Make sure whatever you end up with is something you look forward to doing.

Please don't assume everyone has the same opinion of BJJ. Perhapse you're more familiar with JJ than I, but I was pretty sure that it does have a number of standing attacks and defenses. I don't believe they automatically fall to the ground every time they fight. As monkeygirl said, keep this a calm discussion. Everyone is entitled to a non-insulting opinion.

I can only speak from Kuk Sool Won, which similarly claims to have "ground fighting" incorporated. It is not ground fighting as BJJ knows it, by any means. It's more applying joint/pressure point attacks from different angles on the ground. Also, using the same principles to escape holds, and sometime counter them. Would I feel confident against a trained ground fighter? Not really. Do I feel confident against an average fighter that was somehow able to get me to the ground? (must have been a sneak attack ) Yes.

Keep those Korean styles comin'. Welcome.

HI. Look forward to hearing more about "Freestyle Karate", as I thought the two words were oposites.

Welcome.

Welcome. My only advise is DON'T STOP!

I heard on the news this morning that the NFL has admitted to its mistake. The Giants SHOULD have had time left to try the field goal! Lot of good THAT does!

Standard stuff: All kicks (at least 5 times each leg) All hand strikes (at least 5 times each hand) ki breathing All forms (kata) at least twice (1 form/belt level) All grappling techniques /w takedowns and finishing move (usually called out of order and sometimes out of set) All falling and acrobatics Breaking (usually multiple boards and multiple strikes) Tests would usually average around 3-4 hrs, depending on how many were testing.

Welcome. You've already got two forums to catch up on.

Didn't Jet Li block (with special effects of course) a bullet with the barrel of his pistol in either "The One" or "Leathal Weapon 4"?

Thank you sir, I appreciate that. I know you can get some extra cover distance from the sai if you "X" block with them. Then you don't have to be AS accurate. But since your question pitted each against the bo, I'm still sticking with the tonfa.

My problem is that I was cheering for the team that blew THE biggest lead in history. To this day I can't understand why the Oilers would play "prevent" defense for a whole half!!!??????

Wow, how did I miss this one for so long? I'm a defender ship!!

About an hour (drive) from my home. Closer to 40 minutes from my work.

I have personally weilded neither. However, if I had to choose, I would take the tonfa, since I am practiced in short sticks. I like the choice of the double short weapon to counter the long single one, though.

Be cautious of a contract, yes. However, don't count one out because it uses contracts. Most of our Kuk Sool Won schools ask for contracts to get a handle on how many students they'll be keeping around. However, you are still allowed out of it with a little notice. Any art can be a good one to start. Would you rather stand, or roll around on the ground? Would you rather punch and kick your way through someone, or put them in a controlling joint lock and wait for them to cool down, or the police to arrive? Do you want something intensely physical to make you supurbly fit in you youth, or something less intense, but still developing, so you can continue it into your older years? Now, you don't really need to know the answer to these before starting. However, these are questions to keep in your mind as you evaluate your choices.

I never thought I would, except when I moved and had to get house hunting out of the way first. However, with my position move to company headquarters, and the holidays, I've found myself too long away from training. I'm desperately trying to get things back in order, so I can get back to it.

I got either Owl, Bison, or Sable. After reading them, I can't decide between the Bison and Sable.