UseoForce

Krav Maga can be great, but watch a class first. Some Krav schools are more like cardio kickboxing (BAD! {for self defense}), but most are excellent self defense schools.

I consider pressure points more of a novelty than anything.

Actually, this is a decent workout. This one focuses more on endurance than power, which is fine. Endurance is a big deal for me when it comes to martial arts. I can't count the number of times I've submitted people because they got tired but I was still fresh. This program does assume you already have some fitness. Can you do 3 pull-ups?

If you wanted self defense and culture, look for a judo school. Be warned: No matter how pretty your kicks are, if you never spar or grapple, you are not getting good self defense training.

You're really lucky to have so many choices. Here's my rundown: You said self-defense training is a priority, so you can eliminate those styles/schools that do not have "hardcore" training methods. By that I mean hard sparring/grappling and physical training. Good styles that fit these conditions are (Ralph) Gracie Jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, judo, and Muay Thai. You didn't mention judo, but I'd be stunned if you couldn't find a judo school near you. These styles are also great for sports/fitness. Some styles of the karate styles you mentioned may have have good hard sparring, but most probably do not. Capoeira is a great workout, but I wouldn't suggest it for self-defense. Some would say Wing Chun (Tsun) is a good choice for self-defense. I, personally, would disagree unless the instructor teaches with excellent training methods. The rest of the styles you mentioned are more geared toward mental/internal development.

I read the article too. I can think of some situations where it would work, some where it wouldn't, but it definately gives you options.

Before you ask any more, why don't you tell us exactly what styles are available near you and then we can help.

I agree many martial artists train in what I can only call a "pansy" manner, but saying all American martial artists must take their training to the next level is a gross and nonsensical generalization.

I'm not saying that it can't be done, just saying it is much harder to do than a front or side kick.

One cool thing about the cane is, by law, it cannot be taken away from you. So you can carry it anywhere, even on a plane.

BTW, any move that uses a neck break without first attaining a dominant position on the ground is (99% of the time) bull.

LoL I love this one: Them- "Do you break things?" Me- "Yeah, people." (Not of my styles have borad breaking or anything in them).

This looks like one of those things out of one of "those" self-defense books. I disagree with the whole concept.

Actually, the low round kick is one of the hardest kicks to catch/trap. That's one of the reasons you see it some much in the UFC, almost to the exclusion of all other kinds of kicks. I'd say 9/10 kicks I see in MMA are low round kicks.

In a self defense situation, I agree a front thrust kick with the rear leg is the best. It is damaging and can be used to shove even a large assailant away. Against a more skilled fighter, I would favor a low Muay Thai-style roundhouse kick.

It is a component of the Combat Hapkido curriculum, but I have only used canes 4-5 times. Good stuff, IMO, for the most part.

bottom line is that the bad guys will carry guns no matter what the laws are, so any state who denies its citizens' right to carry is putting law abiding people at a serious disadvantage.

shui tora, the only things I care about as far as leaning a martial "art" is learning how to defend myself and having fun. BTW, learning how to use guns and knives is certainly a martial art. mooeseman, I believe, with no personal offense, that what you are carrying and the manner in which you carry it gives legitimate concealed weapons carriers a bad name. A lot of "self-defense" sites sell you all these little ninja gadjets (various types of blades, spikes, sticks, etc) and tell you to carry them all in such creative ways as you mentioned. There is no legimate reason for you to carry a tonfa when you could just as easily carry a real weapon. By real weapon I mean a gun, knife, OC, or, last resort, an expandable baton. When I say "real weapon" I am referring to a weapon that you have been trained to use effectively in a self-defense situation. And that dagger you're toting? Do you have any proper training with it? Besides, carrying a dagger really makes other knife carriers look bad. Get a normal weapon and get some training, and stay away from those "self defense" cult websites.

word

That's not true. Traditional Hapkido would never have you doing triangle chokes or butterfly sweeps from the guard (From BJJ), brush traps (from Wing Chun), stick/knife fighting (Filipino arts)...I could go on. Combat Hapkido is far from be "abreviated" traditional hapkido. Ineffective traditional techniques have been taken out and new techniques are constantly being added.

14oz Black Ultra-heavweight ProForce for Combat Hapkido, Atama single weave for jiu-jitsu

I haven't changed my protein intake much. In fact, I might have reduced it a little. But yeah, I'm aware of the placebo thing. I'll keep that in mind.

I thought gi pants were always worn underneath? No?

Okay, GNC had a sale and I was able to get 2lbs of Mega Whey (which has glutamine in it) for the same price as regular whey protein. I decided to give it a shot. That was about a week ago. Since then, I have been working out hardcore, probably borderline overtraining. But I feel great! I biked 10 miles (fast) and had no soreness in my quads the next day. Bear in mind that I haven't biked since last year so my muscles were not prepared for this. Also, my strength workouts have been intense, but still, no or very little soreness. I can't say for sure that it's the glutamine, but I think it is helping. A week isn't a long enough experiment, so I'll post again here in another week or so.

That's not true. It has been debated over and over here, but any type of striking from an inferior position is ineffectual. If you could effectively strike some who mounted or cross mounted you easily, you would see it in MMA. Also, gouging is not an effective counter to grappling technqiues. Futhermore, how many times have you gouged your partners eyes while training? Probably none, maybe once accidentally. Are you telling me you are going to use a technique in a street fight you've never practiced? On the other hand, the grappler who has you pinned is used to holding down and controling opponents. Oh, and the bone into the brain thing is totally false. It is considered one of the biggest MA myths of all time.