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I was merely try to use MMA as somewhat of a comparison to real life. I know a cage match is not real life but in my opinion about as close as you can get without going at it for real. I have never taken the art and am merely stating my thoughts of it being of limited use. I respect the art and your opinion but still find it of dubious self defense use.

How many people have a dojo/studio in their area that is part of a chain? What is the largest chain in your area? Do you feel that it is a good school? It seems that this is one business segment that does not lend itself to multiple locations. In my area there has been only one real chain school. They have been around for many, many years and I believe have 20 locations. I have to admire that accomplishment and I do like the quality of their instructors but I have never gotten past the whole mysticism/school history/attitude that they seem to push. So what is in your area?

I just watched a show on TV today about this art form. It was on FIT TV and is a series called Deadly Arts. They feature different martial arts with each episode, great show. Anyway, from what I have seen previously along with this show would lead me to make an unintiated (never have taken a class) guess that it would not be a very effective self defense art form. Looks like a heck of a work out though. I have seen martial artists from this style try to compete in MMA fighting and it usually only lasts as long as it takes for the opponent to make some adjusts to this rather unorthodox style. I think it is an art form, an work out, a cultural treasure but for self defense I would recommend something, just about anything, else.

At first, I admit I found Hapkido a little wimpy. To me it was like learning a new language. Most of what we did was completely new to me. In Kenpo we did not go over any locks, grabs, throws, sweeps, etc. If we did it was very quickly. Not something we would practice. I soon learned this was limiting. I was always apprehensive about a confrontation because of my training. In Kenpo I felt that they taught me to cause serious damage. It was like driving a car that went 0-60. That was cool but what if you had to go down a residential street at 25. With Hapkido I feel that I could diffuse a situation or deal with a minor problem without beating the guy bloody. As for the kicks, everything I was taught seemed to be real similar. A couple of different kicks and variations. Nothing earth shattering at least in what I was shown. As for defenses against chokes etc, I have been shown some good techniques but Kenpo had some really good techniques too. Kenpo techniques are better in my opinion because if you have reached that stage then you need to increase the heat. The weak point with the Kenpo training was they never showed us the "attack" or procedure that was used to get you in that hold you were defending. Just the defense. A teaching flaw. You are shown the defense to an attack you don't really understand. Now I can see both sides. I feel Hapkido is very complimentary to Kenpo and I am glad I stayed.

I am currently taking Hapkido. Been at it a year and a half and I am currently a red belt or third gup. I don't know how your ranking system goes but there it starts at 9, yellow, and goes down to 1 and then when you hit black it starts going up. New to me. I was taking american kenpo karate for three years prior and they don't use gups, etc. I have taken karate, tae kwon do at various places long ago. Just got back into the arts about 5 years ago. At first I was unsure about Hapkido but I am really starting to enjoy it. The school I am at was affiliated with ICH or combat hapkido but they have since switched to something else but same curriculum. From what I have learned, I keep in mind that Hapkido is only so useful in actual application or a piece of the puzzle so to speak but I also learned that kenpo was a piece of the puzzle. In my view a larger piece but none the less lacking components. Just my opinion from what I have seen. I have gone through the ranks fairly quickly and will probably have a black in about a year and I feel a good mastery of the basics. I look forward to getting a black so I can work with more advanced students, other black belts. That will be fun.

Illegal? Highly doubtful. Caught in the wrong mood I would have done the same and probably started to close distance with him. That typically freaks them out when they see you are ready to rumble. Oh yeah, anger management 1 ... 2.... 3... 4...

I don't think there is any. A couple of good kenpo schools that I am aware of. Tim Ohara has a small but good kenpo school. There are some newer places that I have never checked out, kung fu. Moore's if you don't mind cults. Lots of tae kwando. There is a place in Manteca that teaches some Hapkido and I think somewhere around the area must be a Kuk sul Won school. I have run into students just never asked where it was. I have always been disappointed in the number of choices in the Modesto area.

What is the proper technique for a head butt? I was always taught to strike with the "crown" of the head. That imaginery cirlce around the head. In class the other night, a black belt was showing me the proper way to head butt and he made a point of striking with the top of the head which is counterintuitive to everything I have ever heard or known. He said there was more "cushioning" at the top. The only cushioning I know of is that thing called your brain. Have I been wrong all these years?

I wasn't going to reply but after seeing the prices posted I figured I needed to. I have to agree the prices posted are unusually low. I live in central california which is a middle class area. I pay $50 a month which is the lowest I have seen in years. Most schools are at least $80 a month and a lot start at $100 and go up. I wish my instructor would up his prices to $80 and provide more and longer classes. The guy really does know his stuff.

White Warlock, Thanks for the reply. I had heard tidbits of what you said over the years but you really filled in the gaps. I now know that long term that would not be a place that I could be at. I still might be tempted to check out a couple classes just to see what they have tweaked out of curiosity. I will keep looking for a good kenpo dojo long term.

Does any one have any experience with Moore's Shou Shu schools. They have been around this area,central California, for quite some time. I tried them out years ago but didn't really like it. I am wondering if I should give them another try since I was young and it was a long time ago. I will admit I am a little turned off by the whole seven animal thing but I keep wondering if I am missing something because of the success that they have had and I need to find a new "home". One where I could stay for awhile and Moore's with 19 studios and great hours,12-10 M-F, sure would make it easy. Check them out if you want. https://www.mooreschinesemartialarts.com

Nice concept but actual execution is weak. At least in my experience. We have a school nearby in California. I think the material/techniques are too few. I would hate to see someone from this school actually try and defend themselves. For most of them it would not be pleasant but that may just be the school.