Cat Nap

They do - not all allow you to carry. Case in point, in Massachusetts - a Class B allows you to own a gun that doesn't shoot more than nine bullets but you can't carry it, except to transport it to the range and back. A Class A allows for (a) carry of a large capacity weapon (ten rounds only) and (b) the carry may or may not be restricted. i.e. you may have "all lawful purposes" which allows carry at any time, or you may have a work or game restriction that lets you own the gun but not carry it except to work or the range.

I have many - in no particular order: Enter the Dragon Druken Master II Police Story Blood Sport Sword of the Nina Tiger Claws Guardian Angel

I'm a lady shooter with over twenty guns so it's safe to say, I like them. As far as requiring them in martial art training? I'd say no. It's a personal choice and not everyone shares the interest. In the hands of someone who won't practice or doesn't know (or practice) gun safety, it's dangerous to keep it around and will just gather dust in the closet so to speak. I train with guns because I love them but I train with martial arts for the same reason - and because I can't always carry. At those times, the body needs to become the weapon. If I'm in a situation where I can carry, no way I'm going mano a mano with a large man when I can introduce my favorite carry piece... Laura

Hi, I'm a petite lady into Wing Tsun/JKD. I love what I do but my parents are always after me to join a gym. When we lived in a house, it was easy to exercise on the treadmill as we weren't dealing with the same problems of condo life. People hear us on the treadmill so now it's going to be sold (still new too...) Anyway, I looked into Judo at Pedro's Gym (MA residents may know of the school) which is supposed to be great but the cost was a tad bit expensive (let's leave it at that) and no way I could afford it. (I'm fortunate to have the martial art teachers I've got which allow for either drop in classes or charge little.) Next week I'll be looking into Tae Kwon Do because there's a small school down the street from my condo. They have hours that fit my schedule so I thought, why not? I don't know if I can afford them either but it's worth a shot to check it out, and no, I've never studied. I'm 38, not flexiable, and have a navel ring.... They won't give out price information over the phone so that's a tip off, but they do allow drop in classes, which is what I wanted to do in the first place since I'm not big in Karate. I just want something that will force me to move and give me a workout but be close to home as my schedule is tight. Any thoughts? P.S. Should mention that I've been considering Northern Praying Mantis which isn't far from my home - not as close as the TKD but far. I like the Chinese styles but my main goal is excerise and not sure I could afford the Praying Mantis. I do recall they don't allow drop in classes.

I used to own the Bruce Lee collection on video which had "Bruce Lee: The Legend." It included the one inch punch demo and him doing the Sil Lim Tao. Anyone know of documentary DVDs of him that features some of this old film footage of him practicing his old style?

This is why I said "McDojo." I think when a school has fancy uniforms, off the beaten track classes (cooking, yes, she has them too) and all the trappings you see with her school - it's more of a business than a martial art school. I respect her if her rank is legit but it just goes to show, just because someone's Asian, doesn't make them a great teacher, or their style effective.

JKD student here too. I think a lot of people get caught up in the crap of politics which is in every system. My sifu teaches only in what's useful and makes it clear that this isn't a system of martial arts but finding your own way of fighting more effectively. If you look at JKD as a martial art system like Karate or Kung Fu - you've missed the point. I would hope everyone would have more common sense than to stay with a teacher that's not helping them. There's good and bad instructors in every system which is why you need to really do your homework.

I'm new to the Wing Tsun system under Grandmaster Leung but studied Wing Chun under another system for five years. Being a traditional style, we never had belts and I have absolutely no ranking at all; that will change with Leung because he does have a grading system but for the most part, Chinese styles have no belt or sash. I even studied Aikijujutsu for a year and never had a belt there either. I couldn't afford the cost of two classes so went once a week and didn't receive a rank. Couldn't care less because to me, belts gave a false indication of a person's skill. I think many times belts serve two purposes: 1) keep students interested and coming and 2) a way of making money by throwing in "testing fees." To me, they're useless.... Laura

I never bother with these things. Seen them, heard about, couldn't care less about them. The only valuable training you'll receive is in daily practice once or twice a week with a teacher, not a two or day long seminar. Seminars are just for show, not real instruction. Save your money. Laura

Hi, New to the forum. I'm curious about an instructor in San Jose named Tae Yun Kim who operates a school "Su Won?" Not sure of the name but she's been all over Tae Kwon Do magazines. Her school looks like a McDojo and some of the people on another forum question her "shady" dealings but don't go into much detail. Does anyone know anything about her and how she operates her school? The Internet doesn't say much beyond the advertisements. Thanks. Laura