NightOwl

No, not in a cage match....but rather a comparison! I must admit that I don't know much about about catch wrestling, and was wondering if someone could fill me in on what makes it unique.

Hmmm...never heard of ion. Is it the same matches that are on spike?

Wing Chun can be good (although it can get VERY fast depending on the person)...being of old age would probably be the time I'd start looking at Aikido...

While there is some debate on whether or not they even existed as a special unit or group, the general agreement is that they probably came from the Iga and Koga regions of Japan and were used by the Daimyo (warlords) during the warring states period for mostly espionage purposes (as opposed to assassinations...despite what you see in popular culture). Since there is very little as far as historical records on the Ninja, not too much else can be reliably taken as fact. Regardless, the stereotypical ninja garb is actually based off of stagehand wear in traditional Japanese plays (since they would often be on stage during performance and were treated as being 'invisible' by the audience). It wasn't until MUCH MUCH later that when ninja roles were needed for entertainment that somebody decided to dress them in black like the stagehands since Ninja were supposed to be 'invisible' assassins. I guess the idea caught on because ninja have been shown wearing black ever since. Of course if you were an actual ninja, this would have been a very stupid idea since the wearing of a special garb would automatically label you 'NINJA' and would be detrimental to spying efforts. Also, there is not much to show that ninja were particularly martially skilled, as if your job was to gather information without being seen (and to bump off the occasional official or two), than you wouldn't want to engage someone in combat (it'd be best to just stab them from behind). As for ninjitsu, there are so many frauds out there that it is almost impossible to find something legitimate (see this thread: http://www.karateforums.com/ashida-kim-video-of-the-ninja-master-in-action-vt30026.html) There is only one school that may actually teach ninjitsu, and that is Budo Taijutsu started by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi in Japan. He supposedly is recognized by the Japanese government as having historical backing (or something like that if memory serves) but due to his background in Judo, Boxing, and karate, Jujitsu, and other arts (he if nothing else is a real martial artist), he could just have easily created his own style based off what he already knew from these. Regardless it is supposed to be a collection of 9 schools of jujitsu used by the ninja all united under one art, and outside of the Bujinkan organization (although you could argue for an offshoot school started by Stephen Hayes), there is no other ninjitsu. Instructors are supposed to regularly come to Japan for curriculum updates, and Dr. Hatsumi still teaches in Japan today (whether he is the real deal or not). I have been to one Budo Taijutsu dojo before and have a friend who did it for a couple of years. There are only three ranks: White, green (red for women), and black. Of course, gi's are a nice shade of ninja black as well . Techniques consist of soft trapping/some standup grappling, a lot of palm strikes, and weapons work (from what I have seen). Practice is done by applying a technique slowly at frist, then speeding up with proficiency. Unfortunately, Hatsumi expressly does not support sparring, and likewise the vast majority of dojos do not as well (although I have seen exceptions). Higher levels do sometimes do 'free flow drills', but that is pretty much it. Thus you have a 'haymaker harry' problem where you get too used to a certain type of attack, but the techniques could definitely be applied realistically if need be. Play sparring with my friend (after they offered to demonstrate some taijutsu), I found that they were unused to more or less trained striking, but they did manage to get a couple of nice strikes in (including a painful palm strike to the face that I didn't avoid in time). [and to be more fair, they hadn't done taijitsu for over 1 1/2 years). Here are some videos that I posted on a previous thread showing a whole range of taijitsu...some fine and some VERY corny: (I love youtube!!!!) Here is taijutsu in a 'sparring' situation (that's what they say at least...I personally think that it is more or less of a set up situation): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBJb3YG5Ktc&mode=related&search= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3YppGm4qQc&mode=user&search= And here are training segments, etc. My problem is that it is way too choreographed...you can start off like that but you need to practice against someone actually hitting back/resisting. Also notice the weapon 'tricks' rolling, basic throws, the totally sweet ninja taking out an armed attacker with confetti, and the varying speeds of the different classes: http://taijutsu.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87&Itemid=77 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPd4FEKASJQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIpCb1dkk40 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45vOvs3X7eQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujiCwM23ZM8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TieBJRH-lTE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0jOMc9R4Ak&mode=related&search= http://youtube.com/watch?v=N0jOMc9R4Ak http://youtube.com/watch?v=WhhkgMu7adk http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ggjqjgs2yP0&mode=related&search=

Many founders of various martial art styles picked fights, and if anyone they could be considered 'true' martial artists. Now mind you...I don't think that it is right to use violence to solve problems unless it is necessary, but the fact remains that the strong bond that we associate with self control and martial studies has been something romanticized beyond what was actually true.

It is also a good reason to just get together and talk MA with a bunch of MA buddies. Yes, which makes it hard for us MA junkies who live in MA vacuums (You do uh...karate right? Do you break boards and stuff?)

Weight training delayed due to food poisoning...will start back from square one tomorrow....

No good MA films? This gives me an idea for a thread...

I'd like to see Martial TaiChi as opposed to what you see in the parks... I often picture this: as opposed to this: (yes, some there are some more or less pre-scripted attacks with bad music but you can handle it) http://youtube.com/watch?v=m9yLvyocnKQ&mode=related&search= http://youtube.com/watch?v=bcNp05YWsz8

none are near me really. There is one southern mantis school that I know of in Oregon, but it is 3+ hours away.

Yeah, I read all about it on their website.

Yeah, I read that on a different site. Cool thing is that these were seniors! So kids, next time you see an old lady smuggling drugs in from Canada...LEAVE THEM ALONE!

Two man enter, one man leave! I'd watch that!

I have no idea whatsoever. Especially seeing how you can buy guns....

Unless you are Amish, don't throw haymakers.

hear hear! Although I would really like to see more styles take up the MMA challenge, as it would make it more interesting (to me at least). However lower level local MMA tournaments tend to get a wider range of styles (or so I have heard...with even some Kung fu guys doing fairly well). I want to see someone in something like Sanshou train hard core and add a new dimension to the combat in UFC, but regardless I think that the next breakout art in MMA won't be getting in anytime soon since the effort to get past the more streamlined Mauy Tai/Judo/Bjj/Western arts means that you'll need to train harder than the next guy...something that most (including me) are not willing to do.

I'd go with Judo or Shotokan (mainly because I am not too familiar with gojuryu...). Mind you: A GOOD shotokan school...so I would say that Judo would be your safest bet. One of the best grappling systems (as far as stand up goes) with some sweet throws, it's come in handy if you want to put someone on the ground (other than yourself) fast.

So anyone here do Chow Gar AKA Mantis? I have a great interest in the style (especially seeing how a lot of places seem to actually go at it with the gloves), and was hoping if a practitioner or someone who has seen it in person could shed some more light on it.

Heh, cool story Jaymac. I always knew those mirrors in dojos were for something....

nono, I didn't mean to talk about the nature of honor, but rather why did MA's get this whole 'Honor culture' built up around them when they historically were not much more honorable than any other segment of society.

Don't forget to think. Even if your caught in a headlock by a huge gorilla, stay calm and keep focused!

Don't hold your breath when punching and kicking....bad stuff happens.

Hey all! Don't misinterpret this...I believe strongly in honor and standing up for what is right and good even when it's hard to do (as it almost always is). However, I am curious as to why people say that MAs are about honor when historically they have not been. Sure, you have Knights and Samurai with their codes of ethics (or rather 'guidelines'); but the romanticizing of Bushido didn't come about until the Edo period when there were no wars and the samurai had to justify their existence since they were not supposed to engage in commerce under Confucianism. In China it was not much better. Most people who practiced martial arts were at the bottom of society (since it was considered not productive to society to be a martial artist and thus MA teachers would be ranked alongside of street performers, etc), and it was pretty much kept to commoners and not the elite (unlike in Japan). The only other part of society that practiced MAs were secret societies, and many times they were not the nicest folks... Also, many martial artists did not avoid fights, rather sometimes they actually looked for trouble! considering this history, I just find it a little strange that MA are seen as being so honorable...again, I strongly advocate chivalry, but until recent times that was not necessarily a big part of the MA experience. thoughts?

Ninjas are worth the drive. Don't tell them otherwise. (seriously, bum on the locale....definitely hit up the judo guy again and try to rope in some friends)

I don't know where all these things are related to you but....here's some non-TKD ideas... WingChunUSA Metcalf & 75th Street Overland Park, KS 66204 Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate - Kansas City Leawood, KS 66209 Krav Maga & Fitness Center 7844 Quivira Rd Shawnee, KS 66216 Brazilian Jiu-jitsu of Wichita Kansas 5640 South Broadway Wichita, KS 67216 Phone: 316-684-4738 Kuk Sool Won 209A Delaware St Leavenworth, KS 66048 Miller's Shotokan Karate Team 737 N Broadway Blvd Salina, KS 67401 American Karate & Martial Science 13 South Main Hutchinson, KS 67501 Phone: 620-662-0101 Style: American Freestyle Karate Topeka Judo & Karate Academy 1511 SW Huntoon St Topeka, KS 66604 (785) 296-9202 Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Locust Ave. Kansas City, KS 66106 (LOOK! NINJAS!!!!!)