Montana

I've had guest instructors visit my dojo, most were in the same system as I am. A few that were just MA friends and wanted to show us their "stuff". I've taught 8-10 seminars myself, mostly proper weapons/kobudo techniques as many systems I've judged have really poor weapons/kobudo technique. After we've gone thru that in the seminar, I pretty much open it up to whatever they want to see.

Very European, French or English design. Very cool!

Thanks all!!! I'd like to thank the Academy, my mom and dad, my Sensei, my students, my dog and 4 cats, and all of YOU for putting up with my shenanigans! 18 years??? Wow..I really didn't realize it had been that long!

Hey wait! I got Member of the Month??? COOOOOOOOOOL!

Again, is he in my "personal space"? Arms distance? Fists clenched? Postering? In general, the law allows you to strike first ONLY if you feel your life is in imminent danger. Factors to consider, is he drugged? Drunk? Larger than you? Threating words? In your space? Previous encounters? Self-defense in this scenario is so hard to define because of the factors that could be involved.

Generally, the law says you have the right to defend your personal space. There is no specific definition for "personal space". What I taught was "that distance that makes you comfortable". That can vary from person to person, situation to situation. In general, I like to think of it as "arms distance". If I can reach my arm out and touch you, you are in my space. Now, as to what sort of technique you'd use to protect your personal space, that depends a lot on the situation and who's violating that space. A friend? Stranger? LARGE

Well, with a Sharpie, you at least |SEE where you hit them (that'll leave a mark!) to identify the attacker later. But the point is to soft IMO. ABIC is much more solid and also will "leave a mark".

I always have a couple of pens near me. Granted, they're not real sharp, but they can penetrate and against an opponent that's close enough, there are many soft targets you can attack. Eyes, throat, under the chin/jaw, armpit, ribs, side of the head, inside of the arm, back of the hand, solar plexus, groin, inside of the legs, kidneys, back of the head, and back of the knee. BIC pens are especially sturdy. Sitting in a restaurant, knife, fork, spoon handle, candle (wax) come to mind. Somebody mentioned cell phones. They have a small edge/corner and can be used under the jaw bone to press against if you're grabbed. No so good for striking. A belt was also mentioned. I wouldn't try it like Jackie Chan does lol but it can be used like a whip, and for myself, I wear a heavy Carhart belt, which has a pretty solid buckle.

Welcome Brandon! That's a whole lot of ranks for your age. When did you start training?

None. We have no virtues. We're doomed!

Mine was a partially torn anterior crucia ligament (sp?) on my left knee. I was demonstrating with an adult student a defense against a 2 handed grab, was looking/speaking to the class when my opponent swept my knee. There was no call for it other than screwing around. He was dismissed from my class.

Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito does this also. It's our more advanced "ready stance" for self defense. Hands are up, slight bend of the knees, feet about 2 feet apart.

My guess is it's pretty rampant and frequent. I've gone to many schools in my travels to watch what they do, and some of them just plain SUCK! Yet you read the reviews and they sound like heaven on earth. I've been retired for some time now and never used the internet for my dojo. I always preferred word of mouth.

I always had an 80# heavy bag or two, and a makiwara. I was there to teach karate, not cardio, strength training, aerobics or weight loss. Get a gym membership if that's your goal.

oops! I meant 100% SHEESH! I'm old, give me a break here! lol