Bunkai is for Gangsters.

[ps1]

Seems like an odd reference. Did you ask him to define gansters. I'm assuming he wasn't referring to the literal meaning, rather some analogy.

Possible Interpretations:

Bunkai is for "young punks."

Bunkai is for "the uninformed."

Bunkai is for "old school guys that have been round the block."

Bunkai is for Al Capone.

[bushido_man96]

I see the point about not knowing who our students are but your average nut-job won't spend hours marching up and down blocking and punching, they will be drawn to the MMA type schools where they can beat the crap out of each other, if they really wanted to know the hidden lethal applications within the Kata then they would find out anyway.

I don't think MMA schools "beat the crap out of each other," not anymore than say Boxing, Muay Thai, or Kyokushin styles. Rather, they are learning applications very early on.

As for the sensei you described, I agree that it isn't right to withhold valuable self-defense material to those who haven't achieved black belt. Its a disservice to the students.

[bushido_man96]

Seems like an odd reference. Did you ask him to define gansters. I'm assuming he wasn't referring to the literal meaning, rather some analogy.

Possible Interpretations:

Bunkai is for "young punks."

Bunkai is for "the uninformed."

Bunkai is for "old school guys that have been round the block."

Bunkai is for Al Capone.

Quite possibly a misused slang term, as well? Maybe he was trying to give a "nasty" connotation to his black belts?

[ps1]

I see the point about not knowing who our students are but your average nut-job won't spend hours marching up and down blocking and punching, they will be drawn to the MMA type schools where they can beat the crap out of each other, if they really wanted to know the hidden lethal applications within the Kata then they would find out anyway.

I don't think MMA schools "beat the crap out of each other," not anymore than say Boxing, Muay Thai, or Kyokushin styles. Rather, they are learning applications very early on.

As for the sensei you described, I agree that it isn't right to withhold valuable self-defense material to those who haven't achieved black belt. Its a disservice to the students.

I can say there's certainly a shift toward a more professional type of business. But for the last 20 or so years, many MMA gyms were just guys beating each other up. Most had very little to no actual training in anything. However, as boxing, kickboxing, thai boxing, and BJJ becomes more proliferated, the gyms are becoming much better and more reliable.

[bushido_man96]

Thanks for elaborating on that, ps1. In my area, I never got a lot of exposure to MMA gyms, as not many sprang up around here. I do imagine there are so "Fight Clubs" out there, but I think the gyms making a name for themselves are probably going away from that, like you mention.

Are there any of 'ill repute' in your area?

[ps1]

Thanks for elaborating on that, ps1. In my area, I never got a lot of exposure to MMA gyms, as not many sprang up around here. I do imagine there are so "Fight Clubs" out there, but I think the gyms making a name for themselves are probably going away from that, like you mention.

Are there any of 'ill repute' in your area?

They pop up every so often. But usually shut down within a year or two. Too many people don't like getting hurt over and over again. The more professional places know how to train while staying healthy. That's a hugely important point. Especially because most people don't actually want to fight. They just want to train an art that is alive.

[mal103]

Possibly my limited experience of the few nearby to me, one has pictures of the instructors on their website all in fighting stances and looking mean....

Then you find out that they have experience in several MA's but are in their early 20's?

From a Parents point of view a good MA school will teach more than just whacking each other or a punchbag.

[ps1]

Possibly my limited experience of the few nearby to me, one has pictures of the instructors on their website all in fighting stances and looking mean....

Then you find out that they have experience in several MA's but are in their early 20's?

From a Parents point of view a good MA school will teach more than just whacking each other or a punchbag.

Clearly tells you what they do and who their demographic is. Some people don't realize that something as minor as photos can detour a perspective student.

[ninjanurse]

Personally I would share the lethal applications to only people I know extremely well regardless of rank. Lets be honest, we don't do comprehensive background checks on students. They can be paroles or wanted criminals or psychotics for all we know.

Students who desire to achieve Dan ranking in our JJ system ARE required to obtain a concealed weapon permit which entails an extensive background checks. No permit no advanced training. Even then discretion is of the Professor.

[Harkon72]

Wow! A government Permit! We have an association Licence and that's all you need. The vetting factor is that our Sensei won't teach advanced bunkai to juniors and only to those who have the maturity to handle it. Obtaining a Dan grade is no requisite, if our senior instructors don't trust you they wont teach you. Having a Government Permit would not make a difference. We don't have them in the UK.