I want to set an example for the rest of my family, too. My kids watched Kung Fu Panda and loved it and want to “train” things like gymnastics now. They know I am not flexible so it should be motivating if even Unpliable Dad makes some good improvements. Heck, I’d like to learn a few tumbling moves myself.

Since I’ve been studying Taijiquan, I’ve come to the conclusion that my practice should shape my body and whatever looseness I attain through becoming more relaxed and doing the form and supplementary exercises are quite enough.

So you were able to do rubber guard? Pretty darn good. My left leg might get flexible enough. The thing that I find more interesting is that what the heck else are people supposed to do about that hand control issue? Makes throwing arts seem all the more important. Anyway, not taking it that seriously. It’s interesting, though. I’ve missed bjj for over a week. Will be a while before I can learn what all these fancy-name guards are about.

Eric

Yes Sir you to have a GOOD POINTS.

not too interested in stacking those odds. How far does one take that?

How important is your LIFE? OR your son,mom,dad, ect…
will you then stack the odds?

Yes I bring to the table the WORST case but I rather be over prepared than under. Sometimes its like the army says over train over train and hurry up and wait.

I understand what you are saying Sir. But when one comes up against a mugger or rapist, serial Killer, your minds set is not at his level. mental or emotionally .
YOU have to do what its takes to SURVIVE.
I would want you to go home to your wife and kids.

I *bow* with respect and humbleness.
Thank you for a GREAT DISCUSSION.

I’m personally not too interested in stacking those odds. How far does one take that? If you’re a soldier or security personnel or defense instructor, perhaps very far, but how about ordinary people? Everyone (such as seniors) should learn CPR, fire safety, water safety, a few basic self-defense skills. Not everyone should become an EMT, RN, Dr., etc.

My point was more to point out marketing message bullshido. Sort of like “these shoes will make me jump higher” or “this handbag will make me more attractive”.

The only problem with your argument is that you FAIL to tell the whole TRUTH.

COMPARING the 3 Categories of Martial Arts

TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS to M.M.A.SPORT to REALITY BASED MARTIAL ARTS

Martial arts can be divided into 3 categories Traditional Martial Arts, Mixed Martial Arts, Reality Based Martial Arts. The problem is that thanks to movies, TV, Internet, youtub, Instructors, ect… is that there is no actual proof of any one method of fighting being completely dominant in all situations, Martial Artist have blurred it to the point of non-existence. While all have many overlapping elements, it is important for you to understand that each category is distinctively different and must be treated as such.

Traditional Martial Arts contains every style from traditional karate, Hapkido, Kenpo, Escrima, Aikido, kung fu, to the countless other cultural Traditional Martial Arts that have been developed throughout history. Some traditional martial arts systems originate from military combat experience and self defense needs for people. These systems have been tested and proven under realistic, condition back in the 500 CE era, when they FOUGHT with HONOR, but has not been PROVEN MODEREN DAY. Things have changed in this world we live in. But none the less all are fun to do, helps to get you in to shape and helps discipline you and great for kids. All are very interesting and all provide an education in world culture and Martial Arts theory. However, no cultural fighting art has any proof of dominant effectiveness in the modern world. That means that Aikido, Karate,Tae-Kwon-Do, Kung Fu, countless other cultural Traditional Martial Arts and even Israel’s “Krav Maga” is not proven, effective� combat or street application. Nor does it classify as proven, effective combative sport. Such as U.F.C. , Cage Fighting. So without an abundance of proof, it is only martial theory, not fact. Traditional Martial Arts are wonderful for exploring a method of self perfection, how pretty the forms are, but has no place in self protection. Don’t get me wrong all of these styles can possibly help you out of a tough jam. Because a scientific way of combat is better than NO way of combat BUT…. Instructors give there student a false sense of security.� Traditional Martial Arts DOES NOT TEACH Reality Based Scenarios, Material or Resistance training.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS/ COMBATIVE SPORT

M.M.A./Combative Sports include Olympic judo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai kickboxing, all forms of wrestling, western boxing, M.M.A.(mixed martial arts) which has been popularized by events such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In combative sport you are forced to prove the effectiveness of your methods and skill in live combat. There is no guesswork, no debate. It either works and you win, or it doesn’t work and you lose. Everybody in the world saw Combat Sport Brazilian Jiu-jujitsu stylist Royce Gracie easily pick apart the cultural fighting art practitioners in the first few Ultimate Fighting. If you watch Olympic Judo, you’ll see the highest caliber athletes in the world competing in a sport that is symbolic of combat in that the entire basis is to establish a dominant position. Combative Sport is a very, very important component of testing the validity and effectiveness of a martial art, BUT it too is not reality based martial arts/combat driven. It is only a training and conditioning method for self-defense. Combative sport is what you use to train yourself to make sure that your self-defense works under sport conditions. Do you understand? A great example is simply that that the rules, regulations, and referees that are required in combative sport are NOT going to be there when someone is trying mug you, rape you or trying to hurt a family member or trying to kill you in a dark alley. SO NO, even today’s most popular training methods: Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Judo, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, etc. are not methods of reality based martial arts either.
(Training for self defense application yes, self defense no.)
REALITY BASED TRAINING/ MARTIAL ARTS/ COMBAT

“The definition of the term Reality-Based”
Training and survival skills based on modern conflict situations that the practitioner is likely to encounter in their environment
(their “reality”).�

Sounds simple right? The real issue is that there are a million-and-one different ways you can be attacked. Everything from a drunk tackling you at the local bar, armed mugging on your way home from work, a carjacking, to being caught in the middle of a military or terrorist operation, A.T.M. mugging in progress.Therefore,� Reality-Based Martial Arts has one purpose, and one purpose only; To survive. What we mean is that no sane person, soldiers, professional fighters, or trained martial artists truly want to hurt or kill a human being. But when it comes to bodily injury or kill or be killed situation , your natural survival instinct WILL take over and do whatever it can to save your life so you can go home to your family. Learning to properly defend yourself is much more than just avoiding injury, humiliation, or even death. Our greatest enemy of all: Fear & Incorrect Training. There IS no 100% answer to anything. But when it comes to matters of bodily injury or life and death or protecting loved ones, the smart thing to do is stack the odds in your favor.

Democracy seems like a smart human trick to check behaviors like this (when it was an aspect of monarchies), but ironically, doesn’t necessarily succeed. We still seem to have good emperors with the Mandate of Heaven and bad ones … thank goodness for term limits not requiring violence whenever the Mandate changes..

“If you want to govern the people,
you must place yourself below them.
If you want to lead the people,
you must learn how to follow them…

When the Master governs,
the people are hardly aware that he exists.
Next best is a leader who is loved.
Next, one who is feared.
The worst is one who is despised.”

I might go so far as to say–based on observing nature as it is–that there is nothing more natural than hierarchy, and nothing more illusory than equality. As the old Mark Graham song goes: there is no democracy in Heaven.