Yeah, Bujinkan is a touchy subject, with people on both sides of the debate.
It piques my interest and given the chance (and the time) I’d do it. But right now there are other arts more important to me.
I tried a few free classes in Bujinkan when I was living in NYC. It was cool. Though I don’t get the whole no-sparring-only-randori thing.
[QUOTE=KungFubar;1231801]Ive never learned any martial arts of any sort and have never needed them so far but things are getting so violent now and I have people to protect.
Not looking for a school really more a group is what Im looking for. Im willing to dedicate to an effective self defense system and martial arts group and Im looking for the one that would be best for me. I dont want to waste time and energy on something thats fake, watered down for mass consumtion, recreational, social time etc etc and basically wont work anyway in an actual self defense situation.
I do feel lucky though, kymus said thats the main way to find a good teacher. Im here trying to make some luck I guess.[/QUOTE]
You have been very honest about yourself, KungFubar. Not prone to aggressive behavior. Looking out for others. 
If you can practice this stance (with arms out a bit) http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/four-paradoxes-of-standing-meditation/ for an hour a day, 7 days a week, I will train you, Online. I will start a thread in this forum section. If you complete training, you may move on.
What is the best for defense ?
[QUOTE=KungFubar;1231459]My midlife crisis is kicking in (no pun intended) and I want to learn self defense what is the best program? Thanks.[/QUOTE]KungFubar , learn martial arts and learn to use a gun and its law , in other words find out what you can and can ’ t do in using a gun for self defense .
For self defense , learn a martial art of your choice , but you need find a club or school or a martial arts teacher in your area , so you can learn self defense . If there is a school , club or a sifu teaching Wing Chun , then go for it , but are you really particular in what martial art you learn ? If so , then go and find a club , school , or teacher which teaches the martial art of your choice . Goodluck .
Lance
As for midlife crises how are you dealing with it ? I ’ m going through with it now too .
[QUOTE=KungFubar;1231810]Heres the first result I found on the topic.
http://21dragons.com/blog/2011/my-journey-from-the-bujinkan
I take it with a grain of salt but the article pulled me right in and wouldnt let me go until I had read the whole thing.[/QUOTE]
Good article. It shows some of the inherent dangers of entering a martial art and expecting to learn self defense.
IMO there’s really no great SD martial art out there. It’s all in you and your perspective and hopefully you being able to find a school and instructor that’s somewhat in line with your perspective. For “quick” SD… Judo and boxing. That combo is the old military stand by for a reason. Then take a seminar or two in areas that you’d like to explore like Kali or Escrima for knife and stick stuff.
Some points for consideration on Self-Defense
Hello all:
bows deeply
My definition of ‘self-defense’ is perhaps different than many people’s definition.
Ideally, I do not want to resort to physicall skills to defend myself. It would be too late if the situation has progressed (or regressed) to that point. Asking what style/system is the best for self-defense clearly has physical skills in mind IMO.
“The best defense is no be there.”
~Mr. Miyagi, The Karate Kid 1
My first line of self-defense is ‘not to be there at all’. To that end here are some concepts for your consideration:
avoid STUPID people doing STUPID things at STUPID places (at STUPID times)
If you avoid places where there is a high probability of violence, you would have defended yourself e.g. bars, theaters, subway/train stations past midnight, group of young kids drinking beer at a park, etc.
One should develop their Environmental Awareness as well as Situational Awareness.
A quick example of EA: You walk down a street where it’s bottlenecked in one spot. It’s dark and has no streetlamps and it’s nighttime. Not saying there are predators in hiding, but why risk it, just avoid it altogether and take a different route.
A quick example of SA: You are short of cash, you want to go to an ATM to withdraw some pocket money. Right in front of the bank are a bunch of young men hanging around. That situation screams potential mugging to me. Even if I’m wrong, and I may be inconvenienced by looking for another ATM, I need not have to put myself into a situation where I would need to defend myself.
Once your Awareness is developed, Avoidance will be easy.
Related to Awareness is the use of what some instructors in the RBSD (Reality-Based Self-Defense field) use called “Color Codes of Awareness” based on Col. Jeff Cooper’s Color Codes. Some use four colors, some use five… what matters most is that there are levels for progressive alertness/awareness states. The lowest level usually called ‘Code White’ - the person in Code White is totally oblivious to their surroundings, they are usually ‘task fixated’ (as Craig Douglas calls it). The person is so focused on playing a game on their cellphone or texting that they are clueless a Predator has decided to “Interview” (as Peyton Quinn calls it) them.
Next level up is Code Orange, where you are somewhat aware of your surroundings and continually scanning around. Just the mere act of moving your head slowly from side-to-side scanning your environment will be picked up by a Predator and you will be passed over for an ‘easier victim.’ Predators want it easy, they do not want their victims to put up a fight. Like many military tactics, the Predator will attack your blindside which is anywhere if you are stuck in Code White.
The upper colors/levels progressively are more aware than the previous ones, to the point of “Decision” and “Action.”
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Running as an option for Avoidance. If you can Run, by all means take off. Don’t stay there.
I can go on but it’s getting long. Some of these points if practiced should exponentially improve your ability to defend yourself. More can be said of Verbal De-escalation skills, Weapons, Improvised Weapons, Partner working as a Team, etc.
Hope you need not ever have to get into a situation where you have to resort to physical skills.
Just some rambling thoughts.
Very truly yours in the MA and SD,
~sg
I have used these techniques, which to me are common sense. As a result I have never had to use violence against anyone or vice versa. You could say I have a black belt in avoidance.
Having said that, I will also say that I have noticed a sharp increase in stupid people and places that once were not stupid but now are, at times that formerly were not stupid that now are and as a result of this observation it is becoming increasingly clear to me that I need a lawful violent backup plan or just stay inside my house most of the time which I shouldn’t have to do. Doing so only enables them and increases their violence toward others
Running is no longer an option as the person I help cannot run. Lawful violence needs to be an option for me, for my good and for the good of society. For a safer society we need more formidable good people out there not less IMO so bullies and punks will think twice before trying to victimize others.
Sometime it’s not your life that you try to save. There is a difference between
This is my favor line from the movie “Braveheart”.
“Fight and you may die. Run and you will live at least awhile. And dying in your bed many years from now, …”
Avoidance and awareness are not 100%
Yes, being aware of where you are, where you are going, where you will be, in connection with your surroundings is a very effective tool to stay out of the line of danger so to speak. However there are times when you cannot avoid violence.
Home invasion.
Being attacked as you leave the place of work/business.
Stalking.
Random acts of violence in seemingly safe surroundings, such as public transportation or public places of business.
Being blindside in any area of your life.
From personal experience i can tell you, you will not immediately even be aware you are fighting to defend your life, so being able to handle the shock of sudden unexpected extreme violence can save your life in and of itself.
Technique is the least of your worries in many cases. Being abe to stay relatively calm and make on the spot good decisions is extremely important.
[QUOTE=YouKnowWho;1232374]Sometime it’s not your life that you try to save. There is a difference between
This is my favor line from the movie “Braveheart”.
“Fight and you may die. Run and you will live at least awhile. And dying in your bed many years from now, …”
Im not getting what you are saying? I mean the sayings are interesting but I dont get your meaning.
[QUOTE=KungFubar;1232377]Im not getting what you are saying? I mean the sayings are interesting but I dont get your meaning.[/QUOTE]
Good reason to fight:
Bad reason to fight:
Here is an example.
You can
These gentlemen are correct. Sometimes you won’t be able to talk your way out of a fight. Yeah, most tough guys will back off when you show them that you’re not afraid and not interested, but sometimes the fight comes to you. You could be ambushed or someone else could be in trouble and you have to make a decission on whether or not to get involved.
Part of martial arts is protecting yourself, and part of it is protecteing others.
[QUOTE=KungFubar;1232371]I have used these techniques, which to me are common sense. As a result I have never had to use violence against anyone or vice versa. You could say I have a black belt in avoidance.
Having said that, I will also say that I have noticed a sharp increase in stupid people and places that once were not stupid but now are, at times that formerly were not stupid that now are and as a result of this observation it is becoming increasingly clear to me that I need a lawful violent backup plan or just stay inside my house most of the time which I shouldn’t have to do. Doing so only enables them and increases their violence toward others
Running is no longer an option as the person I help cannot run. Lawful violence needs to be an option for me, for my good and for the good of society. For a safer society we need more formidable good people out there not less IMO so bullies and punks will think twice before trying to victimize others.[/QUOTE]
well said!
Firearms, pepper spray, tactical pens, tactical flashlights, whistle, etc. Check your local laws. Train with these tools in ideal conditions and also in less-than-ideal conditions.
[QUOTE=YouKnowWho;1232400]
Here is an example.
You can
You don’t have to personally involve yourself if you don’t want to.
Call 911. Or simply yell out loud that you will be calling the Police. Take down the license plate, take a pic of perp/car, etc.