[MarkL]

From your tag-line, can I assume that you're in KC? If so, you might want to check out the work that Bob Thurman does. He's got classes where he teaches "street fighting" for self defense, rather than "martial arts."

I can't vouch for how effective his classes are, but Bob "Thunder" Thurman was one of the best in full contact competition.

There is a huge difference between competition MA and defensive fighting. And the most important thing that anyone can have, more so than a gun or any sort of MA training is SA... "Situational Awareness." While MA training or having a CCW is helpful in defending yourself, if you're in a situation where you can't act to defend yourself, you've already lost.

Mark

[BOOTSTICK]

Actually I'm in Tampa, Florida. I'm sure this Thurman guy is double tough, and I'm sure his techniques work well for a 200 lb man, but I can assure you If some women tried his techniques on let's say a 250 purse snatcher, chances are she would piss off her assailant, and only have better odds of winding up in a hospital.The reality of the street trumps the claims of "street fighters"

[Xenalyte]

It's stage combat, of a more intense variety than we at TRF engage in. But it's the same idea . . . you choreograph a fight just like you block a dance.