BJJ, OK, or WCKF

[pstevens]

treehugger,

Don't take these "American's" statements to heart, not every American feels that way. With Americans, it always comes to down to an inferiority complex... I am 1/4 Native American so I've felt this even in my own country.

America has problems just like any other country and we definitely have dumbasses like everyone else...

[gabbah]

Canada is much safer than USA, and with far lesser weapons floating around. So self defense will have another meaning in these two countries. So perhaps you are both right about the general attitude when it comes to self defense.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[eXcessiveForce]

criminals go after the easiest targets not matter what country you are in.

[gabbah]

criminals go after the easiest targets not matter what country you are in.

This is true. But still you are much safer statistically in a country with a low rate crime. I believe Canada is one of these countries, as well as my country, Sweden.
So while self defense in USA might involve carrying a gun, here in Sweden that is considered to NOT be an optimal choice, simply because the treat image is quite different.

And about the fear propaganda in the USA, for instance Michael Moore criticices it. I see some of that even here in sweden, how the (less serious) news papers do that kind of stuff because it sells. It's always SOMETHING they propagate as being dangerous for you... it just makes me laugh, the way they present it.

[bartjam]

I am interested in something for self-defense (which is the main thing) and on a lesser note, physical fitness.

No Martial Art has "the answer" to self-defense. For fitness and combat mindset, go for BJJ. If you want to improve your self-defense ability, do try a few seminars with people like Rich Dimitri, Geoff Thompson, or a good Combative instructor. You need to understand adrenal stress, gross-motor skills under pressure, tactical awareness, verbal defusion.

My personal thought is that you need that psychological/strategic side, plus a good alive training (boxing/thai boxing and a good grappling art)

take care

[gabbah]

Couldn't agree more with bartjam, he wrote down all the ingrediens, people and arts I would suggest myself.
In fact it's not totally about which art you choose, but very much the TRAINING METHOD they use. Do they strike to the head? Do they sparr hard as well as soft? And so on...

[treehugger]

treehugger,

Don't take these "American's" statements to heart, not every American feels that way. With Americans, it always comes to down to an inferiority complex... I am 1/4 Native American so I've felt this even in my own country.

America has problems just like any other country and we definitely have dumbasses like everyone else...

You are right, there is no shortage of dumbasses regardless of where you live. The Americans I have met through MAs and hockey are decent guys. Other than a faint accent, they are very similar to Canadians in thier customs, culture etc.

Canada is much safer than USA, and with far lesser weapons floating around. So self defense will have another meaning in these two countries. So perhaps you are both right about the general attitude when it comes to self defense.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I think it is likely safer than some of the American inner cities, but we also have these dangerous areas, just not in the abundance they exist down south. Toronto has major problems with gun violence, increasing every year. Every other day there is a story in the Star about somebody getting shot. For self defence it is best to use your sneakers if possible (and I don't mean to kick). If you have to fight and there is no weapon being pulled on you, grappling works great, and allows you both to walk away (unless of course you snap his knee )

[eXcessiveForce]

A fight where both people walk away is a fight that could have been avoided.
Of course low crime rate helps,


But then again take the American Holloway girl who is most likely dead and was killed in very low crime rate area.

It sucks to be the 1 even it is 1 in 1 million or 1 in 1 billion.

[Forbidden Fury]

Wow... this post got hijacked *L* I mean I know the chance of actually needing to defend one's self can be low, but I'd like to be prepared if it comes up.

From bartjam and gabbah I got that when I visit schools, I need to ask about sparring. I mean I obviously want a place that spars, but I also want, now that I think about it, a place that spars with at least semi-strength, and not a place that basically shadow boxes. I mean what good does that do? I might be small, but I can take a hit. I mean I can't even tell you how many times I got kicked in the head in rugby

After hearing from a few people I've also decided to remove BJJ from my list. I would like to do it, and maybe I will in a few years, but it sounds like it would be too much of a risk for my back right now.

[treehugger]

After hearing from a few people I've also decided to remove BJJ from my list. I would like to do it, and maybe I will in a few years, but it sounds like it would be too much of a risk for my back right now.

If you have a bad back, you should reconsider any form of full contact sparring, whether it be bjj, boxing, muay thai, wrestling, what ever. Further, any system that does not train full on is useless, so heal your back, then choose one or more of the above mentioned styles and go hard. Otherwise, give it up. Sorry for being a part of the hijack, but this is good advice, you should follow it!

[Forbidden Fury]

If you have a bad back, you should reconsider any form of full contact sparring, whether it be bjj, boxing, muay thai, wrestling, what ever. Further, any system that does not train full on is useless, so heal your back, then choose one or more of the above mentioned styles and go hard. Otherwise, give it up. Sorry for being a part of the hijack, but this is good advice, you should follow it!

I appreciate the concern. I'm def going to talk to my doc and physical therapist first, but the injury itself has healed. I just need to restrengthen everything. And I think a martial art would help that process. Besides, I don't think most places would have beginners going all out right from the start anyway. That and I've always been an active person and this lack of is driving me up the wall.

[bOoRadley]

enjoying the benefit and protection of your far superior neighbor.

You mean benefits like rampant racism, gut wrenching poverty, epidemic crime rates, no universal health care, right wing religious wacko war mongering politicians, one of the worst education systems in the developed world, gun stores on every corner, obesity, being detested by everyone else on the entire planet...I could go on and on but I think even a slack jawed cousin fucking dumbass hillbilly american like you will get the gist of what I'm saying. You're country is a cesspool envied by nobody. Canada doesn't need your protection because were a nation of civilized people who would never allow our government to commit evil acts against other so that we can fuel our own fat, bloated, glutenous, consumerism.

If you people spent more time asking yourselves why the world thinks of you as Nazis instead of gazing all misty eyed at that asswipe of a flag of yours you might start to understand that your government is evil and until the american citizens stand up and do something about it you will live with the threat of the people who you oppress flying planes into your buildings.

Be thankful we haven't decided to just take them outright...yet.

The american military cant even defeat a bunch of shoeless dudes running around in a desert with no place to hide...I don't think Canadians have much to worry about

[jubaji]

What's that buzzing sound? Like some kind of insignificant insect trying to make noise...


Oh well, I'm sure it was nothing important.

[eXcessiveForce]

thanks god, the US does not have universal health care. 19 week wait in canada for an MRI. I got mine in 3 days. I prefer a high standard health care system to socialized health care. having worked in government controled segments I can tell you flat out you do not want any of the people I worked with running your health care.

But enough of this. Canada has lower crime rates for good reason. Lower population is a key factor. If you know everybodies name in your town, it helps reduce crime. Also when you have less money and less items worth stealing you don't have as many criminals.


Gotta love the group sex clubs that canada just decided were okay. (the goverment couldn't come up with a reason this may hurt society) guess they haven't heard of STDs.

[gabbah]

thanks god, the US does not have universal health care. 19 week wait in canada for an MRI. I got mine in 3 days. I prefer a high standard health care system to socialized health care. having worked in government controled segments I can tell you flat out you do not want any of the people I worked with running your health care.

I'm curious, does that MRI come after three days for everyone or just for those who can afford it?

Gotta love the group sex clubs that canada just decided were okay. (the goverment couldn't come up with a reason this may hurt society) guess they haven't heard of STDs.

Yeah that's crazy.. much crazier than the liberal gun control (or lack of control) in the US, hehe. A little shooting has never killed anyone.
It's not like a few guns in each home will hurt society, unlike those damn sex clubs... that's just nuts.