?

First, there's no way to ask this without coming off as a troll; those of you who know me know I'm anything but. I feel this is a valid question, especially in light of all the pro-Bruce-Lee sentiments here.

I've read a lot of his material and viewed a number of interviews with him... I'll admit, he talks a great game, was in great shape, and was impressive on camera. I have to wonder, however, if he was the PT Barnum of Martial Arts – if his philosophy was simply "something for everyone" and it was really about establishing his own legend. It's clear that he had an ego the size of a house (this isn't trash-talk: the average celebrity scores rather high on the narcissistic personality inventory), and was very interested in establishing his own legend... So I have to wonder: how much is blown way out of proportion?

This is something that got me wondering: A question regarding a martial art came up about a Karate-derivative that was formalized in Russia, and the answerers were quick to say it was illegitimate because they'd never heard of it. Many, many arts in the US have never been heard of by martial arts practitioners in Africa, too...

So, I'm curious... What makes an art legitimate?

If a jujutsuka in Congo has never heard of Danzan-ryu, does that make it illegitimate? If an art claims a history back 400 years in Japan, does that make it legitimate?

Just something to question...

If you use training knives in your martial arts, what style do you prefer? I know many love the classic wooden tanto, and some prefer a 3 inch folder... I'm asking because I'm planning to CNC some aluminum training knives, and I'm trying to see what people would actually like to use in their training...

As usual, I'm not asking this for my benefit... I know a great many here will think this is a dumb question, but it has dire consequences when you don't really understand.

Please assist me: Describe grappling. Be specific: body parts you teach to initiate with, etc.

Good way to greet the morning?

Your experience?

I'm not sure if anyone here can help me, or if this question even makes sense... I'm usually pretty good at tracking down this sort of thing, but I'm not sure where to start...

An acquaintance had a rather unique knotted lace that was about 3 feet long which he used a unique series of slip knots to tie; when done, he was left with a 4 inch or so braid that was about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch wide, and, when pulled from the two ends, would unravel quickly. Can anyone help me identify this knot?

I came across an organization producing this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF4VGq54ILA

Would those of you with training please evaluate and tell me your thoughts? Good points, faults, anything you can find.

This isn't a "Tell me if I should watch this DVD" question; this is an evaluation of a system from multiple points of view.

Personally, I've always had a sarcastic sense of humor; I rub a lot of people the wrong way (You should see the hate mail I get in my inbox). I find though that I'm simply who I am, and I'm not concerned with things that happen in the past or that might happen in the future. I'm extremely content with life, and am very happy with my family, but peoples problems that seem so grave to them just don't concern me. Anyone else experienced this?

I was adding this to my training manual because I found that a lot of students look at me funny when I comment on resistance... What, if anything, were you taught of resistance in your art?

A follow up...

I'm not going to expand. Answer it how you like.

I used to do a lot of work making training equipment for martial arts back when I had a lot of free time. It would take me weeks of work to finish a piece, and while I'd love to get back to making training supplies, I simply don't have months to dedicate to making some things. I've been thinking about getting a small (about 18" x 24") CNC Routing table to do some small pieces in Delrin. Do you have any suggestions for either a complete kit or table for a noob to start with?

After the discussion yesterday, I figured I'd ask. If it's just kyushojutsu, then that's fine, and that's exactly what I'd found of it.

If it's something else, can you provide anything other than anecdotal evidence ("Yeah, I once saw a book that said something about it in a library that burned down in my dreams one time when I was experiencing past life regression and found out I was Napoleon") that dates back to a point prior to the 1950s and is not pure fiction?

What is the most unique environment you've had the opportunity to train in? Or are the dojo and the ring the only places you've trained?

Myself, dojos/dojangs/schools aside, I've trained in the snow in Utah, on a boat off the coast of California, in a swimming pool and the ocean, in completely dark rooms, in parks, and in rented out night clubs. I'm always looking for new environments to make training more alive. What are the different environments you've trained in?