Anyone follow or ever catch the show "Human Weapon" on the History channel? These 2 guys travel around learning different fighting styles then are "put to the test" usually against a champ of some sort. It's actually quite educational, as they not only break down step by step and explain each move they learn, but they also explain how the name of the "art" came about, how it survived history, how it's been used/changed throughout the years etc. etc.

I now DVR it and watch it with my son. Then I beat the crap out of him. Ya....good times!

Whoosh! Get it on then.

I also demanded martial arts training for both my Dau and Son. Simple physical exercise to start out.

My Dau can "Kick my Big Butt" now. The Son still trying. It won't be long now tho' - I'm an elder.

I taught my Dau simple stick fighting very early on in her life - any stick or other object she could pick up.

(Aside: Some think stick fighting is a cruel game. It may well be. But it exists and is a sport some places!)

I have learned and watched a few shows or really videos like that on the internet. Plus I have read up on self defense techniques. I think its important to know so you can take people down without hurting them or yourselves if you can avoid it.

I like the show "human weapon" but, I hate "unnecessary" violence, and any one who does should be able to quickly extricate him/herself from those situations by what ever means necessary ,
CGM3 , if it comes to needing to "take people down" you most definitely want to impart a measure of "hurt" just so hopefully they might realize that it may be less painful to stay down and let you leave than to press any further attack. You shouldn't rely only on a few shows or videos if you want to defend your self and not hurt the other person as it's going to be alot harder to do than you may think. what ever you decide, practice makes perfect.
Conundrum, Good for You! have always found stick fighting interesting , just not enough to to learn the intricacies of the sport. There seems to be a lot of people that find any type of sport fighting ,be it boxing, kick boxing, stick fighting or UFC type fighting that has become popular in the last few years (not to mention "pro wrestling" ) cruel . I don't watch much of the fights on the TV any more used to watch UFC's and been to a couple of the local variety . the last couple years of UFC fight seem just a bit too polished plus the last few I did see was your basic "hug and grope" on the floor types (I'll watch "Muay Thai" if it's on though). But to me whats cruel is sending a loved one into the world with out a sense of what to look out for and how to avoid it and if not possible how to defend them selfs from it.

I love that show. It's very well done,as mentioned they explain many aspects. But I also instruct so I'm a tad predjudiced to the Arts. It's important to know they are both trained atheletes. So they are conditioned to step up. Not to take away from thier courage and competance to take on any Art.
Most techniques are to prevent personal injury first. Actually my favorite part of conditioning is the stretching. Being very flexible will prevent many injuries. Then usually a form of contol with the option to inflict various levels of damage. Followed by an instant strike almost reflexive off the first motion. Of course the situation determines the level of recourse.
My school being in the inner city has a serious sef defense street program. With a focus on thinking and using or defending from what may be lying around. Plus the usual weaponry that seems to be casually deployed. I must say as I'm very proud of our womens class. I think they are more determined than some of the men.
As a word of advise you should be prepared to use or throw at least 4 attacks. The other advantage of training is the obvoious ability to have experience and not be so surprised. Example: many people get choked two handed and they fight the hands. But if you think about that ,the attacker has both their hands busy. You have both hands and legs free.

I enljoy the Muay Thai and Krav Maga a lot. Kendo which I do as an extra sport (not as my main Arts) is great fun tho' probably not to practical.

I'm glad that my son is taking an interest in this sort of stuff. I like showing him the basic submission moves-arm bar, ankle lock, kimura's etc. etc.- along with ground and pound techniques and how to avoid them (best offense is good good defense!?!?). He does wrestling in school, so he's good at the take downs and sprawling and whatnot, but I still pummel him. Of course, give him a few more years (he's 14) and he'll be tossing me around. That's when I ground him....forever. He's got a several cousins, Aunts and Uncle's that are instructors in Kang Duk Won, so that's always nice to have them show him a thing or 2.

We usually get to wrestling around and "practicing" some of the things that we've seen on the show. My daughter (7) is getting into it too. I think that she'll be tougher than my son!

The president of that Kukkiwon ,Un Yong Kim gave me my cetification at my third Dan testing a few years back. It is a great form to practice. I encourage anyone to enroll their kids in some form of martial arts or at least sports. is teaches teamwork,self respect and discipline. I also truly believe these kids are a 1000 % less likely to get involved with drugs,gangs etc..