| I've spent a number of years studying self-defense | | | | philosophies of the fighting mindset, and even a few |
| and I still find myself fascinated by the martial arts. It all | | | | moves that may prove useful. But some of the |
| started when I was a teenager and I was watching a | | | | instructional fighting videos that I've seen lately have |
| demonstration where an elderly man was up against | | | | really expanded my education by showing the actual |
| two large bodybuilders in their mid 20s. These two | | | | fighting moves in action. (Please note that while I call |
| young men took turns attacking the old man, but he | | | | them videos, most of the newer ones that I've found |
| just kept throwing them around the stage like a couple | | | | have actually been on DVDs, not videotape) |
| of rag dolls. | | | | While these fighting videos are not a substitute for |
| One of the younger men charged at the old man like a | | | | proper teaching by a qualified instructor, they do help |
| bulldozer trying to knock down a building, but with a | | | | teach a number of useful, self-defense techniques. |
| slight lean to one side and what seemed like a gentle | | | | And for the experienced martial artist or street fighter, |
| tap on the shoulder, the older man sent the younger | | | | instructional fighting videos can enhance your skills and |
| one tumbling to the ground. After about ten minutes, | | | | possibly even teach you something new to add to |
| the two young bodybuilders were worn out while the | | | | your fighting skills. |
| old man hadn't even broken a sweat. | | | | Some of the fighting videos that I've found have |
| Well, that was the beginning, and more than 30 years | | | | covered everything from barroom brawling to basic |
| later, I'm not in as good a shape as I used to be I still | | | | self-defense to advanced martial arts, fighting skills. |
| love the martial arts and street fighting skills. Not the | | | | Now, I won't advocate any one fighting video over |
| brute force fighting style of bullies, but the authentic | | | | another for two reasons. |
| techniques of genuinely skilled fighters. | | | | 1) I have no idea which style of fighting would best fit |
| I believe that everyone who's physically able should | | | | your mindset and your abilities. |
| take at least a few self-defense classes in their | | | | 2) It might sound like advertising, which could get this |
| lifetime. It's not only good exercise but it could also | | | | article rejected by many of the legitimate article |
| come in use some day for saving your life. But I also | | | | sources on the web, in which case you would never |
| realize that not everyone has the time, discipline, or | | | | get the chance to read it. |
| money to regularly attend a martial arts class. | | | | I will however say this; if you're truly interested in |
| In recent years I've come across a large number of | | | | advancing your fighting skills or learning new techniques |
| instructional fighting videos. There are also some great | | | | to defend yourself, then these instructional fighting |
| books on self-defense that can teach you the basic | | | | videos are well worth looking in to. |