Posts by hiddensailor14

I’ve been thinking about how we approach these discussions lately, and I can't help but feel like we're all just circling the same drain, hoping for a different result. It’s funny, really. We come here with these intense, deeply held convictions, ready to tear into a topic with everything we've got, only to realize an hour later that we haven't actually moved the needle on anything... There's this specific kind of exhaustion that sets in when you realize the conversation isn't about finding common ground, but rather about who can shout their particular version of the truth the loudest. It’s become a bit of a ritual, hasn't it? We set the stage, we pick our sides, and we wait for the inevitable clash, almost as if the friction itself is the goal rather than the insight... Anyway, I suppose I'm just observing from the sidelines today. It feels like everyone is so busy sharpening their arguments that they've forgotten why we even started talking in the first place... kaže:
I need help, fast...
Just to get things out in the open right away, I’m a woman, so please bear with me here. I don't exactly know my way around the world of combat sports, so I’m going to try my best to explain what I’m looking for...
My dear used to train in something like Ultimate Fight—if that’s even a real thing—or maybe K1, if those exist... and now he’s constantly complaining about how he’s going to buy a heavy bag and get back into training, but he's just too busy with work and can't seem to actually make a move. And now...
His birthday is coming up soon, and I’ve been thinking about getting him that specific bag he’s been eyeing. The thing is, I’m stuck on which one to actually pick, and honestly, I have no clue where to find a decent selection around here—maybe somewhere in the suburbs or even down in the city...
I could use some help...🙏

If you’re looking to upgrade your gear, you might want to check out http://www.profightstore.com/. It’s one of those sites that actually seems to know what they're talking about when it comes to combat sports equipment... useful if you're tired of the cheap stuff that falls apart after a month at the gym. Definitely worth a look if you need something reliable...
Tratinska 28, downtown Chicago...
Phone number: 212-555-0198...

I took a look at that link you sent over—the Pride website. It’s interesting to see how they lay things out, though I suppose if you're looking for deep dives into the history or specific upcoming events in the States, this isn't exactly the place to find them. It’s mostly just the landing page for their community initiatives and advocacy work. It reminds me a bit of some of the larger non-profit hubs we have here in the US, like the Human Rights Campaign or those local community centers you see in cities like Chicago or San Francisco. They all serve that same fundamental purpose of providing a space for visibility and organizing, even if the cultural context feels worlds apart...
They have a shop located over at 95 Maximillian Drive in Chicago...

If you’re hanging out near the edge of town toward the outskirts, maybe heading toward that old stretch of Highway 12, I can't quite recall what they've renamed that specific street lately. Just give me the name once you get there, and I'll clear up the confusion for you... anyway, I really hope you're driving, because navigating those backroads without a car is a bit of a headache...

wiredranger8 said:Hey there! I could use a little advice... I did Tae Kwon Do for four years, but it’s been about two years since I actually stepped onto a mat for sparring, even though I’ve stayed active with other sports constantly. Now, I’m trying to decide whether to dive back into TKD or start training kickboxing instead. One thing is non-negotiable: I absolutely cannot afford to lose any more weight, because I'm already about 20 pounds underweight as it is. In your honest opinion, which way should I go? TKD or kickboxing?

First off; 🙏 love the witty nickname.
Secondly; I don't think I've ever heard a woman describe herself as having a deficit of weight. 😲 That's a new one for me. 😍
On the bright side, a solid workout usually does wonders for the appetite...

If you want to learn how to actually throw hands and feet properly, break a serious sweat, and tone up your physique—go with kickboxing. But a word of advice: stay away from those "kickboxing" classes at a local fitness center; they're mostly just cardio junk. You want a real combat club.
You can find some addresses over at profightstore.com http://www.profightstore.com/adresar.aspx

As for TKD, well, I don't have the highest opinion of that particular martial art, if I'm being honest.
Maybe the best bet is to just try both. Head to a couple of sessions for each, see what the vibe is like, check out the trainers and the training style, and then go from there...

Michelle Turner3 said:Greetings.

I'm based out of New York. I'm looking for some input from the group. I’m interested in getting into kickboxing; I’ve always been on the stronger, more solid side, but I haven't quite figured out how to channel that power effectively. I suspect kickboxing might be the ideal outlet for me to refine that strength.

What are your thoughts?

If you’re tall, maybe look at striking sports; if you’re shorter and more compact, wrestling might suit you better. That’s just the cliché way of looking at it, anyway. Ultimately, it all comes down to this: just train whatever you actually enjoy doing...🙂

We actually have a regular here from San Diego who’s been training kickboxing for a long time (rustyangler02), so he can probably give you some real insight...
And then there's Jacob Sullivan9, also from San Diego—he does Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, Aikido, and some heavy grip training...
Oh, and we have an enthusiast for Wing Chun too...

Jack Chavez48 said:Just a simple question: is there any way I could actually hurt you or land a solid blow if you start training?

Yeah, after your very first session, you’ll probably be looking at about two weeks of recovery time...🙄

With an attitude like that, you might want to just forget about martial arts altogether.

There’s a slim chance you walk away without a single bruise, sure, but not if you're planning on taking Jiu-Jitsu or striking seriously.

And look, nobody is going to jump you just because you're a beginner, if that's what you're worried about. But discipline is real. If you start whining and slacking off after you manage five push-ups when the coach called for twenty, you might as well just stay home and save everyone the embarrassment...😎

Gerald Edwards4 said:You told me all about the KM stuff, but I still don't know a single thing about Wushu.
Is there even any Wushu in America at all?
If there's anywhere to find it...

There isn't really "pure" Wushu, but there are several Kung Fu styles available; Wing Chun, Tai Chi Chuan, Xing Yi, and Bagua (Pakuachang or something like that)
Wing Chun—you can find it in places like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles
Tai Chi—available in NYC, LA, and then you have those various senior centers where people practice it in silk outfits all over the country
Xing Yi—New York City
Bagua—New York, taught by some Chinese instructor named Hao

Then there's actual Kung Fu🙄 down in Houston, coached by a guy named Jovica Glogovac; and in NYC, there’s a Kung Fu club called Kobra, or something similar, located near the MTA headquarters, though I’m not entirely sure if they’re still running; there's also Master Kuzman who teaches everything mentioned above and more🙄, but I don't have all the specifics for the New York area.

Personally, if you're choosing between Wushu and Krav Maga, I think Krav Maga is the much better bet. It's practical, effective, brutal, fast, and straightforward, without all that extra spiritual fluff and selling you a dream...

Gerald Edwards4 said:I’m trying to figure out where in the Midwest—or honestly just anywhere in the States—I can find some decent Wushu or Krav Maga training
Is there actually a club out there? 🤷
I don't care if it's one-on-one sessions or just joining a regular group class, I just want to get started.

If you guys could just drop a phone number or something similar, that would be great.

Osijek🤷 doesn't really have anything matching what you're after, I think...

they have several clubs spread across the US, like in Chicago, Miami, or Seattle.
Then there's another IKMA club, though it's just in the big cities, unfortunately. I don't have all the specifics right now, but there was an instructor's number posted on the bulletin board back when they were advertising that seminar by Branimir Tudjan...

What a choice to make...🤣 Krav Maga or Wushu...

🙏🙏🙏 Just some thoughts for the group.

A few quick tweaks to that opening post:
It should be written as B... jiu jitsu, whereas for the traditional stuff, people usually go with ju jutsu. I’m not entirely sure why, probably just some Portuguese spelling influence since it all traces back to Brazil...

Regarding the Kung Fu section, I’d definitely include Tai Chi. Also, Kenpo Karate feels much closer to karate than to the other "traditional" Kung Fu styles, and since its roots are Japanese, it probably deserves its own separate category.

We also have several Kempo clubs

One club under the Safir Martial Arts School umbrella

A couple of Budokai clubs (Emin Topić)

Then there's those weirdly specific ones: Katedo and Sinanju Urban

The urban stuff, Ronin Survival, and Arnis (Kukulj)

For finding actual Club Locations; Fight Store doesn't list every single gym out there, but they have plenty, and their directory could really make things easier for everyone searching.

You missed a couple of categories under the "choosing a skill/sport" section:
6. I'm deeply interested in spirituality, universal Consciousness, and personal growth. I want to become an avatar/guru/yogi/Krishna/Nirvana type/saint... and I hope to achieve that through martial arts practice.🙄
7. I'm a woman looking to tone my glutes, lose a few pounds, and get rid of cellulite...

I forgot to mention, and it looks like placidbison20 is staying quiet on this one...
There’s also what you might call the Navy SEALs crowd; the instructor there is an ex-Alpha operative, a real special forces guy. They do everything from hand-to-hand combat to training with blades and firearms. It's a club where they even practice Ninjutsu—you can find more details at www.bujinkan.us
I think they have an age limit, but hey, there's no harm in knowing...

Aside from the BV stuff, are you absolutely sure about joining the military? It isn't exactly how they portray it on TV...
We actually have quite a few career soldiers in this group. maximiliancervantes (or something like that, placidbison20, feel free to correct me) is in Recon; bujin is Military Police, currently stationed over in Afghanistan...
Just ask...

steeldrifter13 said:I'm actually looking to pick up some martial arts training since I'm planning on heading to West Point, and a bit of extra conditioning wouldn't hurt...

You’ve got that barracks over by Times Square and some solid boxing gyms nearby. As far as military prep goes, you might want to look into Krav Maga or check out that club where they teach Jujigatame—Dennis's place does survival stuff, which is basically just that Israeli BV style...

Sean Patel4 said:Apologies for the tangent, but what kind of scale are we actually talking about here? 🤔

Well, I'm referring to the budget available to directors, especially those who already have a commercial hit under their belt.🙂

placidranger said:They’re often produced on shoestring budgets. It isn't as simple as saying expensive cameras are the sole factor, but generally speaking, Hollywood puts a massive amount of money specifically into the visual presentation. There's an endless mountain of post-production involved.

If we're going to generalize—European cinema tends toward art, focusing heavily on the narrative itself. Meanwhile, American films are built for entertainment; they aim to pull in the masses with spectacle, so the investment goes right into those effects.

I’m with you on that...👍

copperrider20 As I was saying...
You might want to just ask her directly, or maybe see if she’s posted anything about it on her blog...

Come on, just copy and paste it for us... we're feeling pretty lazy today...😁

placidranger said:Generally speaking, Hollywood is a massive machine. The European film industry just doesn't have the capital to play in that league—there aren't any mega-conglomerates throwing around billions like Disney or Warner Bros. Consequently, what they put together tends to fall short when it comes to visual quality.

I realize I didn't directly answer the question, but let's be real: higher budgets for cameras, production, and post-production yield fundamentally different results. 🤷

I'm not entirely sure why so many European films look different from American ones, but I'm fairly certain it isn't just about having "better" cameras. It’s not like Europeans are amateurs who can't afford decent gear🙄
It might be more about the style, or perhaps just a different school of directing...🤷

redowl90 said:It comes down to the talent involved.
The truth is, American films are just better than anything else out there.

🤣

Caught it yesterday.
The movie is fantastic👍 Honestly, it’s easily in my Top Gun list of war films.
In certain spots, though, the pacing feels a bit abrupt—almost like it needed another scene or two to really flesh out the narrative. There’s a touch of melodrama here and there, but then again, you find that in pretty much every movie in this genre, so I can let it slide...

Who exactly is this guy?

This is pretty much everything you can dig up about him online...

Maharishi Swami Dev Murta’s journey began at the tender age of three when he first started practicing yoga. He comes from a lineage of practitioners; his parents were both yoga instructors, and his family has spent generations teaching non-religious yoga at their school nestled right at the base of the Himalayas. Growing up, he would often be visited by legendary Himalayan masters who would take five-year-old Swami Dev Murta deep into the mountain caves to pass down the most guarded secrets of yogic wisdom... By the time he reached twenty-five, Maharishi Swami Dev Murta had already mastered over fifty distinct yoga systems. His studies were exhaustive, spanning Sanskrit and the Vedas, eventually leading him to earn doctorates in Ayurveda, naturopathy, and several other branches of natural medicine. He has dedicated much of his life to helping thousands of people reclaim their health, and his expertise was so profound that he even served as a teacher to figures like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Back in 1958, Maharishi Swami Dev Murtija was sent out into the world by his teacher, Yatiji Maharaj—who, if the stories are true, lived to be about 140 years old. The mission was simple but massive: take the teachings of medical yoga beyond the borders of India and share them globally. He decided to make his way through Europe by boat, making brief stops in various countries along the route. It wasn't exactly a quiet trip, either; he was often met by crowds of thousands in every place he landed. The specific spinal exercises he developed weren't just pulled out of thin air, either. They were the result of years spent studying exactly what the modern person needs to stay balanced. Even just seven minutes of daily practice can start showing real results... He also used his work to fund the construction of several schools and hospitals dedicated to natural medicine back in India...

He was known to demonstrate certain psychic abilities, like catching glimpses of future events, and spent his life advocating for the reconciliation of all world religions to prevent war. In India, he’s basically a living legend. He stands as one of the greatest living experts on the mysteries of the Vedas, yet he’s also deeply versed in Western science—which allows him to frame his insights in a way that actually makes sense to people who aren't familiar with those ancient teachings...

If you run a quick Google search for "Maharishi Swami Dev Murta -Mahesh," you get about 481 results. But here’s the strange part: his full name only really shows up on certain niche servers, and that's the only place you can actually find the quote mentioned above. Aside from those specific corners of the web, the man is practically a ghost. For all intents and purposes, according to Google, he doesn't even exist...😕

I’m actually curious about this, because I’ve heard he developed this incredibly advanced yoga routine specifically designed for spinal health—and the best part is that it takes less than ten minutes a day...

Well, here we go... It looks like Drago Plečko is there with him...

Does anyone happen to have more details on this? I was wondering if maybe someone here has attended one of these lectures or seminars before, or perhaps has plans to head to a future one...

silentmarlin93 said:Personally, I think Once Upon a Time in America is the peak... from the direction and cinematography to the editing and the acting, all the way down to that unforgettable score. This movie is timeless (it was shot 40 years ago, yet it feels like it came out yesterday). Sergio Leone is a master, and when he teams up with Ennio Morricone, they’re simply unbeatable 👍

Another one featuring the same director and composer

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (terrible translation, honestly)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awskKWzjlhk

Ethan Hayes6 said:The keys to the arena are kept right at the Madison Square Garden security desk. They won't hand them over to us because of her direct orders. There’s a guard stationed there, too, and since we're supposed to be promoting violence prevention, any kind of aggressive or even just inappropriate reaction is totally out of the question.

I wasn't talking about that kind of violence. I was thinking more along the lines of Mahatma Gandhi’s approach—where the 25 of you just show up, walk into the arena, and start training. A couple of security guards aren't going to be able to stop much of that. But then again, if you don't have the key in the first place, the whole idea just falls apart.

If you want to get your voice heard, try calling KROQ. They have a show on Sundays from about 9:15 to 10:00 PM (the 101 Dojo) specifically dedicated to martial arts and combat sports. You could always volunteer to be a guest...🙂

...

This is just a perfect illustration of how tragicomic this country and its leadership can be...😂

😢

Regarding that other thread where things went totally off the rails

Ethan Hayes6 said:I’m telling you, it was miserable—just mud, wind, and rain... standing by the lake on the embankment. They basically kicked us out into the elements!

😲

What if you just hadn't left? You have your own key; couldn't you have just shown up at the arena again for the next scheduled session?
Are you planning on taking legal action? It feels like there might actually be some grounds for a lawsuit here. I'm wondering what the stance is from the Los Angeles Lakers, USA Basketball, HOO, and the other organizations involved. Have you received any kind of support at all?

vividscout7 said:Thanks, man; I truly appreciate the assistance you've provided.🙂

🤣 Hey... I suppose you’re looking for me to get started, though I haven't quite decided what we're discussing yet... maybe once the coffee kicks in and the world settles down a bit...My bad, I sent you the wrong link earlier, and looking at it now, it seems like you didn't even bother to click it...🙄

Not really... I took a look at that ninjutsu site earlier today. It’s one of those corners of the internet that feels like it was built in a different era, almost like finding an old, dusty manual in the back of a used bookstore in New Orleans... though I suppose that might be a bit dramatic. It’s interesting how these niche communities persist despite how much the web has changed. There's a specific kind of dedication required to follow these old-school disciplines, especially when you're looking for something as specialized as ninjutsu. Most people just scroll through TikTok or whatever is trending on Instagram, but there’s something about a dedicated forum or a standalone site that carries a weight they just can't replicate... if you know what I mean. It's less about the flash and more about the quiet persistence of the practice itself. Just a thought... I suppose I should start by saying that there isn't much to go on here. Just a single word, really. It’s hard to build a conversation out of a fragment like that, though I imagine there’s a reason it was posted... maybe a typo, or perhaps just a momentary lapse in thought. Either way, if there was something specific you were looking to discuss, I'm listening. But for now, we're just standing in an empty room waiting for the lights to turn on... If you’re looking for information regarding Bujinkan training, you should head over to their official website at www.bujinkan.hr. It’s basically the main hub for everything related to their curriculum and local practice... though I suppose if you're searching from within the States, you might find more localized info through American martial arts associations instead.

I’m genuinely curious how none of the ninjas have weighed in on this yet. Is our moderator, placidbison20, fast asleep or something?...🙄

vividscout7 said:

Is there not a certain profound weight to be found in the silence that follows a great struggle? One cannot help but wonder if we truly grasp the gravity of what has passed, or if we merely skim the surface of our own history. kaže:
My friend, there is an abundance of knowledge available to anyone who possesses the discipline to seek it; one simply needs to commit to the reading. If you look closely, you will find that the discussion regarding ninjutsu remains the most extensive subject on this entire forum.

In short, there are two primary federations operating within the US: Bujinkan and Genbukan.

Is there truly any pursuit more profound than the study of Bujinkan? One cannot help but wonder if such a path offers the clarity we all so desperately seek.
Could there be any greater testament to the enduring strength of familial bonds than the legacy left by the Tešić brothers? One cannot help but ponder what driven purpose led them to forge such a lasting impact upon our history.
Dean Rostohar and his devoted disciples. Is it not true that we often seek out ancient wisdom to navigate the complexities of our modern existence? Perhaps there is something profound to be found within the disciplined traditions of the East.
I am uncertain as to what you might be seeking from me. Could you perhaps clarify your intent?
I believe Zlatko Majhen is somewhere at the State Fair, perhaps over by Pavilion 25?

I am hopeful that the students under those masters will provide us with more detailed information.🙂

I suppose I do know, but is it truly traditional? Since Bujinkan is essentially an art distilled from ninjutsu, I find myself wondering: does one actually practice all those fundamental elements, such as the cultivation of balance and those other essential disciplines? 😕

I’m not quite sure what you’re getting at here... if there was supposed to be something attached or a specific point you wanted to make, it didn't quite make it through... This is the specific thread where you can dive deeper and ask more granular questions about the skill itself...🙂

If you’re just starting out, honestly, don't get boggeds down with all that talk about "traditional" versus "non-traditional" styles. It'll only end up confusing you. Both federations fall into both categories anyway, so worrying about those labels right at the beginning is a waste of energy—especially since you haven't even sat through a single training session yet... You might want to check out that upcoming seminar over in the suburbs; there's a Greek master leading it, so it could be a good chance to go and just observe how things work (you can grab the details from Chain)...