AboutMarc MacYoung Expertise Street self-defense, crime avoidance and personal safety
Experience I grew up in the streets of Los Angeles in 'situational poverty.' I have dealt with criminals and violent people all my life -- both personally and professionally. I have written 15 books and 6 videos on surviving street violence. I was originally published under the name Marc Animal MacYoung. (Animal was my street name). I've taught police and military both internationally and within the US. I've lectured at universities, academies and done countless TV, radio, newspaper and magazine interviews. I'm a professional speaker on crime avoidance and personal safety. And I am an expert witness recognized by the US court system.
My bio is at
www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/marcmacyoung.html
My abridged CV (Curriculum Vitae) is at
http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/seminarEW.htm
Organizations See CV
Publications Too numerous to list here. My CV (for my expert witness work in court) is at
http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/seminarEW.htm
Question Hi,
In my area I have a Hapkido school, a Modern Arnis school, a traditional Wing Chun school and Muay Thai school.
I checked them all out (took free classes) and the problem is, I really like them all!
I am 41 and in very good condition (according to my doctor and thanks to God!) but I'm sort of thinking the muay thai might be a little over the top exercise wise. But if I were to stick with it, I would certainly be ready for the ladies on the beach. haha.
Anyway, of the styles mentioned which one would you choose and why?
I've done pretty extensive research on each of these disciplines, so I have a solid grasp of what each style entails. I simply would just like to know which one of these you would find most suitable for learning usable and practical self defense skills based on your knowledge and experience.
Perhaps two "top 4" lists. One for self defense and the other for best health benefits (which is also very important to me second only to learning interesting, cerebral and fun self defense skills).
I know I sure did prattle on, but your advice and input is greatly appreciated! Thank you very much.
Answer For self-defense? None of them.
For fun, enjoyment, exercise, socializing and a
mental challenge, any of them.
I have a saying "Self-defense is a legally defined
term" That means to understand what is and isn't
self-defense is requires you to step outside of
the realm of the physical/martial arts. In fact, I
talk about how easy it is for what you're doing to
change from self-defense to fighting to assault.
And ALL of them can be done with the exact same
punch. The difference is WHEN and under what
circumstances you throw that punch.
Those are things that you won't learn in a martial
art school.
If you aren't being taught things like when you
can and can't use the system, if you aren't being
taught when to start and when to stop, if you
aren't being taught stuff like how to talk to cops
after wards or how to talk down potentially
violent situation you're not being taught
'self-defense.' http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/self-defensetraining.htm
You're being taught something else under the title
of self-defense.
For a very versatile different levels of force
that you can use under a wide variety of
circumstances? (like getting Drunken Uncle Albert
out of a family reunion without hurting him or
causing a road rage guy to fall down and hurt
himself when he swings at you). I'd say Hapkido.
For knowing how to handle yourself in tight
cramped areas, wing chun.
Arnis, is loads of fun, but if you use a stick on
someone it looks really bad on the security film.
Muay Thai also doesn't look so nice and friendly.
You'll knock the snot out of someone, but it does
look a whole lot like fighting on tape.
