i spent some time watching some Kenpo classes once just out of curiosity to know more about other martial arts and what they do. It was by far the most bizarre display of ridiculous insanity that i had witnessed as someone who went to all tournaments in the seattle area, studied couple styles of karate, boxed and owned a martial arts school.
fighting is fighting. if you want to learn to hit... you better be in an emotional place to BE HIT... if you want to kick... you better be in a place where you are prepared to be kicked. if you want to be good... you better be prepared for pain. if you are kinda into it... don't bother. if you want to learn how to fight on the ground... train bjj. if you want to be good... be prepared to give 110% every second you are in the gym... be prepared to work until you puke. if you're not ready for that.. don't bother... if you want to carry a gun, be ready for someone to take it from you and kill you with it. if you want to learn some jackasses "self defense" course... be prepared to kick a guy in the balls and have him in turn, tear your head off. if you want to use mace... be prepared to get beat to death by the pissed off psychotic guy with mace in his face.
there are no easy answers. life is wildly unpredictable, violent and chaotic. if you want to feel safer.. don't put yourself in an unsafe place. that is the single best answer. if you think training is the answer... you will only be as good as the effort you put into it and as good as the instructor can make you. the vast majority of martial arts is pure bullshit. martial arts that isn't bullshit is hard work, pain and intense training.
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