Ok some of your post made sense, but it seems like you're approaching traditional martial art la-la land so I figured I'd take issue with a few points here.
Firstly, there is no honor system of fighting anywhere. So I seriously doubt that Asia is more badass then say Thailand, US, or Brazil. It sure as shit isn't as dangerous as Israel.
As for "Choose a lineage that has proven itself for hundreds if not thousands of years". Please. Most of the traditional arts have been watered down into forms and dances used mainly for meditating or theater. And don't even try to tell me that Tai-Chi has useful fighting applications.
Western boxing has some of the most practical footwork out there for actual fighting.
I assume you're not talking about Bagua (or any other Kung Fu) here?
Please explain to me how any Kung Fu art is better at conditioning you to take blows than actually getting hit every day in say Boxing, Muay Thai, or MMA?
I'm pretty interested in what "Iron Shirt" is going to be.
Yes because walking in a circle and flailing your arms about all day is far more effective for self defense training than actually putting on sparring gear and going after someone that is trying to hit you back.
I hope I wasn't too sarcastic or snippy here. You're probably not one of the "I-can't-spar-or-I-would-hurt-you" people that have brainwashed themselves into thinking they are trained in an ancient form of death dealing.
I just don't think that Baqua or any other kind of kung fu is a viable form of self defense these days.
Didn't the original UFC teach us anything? Please keep in mind that there were mostly no rules back then.
BTW my Wing Chun instructor dabbled in Bagua so I know a little about it. Never liked it. This probably isn't the best video, but here it is in case anyone is curious.
YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.
