You sound like a busy man, Lordmuppet!
I think what baldy mentioned is an extremely important point of 1 year with someone versus 6 weeks of the best. I do get what he is saying and I'm sure thats the case in some circumstances, it's just in self defence methodology can be so different between teachers and arts. I think people often think martial arts is fighting, therefore it can be self defence. And a lot of them will market themselves as self defence, but they may not have the other neccesary parts like adrenaline exposure/pressure testing, situation control, pre-emtive striking...basically the kind of things in the article I linked to you before!
One other thing regarding ju-jitsu, being on the floor is considered often not to the a great place in a 'street fight', because for one, lots of fights happen now with multiples, which obviously means if you try to wrestle one, the other[s] will be kicking you. Even if it appears to be only one, their mate could come round the corner, or any random person who wants to get involved. Also on top of this on the floor it's hard to see if they are accessing a weapon such as a knife because you will be tied up with them. Obviously too a mat is not the same as a road. That is not to say it's not good to train it though, just bare it in mind!
I will pm you some links!
Although the effeminate nature of my username may suggest otherwise, my gender actually falls into the male category.
I find it extremely difficult at times but also addictive and I love watching the higher grades they are very efficient and explosive.
