I am a lacrosse goalie and during the off-season I have decided to
take martial arts for a number of reasons.
1) I am Buddhist and want more self-discipline 
2) I would like more strentgh, balance, and agility 
3) I would like to work on my reflexes for lacrosse. 
I am looking into a martial art that teaches long staff or "bo". I
have looked a little online, and all I could find is Bojitsu. There
are 3 answers I am looking for:
A) What martial arts teach the art of long staff?
B) Which specific art would suit my reasons for taking martial arts the best?
C) Can the answer to B be found in Colorado Springs, CO?
I realize this is a big task, so thanks a lot! Alex

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Clarification of Question by cougar43-ga on 04 Aug 2004 15:54 PDT

Wow. Didn't expect activity so quickly. Thanks. I always thought that
one's worst enemy is uncontrolled emotion, which sounds like street
fighting. But, lacrosse is a very physical game. I need something that
will help with my concentration and focus under intense pressure,
while using a stick (goalie stick/bo/long staff/bow).

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Clarification of Question by cougar43-ga on 04 Aug 2004 15:55 PDT

And will increase my strength, balance, and agility: both mentally and pyshically.

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Clarification of Question by cougar43-ga on 05 Aug 2004 16:18 PDT

Another clarification: I am not going to compete in martial arts. I
plan to simply train.

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Clarification of Question by cougar43-ga on 11 Aug 2004 17:48 PDT

If researchers are having a tough time finding any information, I
guess the most essential information I would like to know is: Where
can I go in Colorado Springs, CO to learn the art of long staff? (Here
is a website defining long staff:
http://www.bo-staff.com/history_of_the_bo.html)

I know my son's Taekwondo teacher studies the Bo Staff.  I am sure
there are Taekwondo Schools in Colorado Springs.

This is just my own opinion, but I'd really recommend kenpo (and I'd
discourage tae kwon do-- a black belt in tae kwon do would get the
crap kicked out of him by any serious fighter... not that there aren't
good tae kwon do black belts out there, just that it is more an art
form with useless fighting skills). I took kenpo for awhile, and it
deals a lot with balance, chi, power fighting moves (things that will
actually work on the street), as well as a variety of weaponry,
including bamboo sticks and the bow. It has really come in handy for
rugby. However, it just depends on the instructor whether he knows how
to use and teach the bow. Hope that helps.

I think the poster's goal is exercise, agility, self-discipline etc.
He didn't say anything about training for street fighting.  His
requirements don't exclude Kenpo at all.  I think the best advice is
to start calling around and find someone who meets with your philosphy
and goals.(and budget)  Most placs will let you take a free class or
at least observe a class.

IMHO, the best technique for street fighting is to avoid it!  There
aren't any rules in street fighting, except that there aren't any
rules.  There are some bad people out there and most of us - at least
I don't - have the drive to be ruthless in a fight.  I am not an
expert, but I would find it very difficult to get in the right frame
of mind to be confruntational to the degree neccesary in a street
fight.  I don't think cougar43 is looking for a street fight school.

Sorry, I just got moody over my opinion of tae kwon do. Kenpo is not
streetfighting, but it is a karate that would actually prove useful
for such. That's all I meant. It would be 1) great for self-discipline
(as is tae kwon do), 2) increase strength, balance, and agility very
well, and 3) be great for your reflexes... and might I add, great for
the attitude needed to play lacrosse well (aggresiveness at driving
in, getting the ball, etc.).

Another 2 cents...

I studied Kenpo for a bit and the Bo was one of the weapons we trained
on, but I'm not sure that it will add much to your lacrosse game. For
the most part, the Bo training was pretty much choreograhped to
prevent students from seriously hurting each other.

As far as strength, balance, agility and reflexes - you might want to
look at kickboxing or boxing.  The training (esp. if you get in the
ring and spar) is MUCH, MUCH more intense in my experience.  YOu have
to be in better shape (for offense and defense), move faster, read
your opponent better, etc.  Everything just happens faster.  In
martial arts sparring you usually get a point for just touching or
stopping short of hitting your opponent and often stop between
"points".  This means that you throwing slower softer strikes.  With
boxing you may throw a punch that would have been a winning "point" in
martial arts, but in boxing if you didn't throw it fast enough,
correct timing, no telegraphing, etc. your opponent may get off a 4+
punch combination that makes you wish you stuck with golf.