I would like a listing of women's self-defense schools, jiu jitsu
schools, and schools that teach sai (a short sword-like weapon with
two long tines on either end of the hilt--it's designed to trap a
sword and the fighter uses two).  The schools need to be in Manhattan,
specifically south of 110 street and above Canal street. Alphabet City
is also out of range. I have already found New York Jiu Jitsu at 577
Broadway.  Thank you!

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Clarification of Question by jade28-ga on 10 Feb 2005 19:16 PST

This is for research purposes for a book.  I wouldn't actually be
participating, but calling the schools to see if I could observe.

(Thanks for the comment!)

I don't have the answer to your question, but this might help.
://www.google.com/local?hl=en&lr=&q=karate&near=manhattan%2C+NY&btnG=Search&sc=1

Also, if you're a beginner (you didn't really say), I think it's
unlikely you'll find a school that will teach Sai or any other type of
Japanese weaponry.  Generally speaking, you master the basics first
before weaponry is taught.  The symbol or acknowledgement of a mastery
of the 'basics' is a Black Belt.

Must learn to crawl before you walk. =)

Good luck in your search.

one of the best (if not the best) martial arts schools in manhattan is
the Renzo Gracie Academy.  Renzo is part of the Gracie clan that
founded Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and competes internationally in mixed
martial arts competitions, as do several of his students.

Here is the contact info:

224 West 30th Street
Between 7th and 8th Avenues
NYC, NY 10001


The URL below should get you to a yellow pages listing of martial arts
schools in manhattan, using Madison Square Garden as the point of
reference:

http://yp.yahoo.com/py/ypResults.py?Pyt=Typ&city=New+York&state=NY&zip=10121&uzip=10121&country=us&msa=5600&cs=5&ed=u67Xkq160Swr7h4Ewan5EvtAFPt7JlJD7A_gwO.08FipRulThPJDWWXYskpYajZb6g--&tab=B2C&stx=8120454&stp=y&desc=Martial+Arts&qtx=martial+arts&doprox=1&sorttype=distance&beyond=1&stat=ClkByndLower

phone: 212.279.6724

the phone number above is for the Renzo Gracie school, it just got
bumped below the URL I pasted on accident

More on Renzo's academy here: http://www.renzogracie.com/html/rzacademy.aspx

(I am not one of his students.  The jiu-jitsu school I used to go to
in DC was actually one of his rivals, but it was a friendly rivalry.)