Karate and Martial Arts

The Shaolin Monastery China

2011-09-25T03:23:00.000-07:00

The Shaolin Monastery China was the major temple of Shaolin Buddhism in China. It really is situated at Shaoshi Mountain in the west of Songshan Mountain ranges (1 of China’s 5 most renowned mountains), in Dengfeng City, is 76 kilometres away from Zhengzhou, capital of Central China’s Henan Province. It’s led by Venerable abbot Shi Yongxin.Against the backdrop of Wuru Peak of Shaoshi Mountain, it really is surrounded with forests and hills as its natural defense.

The style of Buddhism developed here centered on martial arts training and Zen meditation. Thanks to Shaolin Kung Fu movies, they’re probably probably the most familiar Buddhist monasteries in the West.

The monks studied the movements of animals and copied them – crawling snakes, leaping tigers, dancing mantises, and so on. The exercises evolved into a type of self-defense, as The Shaolin Monastery China was in a secluded location where bandits would have traveled and wild animals were an occasional difficulty, so the martial side of the temple most likely started out to fulfill self-defense requirements. Soon after a although, these movements had been codified into a system of self-defense.

From childhood, Shaolin monks subjected themselves to rigorous training five hours each day, daily. Only soon after 20 years of this could they be regarded as totally fledged monks, by which time they could perform incredible feats. Examples range from breaking concrete slabs with their fists to balancing on 1 finger.

The martial arts taught at The Shaolin Monastery China had a spiritual and moral dimension that was regarded as equally, if not much more, essential than the physical. The monks spent as numerous hours praying and meditating as they did in kung fu training. They adhered to a moral code in which self-defense was the only acceptable reason for fighting and killing one’s opponent was to be avoided if possible.

In 1674, a group of monks went to the aid of the Ching Emperor against foreign invaders. Although they were victorious, when the Emperor asked if they join the Ching army, the monks declined. The angry Emperor had the temple destroyed. Most of the surviving monks fled to countryside and practiced in hiding or led rebel groups to assist overthrow the Ching government.

By the early 1700′s Northern Shaolin had develop into a set style. Northern Shaolin, and was only one of the a number of fighting styles taught at the original Henan Temple.
Right after this, each Buddhists in the temple and Buddhists all over China faced times when they were attacked. In numerous eras, the governments tried to destroy the religion. At times, the monks had been considered to be enemies by several governments or armies. At other times, the monks at the temple were favored if they helped to protect the rulers.
the Manchus destroyed the compound in 1647 and massacred virtually the whole population of monks. The Shaolin temples china (The Shaolin Monastery China) was not rebuilt until about 1800.

Today’s robed residents at Shaolin are extremely skilled fighters, but can not be regarded as genuine Shaolin monks, for the spiritual side of their discipline is now virtually absent. The truth is, the present abbot has a distinct reputation for aggression. There are still genuine Shaolin monks in China, but they keep a low profile and are not to be found at Shaolin.

Nevertheless, the ancient temple remains a center of pilgrimage for martial arts enthusiasts, an excellent place to get quality kung fu lessons, along with a popular tourist destination.

Fast and Furious

2011-09-24T10:27:00.000-07:00

What is Parkour?

Parkour is the physical discipline of training to overcome any obstacle within one's path by adapting one's movements to the environment.

Parkour requires... consistent, disciplined training with an emphasis on functional strength, physical conditioning, balance, creativity, fluidity, control, precision, spatial awareness, and looking beyond the traditional use of objects.
Parkour movements typically include... running, jumping, vaulting, climbing, balancing, and quadrupedal movement. Movements from other physical disciplines are often incorporated, but acrobatics or tricking alone do not constitute parkour.
Parkour training focuses on... safety, longevity, personal responsibility, and self-improvement. It discourages reckless behavior, showing off, and dangerous stunts.
Parkour practitioners value... community, humility, positive collaboration, sharing of knowledge, and the importance of play in human life, while demonstrating respect for all people, places, and spaces.

It is a discipline that can be practiced both indoors and outdoors and develop the perception of danger and distance. In the gym it's safer because you can use elastic mattresses, while on the road is easier to get hurt. Below i'll show you different tecnique for practice this sport and remember that you can do it only after several exercise. Climb Up

A variation of the muscle up, climb ups are used to climb up and over a wall from the hanging position. Climb ups are used extensively in Parkour; after doing wall pops, arm jumps, and climbing in general. The climb up builds the necessary strength and coordination to overcome any shape wall and is an invaluable skill for any practitioner.Windshield Wipers

Windshield wipers are a brutal core exercise that targets the obliques, an often neglected and hard to work part of the body. This exercise will improve core stability and will specifically improve power and flexibility needed in twisting motions.

Those exercise that seems very hard, are the basic to made fantastic jump, like this

hoping that the wall will not collapse...

Why is Karate not an Olympic sport?

2011-09-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

The main reason is the same as kung fu, there are many different styles and then there is the profound difference between traditional and sport karate ... then there are several federations and this involves a problem for the organization.
In Italy, the bigger karate federation is call fijlkam and here we can find the greatest champions of WKF federation, where we can find professional athletes paid to do karate by the armed forces, such as police, etc..
The Biggest problem is that a lot of very important masters of traditional karate doesn't want to mix all different style, and find new rules that can be included for the challenge, from Kata to Kumite.
Some of the most important master are japanese, below some of them:

M° Hiroshi Shirai, black belt 9° Dan, was sent to Italy to export the Traditional Karate.

Taiji Kase was sent to France to teach karate, 10° Dan

Hidetaka Nishiyama 10° Dan was sent in USA, On 3 November 2003, the Emperor of Japan awarded him the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette to Him in a ceremony on the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Hirokazu Kanazawa (金泽弘和, Hirokazu Kanazawa, May 3, 1931) is a Japanese karate master, and Karateka. It is considered one of the greatest karate masters never existed. In 1956 he passed the examination for the 3 rd Dan and examination for trainer. In 1957 he participated in the tournament for the first time All Japan Karate Championships. On that occasion, Kanazawa had a broken wrist and was about to give up. Meanwhile, the mother was already traveling to come see him, so he decided to participate anyway and managed to win all matches. Since then won the tournament for two consecutive times.

Kanazawa is currently president and chief instructor of the world's largest Shotokan Karate organization in the world, the International Shotokan Karate-do Federation. In April 2000 he was promoted to 10 Dan in spite of his fame and success, Kanazawa is a very helpful and charismatic person and prefers to spend most of your leisure time with their students. It is also 2 Dan in Judo and practice Tai Chi Chuan and Kobudo.

The Doctor - Giorgio Petrosyan - K-1 world champion 2011

2011-09-24T05:02:00.000-07:00

Ninja equipments and weapons

2011-09-24T02:05:00.000-07:00

Below i'll show you different kind of typical weapons of the Japan during feudal time. This section concern the equipment of a spy or, as it is better to call it, the weapons of the ninja.
They were able to climb walls to surprise any enemy defenses, so let's start with the right equipment that they have had with him.

Ninja Grappling Hook

Ninja Foot Spikes

Ninja Hand Claws

Ninja Weapon: Shogee

They had to be strictly dressed in black, not to be seen in the night and to blend with the shadows. Their steps should be as light as the rustle of the leaves to fall behind the enemy and take him by surprise.

So the clothes were black as night and the best ninja were able to complete a mission without being detected so that you can never leave the place in complete discretion.

Let's start talking about the weapons they brought with them a mission. They had to be lethal and hit so fast and deadly.

As for the melee, they used the deadly Katana, i Sai, the Kamas, the manriki-gusari. They were experts in martial arts so they were able to kill their victims even bare hands, using techniques handed down by the deadly ninjitsu, karate, kung fu, and other techniques belonging to different schools ninja.

What kind of pungiball is better to use during a workout?

2011-09-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

Not always possible to go to the gym to train, so sometimes, you must have the tools to train at home. Below we will discuss a speech about the best type of pungiball to do Sparring.

first type: This type is useful mainly to train the arms and fists. you must ensure that it is attached to the floor very well, otherwise it could not withstand the impact of the blow.
Weaknesses: Can be used only for the legs for high kicks, while for medium and low kicks can not be used.

second type: This is a great training tool because you can kick and punch mids and highs. The cost is around 120 euros, but is perfect for the type of padding that absorbs all the blows.
Weaknesses: The base that supports the tool is filled with water, but a strong blow could bring down the pungiball and is therefore not ideal for very strong shocks. However, if the shots are taken with moderate strength, then it is useful to your workouts.

third type: This is the best type of pungiball ever. Being attached to the ceiling, unable to absorb all the shocks, high medium and low. The only difficulty lies in finding a place to put this tool to do sparring and once you've solved this little problem, then you can take your workouts from home.

What kind of Holidays do you Prefer???? Relaxing or Muay Thai Camp??

2011-09-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

Rawai Muay Thai Camp is the original Thai Boxing Gym located on the tropical island of Phuket. At Rawai Muay Thai. Offer fight training, fitness training, Yoga, personal training, detox programs and diet and nutrition information to help you lose weight. Here you can train all levels, from complete beginners to professional athletes.

You start your day at 7:30 am with a morning run (30 - 60 minutes). You then participate in the morning training session which can include sparring, teachnique, boxing, kicking pads and so on. You can then finish your morning training session with 30 - 40 minutes of weight training, yoga, and stretching. At 3 pm you are back in the gym for another 2 - 3 hours of Muay Thai and fitness training in the high humidity of the tropics.

You don't have to be a Muay Thai / Martial arts specialist or a fighting junkie to be training at Rawai Muay Thai Camp. Many people come here for a variety of other reasons such as weight loss and fitness training rather than just to learn to fight Muay Thai Boxing.
When you return home to your usual training gym, you then realize how much you have improved in fitness and in your Muay Thai Boxing technique. Most students return to Rawai Muay Thai Camp for more Muay Thai & fitness training within a year of their first visit.
First.... ....After!!!

Equipment of the Samurai

2011-09-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Tachi

The katana evolved as a more sleek and compact alternative to the tachi. Its origins go at least as far back as the Kamakura Period, with several blades dated from that time residing in various national repositories.

Its growth in popularity is believed to have been due to the changing nature of close-combat warfare. The quicker draw of the sword was well suited to combat where victory depended heavily on fast response times.
The katana further facilitated this by being worn thrust through a belt-like sash (obi) with the bladed edge facing upwards. Ideally, samurai could draw the sword and strike down the enemy in a single motion. Previously, the curved tachi had been worn with the edge of the blade facing down and suspended from a belt.

The length of the blade varied considerably during the course of its history. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, katana blades tended to be between 70 to 73 cm (27.6 to 28.7 in) in length. While during the early 16th century, the average length was closer to 60 cm (23.6 in). By the late 16th century, the average length returned to approximately 73 cm (28.7 in).

example of a katana

Wakizashi

The katana was often paired with a similar smaller companion sword, such as a wakizashi or it could also be worn with the tantō, an even smaller similarly shaped sword. The pairing of a katana with a smaller sword is called the daishō. The daisho could only be worn by samurai and it represented the social power and personal honor of the samurai.

The Legend of Samurai

2011-09-23T00:55:00.000-07:00

Samurai (侍) is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. Samurai warriors described themselves as followers of "The Way of the Warrior" or Bushido. Bushidō is defined by the Japanese dictionary Shogakukan Kokugo Daijiten as "a unique philosophy (ronri) that spread through the warrior class from the Muromachi (chusei) period. From the earliest times, the Samurai felt that the path of the warrior was one of honor, emphasizing duty to one's master, and loyalty unto death.
Emperor Meiji abolished the samurai's right to be the only armed force in favor of a more modern, western-style, conscripted army in 1873. Samurai became Shizoku (士族) who retained some of their salaries, but the right to wear a katana in public was eventually abolished along with the right to execute commoners who paid them disrespect.

The samurai finally came to an end after hundreds of years of enjoyment of their status, their powers, and their ability to shape the government of Japan. However, the rule of the state by the military class was not yet over.

The Way of Karate

2011-09-23T00:31:00.000-07:00

“There is no first attack in karate.” This phrase embodies the essential spirit of Okinawan karate. Although karate is a martial art, it must be a defensive art from beginning to end. The essence of karate-do (the way of karate), lies in the defensive function of karate. Students of any martial arts, including karate-do must not forget the cultivation of mind as well as body. In karate-do one's individual goal might be improvement of his health or training of his body to function efficiently. He might wish to develop a strength of his arms or legs or body, or to attain poise and fortitude. Some might wish to learn karate to cultivate humility. All such goals have to do with self-development.

The dreadful offensive and defensive power of karate is well known. Karate is an art, with which one can defeat opponents with a single fist attack, or kick, without weapons. The value of the art depends on one, applying it. If its application is for good purpose, the art is of great value. But if it is misused, there is no more evil or harmful art than karate. The unarmed combat, improperly used, is certainly dangerous and vicious. But, if properly applied, it can produce results of great value.. The correct understanding of karate and its proper use is “karate-do”.

On the contrary, if one misuses the techniques of karate, he nullifies its benefits and merits. Such misuse, arising from superficial understanding, is in fact self-defeating.

Those who follow the way of karate must consider courtesy of prime importance. Without courtesy, the essence of karate-do is lost. No one is qualified to be a karateman without courtesy, even if he excels others in his technique. This is the very reason why karate practice begins and ends with a bow. The bow represents one's recognition of the meaning of courtesy. Courtesy must be practiced, not only during training periods but in all times of one's daily life.

Sports Kumite

2011-09-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

The sports kumite, unlike the traditional one, is based on dynamic techniques. shots can be taken as "jumping" to the opponent and do not need to be with both feet attached to Tatami. Is also important to turn around the opponent and not be in line with it, something that happens in traditional kumite.
This is an encounter between two great champions, Davide Benetello and Christophe Pinna.

Comparison of Martial Arts

2011-09-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

This is a very interesting video from a kung fu practitioner and a practitioner of taekwondo. it is a struggle between two different styles, and here, the difference is the ability of the two fighters. enjoy! =)

Traditional Kumite

2011-09-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

Kumite (組手) means sparring, and is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon. Kumite is the part of karate in which you train against an adversary, using the techniques learned from the kihon and kata.
Traditional kumite concerns the ability to hit your opponent with your feet remain on the ground so as to make the blow more powerful and stable. The technique is very important and a well-aimed blow could send KO opponent.
The video below is taken from a competition of traditional kumite JKA federation.
(sorry for the poor quality of the video)

Different styles, different kata

2011-09-22T05:47:00.000-07:00

Below you will see different kata, that are forms of combat.

The first video is about the individual kata WKF World Champion Luca Valdesi with his kata Gankaku from Shotokan Style.

The following is a sample of old karate style Goju Ryu. here's to you ABE with his kata Suparimpei.

As a final example, a kata performed by the athlete of the Italian National Karate, Shito Ryu style. His name is Luke Brancaleon and for many will be the worthy heir of Luke Waldenses. The kata name is Paiku

which martial art to choose

2011-09-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

This is the first step.
I have tried many disciplines and in the end I chose karate because it is the style I prefer. But there are so many combat sports, so it is easy to navigate. Here there will mention a few:

Karate is a form of fighting which originated in Okinawa, an island in Japan. Karate uses all parts of the human body as a weapon such as the hand, fist, elbow, leg and knee.

Taekwondo is a martial art (system of fighting) of Korean origin, similar enough to the Japanese karate. It is based on the utilization of the hands and feet in order to attack or to be defended from an adversary, although some techniques use fingertips, elbows, or knees in order to strike the opponent. Taekwondo is a national sport in South Korea, kyeorugi is a sport event in the Olympic Games.

Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu, are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" (家, jiā), "sects" (派, pài) or "schools" (門, mén) of martial arts. Examples of such traits include physical exercises involving animal mimicry, or training methods inspired by Chinese philosophies, religions and legends. Styles which focus on qi manipulation are labeled as internal , while others concentrate on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness and are labeled external . Geographical association, as in northern and southern , is another popular method of categorization.

Newcomer!!!

2011-09-22T04:07:00.000-07:00

Here we are, this will be the new web site dedicated to martial arts.
Here you can share your thoughts about all types and styles of martial arts, share events, emotions and experiences of all kind, as long as the central topic of our conversations is our passion .....

.....martial arts

Karate and Martial Arts

The Shaolin Monastery China

Fast and Furious

Traduzione da italiano verso inglese

Why is Karate not an Olympic sport?

The Doctor - Giorgio Petrosyan - K-1 world champion 2011

Ninja equipments and weapons

Traduzione da italiano verso inglese

Traduzione da italiano verso inglese

What kind of pungiball is better to use during a workout?

What kind of Holidays do you Prefer???? Relaxing or Muay Thai Camp??

Equipment of the Samurai

The Legend of Samurai

The Way of Karate

Sports Kumite

Comparison of Martial Arts

Traditional Kumite

Different styles, different kata

Traduzione da italiano verso inglese

which martial art to choose

Newcomer!!!