Mixed Martial Arts

Practical Self Defense Is The Best Remedy

2011-07-27T16:50:00.000+01:00

By Jeff Yuan

If walking around somewhere all by yourself is not exactly the way to make yourself feel as safe as safe can be, then the idea of devoting some time in practical self defense is probably a good idea for you to consider. You may find it surprising to learn that self defense does not need to be some kind of elaborate plot, that there are basic moves that can do the trick when the time comes.

Taking a class is one good way of getting about acquiring practical self defense. To begin with, look into a class that covers the basic moves for your basic self defense. If you go for the basics, you are not going to feel that the whole thing is just too much. So that a basic class can quickly give you all that you need in order to be able to protect yourself from harm.

Another thing that you can do to learn the art of practical self defense is to invest in some DVDs. Or sign on for an online course. If you don't feel like going to classes, these alternative ways are always there as possibilities. If your timetable is irregular, then these alternatives are going to accommodate you well. This way you can learn self defense on your own time and at your own pace.

Learning practical self defense at home has a lot of advantages, too. You can move from the fundamentals to the more advanced levels according to your own particular schedule. You may simply find that learning things at home is to your liking and, therefore, to your best advantage.

Should you find it necessary to learn to use self defense weapons, it would be a good idea to get some videos on how to employ them properly. You can't just, as a rule, use such weapons safely without some previous instruction. And if and when you find yourself in a place where such a weapon would be needed, you'd know what to do with it.

Practical self defense is easily available, and it is a wonderful way to get some of the essential and even some of the advanced maneuvers under your belt. This can only make your more confident and more willing and able t defend yourself, should the need ever arise.

About the Author:

For more information, visit Self Defense Training. They have a complete resource center including a Free Special Report, fun survey, a wealth of articles and some product reviews.

The Reasons You Must Learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

2011-07-27T16:24:00.000+01:00

By Lawrence Griffin III

You may think that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not that dissimilar to some other martial arts however this is not accurate. While other forms teach you to fight effectively when you're standing up, this one will help you be able to subdue an opponent when you are on the ground.

If you are overpowered by your challenger, drop to the floor as this can make them think that he have beaten you. This is actually the ideal position for one Brazilian Jiu Jitsu technique referred to as the guard.

What you're seeking to accomplish here is keep your opposition down utilizing your legs so you stop them from hitting, pinning or mounting you.

To take the dominant position, attempt the arm drag to arm bar maneuver by way of pulling their sleeves in one hand towards you.

Hook a single hand beneath the opponent's leg and control his head with the other hand. Shift your hips out to make space and also circle your hand towards the front of the opponent's face then move your leg over the opponent's face. Arch slightly to apply the arm bar as this is the best way to trap the opponent's arm keeping this tight to your body using your tricep.

When this is accomplished, you're able to do anything you want with them like punch them in the upper body. This can only be carried out when you have strong legs and hips.

An additional technique you can do is mount the other fighter utilizing the shoulder wrench to arm lock combination.

While sitting on one side of your competitor, you pin one arm to the floor then execute the upward shoulder wrench. It's only natural for your competitor to resist so secure the other arm by means of taking hold of his trap. Ensure your rear knee is high, near his head and that the body weight is over his pinned hand. Last of all, swing over to one side and sit back to complete your straight arm bar.

Should they get away, you might use the scarf fold to knee lock.

Initially, you reach over your opponent's head and lock this between your armpit using both your hands clasped together. Because their legs are free, stop it by placing your own foot against the inside of your opponent's thigh.

Bring the leg that is closest to the ground nearer to you to continue to keep close hip to hip contact. Now cross your ankles, squeeze their knees together and also take control of their heel. Don't fail to arch to be able to exert pressure against your opponent's knee joint.

There are many ground to ground techniques one can learn in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. You'll discover every one to be very helpful in close quarter combat so practice it consistently until you get it right. Understanding it might just help to make you win your next competition or perhaps save your life in case your life is in danger.

The ground fighting techniques mentioned should only be done under the direct direction of a qualified expert. For those who fool around with it at your home, you could potentially hurt someone or maybe even harm yourself.

If you wish to study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, go to your local gymnasium and see if they're offering lessons. It is available to individuals who have or don't have any martial arts backgrounds but are willing to learn exactly what this is all about.

About the Author:

Learn more about sports. Stop by Lawrence Griffin III's site where you can find out all about jiu jitsu and what it can do for you.

MMA Clothing - A Growing Industry

2011-07-25T14:50:00.000+01:00

By Walter J. Mincey

Businesses selling MMA clothing are fast developing because of the growing popularity of these mixed martial arts sports in many parts of the world and all this has led to the sponsorship of players being carried out by the business houses.

MMA clothing that includes tees, hoodies and beanies has become really popular with the people from all areas of the world. There is a wave of happiness amongst the manufacturers of MMA clothing as this business is in full bloom at the moment and they are all making good money out of it and hence the reason for their excitement and will to produce much better stuff. Fans of mixed martial arts game copy their favorite player's style statement and this helps in increasing the business as well as the range available for this special type of clothing.

It was in the early 90's when Ultimate Fighting Championship began and that has increasingly become popular with the public. This game is well liked in various parts of the world such as Australia, Germany, the United kingdom, United States (the place where it all started), etc.

Increasing popularity of MMA clothing has made players conscious about the kind of uniform they wear while inside the ring and they are now choosing nothing but the best available out there.

In order to be well protected and escape from any kind of injury, one must invest in buying high quality clothing only for this extreme game of MMA. Even though those might be expensive but they surely are worth purchasing because they provide a player with just the right level of protection that is required for this dangerous game.

There are many brands of MMA clothing available in the market these days that are meant for both genders. There are many brand names out there selling these clothing that have become very popular amongst the players and the fans because of the high quality stuff they sell. Famous MMA players set up a fashion statement with whatever they wear and people love following them and wearing similar outfits like their favorite players do.

Many trustworthy websites are selling this clothing at lesser costs than what is available otherwise in the marketplace so people must go for an online portal when buying it but must also keep in mind the credentials of the website from where they are purchasing the clothing.

About the Author:

The worlds largest martial art equipment supplier at MMA Clothing or you may also visit MMA Gear.

You Can Use Karate To Stop Zombies from Taking Over the Earth!

2011-07-25T13:08:00.000+01:00

By Al Case

I saw the Night of the Living Dead way back in the sixtes (I was just beginning my study of Kenpo Karate) when it first came out. It was lots of fun, but such a thing can never happen, right? Well, fast forward some forty years, and the answer might surprise you.

A series of things happened to convince me that zombies are here, and they actually are taking over the world. First, my son gave me a book, The Zombie Survival Guide. It was another big laugh, but, really, military tactics to defeat zombies?

Then, I signed up for a CERT course at the local hospital to become an emergency responder in case of disaster because that is something a martial artist should do. One of the fellows in the class asked if the course would prepare us for handling zombies. So everybody is laughing, but...are other people actually coming across these thoughts?

Then, today I was driving in my car and the car in front of me stopped at a stoplight, had their right turn blinker on, but wouldn't turn. My first contact with a person who was totally stopped, had succumbed to the world, didn't have a clue, was in search of brains, had gone totally unconscious while operating a one ton vehicle. The zombies were here.

And, think about it, the school system wants you to shut up and follow directions, your boss wants you to shut up and do your work, the judge doesn't want you to protest that ticket just pay it, the government wants you to shut up and pay taxes, the drug companies are handing out drugs faster than Timothy Leary can blink, shut up shut up shut up and follow directions. Is this not how you make a zombie? And what I'm going to tell you next is the icing on the cake.

Our crop lands are chemically burned out, welfare is sucking our money, money is being taken by the fat cats in Washington and by international bankers, and there are other things that are happening. In fact, it looks like the government is planning to take advantage of, if not outright mastermind, massive food shortages. Isn't a mob of hungry people wandering the streets looking for something to eat what a zombie is all about?

So, we come to the point of this article, what does Karate, or taekwondo or aikido or kung fu or some other martial art, for that matter, have to do with it? Well, people who take karate learn to fight back. They learn that if they stand place and do nothing, then they will end up getting hit. They are not helpless victims.

Sure, you need some education to go along with that, but fighting spirit is what is really important, and Karate builds spirit. So, do you want to survive the coming hordes of zombies, do you want to avoid being on the streets moaning for food, do you want to be able to not just defend yourself in the event of a zombie attack, but actually do something that might stop the world from going zombie? Then, my friend, you better start studying Karate...or taekwondo or kung fu, or something that doesn't deaden you like school or a job, but wakes you up and makes you stronger and smarter.

About the Author:

Fight the Zombies now! Click on over over to Monster Martial Arts and learn about the most efficient method of Karate on the planet!

Mosman Personal Training: In Home Personal Trainer: Explore The Perks Of Hiring One

2011-07-24T14:27:00.003+01:00

By John Roney

here are many things to consider when choosing a personal trainer for fitness, martial arts, or both. One of the many considerations is having a personal trainer come to your home to take you through a workout. There are many benefits to having an in home trainer, but there is also some things for you to consider.

Convenience-Being serious about your health is essential. And while some people have no problem with getting up and going to workout, others need more convincing. Well if you hire an in home personal trainer, you won't have to worry about getting out in the elements to go workout. In fact, it just doesn't get any easier than having someone come out to your house and do what needs to be done to help you get the best possible workout. There's no need to fight traffic or worry about dealing with other people. When you're at your place, it's just you and the expert.

You Can Create Your Own Fitness Preferences - Maybe you like 80's retro music, maybe you prefer Barry Manilow instead. The good news...that's all up to you. You're exercising in your own home. In your space, you can change the temperature, the music, refill your water bottle, use your own restroom, etc. Never Wait For Equipment - Have you ever gotten frustrated waiting for a member to finish up on a piece of equipment so you can finally use it? Ever notice the time limitations on the cardio machines? When your trainer comes to your home for your work-outs, any and all equipment for that time frame is reserved for you and you only. No waiting, no limitations. Sooner rather than later, you can get your sets done and get on with your life!

A plan-Another great benefit of deciding to hire an in home personal trainer is the well-defined eating and exercise plan you'll get. When dealing with a professional you can reach your workout goals faster than ever. That's because it's their job to make sure you don't have to worry about what to eat, how to eat and when to work out. Also, since this person comes to your home, it's easy for them to sit and chat with you about all the details of the process. When you simply go to a gym, it's hard to know what exercises to do if you've never done them before. By Mosman personal training, you get basically a foolproof road map to help you reach your goals.

You are trusting this professional fitness trainer with the most important commodity you have...your body!
Make sure they take your safety seriously. Working with a trainer can offer so many rewards! You'll never be alone in this heartfelt journey to be the best you can be. As long as you've connected with someone worthy of your trust (and money), the decision to get the help you need may just be one of the best decisions of your life!

About the Author:

Learn more about Mosman Personal Training and about getting great fitness help.

Understand Untraditional Class For Self Defense

2011-07-24T14:27:00.001+01:00

By Carlos Garcia

Thinking about a self defense class? It's definitely a good idea. Taking such a class can give you more confidence. You will not look like an easy target out there on the streets anymore. And this alone can lessen the risk of some would-be mugger to try to go after you. You should also be mindful of what's around you at all times while you walk tall, too.

If you are not entirely sure that a self defense class is for you, you can always come and visit one to see what it's like. Watching a class in action may assist you to decide whether or not you want to sign on, too. You don't need to worry about any physical limitations either. There are certain moves that you will probably be able to perform no matter what.

Since the instructor of any class is a significant factor, you should find out all about the instructor of the class you may be interested in signing up for. Most places will even let you have a personal visit with the instructor teaching a given class, and this is a excellent way to get to know someone before signing on.

It should go without saying that if this is going to be your first self defense class, then you need to sign on for one for beginners. A course for beginners is all you need to start learning the essentials. Once you have a few of these down pat, you can then decide whether or not you want to take on more advanced lessons. You may need those to be actually competent when it comes to defending yourself.

Another thing to see about is the place where self defense classes are taken. It's generally a good idea to go to one close to where you live, as this is going to motivate you to keep going to those classes. Another fine thing is to go together with a friend or co-worker. This way the whole thing may seem a lot less formidable.

Self defense classes typically make people feel more confident, to say the least. You will not be an exception to this rule. You are going to feel like you are the sort of person who can take care of themselves, and that's a great feeling to have.

About the Author:

Learn more about Effective Self Defense, at Self Defense Training and claim your Free Special Report which is just packed full of related articles. To find a number of different articles on the subject they can be found at http://selfdefenseprotection.org.

Karate Equipment For Training Hard

2011-07-23T17:37:00.000+01:00

By Anne Hetris

Now for sure studying martial arts is a great way to learn discipline and to stay in shape, but so too is yoga. So let's face it. The best aspect of learning karate or any one of the other types of martial arts is that it sure is a good feeling to know that if need be you can take care of yourself in a pinch. For whatever reasons, the society that we live in is just becoming more dangerous.

Now if you're serious about your training you can accomplish your goals of becoming a proficient fighter quicker than you might imagine. It doesn't take years like some people might think. The reason here is that in reality most physical fights in the real world are over and done with in mere seconds, and it's the person who has mastered a good solid kick and a well aimed punch that prevails. So good training gear is key.

You see without the gear you just won't be able to get the same level of actual hand to hand combat training. The type of aggressive sparring that necessary to make a fast response that just comes naturally possible. No gear means that you can only engage in a type of "pretend fighting" where punches and kicks have to be pulled by both you and your opponents.

The fact is that it's only through aggressive repetitive training that you will be able to be mentally conditioned to respond to effectively to an aggressor in an attack. That means that you are going to have to get into a ring with your sparring partners and not have them pull their punches and kicks. The same goes for you as well in this regard, if you want real fighting experience you can bring to bear in a confrontation.

So the better the gear you buy, the better the blows you are going to be able to take in your training. The less your opponents will have to hold back because in the real world if you come under attack, you can rest assured that they won't be holding back. You want your sparring partners to be able to unload on you. For your training sessions to be as realistic as possible.

So the first two things that you'll for sure need is groin protection and at least one mouth piece. Then to take it a step further you'll want to pick up a set of padded foam gloves and foot pads for kicking as well. Then for total body protection during "full contact" sparring you'll need a chest pad and headgear that includes temple pads.

About the Author:

Learn more about sparring gear. Stop by Anne Hetris's site where you can find out all about Karate equipment.

The Martial Art of Aikido

2011-07-23T15:42:00.000+01:00

By Owen Jones

The sphere of Martial Arts is one of the most important gifts of Asia to the world. Who will not remember Bruce Lee and the fact that he was first and foremost a martial arts competitor before being a film star? Martial arts films are a huge hit with the escalating popularity of Asian movies like 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and more recently 'The House of the Flying Daggers'.

The Chinese are the first people that come to mind when it you think of these things, but the Japanese are just as athletic with a rich heritage of body contact sports in their past. Modern Japan still gives honor to the martial arts by holding tournaments and promoting their sports around the world,

One of these is Aikido. It is interesting to take note of the fact that the word comes from three Japanese words from which one derives the meaning of the one word. Ai signifies 'joining', Ki signifies 'spirit' and Do means 'way'. From this we can understand why Aikido lies beyond just the physical talents of it students, especially since its first proponent, Ueshiba, focused on the spiritual and philosophical improvement of his students.

In Aikido, one is not taught violence as a substitute, one is trained to be in concord with the adversary so that you are able to defeat him more easily. This might seem odd but it really works. In approaching an opponent, the goal of the Aikido practitioner is to be one with the adversary so as to be able to tackle him where he is weakest and in so doing, divert or put him out of action, but never to kill him.

This is where Aikido becomes an art form. Art is something beautiful to look at and something positive and Aikido is all that. At least one of the people involved in the combat is searching for harmony and concord can only be achieved if there is elegance in the actions. The moves may be calculated, but there is an air of elegance in performing these movements. Not a feminine grace, but a grace that emanates peace. The 'art of peace' is what they call it in Aikido and it is one of the most affirmative influences of Aikido on its students and to everyone else who chooses to learn about this Japanese martial art.

Some of the techniques in Aikido embrace the following.

Ikkyo is the first technique. Using this technique, you direct an adversary by using one hand to hold his elbow and one to hold near the wrist. This action is supposed to allow you to pin your opponent down to the ground.

Nikyo, the second technique, is when you perform a wrist lock that allows you to turn the arm of your opponent which will in turn cause nerve pressure.

Sankyo, the third technique, is a technique that creates upward-spiraling tension throughout the arm, elbow and shoulder. There are many other techniques but the first three are enough to give you a basic idea.

When you are studying Aikido, it is important to keep in mind that, along with building physical strength, you will need to improve your mind to be able to overpower your adversary. Just like in any art form, it takes a lot of training and discipline to perfect the art of Aikido. The chief thing to remember is, that anyone who wants to get into the art, must have the determination to give honour to the art by performing it in the best way they can.

About the Author:

If you are interested in the fairly modern Japanese Martial Art of Aikido, please click a link to visit our website at http://aikido.the-real-way.com

Learning how to Handle a Sword Attack is Absolutely Necessary for Today's Martial Artist!

2011-07-23T12:07:00.000+01:00

By Al Case

One would think an old technique, one from hundreds of years ago, would not be necessary in today's society. A good martial artist, however, knows that self defense sword techniques must be mastered. Just consider the following headlines.

Pregnant woman struggling to survive after sword attack! Man wielding Samurai sword killed by security guards! And there are a lot more stories like these out there.

The thing that many people don't realize is that, when it comes right down to it, a sword is a long stick with an edge. Actually, if you consider it, most weapons are really nothing but varieties of sticks. Stubby or long, blunt or sharp, you have the club, the spear, the knife, and so on.

One of the basic defense moves is to close with the attacker with uplifted crossed wrists. This is derived from the Pinan Five Karate Kata practiced by many traditional martial arts schools. While it may seem a little simple, it will begin the educational process, and remember, this technique was practiced by Imperial bodyguards on Okinawa to manipulate a samurai sword attack!

You rush the attacker because you must block his wrists. If you are too slow or too late you will be blocking a long edge of sharp steel. This is definitely not a good thing.

Once you have closed with your attacker, quickly shift to the side and push up on the elbow and pull down on the wrist of the arm closest to you, this will redirect your attacker's direction. This will create an armbar, or an elbow roll type of technique. Move forward then, use your entire body weight to push on his arm, and force your assailant over.

As I said, this is a basic technique, but it will open the door to many additional self defense tricks. You can learn wrist twist self defense moves, elbow locks, and even shoulder throws if you learn this particular move well. As you can see, learning sword protection can really start you thinking, but it is up to you to follow that thought and figure out good, viable methods of self protection.

Now, one last thing that you must understand. When you start your training, move very slowly and figure out how to work the joints so that you don't injure your partner. And, this point is crucial, use a broomstick or some other light object, don't try to handle a sword attack with a real weapon until you really know what you are doing!

About the Author:

Would you like to learn ten forms and fifty techniques for only ten dollars? Head over to Learn Karate Online and check out the Kang Duk Won page. You can download and be learning real Karate in less than a minute!

Three Rivers Archery Supplies

2011-07-23T11:21:00.000+01:00

By Owen Jones

If you are American and you are keen on archery, you will almost certainly have heard of Three Rivers Archery products. In Europe and the remainder of the world, you probably have not heard of them. Three Rivers Archery products are some of the finest in the world. In their own words, they specialize in longbows and recurve bows.

Three Rivers Archery also offers arrows and other archery equipment such as the resources to construct or refurbish your own arrows. These resources include carbon fibre, wooden and aluminium arrow shafts, arrow heads, feathers and nocks. They also supply quivers, arrow rests, bow strings and everything else to do with archery.

The price tag of these superb quality products is reasonable and professional archers, hunters, hobbyists and sports people all use Three Rivers Archery goods. There are models of archery paraphernalia to suit every purpose and every wallet.

The paraphernalia sold by Three Rivers Archery is of Olympic standard. That is to say that their recurve bows match up to the requirements established by the Olympic committee. Their traditional selfbows are genuine replicas of original longbows.

The arrows are made of modern resources as well as timber. The modern composite arrows are often better because modern carbon fibre and aluminium alloys are better for producing arrow shafts than wood. That is hard to confess for a traditionalist, but modern carbon fibre and aluminium alloy arrows do not splinter like a wooden arrow might if shot from a heavy-duty longbow.

The steel arrow points that Three Rivers Archery has are far better than the old brass arrow tips as well. The old brass arrow tips would often buckle or dent, whereas these new steel points are practically indestructible. They sell whistling steel points as well, although I am not sure why anyone would want a whistling arrow point. What is the point?

If you are not certain where you can get hold of Three Rivers Archery goods, go online. They have an excellent web site which is massive although still simple to navigate. If you are interested in archery, then I am in no doubt that you could easily spend an hour or more just browsing the web site.

Their web site is very carefully set out with distinct sections for every facet of archery including ready-made items such as bows, arrows, paraphernalia and clothing; there are additional web pages on targets, quivers, accessories, books, DVD's and adolescent archery. There are further web pages on medieval archery, hunting and bow making. There are even special offers only available to their web site visitors.

If that is not enough, then there is a forum, an email service and an off-line catalogue. Three Rivers Archery will of course send your order to your home. You can place an order by post, by telephone or over the Internet.

About the Author:

Owen Jones, the writer of this article writes on various topics, but is presently involved with archery recurve bows. If you would like to know more or for special deals, please go to our website at Kids Archery Set.

How you benefit from martial arts

2011-07-22T18:53:00.000+01:00

By Phil Popovici

If you have made the decision to improve your body, you will know there are many options available to you. The hardest issue usually turns out to be discovering the perfect way to remain motivated until the benefits become evident. It is a fact that many good intentions to get started on a fitness regime are abandoned through not really thinking about choosing an activity that is both enjoyable and yet gives us the discipline to go on when the novelty wears off. Perhaps you have not looked into martial arts as an exercise you would like to pursue, but it is an extremely popular and readily available one. Next we will review a number of the various forms of martial arts and see how they can benefit you.

Perhaps you have heard of Karate and Taekwondo, often believed to be harder forms of martial arts. When we say more challenging, we mean that they are more geared to physical conditioning although there is always an element of mental conditioning too. In a lot of cases, people go to these types of classes because of the self-defense aspect which, of course, is a good reason to get involved. Nevertheless, the training regime of these classes are terrific for overall fitness and conditioning. This is due to the fact that you can't obtain optimal fitness levels without strong, flexible muscles.

In terms of the discipline that comes with these martial arts classes, this can help you to have the mental strength to continue with the training and there is the extra incentive of the grading systems involved. The fact that you are rewarded with different colored belts helps to keep you determined with the ultimate goal of attaining the coveted black belt status and the respect that comes with this. If you wish, you can also get involved in competitions and this is yet another incentive to help you continue with the training. Practicing these types of martial arts will give you a fitness level and strength that you're not apt to find with any other exercise routines.

There are softer types of martial arts such as Tai Chi and Chi Kung and these have many health benefits that include greater energy and a general feeling of well being. These are sometimes seen as meditating whilst moving and you will certainly feel the benefits in your mind which can help with stress and anxiety. However, the physical benefits are terrific also, as the movements are designed to allow energy to run through the body and you will develop a stronger and more flexible shape.

The improved feelings you feel during your training will carry over into other aspects of your life. You may find that your family and business relationships improve with the self-control and respect you develop. Following this training, which underscores both inner and outer strength, will help you feel healthier and more physically fit than you might if you followed a different sort of regimen.

Therefore, you may want to seriously consider martial arts as a way to improve your physical fitness and self-esteem. Think about Bruce Lee. He has become a hero - what will martial arts than do to you?

About the Author:

Asking girls out can be as frightening as facing a martial arts master. Make it easy by solving the mystery of the body language of attraction.

The Correct Way to Learn Martial Arts Freestyle

2011-07-21T15:30:00.000+01:00

By Al Case

My favorite part of the martial arts is Karate Kumite. The sad truth, however, is that nobody knows the right way to do martial arts freestyle. They keep insisting on the stuff that gives pain and bruises and body injury.

I know, the reason for Karate, or Kenpo or Taekwondo, and martial arts in general, is to hurt somebody, correct? Sorry, it isn't. If you think that, then you've got it wrong...totally and dead wrong.

The real reason is to control an attacker, and modern martial arts freestyle methods do not teach you how to control, only to hurt. Interestingly, I was there when the freestyle scene went bad. Further, there are methods which teach one how to freestyle easily and without the pain within a couple of hours.

In my first lesson in kumite my kenpo instructor beating the holy crap out of me. The theory was that martial arts were a rite of passage, you had to be tough, you had to go through pain, that was the only way to get better. While I survived the lesson, and even thrived on it, other students just dropped out, and now you know why so many people quit the martial arts.

Towards the end of my kenpo training the sensei began making us wear (buy) protective gear. Instead of offering protection, however, it just encouraged us to punch and kick harder, and we actually suffered more injuries. I quickly realized it was just a trick to make more dojo income.

I then went to a traditional karate school, and, with no protective padding, stopped getting all the injuries. I still got a some bruises, but no more broken bones. The instructor was teaching control, not destruction.

This lesson, the benefits of control over destruction, stuck with me, and when I opened my own training hall I played with all sorts of methods to teach Kumite effectively, without the pain and trauma. And I finally understood a basic truth...people stop perceiving when you strike them. Isn't that an interesting concept to come to grips with after years of beating people up?

Thus, I teach freestyle in stages, and I use methods which do not close the eyes of the student, but rather opens their awareness. It's incredibly real and effective, and I guarantee my students will survive on the street better than most. Simply, they haven't been trained to shut down their perceptions, but rather to open their awareness, and the shocker is that using my methods people can learn Martial Arts freestyle within a couple of hours.

About the Author:

Find out the right way to learn freestyle within a couple of hours! Go to Monster Martial Arts and head on over to the Three Month Black Belt Course.

MMA Equipment - Types And Importance

2011-07-21T14:32:00.000+01:00

By Berta E. Gustafson

Proper training is a must in any kind of sport if a person dreams of being successful and wants to become a star sportsman in his game and it's the right kind and amount of training only that decides if a person will achieve that or not. A very alert mind is a plus in this dangerous game of mixed martial arts as that helps in determining fast, the moves of the player in the opposition and for this alertness one needs proper and a good amount of training.

Right kind of MMA preparation is required in order to be successful the game and proper MMA equipment too is a must have. If one wants to be safe and sound during the championship and not be injured by the hard blows, one must use the right training equipment and train regularly. In sports like MMA, opponents touch each other i.e. it is a contact sport and during the matches, one might get injured badly from the harsh blows if use of proper training equipment is not made.

Many companies are into the business of manufacturing the training gear and these companies are constantly adding to the characteristics of their product and are launching many varieties of this equipment that keeps both the players and fans happy. One must keep in mind the following things when buying MMA equipment and they are that the equipment must be durable, its usage should be really easy and most importantly, it must provide complete protection from body injuries.

The things that make a part of MMA training are mouth guards, head guards , various kinds of pads like for knee, wrist, elbow, training pads, groin protectors, hand wraps, gloves, shorts etc. A gym bag for carrying all the training equipment is a must have accessory that every MMA player must buy but before buying it must be made sure that it is long lasting and strong.

Any competitor who is serious about this classy game of mixed martial arts must be aware of the fact that one should only buy high quality training gear as only this will help in succeeding in this game. There are many vendors in the local market supplying all types of things that are a part of the training gear for mixed martial arts sports. There are many e-commerce websites on the Internet that are into the business of selling this training equipment at affordable costs.

About the Author:

The worlds largest martial art equipment supplier at MMA Equipment or you may also visit MMA Gear.

Learn Self Defense Applicable For Everyone Interested

2011-07-20T15:09:00.000+01:00

By Daniel Williams

Personal self defense comes in a wide array of shapes and sizes, so it behooves you to do a bit of investigation to see which one would appeal to you the most. You may think that you need a black belt to really be able to defend yourself, but this is simply not true. There are a lot of uncomplicated things you can do, and so it's important to look into the whole question with some care.

Have you heard of mace, for example? This is an excellent form of personal self defense. You can have it handy, even attached to a keychain, and so it can be there right when you need it. This is clearly a way to have self defense handy and it is certainly something you need not lose sleep over to have it.

The next best thing may be the acquisition of a few basic moves. There are some simple ones that can easily bamboozle any attacker into backing off. You don't need to inflict major physical harm to get an attacker to think twice about continuing to mess with you. And the beauty of these simple moves is that you may even learn and practice them at home.

If you are a member of our aging population, you may be aware of the fact the senior citizens are at times easy targets for would-be assailants. The fact that you have some years on you doesn't rule out learning some basic self defense moves. You can never tell when they may come in handy, especially is you frequent ATMs, for example.

Some people swear by guns. The problem with guns is that they are fatal weapons, and you may be among those who would rather not end someone else's life. This means that acquiring personal self defense is a better way to deal with potential criminal attacks on your person. The excellent thing about a non-lethal weapon of personal self defense is that you need not worry about using it.

Personal self defense is really not the extravagance of a few. Everyone needs it, therefore everyone should give it serious thought. The thing is that when it comes to self defense, you desire to be ready and able to defend yourself and get out of a dangerous situation as fast as you can.

About the Author:

For more information on how to Self Defense please visit our complete set of resources and additional articles, including a Free Special Report at Best Self Defense Tactics.

The Core of Wing Chun Training

2011-07-20T13:52:00.001+01:00

By George Kane

Out of all the Chinese kung fu styles wing chun has been the most popularized, principally thanks to the face it was the style that was immortalized by the legendary Bruce Lee. It was designed for simpleness, economy of moment and for all body shapes, types with no discrimination. Legend has it that it is a composite of many traditional self-defense skills that derived their styles from the key animal forms. The brazenly elaborate showy more-exaggerated movements made way for direct precision striking and economy of movement -to make your strike. Effectively wing jaw was intended to kill.

That is why out of the entire system there are essentially three open hand forms- 2 weapon forms and obviously the wooden dummy sequence. With a special mention to the chisau sticking hands coaching (a private favourite of mind)

There are lots of variances of how these forms are spelled and said, so I'm going to go by what I was taught.

1st form is the Sl lim tau or little concept form. This is the basic foundation of the system. The beauty and design of the wing coaching system is that it awfully basic and not at all visually spectacular as a demonstration like you see in the kung fu movies "

However as a student each move learned opens up another door of probabilities as the system slowly finds its strategies. The simple principle such as the centre line theory vs the central line idea. The right stance & posture, the distribution of weight and also having the correct energy in your legs and arms. And most of all timing.

That is why the Sil Lim tau form is often called the soft or internal version of wing concentration of the form instead of brute strength -which is one of not the core philosophies of the the wing Inside this form all the offensive & defensive principles are taught. From the positioning of the hands for where ideas like fut sao, garn sao are introduced. This is a part of the armory which will remain with you through your wing following form is Pal Kill- or bridging the opening form. This is the subsequent form which incorporates larger movements and introduces coordination into the system, Here's where another ideas is further explored. The idea of 2 hand independent co-ordination. Where both hands are used independent of each other in their movement. Sounds confusing-? Well it can be. Think along the line of a concurrent defensive & attacking strike and you start to learn how effective Wing buddy kill and that's also one of the keys to the wing ideas are planted in the original stages and then grown and incorporated into the system as you progress. In essence they are all systems brought from one single concept or idea (therefore the name title idea form-Sil Lim Tau Form).

Within this form all of the offensive & defensive elements are taught. From the positioning of the hands for where concepts such as fut sao, garn sao are introduced. This is a component of the armoury that remain with you throughout your wing chun journey.

The basis of this form was to supply lethal strikes to opponents. For advanced students making an attempt to master this form can be taken much further. It could be a system all itself.

Legend has it it was infrequently taught in older times, however in our westernized culture where we need it all and now--it has made its way to the mainstream, m Much to the chagrin of the old Chinese teachers.

There is a lot to assimilate about the wing hardly a quick overview, however it's a great journey that can take a whole life to master. For me the key attraction and what I am getting out of this system are the coaching methods. They're fun and so easy to learn. However the largest revelation to come out of Wing discovered , was that there where varied styles of wing modified. The tale behind how this came about is as intriguing and as old as China itself and its ramifications massive --especially as it relates your Wing Chun training.

There's a lot to learn about the wing chun system and this is barely a brief overview, however it is a great journey that may take a lifetime to defeat. For me the primary attraction and what I get out of this system are the training techniques. They are fun and easy to learn. However the most important revelation to come out of Wing chun, I found was that there where varying styles of wing chun training techniques-traditional and altered. The story behind how this came about is as fascinating and as old as China itself and its implications big --especially as it relates your Wing Chun training.

About the Author:

George kane first started Wing chun training in the early 90's and instantly saw this kind of fighting as the final fighting systems for newbies and seasoned martial artists. You can read up about his wing chun kung fu exploits at his favored blog

Should I Sign Up My Child For A Martial Arts Class?

2011-07-19T12:59:00.000+01:00

By Eric James

With the release of the brand new Karate Kid film last week, many people are curious whether they should sign up their kid in a martial arts school. If you or your child has never attended a martial arts school in the past, it could be a daunting decision that comes with a lot of questions.

The main concern amongst the majority of parents is if their child is going to be safe when practicing with other students. That is certainly a very real concern, because many of the martial arts involve some contact with other students when practicing self-defense techniques, throws, or sparring. However, most instructors ask for assistance from assistant instructors during kids lessons to try to prevent accidents from taking place. In addition, most schools impose a minimum age requirement for sparring and other techniques that entail contact amongst students. The best suggestion I can give you would be to watch your kid take an introductory class before joining any martial arts class. It will be easy to see right away whether or not your kid is comfortable in the class by his or her body language when interacting with other children and the teachers.

In many areas, you'll find many martial art schools to choose from, so you will probably wish to check out a few prior to signing up for any school.

The second largest concern amongst nearly all parents is how much dedication to training martial arts lessons will require of their child. Much like any sport or pursuit, your kid has a greater rate of success when they go to every lesson and spend time training outside of class. Depending on your kid's athletic abilities, she or he may be able to be successful without training at your home, but the typical martial artist spends a lot of time daily sharpening their skills.

That said, a lot of parents worry their child's education will come second to the martial art, and their son's or daughter's grades will start to fall. But, a great number of martial art schools now have a contract in place enforcing that children uphold a specified grade point average if they would like to partake in instructional classes.

For a large number of parents, price is the most important worry of signing up their youngsters in a martial arts class. This is an enormously sensible concern, because lessons are usually fairly pricey. On average, a martial art school will cost you between $40 and $100 per month. Besides the price of classes, you might also need to look into the cost of the martial art equipment you will need to get for the class. Most senseis even request a fee when a pupil tests for a new martial art belt.

In general, the bonuses to enrolling your kid in a martial arts school outweigh the cons. Just about all instructors place a big emphasis on discipline and respect for authority, which can be enormously important attributes for your boy or girl to acquire during their impressionable childhood. In most dojos, kids are taught that negative actions like bad language, fighting, drug use, and vandalism are intolerable and will ultimately result in an expulsion from upcoming classes.

With nearly 64% of Americans overweight, boys and girls can considerably benefit from keeping active in a healthy athletic activity such as Karate or Kung Fu. Most martial arts offer a high amount of physical exercise for their participants, and by teaching your kids the joy of physical activity at a youthful age, they have a much better probability of growing into healthy grown ups. As they progress and get in healthier shape, kids tend to see a spike in self-esteem, which can make a tremendous difference in other aspects of his or her life.

Conceivably the biggest benefit of enlisting your boy or girl in karate is that he or she will discover a new set of skills that were designed to help them protect themselves if assaulted. Despite the fact that fighting is frowned upon in most karate schools, self-defense techniques are a standard aspect of the program. Senseis make an effort to prepare students to protect themselves in instances where they are bullied or in physical danger. As a parent, you could sleep much better at night knowing that your child is not defenseless in the case of a kidnapping attempt.

After reading this, if you are still hesitant to register your kid in a dojo, you may possibly want to give some thought to taking a class with your kid to lessen any anxieties you may have. I do believe you will quickly see that there is almost nothing to stress about.

About the Author:

This article has been written by the author, Eric James. Should you require anymoreSpotify Is Now In Version 0.4.14 On IPhoneplease visit his Spotify On Your Iphone resources!

How to Create the Perfect Body with Isshin Ryu, Goju Ryu, or Any Other Karate System!

2011-07-19T09:43:00.001+01:00

By Al Case

You want to have a perfectly designed body, and Isshin Ryu, Goju Ryu, or some other Karate System is the key! There are, however, several things you should understand before you begin this journey. These things would be what, exactly, a perfect body is.

Idealistically, a perfect body is a proportion. One of the niftiest proportionalities I have come across is the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo DaVinci. His measurements are as follows: length equal to height, seven heads high, three heads shoulder to shoulder, two heads from fingers to elbows, four heads hips to toes, and so on.

Now, Leo is said to have altered these measurements to fit his sculpting designs. I don't know about that, I am just curious about the idea of proportion. I am interested as to whether doing the Martial Arts will shift the shape of the body until it fits these measurements.

The second thing to estimate is what type of martial arts you should study. Here we must change the direction of our analysis, and look at the two types of schools in original Karate studies. These would be the shorei and shorin karate styles.

One of the schools trains one to be light and nimble, and is probably for a light and nimble body. The other school trains one to hold their ground, and would indicate a more sold and bulky body that is not so agile. Obviously, you should design your art, and the karate forms you study, and the karate bunkai that you do, to fit one or the other of these schools.

Thus far we have analyzed the measurements of the perfect karate body, and we have discussed the two methods of training in traditional karate. Next we need to consider the workings of the ideal structure. This would depend, of course, on which types of katas you have decided to train in.

Many people idealize the large, muscular body as the ideal body, and they wouldn't be necessarily correct. Size, you see, is something you have to lug around with you. It would be better to have leaner, more dense muscles.

Thus, you should design your muscles so they have the mass or speed to create lots of impact, but not so large that they tire out. It's nice to think about being the terminator, but the reality of fighting should gear you towards a lean, mean body that is quick, agile, and will last all day long. This should be one of the most important considerations when you think about utilizing Shorin Ryu, Wado Ryu or any other Karate System to create the perfect Body.

About the Author:

To have a Perfect Karate Body you need a Perfect 'Style' of Karate. Mouse on over to Learn Karate Free to find that perfection.

The Secret of How to Make Perfect Karate Stances

2011-07-18T15:52:00.001+01:00

By Al Case

First thing you'll probably be taught, when you enter into a Martial Arts training gym, is how to make stances. This is because stancesbuild the foundations for the eastern fighting methods. How you stand has to do with how you connect the body to the ground, and how you make it into a class AAA machine.

Systems that don't have foot sinking of this sort will not generate the massive amounts of power that the classical martial arts develop. I am talking about such arts as Karate, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Kenpo, and so on. The weird thing is that systems that don't have stances could introduce stances into their systems easily, and thus increase the power they create tremendously.

To begin, the first stance is the natural stance, in which you simply stand with your feet shoulder width apart and feet angled to the front. Since this is natural, and takes no real instructions, we won't go into it. Simply, this type of stance doesn't generate power.

To create an Hourglass Stance, which is a power generating position, start with your feet together. Keep the toes together and swing the heels out, then keep the heels fixed and swing the toes out, then keep the toes fixed and swing the heels out again. Sink the stance slightly, knock the knees and breath to the tan tien (the one point located just below the navel).

To build a back stance from the hour glass stance just move one toe all the way out to the side and drop your weight on the other leg. You might have to reposition the turned out foot slightly, moving it to the side, as you want to be able to move without having to move your hips to move your leg through. This is an extremely useful stance in the Eastern disciplines, as you can crouch and launch with no discernible movement.

Next we will make a horse stance, which is also called Mabu in the Chinese martial disciplines, and Kiba Dachi in the Japanese systems. From a back stance simply fix the toes of the front foot in position and move the heel out, and let the weight settle evenly down the legs. This is a high horse stance, and you can spread the legs further and get lower, and thus make more power, just by moving the feet to the sides.

Finally, to build a front stance, simply turn the toes of one of the feet in the horse stance outwards and shift your weight in the direction you are facing. You may want to move the front foot outward so that the feet are on shoulder wide 'train tracks.' This is a great stance when you want to get more agressive.

There are many other stances you can make, and it is simple to figure out a foot or leg motion to do these. These would include such stances as the crane stance (lift one leg), the kneeling stance, the cross kneeling stance (dragon), and so on. The main thing to remember is that you should be able to position yourself so that you can make the transition through the karate stances while conserving, and even creating, more and more power.

About the Author:

Go to Martial Arts Stances If you want to see graphics and a free video showing what you have learned here. This is a free lesson, so head to Learn Karate Online.

All About Martial Arts And The Different Components To Be Used During Training

2011-07-18T12:35:00.000+01:00

By James Houston

Martial arts equipment is used primarily to restrict the danger of personal injury and also to effectively train the martial art student. Martial arts is definitely a dangerous sport so it important to buy the right sort of safety equipment this is why you should always use a name that you can trust such as Macho or Tiger claw.

The list of equipment that martial art students use are almost endless and include such things as mouth pieces, sparring mitts, leg pads, chest guards, body shields and these are just the personal items. Then there are things as exercise mats and punch bags as well as other training equipment that they may use.

Many of these training accessories are used to allow the martial art student to focus and improve their technique.

Then there is the equipment such as targets that can improve the speed and accuracy of the student's punches and kicks.

Obviously the workout routines are the bread and butter of the martial art routine and these would incorporate such things as weighted jackets or exercise mats for sparring and the punch bags that they can use to throw punches and kicks at. All of these things help to get the student in shape and focused.

As with the sport of boxing the punch bag is essential to the martial art student as it can help them to focus on their punching and kicking without the fear of hurting their hands and feet. The punch bag can either be free standing or hanging but they are both suitable tools for the training schedule.

As with many things in martial art training the emphasis is always on the safety aspect. There is lots of personal safety equipment that we have already mentioned. But when sparring and practice fighting it is important to use high quality training mats.

Whatever form of martial arts you decide to take up it is vitally important that you purchase the right safety gear.

About the Author:

The writer additionally frequently shares knowledge regarding things such as trash trucks toys and recycling trucks.

How to Deal with a Flash Mob using Karate, Kung Fu or Kenpo!

2011-07-18T12:30:00.000+01:00

By Al Case

People shouting and yelling, the store is in chaos, and fifty teenagers are grabbing everything they can and heading for the doors. Doesn't happen? It is happening, and in major cities across the United States, and the only solution is to use a little Karate or Kung Fu or Kenpo, or whatever martial art you know, to survive the situation.

The flash mob idea is illegal, against the law, and the mark of a society failing. These are usually teenagers, they should be in school, yet they are laughing and stealing and have no sense of right nor wrong. But just because society is coming apart doesn't mean that a few well meaning individuals shouldn't stand up and stop this kind of behavior.

First, these flash mobs normally don't want to fight, but that doesn't mean they won't. These kids are a mob, and if they happen to find an old lady in their way, they won't hesitate. They will knock her to the floor, steal her purse, and laugh on the way to the street.

If you see somebody about to be crunched by a flash mob, it might be time to do a body tackle that knocks them all down. This would be the bowling pin strategy, and it works wonders. A bunch of kids all thrown into a mess on the floor may suddenly change their flash mob ideas into wondering what the heck they are doing.

Another great strategy, especially if you see a bunch of kids trying to grab the cash register, is to push standing displays over on them. Simply grab a candy rack and start flailing. They will quickly start to wonder why the world is falling in on them.

A strategy which, if used, would end the Flash Mob chronicle going on in todays civilization, is one you have to be very careful of. After all, you don't want to get in trouble for damaging kids. Still, if you find yourself in a bad situation, this next Martial Arts tactic might just save your life, and end end the flash mob mentality.

Break one of the mobbers limbs. Simply use your martial arts and do some fast but not long lasting damage. Mind you, I am not advocating murder, or damaging someone just because you can, I am simply saying that if you find yourself in one of these mob sitations, a little self defense to break an arm or leg might alter the intent of the mob, would definitely protect you, and, think about it, how is little Johnny going to explain a broken arm to his parents?

Gee, Mom, we were knocking over a pharmacy, and when I attacked some guy he broke my arm...it really wasn't my fault. Do you see the rationale here, and the logical way of breaking budding criminals excitement for riot? Mind you, I am not advocating using Karate, Kung Fu, Kenpo, or any other martial art to indiscriminately hurt people, I am saying you have a second amendment right to protect yourself and your friends and society at large from the criminal behavior of a few criminally acting kids who, with proper guidance, might grow up to be good citizens.

About the Author:

Need to learn some real Martial Arts fast? Head over on over over to Monster Martial Arts and learn within months...not decades.

The Extreme College Survival Kit Guarantees You Almost everything You Should Have To Stay Safe

2011-07-16T18:24:00.000+01:00

By Asil E Clarke

Recently, I received a call from my daughter who said that she was nearly mauled by a group of guys as she was walking to her place. Fortunately, she was able to ward off the assault with the help of a 1/2 oz. pepper spray with keychain. It was part of the SafeFamilyLife Extreme College Survival kit that was my present to her before she departed for college.

I am so relieved to hear that she was unharmed. The kit was able to ensure safety for college students like I hoped it would.

This leads me back to the day that I stumbled upon the SafeFamilyLife Extreme College Survival kit on the Internet. I thought that it was just the product to ensure safety for college students such as my daughter. She was just about to enter college at the time and I realized that she can make use of this kit. I immediately ordered it online and now I am happy that I did.

I was attracted to the numerous self-defense weapons packaged in this kit. It has tools ranging from a lipstick pepper spray to a 1/2 oz. pepper spray with visor, 2 oz. pepper spray with wall mount and 1/2 oz. pepper spray with keychain. It also has a door stop alarm, nap alarm and other useful devices such as a diversion safe, Cell Phone Lite flashlight and electronic pocket whistle, all of which can prove handy in case of an assault.

These products can ensure safety for college students, as my daughter had experienced. With the keychain pepper spray attached to her bag, she easily stopped the robbers in their tracks as the pepper spray temporarily incapacitated her attackers. This gave her the time to run away and report the incident to the police.

My daughter related that the pepper spray gave her the opportunity to release it against the thugs who were several feet away from where she was. The goons were temporarily debilitated but were OK when the cops picked them up.

I also found the special reports included in the kit to be highly recommended for any person wanting to ensure safety for college students. The reports discuss issues like rape prevention and furthering security in an apartment.

I reminded her to stay safe all the time by reading these reports and making sure that she is armed with the security gadgets that I bought her. With the SafeFamilyLife Extreme College Survival kit, she feels more confident than ever.

About the Author:

Asil E Clarke is a well known authority on Self Defense Products and offers a big assortment of stun guns, pepper sprays, personal alarms, Tasers and Mace. If you ever ask yourself where do I buy pepper spray, there now is a secure place to order.

Differentiating A Heavy Bag From Free Standing Bag, Both Serve Their Own Purposes

2011-07-16T17:31:00.000+01:00

By Justin R. Whetsel

When we talk regarding the free standing bag, we can also speak about a heavy bag, because their primary motive is same, although they have a different way of being installed. They together give a great stand for the fighters to practice their skills, whether it is a kick or a punch. The heavier bags are very much needed by people to exercise their punches, because it provides a strong base. Another advanced characteristic is that, even when filled, they can be effortlessly rolled away to a storeroom or just rolled to the corner of the room.

The bags that are strung from the ceiling fixture are quite heavy and are suspended with solid hooks and chains. These are known to be remarkably lasting and offer you with an intensive, fluid workout that builds up stamina, strength, and your overall cardiovascular fitness. The movement of these bags gives an chance to perform a reaction and the quicker the response is, the better a person can coordinate.

The light weighted bags when punched, swing more as compared to the heavier ones. Too much will make the bag harsh to hit, and too little sway will make the bag feel like a rock, and fail to soak up impacts, which will cause harm to your bones and tendons over time. More talented or heavier hitters may choose something closer to 100lbs, while those looking for a bag with more swing might want to consider something close to 40lbs.

These bags are now available in various varieties today; investing in a good brand is a better choice. The bags that are placed in a standing position are liked by the people who want the nature to last long and give them great strength. These bags are sought after by boxing institutions and gyms. From a broader perspective, the bags with heavier weight and a standing installation should be considered, since they are quite durable and provide better intensity. If you still need to have a better surface to hit then go for leather bags.

A heavy bag requires more equipments as differentiated to a free standing bag to basically start practicing. The heavier bags can be installed anywhere with proper practice space and with the help of some hardware for hanging them with hooks. Some common places to hang the bag are in your basement, the gym, or in your garage. Fitting these bags outside would require a weather resistance setting, so that the bag is not harmed by the variation in weather. The bags are made to withstand any powerful workout practice session that you can throw at it, so give it your all..

About the Author:

The best and largest shop for all MMA things at Heavy Bag or you may also check other products at Free Standing Bag.

Free Karate Lessons are a Fantastic Way to Learn Martial Arts!

2011-07-15T18:25:00.001+01:00

By Al Case

My official start in the martial arts was back in 1967. I walked into a Chinese Kenpo Dojo, signed up, and off I went. The truth, however, is that I had been getting free Karate Lessons for years.

They weren't much, as far as lessons went, but they did the trick. They kept me interested and happy. After all, they were the best type of conditioning, they were a good way to learn I could handle the bullies, and they were fun.

The first thing that caught my interest was knuckle conditioning. We used to knock our knuckles on walls and fences and boxes and anything that got in our way. That resulted in a lifelong interest in good conditioning, different types of punches, and a desire to have the hardest punch I could have.

The second thing I picked up was simple arm bars. This was good, as simple things always work better. To this day I take the most complex of martial arts techniques and look for the simplest method of making them work.

The third thing I learned had to do with learning how to use the different body parts. I analyzed feet, hands, arms, legs, how the joints worked, everything I could. I even read medical books trying to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the various body parts.

Fourth, I engaged in a basic sort of grappling. This was good because I took away from that experience the lesson that wrestling wasn't always good for fighting. You grapple, and you are tied up, and some guy runs up and kicks the back of your head, and there might be weapons in the mix, and...no thanks.

The main thing I discovered from reading martial arts books, working with friends, and just having fun pretending we were big and unbeatable, was that sweat worked. The hours we spent exercising, running, wrestling, and experimenting with those techniques from out of old Bruce Tegner books and the like...they were golden hours. It was a youth that built strength, character, and the desire to make something of myself.

The point I am making in this article is that the martial arts aren't for everybody. So look around on the web, Google Free Karate lessons, (I always recommend Karate as a great art to start your martial arts with) or some other like term, and see what comes up. Do a few tricks, see if they work on friends, and find out if you have the character and kind of mind to be a student of Karate.

About the Author:

Get a Free Karate Lesson, head on over to Learn Karate Online!

How to Build Chi Power With a Horse Stance

2011-07-15T16:52:00.001+01:00

By Al Case

The Instructor stood in the Horse Stance for the whole lesson. The students listening, also in the straddle stance, were sweating and even dropping in pain. Sensei smiled with every student that dropped down to the mat.

Was he cruel? Nope. It was just good training, and a sensei that practiced what he preached.

Of course, I wanted to know the secret of how he was doing it. How could he stand in that stance that long, fresh as a breeze, not even thinking about the incredible pain that had to be shooting through his legs. I mean,the pain shot through my legs, why was he immune?

The Horse Stance is one of the basic stances of many martial arts. It is known as Mabu in the Chinese oriented Martial systems, and as Kiba Dachi in the Japanese fighting styles. There are many legends concerning where Horse Stance Training originated.

Some hold it was created for close combat while actually riding horses in battle. Others hold it was created for fighting sideways while standing in rice paddies. The truth is a bit removed from these romantic tales.

The truth is that the Horse Stance was created to help students to better grab the earth with their feet. This notion of grabbing the earth with your feet is called 'rooting.' In my martial arts system, which is a bit more scientific than others, we call this practice 'grounding.' Regardless of what you call this training method, grabbing the ground is critical to learning how to fight, and to the accomplishment of the true martial arts.

The body is nothing more than a machine, and a machine must be fastened to something to be effective. A motor must be attached to a surface, a car engine must have motor mounts, even a helicopter is 'fastened' to the air by the little 'side propellor' on the tail. In the martial arts the Horse Stance attaches the body to the earth.

Once the body is connected to the ground it is able to move further and faster, for it will have a surer launch. And, it will be better able to hold the ground, which will enable a person to better fend off attacks while not losing position. Ultimately, however, the real secret is that the body/motor, once fastened through the horse Stance, will create a pure energy, and that energy is what we call Chi Power, and the growth and use of this chi power is the secret of the martial arts.

About the Author:

Real Chi Power can be yours if you fix your martial arts forms. Head on over over to Monster Martial Arts to find out how.

Tales of Real Kung Fu Training (as Related to the Author)

2011-07-15T13:52:00.000+01:00

By Al Case

If you aren't willing to work, then you might just as well skip this article. Correction, if you don't absolutely love good, hard work, then move along. Real Kung Fu Training, you see, will raise the sweat, exhaust the muscles, and show you the bruises.

People want the quick fix, you see, and that is something that doesn't exist. There is no magic pill. To understand this you need merely look at what the word Kung Fu really means. A skill attained by hard work over time.

Now, when I learned kung fu I had to stand in the horse stance for an hour. The instructor had a stick of incense that took exactly an hour to burn. We were expected to sit in the horse stance and let the incense burn, and at the end of the hour training would commence.

After we made it through the first hour (it wasn't hard after you got used to it), we got to do basics training. We wouldn't do twenty or thirty kicks, we would do hundreds of them. And hundreds of another style kick, and hundreds of...you get the idea.

After practicing kicks and punches for an hour, we would finally get to do forms. This would consist of the old forms, Mok, and Choy & Lee, and the Tiger & Crane and so on. Interestingly, the teacher would let up on us then, and actually talk about some of the things we were doing.

He would tell us how to translate the moves into real self defense movements. We would learn every possible thing you could do in a real combat situation. Sometimes we would break into pairs and practice applications, but then we were returned to the forms.

Our real training was in the two man kung fu patterns. This was where we stood face to face and bashed arms until they were numb and desperately in need of some good, old Dit Dah Jow healing juice. We didn't get that martial arts herbal juice until after class though; we had to earn it first with our hard work and bruises.

To be honest, all through my training I wondered if what I was learning worked, then, one day I was jumped. I sunk my weight and raised my arm, and my attacker's arm collided with my arm, and a look of pain came across face. He actually turned around and walked away, bent over and holding his arm to his belly.

Now, having suffered through this kind of training, having endured the pain and the agony, would I recommend it? I would if you want real Shaolin Kung Fu. Remember this bit of writing when you decide you want, and when you go out and find some good, old fashioned Real Kung Fu Training.

About the Author:

This story of Real Kung Fu Training was related to me by a fellow who taught me Shaolin. If you want to see what I did with this training, head on over over to Monster Martial Arts and take a look at the Shaolin Butterfly.