Judo Basics - The Art of Falling
When Dr. Jigoro Kano developed judo from its original martial art form, he wanted something more than skill in technique. He theorized that what was needed was a blend of the finer techniques of jujitsu with a form of mental training or philosophy as its driving force. Do or "the way" therefore came to signify the mental training that the judoist needs in order to make practical use of the judo philosophy in personal contacts, daily experiences, and career relations. In other words, judo basics involve the maximum efficient use of mental and physical energy. This is no more evident than in the special facet of judo called ukemi - the art of falling. In judo the method of falling is an art in itself...
Learning Taekwondo - Story From a Black Belt
I am going to share what I've learned about Taekwondo after 8 years of training. I started learning Taekwondo when i was 12 years old, and I stop attending class when I was 20 because we moved to the city. Thinking back when i was 12, I remember walking pass a school one Monday night with my mum and my brother. We walked past a school with their lights still on, we had a look through the windows seeing a lot of people wearing white uniforms practicing some type of martial art. They were all different ages from around 10 to 55 years old. They were all wearing different color belts, white, yellow, blue, red and black. After a few minutes of staring inside the window, we continued walk home. We...
Eloverate the Movie- Twilight Samurai Movie Review
Tweet Share When many natives think more or less a banal samurai film, single often thinks the film will be chock-a-block of swords and bloodshed. Twilight Samurai surprised me. I'm not trustworthy why I loved this film, but I very much did. It was a private story, a very intimate single, as different to particular tale of epic communal stint. I exactly felt as though I lived in this small, feudal shogun village. Twilight Samurai (or upper-class 'Tasogare Seibei' in Japanese) is a 2002 film, starring Hiroyuki Sanada who you may possibly recognize as "Ujio" in 2003's The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise. The story takes place around the 1860s and involves members of the Unasaka Clan in the Shonai...
Kata Unsu, from Shotokan, Isshin Ryu, and other schools, is one of the most advanced karate katas you will ever learn. Unfortunately, there is good side and a bad side with this pattern. There are things you would never do in the moves, and there are things that are so incredible it is amazing. Unsu literally translates as Cloud Hands, and it was supposedly introduced to Shotokan Karate by Kenwa Mabuni. He taught the form to either Funakoshi's son, or Nakayama. Originally, the form is supposed to be an old kung fu form from the dragon style. First thing to be noted, there are moves that would never be used in combat. Still, the moves give a sheer athleticism (should one survive learning them), and...
Believe in Yourself
It's funny how some people can live their whole lives without believing in themselves. For whatever reason, that doubt lingers. And then it happens, that moment of certainty, when you know exactly what who you are and what you are capable of. A memorable time for me was at my first Aikido class in SUNY Oswego. It was 10 minutes into class and the instructor rolled up onto his feet from a siting position, smoothly and quickly. Anybody in Aikido, knows that this is a very specific type of roll. In awe, I ask, "How many classes, before I learn how to do that?" The instructor looks and smiles, "How about right now." He broke the steps down and before I knew it, I rolled up onto my feet, exactly the way...
With A Little Help From Our Friends
The quality of one's life to a large extent is determined by the quality of our relationships with others. When we feel we have no choice but to face the world alone, we suffer emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and no degree of outward success can replace or repair the lonely feeling in our heart. No matter how talented, wealthy, or trim and fit we might appear to be, without supportive relationships it is a difficult challenge for any one of us to maintain physical and emotional health. Children, pets, loved ones, mentors, colleagues, and teachers, can all help us fulfill our need for connection to other sentient, limbic beings. Our nervous system is an "open loop learning system" that...
Communication woes plague professionals across the board: Supervisors reprimand you in front of others. Coworkers tactlessly reject your ideas. Clients lash out at people to get what they want. Rather than pushing back, getting even, or seething in silence, you can gain control of the situation and diplomatically deal with unkind people and behavior. The solution is called Verbal Aikido, and it’s a communications technique that won’t get you fired. Aikido is a Japanese form of self-defense that uses non-resistance to debilitate an opponent’s strength. The aikido practitioner seeks to counter attacks without bringing harm to the attacker in order to create balance. In other words, when...
It's 2 a.m. You have to get up early tomorrow, as usual, to get the kids off to school and take the train to the subway. "Wait a minute," you ask yourself. "Why am I still awake? I have to go to sleep!" But you can't stop thinking. There it is-monkey mind. Your mind keeps circling around and around. And the more you think, the more your stress rises. Maybe it's that one thing you said to your boss that you wish you'd said differently. Maybe you're obsessing on figuring out a new piece of technology at work. Or you forgot your mother's birthday and you can't stop thinking about how you'll explain it to her tomorrow. Do you feel powerless? Not sure what to do? With practice, you can find your way out...
Baby Boomers and the Midlife Transition -...
I don't know about you, but one of the things the Midlife transition has taught me is the importance of practice. Let me tell you a story. To this day, I can still hear my mother calling me in from playing with my friends to practice the piano. Like me, you may have many things in life to which you are still answering, "But mom, do I have to?" The problem that many of us have is that we view practice as a VERB. we're doing it as a means to an end - to learn a skill, to get ahead, to achieve a goal or to make money. We are seeing it as something that is separate from the rest of our lives. We need to "get" that PRACTICE is a NOUN.. From my practice of Yoga, I have come to understand the importance of...
Tai chi is one of the oldest martial arts and it has been practiced for hundreds of years, for exercise, a martial art and also a way to help the inner flow of the energy in the body. Practiced in a gentle and slow way, Tai chi is used so the stylist can engage the body with the proper feeling with every movement. Tai chi promotes endurance, power and flexibility by using little or no intensity with the body. Training the body to be used in a whole fashion, Tai chi encourages the connection between the body and the mind and helps to improve ones overall body movements and balance. It also promotes health of the joints and will improve the stylists joint strength and lessen stiffness. It has been...
10 Tips For Overcoming Loneliness
iv id="body"> "The best time to make friends is before you need them" - Ethel Barrymore If you've gotten as far as this article then you've probably already realised the value of spending time with friends. With the advent of social networking sites it has become too easy to distance yourself from "real" friends and surround yourself with digital ones. Digital friends are easier to manage, when you feel tired or irritated all you have to do is switch them off. Real friends are more challenging but the rewards of a genuine friend are far more valuable. Perhaps social networking can be used as a means to put you in touch with old friends but the important thing to remember is to take it to the next...
Biting the hand that feeds you
Learn how to join with and utilize a person's current "bad" behavior. Rather than telling a person they are doing something "wrong" and suggesting a fix,validate their current model of the world, and change will occur "on its own." Many years ago my parents gave me a parrot. The first thing I learned is that parrots can be dangerous to be around. They can do major damage to your fingers and other body parts. At the time, I was living and working with my friend Reeves Teague. He understood animals from a "country boy" perspective having grown up in the mountains of North Carolina. Here is the process I learned from Reeves, and modified over the years. 1. Invite an attack with an open and loving...
The Evolution Of Tae Bo
It will be tough to find a better workout than Tae Bbo training, inspired by kick boxing training moves. Billy Blanks started the craze back in the 90's in an effort to do his part to help rid America of its obesity problems. He had already enjoyed success as a kick boxing champion, martial arts movie star, and self-defense instructor before even thinking about making his first tae bo instructional video. The rest is history. Tae bo is now one of the biggest fitness crazes to hit the globe. Blanks' ability to motivate participants and put them through the paces puts him right alongside the popular Tony Little franchise. Humble Beginnings A look at Billy's website shows a complete evolution from...
Hitachi Ace Split AC RAU018HOD
This product has become an integral part of our life due to its high quality, reliability and comfort. This particular model of Hitachi has a star rating of five and this is proved by our electricity bills. Capacity of this AC is 1.5 Ton. We are using this model in our bedroom, but cooling effect of this AC covers other parts of my home. sensei ftr-66 has all the basic features of any AC. This model has some very interesting features such as ‘Dry Mode’. This model has 5 fan speeds and has high capacity rotary compressor in it. Compressor is very quiet and you can feel that whenever you listen the sound of outdoor unit of this AC. This model has an advance On/OFF start up timer. This is an...
Sakujiro Yokoyama, Kyuzo Mifune, Judo...
Nobody really knows when Sakujiro Yokoyama was born in Nogata of Toyotama, but everybody was aware of the fact, that he was a tall, strong and bulky fellow with outstanding judo techniques, such as the yoko sutemi wazas (going on the ground sideways on purpose in order to throw the opponent) and often looking for trouble. When he moved around, due to his weight and his big muscles, he resembled more a bear rather than a panther, but it was what made him successful when he performed his techniques: he really had an outstanding power. He was a student of Heitaro Inoue of the School of Tenshin Shinyo Ryu. In 1886 (the 19th Year of the Meiji Era) he entered the Kodokan, but was not considered a full...
Please in Japanese - How to Say Please Verb in...
Today's Ghetto Grammar Lesson #116 Today's lesson features the 'please do' and the 'please don't bunpo Starring a verb in base TE. A quick and easy way to say, "Please verb" in Japanese is to put the Japanese verb into base TE[ 1] and add the word kudasai. After reading the examples plug and play your favorite Japanese verbs to make learning Japanes fun. Grammar Formulation Breakdown Verb (base TE) + Kudasai. = Please Verb. Verb (base I) + naide + Kudasai = Please Don't Verb. Kudasai comes from the verb kudasaru which means to be kind enough to do for me. Here are some examples to help you get started plugging and playing. Simply plug in your favorite verbs and play. Refer to the grammar formulation...
The Best Self-Defense Weapons
Self-defense is a right that we all have. A right to defend ourselves with whatever force is reasonably necessary against any actual or threatened violence. And since we are the first line of defense against anyone trying to harm us, it is our responsibility to be well prepared before we are attacked. Moreover, the police cannot protect us all the time, so we owe it to ourselves and to our loved ones to have the best self-defense weapons available. Frankly, stun guns are one of the best self-defense weapons anyone can own. Stun guns use a high voltage, but low current electrical discharge to overwhelm the body's voluntary muscle movement. This causes the attacker to lose balance and become...
Understanding Your Asian-Style Fountain’s...
Whether as part of a general Asian décor style or for the practice of feng shui, Asian style water fountains are among the most popular varieties today. The water fountain specialists at Water Fountain Place have extensive experience with Asian-style fountains, and offer this quick guide to three traditional styles Koi Water Fountains Koi (a Japanese ornamental carp similar to goldfish) are probably the most popular Asian influence on modern water fountain design. They are especially popular in outdoor fountains. Many people think of the koi as an ancient symbol due to the West’s fascination with Eastern mysticism, but in fact, koi were first bread in Japan in the 1800s. As koi are often kept in...
Have you ever felt alone and defenseless in a situation where your instincts are warning you of possible danger? You have no weapon, no training in self-defense and your only option is to escape in whatever manner you can, heart racing, adrenalin pumping. This doesn't have to happen. You can prepare yourself for such a scenario and be confident in the outcome. Your heart will still be racing and your adrenalin pumping, but you'll be able to use that in your favor. There are so many non-lethal means by which any person can protect him or herself that it is difficult to understand why everyone is not protected in this day and age. Here are some of the many options: 1. Taking a course or class in self...
In the last article, you mastered the basics of speaking in the passive voice. This skill is critical to speaking natural-sounding Japanese, so this article delves a bit deeper. Often, Japanese sentences are formed so that the person receiving an action is the subject of the sentence. One example is, "I was sent an email from Kanoko." You'll find that many Japanese sentences sound more natural in the passive voice. So, to speak Japanese well, you must be a master of the passive voice. In this Lower Intermediate Japanese article, learn even more about speaking Japanese in the passive voice. Discover how watashi ("receiver of action") becomes the subject in Japanese passive sentences. And, learn when...
Kendo Stick Guide - Choosing the Right Kendo...
The Kendo stick (or Shinai in Japanese) is a tool specifically used for the Japanese martial arts Kendo. Kendo is a sport similar to fencing, but the Kendo stick is not pointed or sharp in any way. As in fencing, the Kendo stick is used to aggressively strike the opponent in different parts of the body. Composition Kendo sticks are usually made from bamboo, wrapped by leather for a strong grip. There are also synthetic kendo sticks made from carbon fiber. Synthetic kendo sticks are perfect for beginners. Most kendo sticks measure to up to 47 inches long. Caring for your Shinai If you are not using your Kendo sticks, make sure that you keep it in a safe and secure place to avoid injuries to other...
Comparing the Different ASICS Volleyball Shoes...
It is common knowledge that ASICS volleyball shoes are among the best in the market when it comes to volleyball shoes. Indeed the type of game in you play can greatly be affected by the shoes you are wearing. Many people go for different brands for different reasons. However, there are still times when you may go to a same brand but find that different models have different features. Under the ASICS brand, there are two shoes for volleyball: the Gel Sensei and the Volleycross. The Gel Sensei The Gel sensei is the volleyball specific ball from ASICS. It is meant to help the player who is to deliver the best job possible. The unique thing about these shoes is that the heel is low. This ensures that...
Tension in the Workplace - How to Get on With...
We've probably all suffered times in our career when we've been faced with tension at work and having to deal with people we find difficult. At best these times can be a source of amusing stories for our friends and families, at worst it can be the source of stress, burn-out and depression. In reality, we can't be best friends with everyone we have to work with. We need to know people enough to get our work done, but we don't have to be dashing off for lunch or drinks down the pub with everyone. If you are struggling with a relationship at work then one of the first things to ask yourself is 'am I expecting too much?' Setting too high an expectation of the quality of work relationships can mean you...
Tactics and Styles in the Warhammer 40k Game
Tactics and styles in this game are debateable, some people say they do exist, and some say they don't exist. One fundamental that we all should learn in my opinion is that All war is as the sword and the sword is as all war. Where you have a feint, parry and deflection you have in sword work you have that in the tactic you choose for a force. We all all have our own versions of tactics and styles, and they generally fit into these catagories: All out offensive - Designed to wipe the enemy out from the first turn through a combination of firepower(both direct and indirect) and close combat. Space Marine and Chaos Space (and other MEQ's) lists tend to be in this field. Killing the enemy is the only...
Breaking the Anxiety Trance
Remember the little poem about the man who wasn't there? As I was walking up the stair I met a man who wasn't there. He wasn't there again today I wish, I wish he'd go away. -- William Hughes Mearns What a wonderful description of anxious thinking. An anxious thought is something we make up. It isn't even real! Yet over and over again we give power to it, so it intensifies and grows until it becomes the Boogeyman. Anxious thoughts grow because we feed them by nourishing them with our attention. The strangest thing about anxious thoughts is how real they seem. Yet all we need do is point our minds at something else, and within five minutes the anxious thoughts vanish entirely. How can we get into the...
Ilfracombe is a town of about 10,000 people that's located on the north coast in the county of Devon in England. It's a popular seaside resort and civil parish that's surrounded by cliffs and features a small harbour. The parish is also home to several rural areas and other villages. The highest point in the parish boundary is 860 feet above sea level. The town is home to Hillsborough Hill, which sits prominently in the harbour and is also the location of an Iron Age Celtic fortress. The controversial Landmark Theatre and St Nicholas's Chapel which is located on Lantern Hill are also popular sites. The village was settled in the Iron Age and was basically split into a fishing community and a farming...
You Cannot Spray Them - How to Deal With Human...
In Northern Kentucky pest control is an issue like anywhere else. Across the river, pest control is an issue like anywhere else. Pest control is the process of removing the vermin, animals and insects that damage valuable property, or bring discomfort to our way of life. One of the primary methods of controlling pests is by creating barriers that keep them from gaining access to the environment or to our property. This is a lesson that can be easily carried over to our day to day life. Most people have friends and acquaintances that offer support and camaraderie. Many people also interact with associates, family or friends that bring discomfort and sometimes damage into their life. Learning to cope...
Self Hypnosis For Ninja Training
Self hypnosis for ninja training can be extremely useful, and actually is responsible for much of the calm demeanor that ninja's possess. Self hypnosis is used best for when ninja's are in very stressful, difficult situations. As is trademark behavior with the ninja, they always show a great deal of calm and accuracy under even the strongest duress. Many people wonder how this is accomplished and don't realize that hypnotism as a part of ninja training is many times responsible. One form of this hypnotism involves trigger words. When the situation becomes dangerous and highly stressful the ninja will softly repeat a word to himself. This word triggers the necessary resolve of calm to deal with the...
How to Create Effective Kata Applications
How often do you perform a kata movement and think, 'What on Earth could this be about?" Times change and so does the nature of karate. We are better off working with kata movements in a modern context than trying to guess the original intention of the technique. So why not do a little research and experimentation of our own? The term bunkai means to break down and study. Anyone with a little imagination and common sense can contribute to this area of karate as long as you understand the basic principles that hold kata together. You can begin by learning the interpretations created by other people, or better still, discover how they added meaning to the techniques. We can start with a simple example...
Let's All Blame Dana White For the State of MMA...
I watched a CBC piece on MMA, fighter pay, health care, pension plans, and the discussion of a fighters union. The piece basically said that Dana White is the most evil man on the planet and that grown men, who also happen to be the fiercest warriors on the planet, are being used, abused, and taken advantage of. But is that really how it is? Is Dana White the man to blame for all of this? Dana White gets a lot of unwarranted hate for things people let slide when it's other organizations doing them, and I think it is ridiculous. People blame Dana White for there being no fighters union, people blame him for lower level fighters making peanuts, they blame him for just about everything that's wrong...
The Top 5 Ways to Avoid Injury in Brazilian...
Being that Brazilian Jiujitsu is a contact martial art, there is a possibility for injury while practicing. These are the top 5 tips for avoiding injuries both to yourself as well as your training partners. -Make sure you have proper room and look out for objects and people. You'll need at least 10x8 feet worth of training space per 2 people and even more for sparring. Get any objects like chairs or any other equipment out of the way and keep an eye out for other people falling into your training space. -Warm up properly before training, stretch well and maintain your flexibility through regular stretching. Trust me, this will take you a long way in your training and preventing injuries like pulled...
Up and Coming Venum Clothing Takes Charge of...
Venum is a well-known clothing brand in their native Brazil, but here in the United States the shorts, shirts, and Gis this manufacturer has been designing since 2006 have largely unnoticed, and when they have been found, they've been pretty hard to come by. Even so, the vendor is making waves on the MMA circuit by producing some gorgeous Venum shorts that have become a standard with certain fighters. What makes Venum clothing so special? Attention to detail, razor sharp business focus, and rock solid quality are the main elements of the young brand's success to date. They make boldly colored clothing for men who enter the ring in MMA competition, and that's all they focus on. The styles are nothing...
Paul Daley is not a good fighter and I fail to understand why he is getting a lot of hype in the UFC. He is the UK's best fighter but that does not mean a lot. He has very little talent and is backed by some heavy strikes. How is he suppose to contend with a top 5 welterweight in Josh Koscheck. In fact British men rank high in premature ejaculation, poor diet, dental hygiene and is an obese society. Most British fighters are just brawlers and that's about it. British fighters have less skill, poor training and lack in just about every aspect of mixed martial arts and trail most of the major countries like USA, Brazil, Japan, Russia and Canada. In Koscheck's last 9 UFC fights he has fought all top...
Train Like a MMA Fighter For Cheap
You can train like an MMA fighter for very cheap, and with very little. Here are some cheap and easy essentials you'll need to train like a MMA fighter: Heavy Bag. A heavy bag is essential, and while they can be expensive at sporting goods stores, there are some cheap ways you can get one. - Look in the classifieds in your area, either online or in the local paper. Every now and then heavy bags pop up and can be had for cheap. Many times they are in very good to even excellent condition, as often people will get them new, then never really get around to using them full time. Even if you get a heavily used bag, it should still work perfectly. Any rips, throw some duct tape over it! - Make your own...
Pressure Point Attacks - Truth, Fiction, Or...
You hear a lot of hype about "pressure points" and various super-secret martial arts that exploit these mysterious areas on the opponent's body to achieve a quick, humiliating victory. On the other hand, some folks will tell you that a knowledge of pressure points and/or how to attack them is useless for self-defense (or for anything else, really) Does either side of this argument hold the truth, or does it lie somewhere in the middle? What is a pressure point? The real term for pressure point is plexus. You've probably heard of the most famous of these areas, the solar plexus. It's a collection of nerves and blood vessles that happens to be near the surface of the body, just below the point where...
The UFC's Purchase Of The WFA Is Great News For...
I recently read that the Ultimate Fighting Championship has purchases the World Fighting Alliance. I think the (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is about to get a most welcomed shot in the arm, courtesy of the recent purchase. Let's hope that the UFC decides to keep some of the top tier fighters in the WFA stable. The World Fighting Alliance is a relatively new operation which has gained some noteriety by signing some big name fighters. These fighters include Ricco Rodriguez, Quintin Jackson and Bas Rutten. What's worth noting about these fighters is that they've all had past success in the UFC or against UFC fighters.. Ricco Rodriguez is a former UFC heavyweight champion. Quintin Rampage Jackson...
How to Break Boards in Taekwondo
One of the most unique aspects of Taekwondo is the art and science of breaking. While some martial arts have moved away from board breaking, Taekwondo still incorporates demonstrations of board breaking into its belt testing programs and public exhibitions. But, the art of board breaking is not as simple as simply walking up to the board and smashing it. The process is a little complex and should be limited to intermediate students that have a number of the basic techniques under their belt. First and foremost, NO ONE should attempt to self-teach themselves breaking as this can lead to an injury. Novices with breaking should always practice their skills under a qualified instructor and under proper...
Martial-Arts Technique - Copy-Your-Cat
I'm not suggesting that you copy every move that your cat makes, and you shouldn't go out and suddenly develop the calico style of martial arts. But believe it or not, your cat really can offer one particularly valuable martial-arts lesson..... Animal Kung Fu Styles Imitating animals for martial purposes is nothing new. They have been doing it in China for centuries. You have styles that imitate cobras, tigers, monkeys, white cranes, a praying mantis, and so on. Again, this isn't about learning any new techniques from your furry, feline frolicker. Your little buddy is going to give you some training drills. Rhythm Training The other day, I was watching one our family's cats batting at a spider...
The Kubotan - How a Key Chain Defense Weapon...
The simple Kubotan can deliver awesome striking power. It looks like an eclectic key fob, however there are individuals trained to use these in unexpected ways. For the novice the kubotan can be held in the fist and used effectively to swing keys attached to one end to deliver a devastating strike to the eyes or face. Held in the closed fist it can support the bones of the hand for straight closed-fist punches. Further it can be held in the same fashion to deliver hammer-fist blows for point-end strikes to sensitive areas like elbows, knees and wrist joints or any bones close to the surface. Pretty much any place you strike with the end of the kubotan is going to hurt. For this reason it is an...
The kubaton was developed by Takayuki Kubota, a self defense instructor for the Tokyo Police Department. It is usually 5.5 inches long and 0.56 inch in diameter, slightly thicker or the same size as a AA battery. The kubaton Attaches with a keyring for convenience and concealment in the palm of a person's hand. The Kubotan appears to be a harmless item to an unsuspecting person, but it is a powerful tool and can be considered as an offensive weapon in some jurisdictions. In essence, the kubaton is gripped in the hand and used for stabbing and pressure point attacks. It is also commonly used for punching vulnerable parts of a subject's body like the eyes, or for gaining leverage as a pain compliance...
Everyone these days praises the concept of multitasking -- performing more than one action at the same time. Have you ever considered the disadvantages of multitasking in the martial arts? You probably already know that it's hard to pay attention to other stimuli, when you are, for example, eating food and driving. A common, morning routine for a lot of people who commute to work. If someone were 'to hammer' your window at a stop light, you could very well miss any warning signs, if you are doing anything in addition to paying attention to the road. Would you like another example from the world of commuting? The business man burrowing into his briefcase on the passenger seat would be easy pickings...
The Easy Way to Make Your Japanese Sound Natural!
As you know, in many cases the passive voice is preferred over the active in Japanese. In fact, it would sound unnatural to say, "Ryan asked me to go on a date." Instead, you would say, "I was asked to go on a date by Ryan." This may seem unusual, but you must be familiar with it because it's an integral part of the Japanese language. This Lower Intermediate Japanese article focuses on all sorts of passive expressions. You'll learn how to form natural-sounding Japanese sentences using watashi as the subject. As a bonus, find out what the popular "troubled passive voice" is and how to use it to show empathy. As always, apply the Japanese in this Lower Intermediate Japanese article to your life with...
Lessons For the Judo Beginner
SHISEI, SHIZENTAIAHD JIGOTAI Shisei, or posture, is a very important aspect of all judo training. The basic posture is called shizentai, or natural posture. The back is kept straight and the head up, with the eyes looking straight ahead. The feet should be shoulder-width apart with the weight spread evenly on the balls of the feet, not flat-footed, or up on the toes, but with just enough space under the heel to slide a piece of paper, allowing for rapid movement in any direction. If tori steps forwards about 12in (30cm) on his right foot, he is said to be in right natural posture or migi-shizental; if he steps forwards on his left foot, he is in left natural posture or hidari-shizentai. This is the...
Fighting Skills - Redirecting Your Opponent's...
During my career as a high-school teacher I had to break up a fight or two . Often, during a school fight, the students would crowd around the two brawlers. The students formed a circle, trying to see the fight better, and trying to keep teachers from reaching the fighters. The students wanted the fight to continue. Teachers didn't. I have a great method of ploughing right through a crowd of people. It involves tweaking elbows -- I have force on different parts of the arm, as I wade through. The force causes pain on the elbow. Unfortunately, as a teacher, you can't go around busting students arms, while trying to stop a fight. So, what did I do? Call it a combination of Wing-Chun principles, with...
World Fighting Championship's Cage Wars V
I have never been interested in Mixed Martial Arts but I had the opportunity to go to the World Fighting Championship's "Cage Wars V" on October 26th, 2007. The event was held at the Florida Fairgrounds Expo Arena in Tampa at 8pm. A friend and I went and I figured this would be a good opportunity for me to see what all the buzz has been about this mixed martial arts stuff. The great thing about the event being held at the Florida Fairgrounds is that it is very easy to get there from any points around the Tampa Bay area. Another great thing about the location of the event was that it was nearby the Seminole Hard Rock Casino which is where many of the spectators and competitors went after the event...
Kettlebell Training - Ultimate Conditioning For...
I just introduced a good friend of mine who happens to be a professional fighter to the kettlebell just a few days ago. He was truly amazed at the dynamic style of training and art of movement that went into it. To go even further I picked up my martial arts training along with him and I was able to go the distance my first day out after being out of "fighting shape" for quite some time now. That really got his interest. Ultimate Conditioning For Fighters You see, like martial arts, kettlebell training is all about the movement. The key to being a great fighter weighs on both technique and stamina. Kettlebell training involves the same exact thing! You see you can't expect to have a "health club...
I first learned about combining sparring with bag training when I was working with full contact stick fighting. We would each gear up in full Kendo Armor Outfits (used for bamboo sword sparring) - get a pair of sticks, nunchaku and of often even the traditional bamboo swords (known as Shinai in Japanese) and have at it. At first the focus was on the weapon strikes, blocks and movements. However, as the battle gets heated up, it isn't long before kicks and punches start to play an integral role. We soon learned that this protective set up could also be used as an amazing mobile bag workout while improving your sparring capabilities. Let me explain: Okay, the gear that we would wear was armor. This...
Eye Strike Techniques For the Streets
There's nothing more devastating than a perfectly executed eye strike technique and when The trouble starts, you'll be ready for action. There are many different ways to perform this method, but we will only focus on one of the best. I like to keep it simple. The eye strike is very popular in Kung fu and other street self-defense methods. This particular technique is effective for anyone to learn. It doesn't matter if you are short, overweight, or clumsy. This tactic is especially useful for women and not just men. Women may find themselves in dangerous situations, such as an elevator where there is not a lot of space to move and an eye jab or eye strike, is easy to do. Even if a woman is in a...
Etymology The etymological root of the word silat is uncertain and most hypotheses link it to any similar-sounding word. It may come from Si Elat which means someone who confuses, deceives or bluffs. A similar term, ilat, means an accident, misfortune or a calamity. Another theory is that it comes from silap meaning wrong or error. Some styles contain a set of techniques called Langkah Silap designed to lead the opponent into making a mistake. The word Melayu means Malay and comes from the Sanskrit term Malai Ur which can translate as "land of mountains", the word used by Indian traders when referring to peninsular Malaysia. Silat is sometimes called gayung or gayong in the northern Malay Peninsula...
When trying to master anything, especially subjects with the kind of depth that we're talking about within the realm of Ninjutsu, it's important to understand that "learning" something is not the same thing as "knowing" that thing. Confused? I can understand why you might be. Beginning with the way we were raised in the Western academic structure, where we were tested on "learning" and not necessarily "knowledge," we were lead to believe that learning was the goal, not the first step on the Path to wisdom. Here is a brief description of each of the three general states of "understanding" which leads to what we refer to as Mastery. 1) Learning - This is the phase of the process where we are exposed...
Typical Youth MMA Training Session
Hello my name is Michael. I'm eight years old; I do a sport called MMA. It is a really fun activity. There are a lot of different moves we learn to defend our selves and submit our opponent. MMA stands mixed martial arts. I have done MMA for a year. I train at the academy. It is located in Orem, Utah. We live in Pleasant Grove. It is only like a fifteen minute drive to the training center. We leave the house at 5:00 and the class starts at 5:15. The class ends at 6:00. Daily Routine First, we warm up by running around the classroom and doing some push ups. Then we do take-downs. This is very beneficial for both wresting and MMA. After that, we learn a new move. This usually consists of our teacher...