Mid West Action Team

More info…
History: Hironori Ohtsuka (1892 - 1982) was the founder of the Wado Ryu system of Karate. He commenced training in shindo yoshin ryu jujitsu at the age of 6, and at the age of 30, he began training under the supervision of Gichin Funakoshi (the founder of Karate-do) before founding the Wado Ryu system in 1939. Wado Ryu is one of the 4 main Japanese styles of Karate that are taught around the world. In 1939, Ohtsuka organised the All Japan Karate Do Federation Wado Ki and the Worldwide Headquarters for the Wado Ryu System. In 1967, he was the first katateka to be awarded the 5th order of merit of the sacred treasure of the Emperor of Japan as an acknowledgement of his achievements. Following his death in 1982, Hironori Ohtsuka’s son, Jiro, became the chief instructor of the Wado Ryu system. Today, there are a number of senior, well-respected representatives of Wado Ryu in Japan, who are also leaders of their own federations or associations. Characteristics of Wado Ryu: To practitioners of Wado Ryu, the main philosophy is to better their attitude both within and outside the art. This is one of the main aims of the martial art which emphasises the development of respect, discipline and understanding in a mental as well as physical capacity. This aim affects our attitude towards ourselves and others in our home life, work and social activities. To show aggression outwardly, even during training sessions, is greatly discouraged. The name Wado Ryu, approximately translated, means “the peaceful way”. Another characteristic of Wado Ryu is that unnecessarily large movements are kept to a minimum. Importance is placed on the speed and efficiency of movements with which each technique is performed, rather than the strength or physical effort outwardly shown. Exponents of Wado Ryu place great emphasis on the coordination of body movement with each particular technique. This principle is found in many other martial arts, such as ju-jitsu, aikido and kendo. This coordination is stressed at all stages of learning, from the execution of basic techniques to the application of advanced, free-fighting combinations.

- Thanaseelan, click on <a target="_new" href="http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com">http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com</a> to view his main blog. Don't forget to check out the categories on his blog.

A brief guide to goju ryu
Goju ryu was developed by Chojun Miyagi, who was born in 1988.He took the name from a chinese text called “bubishi” which explains the eight precepts which make up the training in this style of martial art. The precepts teach the student that all of our capabilities will be dicovered throughout our training. Goju ryu is a martial arts style based on opposites, such as hard and soft, or circular and straight.In goju ryu, you will practice the art of close battle and focusing your attacks on your opponent’s weaknesses. The first technique to learn is blocking; once you know how to block, you can then attack. Goju ryu blocking techniques can range from fast and furious to slow and soft. The many standing positions in goju ryu are defined by the angle the body which is relative to a horizontal plane. The way you hold your body is very important; as many positions come from the natural positions of animals. When learning goju ryu, it is vital to learn the basics first, and more advanced skills when you’re ready. At this point, you can then start learning more advanced kata. The art of controlling and attacking are the essence of Goju ryu. You must control your opponent before you attack; if you do not, you will be unable to apply the techniques learned to defeat them. Once your opponent is under control, you can use one of several techniques to counterattack. Goju ryu’s three phases of defeating your opponent are:1) Control your opponent.2) Weaken your opponent.3) Defeat your opponent. This style of martial art is excellent in self defence situations. Click here for more information about goju ryu and the eight precepts

<A HREF="http://www.martialarts-technique.com">www.martialarts-technique.com</a>is a free information based website providing readers with a little insight into many styles of martial arts.

Ju-Jitsu - General Background
History: The art of Ju-jitsu is interpreted as being the “science of softness”. Translated literally, ju means gentle or soft and jitsu means art. While referred to as “a gentle art”, some of the techniques are nevertheless extremely dynamic in their delivery and would appear to be anything but soft. There are many stories regarding the origins of Ju-jitsu, dating as far back as the 8th century, with historical lines indicating roots even before the time of Christ. While some claim that Ju-jitsu originated in China, the ancient chronicles of Japan describe how, in AD 712, Tatemi Kazuchi threw Tatemi Nokami, like throwing a leaf. Reference is also made in the Nihon Sho-ki chronicles to the Emperor Shuinjin holding a martial arts tournament to celebrate the 7th year of his reign in 23 BC. One of the bouts resulted in the death of a participant, a Sumo wrestler, who was thrown to the ground and kicked by Nomino Sukume. These accounts provide evidence of early empty hand techniques in Japan. There is also reference to Ju-jitsu developing as an art from the work of a Buddhist monk, dating back to the 13th century. These ancient techniques were known as kumi-tachi (or yawara), which is described in the Konjaku-monogatari, a Buddhist work dating back to that time. Philosophy: The central philosophy behind Ju-jitsu is to conquer an opponent by any and all means ” as long as only minimal force is used. Consequently, this precept demands from its followers a strict conformity to various disciplines ” both mental and physical. Physical fitness has been a fundamental prerequisite for practitioners of Ju-jitsu. A characteristic of this art involves strict moral and dietary regimes, which are seen as being necessary if one is to reach the highest level of perfection. It is therefore not surprising that, historically, many Ju-jitsu masters withdrew to religious institutions, such as Buddhist or Shinto shrines. Although the basic principle behind modern Ju-jitsu as a self defence art is to conquer an opponent using minimal force, the older art of Ju-jitsu focused on literally annihilating the enemy, which led to the development of many dangerous and fatal techniques. Ju-jitsu today: The traditional art of Ju-jitsu is still carried on today by a minority of practitioners, who wish to keep alive the warrior spirit of the fatal fighting techniques of the art. They do not enter competitions and their only goal is the continuation of the mental, spiritual and physical aspects of the art.

- Thanaseelan, click on <a target="_new" href="http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com">http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com</a> to view his main blog. Don't forget to check out the categories on his blog.

Martial Arts

Is Martial Arts Effective For The Streets?

The topic of how effective traditional martial arts is in today?s world as a way of protecting oneself is still a very sensitive issue to a lot of martial artists. What is even more sensitive is the issue of how realistic and street effective is the newer styles that have come out since UFC/PRIDE have come into the picture. I am a Registered Black Belt & have nothing against the martial arts and have also studied styles such as Pankration. I know that the techniques I have learned in the dojo should stay in the dojo because they will only work there, that also goes with styles such as the ?modern day or reality based systems? they are for sport only.

I work as a bouncer/bodyguard & also teach tactical self defense. Many of my students are black belts or have trained under reality based systems & have learned the hard way that what they learned in the ring or dojo is not street effective. Their common question is why didn?t their system work? Part of the reason is that if a rule or law is applied to a system it will subconsciously hinder you when your adrenaline takes over in combat. There are no rules in the streets your mind should not have to sensor or think can I do this to beat this person? We respond exactly the same way that we train.

There is no time to switch gears from sport to tactical. If you are training and your coach or sensei says can?t hit their or no contact to the eyes your mind will remember that and store it for future reference. Your self defense system should take into account your environment as well. Can you kick your attacker in the small space your in? Can you balance yourself while performing a technique on the icy sidewalk? If you grapple with him what if he has friends coming around, what do you do then? Street fighting or tactical self-defense should be in the simplest form of fighting. You don?t have time to play a chess game, like you would see in a UFC match. Time is not on your side in a street confrontation nor are rules or morals. What we can learn from the UFC or mixed martial arts events when it comes to reality fighting is if it has rules of what not to do, do those things in a street fight because its got to be effective.

Popularity: unranked [?]

More info…
Goju ryu was developed by Chojun Miyagi, who was born in 1988.He took the name from a chinese text called “bubishi” which explains the eight precepts which make up the training in this style of martial art. The precepts teach the student that all of our capabilities will be dicovered throughout our training. Goju ryu is a martial arts style based on opposites, such as hard and soft, or circular and straight.In goju ryu, you will practice the art of close battle and focusing your attacks on your opponent’s weaknesses. The first technique to learn is blocking; once you know how to block, you can then attack. Goju ryu blocking techniques can range from fast and furious to slow and soft. The many standing positions in goju ryu are defined by the angle the body which is relative to a horizontal plane. The way you hold your body is very important; as many positions come from the natural positions of animals. When learning goju ryu, it is vital to learn the basics first, and more advanced skills when you’re ready. At this point, you can then start learning more advanced kata. The art of controlling and attacking are the essence of Goju ryu. You must control your opponent before you attack; if you do not, you will be unable to apply the techniques learned to defeat them. Once your opponent is under control, you can use one of several techniques to counterattack. Goju ryu’s three phases of defeating your opponent are:1) Control your opponent.2) Weaken your opponent.3) Defeat your opponent. This style of martial art is excellent in self defence situations. Click here for more information about goju ryu and the eight precepts

<A HREF="http://www.martialarts-technique.com">www.martialarts-technique.com</a>is a free information based website providing readers with a little insight into many styles of martial arts.

Develop your Kiai - To Win More Battles
KIAI

Hector, one of the heroes of the Trojan war, had such a fearsome war-cry it would drive whole armies back, Medieval Irish warriors were known to instill fear in even the toughest most disciplined English troops. The druids used a low-droning sound to un-nerve the Roman legions in the battle field, and G.I.’s returning from the pacific after world war 2 tell of a paralyzing Batlle-cry that the Japanese used during bayonet charges.

Oriental B.S.? Martial-arts fantasy or just proper psychology and physics applied at the right moment?
In one form or another, The Kiai or spirit shout has been touted to be an effective psychological weapon in the battle field or in one-on-one combat. Whether you are a believer in this or not, the Kiai, when executed properly is supposed to achieve the following:

1. Rally the troops. The Kiai is supposed to instill courage and ferocity in a full-frontal assault.Projected into an opponent, the kiai can paralyze the mind momentarily

2. a sudden un expected shriek causes the mind to look for the origins of the sound- thereby distracting him/her for a moment thus creating an opening

3. the Kiai is a spontaneous expression of individual courage and ferocity, in essence the kiai should ( or is supposed to ) psych you up.

4. Conversely - when the opponent is expecting a Kiai and it is not delivered - the effect is the same - the mind is expecting the battle-cry and is occupied with the expectation - thus distracting the opponent again.

As an ancient flowery Japanese text commands your kiai should fill your lungs and explode from your hara , it should reverberate like a thousand samurai storming into battle

Franz von Muhlfeld

For More Martial Arts Secrets Visit This Site

Travel Industry Veteran Of 40 years - has visited 127 countries and counting…

Martial Arts

DECISIVENESS: - Single-Minded Commitment to Greatness - The Keys to Martial Arts Life Mastery #3

I remember talking to one of my teachers once about the traits of a master leader. And though we discussed many topics, traits and themes - attitudinal qualities like “caring,” “trust,” “being a role model;” and skills like “management,” “study,” etc. - ‘the’ trait that lay at the center, or formed the foundation for all of these others was: Decisiveness - the simple ability to make a decision.

Though all of the other traits were and are important in the overall character of a leader, at the heart it all lay the willingness and, yes, “decision,” to be or do those other things.

For example, we cannot and generally will not “care” about something until we ‘decide’ to care about it. Carrying this to it’s fullest, we will not be a “caring” person until we decide to be. This is true for everything.

It’s funny, you know. I’ve been an avid student of human nature for a long time now. I’ve studied how we human beings latch onto ideas, beliefs, and concepts, and run with them. The one thing that most people do not do, however, is to check the integrity of their ideas with one another. Do you know what I mean? Most of us never stop to see whether or not our “beliefs” and habitual patterns “jive” with each other.

More often than not, under close examination, things tend to break down. One belief is not congruent - it contradicts - another belief about the same “type” of thing but from a different perspective.

Here’s an example. Staff and I are constantly joking about how many people come to WCI because they are interested in taking up martial arts. How do we know this? Not necessarily because they’ve told us (lots of people tell us they’re interested - especially after you mention that you’re studying the martial arts, right?! We know because they have actually picked up the phone or stopped into the academy for information.

But, once here, we notice that their demeanor - their actions and responses, mirror those that come up for many when their approached by a salesperson at a store.

Isn’t that funny? These folks are interested in taking up martial arts but…

.. They’re afraid we’re going to “sell” them martial arts lessons!

This happens all the time. To each and every one of us. It may not be about sales, or martial arts, but it happens nonetheless.

What does this have to do with martial arts, a black belt, mastery, or warriorship? Thanks for asking. Otherwise, this article is going nowhere!

The ability to make a decision is at the heart of all of this confusion. It is also at the heart of success and mastery. It is the very thing theta defines a leader.

You see, life - every single moment - is made up of choices. And, as the author Richard Bach cited in his book ‘Illusions,’ “we design our lives through the power of our choices.” And, it is our decisions, or lack of, that define us in the eyes of others. In fact, it could be said, and has been by the great H. A. Hopf, that we teach others how to act in regards to decisiveness. We teach our children, our students, even those who are thinking about associating with us, who we are and how we engage life and that, if they are to be “like” us, they should make decisions like we do.

There are really three types of decisions to make in any given situation, whether it’s goal-setting, planning, or problem-solving. They are:

1) Do It! You decide in favor of an action.

2) Don’t Do It! You decide against the action.

3) Don’t Decide! You avoid making a choice or decision altogether.

Yes, choosing to “not” make a decision IS a decision - a choice! Because what you’re really saying is either:

1) I don’t care one way or the other which way this goes or what we do. In this case, there would not be complaining afterwards of the decision(s) made by others (if you were being honest).

2) I’m afraid to commit to something because I’m afraid of failure, success, or a hundred other things. So what if your decision proves to be wrong or simply a bad choice; make another one! After all, THAT’S what leaders do!

3) I don’t want to have to think about this right now so I’ll postpone the decision.

This last one is what most people do with regards to their goals - including going to Japan. Why else would they put off going for three years? Money? I think not. And, why not? Because everyone that has told me they were going to Japan, for example, last year, has no more money saved for the trip than they did when they first supposedly set the goal.

I remember when my teachers first started forcing me to stand up and make decisions. It was uncomfortable in many cases, and terrifying in others. But, developing this powerful ability has literally changed my life. And, it will yours as well.

Imagine: actually attaching people to you that are more helpful to you and your on life BECAUSE you are decisive. Why? Because decisive people are Confident, Trusting and Trustworthy, the take risks (another important key to success and mastery), and they make people feel comfortable and Safe.

Your ability to make confident decisions, even in the face of little support or help from others, will set you apart from everyone else who has “decided” on a mediocre, passive, and everyday existence. You will be in great company though because you will have elevated yourself to the level of the Abraham Lincolns, the Walt Disneys, the Madame Currys, and so many others that made their own path in life - decisively, confidently…

..one choice at a time!

Popularity: unranked [?]

More info…
Defending Cagewarrors Women’s Champion Rosi Sexton makes her return to Mixed Martial Arts action against the rising Welsh star Sabrina Cohen at Cagewarriors Quest Volume 3 in the Octagon Centre, Sheffield on September 17th.

Matt Ewin vs. Martin Kampmann Confirmed As The Main Event For Cagewarriors Strike Force 2 - UK vs. the World
The Cagewarriors Fighting Championships are proud to announce that Danish star Martin Kampmann will replace Damien Riccio in the Main Event of Cagewarriors Strike Force 2 at the Skydome Arena in Coventry on July 16th

Martial Arts

What To Expect On Your First Day Of Martial Arts

Everyone is a bit nervous on their first day of trying out martial arts, so no, you?re not alone here. Your first day of martial arts is a lot like a first date. There?s a lot of tension and you?re aware of every little move you make, but when you look back on it a year later it really isn?t that big of a deal. All you?re trying to find out is if you want to go on a second date.

The key is to remember that the class and the instructor truly do want you to succeed. But before they begin to really teach you, they need to be sure you?re a good fit for the school and the school is a good fit for you. If this balance isn?t there, then everyone is wasting their time.

Your first day of martial arts is all about getting a feel for the school, the instructor and the other students, so don?t expect to learn much. Most schools will have about a 30 minute session with a very high-level explanation of techniques and some physical fitness (pushups, sit-ups, etc.).

When I say a high-level explanation of techniques, I?m referring to basic punches and kicks. If you pick up on these quickly, there may be time for a couple of combinations as well. Don?t expect to have any physical contact with other students, in fact, you shouldn?t have any physical contact with other students. If you?re put into an uncomfortable situation on your first day, then you know the school probably isn?t a good fit for you.

There?s really no set ?agenda? for a student?s first day. The instructor is using these basic techniques to evaluate incoming students to see what areas they may need help in and to find the class that will best suit them.

At the end of your first class you should have a good ?gut feeling? about the school in general. If you?re petrified after one 30 minute session, you may want to try another school. But if the school makes you excited to come back again, then you can be pretty certain you?ve found a great fit.

Now that those first day jitters are out of the way, you can begin to work on getting your first belt.

About the Author:

Javier Lozano, Jr. has been training in the martial arts for over 15 years. He is currently part owner of Experience Martial Arts and will be opening a martial arts school shortly

Popularity: unranked [?]