MARTIAL ARTS and Adult ADHD: Overcoming The Symptoms

The symptoms of ADHD can be devastating for school-aged children, but they can be even more debilitating for adults who feel like they don’t have a place to turn for help. Adult ADHD has the same symptoms as those present in children (including inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity). The fast-paced lifestyle that many adults lead also adds stress that can aggravate the symptoms. However, training martial arts is a great way to alleviate these symptoms and overcome the stress they cause.

THE SYMPTOMS

1. Inattention.

The first symptom of adult ADHD is the inability to focus and lack of attention. This includes not being able to follow through on tasks, not being able to focus on what other people are saying and not being able to organize thoughts, tasks and activities.

2. Hyperactivity.

The second symptom of adult ADHD is hyperactivity. People who suffer from this symptom feel the need to fidget with hand and feet. They also tend to get up out of their seat often (even when it’s not an appropriate time) or simply feel an urge to move around. They also tend to talk excessively and are always “on the go”.

3. Impulsivity.

The third symptom of adult ADHD is impulsivity. People who have difficulty waiting their turns, who often interrupt and who answer questions before they’ve been completed may suffer from this symptom.

THE “TREATMENT”

Training martial arts solves for these symptoms of adult ADHD. To be successful in whatever martial art you choose, you need a high level of physical control. The only way to reach this is through lots of practice and self-discipline. This ability to control your body also helps you to discipline your mind. These two skills feed off of one another and carry over to other parts of your life. The more you learn to control your body, the more you control your mind. The more you can control your mind, the more you’ll be able to control your body. This control carries over to other parts of your life as well: Once you can control your body while training, you’ll be able to start controlling your urges to move and fidget. The same goes for your mind. As you discipline your mind, you’ll be able to concentrate and focus on your daily activities, your job and your relationships.

In addition to practice and self-discipline, martial arts teach breathing techniques. Many of them use the slow breathing techniques that have been used by martial artists for centuries. Similar to how specialists help people deal with panic attacks and stress, martial arts use breathing techniques for both physical and mental health and to create the body and mind connection. This connection allows you to run at a peaceful and happy level because you have achieved mastery over your mind and body.

If you’re still not convinced, take the word of someone who’s experienced the effects personally: Jody Walsh spent most of his life not finishing projects and dealing with hyperactivity. He wanted a way to treat his ADHD symptoms without relying on medication for his entire life. That’s when he decided to start training martial arts at Temple Kung-Fu Studios. “The first thing I noticed was that the breathing techniques helped me to calm down, be patient and focus on one thing at a time,” he says. “The physical applications showed me to be more aware of what my body is doing at all times.”

Even if you haven’t been officially diagnosed with adult ADHD, you may suffer from some or even many of the symptoms. If so, you owe it to yourself to start alleviating the stress in your life. The self-discipline and self-awareness needed to train martial arts helps you stay in control of your environment and life. The best place to find these skills is at a fine martial arts school. Why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. To make it even easier, I’ll help you get started. Just contact me and I’ll send you my free report on how to pick a martial arts school.

If you are interested in learning more about how martial arts can help your change your life, please contact one of my three locations in Bellevue, Lynnwood or Kent, Washington at 800-508-6141 or martialadvice@hotmail.com to set up a free 2 week trail orientation.

Also, please see our web pages at www.kungfutemple.com and www.martialarts-instruction.com

Sincerely,
Robert Jones
Master Instructor
Temple Kung-Fu Studios

About the Author

Mr. Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written two guides on how to pick a martial arts school. One for adults and one for parents wanting to pick the right school for their children. He can be reached at 800-508-6141

Martial Arts Book Review: Cheap Shots, Ambushes, and Other Lessons by Marc “Animal” MacYoung
It is painfully obvious that Marc has had some bad experiences with formal martial arts training and that is too bad. However, one must remember that, “One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch babe.” I believe that is either an old parable, or a line from the Jackson 5, if I’m not mistaken. Or it may even be both.

Shotokan Karate - General Background
Shotokan is both a young and an ancient martial art. It is ancient because its roots are deeply entrenched in the past, and young because, as it is expressed today, it is an art that is less than a 100 years old. Shotokan is characterized by its long and low stances, its powerful techniques and its dynamic forms.

Popularity: unranked [?]

What Practically Guarantees Success in a Self-Defense Encounter?
It never ceases to amaze me just how many people have the same questions or ideas about self-defense and what works.

Seriously.

Almost as soon as someone finds out that this is what I do, I invariably get one of two responses. You can break these responses down into the “asker” and the “teller” groups.

Emotion-Based Defensive Response - A Non-Traditional Martial Arts Approach to Self-Defense

When discussing self-defense training, we really need to be discussing more than just learning some tricks and techniques for dodging punches or escaping locks and holds. Why then, are most instructors content with stopping at, and most students satisfied with learning, self-defense in a vaccuum?

Well, I have my own beliefs, mostly involving the fact that most have never been in a real-world self-preservation situation with an assailant out to do maximum damage with any technique or weapon they choose. Basically…

… they don’t know any better.

In this issue, I want to look at a foundational idea that the rest of our training philosophies should take into account if we are to prepare ourselves in the most efficient and effective way possible.

First, we need to consider the learning curve of the average human being. When we think about how we learn best, aside from the methods that we might have been exposed to along the way, it becomes obvious that the “natural” way to learn can be seen in the following pattern:

Do - Think - Feel

That is, the most effecient and effective learning model for most of us is to:

* Do the ‘thing’ in a hands-on fashion.

* Think about the ‘thing’ - work at understanding what makes it ‘tick’ and how it can be used - it’s impact and use for us.

* Have an emotional response - we either like-it, don’t like-it, or it doesn’t matter.

So, what’s the problem you might ask. That’s the way martial artists train in just about every dojo or training center around.

The problem is that…

… the above formula is only half the equation!

The problem is that, we may learn best this way but, we operate very differently when under stress. I don’t mean just danger, but any time stress factors play on us. Whether we’re talking about fear, sadness, happiness, or whatever, we simply operate in a different way than we learn. And, this must be accounted for in the learning curve or we will simply be unprepared for a real-life encounter with an attacker.

The difference that I’m speaking of is really an exact opposite of the learning formula. When under stress, human beings operate by the formula:

Feel - Think - Do

This means that in a life-threatening situation we will:

* Have an emotional reaction - to the type of attack, the assailant, the environment, rules and regulations that we are bound by, and a hundred other factors.

* Access memories, beliefs, and mental functions - and then, based on what we think about the situation and what we know…

* We go into action - and do the best we can with what we know.

To say that the formulas are different, is more than an understatement.

What are we to do with this information? How can it help us to better train to be prepared for a life-saving situation?

Quite simply - we can make sure that we are producing and working under a particular emotional mode when training for self defense. This will require a training atmosphere akin to that used by actors-in-training than what we are typically used to seeing in a martial arts academy.

The Four Base Emotions

The human being enters the world with four base emotional triggers that, based on future stimuli and the addition of the higher mental functions, combine to produce the many emotions themselves. But, from a primative, self-preservation perspective, it is these 4 base impulses that we will concern ourself.

The four base emotional responses to stress are:

* Confident, stability - we’re basically unmoved by the threat, because there is no perceived threat.

* Defensive repulsion - we are overwhelmed by the source of the impulse and instinctively cover our targets or pull away to a safer distance.

* Aggressiveness - we quickly move in to take control of the situation.

* Evasiveness, avoiding - we sidestep or evade the problem, seeking primarily to completely avoid having to deal with the problem at all.

While there have been countless martial arts and self-defense systems that have been designed around a particular emotional response mode, no one mode is right or wrong in and of itself. Each one is an option to be channelled and used as a tool, if only we knew how.

About the Author

Jeffrey Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. He is the author of “The Karate-Myth” and the Danger Prevention Tactics video, among others. For more info, subscribe to his ezine here.

Brazilian Jujitsu
Brazilian Jujitsu originated from the Japanese martial art that utilizes a system of strikes, blocks, throws, locks and sweeps to be able overcome and ward off an attacker. Brazilian Jujitsu is both defensive and practical form of martial art. Brazilian Jujitsu assists the defender in making use of his attacker’s size, momentum and strength to his advantage as an effective means of overcoming his attacker. Once a defender gets to be adept at this technique, he can really become very good at the Brazilian Jujitsu martial art.

Popularity: unranked [?]

ATTITUDE: “FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION! - Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #7

One of the most important traits of any successful person is one of total commitment and passion for what it is that they are doing. They see their goal; they devise a plan for reaching it; and, the set about doing what is necessary to attain that goal.

This is something that has been repeated in uncountable books on success and personal achievement as-well-as here in this newsletter. I have written and re-written about it - I have spoken and reiterated my points again and again in class. But still I see my students and others that I care about settling for average results and the unfortunate habit of excuse-making.

Why is this so?

I believe that it is due to our need to have a ‘back-up’ plan should we not succeed.

Not succeed?!

If we have set a realistic goal (growing gills and moving in with our goldfish is not a good example!), we have worked out a plan of action, and, we are prepared to do what’s necessary, why then would we need a plan of action should we not succeed?!

Now, I’m not being funny, or mean, or unrealistic. What I am doing is pointing out what I, and from what I have been able to find out about the psychology of success, every other successful person sees as a ‘flaw in logic.’

The flaw is in the understanding of ‘having a back-up plan if we don’t succeed.’ If we don’t succeed at what? If we’re following the plan and we’re on track, aren’t we getting at least closer all the time? And if not, what IS happening that is preventing us from reaching our goal - not enough time, an unforeseen circumstance, lack of experience, knowledge or resources?

The point here is that, very often, we set ourselves up for failure by designing something into the equation that will make it OK to fail. I don’t mean that we necessarily set out to fail, just that we provide an excuse before we need one.

Here’s an example. My son has a goal to enlist in the Navy. He is doing this to gain both knowledge and experience for a future job with a major airline as an aircraft engine mechanic. He has set up the necessary interviews, obtained the requirements for enlistment as-well as those for getting the job that he is after. Unfortunately he is overweight and as a result, will have to lose weight or, at the very least, get to a point where his measurements meet the minimum standards. He has set one date after another for the enlistment, but has not lost enough by each date to qualify for enlistment.

A friend of his, someone who is very concerned for his welfare has suggested heavily that he start looking for an apartment, as-well-as gathering information about car insurance, etc., just in case he doesn’t meet his latest goal. The idea being that he will have a back-up plan should he not make it.

A look at this story should bring one very important question to mind:

“What is the goal here?”

Is the goal to begin a career in the Navy or to move out on his own? While both would accomplish the later, this is not the goal. And the so-called back-up plan does not contribute to the attainment of that goal. In this scenario, failure - not attaining the desired goal - has been wired into the equation.

The point is not whether or not to have a back-up plan but to make sure that any such plans contribute to the accomplishment of the goal. This is more aptly called a ‘contingency plan.’

Why was he not able to enlist by those other dates? Setting an unrealistic time to accomplish the task? Not carrying through on what needed to be done? These are questions that a contingency plan will handle.

In these cases, his so-called back-up plans would include: moving the date, recommitting to the goal, giving himself a worse-case alternative as an incentive to achieving the goal, etc.

The idea here is that we need to clearly understand the goal and what we want to get. Then, any back-up or contingency plan would work to go over, under, around, or through any obstacles that popped up. It would not cause us to drop our goal and drastically change what we are doing as ‘just another option.’

Remember, to successful people…

..failure is never an option!

Samy Schiavo to Rematch Jean Silva for the Cage Rage Title
The most recent fight added to the Cage Rage 9 card on November 27th is a rematch that has the MMA community talking. Samy Schiavo will get a shot at the Cage Rage title.

Sonny Sison joins Black Salt Films
Sonny Sison has been a part of movies and tv shows such as “Cradle 2 the Grave” and “The Power Rangers”

The Cagewarriors Fighting Championship Announce Its “Enter The Wolfslair” Tournament Line-up
The Cagewarriors Fighting Championships are proud to announce the Welterweight Tournament line-up for their March 5th “Enter The Wolfslair” show, to be held at the Olympia in Liverpool.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Mma-A Brief History
It would be impossible to fully track every aspect of the beginnings of mma. The Greeks, Romans, Cavemen? I will try to bring to you a history of mma that impacted the United States as I believe it occurred, and what is now the growing popularity in this reality fighting. When I use the term reality fighting, it refers to actual full contact striking and joint wrenching submissions. It is not meant to disrespect the traditional martial arts. In Brazil there was a competition called vale tudo (Portuguese for anything goes) In the early nineties an elder son of a very respected Brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) master came to the United States. This elder son and his younger brother were giving Bjj lessons out of their garage. This elder son partnered with another man and began a very popular competition where fighters of different styles would fight each other abiding by only a few rules. The younger brother of the man you started this competition dominated the fighters that stood before him. Many of the fighters were of a standing style (karate,kung-fu,etc) when this young man would take them down and tie them in a pretzel they were at a loss on how to defend against it. At this time there were no time limits on rounds. This young man would hold on to his competitors like an anaconda; wearing them down and waiting for the right moment to apply a submission hold. It did not take long for future fighters to start training in this young mans style and start gaining there own submissions. One mistake was made though. Now they were getting knocked out. The new rules to this competition incorporated rounds, and if they were on the ground too long with no action the ref would stand them back up. Not exactly a grapplers desire. With these new rules in place a new breed of fighter emerged. Mma fighters had to find a new way to cope with the double threat of stand up and ground fighting. Many of these fighters started to cross train in both ground fighting and stand up. The world of mma in the United States would never be the same. It was no longer a matter of style versus style, but who had the better stand up OR ground game. Its very complex if you think about it. Say fighter A is stronger at stand up than on the ground. His competitor, fighter B is equal at both, maybe a little better at standing and just as good a fighter as A on the ground. This scenario can be a combination of a lot of variables. There is strategy in these fights. They do not just go toe to toe with a fighter. They study their competitor and try to exploit their weakness. Regardless where mma originated from, no one can deny the explosion this sport has seen, or the skill of these athletes. These are not brainless brawlers wanting to duke it out, they are skilled combatants with a strategy wanting to compete with other skilled fighters.

Shawn Sellen is the owner of the mixed martial arts website <A HREF="http://www.mmaarticles.com">mmaarticles.com</A>

Martial Arts Book Review: Fists, Wits, and a Wicked Right by Marc “Animal” MacYoung

Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it’s definitely worth owning. One such book is Marc ?Animal? MacYoung?s, “Fists, Wits, and a Wicked Right.”

One of the great things that I absolutely love about Marc?s books is his no-holds barred direct approach to getting his point across. There is never any sugarcoating or politically correct terminology is his books. He simply tells it like it is, whether you like it or not. Marc?s not-so-politically correct way of explaining things is always refreshing in today?s society where everyone wants to sugarcoat everything so as not to offend anyone. In some ways, I would compare Marc?s method of teaching to the comical rants of George Carlin. You may be offended by what he says, but by golly it?s the truth. And yes, sometimes the truth hurts.

Once again, Marc gives you a no-holds barred look at the reality of fighting and surviving on the street. This book is simply loaded with sound principles and easy to learn techniques for making the most of a bad situation. Marc discusses the various hand positions and striking surfaces that can be used for striking your opponent, as well as, the principles behind them. I find this information on the principles behind the techniques very useful, and it is usually a very good indicator of a high quality self-defense and/or martial arts book.

The other major area covered in this book is the various vulnerable and vital areas throughout the human body that can be exploited during a fight. Marc not only tells you what areas to strike, but also how to strike them and what happens to a person when these areas are struck. Always a very useful piece of information to know before it is needed. It is also something that you will want to store in the old grey matter. Like my father used to say, ?Use your head for more than a hat rack!?

If you are a strict traditional martial artist with a closed mind then (although this book would definitely be good for you), don?t waste your time or money buying it. However, regardless of your training background, if you have an open mind and are willing to look at something from a slightly different viewpoint, then I would highly recommend that you add this book (and others like it) to your personal library.

I am a traditionally trained martial artist in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do, as well as being ranked in several other disciplines. However, unlike a lot of schools that have degenerated down to teaching a diluted ?sport? version of these arts, I was fortunate enough to be taught the practical version of each technique alongside the traditional version.

By reading Marc?s books, I feel that he had the great misfortune to be exposed to way too many of the former and not enough of the latter. Having said that, I can totally understand where Marc?s bias towards the ?McDojo? type martial arts comes from, and one that I myself tend to agree with.

Although a lot of what Marc teaches in this book I already knew, there were just as many things that I didn?t know, or was shown from a different view point. I am never too old to learn and I definitely learned a lot by reading this book. You will too!

Remember, if you think you know everything, you actually know nothing!

Self Defense And Street Fight Psychology
Let?s speak about the psychological aspect of a street collision. You should differentiate two items. You must realize, whether your fight is a result of a usual domestic conflict, or you are attacked by a robber, killer or bandit. Your actions will flow depending on these circumstances.

If it is an everyday domestic conflict that happens in the street (someone pushed you or your leg, disturbed the queue order etc.), you should not use your fighting knowledge and skills to put your opponent out of action.

As a rule, all these conflicts occur because of trifles, and you need to behave normally in this case, let?s say naturally. When this conflict happens, no one wants to fight actually, but just gets rid of the negative energy that was accumulated.

Those who express harshly their negative reaction are not dangerous at all in most cases. He will threaten you, make expressive gestures, grab you with iron fingers but nothing more will happen. This is nothing but the pose which does not contain real threat at all. However, there are exceptions in this case too. You must define at once who is dangerous and who is not.

I would like to precise one thing. Though laws and principles of a hand-to-hand fighting are the same, a sports battle in a gym differs greatly from that one happened in the street. If you are calm when fight in a sports gym and don?t worry about fatal injury, you will be extremely nervous when come across your real enemy in the street. You won?t fight according to rule (as you do in the sports gym), you need to act most quickly and cruelly sometimes for your effective self defense.

The psychological aspect plays a very important role in the street scuffle. You must prevent your enemy?s attack or take the lead over him. Therefore, I advise you on no account not to start fighting if you see you can avoid it.

If you cannot do that and you know you will be attacked inevitably, you should act quickly, harshly and be the first with attack actions. Lots of things depend on who starts the battle first. This is the main distinction of a street fight. When you train in the sports gym, it is not important at all who will attack first. Both fighters are ready to attack and defense.

It is not the same thing in the street fight. Opponents rarely stand at the certain stances (as in the sport gym) and are situated in close distance quite often. In other words, they are in the hitting zone of each other. Hence, a person who starts his attack first has a huge advantage. Attack here means just the most harsh and strong action and not the expressive gestures at usual domestic conflict.

I always feel awkward when I am forced to come into such conflict. When I see a person standing in front of myself and offending me, I feel ashamed for this conflict that occurred. This person cannot be dangerous for me, he is completely defenseless.

I know that I can put him out of action in a moment, but my consciousness does not let me do that. As we see, such clashes that happen in shops, public transport, streets etc are not the fight itself, but just an everyday conflict.

Real fight happens when your enemy or enemies are certain in their superiority over you. For example, it may be numerical advantage, force advantage or armament advantage.

So, I strongly recommend to you: try to avoid street fight at any cost. If you see you are about to be attacked, you need to act most quickly and harshly. You must always remember that if your enemy is eager to fight with you, he is sure in his superiority. If he is alone and is not too strong or high, but still wants to fight, it means most likely that he is either armed with the weapon or instructed of some martial art.

Alexander Popov is the leading expert in knife and hand-to-hand combat in the version of Spetsnaz GRU. Spetsnaz martial arts videos and ebooks: <a href="http://www.spetsnaz-gru-smersh.com" title="http://www.spetsnaz-gru-smersh.com" target="_blank">http://www.spetsnaz-gru-smersh.com</a>

Popularity: unranked [?]

Martial Arts Training Machine for Home Kung Fu Practise

Are the Martial Arts still under development?

What is a martial art?

A martial art can be defined as any skill that can be applied in warfare. The word martial means “military.”

So traditionally, a martial art is a military art. The first things that usually come to mind when discussing modern martial arts are leaping, kicking, punching, blocking, inverting elbows, twisting necks, throwing, and weapon fighting. But also horsemanship, javelin throwing, archery, spear fighting, halberd fighting, wrestling, knife fighting, rifle, shotgun and pistol shooting, demolitions, logistics, and battle strategy can all be described as the field of martial arts. Anything that a soldier might do in battle is a martial art.

By martial art usually it is meant aikido, arnis, boxing, capoeria, chow gar, choy la fut, hapkido, hsing’i, hun gar, jeet kune do, jow gar, judo, jujitsu, karate, kempo, kick boxing, krav maga, kung fu, pa kua, penjak silat, praying mantis, savate, shaolin, tae kwon do, tai chi, white crane, wing chun, wu shu and more! As you can see the list is quite long and it is actually quite amazing how many martial arts systems there are and how many methods of self defense can be formulated.

Often within a martial arts school it is taught that ‘this particular system is the best system and it was created to beat all the others’. Of course every martial artist would have the viewpoint their style is the best because that is the style they have chosen to do, but in reality what they are saying is ‘this is the best style for me as it suits my temperment and I like the teaching environment’.

The changing of the arts

Throughout this history and development of the martial arts and all the combat systems of man our training tools have played a vital part in evolving and perfecting these systems and techniques.

All the martial arts have been effected by the role that mechanical devices play whether it be weapons, dojo mats, breaking boards or even the uniforms we wear - all these paraphanialia indentify the martial arts into their systems and style.

The main players in shaping our new martial arts would be the traditional wooden dummy, wing chun rings, iron palm ointments and even the system of using forms and karta have developed the martial arts into their current form.

Even today modern training tools are common and again the martial arts are under development with new training products such as the Wavemaster, the BOB training dummy, the Focus Master. All with one thing in common, to create a well rounded combat system.

Ideally a martial arts solo training tool should be workable for all and based on sound theory and through constant practice develop into sound physical application. The ideology and theory would have to take into account all the history of the combat technology of man and give this competition and street application.

The Martialarm Combat Training Partner

In a martial arts career you can occationally find your self with no school to go to or no one to train with and so out of neccessity the martialarm solo training partner was born. The Martialarm is a Martial Arts training machine used to develop the entry and trapping skills of any martial arts system. It is designed to actually test any techniques so to improve the ability to trap and control your opponents hands and arms. This can be done because the Martialarm moves and reacts like a real opponent. The Martialarm moves and twists up, down, left and right just like a real opponent would - so it can spring forward and it does strike back!.

The Martialarm Combat Training Partner was designed and developed on the following theories

Martialarm Theory

#1) Safety - You must maintain 100% safety when entering into the opponents attack range, this means to limit any variables that could occur by covering them. (Methods of entry must be sophisticated yet simple, fast as well as safe!)

#2) Attack - You must have the ability to attack at will, with no concern or hesitation. The attack should incorporate a total control of the opponents weapons. (Attacks must be structured to have within them a 100% defense!)

#3) Adaptability - Techniques, attacks and defenses must flow but not necessarily at a constant pace. Adaptability to choose what’s next is key!

Whatever martial arts you choose just be sure you do look at a few before you decide and enqire with the school what martial arts equipment they utilize to get the best from your training.

Martialarm Martial Arts System

Martialarm Martial Arts Kung Fu is a total control system incorporating scientific body weapons with unconditional workability in both attacks and defense. Formula Fighting allows a pre-emptive attack and defense - a much faster system of fighting than the conventional ‘reaction response’ defenses. Formula fighting correctly applied transcends current martial arts technology to evolve into a martial science so to set new standards.

# The system includes:
# Smart error concepts and selective targeting
# Pressure points and internal shock strikes
# Multi-functional and military applications
# Broken Rhythm or plyometric applications
# Chi-Sau and automatic reflex systems
# Stealth weapons and clasifications
# One arm combat strategies
# Fire and forget formulas
# Inertia breaking
# Delivery zones
# and more

Martial Arts Modern Warfare

Chinese combat methods especially are renowned for the wide variety of their hand techniques. Most Kung-Fu styles use a wider range of hand/arm weapons (such as claws, gouges, palms, backhands, punches, backfists, hammerfists, forearm, elbows and shoulder strikes) than their Japanese, Okinawan and Korean counter?parts.

In addition to the actual number of natural body weapons used there is also a tremendous range of different applic?ations due to the regionalised develop?ment of Kung Fu styles and the different approaches taken by hard or internal/external styles.

In this analogy, the legs are used as the body’s heavy artillery, while the hands are the body’s infantry. In a military en?counter, it is common to use first satelite technology to view the opponents attack and defense cababilities and then use long distance stealth artillery to soften up the enemy and to provide a moving cover behind which the infantry can advance to seize and hold disputed territory. Without the benefit of the artill?ery, the infantry would take heavy casual?ties.

However, artillery on its own cannot seize and hold territory - a major bom?bardment may drive the enemy out. So it is with arm and leg techniques - we often use our legs to soften up the opponent and to enable us to bridge the gap until we can close in and finish the fight with hand/arm techniques and the proper use and co-ordination of hand/arm and leg techniques is often crucial to success/ survival.

We espouse a combina?tion approach which uses hand/leg attacks from different angles of attack and at various target levels. The concept is to keep a flow of offensive techniques moving into an opponent’s target zones from different angles and at different levels, in order to disorientate him/her completely. We believe that this approach is superior tac?tically to reliance upon one or two heavily committed techniques.

Martialarm Scientific Training For Speed

#1. Beginning of action

a. You must start in a positive delivery zone otherwise a negative zone can either injure your body parts or work against the intended action and become counter productive. (Newtons 1st law of motion)

b. Create an inertia breaker, a movement that will help you overcome the inertia (resistence to motion due to gravity and friction).

#2. Middle of action (Newtons 2nd Law)

a. After the inertia breaker you must continue the acceleration with a Booster. (Like a booster rocket, an extra aid, a second stager)

b. All body parts eg arms and legs, in any move be it a punch, block or kick, must always end up in a bent elbow or knee movement to enable a very quick change in any direction at any time.

#3. End of action

NOTE: ‘End’ of action should not be taken literally as one should never really stop action until the job is done. Our ‘end action’ should be programmed to an interuppted continuity as if this stage is still the middle stage.

Martialarm Martial Developement of Power

Most Chinese styles use a relaxed approach to power development. We try to keep unnecessary muscles from being involved in the technique, in order to avoid inhibiting the prime movers behind a certain technique from doing their job. Essentially, a straight punch is a triceps-driven technique and the Chinese style of punching allows the triceps to do its job without the inhibition of significant biceps involvement in this punch.

Most other techniques can be viewed in a similar fashion - you have muscles which are vital to the effective execution of a technique and muscles which are not, or which are even counter-productive when involved in that technique. No matter which martial arts style you do, try to avoid unnecessary muscle involvement.

Many Chinese styles use more “follow-through” in their techniques and achieve their power by driving the entire body weight through a target zone at speed. The arm is totally relaxed until contact is made and the body is still driv?ing deeper into the target when focus is brought to the technique using a trigger.

The body has more inertia to overcome before it can move with the descending line of force and, as a result, the power is more completely absorbed by the body?rather than being partially dissipated by the body moving more freely with the punch, as with a horizontal line of force.

Martialarm Martial Arts Weapons

The Martialarm System uses quite a large array of natural body weapons, some of them fairly specialised. The main ones are:

* Fist Strikes. (Sun Fist, Dragon Head, Phoenix Eye and Leopard Paw)

* Palm Strikes. (Tile Shattering, Yin/Yang, Wil?low Leaf and Hurricane Palm).

* Finger Strikes. (Flying Fingers, Immortal Pointing the Way, Twin Dragons, Tiger Claw, Eagle Claw, Dragon Claw, Rat Claw and Crab Claw).

* Back Fist Strike. (These tend to be follow?through rather than the ’snap’ versions).

* Bottom Fist Strike. (Iron Hammer equates to the Japanese tettsui technique).

* Forearm Strikes. (This is used for smashing, sweeping blows of great power).

* Elbow Strikes. (This is generally used in a very flexible manner using multiple strikes).

* Shoulder Strikes. (Used for close-in work, of?ten to propel an opponent out into punch?ing range).

As you can see, there is an emphasis on tightly targetted use of a specialised hand formation in many cases. It is not enough merely to lash out in the hopes of an effective strike. In a ring situation, the “when in doubt, lash out” tactic may gain you points, but in the street it will be ineffective, unless you are lucky enough to impact on a vital point. A precise, surgi?cal strike or kick into one of your opponent’s vital or weak targets is needed and your combinations should be struc?tured with this in mind.

Martialarm System Technological Achievements

1. Revolutionised Martial Arts thinking and design of “Formula Fighting” or “Martial Arts by Numbers” that allows pre-emptive attack - a much faster system than the conventional “Reactionary Response” to attack.

2. Development and pioneered Martial Science - a system which enables practitioner of all styles to evaluate and modify current technologies to improve efficiency and allow comparisons with proof of technologies, concepts and technologies.

3. Developed the following technologies -

a. Sightless combat
b. Smart weapons systems
c. Stealth weapons systems
d. Fire-and-forget systems
e. Broken rhythm energy
f. Plyometrics applications
g. U.F.O. motions
h. Counter error programs
i. Convert errors into attack
j. Selective automatic targetting

The Three Cs - Capability - Control - Confidence

Certainty in containing the opponent by a huge technological edge and a super tough body and mind.

1. Capabilities - Current martial arts technologies have been transcended by total control in that it is a martial science based on failproof concepts.

2. Control - Allows total control of the opponents capabilities making him defensively impotent. Multi functional applications in everyday life as well as in self defense.

3. Confidence - The small, the unco-ordinated, the disabled and also the best and brightest will gain in self belief through this training.

Martialarm Martial Science Offers

Attack systems that cant be blocked. A shield that cant be breached. Body toughening, Formula fighting, Stealth and U.F.O weapons including the Nukes. Mind freeze technology that shuts the opponent down. 3Cs Capabilities and Control bring about Confidence.

Martialarm Martial Science Concepts

1. Traditional Martial Arts - Animal styles or based on kata and ritualised.
2. Acclectic Martial Arts - Collection of what works for the individual into a new style.
3. Designer Martial Arts - Only the usable of conscious mind, scientific and repeatable.

The Martialarm Combat Training Partner

In a martial arts career you can occationally find your self with no school to go to or no one to train with and so out of neccessity the martialarm solo training partner was born. The Martialarm is a Martial Arts training machine used to develop the entry and trapping skills of any martial arts system. It is designed to actually test any techniques so to improve the ability to trap and control your opponents hands and arms. This can be done because the Martialarm moves and reacts like a real opponent. The Martialarm moves and twists up, down, left and right just like a real opponent would - so it can spring forward and it does strike back!.

For more information about the martialarm wooden dummy training machine and martial arts news visit http://www.martialarm.com

About the Author

This article was submitted by P. Sundbye who has been training in various martialarts for the last 11 years including Wing Chun Kung Fu, Aikido, Tong Long and the Lee Total Control system.<br />
<br />
For more information and martial arts news visit http://www.martialarm.com<br />
<br />
<br />
http://www.martialarm.com/history/what-is-karate.html

The UFC’s Purchase Of The WFA Is Great News For MMA Fight Fans
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Improving Your Instincts, Strength And Motor Skills By Doing Bo Staff Exercises
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Tai Chi Chuan - General Background
As a martial art, Tai chi chuan works on a number of levels, but the principal aim is to teach practitioners to relax and become fluid in their movements. This allows for smoother actions and quicker response times. The objective is for self-defence to become a reflexive action rather than a repetition of technique. There is a variety of sensitivity exercises which allow the practitioner to adapt instantly to an opponent and to react in the most appropriate manner. Incoming force will, typically, be diverted, however slightly, and the corresponding opening in the opponent’s defence exploited.

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Martial Arts Training for Real Self-Defense: Making Sense of Chaos

I once had a talk with a student who pointed out the almost insane notion that anyone could think that they could use a preset string of moves (known as a kata, pronounced kah-tah) to handle something as chaotic as a fight. He said it made no sense to him how any master, who really knew what he was talking about, could pass down “the answer” to such an unknown as a fight.

He’s right. And yet, day after day, in countless schools, training centers, police departments, and military units around the world, there are those who believe that what they are learning will be exactly what they need to win, should they ever be attacked.

Can you imagine, for those of you who have yet to be accosted, what it feels like inside the heart of an attack? I mean, what do you know about the situation that you haven’t been in yet?

Unless you’re clairvoyant and can see into the future - in which case you wouldn’t need self-defense training because you would either…

1) know what to avoid, or…

2) know you weren’t going to survive -

There is a plethora of things that you don’t, and can’t possibly, know about this situation that hasn’t happened yet. Things like:

A) Where you will be attacked (parking lot, building, your car, at-home in-bed, etc.)

B) Who your attacker will be

C) How many assailant’s you will face

D) Whether or not there are any weapons involved (and what type, if any)

E) How you will be attacked

F) What you’ll be wearing or carrying that could help or hinder you, and…

G) Much, much more!

So, how can anyone think that a preset string of moves will be of any use to them in an actual, real-world, attack? Better still, why would they have been passed down for hundreds of years if they couldn’t help?

Well, the short of it, based on my own research, is this. There are two schools of thought when it comes to answering this question. The first is the idea that says…

…”we must make sure that warriors have a way to practice during periods of peace so that they’ll be ready for the next war. So, what we’ll do is string some basics together in a way that they can rely on repetitive practice to stay ready.”

The other so-called “school-of-thought” said, “Let’s look at the most common attacks that we, with our current set of circumstances, will have to deal with. Then, we’ll design a set of example techniques - “fight-scenarios if-you-will - that contain the essence or idea of what could be done in a situation like that. We’ll convey the principles and concepts through techniques that are not so-much “set-in-stone” as they are representations of these principles in action.”

One school recognized the need to practice the basic mechanics - the “brand” of punching, kicking, etc. (the “secrets”) - of their art when there wasn’t a war going on. In fact, most schools of training in Japan are still passed on this way. The school allows the student’s own intuitive and perceptual powers to determine his or her own level of understanding.

However, for many of these martial systems, the techniques ARE the art. That means that they represent that which makes a particular lineage’s techniques and “style” unique among all others. It is not generally acceptable to change the techniques for any reason, as in the case of my friend that I talked about earlier.

The other school recognized that there is an infinite number of combinations if we were to just focus on the mechanics alone. They also recognized that “what” you do is not nearly as important as “when”, “why,” “how,” and under what circumstances you would do anything. Granted, this was more difficult to understand than the basic step-by-step method (which this school DID employ by-the-way), but the idea was that, the principles were much more important than the techniques if one were to win in a conflict.

While the step-by-step, preset model approach does teach students how to apply techniques, from my perspective and experience with having to deal with violent attackers in real-world self-defense situations, it is the later approach - the focus on workable principles and concepts for controlling the situation - that provides the real keys to mastery.

But, it’s not martial arts mastery - the mastery of technique - that I’m talking about. But rather the ability to master and control…

Your Environment

Your Attacker’s Perceptions

The Space and Distance within the fight

The Assailant’s Options

And much Much MORE!

…that allows you to control the very flow of the situation, from moment-to-moment, as it unfolds.

It is this grander-view of the reality of the situation that allows the true martial arts master - the strategic warrior commander, to see beyond the mere punching, kicking, or slashing of the attacker. It is the view that allows us to make sense out of the chaos that is a fight and…

…appear to be magicians and wizards to others with less understanding of the workings of nature and the enlightened wisdom of the trained martial master.

About the Author

Read more like this by subscribing to the author’s newsletter here For seminar & media requests, call (570) 988-2228 or go to his website at www.warrior-concepts-online.com

The True Measure of Toughness Occurs When You Are Coming Back From an Injury
When it comes to the sport of grappling and MMA, being tough is not an option - it is a prerequisite! You are not going to step on the mat, in the ring or in the Octagon if your heart pumps red pudding instead of blood.

Popularity: unranked [?]

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Martial Arts Management: Is Your Dojo Thriving or Just Surviving?

Is your dojo a business, a lifestyle, a hobby, a temple, a recreation center, or a mixture of these things?

This is a fundamental question that every dojo needs to answer, and you really should highlight one or two things and focus on improving them.

All too often dojo owners and managers are unclear about their aspirations and it not only confuses everyone but it leads to ultimate dissatisfaction and to failure.

For example, I am aware of a martial arts dojo that offers excellent training but because the sensei has been hopelessly ambivalent about its missions, the organization has always been beset by financial troubles.

In most of his writings this leader has derided money, often admitting he is ?not a businessman? and that business practices defile the purity of the martial arts.

If you despise money, chances are very good that you?re going to scare it away.

Through some communications with him I was able to point out this blind spot and he changed his rhetoric, instituted an advisory board, and made it easier for people to support the dojo through donations and participation in fundraisers.

Instead of constantly being on the precipice, he is now on a stronger financial footing and he can focus on being what he is: a great teacher.

Specifically, what can you monitor to determine if your dojo is financially healthy or unhealthy? I believe REFERRALS from existing students are incredibly significant:

(1) They are a reliable indicator that your current students are pleased with their instruction. Are they bringing in their friends and family on a regular basis? If not, either they falsely believe the dojo doesn?t need to enlarge its base, or they aren?t convinced it is a place for everyone.

(2) Referrals are ?free.? Your marketing costs are nil when someone brings a friend to the dojo.

(3) Referrals introduce you to new networks. That person who is brought in belongs to several new groups that can help you to grow, that you wouldn?t tap without a personal introduction.

Make it known to your students that the dojo is interested in thriving and they can help by inviting friends to observe a class. Devise brief demonstration programs for visitors in which they can participate that will show them a few nifty techniques.

St. Augustine said ?There is no joy in heaven over empty churches,? and the same thought pertains to dojos.

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True Martial Arts and the Job of a Warrior

The martial arts and the concept of self-protection is much more than mere punching and kicking, or the development of skill with a weapon. Just as a martial artist or, in the grander sense, a warrior-protector, in engaged in much more than the mere study of violence and violent methods.

This is just as so now as it has been for the past several thousand years. Regardless of the term we use to describe this person…

…knight…

…champion…

…hero, etc…

The warrior is one who understands that his job or purpose is not about killing, fighting, or dying…

…it’s about living.

The true warrior understands that, while there is a need for those who can protect themselves and others from the hatred and animosity of others, ultimately these skills are to be used to insure the harmonious continuation of the highest achievements of mankind: Love, Peace, & the successful achievement of one’s Dreams.

At Warrior Concepts International, students are required to study and reflect so that they might come to an understanding of the difference between a…

Fighter

Soldier, and a…

Warrior

How about you? What do you think, if anything, makes these three types of combatants, different?

Certainly, if we were to look up any one of theses words in a dictionary or thesaurus, it’s quite likely that we’d find one or both of the other two words in the definition.

It cannot be argued that each one fights. In fact, if we were to look only at the actions and techniques used when each is engaged in combat, it would be difficult to tell the difference between them. But…

…there is a difference.

Quite a few actually but, for now, let’s take a look at a primary, philosophical difference - the “reason” that each chooses to fight.

THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE INTENTION AND MOTIVATION - NOT IN THE DEED

The Fighter fights for reward. There is a payoff of some kind for this individual. He or she is either seeking to attain something (fame, money, etc.), or they seek to prevent these things from being taken from them.

The Soldier fights because it is his job. Certainly, there may indeed be philosophical reasons behind his decision to fight (family, community, country), but the soldier is a minion of the State. He or she has absolutely no choice as to who the “enemy” will be or who they are protecting us from.

The Warrior, on the other hand, fights to restore Peace. He fights because there is no other choice and does so to defend something (philosophy, family, etc.) outside of himself. And, when he fights, it is with an enemy of his own choosing and never for selfish, self-serving reasons.

The warrior, though often called upon to engage in conflict using the same methods as that of mere fighters and soldiers, does so, not for the sake of conflict, but because all else has failed and he must resort to violent conflict to stop it.

About the Author

Read more like this by subscribing to the author’s newsletter here For seminar & media requests, call (570) 988-2228 or go to his website at www.warrior-concepts-online.com

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Samy Schiavo to Rematch Jean Silva for the Cage Rage Title
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Martial Arts and The Zone

On the occasions you delivered the perfect strike; blocked without the need to think or performed a near flawless kata, did it feel difficult? Or did you get the sense it happened by itself? If you have experienced such moments you were in The Zone. The Zone is a place where athletes describe this sort of experience. Studies suggest its a state of ‘effortless merging of action and awareness’. So what stops us from getting there? Factors such as stress or attempts to try harder can interfere. Often our efforts to train harder result in unnecessary muscular responses that prevent us reaching the effortless state of The Zone.

It is my belief that our natural state is to be in The Zone. Diligent practice of the martial arts can help us to experience this shift of consciousness. The Zone is an altered state where things can happen with little or no perceived effort. In these moments our response appears to precede conscious thought and is executed near to perfection; right timing, right effort and entirely appropriate to the situation.

I am sure we have all experienced moments like this. For example, in one competition I scored ippon with a jodan mawashi geri to the side of my opponents exposed face. Afterwards my opponent congratulated me on my technique commenting he didn’t see it coming, to which I could honestly reply, “Neither did I”. I was only aware of the execution of the technique once my leg has started its recoil. Where had it come from? At some level my senses had registered the target, selected the most appropriate technique, fired it off, made the lightest of contact and started the recovery before I had become aware of it! This was probably my ‘finest hour’. But how can we be capable of such remarkable feats one moment and be totally incompetent the next - I lost the next round and was appallingly slow.

Whilst the patterns (techniques) residing at a subconscious level can be called upon with incredible speed and effectiveness, I believe this can only happen if we are in a balanced state. Another word for this is poise, this is not to be confused with posture. Poise is a state of totally appropriate activity, both at a muscular and ‘mental’ level. When we are in this state there is ‘optimum integration of the postural reflexes, consciousness and appropriate use of learnt patterns’. That is, we can get out of the way and let the processes just happen. Nerves, tension and stress will interfere with this process if we allow ourselves to react negatively to these situations such as stiffening the neck, an action that will impede the balance reflexes. Likewise, over-confidence has a similar affect of preventing the unity of self and action as, in my view, it will reduce our level of alertness and state of readiness. The ego really should be left at the door of the dojo!

So perhaps to heighten our chances of getting into The Zone we need to focus on ‘being in the moment’. Only by being consciously aware of the moment or ‘the here and now’ can we ensure inappropriate muscular activity is not present in our actions. This takes time and involves going back to some very basic movements (pre-martial art techniques) such as everyday simple activities and Zazen to experience a stillness and awareness that will help in more demanding activities.

About the Author

Roy Palmer is a teacher of The Alexander Technique and has studied performance enhancement in sport for the last 10 years. In 2001 he published a book called ‘The Performance Paradox: Challenging the conventional methods of sports training and exercise’ and is currently working on a new project about The Zone. More information about his unique approach to training can be found at http://www.fitness-programs-for-life.com/martial_arts_training.html

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Martial Arts Legend Bill ?Superfoot? Wallace on his way to the Tropicana in January
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5 Time UFC Champion Frank Shamrock Heading to Atlantic City
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Hollywood Star Joe Piscopo headed to the Atlantic City Tropicana Casino in Jnauary
Joe Piscopo is set for the Mega Martial Arts Expo that will be taking place at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City NJ

Flexibility, Adaptibility, and The Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #8

“Flexibility is the Key to Longevity.”

Think about that statement for a moment. Flexibility is the key to longevity.

I first encountered that statement almost over two decades ago while stationed with the US Army at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. The Operations Sergeant of my Military Police unit had it blown up to poster-size and hanging on the wall behind his desk.

As with all new members assigned to the 21st MP Company, I was asked, “Do you understand what that means?” And, like most I’m sure, my response to a senior was, “Yes, sergeant.” My affirmation was not at all related to what I think of that same phrase today.

To a disgruntled young soldier who had better things to do than put up with the “hurry-up and wait” organization that I perceived then, the phrase meant, “put up with all of the changes, and changes to the changes we throw at you and you’ll last much longer.”

Ironically, I came to find that - he was right! Except that it’s not just an ‘Army thing.’ What I have come to realize is that, regardless of whether we’re talking about a fight, a relationship, or just living, life is filled with change. In fact, there is nothing more permanent than change. Isn’t that funny? The only thing that doesn’t change is change-itself. And our own individual ability to adapt to those changes in our life, determine our own level of happiness, satisfaction, and ’survivability.’

Phrases like: “There’s always something,” and, “If it’s not one thing, it’s another,” are right. They are 100% accurate and the sad thing is that - there is absolutely nothing that we can do about it. But, that’s also the good news. We can stop chasing after permanence. We can stop fighting change because it’s a losing battle. Stress, or what most people call stress, which is the tension and anxiety that occurs when things don’t go our way, is what happens when we assume that things will happen just because we want them to. We expect that the world will magically conform to our wishes without any awareness or planning on our part. “It worked yesterday,” is the general belief along with, “if it hasn’t broken yet, it won’t.”

In the scrolls of the Takagi-Yoshin school of martial warriorship that has been past down for the last several hundred years, there is a key for winning in every battle. It’s simple, and I’d like to share this age-old wisdom with you.

Are your ready? Here it is:

“Don’t enter a battle you can’t win.”

That’s it.

Our ability to be adaptable and to have more than one way of doing things is essential to winning the battles of day-to-day life.

That poster means much more to me today than it did to that young man years ago. I can still hear my Sergeant’s voice as he asks…

“…Do you understand what it means?”

And, I can hear my answer to him.

“Yes, Sergeant.”

“It means…put up with all of the changes, and changes to the changes that are thrown at you and you’ll last much longer.”

Take a deep breath…

…relax, and…

…enjoy the ride.

I’ll see you in class.

About the Author

Jeffrey Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. He is a consultant for businesses, groups, and organizations on the topic of self-protection. For more info, subscribe to his ezine here.

Popularity: unranked [?]

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Facts about Martial Arts for Kids - Part 2

In this continuing series, let’s address more issues and frequently asked questions that concern parents who seek to enroll their child in a martial arts program. The first question in this part is possibly the most important one of all.

How do I find the right martial arts teacher for my kids?

You will know when you have a face-to-face meeting and
observe him or her teach a martial arts class. The
chemistry between a prospective martial arts teacher and you should be good.

After all, your child is supposed to learn courtesy,
respect, self-discipline, goal setting, and many more life skills from his or her martial arts instructor. If the martial arts teacher you are considering displays none of the above-mentioned qualities, please continue to shop around.

It makes no difference if your child is learning Karate, Jujitsu, Aikido, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, or Kung Fu, when the teacher is not a good role model. You don’t need to expose your children to hazards or questionable characters in order for them to learn martial arts. The martial arts school philosophy, and the instructors, should meet your standard - never settle for less.

Are you looking for discipline, academic improvement, life skills, tournament competition, self-defense, or a positive activity? Martial arts studios are not created equally. A life skills school may not meet the needs of a competitive parent or child. A “tournament school” that teaches Sport Karate, Sport Jujitsu, or enters many competitions, may be lacking in life skills and so forth.

This is not meant to take away the value of any aspect in martial arts training, but to make you, as a parent, aware that the emphasis will be different from one type of school to another. Also, the self-defense aspect will be taught differently within each martial arts school. Some martial arts schools teach more of one technique such as: punching, kicking, joint locks, sweeps, and throws.

At our wellness center in North Providence, Rhode Island, we teach all of those aspects, and we also teach self-defense through communication. For example: Wouldn’t it be better to prevent a physical conflict by talking it out? If a child is fully capable of defending himself or herself, why should he or she pursue a physical fight?

As adults, we know that the diplomatic approach to a
physical conflict will not always work, but it is worth a try. Our children need to look at social skills, awareness, and courtesy as survival tools. Whether they are walking down a street, or entering the workplace, these skills are extremely important.

Know your goals and your child’s needs. Please make sure your reasons for enrolling your son or daughter in martial arts classes are sound. Martial arts for your child, is his or her personal endeavor. You can share in the feeling of accomplishment by being supportive and watch them grow to be successful. Success is one of the most important gifts we can give to our children.

The ideal martial arts instructor should have knowledge of sports medicine and CPR training. This may be one of the reasons why serious injuries are rare. Make sure that the safety of each child is a priority with the martial arts school you choose.

Some parents may feel I play it too safe within a karate class, but they have not seen a child knocked unconscious, a broken nose, or loss of blood, in my school. When I was a Sport Karate coach, referee, and judge, I saw all of those things in tournaments, and children were all wearing protective equipment.

Therefore, safety precautions are a very important factor, when deciding which martial arts school you should choose for your child.

? Copyright 2005 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

About the Author

Paul Jerard is the director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He’s a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students wanting to be a Yoga teacher.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Martial Arts Expert, Lieutenant X, Offers Free Tips on How to Kick Tony Soprano Into Next Season
With the final season of HBO’s THE SOPRANOS about to air, controversial New Jersey martial arts & street fighting expert, Lieutenant X, reveals how to defend yourself against angry mobsters. (PRWeb Apr 4, 2007)

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Popularity: unranked [?]

Martial Arts Book Review: Zen Combat by Jay Gluck
This is a very well written book and one that I don’t believe is in print anymore. The copy I have I ended up finding in an old book store several years ago. This book gives you some outstanding information on the history of primarily the Japanese martial arts and their philosophy.

Martial Arts Book Review: Mas Oyama’s Karate by Bobby Lowe
Included in this book are some really wonderful historical photographs of both Masutatsu “Mas” Oyama and Bobby Lowe. These photographs are in addition to the numerous photographs of Mr. Lowe’s students demonstrating the techniques described throughout this book.

A Self-Defense Reality - A Reason to Study Reality-Based Martial Arts and Self-Defense

Imagine, if you will…

A woman walking across a dark parking lot late at night - perhaps on her way to meet her date. The lot, apparently occupied only by the vehicles parked there and the occasional cat hunting for an evening snack.

Then, as if from out of nowhere, she feels the hard, meaty arm slam into her throat from the front. While her mind races to determine exactly what’s happening, she becomes more and more aware that she is not in control - her world has just changed forever.

The woman feels her muscles contract and, though she tries to move, is aware that much of her own body won’t respond to her brain’s commands. As the adrenaline and other chemicals flood her blood stream in natural response to danger, she is overcome by a multitude of feelings and sensations that she has, quite literally, never experienced before.

As the initial shock response and wave of panic begins to ebb, she finds herself becoming aware of the sensation of her assailant’s body behind her and the fact that his arm is coming from over her right shoulder. She can now hear his hot, rasping breath in her ear and perhaps the fact that he is saying something to her; though she’s not quite sure what it is.

Since she’s taken a few self-defense classes, she remembers learning how to get out of this type of attack and reaches up to grab and pull his arm away from her neck. What she finds though, is that she cannot even begin to budge it in the least.

“Wait a minute,” she thinks in a moment of clarity, “this isn’t right.”

“This isn’t right!”

“It always worked in class.” “This guy’s holding me too tight!” “No one ever holds THIS TIGHT!”

She feels the next wave of panic start to grip her. Not because she is being attacked but…

…because she realizes that her defense doesn’t work.

“Why?” “What’s going on?!”

“It’s supposed to work!” “He said it would wo….”

As the darkness of unconsciousness overtakes her, she is left with the feeling of a warm blanket that is being pulled over someone who will sleep for a long while.

The preceding story, believe it or not, happens several times every single day in our country and around the world. To be certain, the details are different. Perhaps the victim…

…is a man - not a woman…

…never actually trained with anyone and just had their own assumptions…

…was attacked differently, but…

…the results are always the same.

Or, are they?

About the Author

Jeffrey Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. He is the author of “The Karate-Myth” and the Danger Prevention Tactics video, among others. For more info, subscribe to his ezine here.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Martial Arts Book Review: Krav Maga by David Kahn
Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it’s definitely worth owning. One such book is David Kahn’s, “Krav Maga.” The author gives you a very good basic overview on the art of Krav Maga, and this book is one you definitely want to acquire, especially if you decide to join a Krav Maga class. And that is not a bad idea at all.

Martial Arts Book Review: Ending Violence Quickly by Marc “Animal” MacYoung
Once again, Marc gives you a no-holds barred look at the reality of fighting and surviving on the street. This book is simply loaded with sound principles and easy to learn techniques for making the most of a bad situation. I find the information on the principles behind the techniques very useful, and it is usually a very good indicator of a high quality self-defense and/or martial arts book.

Failure is Not an Option! - “Attitude” and the Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #7

One of the most important traits of any successful person is one of total commitment and passion for what it is that they are doing. They see their goal; they devise a plan for reaching it; and, the set about doing what is necessary to attain that goal.

This is something that has been repeated in uncountable books on success and personal achievement as-well-as here in this newsletter. I have written and re-written about it - I have spoken and reiterated my points again and again in class. But still I see my students and others that I care about settling for average results and the unfortunate habit of excuse-making.

Why is this so?

I believe that it is due to our need to have a ‘back-up’ plan should we not succeed.

Not succeed?!

If we have set a realistic goal (growing gills and moving in with our goldfish is not a good example!), we have worked out a plan of action, and, we are prepared to do what’s necessary, why then would we need a plan of action should we not succeed?!

Now, I’m not being funny, or mean, or unrealistic. What I am doing is pointing out what I, and from what I have been able to find out about the psychology of success, every other successful person sees as a ‘flaw in logic.’

The flaw is in the understanding of ‘having a back-up plan if we don’t succeed.’ If we don’t succeed at what? If we’re following the plan and we’re on track, aren’t we getting at least closer all the time? And if not, what IS happening that is preventing us from reaching our goal - not enough time, an unforeseen circumstance, lack of experience, knowledge or resources?

The point here is that, very often, we set ourselves up for failure by designing something into the equation that will make it OK to fail. I don’t mean that we necessarily set out to fail, just that we provide an excuse before we need one.

Here’s an example. My son has a goal to enlist in the Navy. He is doing this to gain both knowledge and experience for a future job with a major airline as an aircraft engine mechanic. He has set up the necessary interviews, obtained the requirements for enlistment as-well as those for getting the job that he is after. Unfortunately he is overweight and as a result, will have to lose weight or, at the very least, get to a point where his measurements meet the minimum standards. He has set one date after another for the enlistment, but has not lost enough by each date to qualify for enlistment.

A friend of his, someone who is very concerned for his welfare has suggested heavily that he start looking for an apartment, as-well-as gathering information about car insurance, etc., just in case he doesn’t meet his latest goal. The idea being that he will have a back-up plan should he not make it.

A look at this story should bring one very important question to mind:

“What is the goal here?”

Is the goal to begin a career in the Navy or to move out on his own? While both would accomplish the later, this is not the goal. And the so-called back-up plan does not contribute to the attainment of that goal. In this scenario, failure - not attaining the desired goal - has been wired into the equation.

The point is not whether or not to have a back-up plan but to make sure that any such plans contribute to the accomplishment of the goal. This is more aptly called a ‘contingency plan.’
Why was he not able to enlist by those other dates? Setting an unrealistic time to accomplish the task? Not carrying through on what needed to be done? These are questions that a contingency plan will handle.

In these cases, his so-called back-up plans would include: moving the date, recommitting to the goal, giving himself a worse-case alternative as an incentive to achieving the goal, etc.

The idea here is that we need to clearly understand the goal and what we want to get. Then, any back-up or contingency plan would work to go over, under, around, or through any obstacles that popped up. It would not cause us to drop our goal and drastically change what we are doing as ‘just another option.’

Remember, to successful people…

…failure is never an option!

About the Author

Jeffrey Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. He is a consultant for businesses, groups, and organizations on the topic of self-protection. For more info, subscribe to his ezine here.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Are You Including A Press Release In Your Marketing Campaign Arsenal? Perhaps You Should Be…
 

Beating Stress with Martial Arts

Are you a busy executive or mom trying to do everything? Are you getting so stressed out that it seems like you’re not accomplishing anything? If so, you can use martial arts to combat that stress! Many of the skills and techniques used in martial arts training are the same skills and techniques you can use to rid your body of stress.

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So, you might be wondering how a skill that is commonly depicted as a fighting tool can actually reduce stress… Some of these common images of martial arts aren’t completely accurate. The cartoons, video games and movies showing martial arts as a fighting tool are only showing you one small facet of the art. The skills necessary for training martial arts can teach you how to balance your mind and body and give you the confidence you need to face the stressful events in your life. (more…)

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The Secrets Behind the Art of the Eight Limbs
These increase strength, speed, power and accuracy and are ideal for the beginner and the master alike.

Mixed Martial Arts
Article on mixed martial arts (MMA) which explains the origin, techniques used and training aspects of MMA.

Facts about Martial Arts for Kids - Part 3

“Martial Arts or Karate may not be a good fit for my daughter.”

We are living in the 21st century, and I still hear this one. This kind of thinking is what has been holding women back for centuries. This statement is not only made by fathers, but by mothers, too. If your daughter wants to try martial arts, let her have a chance. Martial arts classes for girls, or women, are very rewarding. (more…)

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Weight Training and Martial Arts Training- Should You Do Both?

Should You Add Supplementary Weight Training to your Martial Arts Training?

There are four things you should consider before you add supplementary weight training into your workout schedule:

? Speed

? Flexibility

? Endurance

? Strength (more…)

Popularity: unranked [?]

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? (more…)

Popularity: unranked [?]

Martial Arts Mentoring: “I Think You Have A Future At This!”

?A teacher never knows where his or her influence stops? is an expression you may have come across, and it?s quite true.

A simple word of discouragement or encouragement, for example, can mean all of the difference in a student?s life.

A few years ago, I noticed a young lower belt who was taking a test for the next level of training, and he performed quite well.

I thought back to myself at that level, and I could see that this fellow was more agile than I was at a similar point in training, and overall, he had certain physical capabilities that were impressive.

Also, I knew that my fellow instructors were not going to lavish praise on him because they wouldn?t want it to go to his head, to have the effect of making him think he didn?t have to work hard to improve.

I can understand that concern, but I think it can also mask a degree of jealousy on the part of senior dojo members toward up and coming stars. They may feel threatened that someone?s kata will be more aesthetic, that their techniques may look like they can really work, and that their strikes and kicks are more powerful.

Anyway, I felt I had to step in, that otherwise, the dojo could lose this young man unless he received some timely encouragement.

So, after the test, I said very directly: ?You did very well, and I think you have a future at this!?

He smiled, and that was that.

The other day, I popped into the dojo on a Saturday to drop off a note. It was his day to manage the place, to teach the Juniors, the kids, as well as the adult classes ranging from White Belt to Blue Belt.

He was practicing his kata between classes, and he looked great, and I could see he was maturing into a confident, competent, and capable martial artist and instructor.

As I left, I smiled broadly, knowing that my influence, however small and subtle, may never stop!

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 reve