Why all of the different color designations and ranks in karate? Here is what they are and why they are used.

UFC Sure Picks To Win
The UFC has five weight classes. Each weight class, with the exception of heavyweights spans 15 lbs and each class has their own sets of tried and true stars and outstanding performers.

Is All This Martial Arts Training Gear Necessary?

*Please note: While this piece was written directed at parents of youth members, adult students should keep all of the relevant safety points in mind. Remember: Safety and vigilance are not ‘things’ to do. They are constant states of mind.

Occasionally, a staff member or I will have a parent come to us with something like: “This past year, my daughter grew six inches and gained 50 pounds. As a result, I had to buy protective gear twice. It’s so expensive and she is heading for another growth spurt. Is all this equipment necessary?”

The answer, honestly, is Yes! You see, a lot more is changing than height and weight. We as parents and teachers easily notice the emotional and physical changes in children as they grow older, however, the mental and skeletal changes we can’t see are just as important and unpredictable. During growth spurts, the bones are growing quicker than the muscles and tendons.

Even as they reach their full height, their skeletal and muscular systems are not fully developed making them vulnerable to injury. During the growth spurts, your child will probably be less coordinated until he or she adjusts to the physical change. This is normal, but can cause injuries if protective gear does not fit properly.

Are you considering buying a larger size so it lasts longer? Please keep in mind that mouth guards are relatively inexpensive, especially considering the protection they offer. Make sure they fit properly and replace them with new ones as needed. Head gear should always fit properly. Tight head gear may cause headaches, but loose head gear my slip and blind a child momentarily from an oncoming punch or not offer the protection where needed. As children advance in martial arts, the foot and hand gear will usually wear out before it can be outgrown. If the foot gear is a little large, consider wearing padded insteps for a better fit. Be certain the fingers fit in the hand gears’ finger tabs.

Periodically check the equipment at all flex or stress points for wear; this is any place the gear bends, flexes or has an air hole. If you have any questions about fit or wear, ask your child’s instructor.

Also, take advantage of the academy’s sales and let friends and relatives know during gift giving holidays like birthdays and Christmas, etc. if there is something they can order from the school that your son or daughter might need.

It not only helps you to keep your child’s gear in top-notch shape, but also shows your child that other members of the family, like grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. are just as involved and supported of the training as you are.

Also, to assist in preventing bone and muscle injuries during growth spurts, be certain your child warms-up and then stretches before any physical activity. Have them stop if stabbing pain occurs (aching and burning is natural as the muscles are taken to greater ranges).

Stabbing pain is not normal and can cause serious injury. Train your child to avoid continuous repetitious motions that can affect growth development. Call your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have.

Above all, be mindfully aware of safety and the steps needed to protect your most precious assets - the lives of yourself and those you love!

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

Popularity: unranked [?]

The demand for tickets for the upcoming Mayweather-Hatton fight is very hot, and Impulse Tickets leads the way, with event tickets from $998 all the way up to $42,000. (PRWeb Dec 5, 2007)

Post Comment:Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/Q3Jhcy1TaW5nLUhhbGYtU3VtbS1UaGlyLVplcm8=

ProSpot Fitness Launches Marketing Campaign for the Revolutionary FUSION Home Gym Series
FUSION with its patented Grab and Go technology® delivers comprehensive free weight training safely, without the need for a personal spotter. (PRWeb Nov 28, 2007)

Post Comment:Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/SG9yci1UaGlyLUhvcnItSG9yci1UaGlyLVplcm8=

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis, Ted Hanulak Sensei and Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu Are Accepting New Students For 2008
Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis, Ted Hanulak Sensei and Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu are accepting new students for 2008. The Academy accepts adult students only, 18 years or older. (PRWeb Dec 16, 2007)

Post Comment:Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/U2luZy1NYWduLUZhbHUtU3VtbS1UaGlyLVplcm8=

The Bokken - martial arts training sword

A bokken, also known as a bokuto or wooden sword, is a Japanese sword. These wooden swords are usually the approximate shape and size of a katana, however you can find them in wakizashi and tanto sizes as well.

Several martial arts use the bokken as an inexpensive and safer alternative to a real sword for training purposes. You see them used most often when a practitioner of iaido has recently entered training and it is not yet safe for an iaito to be used. Another common use for a bokken is when a veteran iaidoka engages in particular kata with another person and it safety needs to be taken into account. Some bokken are designed solely for sword drawing. These bokken usually come with a plastic or wooden saya and are not well suited for regular sword techniques as they are slimmer than regular bokken.

You will find use of a bokken in both kenjutsu and aikido training, although aikido is usually an empty handed discipline. When a bokken is used as part of an aikido dojo it is primarily a tool to enhance focus, not a weapon. A hand guard is usually not necessary with a bokken as there is a smooth transition between the blade and the handle. Some bokken, however, do have a clearly defined transition between the handle and blade and accept a hand guard, also known as a tsuba.

Using a bokken for training allows the practitioner to get familiar with the form of the blade and the technique for making proper strokes, as well as giving them an opportunity to practice the kata (form). Bokken are commonly used for the practice of kendo. The curved form of the blade and the presence of a hand guard or tsuba to block and opponents strike are integral parts of several kata. You could not get the same training with a shinai which uses a straight “blade”.

There are several factors that come in to determining the quality of a bokken, including the type of wood used, the overall quality of the wood, and the expertise of the craftsman. All of these go into the production of a high quality bokken.

The selection of wood for a bokken is the most important element. Many inexpensive bokken are mass produced using a very porous wood from South East Asia that gives you a bokken that is likely to break with even moderate contact. The only real use for this type of bokken is for kata. The wood used for these low quality bokken is so porous that you can sometimes see the wood putty that is used to fill large holes when the varnish is removed.

Not all wood from Asia is bad for bokken production. There are some Asian species of red oak that will make longer lasting bokken as they
have a relatively tighter grain. North American species of red oak should not be used in the production of bokken.

Some of the best woods for the production of bokken that are still relatively inexpensive include Japanese white oak, known as Kashi, and
hickory. Kashi is nice because it has a tighter grain than any species of red oak. Hickory works well due to its hardness and ability to resist impact.

The more expensive bokken will be produced using exotic hardwoods such as Brazilian cherrywood (Jatoba) and purpleheart. Some of the costliest bokken are produced using Lignum Vitae. While many tropical woods have the heaviness that is desired for bokken production they are not often used because of their tendency to be brittle and therefore break easily. When a bokken is being used for paired practice that involves contact with other swords it is best to avoid exotic woods.

With all this being said it is important to note that each individual piece of wood has its own characteristics, such that two bokken make
from the same type of wood can be of quite different quality.

A bokken that has been designed for suburi, or solo cutting exercise, is called a suburito. Since suburito are heavier and thicker than
normal bokken good technique will need to be paired with strong muscles to wield one correctly. Suburito are usually not used for paired exercises as their weight tends to make them out of balance.

Bokken have as long a history as Japanese blades, and were often used for the training of warriors. There is a kenjutsu master named Miyamoto Musashi who is renowned for combating armed foes with just a bokken or two. He is said to have defeated many a master swordsman with this method, including slaying Sasaki Kojiro with a bokken which had been produced from a broken oar.

About the Author

Steven Gregoire has been training in the martial arts since 1986. Currently
he operates Tigerstrike.com A martial art
equipment and supply store.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Tai Chi is an internal martial art which can be soft and gentle. It can and should be practised in a flowing way for practitioners of any age. Particlularly, in China and the est nowadays, people ove r 50 are taking up tai chi whilst the younger generation in china are not so interested in such a traditional art! Tai chi has been proven by the 3000 years of Chinese experience and recent medical studies into te benefits of qigong tai chi is acomplete qigong to be beneficial to the health of the individual practioner. Complete recovery of from diseases from cancer to colds has been documented through diligent pratice of tai chi. Tai chi can also be used to control arthritis. It is recommended that you learn under a highly experienced instructor, who has over 10 years of experience and has learned in China or from a well-recognized master with verificable “lineage”. This is because you want to be learning the real thing and benefitting by clearer mind, healthier body and gradual recovery from any health challeneges you may have experienced or be experienceing. Enjoying it so far: click here> Tai chi chuan means “supreme ultimate fist”. What does “supreme ultimate” mean to you? Tai chi is really about the cultivation of mind, body, spirit and also to kinds of energy, which we don’t have a proper concept of in the West. Those are internal energy, or chi which is present in the body from birth and we also get it from air and food. External energy is the energy that is in the universe. We learn to build up the chi in our bodies in tai chi and that helps us to improve our health. This is the medical aspect of tai chi. We learn to utilize the external energy in tai chi which is the martial aspect of the martial art of tai chi. Tai chi is said to have been invented approximately 5000 years ago, legend has it either by a Taoist priest named Chang Seng Feng or passed to the ancient Chinese people by a group of people reputed to have been 7ft tall and these people - “the sons of reflected light” are said to have taught the arts to the chinese which has made their civilisation so advanced since as long as 3000 year ago as documented by discoveries of the porcelain and silk items in archaeology. Chang Seng Feng is reported to have witnessed a fight between a crane and a snake and noticed the yielding and striking qualities of these animals and designed tai chi based on observations of nature. Tai chi is thus performed slowly and changingly, “flowing like a river” to promote longevity and health. does the tortoise or the elephant move quickly and fast? And how long do these creratures live for? Is it not possible then that we should slow down in our lives and relax like these long-living creature to improve our own chances of living long lives? We imitate the movements of many animals in the tai chi form - a sequence of movements or postures which flow into each other. These stretching and strengthening exercises have very poetic names, beautiful such as White Crane Spreads Its Wings, Golden cock Stands On one Leg and Fair Lady Weaves The Shuttles. Tai chi is a healthy exercise which improves circulation. The author used to be a medical student at Sheffield university and notes that Tai chi was used in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital to aid recovery for heart attack patients. Tai chi incorporates breathing and movement as well as internal assage of the body’s organs and stretching of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Keeping a clear mind is important and whilst the exercise is anaerobic, i.e. not strenuous, the body feel invigorated after proper practice and one can feel energy circulating in the body after practice -so don’t overdo it. The key is consistent daily practice and taking responsibility for your health 100% Sam Beatson runs http://www.tai-chi-kung-fu.com

Sam Beatson Runs Several
http://www.tai-chi-kung-fu.com and http://www.tai-chi-kung-fu.gods-internet.com

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 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.

Popularity: unranked [?]