Archive for October, 2008

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What muscle groups are most important to work out in martial arts and how do you condition them?

Friday, October 31st, 2008
martial arts
gumbledim asked:


I know that abs are probably the single most important group because of the use of the core in most, if not all, martial arts moves. I’ve heard that the forearms are very important to develop too. But what other muscle groups are priority? I know that it’s different than a lot of other sports conditioning.
Tiredofit, your answer was immature and unnecessary. Don’t waste my or anyone else’s time with your childish prattling and foolishness.

Rebecca

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Posted in Martial Arts | 6 Comments »

Chinese Martial Arts

Thursday, October 30th, 2008
martial arts
GuBu asked:


Chinese Martial Arts

Throughout the world, Chinese martial arts are well known and well respected.  China is a pioneer to martial arts, founding several excellent styles.  Although Kung Fu is the most well known Chinese martial art, there are others that are just as good.  Below, we will look at some of the other Chinese martial arts that aren’t as well known as Kung Fu.

HSING-I

This is actually one of the internal styles of Kung Fu, very closely in relation to Tai Chi.  It teaches students to subordinate their bodies, creating powerful movements with a very little expense of energy.  HSING-I isn’t well known about, although it is very powerful and well known throughout China.  The United States and other areas aren’t that familiar with it, with little to no schools or dojo’s out there that teach it.

Just like Tai Chi, HSING-I has deep roots in Chinese medicine and the Chinese perceptions of nature.  The blows that come from HSING-I come from the five elements of the Chinese - metal, fire, earth, water, and wood.  Similar to other forms that originate from Kung Fu, HSING-I offers complex, dance like movements that are adapted from the way animals react and move.  Due to the training being so demanding and rigorous, and the breathing exercises being so demanding, those who practice this martial art have astounding physical skills and amazing endurance.

Tai Chi

To those who live outside of China, Tai Chi resembles more of a dance.  The slow and calm movements it teaches are balanced and exact, performed while the stylist is in a deep state of relaxation.  While in this deep state of relaxation, the stylist will be fully aware of what he is doing and his movements, although he will appear to those around him to be asleep.

In reality, Tai Chi is an energy exercise that promotes strength, stamina, and flexibility.  By using the deep state of relaxation, Tai Chi enables stylists to benefit emotionally and spiritually as well.  Tai Chi also uses deep states of mediation as well, helping stylists to learn how to reach their high level of peace.

Chinese martial arts

Even though Kung Fu is the best martial art in China, there are many different forms and styles that originate from it.  There is the Shaolin style as well, which offers several different styles of Kung Fu as well, including the world famous “5 animals system”.  The five animals system is among the most popular in China and well known around the world for their devastating techniques and amazing power when used in combat.

Along with Kung Fu, both HSING-I and Tai Chi are great martial arts that help with endurance training and flexibility.  A lot of Kung Fu students in China choose to study one of these arts as well, as it helps to add to their physical and emotional power.  Students who study Tai Chi or HSING-I as well as Kung Fu, have a higher state of endurance and spirituality that simply cannot be matched.

All around the world, China is well known for martial arts.  China brought Kung Fu and Tai Chi to the world, which is something we are all thankful for.  Even though Japan offers their unique blend of martial arts, many consider China to be the founding father of martial arts.  The Chinese have been using martial arts for hundreds of years - providing just how dominant it can be as a means of self defense and a way to live your life in a peaceful manner.

www.swordsmartialarts.com



Yolanda

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Learning Ancient Techniques at the Martial Arts Training Camps

Thursday, October 30th, 2008
martial arts
Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


In martial arts there are many ways to exercise and keep in shape. One such way is to join martial arts training camps. You will find many different types of martial arts training camps available to the interested. At these places you can get the training that you need. This is one really good way for those people who are interested in learning about these ancient techniques to hone their skills.

With the help of instructors and older students you can make sure that your training progress at a rate that your body will be able to work with. While you can learn martial arts from dojos and videos as well as books there is still another way to learn. The martial arts training camps will provide you with this opportunity.

In the training camps you will meet up with lots of students of varying levels of expertise. Besides learning the various movements which are part of the training you will have chance to meet with other students of martial arts.

The martial arts training camps are perfect places where a multiple number of students can get together and hone their abilities under the auspices of knowledgeable teachers. One aspect of learning martial arts in the various training camps is that you will get a chance to ask questions from other people who have been training with different implements.

One of the great things which you will find out in martial arts training camps is that you are allowed to develop your talents by seeing how other students avoid common mistakes. As this is an area where new comers to the martial arts flounder the training camps can be of great help in this manner.

Of course there will be small tournaments where you can see how each person fairs in a fight which lasts a limited amount of time. By participating in these competitions in martial arts training camps you can be assured that you will get a good exposure to many other styles of unarmed fighting.

While many people will find themselves being quite comfortable in dojos there are various people who prefer other ways of learning. For these people martial arts training camps may be the answer. By the time that you have finished your training you will be quite at home with all types of martial arts. And if you have enjoyed these martial arts training camps you might come back for another time.



Joe

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An Overview of Martial Arts Weapons

Thursday, October 30th, 2008
martial arts
Phil Burney asked:


You shouldn’t be surprised that there are so many martial arts weapons that have been developed through the centuries. Since many martial arts have been around since ancient times, martial arts weapons are bound to have evolved too over time.

Take the knife for example – practically all martial arts will teach their students how to use knives as martial arts weapons because almost all cultures have developed and used some version of the knife. The Philippines has the balisong, also called a Butterfly knife, which folds into its handle when not being used. The tanto is a Japanese stabbing knife that was usually carried by Japanese women within their obi as their self-defense weapon. There is also the kris that was used in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia during more violent times.

Since many times commoners were forbidden to carry bladed martial arts weapons, proficiency in use of wooden sticks as martial arts weapons also grew. The Japanese have the long wooden staff called Jo, whose use is taught in the martial arts of aikido and which is still used in modern times by Japanese police. The term escrima has been applied to stick-fighting as done in the Philippines – it is said by some that an escrima (or arnis) master can use even a simple ballpen as a martial arts weapon in stick-fighting and come out the winner. Use of sticks (both long and short) as martial arts weapons allowed ordinary folk to protect their villages when invaders came to plunder their community even in the absence of bladed martial arts weapons.

Less commonly-known among martial arts weapons is the guang dao, which is a pole that has a blade with a spiked end. A tassel or red sash might be tied to where the blade meets the pole. Nowadays, the guang dao is one of the martial arts weapons used in the sport of wushu. But unlike other martial arts weapons that you can use to attack your opponent, the guang dao is used more to disarm an attacker and render him helpless. The benefit of such long martial arts weapons is that you can enter combat and keep your opponent at a safe distance from you.

It is not often you find martial arts weapons designed chiefly for women, but there is actually one and it is found in Japan. It is called the Naginata and it is a Japanese pole weapon whose use was reserved for samurai women. Some say the Naginata looks a lot like the Chinese guang dao. Modern female Naginata users may have been inspired to take up martial arts weapons like this one because of the famed Naginata user Itagaki who led an entire garrison in the 12th century. Samurai women were expected in the past to use their Naginata to defend their families if invaders came while their husbands were away.

There are so many martial arts weapons being used nowadays that it is hard to condense their uses to just one article. However, it is advisable for fans of martial arts weapons to take up just one weapon at a time to become proficient before trying to use others. This gives you focus and a sense of accomplishment when you master at least one of the many martial arts weapons available today.



Daniel

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Martial Arts Equipment for Students

Thursday, October 30th, 2008
martial arts
Jerry Glynn asked:


The Martial Arts are a conglomeration of fighting forms that are codified and traditional in practice. In popular culture the term martial arts refers specifically to those forms of combat that are of Asian origins. Popular martial arts icons like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, and Jet Li have thrilled movie audiences for decades and brought more people to the combat art-form than ever before.

Beginning any form of martial arts means investing in the proper martial arts equipment that will prepare the new student to actively and effectively take part in his or her learning. Purchasing the right equipment can be a daunting task, however, since there are so many items to choose from,knowing what you will need is important. Many martial studios will have a list of items their students will need to purchase as they achieve each individual level of skill. Some equipment can be very dangerous if utilized without the proper training so parents especially will want to be wary of purchasing right away any items that are above their child’s skill level. Everything the new student purchases should come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, because from uniforms to sparring gear, and weapons most of what you buy is not going to be treated gently so it’s important that everything is made with quality and care and the vendor you choose is willing to back that quality up.

Martial arts centers that are just setting up or needing to restock on martial arts equipment can easily find vendors that are well stocked and knowledgeable in the forms and needs of various martial arts. Kicking shields, hand targets/ focus mitts, punching bags, medicine balls and varying workout apparel can be found in online sources, and some of the top brand names to look for in these items are: Century, Grant, Gripmaster, Macho, MotionRx, and Prime Impact.

One item that most new students will definitely need is your basic martial arts uniform. Martial arts uniforms are light and flexible; they are made for comfort and movement, and they allow the body to breath during strenuous routines. Most new students will need a traditional uniform for training, but they can also vary their uniforms by using other martial arts apparel for their private workouts.

Some martial arts centers require no more than the uniform and a mouth guard to begin training, but for the student who wishes to plan ahead or purchase equipment to use on their spare time some safe and basic items to buy would be boxing gloves, punching bags, sparring gear (i.e.-head gear, face shields, shin guards, foot, hand, and chest protectors), re-breakable boards, jump ropes, and more. The list of martial arts equipment available is extensive, but there are vendors that provide you with quality merchandise, service, and anything you will need to get started.



William

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What is the most effective martial arts out there that is widely available in America?

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
martial arts
Lotusbloom asked:


I want to get back into martial arts so I can start going to bars and kicking people’s *****.

Barbara

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Posted in Martial Arts | 9 Comments »

Has anybody used their martial arts training in a real life situation?

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
martial arts
Deet asked:


I am thinking about learning aikido. I just don’t know how effective it is going to be if I had to use it in a real life situation. Has anybody used aikido in a real situation? Or has anybody used any other form of martial art in a situation? Just interested to see just how effective martial arts really is in defending yourself for real.

Dora

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Posted in Martial Arts | 11 Comments »

What type of martial arts promote 50% hand and 50% fight?

Saturday, October 25th, 2008
martial arts
Jason asked:


I have a very strong upper body and a strong lower body. I would like to know kind of martial arts that I can join that will allow me to use 50% hand and 50% fight.

Neil

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Posted in Martial Arts | 7 Comments »

What lessons have you learned from preparing for martial arts tournaments? How has it affected your life?

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
martial arts
antonio_8107 asked:


What important lessons have you learned through preparing for and participating in martial art tournaments? And how are you applying these learnings to your martial arts training and other areas of your life?

Ana

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Posted in Martial Arts | 3 Comments »

Discipline, Concentration and Self-control: Vital Attributes of a Martial Arts Expert

Saturday, October 18th, 2008
martial arts
Allen Owen asked:


nt martial arts have always been an aged-old self defense technique that is seen as a novel way of developing both mind and body. Although there are different martial art techniques practiced and promoted today, most of these disciplines generally emphasize attaining above-average levels of self-control, attention, discipline, and concentration. While these important attributes can be attained with any type of martial art form, one should be able to fully possess these positive traits before he or she becomes an all-around and complete martial artist.

One of the main goals of practicing martial arts is to be capable of warding off opponents and ensuring that one defends themselves properly and survive an attack by someone else. An all-around martial arts practitioner needs to attain vital qualities like self-control, full awareness, concentration and alertness to successfully defend themselves against an attack. Aside from achieving physical superiority, it also pays to acquire vital mental attributes that aid in effectively warding off a skilled opponent. According to experienced martial arts instructors, a fearless mind, a moving and spiritually-inclined mind, as well as attaining a mind without ego are the most appropriate mindsets required for attaining success and supremacy. And while these attributes are not easy to acquire, a martial arts practitioner needs to pour his or her full attention, commitment and devotion to the underlining philosophies and practices that embody this fine art of self-defense.

A martial arts student or follower needs to apply the previously-mentioned psychological and physical traits not only when defending oneself, but also to every facet of his or her daily life as well. Because life is seen as a constant battle, we need to stay in constant touch with our inner senses when confronting or solving many concerns or difficulties. Whatever it is you’re encountering or facing, some situations or problems may trigger feelings of anger, anxiety, anguish, frustration, regret and even hopelessness. While experiencing this is a normal occurrence, a martial arts practitioner needs to keep a clear frame of thought, so that he or she can properly plot their moves, and defend themselves in the best and most appropriate manner. It’s a common notion that a martial artist needs to have the mindset like the moon, as he or she needs to have a clear frame of mind to will help him/her keep a closer tab of his opponent’s every move. In addition, a good martial artist also needs to have a mind like water, which necessitates the need to ensure constant calmness when under pressure, allowing the individual to stay focused and not be distracted by personal worries or concerns that may distort or alter their judgments and movements.



Samuel

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