Chi and the Martial Arts

Almost everybody has heard that martial arts practice is good for improving one's health. Indeed, in most ads promoting a martial arts studio, health is given as the reason right after self-defense for studying the martial arts. Most of us believe this claim without thought. All that fast moving gives the martial artist an excellent aerobic workout, the stretching makes the practitioner flexible, and the various muscle-building exercises promotes lean, healthy body tissue.

While all of that is true, there is an area of health benefits, more powerful than those mentioned above, that is virtually unknown by the non-martial artist and, unfortunately, too often little understood by martial art instructors themselves! The most beneficial health gains offered from the martial arts, when practiced correctly, come in the form of chi development.

While the study of chi has been part of Oriental culture for thousands of years, it was unknown in the West until only a few years ago when Nixon opened the doors to China in the 1970s. The word chi is a generic term used by the Orientals for energy or anything that has the ability to demonstrate power. Electricity is a type of chi. Magnetism is another type of energy that the Orientals would classify as chi. A chemical reaction produced in a chemical test tube would be a type of chi. Still another form of chi would be heat. The list could go on.

It is axiomatic that the human body requires energy, or chi, to run efficiently. It is this type of chi to which the Oriental culture has devoted most of its study. They have found that chi development in the body is a highly effective way to improve health and to cure a wide array of illness. More importantly, they found that it could help achieve and maintain a high level of mental calmness or peace. Since its introduction to the West, it has been shown scientifically that chi development can cure a wide range of diseases that are difficult to treat with Western methods.

When it comes to human chi, there are two basic types of chi: pre-birth chi and post-birth chi. The post-birth chi comes from the food we eat and the air we breathe. The digestive, respiratory, and circulatory system all function to carry these chemical substances to every cell in the body. When a cell receives these substances, it can produce chemical reactions that result in a release of energy. Chemical reactions, known as metabolism, are but one of the many forms of energy or chi.

However, the chi produced by the metabolic process is not that which actually makes a person "alive." If all the chemical reactions produced by cellular metabolism were duplicated in a test tube, it would not produce a live human. Also, the chemical reactions occurring in a body do not cease the minute a person becomes "dead," and yet the person is no longer "alive." Therefore, to be "alive" must mean more than having an array of chemical reactions manifesting in the bodies.

The chi that actually makes a person "alive" is called pre-birth chi. It is far more powerful than any chemical reaction, including the reactions used to produce nuclear bombs! We receive an ample supply, more than enough for one lifetime, of this pre-birth chi from our parents. Specifically, the pre-birth chi comes from the parent's own pre-birth chi and is implanted in the embryo at the time of conception. It becomes manifested or active with the child's first breath and remains active until that person's final breath.

Pre-birth chi is responsible for turning our thoughts and intentions into action. It is the bridge between our mind and our physical bodies. When our mind decides to move a finger, then pre-birth chi is sent to that finger where it causes post-birth chi to produce the necessary chemical reactions involved in firing the proper muscles used to actually move the finger. Thus, these two types of chi work in close conjunction with each other. For the body to function at peak efficiency, it is necessary to promote post-birth chi by eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, that alone is not enough. It also is necessary to promote pre-birth chi by keeping the mind calm and centered as well as developing proper breathing patterns.

From the above discussion, you can see that thoughts and breath are the two key elements with which pre-birth chi is concerned. It is for this reason that chi development is practiced through meditation and breathing techniques. Any true martial art system will include training in such practices. When martial artists are versed in meditation and breathing, practitioners can continue to improve their fighting ability well into their 70s and beyond. The same could not be said for the vast majority of martial artists who neglect chi development as part of their training.

The true health benefit from the martial arts comes as a result of chi development – specifically pre-birth chi development. Not only will the physical body be honed, but the mind and spirit will be developed to such an extent that, by the mere act of thinking, the person will be able to perform seemingly impossible exploits including healing themselves from injury or sickness. True health comes as a result of a harmonious union of mind and body.

Rich Robson is a second degree black belt and owner/chief instructor at the Kung Fu San Soo Club, 3388 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104. For more information on Kung Fu San Soo, call Master Rich Robson at (619) 297-0424

To see the original article visit:  http://www.jadedragon.com/martarts/chi.html

Master the Knife-Hand Strike

It’s been called the edge-of-the-hand strike, the ax hand, the shuto, the thousand-hand strike and the judo chop. It can be found in virtually every martial art from karate to kung fu and in every kata from those practiced at the Kodokan to those done at Kukkiwon. So how did this time-honored karate technique go from martial arts mainstream to martial arts punch line? How did the only strike found in almost every established style go from secret technique to something your grandfather did?
The fate of the technique was sealed in 2002 when Austin Powers executed his patented “judo chop” in Goldmember. Since then, it’s been called outdated, labeled ineffective or simply ignored. While most martial artists and self-defense enthusiasts have abandoned the move for Western-style closed-fist strikes, there’s still a group of steadfast practitioners who know the full story and understand how to correctly apply the technique that was described as “the most deadly blow without the aid of a weapon” by American close-combat pioneer Col. Rex Applegate.

---

To read about The Self Defense Company that author Damian Ross founded, grab a copy of the August 2011 issue of Black Belt magazine.

---

Col. Rex Applegate and other close-quarters-combat experts in the early 1900s realized how effective the karate chop could be, and they proved it time and time again in real-world situations. However, because of the rise of boxing, kickboxing and now the mixed martial arts, it’s been put on the back burner. While the knife-hand strike has little application in the ring, it’s still effective for what it was designed for: up-close combat and self-defense. In fact, it’s the most versatile method of striking and, even better, it can be mastered relatively easily.

The Knife-Hand Strike: Tough

Despite the delicate bone structure of the appendage, the edge and heel of the hand are the only two places that can naturally take a lot of punishment while suffering a minimal amount of damage. That’s in stark contrast to the punch, which may appear formidable in the ring but, when delivered without the protection of hand wraps and gloves, frequently leads to shattered knuckles or dislocated fingers if a skull or elbow is hit.
To be effective with a punch, you must condition your hands—which can take months or even years. To be effective with the karate chop, however, you need only invest in a few weeks of training, after which you’ll be able to hit any target on your opponent’s body and inflict maximum damage with little or no injury to yourself.

The Knife-Hand Strike: Versatile

The blow can be used from any angle or position. On your feet, it enables you to protect the vital areas of your head and neck while you advance, keep your target off-balance and deliver a barrage of strikes.
From a rear-body grab or bear-hug position, the technique can be delivered as an elbow at extreme close range. As you create space using it in conjunction with head butts and stomps, you can inflict more damage with the edge of the hand.
On the ground, it’s also useful. From a dominant position—for example, the mount or guard—the edge of the hand is incredibly effective. If you try to punch a constantly moving target, you stand a good chance of shattering your knuckles on the ground if you miss. You also run the risk of breaking bones in your hand if you hit an elbow or head. Because the karate chop is delivered along an arcing path, it minimizes the chance of making contact with the ground. That empowers you to deliver a series of hard, fast strikes without the risk of sustaining an injury that might render you incapable of continuing.

The Knife-Hand Strike: Effective

Experts agree that when it comes to survival, you need to cause as much damage to your target as rapidly as possible while maintaining the integrity of your bone structure. The karate chop is the keystone of this concept. It enables you to strike anywhere with a sharp, powerful blow, the results of which can range from a stunning strike to a fight-ender. With a little training, an average person can develop good technique; that same amount of training will enable a martial artist to create an awesome strike that works in a variety of situations.
With the rise of reality-based fighting, the karate chop is making a comeback as more and more people are recognizing their need for no-nonsense self-defense techniques. It proved itself on the streets of Shanghai in 1910, and it’s every bit as effective in the deserts of Iraq—or the small towns of America—in 2011.

by Damian Ross
 
(Damian Ross is the CEO and chief instructor for the Self Defense Company. To learn more, call (866) 585-8878.)

Permalink: http://www.blackbeltmag.com/daily/traditional-martial-arts-training/judo-traditional-martial-arts/master-the-knife-hand-strike-with-damian-ross-karate-techniques/

High Protein On A Low Budget

One of the most frustrating things for anyone taking part in sports where strength is important, is the cost of protein. This applies to most people who practice martial arts, and whether you are looking to bulk up or build strength, protein will form a key part of your diet.
However, with food costs at an all time high, the majority of people can’t afford to splash out on multiple chicken breasts each day or a new pack of protein supplement every few weeks. So, what steps can you take to keep your protein intake high while keeping your protein spend low?

Use Everything
Are you one of these people who tends to buy  chicken breasts rather than whole chickens? Breast meat, while preferred by most due to the quality of the meat, is a more expensive way of buying chicken and the cost per kilo is a lot higher than if you buy whole chickens. Next time you go shopping, consider buying a whole chicken and with a bit of culinary experimenting, you’ll see just how far it will stretch.

Buy In Bulk
Make the most of supermarket offers on meat, and buy chicken breasts in larger packs and pop them in the freezer. Be careful not to let anything go to waste, there’s nothing that will hurt your budget more than wasted food, but most meat will keep well in the freezer and can be defrosted as and when you need it.

Shop Late
Have you ever been to a 24hr supermarket just before midnight? If not then consider stopping in next time you’re out late. Meat products all have strict sell-by dates, and if it’s not sold then it has to be thrown away. Supermarkets prefer to make a bit of money by selling food cheaply than making no money by throwing it away, and as the day draws to an end you can find some fantastic bargains on all sorts of meat and fish. Just because it’s past its sell-by date, it’s usually well within its use-by date and so you can enjoy great meals for less, just by changing when you go shopping.

Consider Other Food
Meat and martial arts supplements aren’t the only way to get your desired level of protein. Foods like Quinoa (a type of seed), real Greek yoghurt and raw nuts are fantastic sources of protein and cost substantially less per gram of protein than meat and supplements.

Refocus Your Budget
Do you really need that expensive desert? Is that 6-pack of beer really necessary? Can you live without the magazine that you pick up at the checkout? There are plenty of things to do before you get to adjusting your budget, but as a last resort you can cut back a little on a few of the things that you buy and you’ll suddenly find that you’ve got a decent amount to spend on protein-rich products. Think carefully and shop sensibly.

Most importantly, make sure you’re eating the right balance of food, and never compromise the quality of your food for a few grams of extra protein. However, by following these simple tips you can easily and efficiently maintain a high protein diet on a tight budget, and when applied in conjunction with using martial arts fitness equipment you can achieve the results you desire.

by Oliver

To read more on the subject, visit:  http://blog.blitzsport.com/2013/04/18/high-protein-on-a-low-budget/

The Front Kick.

Simple, effective, fast and versatile. It is the Martial Arts kick you may find the most difficult to defend against if you have not read it early. It’s the one you can attack with, fake your opponent with, keep your opponent at bay with. And it’s the kick you can unleash the easiest when you have been caught off guard.

Yet it is one of the most variable off all the kick’s, in that it comes in many variations; low to high, instep, ball of the foot or heel.

Then there is the thrusting front kick, snap, stamp and of course jumping front kick.

Well, where do you start and what is the best kick for what situation?

The start.

As with all things Martial Arts, it depends where you are now. If you are experienced or at a senior level then you’ll be familiar with a lot of this already. Although I sometimes come across practitioners who write off the front kick as one for the beginner or as a simple kick which is not worth spending valuable time on. And instead opt for a more complex kick, be it a roundhouse kick or a spinning kick.

So if you are advanced, read-on anyway as you will no doubt re-acquaint yourself with what is a very effective and useful kick which should be practiced often and kept as sharp as possible.

If you are a beginner or at an intermediate level, then think back to your first few sessions in Martial Arts, where there was some emphasis on stances (foot work – How to stand and position your feet and body for the purposes of Martial Arts).

Now, if you got this right you will have covered a bit on balance and how to move your body from one position to the other... 

Assuming you are okay with the above. You would start with a ready fighting stance. Assume we are going to kick with the right leg.

From your fighting stance, Start by moving your right guard (arm) forward to serve as a potential defence or fake attack upon which you will simultaneously raise your right knee first. Upon reaching the desired height, you would then thrust out your right foot with the ball of your foot pointing out towards your target.

Upon making contact, you will continue to push through with the kick. This will have the effect of increasing the impact of the kick or forcing your opponent back in retreat or pain. 

There, you have just executed a front thrusting kick to the mid section of your opponent.

This can can also be used when retreating or if caught off guard by adjusting the position of your feet... This can be done by swopping the kicking leg to the back leg via a scissor action while jumping back.

See you at the next Martial Arts in session.

Internal And External Work: A Composite Organism

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WORK: A COMPOSITE ORGANISM

Li Chengyin
From Martial Arts of China Vol. 1, No. 7 , Page 319

(Translated by Song Ning and CuiYangping)

DOWN through the ages, martial artists in China lay stress on a combination of "internal" and "external" work, mental training in particular. They hold that the training, nourishment and concentration of qi (vital energy) as well as the application of qi in combat are of great importance to martial devotees.

There are various methods of directing qi to a certain part of body in wushu training. Among other things, "the training of qi as internal work and strengthening of muscles, bones, and skin as external one," "the flow of qi down to the dantian (elixir field)" and "summoning strength through the direction of qi" are basic skills to be mastered by wushu practitioners and command great attention in all schools of martial arts.

Of eight training methods in changquan (long- range boxing), for example, jing (essence of life), shen (spirit), qi (vital energy), li (power) and gong (skill) refers to the training of mind, awareness, respiration and innate strength, the application of qi included, while external work involves the use of the hands, the eyes, the trunk and the feet. Another instance is nanquan (southern-style boxing) which emphasizes the training of the mind, spirit, qi and willpower in "internal work" and the exercise of the hands, the eyes, the trunk, the waist and the feet in "external work."

Those energy-consuming movements should be completed in coordination with exhalation and utterance. Shaolin martial artists also pay attention to the training of qi and a man who has just started wushu practice should do standing exercises before he goes ahead with other exercises. A book on Shaolin wushu has this to say about the relationship between standing exercises and the training of qi,

"In comparison with other standing exercises such as standing on the ground or on stakes, horse-riding stance is the most important. When you do it well, you can direct your qi down to the dantian and become as firm as a rock.'' It adds, "Qi appears in the lungs and controls strength during respiration. When you fail to concentrate on training for some time, your gi will get stagnated and flatulence will develop."

Other barehanded exercises also pay ample attention to the training. of qi. Taijiquan, for one, requires that a practitioner should move his body with will and in coordination with breath. Will can be used to adjust your breath and direct your qi.

And the methods include mental concentration, following your breaths, hearing your breaths and sinking qi into the dantian. The training of qi in taijiquan is similar to that in qigong (breathing exercise) and conducted by means of opening, closing, ascending and descending.

If you are a regular taijiquan practitioner, you must be familiar with such proverbs as "the circulation of qi with will," "the inducement of qi with the mind" and "the flow of qi down to the dantian." Such is also the case with xingyiquan (form and will boxing). When you practice it, you should try to attain a perfect combination of mind and will, will and qi and qi and strength.

As a composite organism in wushu training, internal and external work helps to make a martial artist strong outwardly and sturdy inwardly. This may be proved by many well-known wushu masters who never fail to pay attention to the training of qi while improving their physical skills.

Find out more at: http://www.usadojo.com/articles/internal-external.htm

From Martial Arts of China Vol. 1, No. 7 , Page 319

Muay Thai - Knee Bomb



Knee bomb, (“Kow Yown” in Thai, “knee throw”) is a Muay Thai technique. It is used for attacking the abdomen and the solar plexus area. The boxer will raise his knee and thrust it forward to hit against the target in a sliding motion. The difference from other knee kicks is that you don’t need to use your hands to grasp your opponent’s neck and pull it down against the knee blow.

You can also use your lead knee or the left knee that is in the front in your Muay Thai stance as the weapon. You need to first step forward with your right foot and you must shift your weight onto that foot. The rest is the same. Instead of your right fist, extend your left arm and fist to protect your midsection while performing the knee kick. Lean backward and twist your hip from left to right and thrust your knee diagonally upward to impact the target.

Courtesy of http://www.martialartstube.net/knee-bomb/



Martial arts Training - Your Fondation for Success

Legalities

Before embarking on your Martial Arts journey there are some important points to consider. Firstly, by the very nature of the fighting arts being a contact sport, injuries can and do happen, therefore we respectfully draw your attention to the following: any person involved with the making of this information resource book will not be held liable for any claim whatsoever as a direct or indirect result of using the information contained herein. Your participation therefore is entirely of your own choice and at your own risk. Always consider the safety of yourself and others. There is a general code of ethics amongst Martial Artists: Any Martial Arts Skills will not be used against anyone, unless as a means of self-defence in the event of an unprovoked attack or to protect others who are the victim of an unprovoked attack. Only the minimum of force should be used to defend oneself or others. Laws relating to self-defence differ from country to country and one should always be aware of adhering to those laws. Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.

Your present fitness levels and points to consider.

The Martial Arts are a great way to build up your fitness. However, as with all sports and fitness training it's important to consider where you stand right now in terms of your personal fitness. For example, if you are 35 years' of age or over, or have not exercised for some time or have a medical condition, it is advisable to seek a professional medical evaluation as to your current health status and suitability for performing vigorous types of fitness training and Martial Arts moves.

Some of you may want to learn these moves and techniques for fitness purposes only and that's fine, there is possibly no finer way to improve flexibility, stamina, strength and hand-eye coordination. The health benefits are massive! It's a tremendous way to burn up calories too, burning unwanted fat and toning the body. Being a total body work-out it's been estimated that you may burn on average anywhere between 400-700 calories per hour.

Moves can be performed at a slower pace if desired, similar to the free-flowing style of Tai Chi. Again, health and well-being is achieved even in this less demanding way of training.

Training Clothing and Equipment.

Training clothing for the Martial Arts largely depends upon the style or discipline. Many classes have their own style of club uniform now, where as the more traditional Martial Arts disciplines continue to use their original style of uniform/Gi which has been used for many years.

When you attend a class you will have the opportunity to find out about the correct dress code from the club coach. Sometimes uniforms are supplied as part of your membership fee. If and when you are training at home, you simply need some loose fitting clothing, i.e. tee shirt and jogging pants.

Footwear for home use would generally consist of a pair of good quality supportive training shoes. Within a class environment, sometimes class lessons are performed in bare feet or with special shoes.

Protective equipment should be considered when sparring and contact is going to take place. Safety and a sensible approach to the fighting arts should always be top of the agenda. There is a wide range of training equipment available for Martial Arts. Again, the choice of equipment relates to the style of Martial Arts training being undertaken.

Warming Up/Warming Down.

Prior to any form of intense physical training exercises, it's essential to perform what is known as the "warm-up". Warming up would involve some light training to slowly raise the core temperature of the body and to gently increase the heart rate. Usually, this light training routine would last for approximately 5 minutes. It may involve some boxing footwork, light shadow boxing, skipping rope or a slow jog etc. If you are training outside in cold temperatures, then aim for around 10 minutes.

Once you feel warmed up the next phase would be to carry out some stretching exercises. The aim here is to work through all the muscle groups to prepare them for your training session. A good systematic approach to stretching routines is to start at the top of your body, stretching the various muscles and work down to the feet.

The "warm-down" is performed at the end of your training session. This is a good time to add in a few resistance moves for strength development. Spend approximately 5- 10 minutes on some strength and lower intensity stamina work to gradually bring your heart rate down.

Follow up with a good stretching routine. This will help to flush out what is known as lactic acid. This a by-product of used energy which can remain in the muscles. It is considered to be the cause of muscle aches after exercise.

General fitness training.

The best form of training is that of your Martial Art, because this is how your body will best adapt itself to the rigours and demands of your sport, all other methods and systems should be classed as complementary and supplementary to your fighting art. Many will add value to your overall development though! Routines should cover - stamina, strength & suppleness. "The 3's."

Stamina routines would include - jogging, skipping rope, circuit training, cycling, sparring, aerobics. All types of exercises which involve prolonged periods of activities to condition the heart and the lungs (cardiovascular system).

Strength routines would include - weight training, resistance exercises, press-ups, sit-ups, squats etc. All types of exercises which involve the use of the muscles.

Suppleness routines would include - stretching/flexibility exercises, yoga etc. All types of exercises which will improve what is called the "range of motion" this is a term used to describe overall muscular- skeletal movement.

Good all round fitness is paramount to your success as a martial artist. Weakness in fitness levels can lead to poor performance. A good opponent will exploit your weaknesses!

Cross training.

This is a term for utilising different methods of fitness/martial arts training. Cross training can be part of your overall training regime. Many Martial Artists cross train in other Martial Arts systems and disciplines in order to benefit from the different styles of training and moves for attack and defence.

You could also include running, weight training or circuit training for example, as part of your training schedule. These could all be classed as cross training methods, because each activity requires different levels of effort and body movement. Cross training helps you to grow as a Martial Artist and increases your fitness levels.

Your body is an amazing machine and is capable of adapting very quickly to exercise movement and activity. Cross training is a great way to keep your body guessing what's going to come next. So it will always be in a state of growth and improvement.

These principles can be applied for both physical and mental performance. Look at other training/martial arts methods and how you could benefit from them.

Fuel and performance.

There are many excellent sources of information around about diet and nutrition and It's worth investigating some of the valuable resources available on this subject. Consider the following as a sensible approach: Eat a varied diet which is 'nutrient rich' this simply means foods which are fresh. Avoid or limit processed foods, high sugar foods and alcohol.

Let me put this point to you - if you had a pedigree dog you would ensure that it was fed on the finest cuts of meat and high quality pet food to keep it healthy and in great shape? Why is it then, that often when it comes to our own diet we choose to feed ourselves absolute rubbish?

Think about it. Doesn't it make good sense to eat the very best food sources available? Are you not worthy of a top quality diet? Of course you are! From here on, make a promise to yourself that you are only going to eat the most nutritious food that your money can buy, and this doesn't mean that it has to be expensive.

Read up on the subject and discover which foods are best for performance. Foods high in complex carbohydrates are cereals, grains, bread, pasta, fruit and vegetables etc. These are your best sources for energy and should form the basis of your diet - approximately 65-75% of your food intake.

Protein foods such as lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs and low fat dairy products are important for muscle growth, and you should aim to consume around 25-35% as part of your intake. Unsaturated, essential fats provided by fish oils, nuts, seeds & olive oils should form around 15-25% of your diet. This is vital for a healthy heart and the prevention of many diseases.

Supplementation of the diet is sometimes helpful during times of sport, strenuous activity, illness or when a high quality food source is not readily available.

It is vital that you keep hydrated. Water is required before, during and after your work- out/training. Even the slightest dehydration can significantly affect your performance and at its worst can cause death. DO NOT UNDER ESTIMATE THE AFFECTS OF DEHYDRATION.

There are many sports drinks around which manufacturers claim will help to improve performance and assist with the re-hydration process. Which ever method you choose make sure that you always have your drink with you throughout training and drink fluids throughout the day.

It's worth bearing in mind that alcohol, tea and coffee speed up the process of dehydration! Sugary drinks offer no real nutritional value!

Rest and recovery.

The power of rest and relaxation is often overlooked when it comes to training our bodies. Often we seem to have this mentality that if we keep training harder and harder and more often, we will get better and better. Unfortunately this is not the case. Our bodies need rest and recovery time in order to get stronger.

For example: when it comes to muscular development, the action of lifting weights actually breaks down the muscle fibres. It's during the recovery phase, when we are resting, that the muscles begin to grow, adapt and get stronger.

Sometimes, it is possible to incorporate cross training as part of your rest and recovery phase. For instance, because Martial Arts training is very demanding physically due to the ballistic (bouncing type) nature of the moves, you may be able to use what is called "active recovery" as part of your rest and recovery phase. This means for example, that you could go for a walk. Your body will benefit from this activity whilst allowing the muscles involved in your kickboxing routine, a chance to recover and repair themselves for your next session.

Over-training can be a serious issue that affects many sports people. Injuries become more likely, the immune system can breakdown making you more prone to colds and infections. This obviously means that you will be prevented from training anyway, so adopt a sensible training schedule and plan for periods of rest. This way you will get stronger and progressively fitter.

Martial Arts Training.

A true Martial Artist has the utmost respect for their fellow human beings and would never seek to harm anyone by using his or her skills indiscriminately.

Always seek instruction from a qualified coach or learn from an source of expert training information/resources: Total Attitude Productions for example, has produced a high quality, learn at home DVD series to teach you the Martial Art of Kickboxing where you can learn at your own convenience and at a pace to suit you.

Mastering the Martial Arts requires total dedication and discipline. Going into the Martial Arts with a half-hearted approach is doomed to failure. You need a specific reason or purpose if you are to truly fulfil your potential. People have different reasons for wanting to learn the Martial Arts. For example - they may have been bullied, lack confidence or want to learn self-defence. They might want to keep fit or be the next Bruce Lee. There are all sort of reasons or motives. But it's these motives that are really essential, because they drive us towards our personal goals.

Take a moment to consider why you want to learn the Martial Arts. What is your true reason or purpose? Visualize and feel how you see yourself at the very peak as a Martial Artist. Do you feel inspired by what you see and feel? You need to have positive inner vision and a feeling of success in what you see.

The discipline of Martial Arts training has been considered by many over the years, as one of the greatest character and confidence building systems around. The Martial Arts are not just about physical fighting, it's about mental toughness. The ability to overcome whatever may stand in your way. To turn feelings of doubt into resolve and action and appropriately deal with the situation effectively.

The Martial Arts teach you coping strategies. Sometimes when we are confronted by what appears to be a formidable opponent or situation, it's often our own fears that are the real enemy. When we confront and learn to effectively deal with our fears, we can function more efficiently as a human being.

DISCLAIMER: The content within only presents an overview based upon research for informational purposes and does not replace medical advice from a practicing physician or that of a qualified fitness/martial arts instructor. No diagnosis or cures are implied. Further, the information in this article is provided "as is" and without warranties of any kind either express or implied. Under no circumstances, including, but not limited to, negligence, shall the seller/distributor of this information be liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the information presented here. The contents herein a subject to copyright - Total Attitude Publications. None of the information in part or whole may be sold, copied or changed without the expressed written consent of Total Attitude Publications: sales@totalattitude.co.uk This publication can be distributed freely to others without any alteration to content. Thank you.

by: Steve Vickers, http://www.uk-martialartist.co.uk/articles/martialartsfitness.php

Fitness for Martial Arts

Fitness is in the Art

It has been reported that Kung fu was used and developed as a way of keeping the meditating monks physically fit... As they spent a great deal of time in stillness and solitude.

If this be the case, then why is there a need for a separate regime to keep your fitness levels up to a standard which will aid your effectiveness in practicing Martial Arts?

Well, it seems like this is one that can be discussed endlessly with no resolve... So I suppose it depends on the level or frequency with which you practice.

For a large majority,  you attend the dojo once or twice a week and try and get some additional time to practice what you have learnt in those sessions.

However if you are embarking on taking part in competitions or even grading at a senior level your level of fitness will come into question.

Consider this; if you turned up for an open competition in which you may be required to take part in anything from three to six fights that day, against opponents you know nothing about and who are there to win! Some of these fights can get quite strenuous even at semi-contact level. How fit do you need to be? Will your four hours of training a week combined be enough to sustain you?

How about at a grading for say your first brown belt, where you will be required to demonstrate your entire arsenal of Martial Arts skill. Including, kicking, punching, attack combinations, Kata and sparring... All performed continuously one after the other.

It is when viewed from this reality that you can see the need for an all round fitness regime to help cope with the application of yourself to the art and to maintain your form under intense physical exertion which is present frequently in this sport.

Paul

 Photo by Arztsamui/ WWW.FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Martial Style

Martial Style can be summed up as the nature or origin of the type of martial art you practice/demonstate.

In my case it's an amalgamation of the Instructors and the systems taught by them. Including:

• Kung Fu
• Karate
• Kick Boxing

Over the years, without realising it, the different systems merge into an individual system consiting of all and of course the individual style of the practitioner and her natural tendencies included.

This means that by opening yourself up to different Martial styles and practicing for on-going improvement and application of what you are learning. You can combine the aforementioned to create a Martial Style that is totally unique to you.

It takes time, effort and consistency. But if you are interested in reading this... You will appreciate having your very own Unique Martial Style.

Paul.

Photo by Teddy Bear/www.Freedigitalphotos.net