Katana - For the Samurai in You Dying to Get Out
The katana sword is a gruesome looking weapon and its history tells the story of a weapon designed strictly for war. The reason that I have chosen the Katana to do a bit of research and writing on is because of my love for sword collecting. Any collector of swords should take a bit of time to gain more knowledge of the katana whether you own one or are tempted to add one to your collection.
The katana is a curved, single edged sword traditionally used by the samurai after the 1400s. These long blades were strictly used for combat, but ownership meant so much more to the Samurai and possessors.
The Katana was known by that samurai as Daito, which literally meant long saber. The samurai would also carry a side arm known as a Shoto meaning a short saber. This short sword is customarily a wakizachi.
The Katana was mostly made famous by the samurai who were undoubtedly masters of sword warfare. The samurai could unsheathe their katana and cut through just about anything with the precision of a surgeon in a matter of seconds.
The samurai were able to spin this weapon in an intimidating butterfly method so quickly that the blade became a blur. I suppose this was intended to intimidate the adversary with a sort of, “look what I can do” tactic. I certainly would loose my desire to enter combat with a gentleman that could do something such as this.
The samurai were actually allowed to carry these weapons freely in Japan until the 19th century when this privilege was abolished. The reason for carrying the katana was much similar to the duties of a knight. These warriors would protect and serve the elite.
The samurai were great warriors who mastered their abilities. These abilities were things such as martial arts, the sword and many other weapons such as the bow and arrow, the spear, staff and many more.
The samurai considered the katana the source of the warrior spirit. This was the favored weapon. The samurai would bestow a name upon his katana that would mean more to him than any other earthly possession. This was a great honor and even enemies had respect for the honor that the samurai felt towards his weapon.
The samurai lived by the beliefs of duty and fearlessness of death. They did this with such devotion and passion that they were unrivaled and more so, feared.
The samurai had to transcend the fear of death to gain a certain peace. This peace would allow him to serve his master faithfully without the human emotions, considered weaknesses, interfering with his service.
Death was more desirable than dishonor. Many times, suicide was chosen over a dishonorable action or would be implemented after a dishonorable action took place. The samurai lived by their codes of honor, loyalty and warrior virtues. Humiliation amongst peers was unacceptable.
The katana sword smith also lived by a very honorable code. His honor and service were devoted to a different kind of master. His master was his work, the creation of the katana.
The katana was signed by the maker on the tang. Each test given to the katana was also recorded on the tang of the blade. This would ensure the quality and remove any doubt of the perfection.
The creation of the katana was a long and laborious art in Japan. The katana was created by forging pieces of carbon steel together. They were then heated and pounded together.
The steel would be folded many times and the pounding would continue until almost all traces carbon were removed from the steel. Strips of steel were continuously added to the product and beaten hundreds of times.
The next step of the katana creation process was to temper the blade. This would be done by reheating the blade so everything but the edge would be reheated. The blade would be coated and covered by a hardened charcoal paste, clay and a powdered grinding stone. This would allow only the edge to be heated during reheating.
The edge of the katana would be heated to an extreme red hot glow. The edge only, would be dipped into cool water allowing it to cool much quicker than the rest of the blade. This would enable the blade to be very flexible preventing snapping during combat. This also enabled the blade edge to be very fine. The final step was for the edge to be honed and sharpened even more to produce the equivalent of a razor.
I can think of no other weapon, used and created with such passion and honor, as the katana. The sword was more of an idea, passion and an art than anything.
William “Cole” Doggett is an expert in knives and owns a successful Internet based website, Knife & Supply Company, LLC at http://www.KnifeSupplyCompany.com. His website is devoted to all things tactical law enforcement, military, outdoors and of course, Knives.
The Benefits of Training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a combination of karate, grappling, wrestling, Tang Soo Do, boxing, jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do and more all combined in one. Mixed martial arts, in its modern form, emerged in 1993 through the Ultimate Fighting Championships and was based on pitting different fighting styles against each other with minimal rules to determine which system would be better in a real, unregulated combat situation.
During the late 1990s, the governing bodies imposed extra rules for the safety of the athletes and to try to promote the sport and gain wider acceptance, but still maintaining the no holds barred idea. MMA has grown rapidly in the last few years with many people both young and old realizing the many benefits of mixed martial arts both physical and mental and this has seen enrollments in classes increasing worldwide.
MMA is classed as a combat sport, but it’s a sport that stresses the ideals of fair play and respect for your opponent still. However, MMA are still quite often wrongly known as vicious and brutal.
Regardless of MMA’s reputation, the competition is relatively safe. Due to the rules and regulations imposed and strictly enforced and the tough mental and physical conditioning of the opponents there has never been a death or indeed a critical injury report by the MMA as directly linked to any tournament.
Martial arts are great for the body. Regular training strengthens and tones the muscles and adds flexibility. Training in martial arts gives you a full cardio work out. You can expect to greatly increase your strength and stamina and improve your hand eye coordination. Martial arts is a good weight loss program as well because it becomes a complete system in which a healthy diet is part and when combined with the extreme physical activity proper weight loss is assured.
Classes are run at schools, dojos, youth groups organizations, church groups, and other, less formal settings. MMA is also being incorporated into many gyms as mixed martial arts become more popular.
A typical class will have you start with a warm up consisting of various stretching exercises, trunk rotations, jumps, squats and abs tightening exercises. Then there will be a series of movements taught and explained in full. Sparring is controlled and protective gear is worn, such as helmets, gloves and guards.
At other times a bag will be used for practicing kicks, jabs and punches. Although you may feel awkward and unfit at first, it will not take long before your fitness and skill level improves, along with your frame of mind.
People who practice MMA feel and look healthier, but there are far more benefits than the physical side. While many think of martial arts as violent, in the mainstream it is used as self defense. It does not encourage violence but teaches the student how to control anger and how to use self control and restraint.
Students are taught self discipline and the rigors of training builds character and self-confidence, which ultimately reduces temper induced rages that can often be the cause of many street fights. This confidence carries over into everyday life and as a result mixed martial arts students tend to be become better people than they were.
Mixed martial arts training teaches you that you must control the powers that you have had the privilege of learning and never use it recklessly or without thought. Students are also taught that before any success is achieved they will fail many times and that practiced and perseverance is the key. This is a valuable lesson to learn and will often carry over into other endeavors the student undertakes.
Furthermore, the training teaches you that every person is responsible for his own actions and must understand and abide by the given rules. This kind of training improves one’s actions in life as well as in martial arts training and tournaments. Many of these arts build a spiritual life into the training, with courtesy, self-control, perseverance and integrity emphasized in the classes. So much so that many Christian Church groups are running mixed martial arts classes for their youth organizations due to the character building characteristics in martial arts training that are also much a part of Christian beliefs.
Given all this, it is no wonder that so many parents are enrolling their children in mixed martial arts classes today. They see their children’s health and fitness improve, something their child’s peers often lack. And they also witness their children’s mindset, attitudes to life and self-improvement, respect and courage all improve as well.
Anyone who trains in karate, jujitsu, Tae Kwon Do or any of the arts will gain these benefits. If you have any desire to improve your body and mind at the same time with only one activity, then martial arts is something you ought to seriously consider. You don’t just get in shape physically, but also mentally and spiritually. No gym workout can compare. All across the world, adults are joining dojos and thoroughly enjoying the many benefits of mixed martial arts.
Jason OConnor owns and operates Best Show Tickets and also trains at Matthews Martial Arts.
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http://www.matthewskenpo.com/article-MMA.htm
Kung Fu Up Close
The martial art of Kung Fu is an exchange of culture, a type of exercise, and also a way of defending yourself. The art is very popular throughout the world, also being known as Gung Fu, Wu Shu, and even Kuo Shu. It shares some common traits with Karate, such as using both hand and foot techniques. Kung Fu is one of the most popular forms of martial arts - and also one of the oldest.
Within Kung Fu, there are several styles and variances, although the most popular are those that have their roots in the well known Shaolin Temple. What most people are not aware of however, is the fact that Kung Fu was practiced in China years before the first Shaolin temple was even though of.
A majority of martial arts enthusiasts think of self defense as being the ultimate goal of any martial art. While self defense is involved the martial is so much more than just fighting and defense - it is a true art, one that develops the mind, body, and the soul.
Kung Fu doesnt teach students to overcome others, as it teaches students to look within themselves and learn to have complete and total control over their emotions. Is is an art of harmony, that teaches to students to remain at peace and avoid confrontations. If a situation threatens bodily harm to the student, then he must rise to the occasion - becoming the warrior and defending himself.
Just like other types of martial arts, Kung Fun teaches the balance that is crucial for executing techniques and the proper movement. The basic concept behind the balance is that same balance that the Chinese believe keeps the balance between heaven and earth. This concept of balance can be achieved by students if they completely focus their thoughts and empty their minds free from any type of distractions.
Kung Fu is a martial art that can be learned by anyone. It does take a strong desire, just like any other martial art. It has a rich heritage, and a proud legacy. Kung Fu is indeed a deadly martial art, if used in the wrong ways. There are variations of Kung Fu as well, which include the infamous five animals - Tiger, Dragon, Eagle Claw, Crane, and the Snake.
Adapted by the animals in which they are named after, the five animals style is some of the most impressive in martial arts. Tiger Claw is by far the deadliest of the five animals, teaching students to strike just like the dreaded tiger. This style teaches the student power in his hands, so that when he strikes, he tears the flesh. Tiger Claw is very deadly, although it is very hard to find instructors that teach this style now days.
Unlike other martial arts, there really are no competitions for Kung Fu. Stylists can compete it other competitions, although there really are not any that are for only Kung Fu. It is an ancient martial art, that is to be used only in instances were there is no other option than to fight back. When provoked, the stylist should try everything he or she can to avoid confrontations.
Kung Fu aims to teach the lessons of respect, fairness to others, harmony of the spirit, and total self control no matter what. These characteristics, when paired together, allow students to achieve success in a hard to deal with society. Kung Fu is all about developing the students overall well being - and following the straight path to mental and physical toughness.
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Daniel Millions
Getting A Kick Out Of Different Martial Arts
Martial arts are a sport that combines a variety of different methods of combat. In some cases, martial arts are used only for use, in other cases, they are used in head-to-head combat, in generally controlled situations, such as matches or shows. Because martial arts includes a variety of different styles, it is normal when a person thinks of them, that they think of one specific types, for example, karate.
However, there is more to martial arts than just karate. For instance, Karate is a stand up style of the art, in which Kung Fu, San Shou, Tae Kwon Do, Wushu, Kray Maga, Kickboxing, and Boxing also belong. When focusing on styles such as these, also known as stand u styles, blocking, kicking, and punching are the foremost focus when it comes to these forms of arts.
Another style of the arts is called grappling or ground fighting. These are forms of wrestling, that includes the martial art practices of Greco-Roman wrestling, Sambo, Shoot fighting, Shooto, and Brazilian Jujitsu.
Yet another style is what is called throwing styles, in which an opponent attempts to unbalance the other by using means of locks, trips, or throws. Within this style, arts such as Hapkido, Shuai Jiao, Aikido, and Judo reside.
For weapons based martial arts, these are arts performed using weapons, and for the most part are only used during cultural and traditional displays, though Kali is still used as an effort of self-defense and combat. Arts within this category include Kendo, Lado, and Kali.
Not all martial art styles are used for combative purposes today, even if they were originally designed for that purpose. Now, many are instead used for exercise, relief of stress, internal energy, and breathing. Some of these meditative or low impact styles include the arts of Chi Gong, Ba Gua, and Tai Chi.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
What happens when you combine techniques from the different forms of martial arts? You get what is called Mixed Martial Arts, which is also commonly known as MMA. Mixed Martial Arts is a combination of a variety of styles of the art, in which opponents attempt to overpower the other using a variety of techniques.
While it is a combination of a variety of techniques, the most popular techniques are those in stand up styles, clinch styles, and ground styles. Most fighters focus on a particular skill, but must have training in all skills to be successful. It is more common for fighters to have a variety of coaches that train for the various phases of combat, it is not common place nowadays for a fighter to specialize in one specific area of combat.
Because mixed martial arts is a recognized sport, with two specific organizations, the PRIDE Fighting Championships and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, there are rules and regulations.
For example, weight classes are a requirement in these rules, they pair like weights with other like weights to make fights more fair. In these rules there are a variety of fouls and penalties as well. These rules were designed to eliminate the picture of barbaric fighting, in which two people fight to the death, as many people once believe mixed martial arts to be. These fouls were designed to protect the fighters. Penalties are awarded to the fighter for fish hooking, biting, pulling hair, gouging eyes, and head butting.
Attacks to the groin is illegal in mixed martial arts, as well as strikes to the kidneys, spinal area, and the back of an opponents head. The trachea is off limits as well, a fighter may not grab or strike the trachea of the opponent. Joint manipulation, such as toes and fingers, is allowed. There are many rules, this area has only touched the surface, but you can basically get the idea that mixed martial arts is a controlled and very regulated sport, designed for the physical fitness and enjoyment of the sport, with the health of the fighter in mind.
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Martial Arts: Physical Techniques And Mental Discipline
Martial Arts is the combination of physical techniques and mental discipline. It is used for self defense, body strengthening, relaxation, and even competition. Women often take martial arts classes to learn moves that will help them in the event of an attack. The moves of Martial Arts are designed for even a small woman to use them effectively.
The arms and legs are used in Martial sports moves. Practicing them will help you get fit and strengthen your body. Doing these moves will also help relax your mind. There are many different types of martial arts including karate and tae kwon do. Karate involves various kicks and punches. The goal of karate is to defend rather than to hurt the other person. Tae kwon do is the most commonly used type of martial art. The moves are very graceful and requires exceptional coordination.
The level of skill varies greatly in martial arts, from beginners to experts. Competitions are very popular. In addition to karate and tae kwon do, kickboxing competitions are very popular as well.
Martial arts is a great sport for children of all ages to participate in. They will get fit, learn about self discipline, and have some basic skills for defending themselves. It can help with behavior issues too including a short attention span, following directions, and communication style.
There are many variations of the martial arts. It is important to identify the types of techniques and trainings that will be used in a class before you sign up. The instructor can help you determine if it is right for you. There are also martial arts videos you can purchase to use at home. This is a great way to pick up skills in the privacy of your home. It is also great for those with a hectic schedule.
Many types of Martial Arts have a colored belt system. Judo was the first type of Martial Arts to adopt this practice. The color of the belt indicates the level of skill the student has. Students have to pass skill tests to move on to learning techniques and moves of the next color. Beginners start with a white belt. In the old days, the white belt was dyed the new color as a rite of passage and honor in Martial Arts. Today the belt is simply replaced with the new color of the skill level. After white, the colors are yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and black.
While the goal of each student in Martial Arts is self improvement, the belt in some forms of it offers the student a way to display their efforts to the other students. It is also designed to help students engage in fair sparing activities. To respect the culture of Martial Arts, it is important that you wear the belt properly.
Never let a white belt get dingy or dirty. The belt needs to be tied firmly above the hip bones. Make sure it is loose enough to move during your activities but tight enough to stay in place. The ends of the belt hanging on both sides need to be even. This can take time to learn so practice finding the amount of material needed to tie it. Some people place a small market on the inside of the belt to find the location easily. The belt should never be allowed to cross itself in the back. Never let your belt touch the floor.
Having the proper respect for the Martial Arts includes honoring the belt color system. Never wear a belt for a level of skill you have not accomplished. This is considered to be dishonorable. Your instructor will help you learn to tie your belts properly. Enjoy learning about Martial Arts, improving your skills, and proving you are worthy of a higher ranking belt.
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The Story of the Ultimate Fighting Championship
You may have heard of it before - the octagon. It’s the place where warriors meet to battle each other into submission by knocking the opponent unconscious or forcing him to give up by imposing explosive pain on his body. It is the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The UFC is a mixed-martial arts organization that pits 2 opponents against each other, each using different styles of fighting. It was created to answer that age-old question: who is the better fighter, the boxer or the wrestler? It started as a sideshow and has since turned into a multi-million dollar sanctioned organization that grows in popularity year after year.
UFC - The Beginning
In the beginning it was just a tournament, the brainchild of Art Davie, a creative advertising executive who witnessed the energy-bursting excitement while watching a mixed-martial arts (or MMA) fight. He thought it had all the right ingredients that people find in hockey, boxing or karate. MMA, he thought, was the next level, a mixture of everything. He brought on board a Brazilian legend in MMA technique training, Rorion Gracie and a screenwriter, John Milius, who became the creative director. They brought in 27 investors and the Ultimate Fighting Championship was born.
Still in it infancy, the UFC had limited rules: no biting and no eye gouging. The result was mayhem. 400lb fighters fought 100lb fighters. Blood sprayed the octagon red like no other event had ever dared to allow. It did not go over well with the mainstream and the UFC quickly became an underground fighting spectacle. Some advocated against the existence of such extreme barbarism, including Senator John McCain of Arizona. It was a downward spiral that ended with the UFC being dropped by cable distributors and individual cable providers. The audience was reduced to almost nothing and the UFC itself was forced to submit.
UFC - The Comeback
The UFC was on the verge of its demise with no rules, no audience, no cable access and U.S. Senators calling for its break-up. It was time to step back and re-evaluate the situation. People are interested in the idea of MMA, but not in seeing the type of fight that has 2 fighters fighting in pools of their own blood. The first step was to add protective rules. Weight classes were introduced - heavy weights, middleweights and lightweights. The number of unacceptable striking areas on the body were increased to include the back of the neck, pressure points areas and the back of the head. Protective gloves were mandatory and there were now 5-minute rounds, all of which helped the UFC legitimately begin calling itself a sport, rather than an underground cage fight.
After the organization cleaned up the fights, it was time to start getting officially recognized by fighting associations. The improved image played well with the athletic commissions, as did the petitions for sanctioning made by other clean MMA organizations. It wasn’t until September 30th of 2000 that the International Fighting Championships hosted the first MMA sanctioned event in New Jersey. 2 months later it was the UFC’s turn. Their first sanctioned event also took place in New Jersey under the State Athletic Control Board’s Unified Rules. The Ultimate Fighting Championships had lost legal battles and suffered financially, but now it was a legitimate sport.
The time seemed right for new leadership. Two casino executives and a boxing promoter placed and won a bid to buy the UFC for $2 million in 2001. That same year, the organization successfully secured the sanctioning of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and returned to Pay-per-view. Slowly but surely, popularity was growing. It gained a spot on Fox Sports Net, which aired it as the first American mixed martial arts match in 2002.
Today.
Thanks to better promoting, bigger ticket events and the necessary funding, the UFC aired its own reality TV show on Spike TV called The Ultimate Fighter. It was slotted just after a large wrestling event and the UFC show quickly rose to the top for the station. Spike TV then began airing promotional half-hour teaser shows to promote UFC pay-per-view events. All of the widespread attention exploded its popularity. In 2006, the massively hyped event UFC 61 earned near 775,000 pay-per-view buys, the second highest in US history. The UFC, it seems, has officially arrived.
So what’s next for the growing organization? They’re thinking about expanding internationally. First stop: Mexico.
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Master Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Even though it has been around for many years, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was made famous in the United States by Royce Gracie in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Many people were not that familiar with the style until Gracie entered the UFC and continued to dominate fighters of all styles and weight classes one after the other. Once people began to see how quickly Gracie could defeat an opponent, they quickly became interested in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
As many now know, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an art that is utilized with ground grappling, with very little stand up skills involved. A majority of the techniques used with the martial art are executed on the ground. The techniques involve very little strength from the stylist, as most of them are all about the technique behind the move. With Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylists that weight 100 lbs or less can quickly put a submission lock on someone who is 2 - 3 times their weight and size.
Even though Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is great for tournament fighting, isn’t so great against multiple attackers. With one on one fights it is very dominant, although if you are against multiple attackers it will be very hard to pull off one of the choke holds or arm locks. You simply won’t have the time to do it, as the other attackers will be trying to take your head off.
From the ground, utilizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the stylist will have many options that he can utilize. He can pull off choke holds, arm locks, leg locks, and dozens of other techniques that can take someone out of the picture in a matter of seconds. When the stylist is on his back with the opponent on top of him he has the guard, which is where he wraps his legs around the attacker. From the guard position, the stylist can execute dozens of techniques - even though it may appear that he doesn’t stand a chance.
The mount, side control, and back mount are primary positions, along with the guard. The mount position is where the stylist is mounted on top of the attacker on the ground - a position where he can punch or execute a submission hold. With side control, the stylist is laying on the opponents chest, a position where he can easily execute an arm lock. Back mount is among the most dangerous positions - where the stylist is on the opponents back and really do some damage if the opponent has no Jiu-Jitsu experience.
With Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the ranks start out at white belt, then move on to blue, purple, brown, and the highest color - black belt. To move through the ranks it takes a lot of practice and dedication, usually around 2 - 3 years per belt. Once a student reaches the black belt, he is capable of teaching other students what he knows. It takes a long time to reach this point, more than 10 years - although it is well worth it.
In the world of martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is very effective. It is one of the best martial arts for ground fighting, especially in tournaments. Ground grappling is very common with tournaments these days, which is why it pays to be a well rounded stylist.
Very few martial arts styles can compete with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on the ground, which is why so many people are deciding to study it. If you’ve decided to start studying this exceptional ground based martial art - you can pat yourself on the back for making a decision you won’t regret.
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The Many Benefits of Martial Arts
A few years ago I started to wonder if martial arts would be something I could do and benefit from. I knew next to nothing about it except maybe some fragmented memories of scenes from the movie The Karate Kid. But I knew I wanted to be able to defend myself in case anything ever happened. I didn’t really even know what “anything” was; I just knew I wanted to have more confidence. I also thought that maybe karate would instill some much-needed discipline in me. Finally, I figured it would be a better and more interesting way to exercise than moving weights up and down at the gym and running on a treadmill like a hamster.
So I took the plunge. I signed up for Kenpo Karate at the local dojo (which literally means “place of the Way”, or “place of practice”). I had no idea how many other benefits karate offered.
I started to learn how to defend myself indeed, but I also learned that taking on something like karate is less a project and more a journey. I also learned I needed some serious patience. If I thought I was going to be able to fend off a would-be mugger with a knife after a few karate sessions, I was sorely mistaken. I soon realized that if I was to expect tangible results, I was going to need to dedicate myself for a while and develop infinite patience.
But it dawned on me that anything worthwhile takes hard work and time, so I hunkered down and started training regularly. I soon realized that what I thought was going to take months was really going to take years. So my patience developed.
My muscles developed too. In fact, I was sore in places that I didn’t even know existed. From my thumbs to my ribs, I found muscles that hadn’t ever been flexed before. After a half a year I started getting into the best shape of my life, and I had hardly noticed because I was concentrating on learning the craft.
My discipline began to grow as well. Often I just didn’t want to go, but I forced myself and always felt better for it afterward, always. Our sensei (teacher) is a blackbelt and former military man, so his brand of teaching certainly involves discipline, but never more than anyone can handle. Moreover, to learn the various karate moves and forms, I began to develop discipline over every miniscule movement of my body. And to perform each of the moves properly, you need to have supreme control over your mind as well as your body. This takes years of practice, but even the novice benefits from each attempt.
My confidence continued to grow, but not just confidence in fighting, but confidence in my physical abilities, and each time I train, my confidence develops even further. I have more faith in myself, I trust myself more.
Another benefit of training in the martial arts is that one begins to grasp the difference between the goal and the journey, and why the latter is so much more important. In this day and age of hyper-consumerism and quick fixes and TV, it’s easy to think that the goal is everything, regardless of how you get there. Capitalism stresses achievement and profits at the expense of the process. TV shows and commercials wrap everything up neatly and cleanly by the end, without much real struggle. And we are bombarded with advertisements of immediate relief or riches or good looks if we “just buy this product”.
But what about the process? What about the journey? What about the lifestyle? Everyone’s in such a rush to get somewhere or get something that many of us Westerners miss our own lives and each of the present moments because we’re so concerned with the future. Training in karate slows one’s life down a bit. It teaches one how to enjoy the process, not the goal. It’s a life long study, and no one reaches blackbelt status quickly. That’s the way it should be.
Once you learn to enjoy the process, to enjoy the intrinsic goodness of practicing and training, you begin to grasp one key to life. The journey is more important than the goal.
Jason OConnor owns and operates Oak Web Works, LLC and also runs the Matthews Martial Arts website.
http://www.oakwebworks.com
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Karate Secrets That Improves Your Self Defense
You have seen amazing demonstrations on TV, the physical mastery over any opponent foolish enough to threaten you, no matter what his size may be and no matter what weapon he brandishes! Of course, I am talking about Karate.
What draws us to this ancient form of self defense? It may be because it differs from wrestling in that it does not depend upon muscular strength. It differs from the other forms of attack in that it uses no weapon. Its feat consists in clutching or striking that part of an enemys body as will make him numb, and incapable of resistance. Its object is not to kill, but to incapacitate one for action for the time being.
If you do not have to be bigger than your opponent is, you do not have to out muscle him, you do not even have to have superior firepower, what is the secret of Karate? How is it possible to defeat someone who wishes to do you harm?
The answer lies in several items coming together at just the right time.
The first, naturally, is training. Training, training, training. However, to get the most of your training, you need to be in good health. Karate involves many body movements, which, while not strenuous or fatiguing, nevertheless tend to build muscular tone and also limber up the body in general. Like other forms of exercise, Karate also stimulates the circulation, causing oxygen rich blood to reach all body organs. It is a well known fact that this exercise makes for general well being.
Which brings on the second secret: Breathing! If you are an average human being, you may be alive but you are not breathing, correctly, that is. Americans take breathing for granted, but did you know it is really an important exercise. Proper breathing habits stimulate heart action, increase the circulation, drain the carbon dioxide from the blood, and make for better, more active muscular coordination. But alas, so many of us indulge in shallow breathing, mouth breathing and some of us in a moment of intense concentration even forget to breathe! The most important prerequisite to proper breathing has nothing to do with the respiratory system at all. Its proper posture! If your shoulders slump forward, your neck droops, your stomach bulges … if your spine curves as you walk and your back looks like the letter S, then brother, ATTENTION! You can learn all the Karate techniques and principles, but without proper posture, you can never perform correct breathing exercises. Resolve now to stand erect, back straight, head up, shoulders back.
So, now you are in good heath and are breaking properly, on to the third secret of karate: Calisthenics. This is n integral part of Karate training. It is essential that the student conduct a 15 minute warm up or limbering up exercises to strengthen and loosen his muscles. You should loosen the body, indulge in neck twisting, arm stretching, back stretching, leg swinging, leg stretching, leg spreading, trunk twisting, etc.
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