Is Martial Arts Training Fun for Men and Women?

Fun? Really? I assume it is dependent upon what you might be doing within the martial arts to categorise it as fun. Or in case you are a sick, twisted idiot that’s into self-abuse and mayhem, brutal martial arts training will be fun. It boils right down to what your motivation for training is. In case you are into competition, patches, trophies, name recognition and glory then a business school oriented to the sporting elements of martial arts is where you desire to go. In case you want realistic self-defense training perhaps going to a dojo with fewer trophies on the wall is something you desire to seek.

Different cultures have different martial arts and it could take a couple of tries to seek out one that matches you and your personality. Personally I even have been looking for my path within the martial arts for over forty years. I even have found some really great schools and top-notch instructors and I even have found some schools that I’d not waste one other second investigating. But my motivation for martial arts training shouldn’t be similar to everyone else’s motivation. It might be similar however it shouldn’t be the identical.

My martial art training shouldn’t be done as a hobby or a sport and even a nice past time. Sometimes it just plain hurts. Yes there may be pain involved but that doesn’t mean that the training doesn’t have its own rewards. The camaraderie and bonding that takes place if you place your life within the hands of your training partner achieves a really high degree. It’s true that we don’t train for fun but occasionally we are able to rejoice training.

In case your goal within the martial arts is to attain a reasonably high degree of physical fitness, to take care of good muscle tone and suppleness then you might wish to take part in things like tournaments, and or demonstrations and that is a superb goal. It could be fun and supply motivation for setting goals or meeting people of comparable interests and talents.

In case your motivation to coach within the martial arts is to supply yourself a venue to learn to fight and defend yourself you’ll be able to still find an enjoyable experience however the bumps and bruises will probably be more extensive.

To hunt “budo” or the way in which of the warrior your path will probably be quite different than in case you were looking for the fun of competition. The potential of female participation is reduced but not eliminated. The concept of getting fun is just about out the window. The training will probably be brutal by necessity. On the warrior’s path you should not training to compete, you might be training to survive.

Back in 1967 after I began training in Shotokan my goal was to grow to be knowledgeable soldier. Vietnam was in full swing and I knew if I wanted a military profession, I’d should have combat experience. My dream was to affix Special Forces (Green Berets) and to command an SFOD – A. I believed I could be more and higher prepared if I had some real martial arts training. The club I joined was the Brigham Young University Shotokan Karate Club. There really was not a alternative if I wanted good martial arts training. There was nothing else available. The training was brutal. If we didn’t draw blood during a workout, it was not workout. That intense training served me thoroughly after I entered the military in 1973. I missed out on Vietnam (darn the luck! Shucks, I actually desired to go. Not!) in addition to all the other live fire exercises america became involved in up until 1990 after I was medically discharged. The martial art training during those early years was not fun however it saved my butt several times. Just with the ability to push myself beyond my perceived limits of physical endurance was a direct results of my martial arts training and it served me well. Now my martial art training could be very different from that in 1967. It’s more mental and spiritual and has way more potential for severe physical damage. It still shouldn’t be fun because pain is involved but we are able to rejoice throughout the training. The close-knit group of scholars who care about one another’s safety could be very much different than within the early days. I run classes in my dojo within the basement of my house and training is completed by invitation only. Lots of my students are prior or current military. Some have had law enforcement experience. The training is difficult however the banter and joking provide an environment that’s “fun”.

Karate is up close and private. Jujutsu is intimate. This makes some people uncomfortable until they get past the ma-ai barrier and learn to get near their training partner and perhaps their attacker. We must learn to depart our ego in addition to our gender on the door. The main target ought to be on training and learning. Leave the sexist crap outside. That said, then training can grow to be fun.

I even have had several junctures in life that if I quit training, retired my uniform and belt and pursued other interests in life it might be permissible. I’ve broken my back twice, broke my leg really bad and dislocated my ankle, got hurt on an evening parachute jump etc. etc. But I discovered that I can not quit. The martial arts have grow to be quite addictive. Perhaps it’s the flood of endorphins that keeps me coming back. Perhaps I’m just waiting for the fun to occur?

Self Defense

Filipino Martial Arts

Amit Gaikwad Apr 26, 2023 Leave a comment

The three major branches of Filipino martial arts are Arnis typically from the northern Luzon regions, Eskrima from the central Visayas regions, and Kali from the southern Mindanao regions. Inside these branches dwell a protracted line of masters, families, systems and history. Most Filipino systems will associate with one in every of these terms and their respective regions of the Philippines.

As a guerrilla combat art it has proved to be extremely effective. The local warriors would make use of whatever that they had around them to make use of against many invading cultures. Today is it widely practiced as a exploration into the history of the Filipino culture.

Using the stick and the dagger is commonest in all the Filipino martial arts, but like all traditional martial arts it has gotten away from easy and effective to complicated and useless.

At its core, the indigenous martial arts of the Philippines are based on the bolo, a machete like weapon used for all the pieces from farm work to fighting. Born from guerrilla combat, Filipino martial arts should not a systemized type of combat.

Traditions and teachings are transferred from father to son, master to student. Teaching methods vary and documentation of those methods only occurred over the past 2 a long time.

Most traditional martial arts fall victim to this same problem. Instructors begin to make things complicated to be able to replenish time and keep students occupied. Take a take a look at the Japanese throughout the Edo period. With nobody to fight, the samurai warriors began to over analyze, write poetry and arrange flowers. The identical is true with the Filipino martial arts, from the fundamental techniques of what actually worked, today we’ve got an advanced and confusing symbolic representation of what happened within the jungle.

For effective fighting technique and real self defense it doesn’t have to be complicated, just easy and adaptable to the today’s modern world.

Self Defense

Martial Arts Book Review – A Bouncer’s Guide to Barroom Brawling by Peyton Quinn

Amit Gaikwad Apr 21, 2023Apr 21, 2023 Leave a comment

Being the writer of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I’m at all times on the lookout for books of remarkable quality so as to add to my library. If I even have a book in my library, it’s definitely price owning. One such book is Peyton Quinn’s, “A Bouncer’s Guide to Barroom Brawling.”

An important thing to recollect when reading this, or any book coping with self-defense techniques, is that the principles behind the technique are much more essential than the technique itself. Once more, Peyton does a terrific job of this, and you’ll do well to take a seat down and browse this book from cover to cover several times in an effort to grasp what he’s attempting to teach you.

So without further ado, let’s start.

1. The Ambush: Awareness and Avoidance

One in all the small print that the writer tries to get across to you on this section is that fighting has serious legal and medical consequences and ought to be avoided if in any respect possible. Remember, nothing is straightforward to do unless you are first willing to do it. Also, learning easy methods to avoid a possible conflict is probably crucial “technique” you could learn. It’s vitally essential and ought to be considered your first line of defense.

2. The Reality of Fighting

Listed here are just a number of of the items of interest which can be discussed on this section.

a. The sucker puncher’s strongest assets that he uses are as follows; confidence, experience, competence and tactics.

b. Among the very real characteristics of “Real Fights” comparable to; real fights are literally very sloppy in comparison with those portrayed in movies, most fights only last a number of second, most fights are decided by punches to the pinnacle, most real fights involve some type of grappling, kicking (particularly above the waist) is just not very effective in an actual fight.

Now I even have to confess that I’m not too keen on statements comparable to the last one that appear to knock the effectiveness of kicks in an actual fight. I for one have trained extensively in kicking and have used it successfully over and over in “real fights.” Nonetheless, having said that, I freely admit that the purpose the writer is attempting to get across here is definitely a excellent one. Most individuals not only do not know easy methods to kick properly to start out with, but they don’t know on easy methods to apply them practically in a “real fight.”

c. The writer’s observations in regards to the martial arts versus real fighting; Peyton, in my view, is one in all the more realistic self-defense authors on the market today just because he takes a sensible and practical approach to the effectiveness of traditional martial arts in terms of the topic of self-defense. Unlike other authors on the market that appear to knock any and each form of formal martial art there’s, Peyton freely admits there importance and value not only in self-defense, but in addition in every other aspect of your life. He does provide some really good “food for thought” on this section and it was an actual pleasure to read.

3. The Tool Box

This section starts out with some great advice, “It’s more essential to learn easy methods to effectively avoid getting hit, than learning easy methods to hit effectively.”

The writer then describes several different hand strikes and easy methods to execute them. This particular section is actually good and offers some very practical and worthwhile advice.

I particularly enjoyed the writer’s poignant tale of a sparring session he had with a Tae Kwon Do 4th degree black belt. This is sort of an amusing and interesting story, and one you could learn loads from, for those who know easy methods to read between the lines. The writer then finishes this section with some more discussion readily available, elbow, and knee strikes.

4. Principles of Defense

The only most noteworthy piece of recommendation that the writer has put into this book is solely this, “The principles and ideas behind the techniques are more essential than the techniques themselves,” or something along these lines. That is something that I even have been saying for a minimum of 20 years, ever since I first began teaching. Several principles of blocking and striking are discussed on this section.

5. Mobility, Stance, Facing, and the Finer Points of Staying Out of Jail

This section covers quite a lot of ground covering the themes of proper stance, the usage of footwork, and keeping and maintaining the correct distance between you and your opponent.

6. Grappling, Throwing, and Escapes

This section covers quite a lot of excellent information with regards to grappling and throwing. I actually enjoyed the data on this section and it alone is well worth the price of this book.

7. Choosing an Appropriate Martial Art on your Personal Study

This I discovered to be among the best sections in the whole book. Here the writer takes an honest fairly well-informed take a look at the varied martial arts and the many aspects one should consider when trying to come to a decision which of them to review.

Overall I discovered Peyton’s book to be outstanding and one which I’m proud to have in my very own personal library. I find Peyton’s approach to the topic refreshing and honest and one which I personally hold in high regard.

I strongly recommend that you simply purchase this book and never only read the words that Peyton has written, but perhaps more importantly those that were written between the printed lines.

Self Defense

"What is the Secret Technique?" The Truth About Technique in Martial Arts and Self Defense

Amit Gaikwad Apr 20, 2023 Leave a comment

The opposite day I used to be watching the NCAA Wresting Championships and I began noticing more similarities to Judo than differences. I used to be also reminded about some things that I actually have heard from Sensei and Shinan Carl Cestari. Principally, there may be nothing really recent in Hand-to-Hand Combat or Martial Arts. With all of the fads in Martial Arts through the years, from Kung Fu to Ninjas and Mixed Martial Arts, the fact still stays that there are only so some ways to punch, kick, stomp, break, gouge, throw, or choke the human body. NEWS FLASH: It’s all been done before and never just in Japan or China. For instance, the west has a protracted history of Martial Arts including Bare Knuckle Boxing, Wrestling and various other types of Hand to Hand Combat. Martial Arts is not necessarily synonymous with Asia. You do not have to look any further than the individuals who train at Zen Shin. Sensei was a state champion in wrestling, Sensei Roger Jones was a competitive wrestler at the school level, and Jim Kleinfelder has a background in Boxing (notice how hard he hits for fringe of hand blows and chin jabs). The list goes on to incorporate Sal Guardascione, and Matt Smith whose Judo training helps him tremendously as he currently competes as a highschool wrestler. The more you train the more you begin to see that what works is easy and direct and also you notice it in areas outside of Judo and Jujitsu.

For instance, spend a while watching wrestling and you may’t help but notice Judo techniques. You will see that techniques just like the double leg takedown is named Morote-Gari in Judo, the fireman’s carry or Kata-Guruma, the within leg trip or Ouchi-Gari, various hip throws etc. The list goes on and on. There are numerous ways to take a person off his feet and on to his back. Does it really matter what you call it?

Also, there are not any secret techniques protected by a cultural history or tradition. Are you able to imagine for one second, a boxing trainer telling considered one of his students, “I’ll teach you a secret punch that only a few people know that can make you champion of the world.” Or do you actually imagine that Dan Gable became the world’s most successful wrestler because he knew techniques that others didn’t. (By the best way, when you do not know who Dan Gable is then your homework project is to search out out ASAP.) Or ask Yoshisada Yonezuka, ninth Dan in Judo, about Martial Arts and hearken to what he has to say about what is actually essential. Listen, the purpose shouldn’t be to wander off within the origin, system or culture of the techniques you’re training. These items have their place but don’t put an excessive amount of importance in it. The primary ingredient underneath all these items reveals itself to the individuals who put within the time, sweat, blood and tears. That ingredient is tough work. All the BS gets boiled off within the furnace of exertions. It is a fact. Individuals who know the difference have done the work. The person packaging, whether it’s Judo, Wrestling, Karate, Boxing or whatever now not matters. There are WAY too many “Couch Kung Fu” experts to go around. Don’t you dare be considered one of them! See you on the Mat!

Self Defense

Martial Arts Pasta Before Practicing

Amit Gaikwad Apr 18, 2023Apr 18, 2023 Leave a comment

I’m not a fan of jumping on every dietary bandwagon to assist my martial arts training. Despite the fact that I still eat a bit an excessive amount of, I even have found that sound principles of nutrition work higher than spending a fortune on supplements or currents fads. One particular tip that basically works for me has to do with.

Eating Pasta Before a Workout

For a very long time, runners would eat carbohydrates before understanding. I believe that their theory was, “Easy in, easy out.” They felt that the body more easily burned carbohydrates like pasta and rice during an athletic workout.

I don’t know if this is concept continues to be in vogue. As I said, I do not sustain with current, dietary fads.

After I switched to eating a small bowl of spaghetti before a martial arts session, I appeared to have more energy. Eating a heavy meal, with meat because the primary course, produced the alternative effect; I could barely move afterward the meal, let alone take part in repetitive kicking drills or nonstop punching.

Energy Drink Blues

I believe that having a little bit pasta is so much higher than dumping caffeine into your body before a workout. Any sort of energy drink, for some reason, leaves me jittery.

The one time I attempted to work out with caffeine in my system, I felt that my body couldn’t react with its best responses. I used to be too wound up; my timing was off.

Note: I even have never been much of a caffeine drinker. I do like hot chocolate and cold, chocolate milk, but I’m not a fan of coffee or tea. It’s simply a private preference, nothing more.

I even have heard that after the results of an energy drink wear off, the body often experiences a slump — a body low. Would not you agree that this undesirable?

Martial Artists, Be Good To Yourself

A small bowl of pasta is easy on the body. It is also easy to arrange; I just boil water, add some noodles, and ten minutes later, I even have a bowl of steaming pasta in a colander.

Just a little butter and a sprinkling of salt or some herb seasoning, and I’m “good to go.” (“Good to go” = Able to practice martial arts.)

The one ingredient I miss is garlic. More often than not adding garlic is effective, but not before a training session with other practitioners present. I really like garlic, but not when I even have to do martial arts in close proximity to my peers or students.

Self Defense

The Nose Bones Into The Brain Martial Myth

Amit Gaikwad Apr 10, 2023 Leave a comment

There may be an urban legend, or martial art myth, that seems to never go away. Though there are those of us who write about it being a myth, or urban legend, it still pops up in various forms in numerous novels, movies, and tv shows. I even remember it being told in one among the newer martial art documentary shows with two martial artists traveling the world to experience martial arts from many cultures. (There have been two such shows, I like them each, and forget witch one added to the spread of the parable.)

So, what myth am I talking about? The famous legend that for those who punch someone within the nose hard enough, you will drive the bones of the nose into the brain and kill the person. Sometimes it’s told with a punch, others wish to say you utilize the palm heel smash to drive the bones up into the brain. I’ve also seen it told that you could use an upward directed blow for max effect and to make sure the bones go up into the brain. One other version requires two strikes, the primary slam into your opponent’s nose is to interrupt the bones, and the second blow to drive the bones into the brain.

No matter the best way it’s described, the final result is all the time nose bones into the brain leading to the death of the person at the tip of such a devastating technique. Unfortunately, it’s a myth and it isn’t possible for a blow to the nose to drive bone fragments into the brain. The nose comprises mostly cartilage, not bone, and there isn’t any direct way for this cartilage, or any small nasal bones that fracture into pieces from blunt trauma, to penetrate into the brain. It just cannot occur.

So what perpetuates this martial myth? It will be the proven fact that any sufficiently hard enough blow to the pinnacle could be fatal. This doesn’t must be to the nose, but to anywhere on the pinnacle. That is one among the explanations martial artists are instructed to guard the pinnacle in any respect costs when falling and when being struck at. The brain is positioned in the pinnacle, and it doesn’t take bone matter being driven into it to cause serious damage and even death. Any sufficiently hard blow to the pinnacle could cause brain damage and death, and it varies from individual to individual as to what makes a blow sufficiently hard enough.

So the following time you hear the martial myth of driving the nose bones into the brain, do not forget that it isn’t the bones being driven into the brain that causes death, however the proven fact that any significant blow could cause serious consequences to the person being struck.

Self Defense

Martial Arts and Self-Esteem

Amit Gaikwad Apr 5, 2023 Leave a comment

When most individuals take into consideration martial arts and self-esteem, they probably think concerning the advantages for kids. It’s true that children do show increased self worth once they train martial arts, but it is usually true that adults can experience the identical effects. Training martial arts can increase self-esteem in some ways for many individuals.

HERE’S HOW:

MENTAL OBSTACLES

Training martial arts can enable you overcome mental obstacles – including self-doubt and a insecurity. As you progress through different levels, you’ll soon have the opportunity to beat self-doubt and other overwhelming feelings as you begin to construct mental awareness of your mind/body connection. Becoming physically in a position to reach a goal is connected along with your mental ability to take your body where you would like it to go.

SELF-CONTROL

Martial arts enable you construct your self-esteem since you get to maneuver at your individual pace and succeed individually. Earning belts will provide you with a way of accomplishment. In addition they teach you the best way to set goals and provide you with the boldness to achieve these goals. Martial arts also teach self-respect and respect for others and provide you with the sense of relief that you’ll have the opportunity to defend yourself if it’s essential. Having these skills will provide you with an all-around confidence in yourself and your abilities.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Your physical abilities are also tied to your self-esteem. You may even feel fit and see a rise in your strength. Feeling good about yourself physically may even carry over into other parts of your life – you’ll start feeling good about yourself as a complete. Along with that, your increased coordination will enable you do well in other areas as well, whether you select to participate in one other sport or even when you ought to coach your child’s sports team.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:

FOR CHILDREN:

The advantages of increased self-esteem for kids are almost infinite. Children with high self-esteem do well in class, are less more likely to take drugs and usually tend to stay out of trouble. Training martial arts may even teach children the best way to maximize their potential by setting and reaching goals and by giving them the boldness to be persistent and to be positive role models for his or her peers.

FOR ADULTS:

Many adults could also use a lift of self-esteem. This boost might help them do well of their jobs, to be more relaxed at home and to have the opportunity to take more healthy risks. Adults with high self worth are in a position to maximize their potential by setting and meeting goals and by being persistent. Also they are more more likely to tackle leadership roles whether on the job or in volunteer opportunities.

After all, certainly one of the important thing components to with the ability to construct your self-esteem (or your child’s) is to search out a fantastic instructor at a fantastic school. Instructors should be ready to present guidance and positive reinforcement while they nurture their students and guide them through their programs. Why not give it a try? You’ve nothing to lose and all the things to achieve.

Sincerely,

Robert Jones

Master Instructor

sixth Degree Black Belt

Owner, the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts

Self Defense

Self Defense Secrets of the Martial Art of Sensokan Aikijujutsu

Amit Gaikwad Mar 26, 2023Mar 26, 2023 Leave a comment

In the case of self defense, you may have to learn to acknowledge all the probabilities you can use to your advantage. Clothing, hair, jewelry, all will be used against your opponent. What some may call “dirty fighting” we call smart fighting!

Very first thing you must do could be very quickly size up your opponent. Search for vulnerable areas similar to footwear. Thankfully on account of the shortage of fashion most men have today, you’ll find a whole lot of them wearing flip flops. Flip flops leave the feet unprotected. This is a wonderful opportunity to wreck the feet by stamping down on the toes and instep of the foot together with your heal. Along with injury, naturally if you stamp down on someones foot, they instinctively grab for the foot, leaving them off balance, ideal for sweeping someone right down to the bottom.

In case your attacker is wearing a loose shirt or jacket, make the most by pulling the item over their head. This leaves them blind to where you might be. At this point you possibly can go to their rear to inflict more damage. In the event that they are wearing loose shorts or jogging pants, pull their pant down. It will cause them to succeed in right down to retrieve their pants. naturally this leaves them vulnerable and a great goal for upward knee strikes.

In the event that they are wearing a tie, this is a wonderful noose for strangling your attacker. You may also use the tie to wrap across the neck as you go to the rear and take them right down to the bottom.

Just like the tie, long hair is a wonderful control device. Grab hold of the hair and pull within the direction of your alternative. In some ways hair is best than the tie because there’s pain involved. You need to get a great hold of a whole lot of hair so you simply don’t pull the hair out of the pinnacle.

In the event that they are wearing earrings, be happy to tear them from the ears. It will cause pain and produce the attackers mind to his ears for a moment leaving you free to maneuver to a special area and cause more damage. Anytime you possibly can lead someones mind within the direction you wish, you might be in charge of the situation.

The purpose of this short article is to make you aware that there many things that will be used against someone that might be ignored by the common person. Knowing the secrets of Aikijujutsu will end the confrontation quickly and also you might be victorious!

Self Defense

Martial Arts and Self Defense Training – a Respiratory Technique For Martial Arts Training – Nogare

Amit Gaikwad Mar 25, 2023 Leave a comment

Martial arts training emphasizes proper respiratory techniques. Nogare respiratory is particular to karate but might be included in any style. As at all times, seek the advice of with a physician before starting any latest exercise regimen.

Nogare Respiratory

Stand straight up with the feet shoulder width apart, and with the arms hanging relaxed at the perimeters.
Take a deep breath in through the nose and lift the arms as much as chest level keeping the hands open.
Bring the hands alongside the chest and force air into the abdomen. Set the breath within the lower abdomen for a moment.
With the tongue relaxed behind the upper teeth, exhale slowly.
Maintain the tongue behind the upper teeth to assist to quiet the respiratory.
Repeat the exercise two more times.

Nogare can also be referred to as combat respiratory. Nogare must be used during free fighting and self-defense encounters since it is slow and quiet. Proper Nogare respiratory should show no signs of movement. This is very important because movement during respiratory could give the assailant a possibility to strike. The body is vulnerable and weaker at the purpose of inhaling.

When blocking a strike or delivering a martial arts or self-defense technique, exhale with force and kiai – or shout. Observe weight lifting training or competition or other martial arts training and you will notice that in addition they use this way of respiratory. Weight lifters shout as they exhale, pushing heavy weights. Many athletes, including baseball and football players, even tennis players grunt, groan, or shout during practice or competition. They’ve been trained to appreciate that forceful exhaling makes their effort more practical and their body stronger.

Self Defense

"Fight to Win" – Jim West’s Martial Arts-Self Defense DVD’s

Amit Gaikwad Mar 24, 2023 Leave a comment

Jim West is probably not a reputation you’re accustomed to.

He earned 6 medals in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. He spent 15 years within the “black bag” arm of the Green Beret earning him the coveted “Whiskey 9” top secret clearance that only the very best of the very best soldiers ever receive. Most significantly he trains Special Forces in hostage rescue and Justice Department agents in Hand-to-hand combat.

He can show you survive and win in the true world. Jim has actually been in over 600 bloody hand-to-hand street fights and won each one, decisively!

In ‘Fight to Win’, Jim West’s best self defense training DVD, he shows you the dirtiest nastiest and yes only street fighting moves to enable you to win-decisively!

He also shows you the option to hold your hand when striking for optimum effectiveness. Jim teaches you the right option to balance yourself so you may’t be knocked down.

The video also shows you the fundamentals of punching which can be critical in a street fight and pinpoint the #1 knockout goal in your enemy amongst the map of actual maximum effective goal areas.

“Fight to Win” shows you the signals of a street fighter who’s able to strike. Jim also uses easy tricks to beat trained karate fighters, boxers and wrestlers and teaches those to you.

This DVD is ideal for the beginner, man or woman, who desires to ramp up their game within the self defense arena. It’ll offer you the abilities it’s essential prevail if and when the time ever involves put the scumbags and perverts of their place.

So in case your skills are a bit of or completely lacking in the world of defending yourself and your loved ones that is your cup of tea. Jim’s DVD builds confidence and offers you the abilities so which you can use to “Fight to Win”