The Way to the True Path of the Martial Arts

By Al Case

I was in the army 40 years ago, stuck with drab duty and endless amounts of time in which to conjecture. I was supposed to go to another country and kill people. This was not a task I thought of as honorable.

One night I fell into a conversation with an egghead, and he asked me if I have ever read Lao Tse. I replied no and asked him what it was. He said it was...The Way.

Actually, I had come across the concept of The Way in the course of my martial arts study. I had read of the concept, talked it over with fellow students, and dealt with it in light manner. Oddly, though I had been involved in the martial arts for a couple of years, I had no idea that there was a book written expressly about The Way.

I found a copy of the book and began to peruse it. I poured over the passages, translated the ancient Chinese concepts into modern English as best I was able. I was to find that the mere reading of the book, which is actually a short, little tome, was a journey in itself.

There is no back without front, there is no low without high, translated into the most fascinating dichotomy I had ever imagined. Oddly, I found that these concepts, front and back, high and low, were extremely useful when it came to fighting. Indeed, as the years passed I was to find that the mere consideration of this dichomoty, even in the middle of chaotic freestyle, brought order and advantage of a sizable nature.

My favorite passage of the book is, Do nothing until nothing is left undone, was positively enlightening. I would exchange the whims of my life for the chance to implement this strategy. Eventually, the forms done ten thousand times, I would see the glimmer of truth, and my art would actually engage in the effortless principles that make up the True Art.

Not every time would I be able to make the concepts of The Way function, but the contest was in The Way, and this contest brought me out of the box, undid the normal way of thinking, and enabled me to actually be a seeker in action, and the whims of my youthful desire began to manifest. Age became a relaxation, and emotions became a joy, and still The Way guides me. My form manipulates to the tune of this ancient rhyme, and another world calls to me.

A perfect world, where the realization that The Way is merely the unceasing time before me has opened up before me. A world where those obsessed with such things as political intrigue and the power of the dollar fall sick by the wayside and envy me my youth and good health. A world where human beings exist, outside the range of transgressions and judgment, this is The Way that has opened up and accepted me. - 31491

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10 Facts You May Not Know About The UFC

By Josh Barnes

So here are 10 interesting facts you may not know about the UFC.

1. Original promoters of the Ultimate Fighting Championship wanted to include such sensational side shows as alligator moats and electric fences surrounding the ring. UFC Doctors of course warned against them due to the dangers the fighters could face.

2. The UFC was founded by Rorian Gracie and Arthur Davie. It was created to promote the Gracie family's martial arts school. Before the UFC the Gracie's were known for inviting fighters of any style to compete against a member of the family or one of their students to prove that Gracie jiu-jitsu reigned supreme.

3. Originally Semaphore Entertainment Group, the company that purchased the UFC, was only going to hold one UFC event. The event was so successful they immediately began to plan more tournaments. Good thing it was so successful.

4. With the exception of UFC 9, every UFC up until UFC 18 used the tournament style format. UFC 23 also used this format. Eight fighters would compete to start out the tournament. The four winners would then compete in semi-final matches. The two semi-final winners would compete for the championship belt. If a fighter could not continue at any point an alternate was brought in to take his place.

5. Early on the UFC would hold events in states without athletic commissions to avoid regulations. In the beginning there were no judges either. When judges were added eventually there were no clear parameters on how to judge the fight.

6. For the first couple UFC events, the referees had very little power. They could not even stop a fight. There only purpose was to make sure that the few rules that existed were enforced. The only rules at that time were no biting, fish hooking, eye gouging or throat strikes. Fortunately after the first few events refs were allowed to stop fights.

7. In 2000 SEG and the UFC almost went under. The face that SEG marketed the sport as brutal and bloody almost led to the UFC's demise. Luckily an amateur boxer and promoter named Dana White convinced the Fertitta brothers to buy the failing organization. The UFC has since flourished to unbelievable heights.

8. Dana White managed Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz in the early days of the UFC. He also owned three gyms in the Las Vegas area.

9. After many years of "bad blood" Dana White and Tito Ortiz were going to settle things in the ring with a 3 round boxing match on March 24, 2007. Surprise, surprise the fight never happened as Tito Ortiz was a no show at the weigh ins.

10. In 2006 the UFC generated $222,766,000 in revenue, braking the PPV industry's all time record for a single year of sales, surpassing wrestling and boxing. The largest events reached nearly 800,000 viewers.

I bet you didn't know some of those facts! - 31491

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How Kung Fu was Murdered by the PRC

By Al Case

How would you like to learn Jujitsu from Queen Elizabeth? Or maybe a good solid class in Shorin ryu Karate from William J. Clinton? No...well, how about, I've got it...Hung Gar Shaolin Kung Fu as taught by Nancy Pelosi!

You may think I am having a little fun with you, but there is a dark underbelly to all this. When the government decides to take over a business, you see, it tends to destroy, corrupt and confound that business. And I am talking any government, and any business.

Kung Fu, to name one example, been around for thousands of years, has been spreading long life, health, good physical conditioning, and some of the best darned self-defense imaginable. Then along came Chairman Mao, and Kung Fu was put to the torch. The method utilized for the destruction of the one of the greatest arts the world has ever known was called The Cultural Revolution.

Chairman Mao, during the Cultural Revolution, decided to cure society of elements that were harmful to society. Thus, people were carted off, never to return, to the tune of 70,000,000 strong. If you were quick of intellect, had any talent, or stood above in any manner, you were murdered.

If you were a school teacher, wore glasses, or had written a book, you were dead. If you spoke against communism or played the violin, you were dead. If you knew Kung Fu, you were dead.

Once the Revolution was over, the country began to remake itself in the image of Chairman Mao. Funny thing, as China tried to catch up with a world still cursed by talent and intelligence, it discovered that people would pay good money for this thing called Kung Fu. Unfortunately, Kung Fu was dead and buried.

So, what does a government do when it has murdered an entire art, and then found that it needs it? Simple, you tell a few coaches to make up some Kung Fu. So they gathered a bunch of coaches, the ones who hadn't known enough Kung Fu to be murdered during the revolution, read any manuals that survived the book burnings, and made up some Kung Fu!

And they were intent on making sure that the Kung Fu didn't have anything harmful in it. You don't want people able to actually the thing for self defense. Heck, you don't want them having a real Great Revolution! - 31491

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A Fight In Upstate New York Bar

By L.J. James

It was a quite day in a small Bar in upstate New York . The girl working behind the bar was young, she had just turned twenty one and had only been bar tending a few weeks, this was her first time working alone. Everything was going fine with only two of the regulars in the back shooting pool it was nothing she could not handle she thought to herself.

Then the front door opened and in walked ten of the biggest men she had ever seen. They talked loudly and as they walked over to the far side of the bar, She got a look at the back of their jackets. She could easily see that the markings on them where all the same. The men ordered pitchers of beer and their talking only got louder as they drank more and talked about things she did not understand. Then the men went quite as the front door opened and in walked seven more large men, at first she thought these seven men where with the first Ten as they looked and dressed similar but as she looked at the markings on the backs of these new comers Jackets she could tell while they where similar the markings where different, By the way the two groups where looking at each other she guessed the difference must mean a lot to them.

The Seven men sat up toward the front of the bar and also ordered pitchers of beer. The young girl did her best to make sure both groups where kept happy, but it was just a matter of time and Beer! When one of the men from the first group called out to her, "Hey Honey don't worry about those guys, there losers! Come over here and hang with some real men." That was all it took, the fuse was lit. "Who you calling losers pal we are good enough to beat you any day of the week!" Yelled back a guy from the second group. "You may think your as good as us but you never will be!" Yelled back a man from the first group.

Then in what was a blur to our young barmaid a fight broke out between the two groups it was loud and she could hear glass and wood breaking all around her as the men cursed and screamed at each other. This young Girl was scared and she feared for her life.

Her fear abated a little when in the distance she heard sirens. The police are coming, she thought to herself as she hid behind the bar. The police arrived in force and they stormed in arresting the men and taking them away. When things got quite and all the men where taken away the young girl looked around the small bar. So much damage she thought to herself, She looked at one of the officers and asked how did you know to come here. We got a call that these two groups where both heading to this bar and we just knew, it happens all the time with these type of guys!!!

Epilogue: The next morning when the young barmaid awoke she walked down stairs to the kitchen where her father was reading the morning paper. Does it say anything about the fight in the bar yesterday she asked her father? Yes he said as he pointed to a small article in the back of the paper "Yankees and Mets fans Brawl it out in small town bar" the story went on to explain how all the men where given tickets for disorderly conduct and released. That's it she screamed at her father these men trash the bar, scare the hell out of me, They should all be in jail and all they get is Tickets!!! Calm down sweetheart her father said as he hugged her, The way your acting one would think it had been a bunch of rowdy Bikers in the bar yesterday! Those Guys would have been locked away, But it was only Sports fans!

Story By Your Bro L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com - 31491

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Popularity of The Ultimate Fighter

By Connor Smith

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) is a reality based TV program on Spike TV based on mixed martial artists (MMA) fighters trying to win the competition and winning a six figured contract with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

The show consists of a bunch of fighters, usually 16 plus fighters living under the roof with no contact with the outside for a few months. All they do is train and fight for the contract.

As you can imagine, having all those fighters living under one rough with nothing to occupy their time with, things tend to get a little crazy in the house which makes for good viewing,. One thing this show has also been able to do is show that the fighters are not barbaric morons. These fighters tend to be well educated people whose choose this profession for the completion and the big money.

The fighters who win a contract at the end of the season receive a large sum of cash for winning plus a contract of approx guaranteed 4 fights afterward, which gives them the potential to make a lot of money. If they win these fights they tend to continue fighting for the UFC making a very good living.

The tenth season of the Ultimate Fighter (TUF) has just finished and the popularity of the show just keeps increasing in popularity. The UFC Ultimate Fighter looks as though it has no bounds, being that the latest season of the show has blown all previous ratings records clean out of the water.

As if the debut episode of the latest season of the show breaking all previous records and pulling in 4.1million viewers wasn't enough, yesterday's episode averaged 5.3 million viewers, peaking at a staggering 6.1million during the actual fight between Kimbo Slice and Roy Nelson.

When UFC president Dana White said that the fight between Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson and Roy "Big Country" Nelson was the biggest fight in TUF history, he wasn't kidding. Only time will tell whether the show can go continue to grow and better itself once more.

The Ultimate Fighter show has been a backbone of the UFC's huge success over the last few years. The UFC in general is just getting bigger by the day with the organization just booked there first show in Australia in 2011. - 31491

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The Beginnings of Aikido

By Rhys Jones

The name 'Aikido' is created by the permutation of three characters in the Japanese language. 'Ai', which means 'joining'; 'ki', which means 'spirit' and 'do', which signifies 'way'. These three characters really sum up the essence of Aikido as a type of martial art: 'the joining of the spirit to find the way'. It was only in the period from 1930's to the 1940's that the name Aikido was formally accepted as the name of this martial art variety.

Aikido employs ways that do not gravely injure or kill not like other forms of martial art. The techniques and skills being taught are solely intended to divert attention or immobilize people. This is perhaps the explanation why most people would rather Aikido, because of its focus on peace and tranquility as opposed to aggression and hostility. In deed, Aikido developer, Morihei Ueshiba, believes that to control hostility without causing any injury is the art of peace.

Ueshiba, who is also called Osensei, which signifies 'Great Teacher', developed Aikido from the principles of Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. He integrated the ways of the 'yari', the spear; the 'juken', the bayonet; and the 'jo', which is a short quarterstaff. But what finally distinguishes Aikido from other kinds of martial art is the fact that its practitioners can strike while empty-handed. Proponents need no weaponry for their protection.

As a small child, he was much into physical fitness and conditioning. This was because of his oath to avenge his father's enemies. In due course, his studies and actions led him to the discipline of the various martial arts. He studied a few of them. He even has certificates for fencing, fighting with spears, etc. He has studied it all. This is perhaps the reason why Aikido is such a disparate and multi-disciplinary form of martial art.

Yet despite his skill, he remained discontented. He sensed that there was still something lacking. It was then that he turned to the religions. He studied under a religious guide, Onisaburo Deguchi of the sect named Omoto-kyo in Ayabe. Deguchi taught him to take care of his psychic growth. He then pooled his spiritual beliefs and his mastery of the various martial arts and Aikido was born.

His relationship with this charismatic spiritual leader Deguchi also smoothed the path for his introduction to the elite political and military personnel as a martial artist. Because of this relationship, he was able to found Aikido and even pass on his teachings to students, who have, in turn, created their own methods and movement in Aikido.

Aikido is a blend of the diverse styles of jujitsu as well as some of the ways of sword and spear fighting, of which Ueshiba was an expert. To obtain an overall idea, Aikido combines the joint locks and throws of jujitsu and the movements of the body necessary when fighting with swords and spears.

Oriental in origin, it was brought to the West by Minoru Mochizuki when he visited France in 1951. He introduced the Aikido techniques to students who were studying judo. In 1952, Tadashi Abe came to France as the official Aikikai Honbu spokesperson. Then in 1953, Kenji Tomiki toured throughout the United States while Koichi Tohei stayed in Hawaii for a full year where he set up a dojo. Aikido then spread its influence in the United Kingdom two years after and in 1965, it reached Germany and Australia. At present, Aikido has centres all over the world. - 31491

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The Tai Chi Chuan Instructor that Never had a Lesson in Tai Chi!

By Al Case

This is going to be, for some, an upsetting article on tai chi chuan. I've never taken instruction in the art of Tai Chi Chuan, you see, but my tai chi is the best. I don't mean to be self serving, but let us see if you can find fault with me after you have read how I came up with my tai chi.

I began learning tai chi with a book, Modified Tai Chi for Health by Lee Ying Arng. Every night I spent hours memorizing the form, trying to figure out the applications, trying to figure out the meaning. And, tell the truth, it didn't mean much.

So I found books by Chen Man Ching, and I went over the tai chi of Chen and Yang and Wu and Sun, but they all spoke this gobbledegook that didn't make sense. Then, a stroke smarts and frustration, I began doing my Karate, I had near ten years experience in Kang Duk Won karate, and this tai chi thing started to resolve. I was using good, old karate power to feed the form, and it worked, and then I was able to translate karate power into Tai Chi power.

More important, I was neglecting all the bushwah philosophy and mysticism in the books and using physics. The martial arts, you see, are taught through the memorization of random strings of data. In physics you look for a reason, and a logic, and you define a concept.

Now, legends say tai chi was created in a dream by san feng after he watched a crane and a snake fight. Or, it was started by a general in Chen village, who was tired from war and wanted to make up routines for the children. Neither of these concepts have much verifiable validity, but, there is something there.

Maybe the general in Chen village couldn't do the martial arts the way they should be done, and maybe he actually came up with something unique. And the vision of the snake and the crane, though I am a true believer in physics I would not speak ill of visions, for visions are the dreams and inspiration of the human race. Still, whether rehabilitation of the broken warrior, or the stuff of dreams, tai chi does not make sense without the application of physics.

So this is what I want you to do, I want you to go to a library and get a book on physics. Make it a simple book, kids pictures for illustrations, that sort of thing. It would really help if it was about a motor.

Now, peruse that book, and start comparing terms are the same as in tai chi chuan. Rooting is grounding, where is the generator, what are these things called leads and so on. Do that, and when the depths of your tai chi chuan start to alter, do not come complaining to me. - 31491

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How Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Gained Its Fame

By Curtis Adams

Brazilian jiu jitsu schools can trace their roots to the early 1920s when the Gracie family began to learn jiu jitsu from a master visiting from Japan. Gracie Jiu-jitsu developed from the teaching Helio Gracie and his brothers received into a discipline that would allow a smaller fighter to best a bigger and stronger one. Helio continued to adapt the martial art techniques so that they became even more efficient and soon he was earning the respect of those around him.

As he became more proficient, Helio launched the early stages of Gracie Jiu-jitsu in a series of high profile competitions. In spite of not necessarily claiming victory in these bouts, Helio won acclamation for lasting considerably longer than anybody thought he would have the ability to against more powerful and more qualified foes. In 1951 he fought Masahiko Kimura, then seen as the best jiu jitsu fighter in the world. Kimura claimed that if the bout lasted longer than three minutes, then Helio would be proclaimed the champion; Helio lasted for thirteen. In 1955, the longest match in the world took place when Helio fought off a fighter twenty years younger than him and forty pounds heavier for three hours and forty minutes.

When Rorion Gracie, Helio's son, left Brazil to bring Gracie Jiu-jitsu to the United States, he intended to continue his father's legacy. The Gracies intended to create jiu-jitsu institutes to share the martial art methods that they had adapted after decades of intense study with the rest of the population, and America was the ideal place to do so. Despite the fact that Rorion initially struggled in setting up his Brazilian Jiu jitsu academy, he gained increasingly larger numbers of students mainly by issuing the Gracie challenge. This was a call to any combatant of any branch to meet him in hand-to-hand combat in order to see whose branch was more powerful.

World-wide recognition would come in the 90s. Gracie Jiu-jitsu was represented by Royce Gracie at a soon to be famous mixed martial arts tournament called the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Defeating opponents much larger and stronger than he was, Gracie made it to the top spot by forcing the other fighters to tap out after he used various submission techniques to subdue them. If this was not enough, he did it two more times, winning not only the championships but the hearts of those involved in the martial arts world.

As a result of these steps over the years, of hard work and a willingness to commit entirely to the martial art, Gracie Jiu-jitsu has earned the spot as the most famous and one of the most respected disciplines in the world. Who knew that when Mitsuyo Maeda came to Brazil to share his master's teachings in 1914 that he would be setting off a chain of events that would lead to jiu jitsu gracing the top of the martial arts world less than one hundred years later? - 31491

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Fearing for your safety? Take Personal Security Training Courses

By Kodie Eason

Education is one of the best tools to defend yourself from anyone wishing to do you harm. Attending a personal security training course can give you valuable skills to protect yourself without having to spend months learning difficult techniques.

The chances of you ever being attacked, robbed or kidnapped are not great but they do, in fact, exist and it is worth being prepared. Most people can sense the types of places and situations to avoid but sometimes these sorts of places and situations are truly unavoidable. You want to be prepared for times like these.

Potential attackers take time to choose their targets. Often within seconds they will determine if you will be their next victim or not. Something as simple as the way in which you walk to your car can help deter or invite a potential attacker.

Personal security training courses are offered in many communities around the country and it is a great idea to sign up for a class! These classes will teach you how to handle potentially threatening situations. They will teach you the importance of confidence in deterring criminals and you will learn techniques to help you avoid confrontation and/or get out of it quickly.

Quite often, personal security training instructors have law enforcement backgrounds or have had some prior experience with assault. They are usually quite passionate about sharing their knowledge with others. Classes may meet once or twice a week for several weeks and you will practice tactics and be taught valuable skills that you will be able to call upon, if needed.

Some personal security training can help you lead a safer, more confident and secure life. The knowledge that you gain will give you greater confidence in your everyday activities and help alleviate fear of unknown situations. You will thus become a much more difficult target for criminals.

Don't appear to be vulnerable! Get some pepper spray or an alarm and sign up for personal security training today so you will be ready for whatever the future may hold. - 31491

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MMA Workouts

By Leonard Kathryn

When learning about what you want to become involved with MMA, you need to grasp exactly what it is. MMA is an acronym for Mixed martial-arts. You'll find that there are several resources on the internet that can provide you with information about this kind of fighting. In this type of fighting, the wrestlers can use many different types of fighting moves. It is a combination of several different fighting styles including karate skills, fighting, and wrestling. A long time ago, this fighting didn't have many rules the fighters had to comply with.

It was fundamentally just fighting in any form until a winner was determined. However, in order to make the sport accepted by plenty more folk, rules came into play as well as better MMA training. This training is used in order to make sure wrestlers are in the right physical condition. It also helps to increase the safety of the competitors. You'll find that due to this coaching, this sport h increased in appreciation. You can view many matches on television as well as many pay-per-view events that are on wire and satellite T. V.

The MMA training has increased significantly for many competitors but there are lots of different ways you will find to coach. You may use the internet as a great resource in order to find out all of the ways that are being used. There are competitors that base their coaching on their nutrition and physical well-being while others base theirs on the strength that they have. All of the training that you'll find has different moves that have to be mastered to be a top rival. There are submission holds and many various moves a rival has to learn.

Some of these moves that a rival will learn in their MMA training include the arm bar and the bicep slicer. Circuit training is a truly well liked sort of training that is being used today. This type of training permits the rival to work on their cardio and their strength all at the same time. You may also use this kind of training to shed some weight as it will help you to drop a serious quantity of calories. This training involves completing a number of exercises inside one training session without any breaks between exercises. This is what creates the circuit.

You may find on the web, that there are many websites you may visit for MMA training courses. Which one you make a decision to do for your training will all rely on the type of competitor you need to be. Most of these training programs will come with a fee so you want to make sure that you choose the best one for you and your coaching wishes. You should definitely review all the prevailing matches that are posted on the internet to see precisely the way in which the fighting is done. You may use these videos to get tricks to win over your contestant and come out being the victorious one. - 31491

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Fearing for your safety? Take Personal Security Training Courses

By Kodie Eason

There is no better way to protect yourself than by educating yourself in self-defense. It doesn't have to involve learning advanced techniques or require months out of your life either. But a little personal security training will go a long way in helping to ensure your own safety.

You want to be prepared for a potential robbing, mugging or attack - no matter how slim the chances may be. And while most people can sense what sorts of situations and places to avoid, sometimes it is not possible to avoid a threatening situation. In times like these, you want to be prepared!

Potential attackers take time to choose their targets. Often within seconds they will determine if you will be their next victim or not. Something as simple as the way in which you walk to your car can help deter or invite a potential attacker.

Taking a course on personal security training is a fantastic idea! These classes will teach you to make smart decisions should you find yourself in a less than desirable situation. In addition to learning tactics that can help you avoid confrontation, you will also learn how to get out of it once you are involved and you will learn the important role that confidence plays in keeping you safe.

Generally, the people who teach these classes have a background in law enforcement or they may have had some prior personal experience with being assaulted. Either way, they are usually extremely motivated to share their knowledge and teach others how to protect themselves. Classes may meet once or twice a week for a short period of time and you will acquire hands-on skills and practice them so that you are prepared for a real-world situation.

A little personal security training can help you lead a safer, more confident life. By educating yourself, you can take some of the fear out of your everyday activities and be secure in the knowledge that you know how to protect yourself. This alone will make you a much more difficult target for an attacker.

Don't let yourself be a victim! Invest in a personal alarm or some pepper spray and, most importantly, enroll in a personal security training course because you never know when a threatening situation may arise. - 31491

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Dangerous World, Budding Options

By Jeff Kamar

We live in a feral and dangerous world. Kids are no longer armed with the slingshot from Grandpas attic, but now wield knives and guns. Gangs are in full form, completely disregarding all law, and in fact get off on spitting in the face of innocence and justice. Desperate men are getting more desperate by the day, and civilian options are getting sparse in the way of self-defense in these times. Whether you are a socially important man, working for the goals of society, or an everyman just trying to get through day to day living, we are all concerned for our own well being and the truth is we have few ways to feel safe.

Unfortunately we would look undoubtedly foolish, not to mention extremely suspicious if we walked about town geared to the teeth in a full set of body armor. In fact, one would doubt that it would be allowed, really. Thankfully, we do have an option or two in this regard. There are companies that use technology not to craft weapons, but craft armors. Things to protect ourselves with and keep ourselves safe from our ferocious brethren. There are companies offering bulletproof safety in the form of day-to-day wear.

There is now a way to get around in your day to day wear, not raising suspicion with either the law, or with delinquents, yet still completely protected. Bulletproof garments have reached a pinnacle in their technology, providing stylish garments that can stop gunfire, shrapnel, and even armor piercing ammunition! Yeah, the stuff that goes through standard kevlar. Your jacket could stop it, if it were bulletproof! Want to stay conceivably safe, yet wear the clothing you already have? Get one of their fine vests, easily compatible with any wardrobe!

The clothing is custom tailored to your form, avoiding any uncomfortable bagginess or "too-tight" portions. Armor plates are completely removable, allowing you to upgrade, or do without the protection when not needed. There are a multitude of armor-plating levels, fitted to you level of need. They go from guarding against knives and other sharp weapons, to basic gunfire protection, all the way to armor penetrating rounds! Talk about hardcore defense!

You could assume that this type of technology would be extremely expensive, however, this uses pre-existing technology that and is rather affordable even to the average citizen.Take the first step in becoming a safer and more confident individual by taking the time to look into this quickly growing phenomenon! - 31491

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Armored Argument

By James Ramsey

Through the rigors of a higher dedication, Craftsmen labored strenuously over the heat of a forge creating things to expedite the dreams of courageous men. Helping them grasp their goals, and protect their freedoms, yet, unfortunately, the limelight only goes to those craftsmen that chose to walk the path of weaponry. Necessary as they are yes, but we lose sight of those who deserve an equal admiration. Those that poured their life and soul into the creation of armor, and tools of protection.

What caused this fall from the light of honor and recognition? Who decided that tools to kill deserved a higher level of honor and praise? One could say whit the addition of firearms to the repertoire of warriors, armor became useless, yet again did Kevlar and Bulletproof gear not rise to the challenge? And again, even in this age of electricity and high powered guns, consumers still collect and even use the "Last World" weaponry, buying forged swords and axes in abundance. Why not armor as well? They were a source of great honor for a warrior of the older ages, displaying a family crest, or the signet of a liege, denoting the knight's allegiance and right, often sporting very fine decoration, filigree and other handsome features.

I feel that this craft deserves to rise yet again, feel the honor it once did. An appreciation should again be felt for hand crafted armors, created with care and skill. A fighter is incomplete without his full apparel. How can once face a sword without the mail to stop a killing blow, or defend against treacherous hammering strikes without a proper helm to guard himself?

Even the collectors of today have trained their eye onto weaponry, forsaking armor. Unfortunately this leaves their collections lacking, for no collection can shine fully without a full set. Collecting weapons only can be said to be akin to buying a car without the engine, or a horse with no legs. The collector is missing out on the full picture, only taking care to notice the more media-fueled portions of the craft they pay homage to.

I would encourage any who count themselves among those who fight, whether it be in the ways of the old, or the ways of the new, to be the proud owner of his own armor. Take pride in it; allow it to house his soul just as he does so with his weapon. Even the collector should take care to flesh out his collection, painting the full picture of the art of war and not just a half vision. - 31491

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UFC To Get A New Investor

By Connor Smith

Current WWE executive, and Vice President Shane McMahon, who will leave the company at the beginning of January, is looking into the possibility of buying a financial interest within the UFC, and has cashed out $50 of his $80 million dollars in WWE stock to do so.

UFC President Dana White has always said that he would be willing to let someone take a 'piece of the pie' in his billion dollar empire, and while it may seem unorthodox, Shane McMahon would be the perfect partner. It is reported that Shane and the UFC President have already had meetings, and Shane was also present in the crowd at UFC 91.

It is well documented that UFC are now overtaking the WWE in PPV sales, but whereas WWE has had a 10 year head start on the UFC, Shane believes it will never reach the heights that it did in the early 1990's, and the UFC's merchandise sales are still suffering. This is where McMahon comes in.

He is well known for securing large international business deals, something the UFC has been trying to do for two years, and during the UFC Fight Club last week in Vegas, Dana White declined to discuss anything that was said in the meeting with McMahon, just citing him as "a good friend" and "you never know."

I know what you are thinking "this sounds a bit weird with the WWE Shane McMahon buying into the UFC" but all in all this could be an excellent peace of business for the UFC. Shane McMachon has a wealth of business knowledge that can only enhance the UFC image worldwide. The only downside is when people think of Shane McMahon they think of the WWE which can't be good for the UFC. As we all know WWE is completely unreal a bit like a pantomime with good and bad guys. The UFC however is the complete opposite! Will this have a negative effect on the UFC? I personally don't think so! However if that thought comes to me then I'm sure it will come to other people.

Either way, without Shane McMahon the UFC will continue to grow its numbers worldwide! - 31491

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Kicking, the Secret of a very Lost Art!

By Al Case

I don't care if people don't like what I'm going to say, I'm going to say it, the kicking I see on the UFC and MMA type of thing is not really kicking. Truth, it is leg swinging, without focus, and it does not get the job done. the purpose of this writing is to tell you why it doesn't work, and what to do about it.

I had a friend, name of Ted, way back in the late sixties. He was a tall, skinny, hippie looking fellow, who happened to have the most phenomenal kicking ability. One day he was driving, and a fellow cut in front of him, and Ted hit the horn.

The fellow stopped his car and walked back towards Ted, who got out of his car and backed away. The fellow was a monster, easily three hundred pounds, and he dwarfed Ted, and he said some unpleasant things. Ted held up his hands palm out, and said he didn't want to fight.

The fellow swung a punch, and Ted rocked back and planted a beautiful roudhouse kick in the center of the monsters chest. The fellow sat down on the pavement, groaned, then stood up and rushed Ted again. Ted tried to back away, he held up his palms again, and told the fellow he didn't want to fight.

The fellow swing, and that was when Ted did it. Ted sunk his weight, put his hips into the kick, and delivered the ball of his foot to the attackers chin. Bang and a ten count, and Ted got in his car and drove away.

So, sinking your weight and throwing the hips are important, even crucial, and some fellows do it and some fellows don't, but the ball of the foot, that was the key. Look, when the UFC gladiator bashes, he swings his leg like he is swinging a baseball bat, and there is not enough weight behind it. When you swing the foot and use the ball of the foot, the energy goes back along the leg and into the hips, and even into the ground and there is body and weight behind the kick.

Yes, instep kicks are okay, but they spread the strike out over the ankle. The ball of the foot kick concentrates the mass into a smaller striking area. If you want to put a nice, precise hole in a plank of wood, are you going to bash it with a baseball bat, or use a balpeen hammer?

Kicking is an art, as is punching, and the UFC and MMA type of fighters are really doing boxing, not pure martial arts. To understand pure martial arts, one has to study pure physics, and then the answers will come, and then the art will be seen again. Art, not sport, and not in the ring, but in ones life, that is the answer and the solution and the way. - 31491

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Gichin Funakoshi and the True History of Karate!

By Al Case

It is commonly held that Gichin Funakoshi brought karate to the modern world. Well, he could be considered to have done so, except that something happened a century ago, that presents a different version of karate history. We've got to give Funakoshi credit for what he did, but was his karate the true art?

I know what I write here is not going to be the most popular article I ever wrote, there will be a few people who are going to want to take me to task. However, the history that I am about to tell you really happened, it is the truth. That said, please know that I do respect Gichin Funakoshi and what he did for Karate.

In turn of the century, last century, Japan, people, same as people all over, loved the human cockfight. It wasn't uncommon for people to gather to watch gladiatorial contests between different arts and artists. Certain of these gladiators even offered open challenges to the audience, step up if you think you can beat me.

One night a Russian strongman threw down the gauntlet to the Japanese audience. One can imagine the outraged audience, and the surprise when a frumpy, old Okinawan stepped up to the ring and prepared to fight. The year was'21, and Karate was about to become famous.

Motobu Chōki was in his fifties when he climbed through the ropes. He had studied Karate with all the masters on Okinawa, and he had, when he was young and impetuous, perfected his art in the violent red light districts of his island home. This history, and a daily regimen of mercilessly bashing the makiwara, served him in good stead.

One punch later, a punch almost too fast to be seen, Motobu climbed out of the ring, the Russian strongman lay sprawled and snoozing the fist snooze. Reporters went wild, wrote their stories, and submitted them to the editors. Editors went wild, and, since they didn't have any photos of Motobu, but they did have a picture of a guy doing karate, they popped in the wrong picture.

Gichin Funakoshi, a nondescript teacher from Okinawa, was held up as the guy who did the violent knock out performed by Motobu Choki. And Motobu, though he did teach karate and was responsible for spreading the art, because the media did such a bang up job of investigating, received virtually no credit. And Funakoshi is became famous and shared Karate with the world, yet, it wouldn't have happened if Motobu hadn't had the one punch one kill ability.

Now, who has the real karate, a school teacher who shmoozed with the Japanese because of the wrong picture and good communication skills, or a rough cob who got the job done. No, Funakoshi's karate is not bad, and generations of karateka have worked to improve it. However, there is still that one blot, a hundred years ago, provided by a man with a slobber knocker punch, which offers the concept of who had the True Art. - 31491

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Becoming a Kung Fu Master through the Secret of Light Kung Fu!

By Al Case

One of the neatest things in all of TV history was when David Carradine in the old Kung Fu TV series walked on the rice paper. Rice paper is extremely thin, and the bare moisture on the bottom of the foot, along with the weight of a persons body, is enough to tear the stuff. The legend of the matter, of course, is that there is this thing called Light Kung Fu, where one could actually make the body lighter, maybe even levitate it.

Now, myself and all the budding kung fu students in the neighborhood would watch David Carradine, Kwai Chang Caine as he was known on the tube, and wish we had a kung fu master to teach us how to do the light kung fu walk on rice paper. Why, there was no end to the power we would have if we only knew this thing called Light Kung Fu! The neighborhood bullies would shiver in their knickers if we had that awesome power!

So, a little thought about what Kawi Chang Caine was doing on the TV show, a little yankee ingenuity, and we came up with a plan. Rolll a roll of toilet paper out on a linoleum surface. Now, with an eyedropper, put a small drop of water exactly in the middle of each square of toilet tissue. Now, meditate and summon the chi, it was time to walk the walk.

Rice paper is like wet toilet paper, you see. So we walked, and...the thin stuff was ripped apart. Hmmm.

Try it again, placing the foot and not turning it at all. Squoosh, squoosh! Darn stuff just tore apart.

So we tried putting a long row of chairs next to the unrolled toilet tissue, and tried supporting ourselves with our arms as we walked the walk. Squish, rip, and darn! This rice paper stuff was tougher than we thought.

Now, in the end, we never did manage to walk the light kung fu walk, and not tear the filmy tissue into shreds. And, to be truthful, I don't think it is possible to do, toilet paper is supposed to dissolve in water, and rice paper, well, who knows what the heck rice paper is for, or even looks like. But something amazing happened because of our interest in being able to do what the old masters did, even if they were only actors on the tube.

In trying to walk on rice paper we ended up working out long hours. While waiting for the floor to dry we practicing kicking and blocking, we did our forms again and again and again. In the end, though we never did manage to walk the light kung fu walk, we became masters by another means, through dedication and long hard work and by being inspired by our dreams! - 31491

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Karate - The Most Renowned Form Of Martial Arts

By Paul Campbell

Karate is one of the most renowned and popular form of martial arts. It originated from Japan and has spread all over the world. Karate classes are conducted in what is called a "Dojo," which is a Japanese term for training area. But karate can be practiced anywhere. Karate means "empty handed" which means using the body as a weapon.

Some benefits of Karate include: Greater confidence. Imparts power and endurance. Imparts discipline. The stances in Karate give greater balance. Teaches the virtue of patience and perseverance.

If you are a Karate aspirant residing in Briery Hill, then you can find many Karate classes in Briery Hill dedicated to different Karate styles. The study of discipline of Karate can discourage its students in many ways, if it is not learnt with the right attitude. To learn Karate in Briery Hill, first find a good Karate school and then enquire about the Karate styles taught at those karate classes at Briery Hill.

Taking Karate classes at Briery hill will be most beneficial when a 'can do' attitude is developed. Adopting a positive attitude towards learning and practicing Karate is very helpful. Everyone who starts to learn Karate, face their own share of disappointments in the initial stages. But eventually the one who carries on with determination is the winner.

Establish your goals for taking Karate classes. Different people learn Karate for different reasons: Do you want to learn Karate as a sport? Do you want to learn Karate as a hobby? Do you want to take Karate classes to learn self defense? Do you want to take Karate classes for Physical fitness or exercise?

Different karate classes at Briery hill have different customs and traditions. Some classes prefer traditional method where bowing to the opponent is required at first while others do not; some classes require addressing the instructor as 'Sansei' while others do not. Inquire about the requirements and such traditions right in the beginning of the Karate classes. Display respect and gratitude towards your instructor and fellow team members by every means possible.

Most of the Karate classes at Briery hills are about an hour in length and begin with some warm up exercises. First few Karate classes at Briery Hills teach rudimentary techniques of Karate which may include basic punches and blocking moves. The key to mastering the art of Karate is strict discipline. Continue going to the class at least three days in the beginning. You may suffer from fatigue and sore muscles after first few Karate classes. Continue going to the classes till you get a good hang of the moves and techniques so that you can practice them on your own.

As they say, practice makes a man perfect. Keep practicing the moves and techniques as much as possible in order to attain perfection in your Karate skills. - 31491

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91% of What You Learn From Karate Dojos Will Get You Hurt Badly During A Real Fight

By Vincent Grammar

91% Of What You've studied From Your Local community Dojos, Or Strip Mall Dojos, Will Get You Murdered In A Real Street Brawl.

Greetings, I am Vincent Grammar, an ex- . I looked big and strong, but mentally I lacked the confidence and tough guy mindset. What I've mentioned above is the absolute truth. All the fighting styles and techniques you have learned from these so call martial arts dojos are merely gym class from high school. You the regular exercise for increasing your health and their goal is to make profits from you. Most of them never really teach you self-defense during a REAL fight with full power and speed. State regulations prohibit instructors to physically harm students. How will you ever to know what it feels like to fight for REAL? Now I'm not saying every one of these schools are bad. Many places are real tough fighting schools, however I can't be telling you which ones are the real deal since I don't know your local area.

A lot of the things you've learned from your schools speak about making above all else and avoiding all brawls and confrontations because these only causes more problems. Teachers tell you the "Violence is not the answer... " speech before even maybe teach you to fight. That was my mindset before I learn the truth in fighting.

I recall from my first violent brawl at the bar years ago... it earn me a ride straight to the hospital. I didn't even last a full half a minute during the fight. My girlfriend and friends witnessed me getting hammered to the ground by a much smaller Asian dude. That was definitely the most pathetic moment in my life. Thinking about peace was the last thing in my head, while laying in my hospital bed. I had to train harder to become a better fighter to better protect myself and my friends against violent encounters.

I must warn you that, If you never want to experience or see any bloody activities. Please don't go to any social places that serve alcohol. Sooner or later you will encounter messy violent activities and you may be a victim if you are not prepare.

With the correct kind of fighting mindset, you exert ultimate confidence during any situation and will never fear another fight again. Dominate your attacker in the ring or in the streets, no matter how big, strong, or highly skilled they are. - 31491

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Be Prepared to Work!

By Curtis Adams

If you decide to get involved in Brazilian jiu jitsu training, you will not be alone. There are a large number of Brazilian jiu-jitsu academies that have opened across North America in order to supply the demand for training in this discipline. Mixed martial arts tournaments have been the perfect platform for showing how Brazilian jiu jitsu can often defeat fighters of different disciplines. Here is what you can expect in a basic class.

Brazilian jiu jitsu training, like advanced training and most types of structured physical activities, will virtually always start with some kind of a warm-up. If you are new to jiu jitsu, then the trainer will probably focus on a easier warm-up session. A lighter session will normally involve some fundamental exercises such as situps and pushups, and maybe laps around the gymnasium. Stretching also happens after your body has warmed up a bit. A more intense warm-up would be longer and really created to break a sweat and help you with conditioning for endurance.

After the warm-up, the next part of Brazilian jiu jitsu training commonly concentrates on methods. Specific moves will be chosen by the teacher and broken into sections so that students can perfect each stage. Mistakes are ironed out at this stage, and the instructor will endeavor to spend time with each student to make sure things are being done correctly. More experienced students are often paired with novice ones, so that the former can assist the latter. This is especially important in bigger classes where the instructor can't offer everybody individual training at the same time.

At the end of the lesson, there is usually time set aside for the application of Brazilian jiu jitsu training that was earlier taught, through one-on-one matches. Students are paired up and within a time limit are given the chance to try out the martial art techniques they were shown earlier in class, or in previous lessons. This sparring is a good way for students to see just how useful the techniques they are learning can be, and how to more quickly execute moves when up against an unyielding opponent.

Brazilian jiu jitsu training is not for the casual participant due to the amount of work involved and the high expectations that instructors tend to set. But if you are dedicated and make the most out of each session by warming up properly, concentrating on mastering the techniques taught, and making the most out of sparring sessions, then you will have a positive experience. This is personal training at its highest and you will find yourself with greater physical and mental strength as a result. - 31491

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Karate Masters, What They Did, and How You Can Become One!

By Al Case

Whap, bam and yippee! We eye the big screen, and we see kung fu flips all over the place in the Matrix movies and we watch pai mai sword standing and grown up girls eye gouging in Kill Bill and we know we have seen the real masters! Smell the coffee, dude, that's a a bunch of actors, and what the real masters have done would put those cinema heroes to shame.

Gichin Funakoshi is considered to be one of the more important karate masters. He taught karate to Japan, and then to the whole world. If that isn't considered feat enough to be considered a master, why don't you go stand on a rooftop during a hurricane and hold a 3 by 6 sheet of plywood?

That's right, to make his stance totally immovable in every way, he battled the very elements, and word has it he never sailed off to Oz. And, if you want one of the older masters, try Sokon Matsumuri, an Imperial bodyguard of old Okinawa, who made a bull run away just by giving the bull a serious stare. The trick was that he went out to the bullpen during the dark hours and jabbed a pin smack in the middle of that old bulls nose!

Of course you may think intelligence is cheating, and that to figure out how to beat a bull without bashing him is not much of a deal. So try something simple, try grabbing the beams of a ceiling, not hooking the fingers over the beams, but just grabbing them with your gnarly, old fingers, and hand walking across the ceiling. This is something that the karateka in old Okinawa were doing just for kicks and grins!

My favorite old karate master is Mas Oyama. Mas had this little trick of chopping the horns off bulls, and he ended up killing three of the poor brutes. Now, that was a while ago, and we certainly don't want to talk about killing poor animals, but the muscle, the intelligence, the brute strength, and the sheer artism required to kill a bull with your bare hands! I wouldn't try it if I were you.

Okay, you've heard enough of the tales, so let me give you a simple trick to do, and you can start being your own legend making master of Karate. Learn a karate form, something like Bassai would be great, but you might want to start off with a simpler form like Pinan One. Now, take the garden hose and run it for an hour on that bare patch of earth in the backyard.

Now, the ground is soft and gooey, yucky and messy. So it is time to do that karate form, heh heh. Whap, bam and kazowie!

Your feet go over your butt and your face plants in the mud. Up on your feet you lazy good for nothing! Did you think the Karate masters of the legends would whine just because they got a little mud on their face? - 31491

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Karate Can Be A Great Hobby To Get Fit

By Paul Campbell

Karate as a sport and hobby is fast picking up popularity amongst Stourbridge residents. There are several renowned Karate clubs which conduct Karate classes in Stourbridge. Most of the Karate classes in Stourbridge offer karate lessons to both, hobby karate enthusiasts and competitive Karate enthusiasts. Hobby Karate lessons focus on building strength and endurance while the competitive karate lesson also focus on pattern of moves and kicking and punching techniques. Some of the students of Karate classes in Stourbridge have even represented F.E.K.O (Federation England Karate Organization).

Some of the Salient features of Karate classes at Stourbridge are: The Karate classes at Stourbridge are conducted by certified instructors. The instructors are fully insured. The instructors are CRB (Criminal record bureau) cleared to work with children. Some of the Karate classes at Stourbridge also have certified physical trainers. These trainers guide the students to healthy diet and weight management practices to enhance their performance in the discipline of Karate.

Karate classes at Stourbridge focus on the holistic development of mind and body. The Karate classes not only comprise of lesson that teach the art of Karate to students but also train the students in social and leadership aspects. They teach the students the virtue of non violence and respect for others.

There is no age bar for taking the karate classes at Stourbridge. Children from young age of four to adults of any age can enroll. Most of the Karate Classes at Stourbridge take special care of safety of young children. The Karate classes at Stourbridge also conduct lessons for children and adults with special needs.

With the training from Karate classes at Stourbridge you will be able to excel in any Karate style of your choice. But to master the art of Karate one has to be disciplined.

Mentioned below are some tips that would help you get the best out of your karate classes:

To maintain the momentum from the Karate classes at Stourbridge, its important that you attend them regularly. Tiredness and fatigue from your daily routine or previous karate classes may lure you to make excuses, but do not be tempted into missing your karate classes.

While taking your Karate classes keep your mind free from any kind of stress or disturbing thoughts. These distracters do not let you to focus on the lessons and can even affect your performance. Push out all your worries out of your mind when entering the Karate classes

Be social and friendly. Talk to your colleagues and instructors in a friendly manner. Try to be a team player. Ask for feedback on your performance from your instructor and colleagues. Constructive feedback from your them can help you know your weakness and make it easy for you to improve your Karate skills. Every student is different. Do not compare yourself with others in the Karate class. There will always be students who are faster and better than you but your goal should be to perform better than yourself every time. Last but not the least, keep practicing. Keep practicing the moves taught in every Karate class. The key to mastering any karate style is practice.

Seriously pursuing the Karate whether as a hobby or as a combat style can help discover a new you. - 31491

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How To Start Learning Karate

By Paul Campbell

Popularity of Karate is growing as a hobby and sport. Teenagers to adults have realized the tremendous potential that Karate carries to improve the physical and mental well being. If you are a resident of Briery Hill who either wants to join a Karate club or want to enroll your kid into a karate club then here are some tips that would help you to find the right Karate club at Briery Hill:

When looking for a Karate club in Briery hill, check out if the club is affiliated to any major organization such as JKA, KUGB, KARATE ENGLAND, ITKF or any other major group. This ensures the consistency in method of teaching and advancement to higher levels.

Check out the credentials of the instructors of the Karate club at Briery Hill that you plan to join. The Dan grade that the instructor holds is very important in determining the quality of training you would receive.

In case of accidents, to secure yourself from any liability make sure that the instructor has the Public liability Insurance/Indemnity insurance.

During karate practices students at times may get hurt The Karate club at Briery Hill that you choose must have a personnel present all the time during the classes who is trained in delivering First Aid or the instructor must hold a fist aid certificate.

All the personnel at the Karate club at Briery Hill should be CRB (Criminal record Bureau) cleared. This is especially important if you are sending your children to such clubs. The Karate club should have emergency procedures such as fire exist to combat any untoward accident.

Choosing a Karate club at Briery hill is not only about infrastructure but also whether the Karate Club at Briery hill is in line with your expectations. Here are some pointers that can help you in choosing the right Karate Club at Briery hill whose Karate style and emphasis matches your expectations and Karate goals.

Observe the training session at the Karate club at least once or twice to get a feel about the way classes are run, how instructors interact with the students? What is the overall ambience of the Karate club training session and whether you or your kid would be comfortable training there?

Introspect to know what is it that you want from karate? Do you want to pursue Karate as a hobby or as a serious sport? Whether your karate learning goal is to exercise or learning combat style karate? Answers to these questions will help you to choose the right Karate club which can serve your expectations the best.

Instructors play a very important role in determining your overall learning experience at the Karate club. Interact with your instructor, talk to him/her about your expectations and whether the instructors Karate style fits into it or not?

Last but not the least; do not pay the membership in the first instance. Take some time, avail some free lessons if the karate club at Briery hill offers one and then put any money on the table. At the same time do not compromise on quality for money. - 31491

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Do You Live In Stourbridge And Are Looking To Start Karate?

By Paul Campbell

If you are a resident of Stourbridge UK and a Karate enthusiast wanting to attend a Karate club yourself or planning to send your kid to one, Karate club Stourbridge can be a great option. The Karate club at Stourbridge that you choose to join will have a major role to pay in honing up your Karate skills. Choosing a good Karate club at Stourbridge can not just give you a great start but will save you lot of hassle in the later stages. Here are some pointers to help you to do your due diligence before joining any of the karate club at Stourbridge:

Lookup online or in your telephone directory to find out the nearest Stourbridge Karate club to your location. You can lookup the website of the Karate club if they have one. The website of the Karate club can give you the phone number and most of the other information needed by you to contact the Karate club at Stourbridge. Check the listing of the Karate Club at Stourbridge with the local chamber or commerce or Better business bureau.

Call up or visit the Stourbridge Karate club to check about the Types of Karate styles they teach How many times a week classes are held and cost per lesson? Prefer paying per lesson fee or month by month over a lump sum fee in the beginning. Affiliations. Prefer a Stourbridge Karate club which has affiliations with bigger bodies such as World Karate Association. This gives the strong credentials to the quality of Karate practice. If a Stourbridge Karate club is not affiliated to any established organization then the method of teaching and advancement procedures could be inconsistent.

Introspect to know your martial art goals. What is it that you want to learn? Do you want to learn Karate as a hobby or as a competitive sport? Are you taking Karate merely for exercise or you want to advance to a black belt level? Asking these questions to yourself will help you find the karate club at Stourbridge that is best for you.

Before enrolling in any Karate club Stourbridge avail any free lessons offer they have. If they do not have any free lesson offers then ask them if you can observe the training session before you finally make up your mind.

If a Karate club Stourbridge allows you to talk to students to gather their thoughts and experiences. Talk to the students to check with them if the your martial art goals will be supported by the style taught at that particular Karate club at Stourbridge? Talk to the instructors at the Karate club Stourbridge that you are considering. Instructors play a very major role in the Karate training. Evaluate their behavior, friendliness and attitude. Find out about the main emphasis and focus of the Karate club Stourbridge that you are considering. The Karate club at Stourbridge might not be for you if you are merely interested in simple exercises and the main emphasis of the karate club is on tournaments and competitive Karate. A little time spent in this evaluation and weighing your options can go a long way in choosing the right Karate club Stourbridge that can help you or your kid achieve Karate learning goals. - 31491

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About Tai Chi Techniques and Training

By Walter McKibbin

Tai Chi is a practice that is derived from the concept of Yin and Yang. Over the years, it continues to uphold and managed to sustain the amenable and dynamic principles of learning way back in the olden times.

The core training of Tai Chi features two forms: the solo form and the Push Hands. In solo form, slow motions are given emphasis while maintaining a straight and firm spine and constant fine abdominal breathing. Push hands, on the other hand, involve training with a more practical and convenient ways of motion.

As the word implies, the solo form of Tai Chi, requires only the one person to conquer the movements. It would take the students through a natural and complete range of motion over gravity's center. If repeated accurately, the practice of the solo form can retain posture, maintain honest flexibility going through the joints and muscles, encourage proper circulation from any point of the student's body, and let students be more familiarized with some of the important martial art application sequences that are usually implied by the different forms.

Major styles of traditional Tai Chi have forms that somewhat differ from the others, cosmetically. Some differ in the wave of the hands, in the position of the legs, the reaction of the body and the pace of the movement. But these are all irrelevant because what is important to Tai Chi training is that it benefits not only the body but the mind as well. Although, there are many similarities coming from the point of their common origin that are obvious enough to recognize.

Solo form, weapons and empty-hands are the basic steps to start off with learning Tai Chi. Many other martial arts application do this in their trainings. This is especially intended to prepare the students for self-defense.

Tai Chi's Philosophy in training tells that if one becomes as hard as his opponent during a fight whether attending or resisting it, the clash will inevitably create physical injuries to both sides. A fight like this is greatly compared to fighting brutes, according to the Tai Chi theory - an attitude despised by Tai Chi discipline.

Unlike in other martial arts wherein force is applied to some measure, in Tai Chi, students are taught that instead of battling it out or directly resisting an incoming force, they should meet it with the most subtle movements and softness, following every attacking motion and in the end, exhausting the attacking force. This is all done while remaining at a close contact manner. This is the principle wherein the yin and yang is applied. If this method is done correctly, the yin-yang balance in combating is the primary goal of training Tai Chi.

Aside from discipline, Tai Chi schools also put their concentration on how the energy of a striking person will bring damage to his opponent. Say for example, you can use your palm to hit your opponent looking the same and performing the same but with a different impact on the target.

A palm can strike and push the person either forward or backward. It is done in such a way that the opponents are lifted vertically from the ground thus breaking and deforming their center of gravity.

After which, this technique can cease the striking force within the body of the person and resulting to a traumatic internal damage. - 31491

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Which Martial Art is Going toWin, Karate or Aikido?

By Al Case

I know, the question does have a slant to it, as one should be comparing arts such as Karate and Aikido more by complimenting them than opposing them. Still, having said that, let us discuss how the fist should fit into the glove. No guns or knives, just an honest viewpoint for your education and enlightenment.

Karate is supposed to be straight line, and Aikido is supposed to be the circle. Yet, if on looks at Karate, let alone the martial arts, one will see that perfection of geometric figure is loose, at best. If Karate could actually adhere to the perfect line, if one examines how the bones, joints, muscles and so on function, the body would probably explode, or, at least collapse upon itself.

On the other hand, if Aikido tried to adhere to the perfect circle and only the perfect circle, except in the most theoretical of philosophies, the art would not work. And, to be honest, Aikido is not the usual choice for down and dirty combat. While Aikido is pure and wonderful, and can evolve the practitioner in very spiritual senses, one should use a martial art like Karate to enter the fight, then look to aikido to control the fight.

The way to look at it is like this, distance collapses in a fight. The circle being made by stepping and circling the arm, and the lever of the extend arm is too long and unwieldy. However, Karate creates a perfect method to work your way to the inside of the fight, where you will find a shorter lever.

Instead of doing a two step and trying a three foot arm circle to a wrist twist, try a hard middle inward block, slide in, maybe with a short fist or elbow, then turn the waist. As you turn the waist, bring the arms up to a short position, lever the elbow, shove your shoulder in and pull. Go ahead, try this scenario with a friend, watch a little youtube to get the motions, and you are going to find an instant blend of karate, even the hardest of karate, like Shotokan, and with the purest of Aikido, even the soft of Morihei Uyeshiba.

Now, the above being detailed, the big weakness of Karate is that it is limited, in most modern formats, to destruction. It has been tailored for tournament, gloves put on for more violence, and given over to fighting for fighting sake. But while there is an art to destruction, the true art is in control.

Thus, a study of the pure art of Aikido, with the things I have told you here, will enable you to confront the fiercest violence, and alter that violence into the most magical and simplest of workable techniques. You kick, you punch, then you simply embrace the arms and learn how to go with the flow.

A last word about all this, don't mistake the throws of Aikido for the throws of judo or jujitsu. While techniques of the ju variety are quick and workable, we want to move from hard to soft complete, and a certain amount of hard is still needed to make most ju techniques work. That all said, I wish you the best with your new art, whether you call it...karido...aikate...your choice. - 31491

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Who was the Better Fighter, Bruce or Mohammad Ali?

By Al Case

Man, there's gonna be a knock down drag out up in heaven! I can feel it in the soul of my bones! The question is, will Mohammad knock down Bruce, or will The Little Dragon knock down Mohammad?

Okay, first things first, let's talk about the physical measurements of the men. Bruce Lee was 5 foot seven, and Mohammad Ali was six foot three. The point goes to Mohammad on this one, though it really should only be a half a point, for Bruce's legs made up for the discrepancy in reach.

Now, weight is always a critical factor, so let us take a look. Bruce Lees weight went up and down, but at his ripping best he was probably about 160 pounds, Mohammad had his ups and downs in weight, also, but we can round it out to about 200 pounds. Mohammad gets the nod in this area, for 200 pounds of flesh is going to have a sizable boffaloonie behind it.

Speed is always quite important in a fight, and here the edge goes to Bruce. Yes, Mohammad had an instant of invisible punch to his credit in one fight. Watch Bruce Lee, however, and you will see that his speed is a constant blur.

All around martial ability considered, and Bruce gets the edge. Yes, Mohammad was fluid, powerful, and unique, but he was limited to arms. Honestly, though we can only award one point per category, I would like to give more to Bruce, for you would have to tie one of Bruces legs behind his back to get an even fight.

One should never under estimate the importance of the mouth in a fight. Simply, if you talk the talk with sufficient prowess, you might not have to walk the walk. That said, in spite of Bruce having access to script writers, no one in the world could compete with the Louiseville Lip, why, you would have to tie one of Mohammads lips behind his back to get an even contest!

Now, Mohammad has the edge thus far, but the contest is about to go even steven, for we are going to consider the most important question in the martial arts, what a person knows. Mohammad knew a lot, but his was a natural talent, and limited by being able to use only his sizable mitts, knowing nosignificant takedowns, and so on. Bruce, on the other hand, not only knew an amazing amount of hits, kicks, trips, throws, and so on, he knew Mohammad Ali, he used to watch movies of Mohammad just to study his technique.

In conclusion, I am not going to call a knock out, because these men were just too fast to be so caught. I am, however, going to give a decision to Bruce, this because he not only watched movies of Mohammad Ali, he watched them in a mirror so he could do the Mohammad on both sides! Now that is unbelievably creative and innovative, and it is for this reason I give the decision to Bruce Lee! - 31491

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The Martial Art of Aikido

By Rhys Jones

The sphere of Martial Arts is one of the most important contributions of Asia to the world. Who will forget Bruce Lee and the fact that he was first and foremost a martial arts competitor before becoming a movie star? Martial arts pictures are a huge hit with the ever-increasing popularity of Asian cinema like 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and more recently 'The House of the Flying Daggers'.

The Chinese are the first nation that come to mind when it you think of these things, but the Japanese are equally as sporty with a rich heritage of body contact sports in their past. Modern Japan still gives honor to the martial arts by holding tournaments and marketing their sports abroad,

One of these is Aikido. It is interesting to take note of the fact that the word comes from three Japanese words from which one derives the meaning of the one word. Ai means 'joining', Ki signifies 'spirit' and Do means 'way'. From this we can understand why Aikido lies beyond just the physical talents of it students, particularly since its first proponent, Ueshiba, focused on the spiritual and philosophical development of his students.

In Aikido, one is not taught violence as a substitute, one is trained to be in concord with the opponent so that you are able to defeat him more easily. This might seem strange but it actually works. In approaching an opponent, the aim of the Aikido practitioner is to be one with the adversary so as to be able to tackle him where he is weakest and in so doing, deflect or immobilize him, but never to kill him.

This is where Aikido becomes an art form. Art is something delightful to look at and something constructive and Aikido is all that. At least one of the contestants involved in the combat is searching for concord and concord can only be achieved if there is grace in the actions. The moves may be premeditated, but there is an air of finesse in carrying out these movements. Not a feminine grace, but a grace that emanates peace. The 'art of peace' is what they call it in Aikido and it is one of the most affirmative influences of Aikido on its students and to everyone else who decides to find out about this Japanese martial art.

Some of the techniques in Aikido embrace the following.

Ikkyo is the first technique. Using this technique, you direct an adversary by using one hand to hold his elbow and one to hold near the wrist. This action is supposed to allow you to pin your opponent down to the ground.

Nikyo, the second technique, is when you perform a wrist lock that allows you to turn the arm of your opponent which will in turn cause nerve pressure.

Sankyo, the third technique, is a technique that creates upward-spiraling tension throughout the arm, elbow and shoulder. There are many other techniques but the first three are enough to give you a basic insight.

In studying Aikido, it is vital to remember that, together with building physical strength, you will need to improve your mind to be able to overpower your opponent. Just like in any art form, it takes a lot of training and discipline to reach the summit of the art of Aikido. The important thing to remember is, that anyone who wants to get into the art, must have the resolve to give honor to the art by performing it in the best way possible. - 31491

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The Benefits Of Joining A Karate Club Can Be Amazing

By Paul Campbell

As the awareness about the benefits of taking Karate lessons is increasing, more and more people are turning towards learning Karate. Karate lessons can have life changing effect on practitioners. There are several advantages of practicing Karate as a discipline, some of them are: The stances and moves in Karate increase hand eye coordination and body reflexes. This is helpful in improving the driving skills of the adults and agility in kids. Karate lessons increase the ability to focus and concentrate in children and adults alike. If you are looking for an exercise that help you reduce weight and maintain a lean muscular structure, then Karate is an ideal art form to learn. Karate lessons give you an invaluable self defense weapon that is there with you all the time. Besides increasing power and strength, karate lessons induce tremendous positive energy in you and increase your overall physical and mental well being. Karate lessons provide an outlet to the stress and tension that builds up in the routine of the daily life. Karate is an excellent form of exercise which can not only help to reduce and maintain a healthy weight but also increase bodily flexibility.

For those of you who are serious about taking up Karate lessons and are resident of briery Hill, there are several clubs offering professional and hobby Karate lessons at Briery hill.

Whether you are interested in taking Karate lessons yourself or want your kid to take one, there is one just right for your at Briery Hill. The main features of Karate lessons at Briery Hill are:

You or your kid can take Karate lessons at Briery hills that just suit your interest. There are hobby karate lessons and professional Karate lessons at Briery hills that you or your kid can enroll for. For competitive Karate enthusiasts there are Kata (patterns and form of moves) and Kumite lessons (kicking and punching technique) lessons.

Most of the instructors delivering the Karate lessons are cleared by CRB (Criminal record board) to work with children. Some Karate clubs imparting the Karate lessons at Briery hill also provide full insurance to the students to safeguard their interest in any event of mishap.

Some Karate clubs imparting the Karate lessons at Briery hill also have Physical trainers on board who guide the students about healthy diet and weight management practices to help them enhance their performance.

No age is underage and no age too old to start taking up the Karate lessons at Briery Hill. From four year olds to adults of any age can start taking up the Karate lessons at Briery hill. Children with special needs such as those having problems in learning, hyperactivity and attention deficit hyper activity disorder (ADHD) are even clinically advised to take Karate lesson because of the structured nature of the training techniques.

Karate as a discipline is a holistic approach towards overall personality development. It not only teaches a combat style but also a way to live. If you have been thinking about taking karate lessons for long, this is the right time to get into the action. - 31491

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Have You Ever Thought ABout Starting Karate?

By Paul Campbell

Karate lessons do not only teach self defense but also the strengthen body and train the practitioner in the correct body posture. At the begining Karate lessons teach the students about the basic linear movements and as the practitioner advances in the art of Karate the Karate lessons teach him/her about combining the linear and circular moves to get an advantage over the opponent. All the Karate lessons can be segregated in five basic moves which are: Single strike Multiple strike Soft strike Hard strike Long strike Short strike

Combination of these moves creates different types of Karate styles.

There are several advantages of taking Karate lesson such as:

Karate builds up self confidence and esteem in the ones who practices it. This comes from increased belief in oneself. Karate increases the ability to concentrate and focus. This is beneficial both for kids and adults alike. Karate lessons comprise of leadership and social behavior lessons which positively contribute towards developing the overall personality of the Karate disciples. Nowadays the hectic work life induces lot of stress that can deteriorate our physical and mental well being. Karate gives you an outlet to overcome this stress and convert it into positive energy. Children with special needs such as those having problems in learning, hyperactivity and attention deficit hyper activity disorder (ADHD) are even clinically advised to take Karate lesson because of the structured nature of the training techniques.

There and many more benefits of Karate lessons that are not even enlisted above. These benefits of Karate lessons have made this art very popular amongst the adults and kids alike.

If you are a Karate enthusiast and looking for Karate lessons you will find many clubs imparting Karate lesson in Stourbridge

Karate lessons Dudley are delivered by some of the best Karate instructors. The all the instructors are CRB (criminal record board) cleared and are certified to work with children. Children as young as four years can enroll for Karate lesson Dudley. Special care is taken about their safety. Children younger than six years do not come in contact of the sport. Most of Karate clubs at Dudley conduct lesson around five times a week. Whether the students want to pursue the discipline of Karate as a hobby or a competitive sport, the Karate lessons at Dudley are tailored as per the interest of the students. For competitive karate enthusiasts the karate clubs at Dudley regularly hold the Kata lessons (meaning the forms or patterns of moves) and Kumite lessons (meaning punches and kicking technique).

Karate is rewarding sports for those who have the dedication and discipline to learn it. Karate lessons Stourbridge can be you first step towards learning Karate. - 31491

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