docroy77 asked:


For those people who have trained in a martial art for a long period, what is it about that martial art that you love? What makes it different to other arts?
Pugpaws, Zen, Sensei….superb answers. Had they not had the other two…yours would have gotten best answer right now.

In asking this question, I am trying to find out what you feel your art breeds in its students. Not ‘what martial arts has done for me’ type answers. Let’s learn from the people who know what their art develops. So please, tell us what you have gained but tell us what style/system you do as well!
Thanks for all the great answers guys.

Marvin

Zalani asked:


I’m thinking about getting into martial arts, for my general health I suppose, and i would really like to learn how to use a bo staff or any kind of staff really. Also, I think i would enjoy some kind of swordsmanship in the martial art. I have no idea where to begin!
If you know of what the type would be called, it would be much appreciated!
Thanks.

Andrew

ktmcna@aol.com asked:


Choosing the Best Martial Arts Style

For anyone who wants to learn a martial art, there is a lot to know in regards to the many different styles. Of course there is the question of finding the best martial art, which is a question a lot of people ask with so many martial arts styles to choose from, it can be very complicated to pick one to learn.

No matter what you may hear or what others have to say, it is quite impossible to name one style of martial arts as the ultimate best. Actually, there are several factors that come into play,Even though one style may beat another in a competition or a fight it doesn’t always mean that the winning style is the best.

Before deciding to rush out there and learn a martial art, there are several things that you should decide first. Martial arts are great to learn, no matter which style you decide on. A martial art can teach you self discipline, self defence, and several other traits that will help you no matter where you decide to go in life.

Self defence

All over the world, there are several martial arts schools and dojo’s that emphasize self defence a lot more than others. Schools that focus on kata, forms, or light sparring are less than likely to teach you what you need to protect yourself on the street. If you are looking for street self defence, then you’ll want a style that trains hard and doesn’t let up.

Fitness

Even though martial arts can improve your fitness level, it isn’t the goal behind a lot of the martial arts styles. Several styles, such as Tae Bo, are based purely on martial arts and don’t include a lot of physical fitness training. If you are looking for fitness as your main goal, then you should be looking into something other than martial arts.

Fighting ability

This will vary among the many different martial arts styles. Self defence schools will most often take advantage of fighting skills, teaching you everything you need to survive. Most martial arts styles are slow in theory, teaching you kata, movements, and forms. Self defence schools on the other hand, teach you how to inflict the most amounts of damage in the least amount of time.

Competition

Competition based martial arts are all about winning trophies and showing the world your style of martial arts. The competition that you have chosen, will greatly impact your style of martial arts. You’ll need to decide if you will be fighting or showcasing display kata, light or heavy contact, or focusing on grappling or striking.

Before you decide on a martial arts style, you should always research the schools and dojo’s in your area and see what they offer. The best schools will allow you to participate in a few free classes, or offer you discounts on your first few months. They will answer any questions that you have, and work with you to help you learn as much as you can.

Martial arts can be a very fun and exciting learning experience. There are hundreds of different martial arts styles out there, although you may be limited in choice, depending on what all is offered in your area. Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, and Jiu-Jitsu and some of the most common types of martial arts, and normally offered just about everywhere. The more distinct styles, such as Kung Fu, Shoot fighting, Kenpo, and Shaolin styles are a bit harder to find.

If you do your homework on some of the styles that are offered in your area, you’ll find one that best fits your reasons to study. Martial arts can change your outlook on life – all you have to do is devote yourself to learning all you can about the philosophy of your martial art.



Daniel

Phil Burney asked:


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

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

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

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

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

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



Gilbert

martial arts london ON asked:


 

The Benefits of Tai Chi and Internal Martial Arts for Self-defense: Part 1 of 2

Internal Martial arts such as Tai Chi, or Ba Gua can be extremely effective for self defense if trained correctly. There are a few strategic principles in Chinese internal Martial Arts that can provide a tactical advantage in melee combat. I will outline them in the following sections: Body Alignment and Changing, Friction and Sensitivity, Timing, Initiative (these last two I will explain in part two of this article). You will notice there is no magic to any of this – it is all science. For more information on tai chi, self-defence and kung fu please visit Martial Arts London Ontario (MALO).

Body Alignment / Posture and Body Changing

The first thing about internal chinese martial arts like Tai Chi and Ba Gua is that they are based off of the chinese system of medicine. This system has been well aware of things that chiropractors and sports physiotherapists are just starting to learn about the human nervous system and spinal cord, meditative benefits, and muscle/tendon functional excellence. Like gymnasts and dancers, internal arts practitioners do difficult and challenging exercises, drills, and forms in order to literally change their body’s metabolism, balance, structure, tendon strength, speed and flexibility. The more serious one is with their body changing training, the more results they will see. Doing Tai Chi once per week without the requisite secrets is not good enough. At first this training is extremely difficult, just as jogging is extremely difficult for the beginner. But after years of practice, the internal martial artist’s body starts to change, and they start to see the health and martial benefits as they begin to move as a functional unit and cease using “awkward force”. They also get damaged less often in hard martial arts sparring. This body changing also includes tendon conditioning, thus making an internal artist “seem” stronger as they move as a more functional unit. Tendons are as strong as steel. If you can learn to use them, and to strengthen them, then you will move as a more functional and solid (yet fluid) unit.

Friction and Sensitivity

Another key aspect in internal arts like Tai Chi, or Ba Gua (Cheng Sher and Magui), is friction, or what is sometimes called sticky hands. With this body changing, and two person “push”, “search”, or “sticky” hands practice, practitioners become more sensitive to the movements of others, and by using this sensitivity, internal martial artists can use a foe’s force against them by placing them off balance. And by using friction, the practitioner can deliver more kinetic energy per second than a straight punch. All boxers know that more friction means more damage, so too does this apply to throws and arm drags. The more friction when throwing an opponent, the more kinetic energy you deliver into them, the faster they hit the ground. Also, using friction properly



Edith

da bears fan asked:


I have been wrestling for about 11 years (I am 16) and I want to hopefully start doing some mixed martial arts in a few years.

What martial art do you think I could implement my wrestling and excel in it?

Kathleen

Paul M. Jerard Jr. asked:


There are many myths about martial arts training, and the general public accepts some as fact. In the following article, I have outlined general guidelines, and precautions, for parents who are considering enrolling their child, or children, into martial arts.

Below, I have listed some common issues and questions that parents often ask about martial arts for their children. Also, you will be much more informed about the benefits of martial arts, the structure with a martial arts school, and know what to realistically expect.

What should I be looking for in a martial arts school? Safety comes as a first priority for parents who seek martial arts instruction for their children. Here are a number of key factors to consider:

Is safety equipment used when children are performing exercises and drills that require contact? This is especially important when children are sparring in martial arts. In many martial arts schools, sparring equipment is required, or the child cannot spar. The number of injuries resulting from sparring in Karate, Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do is surprisingly low in comparison to many league sports.

Never the less, I once had a father pull his son out of our martial arts school because he found a karate studio that would let his son “fight” without protective equipment. In our school, it is mandatory to wear martial arts equipment for the safety of the students. Sparring equipment has come a long way, so why not use it?

The flooring surface should match the martial art. If take downs, sweeps, and throws are required, there should be some kind of matted floor available. Many of the state-of-the-art martial arts schools have a floor surface specifically designed for martial arts. It makes no sense to have anyone throw a classmate on a hard floor, with the type of flooring available, as this can result in long-term injuries.

Can parents watch Karate classes?

Let’s put it this way, if you cannot watch your child practice karate, or any other martial art, you should find another school. I can appreciate the fact that some martial arts instructors don’t want to deal with interfering parents. This is the reason for rules and signs.

Remember the “hockey dad” incident? There are a few people who, through their own conduct, create rules for the rest of us. However, you are the parent and are entitled to see your child train in karate or any martial arts class.

Fire exits, fire extinguishers, and someone who monitors visitors, as they enter a karate studio full of children, should be standard features. We have three fire exits and one main entrance, in our studio, but only one door is used for an entrance. Kids understand security because they see the same precautions in elementary school.

Also, watch out for poles in the middle of the room. Adults will spot them, but an excited child in a karate class may forget and end up crashing into one. Make sure that you feel secure about the studio, surroundings, rules, and the staff before you make a decision to have your child take martial arts classes.

© Copyright 2005 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications



Roberto

Davey0203 asked:


I have been learning Krav Maga for a while now, and I would like to learn another martial art that will compliment Krav Maga. Any suggestions?
Thanks.

Judith

allenm23 asked:


Looking into getting into martial arts, but not really sure which one would be best suited for me. I am 5′4″ and I weigh 160 lbs, so I have a short and stocky build. Which martial art would be best for my build? Any honest opinion would be greatly appreciated.

Carla

sunshine asked:


Nowadays, more and more people are exercising martial arts because the training of martial arts can give many benefits. It not only teaches you how to fight, but also it can improve your health, physically and mentally. It is beyond the doubt that martial arts training can improve the physical fitness of the player.

Martial art is a kind of sports that can work every muscle in your body, allowing the human body to function well. Punching and kicking are common acts of martial arts, which is good for you to strengthen your arms, shoulders, backs and legs.

Martial arts can be played by everyone in any training space. Through training, the physically weak individual can develop the body gradually. Through martial arts training, the practitioners also can improve their mental fitness.

When practicing, the players are in the state of peace. They put aside their desire, irritation and restlessness. The exercise of martial arts can release the stress, giving a peaceful mind. This mentality is great for your health and career. The training of martial arts can perfect the character of the player.

The exercising of martial arts can teach the player respect themselves and others. It can develop their courtesy and personal integrity and self-discipline. Martial Arts are great for improving self-confidence. Learning self-defense increases the self-confidence of practitioners by taking away their feeling of vulnerability.

Confidence allows you to remain calm during difficult situations. By remaining calm, one can assess the situation more clearly and act appropriately. When faced with a compromising situation, those capable of defending themselves should need to use physical force less often than those who cannot defend themselves. But you should know that the goal is not to teach people to fight those who argue or disagree, instead, it is to teach to defend yourselves when necessary. The ability to focus can be increased through the training of the martial arts.

The player are unable to learn martial arts well if they can not concentrate their focus. The player can improve their ability to concentrate by focusing their mind, their eyes and their body in training. With regular training, we can easily see the benefits. Martial arts strives internally to train the mind to develop a clear conscience, enabling one to face the world honestly, while externally developing strength to the point where one may overcome ferocious wild animals.



Ann