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What Does Functional Swords Mean?

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Samurai Swords Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 5:28 am
Samurai Sword:

I have been selling swords and knives for the past seven years, doing research and answering questions on the different types of swords and their uses. I’ve lived for six years in Europe and seven in the Orient seen and held swords that are easier dated in centuries rather than years. dnw64ukqtx

Functional Swords are made to be used and to keep an edge. However, to really answer this question you have to explain the three kinds of swords people sell. The first is a Decorative Sword. These are swords made to decorate and for display only. They are very elaborate and are sometimes heavy replicas of historical, fantasy and movie swords. They often come with a sword plaque or stand for their display in the home or office. The blades are made of stainless steel and are generally highly polished. They look really good but are not designed or made for use. The second is a Costume Sword. While they have many of the same characteristics of a decorative sword, they are generally lighter and come with a sheath or some means of wearing the sword with a costume. The last is the Functional Sword.

So What’s The Difference?

To keep it simple, quality is the thing that makes a functional or battle ready sword different. The quality of the materials, design and workmanship all play a part in a good functional sword. The materials are very important. High carbon steel is generally used to make the blades and other more durable materials are used for the guard, pommel and grips. High carbon steel is much harder. This type of steel is better suited for keeping an edge and less likely to break upon contact. The quality of the materials use in the guard, pommel and grip are of equal importance. A great high carbon steel blade with a pot metal or inferior guard and grip is a wall hanger.

Some people say the original design of a sword is the best. I agree. Swords were originally made for combat at the time they were designed and forged. Some like the samurai sword were designed to cut while others like the medieval claymore and long sword were made to bash and stab. The major design element is the tang. The tang is the part of the sword that attaches the blade to the guard, grip and pommel. Some decorative and costume swords use a rat-tail design. The blade is welded to the tang and not very durable. The best functional design is a full tang. Here the blade and tang are on piece of metal and less likely to break.

Workmanship may well be the most important. There are two basic ways to make a sword. They are machined and hand forged. The machined sword is almost entirely forged by a machine while the hand forged is done by a human. Purest say hand forged is the only way. However, I’ve seen many machined forged swords I feel more comfortable with. The key is micro-fractures. During the forging process sometime small fractures are left inside the sword. The more fractures there are the more likely the sword can break. There are many carbon steel swords not advertised as functional because of inconsistency. One sword might be great the next might not hold up. You take your chances when you buy these swords for use. One last note on design, a practical sword is made for stage plays and reenactments where safety is the key. Practical swords have rounded or dull edges and points.

Functional swords can cost much more than decorative or costume swords. Prices can run from less than $ 100.00 for an entry level sword to thousands for a made to order sword. Prices are also based on the degree of functionality. An entry level sword can cost from under $ 100 to $ 200. These are light duty swords which are great for a beginner. A medium duty sword or battle ready sword can cost up to $ 1000 and are usually used in reenactments and plays. Heavy duty swords can cost thousands. They can be used for any purpose but are better suited for extended use as in a nightly stage combat plays. After being in the US Army for 21 year, I can tell you anything can be broken. No matter how well a sword is made abuse, neglect and improper use will damage or break any sword. I’m not talking about small dings in the sharp edges. Some carbon steels are so hard it’s almost impossible to sharpen them. Most swords are forged so the edges are softer and can be sharpened. Please consult a qualified fight director on the proper use and quality of weapons needed for heavy use in stage plays.

I hope this helps to explain the term Functional Swords. One rule to use in selecting a sword is safety first. You are buying a weapon and get what you pay for, price should always be second.

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Choosing the Right Display for Your Collectible Swords

1 comment By Samurai Filed in Samurai Swords Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 5:26 am
Samurai Sword:

Now that you’ve got the sword you want, it’s time to display it. Finding the right sword stand is like putting the right tires on your new car.

You need a stand that complements the look of your sword and doesn’t over play it. Not to mention you want a reliable stand that won’t collapse under a little weight. Be sure to check the dimensions of your sword against the sword stand. You want to have a stand that has plenty of room for your particular style sword.

These tips will help you pick the right stand for your sword:

Standing Sword Stands:

A standing sword stand can be a really beautiful piece of furniture. There are two main types of standing sword stands. One stands squarely on the ground and can be over five feet in height. This type of standing sword stand will hold many different swords.

The stand is built around two main beams that allow the swords to rest horizontally on bracket shelving. Most of the brackets offered have a rounding to them that cradles the sword safely without fear of dropping them. Samurai style sword stands have more of an Asian flair to them with their shapes. This makes it easier to accommodate the varying sizes of Samurai swords available.

Standing sword stands are most usually made of wood and have a craftsman look to them. They can be stood in any room and come in a variety of finishes.

The second type of standing sword stand is the one that just holds one or two swords. It can sit flush on a desk, mantel piece or anywhere you fancy! Individual sword stands in this style have more variety available to them. You can get stonework stands, enamel covered stands and just about any type of finish you can imagine.

Horizontal Hanging Stands:

Horizontal hanging stands are probably the most popular because they take up the least amount of space. These stands are braced on a wall and can be used in any room of the house.

A horizontal hanging stand can have a single bracket holder or several. Most often you’ll find these made out of wood. They are made in many different finishes and stains and can even be painted. A hanging stand needs to be braced properly so that it can manage the weight of your fine sword collection.

Vertical Hanging Stands:

Vertical hanging stands are a unique way to display your swords. These stands bolt in to your wall and can hold one sword each. A vertical hanging stand is highly decorative and are often made of finely wrought metal work.

Samurai swords can be hung with fascinating Japanese characters. Medieval swords can be hung by ancient crests and symbols. Even the fantasy sword will find the right stand here.

Easy to mount and beautiful to display your sword with, a vertical hanging stand is a neat idea! We hope these tips for choosing a sword stand help you make your decision about which is right for you!

Shop for an sword display stand at a reputable online dealer like http://SwordArsenal.com.

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Full Contact Chanbara

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Samurai Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:33 am
Chanbara:

Chanbara or Combat Kenjutsu is a full-contact activity, applying traditional and sword and weaponry techniques and drills with modern padded equipment to allow participant to enjoy the rigors of sparring at full speed without fear of pain or injury. Over thirty years ago Japanese martial artists and swordmasters came together and created a better training style. The founder, Tanabe Tetsundo and his group of some of the strongest swordsmen in Japan called this new school of thought Goshindo, later nicknamed Chanbara. These martial artists and masters were very traditional. They also knew that the times were changing and decided to educate today’s public in the way of the modern Japanese Samurai. New materials made out of flexible plastics and the constant refining of swords for combat in the 21st century proved to be a stroke of genius. Today Chanbara has a large following worldwide and has been adopted by the Japanese education system as a sports and physical development activity.

Chanbara training is exciting, fun and an incredible workout! Chanbara allows everyone to experience the excitement and fantasy of samurai warrior training in an environment so safe that it is being taught to elementary school students and moms are using it to get physical with each other to vent stress and get into shape.

Chanbara training is triply safe. First, the specially designed and patented training swords are thickly padded; second, they are designed to be flexible to further soften even the fastest and most powerful strikes; and third, all participants wear gloves and light head gear specifically made to offer complete protection to the face so that even softened blows are totally absorbed. Chanbara gives the entire community, from kids to moms and from blue to white collar working adults, a way to have fun together and to get into shape.

 

The Development and Evolution of Chanbara

Man has used tools and weaponry for eons. Originally created from wood and stone, these evolved into metal in the Bronze Age, when man experienced great advancements in bladed weaponry – especially the mighty sword.Ancient man was always on the lookout for danger. The innate desire for self-preservation gave him this inborn vigilance and this is still in our blood today.The sword long represented power and wealth and was one of man’s most prized possessions. Design and technique were created for the practicalities of war and defense. The only other usages were for ceremonies, social and cultural events or traditions.

Japanese warlords trained their armies with various metal and wood practice weapons. This proved dangerous; one wrong move, one poorly executed technique and injury or death could result.

Each warlord developed his own fighting techniques, which were passed on to his warriors and tested on the battlefield. Some techniques were retained while others were discarded, depending on how efficient they proved in battle.

After centuries of civil unrest and war, Japan united into a single government. The warrior no longer fought wars but the samurai spirit remained. Tanabe Tetsundo and his group founded Goshindo, also called sports chanbara by the younger students. These traditional swordsmen, aware that times were changing, began to educate the public in the way of the modern samurai while utilizing traditional ways and techniques.

Swords made out of flexible plastics (called a ‘choken’) proved a stroke of genius, because wearing a light head mask for face and eye protection was all that was required for safety.

Today, chanbara is the fastest-growing combative sport in the United States, boasting 200,000 combatants worldwide. The word “chanbara” loosely translates to “sword fighter.”

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About Ninjas

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Samurai Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:32 am
Ninja:

Ninja were the ultimate warriors of feudal Japan. The history of the Ninja is hard to trace. This is because there were few, if any records kept of its existence. Most of what is known about the Ninja is taken from stories that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Nonuse was first introduced to Japan in 522 A.D. as a religion practiced by priests. These priests were not violent people, they were “mystics” who gathered and shared information for the ruling classes. The Ninja as we know them were not introduced until later. It wasn’t until 645 A.D. that the priests perfected their fighting skills and made use of their knowledge of nonuse. This was because they found themselves being harassed by the central government and found in necessary to protect themselves. In 794-1192 A.D. the new civilization flourished and with it, a new class of wealthy, privileged families. These families fought with one another in attempts to make or destroy emperors. The need for spies, informants and now assassins grew as these families dueled for power. They were suspicious and jealous of one another and would resort to any means necessary to eliminate any possible threats. Therefore, the practitioners of nonuse were in great demand. With this, the Ninja was born.

As the Ninja gained popularity, so did the stories of their superhuman abilities. This reputation was often encouraged by the Ninja themselves. Because they were a relatively weaker people then their counterparts, the Samurai, and were vulnerable to attack by the many warring families around them, it was to their advantage to have others believe they had such powers. Powers like having the strength of ten men, ability to turn into animals, fly and become invisible at will. The Ninja movies also added to the abilities by having the Ninja jump over buildings in a single jump, catch bullets in their teeth, and see into the future.

At this point you must understand the Samurai to truly understand just why the Ninja were so effective and in such demand. The Samurai’s life was to “live by the sword, die by the sword”, with no fear of death at all. His sword was his whole life, his soul. With this he followed the warrior’s code of honor, the Bushido. The bushido was to be followed at all times. If a Samurai were to stray from the code he would then commit seppuku, another term for hara-kiri. This was a ritual ******* where they would cut their stomach open with their smaller sword. The Ninja followed no such code. Their only code was to do whatever it takes to get the job done. This gave the Ninja a great advantage right away, adds the use of a wide variety of weapons and you have a superior warrior. Since the Samurai could not sneak into an enemy’s house, because it was against their code, they could not carry out such tasks as assassination and sabotage. This is where the Ninja came in. And if that meant sneaking up behind a Samurai warrior and killing him before he even knew he was in danger that was very permissible by the Ninja. The bushido would never allow for this. For this reason the Samurai were afraid of the Ninja. A fear the Ninja had earned.

 

 

 

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Before the Katana

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Samurai Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:30 am
Samurai Warriors:

In the twelfth century the favoured style of blade was the Tachi, which was slug by 2 hangers on the left side of the person edge down. This positioning allowed the samurai to draw the blade from groin to head. Later the style of battle evolved and the katana replaced the tachi as the preferd weapon. The Tachi remains in use but in a smaller capacity. The golden age of blade making (1294 to 1427) this was also the golden age of the Tachi

The tachi was more often seen on the warlords and generals as a highly decorated blade showing their position and power in society. They also favoured it for practical reasons the blade was more curved and made it more effective for them to cut downwards from horseback on to their enemy’s. Where as the average samurai would be fighting on foot. During this period five famous schools of sword making arose, their location was based on proximity to the need for swords (centres of administration), easy access to ore and charcoal, a plentiful supply of good water and a cool climate. The five schools were Bizen, Yamashiro, Yamato, Soshu and Mino.

The Mongolian lesson.

The style of fighting during this period was one on one combat. Where one warrior would ride out and challenge a worthy opponent from the other side to engage in mortal combat. However, in 1274 and 1281 the Mongols invaded Japan.

The Mongols did not fight by the traditional Japanese methods of challenges and individual combat. In order to fight the Mongols successfully, the Japanese needed to adapt and learn to fight as a group. Although the Mongol armies were beaten primarily by the weather (Kamekaze, the divine winds), the Mongol invasion brought about a conscious need for a strong national defence and sword smiths sprang up all over the country

Late in the Muromachi Period saw the rise of internal warfare once again. This led to over 100 years of civil wars in Japan as warlords fought for land and power. The warlords were concerned with the need for more land and more power. Because Japan was involved in an internal war, the need for sword makers rose yet again. However, the result is that the quality went down even though there were more swords. Swords from this period are considered inferior, and the skills of the sword smiths from the golden age were lost, some say forever.

Basic types of Japanese blades.

Katana or long sword has a blade of 24.5 inches or longer, the short sword or Wakizashi is from 12 to 24 inches, the tanto or dagger is less than 12 inches. There are many other styles of Japanese blades but these are the basics you must know.. The samurai warrior carried both of these thrust through the waistband edge up. This made for a quicker draw. With a slight turn of the scabbard he could change the angle of the cut to be from groin to head or horizontal. The wakizashi was used after the katana failed, fighting in enclosed spaces, close quarter combat and for some in a special technique called Nito Ryu (two swords at once)

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Samurai Fight

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Samurai Videos Tagged with , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:27 am
 Samurai Video:

Fight betwen sword wielding character from different games

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Samurai Fight Scene

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Samurai Videos Tagged with , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:24 am
Samurai Video:

Samurai Fight Scene from Zatoichi by Takeshi Kitano. In this scene Gennosuke Hattori defeats his rival Clan.

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Samurai Fight Ebony Cleopatra

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Samurai Videos Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:24 am
Samurai Video:

In this video Ebony Cleopatra sneaks aboard a flying saki castle only to be ambushed by agents wielding bats and katanas does Ebony Cleopatra have hat it takes to take out these evil foe? watch and find out the music score was done by kelly feat: khmer rap boys Klap ya hands records so make sure you give them a look up also any tips on my 3d modeling or animation would be great this animation was a part of my final in college so any tips would be cool programs used 3Ds Max 2009 and 2008 …

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The Last Samurai Fight Scene

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Samurai Videos Tagged with , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:23 am
Samurai Video:

The Last Samurai

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Chinese Martial Arts

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Martial Arts Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:21 am
Martial Arts:

China, the world’s largest country by population, is widely regarded as the home of martial arts and is the birthplace of numerous diverse styles.

Modern Chinese martial arts can trace their origins to a number of sources, including ancient military skills, the Buddhist martial arts that evolved out of the Shaolin temple, the Daoist martial arts that originate from the Wudang temple in Hubei province, and a number of other techniques used by bandits, militia, secret societies, invaders, and marauding pirates throughout China’s turbulent history.

According to legend, the Indian monk Bodhidharma (known as “Da Mo” in China) traveled from southern India to China in the 6th century CE carrying sutras (collections of dialogs and discourses). He then settled in the Shaolin temple in Song Shan, and introduced martial exercises and Zen Buddhism to China. However, there is evidence to suggest that the practice of martial arts in the country dates back to well before that time.

A longer history

Although Bodhidharma may well have been one of the first to record martial-art techniques-he also introduced techniques such as meditation to existing fighting systems-experts believe that Chinese martial arts gradually developed from ancient hunting skills and from one tribe’s need to defend itself from another. These fighting forms developed slowly over the years: punches and kicks were incorporated and, in time, so was the use of weapons.

The first evidence of martial-art practice in China comes in 2698 BCE during the reign of the Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, who developed the practice of jiao di (”horn-butting”) among his soldiers. In the 5th century BCE – some 1,000 years before Bodhidharma’s arrival in Song Shan – Confucius mentions martial arts in his texts; Daoist literature from the 4th century BCE contains principles applicable to martial arts; and there is evidence to suggest that physical exercises similar to taijiquan have been practiced in the region since at least 500 BCE. In contrast, the earliest textual evidence of Shaolin martial arts comes in 728 CE.

Putting soldiers to the test

The development of martial arts in China is indelibly linked to the military. The first military martial-arts tests were established in 702 CE. These challenged a soldier’s physical strength, horsemanship, and skills with a lance, spear, and bow and arrow. Such a premium was placed on them that regular soldiers were categorized according to their ability and courage in hand-to-hand combat and weapons skills, particularly their swordsmanship.

Various military generals have added their expertise to China’s martial-arts mix. Even Genghis Khan, the Mongol warrior whose armies had conquered much of South Asia- including all of China-by the 13th century, believed that bkyukl bokh was the best way to keep his troops ready for battle. Two styles of the art are still practiced today, one in Mongolia, the other in Inner Mongolia.

Boom in popularity

It was not until the Republican Period (1912-1949), a time when China was recovering from the fall of the Qing dynasty, the invasion by Japan, and the Chinese Civil War, that martial arts became more accessible to the general public. In a wave of national pride, the Chinese government classified all martial arts under the banner “guosho,” meaning “national art.” Martial artists were encouraged to teach, numerous training manuals were published, examinations in martial arts were created, and demonstration teams started to travel the world- the first martial-art demonstration in front of an international audience took place at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

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Mixed Martial Arts Techniques

1 comment By Samurai Filed in Martial Arts Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:20 am
Martial Arts:

If you want to sharpen your combat skills for self-defense purposes, you can do so with Martial Arts. Consist of several systems of traditions and practices, they are also studied for reasons of mental discipline, self confidence and character development. There are many types or categories of martial arts – each one different from the next. Here are some of the most popular types.

Filipino Martial Arts – because the Philippines was the site of so many battles and combats, it is not surprising that the Filipinos have developed their own style of martial arts. Employing a wide range of methods in training, instructors of this type of martial arts believe that it is necessary to use knowledge and skills when in combat. Traditional Filipino martial arts also uses weapons like the sibat, baston, espada, latigo and lubid.

Chinese Martial Arts – the most famous of all styles are kung fu and wushu. When referring to kung fu, the system of martial arts refers to the accomplishment or skill of the person. On the other hand, wushu is more applicable to martial arts activities in general. In fact, it is considered to be a modern sport, like gymnastics. Chinese martial arts was borne from the need to defend one’s self during ancient China. Soldiers, preparing for war, are trained in martial arts in preparation for hand to hand combat.

Russian Martial Arts – like the Filipino and Chinese martial arts, the Russian martial arts was borne from the necessity for defense. During the ancient times, the Russian military have to protect their lands from invaders. The Russian martial arts is actually a combination of several styles including Japanese and Chinese martial arts. In any case, it resulted to a new style of martial arts and commonly referred to as Russian Sambo.

If you are interested in learning about different fight techniques including these martial arts style, there is only one authority to go to. The Fight Authority is a one-stop resource of all types of fighting techniques including martial arts, street fighting and other hand to hand combat skills. In addition to learning about the different types of fighting techniques, site visitors can also watch martial arts videos including muay thai, jiu jitsu and MMA training.

Learning martial arts is an effective way to protect yourself from situations that require you to stand up and defend your self. On the other hand, you should realize that learning is just the beginning. Martial arts is also an important discipline that requires you to seek out a way to improve yourself and develop your skills. It is a continuous process and should be taken quite seriously.

The Fight Authority will help you with all these things plus provide you with the means to meet other martial arts enthusiasts. The advances in technology have bridged so many barriers including time and distance and you will be able to maximize this particular feature of the internet. And the good news is you do not even have to leave your home to learn about martial arts.

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How to Select Your Martial Arts Equipment

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Martial Arts Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:20 am
Martial Arts:

Many people are planning to start learning about martial arts nowadays but may not have taken into account the fact that they will need martial arts equipment to be able to practice this hobby or occupation. Here are some tips on how to get the best martial arts equipment you need:

1.Try to figure out which martial arts equipment you want to become proficient in. The uniforms in martial arts differ in design, color and use so you have to be specific about which uniform you wish to use. This also applies to your martial arts equipment since the martial arts equipment for one martial art may be unique to that martial art.

2.Find out what protective gear you need to be able to spar and train in your preferred martial arts. Protective gear as martial arts equipment is very important because the last thing you want is to get injured in a sparring session. Protective gear as martial arts equipment can be categorized either as head gear (like face masks and helmets), gear to protect your torso (like chest shields), gear to protect your groin (which is more for men than women, and may consist of a crotch guard or sports cup to shield your privates from being punched or kicked), shin guards to keep the shin area of your legs from being injured when you block a flying kick with your legs (since getting hit on the shin tends to be rather painful since there isn’t much flesh and muscle to shield your shin bone), feet gear (such as kicking boots, designed to keep your opponent from being critically injured if you should hit them with your legs or feet), and hand gear (such as punching mitts, used also to shield your opponent from the full force of your punches.) You need to invest in quality martial arts equipment as protective gear so you get the best protection possible.

3.You can also invest in practice martial arts equipment. This means getting punching bags (like those used in boxing), and martial arts dummies (which attempt to give you an idea of how to punch and kick a real human being.) Your punching bag can consist of either the teardrop bag or the bigger boxing-type punching bag. Martial arts dummies are basically like punching bags except they may be a bit bigger and shaped like human bodies. Though these martial arts equipment are no replacement for sparring and training with real-live opponents (because these practice equipment cannot dodge your blows or retaliate), they are very important to have around so you can get the feel for the sport.

4.There will be sports that require you to become proficient in certain martial arts weapons (which are also martial arts equipment.) However, you should always be careful when trying out such weapons in the first few sessions because you might hurt someone badly (such as yourself) if you don’t know what you are doing. If you are at the stage when martial arts equipment like weapons are necessary, then always pay attention to your instructor and learn how to master the weapons first. Often, such weapons were designed to maim your opponent and maybe even kill him so caution is always necessary in training with weapons.

Martial arts equipment were designed to work a certain way. Many martial arts equipment have a long history that can help you study how your preferred martial arts evolved. Study carefully how martial arts equipment are meant to be used and they can really help you become a better martial artist afterwards.

Samurai

Martial Arts – What You Know About Martial Arts Training

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Martial Arts Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:19 am
Martial Arts:

Like any other arts, martial arts training is an important contributor to your proficiency in the field. Whether you are aiming to participate in competitions or learn for the sake of self-defense, people often to choose MMA or Mixed Martial Arts Training, to develop an overall expertise in the area. Here are some tips to set you on the right path for martial arts training.

These tips are aimed to make you comfortable as well as efficient in each area of martial arts:

1. Wrestling: This is your ground game training where the basic idea is to teach you the art of grappling along with some submission training. Ju-jitsu is the right type of martial arts where you could get a good idea and practice of grappling with submissions.

2. Striking: This is part of your stand up game where you would be trained to master the art of striking like, boxing or kick boxing. Muay Hai is the recommended training to learn the critical art of striking and kicking. This training teaches you the skill of clinching and knee strikes.

3. Cardio training: This is perhaps one of the most critical areas of martial arts training. While you may have mastered the art of grappling or striking, if your cardio training is not up to the mark, you could get beaten by any ordinary person, who may not be as strong as you are in these two areas.

The quality of martial arts training really depends on the type of school you have chosen. There is nothing called the ‘right’ martial arts school as you would have to choose it according to your specific needs, which could any of the following: develop self defense skills; for physical fitness; to participate in competitions; develop self-confidence; or as a purely social activity.

While all these aspects are important, you have to decide which of these is most important to you. For instance, some schools impart martial arts training to make you participate in competitions. Others may just teach you the basics but rarely put you through the entire course of martial arts training.

One very way to get the most out of your martial arts training class is to observe the instructor’s style and listen to his instructions carefully. You should also get to learn the various safety methods practiced during martial arts training. Learn to use safety gear like pads, headgear and mouthpieces.

This is all part of the training program. When you are trying to enroll in a school for martial arts training, watch out for schools which offer 5 to 6 free training sessions. This is sampling the art to you and if you like what you are doing, then you can join them. This is good for beginners as there is no cost involved for these training classes and some schools even allow you to rent uniforms for the free training purposes.

If you are wondering what could be the possible cost for taking martial arts training, you ought to remember that the cheapest school is not necessarily the best. Also the expensive classes like the ones in YMCA or any community center, may also not suit your individual purposes.

When starting out, you could expect to pay anywhere between $30 and $250 per month in a reputed school for martial arts training. Of course the cost of uniforms, tournament entry fees and other equipment like weapons or sparring gear would be extra.

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

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Martial Arts Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:19 am
Martial Arts:

 

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

Samurai

The Hidden Costs Of Choosing The Wrong Style Of Martial Arts Karate

0 comments By Samurai Filed in Martial Arts Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , August 3rd, 2009 @ 12:18 am
Martial Arts:

A lot of people nowadays are getting into the martial arts and choosing a school without even knowing which style of martial arts the school teaches. Some schools are not totally clear on what their style is as many are practicing and teaching a hybrid mix of multiple arts. Is this a problem? Should you know which style you practice? Are clearly lineated styles even important? The easy answer to all of these questions is yes and no. Unfortunately there are hidden costs involved in choosing the wrong style of martial arts.

Here’s why:

· Choosing a style based on popularity rather than something that fits your personal strengths

Just because a style is the most popular thing going doesn’t mean that it is right for you. Taekwondo has held the interest of many a young person due to its dynamic and spectacular kicks. If you are athletic and flexible then this might be the art for you but if you have bad knees and worse hamstrings, then think twice.

Not too long ago, Tae Bo was the big thing. At first glance some people thought this was a martial art, especially as the founder Billy Blanks was a former karate champion. However, some of them were disappointed to find out that Tae Bo was a new style aerobic workout using martial arts techniques that has little to no self-defense value.

More recently Mixed Martial Arts has become hugely popular and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is attracting record numbers on its Pay-Per-View events. Consequently, many young people are hoping to ride the next wave of popular martial arts. However if you want to keep your good looks, straight nose and nicely-shaped ears you might want to reconsider.

The bottom line is that you should try to find a martial art that matches your strengths and not your weaknesses.

· Picking a martial art that has conflicting values with your core beliefs

The majority of martial arts have a certain amount of traditional “baggage” that comes with them. This “baggage” can sometimes include some rather esoteric practices and mystical thinking that you may or may not be comfortable with. Most people are able to accept these practices at face value and in many cases the various martial arts schools water down some of the stranger customs and forms of etiquette in the interest of blending in with our popular culture.

Some people however feel that their own personal religious preferences and ideals are being compromised and therefore can feel more than a little uncomfortable. If this description fits you then you might want to check out your chosen style’s practices and customs before you make your final decision. This factor is usually not an issue but it doesn’t hurt to check out this aspect of your martial art before making a commitment.

· Enrolling in a martial arts school based on price rather than quality

This factor can work for you and against you. There is no regulation in the martial arts industry that defines what standards a good school should uphold. Also there are a wide range of martial artists who are full-time commercial school owners and some who are part-time hobbyists.

Most people’s perception is that the more expensive the school the better the martial art. Sometimes this is true but sometimes the local community center has a great martial artist offering a great service. Expensive schools usually offer excellent training facilities and great customer service together with well-structured programs.

Cheaper schools or classes generally offer lesser facilities and sometimes inferior instruction, but very often there are some hidden gems to be discovered. Don’t overlook these people just because of price. Conversely don’t overlook the big schools because they are “too expensive”. Make your decision based on quality and not price.

· Opening the Yellow Pages and choosing a karate school just because the ad looked good

Looks can be deceiving and just because an ad in the Yellow Pages looks good doesn’t mean that the karate school is the right one for you. It just means that they are better at marketing and design than some of the other schools listed in the same pages. Check into a few of the schools by calling them and visiting them and then make your decision. It might end up that you still go to the school with the cool ad and that’s fine, but at least you looked around a little first.

So what is the moral of the story? Do your research first, before you begin your martial arts practice! A little extra time spent up front will more than likely pay dividends later. The martial arts often turns into a lifetime endeavor. You probably won’t be too happy if you spend some significant time practicing a certain style of martial arts only to find out that there is nowhere else to go unless you change your style.

I speak from personal experience here so please listen to what I’m saying. I spent the first ten years of my martial arts practice studying a style of karate that had been invented by my instructor. I was lucky because this particular instructor was actually very good at the martial arts and had developed his style based on what he felt was the best from some of the mainstream karate styles.

Consequently, when he decided to end his study of the martial arts due to family commitments, the transition into my current style of Shotokan Karate was not too difficult due to the similarities with my first style of karate. Fortunately I have few regrets based on the life lessons I received from my first instructor. Some of you may be less fortunate and will have to change altogether.

For a comprehensive guide on how to choose the right style and the right school for you just download my FREE Report, “Karate for Newcomers: How to Find Out Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Karate Practice”. You will find it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com.

Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate.

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