The Top Five Reasons to Learn Muay Thai

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Unless you’re from Thailand, it is highly unlikely that you are leaning towards learning Muay Thai. Admittedly, this form of martial art is not as popular as the other prominent types like Aikido, Kung Fu, and Karate. But it is also hard to deny that a growing number of martial arts enthusiasts are picking up the discipline.

Also known as Thai boxing, Muay Thai is the national sport of the Southeast Asian nation. It was developed centuries ago as a close-combat form, utilizing the entire body as a defense.

To the uninitiated, Muay Thai utilizes attacks using various parts of the body like the knees, feet, elbows, and fists. Strikes can be made from close, mid, or low range. Muay Thai also involves grappling, although unlike in Brazilian jiu jitsu, grappling maneuvers are used for setting up elbow and knee strikes, or throwing the opponent to the ground.

As you can see, Muay Tai requires its practitioners to be athletic and in top shape. As such, you need to be healthy, agile, and strong to be successful in this martial art form.

Today, Muay Thai’s popularity has grown tremendously thanks to the number of UFC fighters who practice it. Some of the more notable names in the MMA world who are known to be great at Muay Thai are Anderson Silva, Brandon Vera and Alistair Overeem.

Aside from joining the bandwagon, why should you devote your time and effort in learning Muay Thai? Here are five reasons why you should consider learning this Thai martial art form:

1. It Provides a Complete Training Workout

Muay Thai is both aerobic and anaerobic in nature, so you can build up your cardiovascular endurance and muscle mass by engaging in this sport.

There’s one study that looked into the energy demand during a Muay Thai competition. The study’s findings show how physically exhausting a Muay Thai fight can be.

Researchers looked into the aerobic energy expenditure and anaerobic metabolism of 10 male athletes during a Muay Thai match. They were asked to wear a portable gas analyzer which provided info on carbon dioxide production, heart rate, and oxygen uptake.

The findings showed that heart rate and oxygen uptake during a Muay Thai match were always above anaerobic threshold level, with carbon dioxide production increasing all throughout the match.

2. It Improves Leg Strength

There’s a lot of kicking involved in Muay Thai. The roundhouse kick is one movement that is distinctive to this martial art form. Performing roundhouse kicks can strengthen the muscles of the lower body, and improve leg strength.

Moreover, Muay Thai can improve your footwork. Rehearsing the various kicks and footwork drills can make you more agile, aside from enhancing your agility and muscle endurance.

3. It Improves Core Strength

Most of the movements in Muay Thai like defending, clinching and striking are rotational in nature, which can help in strengthening and developing core strength. Getting punched in the bread basket can also help in strengthening the core.

A strong core is important in Muay Thai as it is the foundation of balance, coordination, stability, posture, speed and agility. You’d also be needing a strong core to defend yourself against strikes to your midsection.

4. It Increases Hip Mobility

Over time, the kicking and kneeing movements you would do in Muay Thai would increase your hip mobility. Hip mobility not only increases athletic performance but also prevent lower back pain or injury.

Having good flexibility in the hips would allow you to more efficiently perform movements, like kicking. Hip flexibility or mobility is also great if you practice other sports like swimming, as you can make stronger kicks or athletics, as you can jump over hurdles more easily.

5. It’s A Great Stress Reliever

Muay Thai can be a great stress reliever, especially for professionals who are always stressed out from the pressures of work. The martial art can be a nice outlet, working wonders for both mental and physical health. And wouldn’t it be tempting to pour out all you emotions brought about by stressors like mounting bills or office politics on your Muay Thai opponent?

As you can see, Muay Thai is an ideal martial art form to get hooked into. It can be a very effective way of working out, as it would require you to use almost all your body parts. As an aerobic exercise, it can help you get fit and lose weight. As an anaerobic exercise, Muay Thai can make you improve your strength, power and even build muscles. Its movements would also help you improve your leg strength, hip mobility, and core strength.

Moreover Muay Thai can be a great way to relieve some stress that you get on a daily basis. So what are you waiting for? Enroll in a Muay Thai class now and start reaping these great Muay Thai benefits.

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Taekwondo Tips for Adult Beginners

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Are you considering taekwondo but embarrassed by your age? Don’t worry, as taekwondo is designed not just for kids but for adults as well. There are people who took up the martial art in their 30, 40s, and even 50s and even became black belters. You can develop flexibility and speed even if you are at an advanced age.

There are many reasons why adults consider practicing taekwondo. One is that it can help enhance self-esteem by improving their physical and mental states. It can also build self confidence and develop discipline. Of course, other adults are motivated to lean taekwondo so they would know how to defend themselves in situations like an attack.

Did you know that there are lots of senior citizens who continue practicing taekwondo despite their advanced age? In fact, a 96 year old man named Cole Becker is the oldest American to receive a taekwondo black belt.

As you can see, age is not a factor in taekwondo. So there’s no need to be anxious about your age. Here are some tips that you should remember if you want to be successful in taekwondo:

  1. See a Doctor First. Before you enroll in a taekwondo or any martial art class, be sure that you have cleared your plan with your physician. This is particularly true if you are out of shape, or you have a serious medical problem like a heart ailment. Please see your doctor before enrolling. Remember that taekwondo is a very physical sport.
  2. Stretch A Lot. You’re no longer that flexible as you were two or three decades ago. Your muscles and tendons are not as flexible as they once were, so it is very easy for you to get hurt. Remember to do a lot of stretching before you go to your taekwondo class. Stretch your legs and arms at least 10 minutes before your taekwondo training.
  3. Talk to the Master. Don’t be embarrassed with your age. Most masters or instructors are very accommodating to people like you. They are always there to help and clarify any concept or move that you may not understand at first. And keep in mind that these people know that you have friends, colleagues and kids whom you can refer to them if you find their classes interesting and engaging.
  4. Don’t Rush Things. It’s okay to take a break if you find the classes to exhausting and intense. It’s very likely you’ll find taekwondo strenuous especially in the first few weeks of training. You can take a break by skipping a class during the week, or taking a break in the classroom. Taking a break would allow you to catch your breath and help you improve your stamina.
  5. Lose Some Weight. If you are 10 to 20 pounds overweight, you should lose some pounds to lessen the pounding that your knees and feet get. Losing weight not only helps you prevent injuries but also give you more energy as your body will be hauling fewer pounds. Although you will eventually lose weight with taekwondo, it’s better if you are fit at the onset so you would be able to perform well in class.
  6. Practice, Practice, Practice. The old adage says practice makes perfect, and this is true in taekwondo as it is in other martial arts like judo. You can invest in a practice dummy so you can rehearse your kicks and punches at home.
  7. Invest in Comfortable Footwear. Basic taekwondo shoes are comfortable and light. These shoes usually have a padded top that protects the foot whenever you kick a heavy bag. Taekwondo shoes also have a black circle at the sole which helps in pivoting the bottom foot softly for a kick.
  8. Tape Your Toes and Ankles. If you prefer to practice without footwear, tape your toes and ankles to prevent injuries. The lack of tapes on the toes and ankles can make these parts of the bodies prone to injuries, like dislocation and sprains.
  9. Take Your Kids to Taekwondo Class. If you have children, then you should bring them to your taekwondo classes. It is not only a great way to bond with your family, but it can also encourage them to try the martial art.
  10. Have Fun. Finally, don’t be too mindful of what other people would think seeing a grey haired guy like you hanging out with guys half your age. Just focus and have some fun especially after a long day at work. Taekwondo can be a great stress reliever, and you’d definitely have more motivation to kick harder after a stressful day in the office or just thinking about your mounting bills.

Remember that you may not be as flexible as the other younger guys in your class but you may have other advantages, like your ability to learn faster or focus better.

The bottom line is that you just need to enjoy taekwondo!

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Seven of the Most Recognizable Martial Artists of All-Time

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Martial arts has been around for the longest time. If we are to base it on archaeological findings, then we can say that martial arts has been used by man as early as 3400 B.C., when the ancient Egyptians depicted some form of struggle on jars and other artifacts. There have also been drawings and sketches in Mesopotamia and China showing humans in combat using either a sword, stick, or bow.

Admittedly, however, most people only learned of martial arts after seeing a martial arts movie or watching a mixed martial arts (MMA) fight. Although purists may frown at the suggestion that much of martial arts’ popularity can be credited to Bruce Lee, the statement does hold some truth.

That said, here is a listing of the top seven martial artists of all time who have contributed to the popularity of the combat sport.

1. Bruce Lee

Without a doubt the most influential martial artist of all time is the action star and filmmaker Bruce Lee, a Chinese-American who rose to prominence in the 60s and 70s until his untimely death on July 20, 1973.

A pop culture icon of the 20th century, Lee is credited for singlehandedly putting martial arts in the map through his movies. In fact, you can ask anyone on the street on who Lee is, and chances are high you’ll get a response associating him with karate and other martial art forms.

2. Yip Man

Although his claim to fame would definitely have to be the teacher of Bruce Lee, Yip Man has his valuable contributions to martial arts. He schooled some of the best martial artists of the 20th century like Lee and a host of other Chinese figures. There have been several movies and TV series that touched on his life and his legacy to martial arts.

3. Jackie Chan

Perhaps the only man who is closest to touching the legacy of Bruce Lee would have to be Jackie Chan, himself a decorated action star and martial artists. In fact, if we are to base it on longevity and the number of films made alone, Chan would best Lee by a mile. The still active Chan has been acting in martial arts movies since the 60s and has appeared in more than 150 movies.

Chan is a cultural icon himself, having successfully mixed comedic timing with his martial arts moves. There isn’t one cinema buff who has never heard of Chan, and his mainstream appeal has made martial arts even more recognizable to the casual fan.

4. Anderson Silva

Perhaps the most popular and controversial Universal Fighting Championship (UFC) champion of all-time, Anderson da Silva is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who is recognized as the greatest of his generation. He holds the UFC record for most consecutive wins (16) and title defenses (10) with 12 post-fight bonus awards to boot.

Although his popularity has suffered a dip ever since he lost in consecutive mind-blowing fashion to Chris Wiedman, Silva’s career is back on track. It remains to be seen whether he would recapture his old glory but it is undeniable that his exploits in the octagon has made the public aware of the various styles he is adept at, like taekwondo, judo, Muay Thai, Jiu-jitsu wrestling, and Capoiera.

5. Chuck Norris

Like Lee and Chan, Chuck Norris has been able to make martial arts more recognized by the public through his movies. In fact, he starred with the late Lee in the movie “Way of the Dragon.” He became a huge star in the 80s, and later made the transition to a TV star after his movie projects dwindled.

As a martial artist Norris was the Professional Middleweight Karate champion in the 70s, a feat he held on for six years. However it cannot be denied that his greatest contribution to martial arts was when he was acting in front of the cameras.

6. Royce Gracie

Similar to Silva, Gracie is a UFC fighter who is regarded as one of the best of his time. A Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner, he was best known for beating fighters who were bigger and stronger than him. He weighed just 170 pounds but still won three of the first four UFC tournaments. His legacy is unquestioned that some quarters consider him to be a bigger star than Silva, especially when you take into consideration how he helped shape what the UFC is today.

7. Jet Li

A popular Chinese action star who rose to Hollywood prominence as the bad guy in Lethal Weapon 4 released in 1998. Like Chan, he has had his share of Hollywood action blockbusters like Kiss of the Dragon, Unleashed, and the Expendables series. He is a master of various styles of wushu, and studied other martial arts like Supreme ultimate fist and Shape intent fist.

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10 Interesting Facts About Taekwondo

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You don’t have to be a Korean or from Asia to understand how popular taekwondo is. Arguably the most popular martial art in the world, taekwondo is the national sport of Korea. It is one of only two martial arts entered as an Olympic sport, the other being judo.

Taekwondo is a combat sport with a lot of emphasis on kicks. If you’ve seen any taekwondo match, you might have been astounded at the sight of a roundhouse kick hitting a participant.

Although taekwondo is that popular as a martial art, there are other things that casual taekwondo fans may not know about it. Here are 10 of the fun facts you should know about taekwondo:

1. It Has Ancient Roots

As an organized martial art, Taekwondo is fairly new having been named as such in 1955. However, there are archaeological evidences that the early Koreans had their own unique martial art form which can be considered as the predecessor of taekwondo.

There’s a mural painting showing figures practicing martial arts techniques found in a tomb that is said to have been built in 3 A.D. Historical records traced during the Koguryu Empire (37 B.C. to 66 A.D.) also mention about martial arts techniques and tournaments. The martial art had various names like Kwonbak Dangsoo, and Kongsoo.

Taekwondo only became organized in 1955 after Koreans were able to get the Japanese out of their country. The Japanese had introduced their own culture and martial arts in Korea from 1909 to 1945, and the Koreans wanted to have their own martial art form. This led to the birth of taekwondo in 1955.

2. It is Practiced by More than 70 Million People Worldwide

Here’s one proof how popular taekwondo is—it is practiced by more than 70 million people around the world. Four million of them are black belts. It is also said that the martial art is practiced in 188 countries around the world.

Contributing to the appeal of Taekwondo is the fact that it has been featured in different movies, starring actors like Jean Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris.

3. It Has a Lower Injury Rate Than Mixed Martial Arts

Yes, compared to mixed martial arts, taekwondo has a lower injury rate. However it has a higher injury rate than soccer, basketball and hockey. The two most common injuries in taekwondo are leg strains and bruises.

4. Many Celebrities Have Taken Taekwondo

Jean Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris are not the only celebrities who have taken up the martial arts. Other stars who are known to practice taekwondo are Chinese action star Jackie Chan, TV host Joe Rogan, actor Dolph Lundgren, and actor Ryan Philippe who’s a black belt.

5. The Taekwondo Uniform is Called Dobok

Typically, a taekwondo student wears a white uniform with a belt tied around the waist. White uniforms are traditionally used at formal ceremonies like belt tests and promotions. There are instances when colored uniforms are used by special teams or higher-level instructors.

6. There are Six Belt Colors in Taekwondo

There are six belt colors in taekwondo— white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black. In general, the higher the rank of the practitioner is, the darker the color of his/her belt.

7. The Place Where Taekwondo Instruction is Given Is Called Dojang

Dojang is the name of the area within the school in which taekwondo instruction takes place. It is sometimes translated as gymnasium, although the term may be loosely used to refer to the taekwondo school. Most of the contemporary dojangs have padded flooring with red-and-blue patters to reflect the colors of the taegeuk symbol. The dojang is also decorated with items like flags, belts, banners and instructional materials.

8. There are Four Categories in Olympic Taekwondo

The taekwondo competition in the Olympics is composed of four categories for both sexes. For men, these are under 58 kilograms, under 68 kilograms, under 80 kilograms, and over 80 kilograms.

For women, the categories are as follows—under 49 kilograms, under 57 kilograms, under 67 kilograms, and over 67 kilograms.

Olympic participants take part in a single-elimination tournament for the gold and silver medals. Defeated contestants would participate in a second tournament, with the winner of that bracket winning the bronze medal.

9. Taekwondo Became An Olympic Sport in 2000

The sport actually became part of the Olympics only during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. But it was a demonstration sport starting in 1988, when the Olympic games were held in South Korea.

10. Taekwondo Training is Exhausting

Taekwondo training is quite exhausting, as you would have to learn a lot of moves. Training includes a system of kicks, punches, blocks, and open-handed strikes. You’ll also have to learn different take-downs, throws, and joint locks similar to those employed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

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Key Differences Between Karate and Taekwondo

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Karate and Taekwondo are two of the most well-known martial arts from the Far East. Karate is a form of Japanese martial art that was developed from fighting methods from Okinawa, Japan. On the other hand, taekwondo is a Korean martial art and combat sport.

Taekwondo is also an Olympic sport having been recognized as a medal sport in 2000 during the Sydney Games. On the other hand, karate is not considered an Olympic event.

Aside from those very basic differences, taekwondo and karate have a lot of differences. Here are some of the more noticeable differences between karate and taekwondo:

Features

Karate is more of a striking art with a lot of punches, kicks, knee and elbow strikes, and open handed techniques. Grappling, parries, throws, and locks are also taught with equal emphasis.

Loosely translated from Japanese, karate means ‘empty hands’. It actually originated as a form of self-defense which put emphasis on effectively using the unarmed body of a practitioner through blocking or thwarting an attack, and counter-attacking through kicks, punches, and strikes.

On the other hand, taekwondo relies mostly on kicking techniques. The theory behind this approach is that the leg is the part of the body that has the strongest power, and a kick has the greatest potential to perform strikes without successful retaliation.

Promotion/Belt

In karate, ranking would depend on the practitioner’s technical competence and character development. Teaching and dedication are equally important at higher levels. Ranking is used to measure a practitioner’s progress and give him or her feedback as well as incentives in training.

In karate, there are two levels of belts—pre-black belt and black belt. The pre-black belt levels are white belt, orange, yellow, blue, green, purple, high purple, third brown, second brown, and first brown belt.

For a practitioner to achieve a higher rank, he or she would have to go through an examination administered by a panel of judges who look in to the movements, mental discipline, and techniques of the practitioners.

Reaching black belt is considered a new beginning. There are various black belt levels as well, from first degree black belt to tenth degree black belt.

In taekwondo, the ranks are separated into senior, junior, or student and instructor variations. The juniors have belts of different colors, while students begin with the tenth geup and work their way towards the first geup.

Students are to go through promotion tests to advance to the next rank. In these promotion tests, practitioners have to show their proficiency in the different aspects of taekwondo before a panel of judges.

Tests often include breaking of boards, sparring and self defense, demonstration of the use of taekwondo techniques with both power and control, among others. Practitioners are also to answer questions on terminologies, concepts, and history of taekwondo to prove their knowledge and understanding of the martial art.

Seniors have to go through nine ranks that are indicated by the Korean term ‘dan.’ Black belts start at the first dan, and would have to go through the second, third, fourth, and so on. The ninth and final dan is given only to the true master of the art as designated by the International Taekwondo Federation.

History

Both martial arts trace their origins to thousands of years ago. Karate was said to have started more than 2,000 years ago when the Indian Buddhist monk Bodidharma went to a small forest temple to teach Zen Buddhism. Bodidharma introduced an organized set of exercises that were designed to promote a sound mind and body, and which started the Shaolin style of temple boxing.

Zen Buddhism would become the foundation for the Chinese martial arts. Eventually, the upper class family members in the small Japanese island of Okinawa traveled to China to study the various martial arts disciplines. They would later amalgamated Chinese martial arts to what would become karate.

Taekwondo is also said to be more than two thousand years old. It originated in Korea sometime in 37 B.C. It was based on the principle that every individual as the natural instinct to defend himself against a sudden attack.

The Korean martial arts would eventually fade into obscurity, particularly during the Joseon Dynasty. When the Japanese forced their way to conquer Korea at the turn of the 20th century, the practice of taekwondo was banned. The Japanese wanted the Koreans to learn their culture, including their martial arts. But taekwondo remained popular among Koreans, at least to those who taught the martial art through underground teaching and folk custom.

When the country was liberated from Japanese colonization, new martial art styles suddenly came out of nowhere and became widely practiced. After the Korean war, martial arts schools in the country began to operate. President Syngman Rhee then instructed that all these martial arts schools unify under a single system. Taekwondo was organized as a martial art and combat sport in 1955 and has then become a discipline practiced by more than 180 million people around the globe.

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The Differences of Aikido and Judo

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Aikido and Judo are two of the most famous Japanese martial arts in the world today, rivaled only by the likes of Karate and traditional Jiu Jitsu (Jujutsu). Both revolve around tackling, throwing, and getting the opponent on the ground instead of striking with punches and kicks.

Similarities in Appearance

Many of the moves and techniques look the same to people who have never studied either of the two arts. Even their uniforms look the same – differentiating an Aikido gi from a Judo gi isn’t easy for the untrained eye.

The belt system differs from school to school, especially in the west, however in Japan both Aikido belts and Judo belts are given in just two colors: white and black. This makes it even harder to identify which school of fighting a person is practicing.

Similarities in Heritage

Both arts are descendants of ancient Jujutsu techniques so in many ways they look and may even feel somewhat the same. Both Aikido and Judo owe a lot of their philosophies, techniques, and styles to the ancient Jujutsu arts that were practiced by the samurai.

Jujutsu is a collective term for a myriad of ancient fighting arts but all of them focused on one goal: combat styles that a samurai could use during war when they were not in reach of their sword.

The sword was the samurai’s main weapon but in the chance they lose it they should still be able to fight and defeat their enemy. Many Jujutsu styles focused on disarming the opponent, injuring the opponent, and even killing the opponent.

Diversion in History

Judo was formed by Jigoro Kano during 1882 and it fully blossomed during the 1900s. It was the first school of martial arts that used a gi and belt as a uniform and it was the first that focused primarily on competitive sports instead of street combats and war.

Judo takes most of its inspirations from Tenjin Shinyo Ryu as well as Kito Ryu. This turned Judo into a form of Jujutsu that formed on grapples, chokes, and submissions.

Jigoro Kano also befriended Gichen Funakoshi who was the progenitor of Shotokan Karate. He later applied Shotokan striking techniques (known in Judo as Atemi Waza) into his own martial art although these are only taught to black belt Judo students.

Aikido was formed by Morihei Ueshiba during the 1930s and 1940s. He realized that many Jujutsu schools were making their students rude and violent. They only focused on techniques that were commonly used for war and this caused students and others to get injured.

Ueshiba, inspired by the techniques of Daito-Ryu-Aiki-Jutsu (which is also applied in Judo), and integrated a system of philosophy that would later form the art of Aikido.

Aikido’s philosophy focused on martial arts solely for self-defense and that it was a way of life emphasizing on discipline and the desire to cause no harm to others. Aikido is designed to take down an opponent in self-defense but also to make sure that the opponent is not seriously injured.

Difference in Style

Here’s where the two show their differences. Judo is focused entirely on aggressive takedowns and submissions. Practice involves sparring against an opponent doing everything they can to win, allowing their students to put all their skills and knowledge to the test.

This is what made Judo such a popular sport. It’s a sport so it isn’t designed for war but it is still aggressive enough to be used for self-defense and entertainment. A skilled Judo fighter can easily lock and break a person’s joints with the right position and movements.

Aikido uses a much different strategy. It also uses grabs and takedowns but the main focus is to use the enemy’s force and weight against him in order to throw them down and incapacitate them from fighting any further.

This is why Aikido is taught for self-defense instead of focusing as a competitive sport. Women and children can easily learn apply the techniques of Aikido. Shorter men and even people with generally weaker bodies can throw down a much bigger opponent using Aikido.

Judo is a ground-fighting technique where the combatants are struggling to submit each other using joint locks, chokes, and others. Aikido is done standing and the fight stops once one opponent throws down the other.

Both use striking movements but only for measuring distance, distraction, defense, and evasive maneuvers.

Which is More Practical?

Both martial arts are practical for use in the real world but it all depends on preference, body stature, and the circumstances to determine which is better.

A slender woman assaulted by a rapist in an alley would do much better with Aikido. They can use the momentum of their attacker’s strikes to grab them, throw them down, and then run away to safety.

A woman trapped in a small room and is being held at knife-point will be apply to Judo techniques to change positions so that she will have the upper hand. This will allow her to free herself from her captive’s hold and then subdue the attacker with a powerful joint lock or choke.

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Choosing the Best Martial Art Suited for You

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Martial arts have become more than just a physical routine for competitive fighting. The more brutal arts have been incorporated into military use while others have been modified for fitness and health programs. Just about everyone has something to benefit from martial arts.

The only issue now is choosing which one of the different arts is right for you. There are so many to choose from such as Karate, Judo, Kung Fu, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They might all sound the same but upon deeper inspection you’ll see each one has their own separate quirks and differences.

Step 1 – Look into Yourself

The first step in identifying the right martial art is to know what you want, what your strengths are, and what your weaknesses are. You’ll want a martial art that improves your weaknesses while honing your strengths.

Remember that every martial art is different no matter what they say; a 5’2” skinny man wouldn’t do much good in Sumo wrestling but put on an Aikido gi on him and teach him the basics he could throw down a much larger opponent after just 3 months of training.

By identifying what your body is capable of, what areas of yourself you want to improve or alter, and what goals you realize can be realistically achieved, you’ll have a shorter list of martial arts applicable to your needs and wants.

Step 2 – Look into the Martial Arts Schools Nearby

Yes, you might to look for the schools nearby before deciding on one of the different arts in the world. Why choose Pencak Silat if there’s no school within 200 miles of where you live? By jotting down the schools within a certain travel radius you’ll instantly be able to create a short list of viable options.

Step 3 – Formal Training

This is where the martial art schools will differ. You’ll want an in-depth look at their training regiment, their schedule, etiquette, and more. This is where you’ll see how they wear their gi and belts, their ceremonies, rules, and training gear.

If you’re still deciding which martial art to practice, try visiting a few of these schools. You’ll want to talk to the instructors and even to some of the students to get a feel of how their particular martial art works and what philosophies they imbue to each other.

This will also allow you to study the different martial arts in action. You’ll get a first-hand look at what you could be learning.

Thinking of joining a Karate class? Visit the school and check what kind of Karate gi they wear, what training gear they use, how they spar, and what time they begin and end.

Another part of this formality is to see how the instructors teach their students. Do they spar their students to let them learn in direct combat or they have the students perform katas routinely with a partner?

Formal arts are like Kendo where everything is done in a precise order, with symbolic meaning and a proper method of doing things from start to finish. The least formal are like boxing where a boxer simply fights in a ring and the trainer yells specific instructions.

Step 4 – Informal inquiry

So you’re done visiting the school, you’ve talked to the instructor, and you’ve seen whether or not their martial art is suitable to your body’s capabilities, your needs, and your wants. Now it’s time to see the martial arts in action as performed by the masters so it’s time to turn to your computer and YouTube.

This might sound like a waste of time for some but watching videos can help you determine what style is best suited for you. Try to emulate easy moves and watch some tutorial videos if you can find them. Switch things around and see which martial art clicks the most with you.

You’ll want to do this during your alone time. Martial arts instructors can be very persuasive so you can expect a lot of sales talk when you visit their schools. When you’re alone following YouTube videos, there’s no one buzzing sales talk in your ears so you can concentrate on what really feels right for you.

Step 5 – Give it Some Time

So you’ve decided on a martial art? Decided to invest on a brand new Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi and rank up those belts? Before you decide any further, try to lock down your goals and give your decision a good year as a test run. Attend every class for the year and see how far you’ve come.

If after a year and you don’t feel like it’s getting you anywhere then take some time off and try something else. It can seem annoying to have to waste an entire year but if you’re really not happy then don’t pursue it to a point of being miserable.

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Aikido and the Philosophies of Self-Defense

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When it comes to martial arts, people often think about the ways these deadly systems can be used to defeat opponents or how they can claim glory in the ring. Aikido is a much different system. It isn’t a martial art that is set out to break bones and add layers of glory to an Aikido gi.

The World Surrounding the Early Days of Aikido

Back before colorful Aikido belts littered international dojos, Japan was populated by martial art thugs. The old way of Jujutsu (Japanese combat arts) was for war – after all, the different styles of Jujutsu were designed for samurai fighting and killing for their daimyo.

Schools produced undisciplined students who ended up hurt one another during training or sparring. Jujutsu was unrefined and made solely for killing. It wasn’t until the new revolution of the 1900s that Jujutsu arts were altered for self-defense and sports.

Among these new martial arts were modern-day Karate, Judo, and Aikido. Aikido in particular emphasizes on self-defense.

Winning Without Hurting

Aikido’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba, points to an encounter he once had with a naval officer during a friendly duel. The naval officer was a fencing instructor and used a wooden sword to attack. Ueshiba evaded until the officer was exhausted and then took him down with a grab and throw.

It was at that point that Ueshiba realized martial arts could be altered to defeat an opponent without having to hurt them.

He could win without hurting, something that was never seen in Jujutsu. Back then, the only way to win was to break their joints (Judo) or strike them until they stop moving (Karate). Ueshiba’s philosophy would allow a defender to avoid harm but also avoid hurting someone else.

This is because Aikido focused more on using an opponent’s momentum against them. Such as in the case of Ueshiba fighting against the naval officer, an Aikido student could exhaust their opponent before using a single throw to win a match.

Diminishing the Advantage of Strength and Size

Judo is known for using its Judo gi as a means of making a fight fairer – by wearing a gi, both fighters will rely on their skills in the martial art instead of abusing their strength and size to overpower their opponent.

The same concept resides in Aikido albeit in a different manner. Ueshiba, who was a master of the Jujutsu art known as Daito-Ryu-Aiki-Jujutsu – refined his techniques so that even smaller, muscularly weaker fighters could win against much larger and stronger foes.

A smaller fighter could wait for his opponent to put all his weight in a single punch, step aside to avoid it, and then use that momentum to trip the opponent, grab him by his shoulder and then throw him down. It requires little effort and little strength to pull off.

Of course it requires a lot of training and the body needs to be at peace in order to master every technique and every move until it becomes instinctive. When the body reacts it should be automatic. In a fight there is little time to pause and think.

The Essence of Ki

Aikido is a martial art heavily imbued with the concept of Ki (chi). Ki is often expressed as the energy of the universe. Every person is surrounded by it, filled with it, and living through it. Aikido teaches a meaningful and harmonious path to achieve control of a person’s Ki.

The deeper philosophies of Aikido are not combined into a single religion or belief. Every Aikido school has their own spin on the arts’ philosophies and teachings but the essence remains the same: Aikido is a martial art that promotes peace of mind as it does control of one’s body.

When someone invades that zone of peace, Aikido teaches a path to restore it. When a woman is being assaulted by a rapist, Aikido will allow her to take down her opponent, even when he is large and armed, with neither of them getting seriously hurt.

This essence is why Aikido is not considered a combat art. While it is highly applicable for real world situations, it is not an art used for defeating several enemy soldiers in a war zone. It is only meant to be used for self-defense.

Aikido for Men, Women, and Children

Aikido appeals to men because of how flexible and applicable Aikido is in a real fight. It is appealing for children and women because it is a great way to defend oneself in real world situations such as when a person is being mugged or assaulted.

People wearing an Aikido gi are people to be respected. True Aikido students not only master the movements but instill the philosophies of peace and self-defense, making them some of the most respected fighters in the world today.

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7 Reasons to Take Up Krav Maga

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The Internet is filled with people who look at masters with high ranking Krav Maga belts and go “He’s not a real fighter because Krav Maga isn’t a practical art” or “Krava Maga is just a watered-down combat art formerly used by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF).

These people have absolutely no idea what they are talking about.

Krav Maga is not only one of the most practical martial arts but under a skilled master it is also one of the deadliest. It ranks among the most brutal arts, a spot shared by Pencak Silat/Kali, Wushu, and Russian Systema.

If that’s not reason enough to start ranking up Krav Maga belts then take a moment to consider the following:

Krav Maga is Practical for Real World Fights

Fighting for sport is one thing but fighting to defend your life from thugs and rapists is another. In the ring or on the mat, there are rules and a referee to make sure everybody follows those rules. In the real world, you have to be able to win or your life could be in jeopardy. There is no middle ground.

Krava Maga was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld, originally designed for practical use in the streets. Its roots shaped the art into a practical system that can be used realistically. It was later refined and taught to the IDF, so it wasn’t the other way around as many people believe.

Krav Maga is a Complete Package

Judo focuses on grapples and submission locks. Aikido has some striking but it focuses on momentum control and takedowns. Karate is focused almost entirely on empty-hand striking. Krav Maga is a package of all three: striking, wresting, and grappling.

This means you will always have a strategy to fight back with no matter what situation you are in. Whether you are standing and striking or you are on the ground outmatching someone in an arm lock, Krav Maga will keep you equipped with the skills you need to win.

Krav Maga is Easier to Learn

The essence of Krav Maga is to focus on a martial art that is practical in real life situations so it doesn’t use difficult katas and formations like Karate or Wushu. Instead, the techniques in Krav Maga focus on instinctual movement – meaning these are the most likely, most natural movements a person will actually do in combat.

This makes it much easier to learn, especially for beginners. However, the mantra of “easy to learn, hard to master” does apply so only the most dedicated students climb up to the black Krav Maga belts.

Krav Maga is Applicable to People of All Sizes and Strengths

Have you ever seen a skinny Sumo wrestler or a boxer without large muscles? How about a wrestler who doesn’t look like a walking tank of muscles? Those are bodies that many people can only dream of and that make their martial art so difficult for smaller people.

Krav Maga doesn’t share that issue. Krav Maga is designed so that tall people, short people, skinny or heavy can use its art for self-defense and counter.

Krav Maga Takes Stress into Consideration

When you’re in a real fight you often won’t have the time to think about what you can and cannot do. The situation is urgent and you need to be able to react in a split-second’s time. Many other martial arts do not train you for this – the moment a fight breaks out, people forget all their kata and body forms.

Krav Maga fixes this by preparing the mind as much as it prepares the body. Mental control and properly assessing a panic-inducing situation is integral to the lessons of Krav Maga. After all, it was later taught to IDF soldiers so teaching them how to take control even in a war zone was crucial.

Krav Maga Doesn’t Take Forever to Master

As with every martial art it does take some time to gain experience and hone your skills however it won’t take you six-twelve years to reach the higher tiers of learning. This isn’t Brazilian Jiu Jitsu where there are many required years before you can become a black belt.

This is because Krav Maga focuses on skill and concentration. If you’re really good and you practice every day then it in just 2-4 years you’ll be counted among the best in the art. There are people who have only studied 3-5 years and yet are certified instructors already.

Krav Maga Has Been Battle Tested

Many martial arts claim they are useful and have been tested by soldiers but very few actually have. Kali, a Filipino art, and Russian Systema are some that really have been combat tested and Krav Maga belongs with them.

The thing with soldiers is that they fight as a group and with firearms. Very rarely will a soldier ever fight hand to hand while in a battlefield.

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7 Reasons to Get Your Kid into Martial Arts

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They always say that one of the best ways to help your kids explore who they are develop into righteous, physically fit adults is to get them into martial arts. Martial arts, in the eyes of some, are just acts of violence but the truth could not be any further from this statement.

Martial arts like Hapkido, Aikido, Judo, Krav Maga, and others teach more than just fighting. These are ways of life that influence a person’s control over their body, their mind, as well as their philosophies in life.

If you need any reason to start your kid enrolling martial arts then take a look at these seven listed below:

Kids Get More Active

It’s time to get your kids away from the TV, away from their video games, and definitely away from the Internet. Too many kids are staying indoors eating junk food and wasting away on Facebook. Martial arts training is a great way to get them out of their coop and back into action.

Kids are spending so much time with their gadgets that the era of playing basketball and football outdoors is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Kids don’t even play out in the street together anymore. They just visit one kid’s house and sit around a TV and play video games.

Martial arts changes that. They have to interact physically with the other people.

Boost Their Social Skills

Martial arts classes involve a lot of people working together to help one another get better. It’s like a brotherhood but it is the philosophy of the art that binds everyone like a family instead of a verbal oath. This kind of environment would do a lot of good for a child.

Kids can learn how to make friends, how to help each other, and to understand their limits with other people just by attending these classes.

Kids Develop Better Self-Discipline

Kids will get hit during their training. It’s inevitable. They’ll get hit, thrown, and pushed a lot. They will win some sparring matches and they will a lot more. A child with no self-discipline will suddenly lash out and fight back with no honor but martial arts slowly eliminate that.

Self-discipline is a big part of martial arts because a child needs to learn to control themselves in situations so tempting to just fight back and hurt someone. Kids learn martial arts not to hurt but to defend and that essence is gained through continuous sessions at the dojo.

Learn to Set Goals

If you’ve seen the colored Hapkido belts, Karate belts, and Judo belts then you might be familiar with the hierarchy of skills in martial arts schools. These belts help a student identify what rank they are, what skills they have to learn, and just how far they are from the top.

This belt system helps them to identify goals and form plans to achieve those goals. They understand that a blue belt is better than a white belt and the only way they’ll reach that rank is to master the current skills taught to them and to prove that they have mastered everything for their current level.

Goal setting plays a larger role in life, such as being able to set goals to save money, finish college, and get a good job. It all starts here in their childhood, while studying martial arts.

Raise Their Self Confidence

Wearing a Judo gi with a blue belt might seem like a small achievement for people aiming for the black belt but for a young child they will wear it with pride, especially when they learn the meaning and history of the uniform they wear.

Shy kids often turn out to be quite confident after studying martial arts. Martial arts becomes a gateway for them to open up, feel like someone that matters, and their growing list of fighting skills makes their confidence grow even more as time passes by.

Improve’s Health

As mentioned above, martial arts gets kids outdoors and into physical activities. Over time, this develops into a regular routine and that helps kids avoid obesity and other health conditions. The physical aspect of martial arts builds their strength and endurance, making your kids less likely to get sick.

It’s not just about burning calories either. Martial arts help the bones to develop and get stronger, a child will develop a stronger immune system, develop better breathing, and will be less prone to improper posture.

Kids Will Develop Quality Self-Defense

Self-defense is one of the main goals of studying martial arts. Children get bullied at school and may even be assaulted by adults who aim to hurt them, kidnap them, or rape them. Martial arts is a perfect means of teaching them how to protect themselves when necessary.

Martial arts teaches a child when to run, when to fight back, how to fight back, and when to avoid fighting all together.

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