Las Vegas Martial Arts Blog

The Origins of Tai Chi
The principles of Tai Chi were established by Taoist hermits and evolved as a martial fighting art called Tai Chi Chuan.

The early Tai Chi teachers were mystical figures however; the exception was Chang San-Feng, who was the first major figure in Tai Chi history.

The Ming Dynasty places his date of birth at 1247 and he is credited with being the founder of the fighting art called Wudang Kung fu.

He is believed to have studied under a Taoist recluse living in the mountains of Northwest China; he then studied at a Shaolin temple.

The Shaolin temple is credited as the originator of fighting martial arts such as Shaolin temple boxing and Kung Fu.

After watching a fight between a bird and a snake, Chang was impressed by the ability of the snake to dodge and counter attack the larger crane.

Chang observed this ability to defend and counter attack and then modified his Kung Fu fighting technique.

From this point on the soft or internal Chinese marshal arts were born including: Ba Gua, Hsingi and Tai Chi Chan.

Chen Style
The 17th century in China was a time of war and Tai Chi was developed as a fighting discipline. The most famous of these was the Chen style of Tai Chi founded by Chen Wang T’ing who served under general Chi Chi-Guang.

General Chi Chi-Guang is credited with writing the “classic of Kung Fu” which, set out the principles of what has now become the Cheng style of Tai Chi.

T’ing is credited as being the first person to refer to Tai Chi Chuan rather than Wudang kung fu.

Yang Style
Yang Lu-Chan found work in the household of Chen Chang-xing and secretly spied on Tai Chi Sessions of his master.

One day he offered to fight a stranger in front of Chen, who was unaware of his fighting skills.

Chen was so impressed by his performance that he accepted Yang as a student, Yang then travelled throughout China as Chen’s representative and in any fights he took part in legend has it he was never beaten.

Yang adapted the Chen style to be a gentler version of Tai Chi. Today, Chen is acknowledged as the oldest of the three Tai Chi styles but it is Yang’s style is more popular.

Wu Yu Hsiang Style
The third major style of Tai Chi was developed by Wu Yu-Hsiang, who studied with Yang and Chen.

His style incorporates features of both styles and these three styles form the base from which many other styles have flourished.

Modern Developments
The government in Peking in 1949 established the Wushu Council to formulate a style that would popularise Tai Chi, improve people’s health and make it a competitive sport.

The Wushu style is responsible for popularising Tai Chi and bringing it to a greater audience than ever before.

A new style called the Beijing 24 step form came from this research and has become popular worldwide.

The most famous of the Tai Chi masters of the 20th century was Chen Man-Ching; he simplified the Yang style big form of 108 postures cutting it to just 37.

This style is easier to learn and established Chan Man Ching as the most influential Tai Chi master of the 20th Century.

Further information
Re Vitalise offer a warm welcome to both novice and experienced pupils. In addition to offering regular tuition there are several Tai Chi weekend breaks available.

To learn more about our services go to:
http://www.re-vitalise.co.uk

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Wushu is a Chinese term which is basically built of two word combinations “wu” which refers to martial and “shu” which stands for arts, so it generally refers to any type of martial arts on the globe . Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Jeet Kune Do, Defendo, Krav Maga, Kombato and more. Unlike kung fu, the term wushu is topically dedicated to what it refers to, while kung fu on the other hand, literally means a skill, just any skill. For example you can say of a doctor or a teacher “he has a good kung fu” which means skill, if he is talented in his field, but you can’t say he has a good wushu. Though nowadays wushu refers to the recent sport, namely “wushu sport ” and also called “contemporary wushu ” or “modern wushu ” which was created by People’s Republic of China after 1949, which is a combination of traditional Chinese martial arts.

Wushu’s earlier development was to enhance the opportunity of living, like killing animals for food, combat against others, live tough situations and more. There are still a lot of wushu styles in china which can be generally divided into few branches in terms of geographical region and in terms of methods. Geographically, wushu is categorised as northern style wushu and southern style wushu which basically refers to Northern Shaolin temple and southern Shaolin temple, although in the modern meaning of wushu, the term encompasses any style that originates either from the south or the north. The basic difference between this two styles is that the southern wushu style emphasizes hand skills, tough arms and a steady, ingrained stance and footwork. However, the northern style focus more on jumps, kicks and rapid movements.

Some examples of the northern Chinese wushu styles include Changquan, Tanglangquan, Chuojiao, Bajiquan, Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Bayingquan, and Yingzhaoquan and some of the southern styles include Hung Gar, Wing Chun, and Choy Lay Fut.

In terms of methods, wushu can be divided into internal soft styles like Taijiquan which focus on the balance of body energies, control of movements and the concept of QI and External or hard styles which are topical fighting styles focusing on speed, strength, deep explosive power and vigor. External styles include all other types of Wushu, except for, Liu He Ba Fa, Baguazhang ,Xingyiquan, and Taijiquan.

Most of these styles and other Chinese martial arts have practical applications which are known as forms, or “taolu” in Chinese. Forms are series of techniques and movements which are to be performed alone or with one or more partners. This form is divided into two parts; forms that are performed by one parson and “sparring” forms which are performed by two or a group of people.

The other side of the training are “basics” which include exercises for strong and flexible muscles. such as various exercises for strengthening the body, and regular stretching for flexible muscles. Most of Chinese martial arts also uses weapon training normally chines traditional weapons like Changsuijian (Long-Tasseled Sword) Shuangshoujian (Two-Handed Sword) Jiujiebian (Nine Section Whip) Sanjiegun (Three Section Staff) Shengbiao (Rope Dart) Dadao (Great Sword) Pudao (Pu Sword) Emeici (Emei Daggers) Shuangdao (Double Broadsword) Shuangjian (Double Sword) Shuangbian (Double Nine Section Whips) Shuanggou (Double Hooksword).

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Martial Arts

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I would never disrespect one fighting art over another. I would recommend that you look into the various types available to you and ensure the one that you choose satisfies your criteria, whether you want to be more involved in a traditional art, a competitive sport, keep fit, a family recreation or purely for self defense. Go and watch a few classes and see what you think for yourself, talk to the instructor and if it’s Self defense that you are interested in and then ensure that they dedicate a large portion of their instruction specifically to self defense training.

The Martial Arts of the Far East have become systems of Sport or have become an art consisting of pre arranged moves and one step sparring techniques. This is far removed from their Martial beginnings. Traditional martial arts often dedicate a great deal of time to Kata, which are sequences of moves and techniques, simulating a person taking on one or more opponents. Often they involve speed, power, great poise and flexibility. These can be a good training aid but offer little assistance when it comes to practical modern self defense. Many arts do not prepare you for when an attacker comes in close contact or takes you to the ground as these may not be techniques that are allowed under the rules of a particular style. Remember in a street fight or attack, anything goes.

For a moment, picture two athletes in a tournament facing each other. They have prepared for weeks or even months, physically they are in great shape. Keep looking and first let’s take away the referee together with the rules that he was there to enforce, now anything goes, they’re not restricted to the same variety of moves that they are both accustomed to. Take away the gloves, the foot pads, padded head gear, groin protector and mouth guard. Take away the matting and replace it with concrete, let s add some brick walls and remove the lighting. Take away the crowd and anyone else there who may have been ready to jump in and break them apart as one guy is beat beyond unconscious. In fact let’s change the environment to a back alley, a back lane, maybe a kitchen, a bedroom or even a lounge and let’s make available all the weapons in each of these environments: glass, steel bars, screw drivers, knives and other items that you may not even recognize as a weapon. There is a different type of mind set required for a street encounter that is not necessarily covered by the average Martial Arts class.

In most cases it may not even be such an organized stand off but most likely be initiated with a blind sided attack, a mugging or even an attempted rape. Change the odds and replace one of the fighters with another who is fifty pounds lighter so it s no longer a match fight, change the attacker to two men or more. Now many of these competitive athletes may well be in great physical shape but are they prepared mentally for such an encounter? In most cases, the answer is no. Many experienced martial artists have gone to pieces in a street fight mainly because of the mind set required and also, what works in the training hall may not be practical on the street, especially if space is restricted.

Would you choose to hang around to see how you faired in a situation where the odds are stacked against you? I’d suggest right now that if there’s a front door take it, if there’s not then take the back door and if there are no doors then make one. If you prefer you can always be the guy remembered for taking on 4 guys and never made it. Avoid, Escape and Attack should be your options, in that order. The point here is that just because someone is considered an expert in the Dojo, in a particular style, it does not necessarily mean that they are an expert in Self Defense. In some cases they may well be but the two do not go hand in hand.

Violent situations are often glamorized by Hollywood with a hero using an array of fancy techniques against numerous attackers with an assortment of weapons but the reality is anything but, it’s bloody, gruesome, and dirty and often ends in death. Those lucky enough to survive may end up with broken bones, smashed in faces, or any number of serious injuries, in many cases causing physical and mental scars that may never heal. On the street the attacker has never read the rules and attack with surprise and cunning showing no mercy on victims who look least aware.

It is important to train and practice in a way that you would like to react if you ever did face a real situation. If you are always pulling your punches two inches away from hitting the target in training then the chances are that your natural reaction under pressure may well be the same. In training get your attacker padded up so you can react with some real full on blows. You don t want your training partners to always be compliant either, ask them to resist and make it difficult and you do the necessary to make the techniques work.

Malcolm Bale 2nd Degree Blackbelt in Jiu-Jitsu http://www.fightwize.com

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An overview of the reasons to study self defense.
Now.
I know this seems a little off the cuff considering it s such a serious topic, but I want to make it clear that there s no time like the present.
In July September of 2002 Martial Training Systems trainers had the honor of conducting several free women s self defense seminars in the Boston area. The seminars were packed; many times the rooms were over capacity. You see, during that time there were two serial rapists active in the Boston area. The local media had reports on every newscast every day.
Many women in the area were justifiably frightened which led to the popularity of our classes.
I have also known many people to take up a martial art, or start to carry pepper spray, or some other tool after being exposed to violent crime. Without being too flippant about a serious subject, the words too late come to mind.
When does a person need self defense skills?
Obviously, one needs them the very moment that they have to use them, usually during the commission of a crime. So, why on earth would people wait to learn these valuable skills?
Having talked with many individuals about this, I have gotten many answers to that question: I don t have the time It s too expensive I don t think it would work (won t fighting back make an attacker angrier) I have been meaning to, maybe next time.
Deep down, I believe that the thought of confronting violence is scary for most people. This is as it should be. However, many people resist learning how to deal effectively with violence because they are uncomfortable thinking about being victimized.
This is sort of like going to the dentist, you resist because you know it s going to be uncomfortable. However, if you never see a dentist, the risk is that your teeth are going to fall out.
I pray that nobody ever has to become a victim of violence, but I know that is unrealistic. The time to prepare yourself to stay safe is before you need to. You would not put smoke detectors up in your house after it burned down right?
Here is some good news to take to heart and pass on to your loved ones. First, studies by model mugging in LA show that women who took their course were 90% less likely to be mugged in the first place. I believe you would find this to be true of many self-defense classes that teach violence prevention. When you study self defense you become less of an attractive target to predators who sense your greater awareness and the confidence in your body language.
So, you can think of self defense training as less like seeing the dentist and more like brushing your teeth. It is preventative as well as curative.
Let s deal with the it s too expensive argument. Well I know that there are classes across the country that vary in price and some are even free. Here s a question I want you to ask yourself now how much would it cost you to be a victim of violent crime? Think about hospital stays, lost work, stolen property. Trust me, the financial costs are nothing compared to the potential emotional and physical costs.
So, how much is it worth in your time and money to prevent this? Wouldn t it be worth any cost?
So how about the it won t work argument? Well, studies show that the earlier you resist violence the less likely you are to be injured, and if you are the less severe those injuries will be. Most criminals are not looking for a difficult target, and many flee when confronted with active resistance. No, this is not always the case.
Many people ask me, if I fight back won t I just make the person angrier . Well, anything is possible of course. I think that this scenario is most likely to occur with domestic violence, and not your average street or random crime. The thing you need to understand is that self defense is not about standing there and having a boxing match with somebody your goal is to effect an escape to safety. This means you should be learning stun and run tactics. Sometimes a person only needs a split second to get away this is where self defense shines.
So, maybe you re not interested in taking up a martial art to study for the rest of your life. That s OK (although I highly recommend it). But I do recommend that every man woman and child in the United States who is capable do some kind of self defense training. The more you get the better, why not try out different classes.
It is better to have something and never need it, then to need it and not have it.
About the Author
John Moore is a self defense and fitness instructor and co-founder of Martial Training Systems LLC, providing professional training in self defense and physical conditioning. Click here now to find out more.

Tags: Wing Chun, Kung Fu, Las Vegas Kung Fu School, Las Vegas Wing Chun School, Lo Man Kam, Lo Man Kam Wing Chun, Martial Arts Self Defense

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