Las Vegas Martial Arts Blog

One of the more classic sucker punch scenarios that you are likely to encounter is the one which starts out with you being tapped on the shoulder. This is almost always initiated from behind and begins with your unknown opponent tapping you generally, but not always, on your right shoulder with his left hand while you are facing away from him. If you are not paying attention, you will almost always turn around and step towards your opponent in the general direction that you were tapped. So if you were tapped on your right shoulder, you would turn around to your right towards your opponent and right into his overhand punch. For your opponent, this has the dual effect of surprise and you moving towards the punch, which as we all know increases the amount of force that you are struck with, and usually results in a knockout and/or broken bones.

Now I am going to relate to you an incident that occurred to me in which this very same technique was actually used on me, and what I did in order to counter it. Although I must admit that this entire incident could have been avoided had I truly wanted to, but at this particular time I didn t. Although I didn t openly provoke the confrontation, I did absolutely nothing to avoid it. I will even go so far as to say that I probably encouraged my opponents aggressive behavior to a certain degree on a subconscious level. You know the Alpha Male mentality that is so prevalent with males especially during our younger years. Most of us seem to grow out of it to a certain extent, while others maintain the same level and in some cases even become worse as they get older.

My friend Jerry and I used to work as bouncers on the weekends and at special events at a country western bar called the Saddle Club. Although we never drank when we were working, we would sometimes go there to drink during the week when it was slower and usually not that many people there. We also got 2 for 1 beer when we went so I am sure that also had some small bearing on our decision to drink there on our nights off.

Anyhow, on this particular night, there were quite a few more people in the bar than normal for a weekday night. Jerry and I walked up and took our usual places at the bar and started to have a couple of beers. Now if you have ever worked as a bouncer, you know that it is a pretty good way to pick up girls. Now I am not talking about the ones that you would take home to meet your mother, but more like the ones you wouldn t want your mother to find out you even talked to, let alone took home. As it so happened, two such girls were sitting at a table a short distance from us and they were sitting there all alone. Well sort of.

Although these two girls were sitting at a table by themselves, there were these two guys sitting at the table right next to them and they were trying their damndest to get these two girls to pay attention to them. As we sat there for oh about 30 minutes or so, we watched these two guys buy the girls several drinks all the while the girls were looking at Jerry and I and trying to ignore the two guys sitting next to them. Finally, after about another 15 minutes or so had passed by, the two guys finally got tired of trying to pick up the girls and came over and sat at the bar next to Jerry and I. Now I am not generally one to rub salt in an open wound, but on occasion I have been known to do some rather retarded things, especially when I have been drinking.

I waited until the two guys in question went to the bathroom and I leaned over to Jerry and told him that we should go over and see if we would have any better luck picking up those two girls than these other guys did. Jerry didn t even say a word. He merely got up off the bar stool and walked over and sat down with the two girls. Jerry started talking up a storm and before I knew it he and the two girls were waiving me over to the table. Now this all took place within a couple of minutes as the two guys that had struck out were still in the bathroom. No sooner had I left the bar and sat down at the table, than out comes the two guys from the bathroom. Needless to say, they were pissed off.

So while Jerry continued to sweet talk the girls into leaving the bar with us, I kept my eye on the two guys now sitting at the bar. Jerry and the girls continued to drink for about another hour or so while I continued to sip on my one beer. I could tell by the reaction that these two guys had at seeing us with the girls and the constant eye-balling that they were giving us that there was going to be trouble sooner or later. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the girls asked us if we wanted to leave and go back to one of their houses. Jerry and I pondered this for all of about I would say a thousand of a second before we agreed that it sounded like a great idea and started getting up in order to leave.

While Jerry and I helped the girls on with their jackets, I noticed that one of the two guys at the bar was paying their tab, while the other one was wiping his hands off on his jeans. One of those little things that are a dead give away that someone is getting ready to cause you some grief. Now Jerry, who normally was right on top of things, was a little bit distracted with the female festivities that we were sure to be involved in later that night and was not really paying any attention to what was going on. I let Jerry and the two girls walk ahead of me while I kind of nonchalantly lingered behind just a bit.

Sure enough, as soon as Jerry and the girls start walking towards the door the two guys get off their barstools and start walking towards us. Now I could see the reflection of these two guys in the glass of the front doors as they approached me from behind. Suddenly, I felt my right shoulder being tapped. However, instead of turning around into the punch, I step forward with my right foot and to my left across my body before turning. This had the effect of putting me about two feet farther away from these two guys, and about the same distance to their left. So rather than being right in front of them, I am now at a 45-degree angle to the left of the guy who tapped my shoulder.

As I executed this move and turned around, this is what I saw. The first guy who had tapped me on the shoulder was now between me and the second guy due to my off-setting move that I had made prior to turning around. Therefore, he was not an immediate threat. However, the guy who had tapped me on the shoulder was the primary threat. He had this surprised look on his face as he realized that my head and body weren t where they were supposed to be. At the same time, his right arm was cocked back and had started to swing toward me but had stopped about midway through the punch when he realized my head wasn t where it should have been. His left hand was hanging down around his waist and was not up to protect his head.

As I was taking all of this in, I had already initiated my counterattack, which in this case was a roundhouse kick to the side of his head. Now I have to reiterate a very important point, You should never initiate an attack or counterattack with a high section kick. Unless you have an extraordinary ability to kick, and if all of the other extenuating circumstances present are in your favor.

The kick landed perfectly on his jaw and literally dropped him like a 50 lbs. sack of potatoes. His friend immediately threw up his hands and started backing up while yelling that it was his friend s idea and that he didn t want to fight. I am sure seeing his friend lying on the floor unconscious had something to do with that decision. At about this point Jerry, who had been outside with the girls and oblivious to what was going on, walked back inside to find me and saw me standing over the one guy and his friend backing up. Jerry being the great and loyal friend that he was ran up between me and the other guy ready to take him on if he decided to get even more stupid than he had already. I told the guy to wait until after we left, and then to get his friend and to get out of the bar and to never come back. Meanwhile, Jerry got into his car with one of the girls and I got into the other girls car with her. We then left the bar.

Now there are several things that can be learned from this situation.

1. Most all fights happen when you are drinking and/or in a bar or nightclub.
2. Alcohol and men are fine, alcohol and women are fine, but mix all three together and sooner or later there is going to be a problem.
3. Male egos bruise easily, and rubbing salt on them only makes them worse.
4. Fighting over a bar whore is downright stupid.
5. If you see that a potential altercation is going to take place, stop drinking.
6. Whenever possible, create distance between you and your opponent.
7. Never get distracted by a pretty face, especially when you know there good be trouble, or you re in a place where trouble is lying in wait.

I later found out that I had broke the guys jaw with my roundhouse kick and that he didn t even know what had hit him. As for the rest of mine and Jerry s evening, you will have to read a Penthouse Forums letter to get the details on that.

Shawn Kovacich has been a practicing martial artist for over 25 years, and currently holds a 4th degree (Yodan) black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Shawn also holds ranking in the martial arts of Aikido, Hapkido, and Judo.

Shawn has also gained world wide attention for his two world records for endurance high kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. He achieved his first world record on September 27th, 1986 with 10,502 high kicks in 5 hours and 30 minutes. His second record was even more impressive, with 11,000 high kicks in 5 hours 18 minutes and 43 seconds. This was accomplished on January 21st, 1989.

Shawn is the author of the highly acclaimed Achieving Kicking Excellence series of martial arts books, and is currently working on several additional marital arts and self-defense books, which are due to be released in 2007.

Shawn can be reached via his web site at: kickingbooks.com

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

Popularity: -0% [?]

To be or not to be?
In New Mexico, the question is red or green? (referring to the chile)
In Chicago it’s the Cubs or White Sox?

Okay so maybe it doesn’t rank up there with those lofty questions, but people ask me all the time which is better a stun gun or pepper spray. Here is a comparison of stun guns and pepper spray using criteria that most people would consider before making a purchase.

COST Pepper Sprays are less expensive but require refills or replacement. Stun Guns need new batteries occasionally. Pepper Sprays can run from$12.95 – $29.95. Stun Guns from $22.00-$79.95.

EASE OF USE—Both are equally easy to use.

AIMING —Pepper Spray requires some skill and can be effected by wind and rain. With Stun Guns aim is not an issue.

CLOSENESS TO TARGET—Pepper Spray 6-18 feet; Stun Guns have to be right on the target.

LEGAL LIMITATIONS—Pepper Spray is legal in all states but some cities and states have restrictions. Stun Guns are illegal in some states. Check your local police or sheriff’s department for specifics.

LASTING DAMAGE—Neither Pepper Spray nor Stun Guns have lasting damage to the assailant.

SIZE—Lipstick size and larger for Pepper Spray. Stun Guns can be as small as a handheld blackberry and bigger. Both can be concealed in a purse.

STOPPING POWER—Pepper Spray if on target-excellent. Stun Gun-very good.

PERIOD OF IMMOBILIZATION—Pepper Spray will put someone out of action for 15-30 minutes. A Stun Gun will immobilize someone for 3-10 minutes. Both are long enough to get away and/or get help.

INTIMIDATION FACTOR—Pepper Spray will not likely intimidate anyone. However a fully charging Stun Master creates quite a sight and sound-enough to scare some assailants away.

DISGUISABILITY—Both Stun Guns and Pepper Sprays can be disguised as different objects easily.

On the face of it, trying to be objective, I would lean to the pepper spray all things being equal. The problem is all things are not equal. If the attacker is more than 6-10 feet away one or two things can go wrong that could cost you. And remember we are talking about the lives of you, your children, your spouse-you don’t want to leave this to chance.

If the wind is blowing at more than 10-15 miles per hour, which really isn’t much, it can cause the spray, mist or stream, to either go off target or worse blow back in your face. I am not sure which is worse. In any event it will not get you the desired result. You must have a hit right in the face preferably the eyes on the first or second shot. Can you hit that small a target from 10 feet away in the wind, in rain, under stress?

Practice might be one way to instill some confidence in your ability. Hook a string to a paper plate and hang it from a tree branch and fire away. This will instill some confidence in your ability to effectively use pepper spray.

There is so much at stake, potentially your life or those of your loved ones, why not have both? They are both very easy to carry and conceal. Both are effective. Start with the pepper spray and end with the stun gun.

If you think crime can only happen to the other guy you are wrong. The “other guy” is thinking the same thing and YOU are that “other guy”. There is a reason why they call it self defense. You have to protect yourself, your family, your home and business!!

Jack Krohn started Security Solutions to help people prevent crime. His websites http://www.aaa-safetyfirst.com/peppergel.htm and http://www.aaa-safetyfirst.com/hotshotstungun.htm. offer unique, hard to find products for self defense, home security and professional high tech surveillance equipment for homes and business.

Join us Today for special offers and deep discounts on specified self defense and home security products http://www.aaa-safetyfirst.com. We offer a huge selection of pepper sprays and stun guns. There is bound to be one just right for you. Be prepared-protect yourself!!

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

Popularity: -0% [?]

If you appreciate a strong, healthy self confidence that carries you through overwhelming times and drives you to achieving your most far reaching goals, martial arts is for you.

A person s self-confidence is like a muscle, it needs to be exercised in order to grow and develop. In the 20 plus years that I ve been teaching Martial Arts in our community we have developed a 5 step approach to building self-confidence. These 5 steps can be learned by anyone with the right guidance:

1. Correct Body Posture. The importance of the correct body posture is paramount. We all send hidden, sub-conscious messages with our body language and the way we carry ourselves. Carry yourself with pride, confidence and security. Carry yourself like a successful person and your confidence will show.

2. Proper Eye Contact. Making proper eye contact when speaking to others has a huge effect on the conversation. Have you ever been talking to somebody and instantly felt connected? Like you ve known this person forever? Chances are, they understand the importance of body language, and proper eye-contact.

3. Goal Setting. Goal setting is talked about by everybody, and most people understand the importance of this process. Then why do most people miss their mark? Because they don t have the discipline and confidence to see the goal through. Our process teaches you the right way to set goals and actually achieve them!

4. Communication. Inspiring those around you is critical to getting what you want. Whether they are your children, co-workers, employees or boss, good leaders are inspirational. We teach this inspirational formula.

5. Mentors. All of the skills above, a healthy body and mind combined with a good mentor or two will make all the difference in the world for your happiness and success.

Mr. Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written a guide on how to pick a martial arts school. He can be reached at martialadvice@hotmail.com or at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141. On the web at http://www.martialarts-instruction.com or http://www.kungfutemple.com

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

Popularity: -0% [?]

Qigong is a general name for the systems of hardening and improvement of body and mind, treatment and health enhancement created in China. They primarily based on the ability to control your own consciousness, mentality and through them all the physiological processes of the organism. Practicing Qigong you can achieve stunning results some of which even the powerful modern science cannot conceive and explain.

There are three main categories of Qigong: Health-improving, Fighting and Mystical.

1. It was Chinese physicians who developed and evolved the Health-improving Qigong during many centuries. They created special exercises aimed to preserve and promote health as well as to cure various diseases.

2. Fighting (or Hard) Qigong was developed by those practitioners of Qigong who at the same time were masters of martial arts. These exercises serve to enhance the energy concentration in muscles and other parts of the body allowing to hugely increase the bodily strength and its resistance against the attempts to cause it a physical injury.

3. Mystical Qigong is a child of Buddhist monks and Taosian anchorites. The goal of Mystical Qigong consists in achieving the so called Enlightenment – a special psychophysical state of the human being. Taosian anchorites also developed methods of anti-aging based on Mystical Qigong. Mystical Qigong is the most difficult to master.

Qigong is not only the art of Qi energy control; it trains the mind and helps to work out the ability to control your volitional impulse. Qigong techniques include a huge variety of exercises but they all consist of the three main parts: control of position, control of breath, and control of mind.

Controlling his position, a man can acquire some optimal posture of body which would allow Qi to flow in the organism without delays or blockages not causing any disturbing feelings and removing diseases. The exercises are mostly performed in common stands, for example, in the Rider’s stance.

You need to control your breath to let the external Qi (from the air) not only to pass mechanically into the internal state but to spread along energy channels, fully feeding all the organs.

Consciousness is crucial in breath control; it distributes Qi along the body. At the highest stage, the breath is controlled at the level of subconsciousness and do not require too much of your attention.

Step by step learning to control his energy resources, a practitioner will pass from using the physical strength (Li) to the internal burst of effort (Tsin). This internal effort, as Chinese masters believe, is produced not by muscles but in tendons and marrow.

This is the reason why the most of Kung Fu exercises aimed not to increase the mass of muscles but to strengthen tendons and bones. While muscles tend to loose their strength (Li) as the man grows older, masters preserve their internal effort (Tsin) until great age. That’s why Chinese masters of Kung Fu say: “If you do not practice Fighting Qigong but train only your physical strength you’ll be left with nothing when you grow old enough.”

Qigong exercises advance “internal Qi” our organism contains. “Internal Qi” is also called “true Qi”. The state of “true Qi” depends on many factors: regular Fighting Qigong exercises, nutrition, mental state, environment, etc. Every human being has internal Qi but only few can use it properly, develop it. The Qi of the vast majority of people is destabilized. The goal of Fighting Qigong is to fill the organism with “true Qi”, calm it, make Qi flow along channels freely without obstructions.

So what is Qi after all? According to Chinese notions, it is an energetic substance which represents the foundation of all, i. e. the energetic foundation of the Universe. Our body can be compared to an electric appliance: if it is supplied with electric power it works but if the power supply is cut down the device operation stops. Likewise with the man: if Qi supply of his body is insufficient or it gets stagnant in it, the man gets sick or even dies.

To have a healthy robust body, one needs to learn how to keep the Qi circulation smooth and to be able to accumulate sufficient amount of Qi. To do so, it is necessary to understand the system of circulation and storage of Qi in your organism.

The human body has twelve so called primary channels (meridians) along which Qi is spread across the entire organism. There also exist eight “miraculous” vessels serving as a kind of reservoirs storing and regulating Qi. One end of each channel is attached to one of twelve internal organs while the other end is connected to one of fingers or toes.

These twelve channels supply with Qi energy twelve internal organs. Besides, these channels also take the excessive energy away from internal organs allowing us to through it out of the body. When due to blockage or disease the circulation of Qi along the channels is interrupted, one or several organs cannot get enough Qi which leads to their functional disturbance.

To be healthy, you need to learn how to keep the circulation of Qi in the twelve channels smooth and constantly replenish the “miraculous vessels” with energy.

If you understand the theory of Qi circulation in the human body you will be able to understand how Qi relates to martial arts as well. Remember, your body is not simply a machine it is an organism able to improve itself. The stronger Qi is, the stronger the human body gets.

Fighting Qigong practice sessions serve to enhance the capabilities of your body. We know that using our mind we can control various parts of our own body. The process of control is simple. Our mind generates a thought, and the thought leads Qi to the corresponding parts of the body which perform the requested action. The key thing about Fighting Qigong is in learning to lead your Qi as efficient as it can be. In this case you can increase you strength very much.

Chinese martial arts masters learn to focus their minds through meditation or other kinds of training practice to make Qi obey them easily. This can substantially enhance the strength of a fighter and increase the efficiency of his technique.

About the author:

Alexander Popov dedicated about 20 years to Shaolin Hung Gar Kung Fu. He is the successor of Hung Gar Kung Fu tradition in the 8th masters’ generation. Website: Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong http://www.shaolin-kungfu-qigong.com/

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

Popularity: -0% [?]