Las Vegas Martial Arts Blog

As any martial arts practitioner will tell you, there are multiple benefits in martial arts training. Of course, the most obvious benefit is a knowledge of self defense which is one of the major reasons why the martial arts were developed in the first place. Knowing how to defend oneself and loved ones in a potentially dangerous situation is an asset in today’s world just as it was hundreds of years ago. Unlike often portrayed in the movies, martial arts are not just about fighting. Many people take up martial arts for the fitness benefits as well. Training in martial arts such as karate, tae kwon do, kung fu and other martial art styles will improve one’s cardiovascular fitness as well as tone the muscular system. Strength will increase from the calisthenics usually employed within martial arts training but perhaps not to the same extent as working out with weights. But overall power of one’s body will definitely increase since martial arts techniques teach how to use strength effectively.
Most people will also improve their flexibility significantly while training in martial arts since entire ranges of motion from the body are exercised. This is especially true with martial art styles such as tae kwon do, Thai kickboxing as well as some schools of karate and kung fu where high kicks are used. All martial art styles will result in an improvement of one’s coordination as well.
Unlike many other forms of physical activity, martial arts also have a mental and sometimes spiritual element which not only improves the mind’s focus but also helps in self control. Emotions such as anger and fear are better controlled through martial arts. Many martial artists can find an inner peace through their training. In today’s hectic world, these particular benefits translate into one of the most effective stress management tools available. When training in a martial arts session or in a group class, all the day to day troubles of the world seem to be forgotten. People come out refreshed, energized and ready to tackle the big world out there.
Training in martial arts usually involves many little steps and progressions. As one advances in a martial art, the feeling of accomplishment comes with added confidence. This is especially beneficial for children who were not very confident in the first place. An increase in self confidence for kids (as well as adults) will have a cross over effect in other areas of life such as in other sports and general self esteem. Other challenges in life, both physical and mental, will be met with much less fear.
An important benefit of martial arts training for parents to note is that children will generally become more disciplined from the unique formalities of martial arts classes. This is one benefit that is often lacking in other sports. Former ‘problem’ kids with bad attitudes could become well behaved and respectful as a result of taking martial arts a few times per week. Respect is something that all martial arts instructors place great importance in during their classes. Martial arts kids are often very well behaved children no matter what social economic backgrounds they come from.
Martial arts training has so many great benefits covering physical, mental and emotional aspects that it’s no wonder why it has become one of the most popular activities for both adults and children. However, it is important to point out that not all martial arts programs will produce the range of benefits discussed. Programs that teach just combat fighting techniques may not result in the desired mental and spiritual benefits so it is important to search around for the right martial arts school that will offer the benefits one wishes to achieve.
About the Author
Clint Leung is a lifelong martial artist with over 32 years of training experience in kung fu, tae kwon do, karate, kickboxing and martial arts weaponry. He has won Canadian and world championship titles (NBL and WSKF). He is also owner of Free Spirit Activewear (http://www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com) , an online retailer and designer of premium martial arts activewear. Free Spirit Activewear has martial arts info articles.

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Kyuzo Mifune became so famous in judo circles that in referring to him the terms 10th Dan alone was sufficient. He was awarded 10th Dan in 1920.Judo legends says that in his 60 years of practise Kyuzo Mifune never lost a match and was never thrown

Judo has in the modern era gain great popularity and in part this is down to the driving force of Kyuzo Mifune. His book the cannon of judo originally published in 1960 is credited with helping in the formation of the International Judo Association and entry into the Olympic games.

What brought Kyuzo Mifune to judo?

Mifune was born a year after the Kodokan was founded, April 21, 1883 in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture on Honshu Island. He was apparently incorrigible as a boy, always either performing some mischief himself or organizing others in the same pursuit. He was both bright and cocky. At age 13, his father, a strict disciplinarian who finally gave up on the youngest of his seven children, sent Mifune to a junior high school at Sendai, in northern Japan. There, he discovered Judo, and decided to dedicate himself to it. At age 14, he defeated nine opponents in a row at one tournament with another high school and a legend began.

He became one of Jigoro Kano s (the father of judo) closest students. He was not physically very big with a height of 159 cm and 56kg.However he over came this with his persistent hard training and scientific approach to training.

His father, finding out he was spending more time at Judo than studying, cut off his allowance, and Mifune, now 22, went out to find work. He began a newspaper, sold advertising, and built it into a thriving enterprise. He was able to sell it at a substantial profit, and entered the economics program at Keio University.

He became known as the God of Judo after developing many new judo moves plus his reputation for being unbeaten.

In 1964, Mifune served as an official at the Tokyo Olympic Games, even though he had been diagnosed with throat cancer. In December of that year, he entered a hospital, and died there January 27, 1965, 81 years old. At the time of his death, he was the last of the Judans of Kodokan Judo

Below some quotes of Kyuzo Mifune that give you a good insight into his thinking.

1) In Judo, a Dan (rank) is awarded to the practitioner by other people. True power, however, comes from within. Do not seek the acquirement of Dan alone; rather pursue your true power. Your progression through the Dan grades will follow

2) “The gist of judo is to find the original characteristic of the man and to personify true freedom of thought and action.”

3) To master an actual technique, mental culture should come first. Acquiring a technique requires a careful, modest, non-mean, free and attentive mind. In other words a player should do his utmost and nothing less.

4) A chance to try your technique is in one instant never to be regained, so try it without hesitation

And finally Kyuzo Mifune motto for judo written 2 weeks before his death

Emptiness
Devotion
Sublimeness

Its common practise among martial arts to focus on new ideas and recent events in competition. For any judoka there would be great benefit to study the life of kyuzo mifune here you will find a true love of the art and great kindness towards his students balanced with great fighting ability.

This short article only scratches the surface. Do your own research it will be worth it.

To learn more about every aspect of martial arts click here.

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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Self defense tips for women. Are you at risk? What makes a woman a perfect target? Here are 7 ultimate techniques and weaknesses criminals who were interviewed look for to take advantage of you. These tips aren t just for the busy holidays either. It s all about keeping your awareness all year round. Follow these tips and you can protect yourself from becoming one of this year s next statistics.
1. Coming up to my vehicle, did I look around – aware of who is near it? Am I walking my packages in a cart or carrying them in my hand? Criminals interviewed say they want to attack the woman who is walking alone and not aware of her surroundings. Always put shopping bags in a cart. This allows you ample time to react if someone is approaching you. If you re carrying bags, this renders your hands useless to protect yourself and gives a criminal a bonus. Remember the buddy system. Late night shopping always needs to be a girl s night out affair.
2. Are my keys already in my hand before leaving the store giving me self defense protection? Again, awareness plays a huge part. Also, with a key in hand, it can be a terrific weapon if you re suddenly grabbed.
3. Am I talking on the cell phone fixing my hair counting my change writing in the checkbook and not paying attention? Paying attention is the key. Take care of all that stuff in the store. NOT in the parking lot, or outside of the vehicle.
4. Is there anyone loitering around my vehicle if so are they suspicious enough to making me go back into the store? Don t think your being silly. NO SUCH THING. Especially when your safety is on the line. If you re not comfortable with walking to your car, ask security to accompany you or if there isn t security available, a store manager will do it it is their job. That s what they are getting paid to do.
5. Is my vehicle in a well-lit area? Is it easily visible to passer-bys? If I can t see my car really well, who can? Criminals say they do not want to be noticed, recognized, or slowed down in any way. If you re not easily seen by others at a mall or store, that makes you a perfect target for a criminal.
6. If I have automatic keyless entry, did I hit the unlock button twice making it easy for someone to get into my passenger side door? Get into the habit of opening just your driver s side door. New technology is wonderful when you re with others, loading packages, during the day. But, at night when your field of vision is limited, don t take any chances. Criminals are hoping that you ll make their job easier for them.
7. If I am approached by someone no matter how much help I need, it s OK to turn them down. Remember, criminals will do and say anything they can to gain your trust. DON T FALL FOR IT!!! If a stranger wants to help you with your bags, tell them no, thank you. If they still insist, tell them no again. Criminal interviews revealed that they will try to play on a victim heartstrings to get access to the vehicle, a purse, or for the vehicle keys – and move-in for the attack when trust is gained and it s at least expected.
If you are unable to load packages into your vehicle, ask help from the store they would be glad to help. It s their job.

About The Author

Michelle Annese, The Diva of Defense is a self defense instructor, consultant, speaker, author, and copywriter. With a third degree black belt and inductee into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Ms. Annese is a safety advocate teaching thousands each year in school talks, special events and assemblies in elementary, high schools, and colleges nationwide. She is also the author of the book: 101 Self Defense Strategies and creator of the programs Diva Defense Training and The SafeGuard System for Kids . Complete information on Michelle Annese s books and other services offered is available from her web site http://www.michelleannese.com. And while there, don’t forget to subscribe to her FREE weekly Ezine!

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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Ask any professional how they became good at their martial arts skills and they will tell you practice. Ask them what they practiced and you will most likely hear “the fundamentals” or “the basics.”

I once interviewed 13 great martial artists. The thing that struck me was that every one of them talked about how their earliest instructor was a traditionalist and had them study the basics. In other words, what made them great was the fact that they spent time on the fundamentals.

Now the sad part of this was that half of them were not teaching the knowledge they claimed made them good. They were into the flash and the short cuts. While this is fine for them, it’s not fine for their students. Remember a shortcut is only part of a motion, but most motions are made up of many parts which can lead to shortcuts. Shortcuts lead nowhere. When a master takes a shortcut they look good, but when a student learns only shortcuts they look poorly trained.

Practice your fundamentals and I promise you the fun stuff will be better, faster and functional. Fundamentals are – stances and forms. If you are taught quality forms, then they are worth it. If the forms are just made up, it can teach you bad habits in training that are hard to overcome. There are no excuses, if you want to master your art and your body then these should be perfect.

Stances: horse, bow, front, cat, high back and low back. They should be low and comfortable so you are able to move in different directions while staying level. Also, the lower you are in your stance, the more stable you will be.

Kicks: front side, back and round kick. These should be controlled and very smooth.

Blocks: high rising, downward, outside block, front punch, back hand and vertical fist. If these are perfect your training can start!

The list above works all your major muscle groups as well all major defense and offensive directions. If you just had those basics perfect you could master most any art. Regardless of whether they use those motions are not. The reason is simple, once you master your body you can make it do anything. A new style of martial arts is like learning a new dance. It can be challenging, but not impossible.

For more information on this article or others go to Articles on Martial Arts. 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 the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141. His schools can be found on the web at Bellevue Martial Arts and Kung Fu

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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