History:

The art of Ju-jitsu is interpreted as being the “science of softness”. Translated literally, ju means gentle or soft and jitsu means art. While referred to as “a gentle art”, some of the techniques are nevertheless extremely dynamic in their delivery and would appear to be anything but soft.

There are many stories regarding the origins of Ju-jitsu, dating as far back as the 8th century, with historical lines indicating roots even before the time of Christ. While some claim that Ju-jitsu originated in China, the ancient chronicles of Japan describe how, in AD 712, Tatemi Kazuchi threw Tatemi Nokami, like throwing a leaf. Reference is also made in the Nihon Sho-ki chronicles to the Emperor Shuinjin holding a martial arts tournament to celebrate the 7th year of his reign in 23 BC. One of the bouts resulted in the death of a participant, a Sumo wrestler, who was thrown to the ground and kicked by Nomino Sukume. These accounts provide evidence of early “empty hand” techniques in Japan. There is also reference to Ju-jitsu developing as an art from the work of a Buddhist monk, dating back to the 13th century. These ancient techniques were known as kumi-tachi (or yawara), which is described in the Konjaku-monogatari, a Buddhist work dating back to that time.

Philosophy:

The central philosophy behind Ju-jitsu is to conquer an opponent by any and all means – as long as only minimal force is used. Consequently, this precept demands from its followers a strict conformity to various disciplines – both mental and physical.

Physical fitness has been a fundamental prerequisite for practitioners of Ju-jitsu. A characteristic of this art involves strict moral and dietary regimes, which are seen as being necessary if one is to reach the highest level of perfection. It is therefore not surprising that, historically, many Ju-jitsu masters withdrew to religious institutions, such as Buddhist or Shinto shrines.

Although the basic principle behind modern Ju-jitsu as a self defence art is to conquer an opponent using minimal force, the older art of Ju-jitsu focused on literally annihilating the enemy, which led to the development of many dangerous and fatal techniques.

Ju-jitsu today:

The traditional art of Ju-jitsu is still carried on today by a minority of practitioners, who wish to keep alive the warrior spirit of the fatal fighting techniques of the art. They do not enter competitions and their only goal is the continuation of the mental, spiritual and physical aspects of the art.

- Thanaseelan, click on http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com to view his main blog. Don’t forget to check out the categories on his blog.

History:

Aikido in its present form is a relatively recent innovation within the martial arts tradition. It was developed in Japan in the early 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969), who was introduced to the classical martial arts as a boy by his father, Yoroku. He is known to have studied some martial arts, such as various styles of Ju-jitsu as well as Kenjutsu and the art of the spear.

Philosophy:

If we are attacked by a force and we apply force ourselves, a collision of energies ensues which results in disharmony. Thus, accordingly the stronger force wins. If, however, we meet the force with an absorbing movement and then exhaust it to the point of imbalance before applying a force of our own (the Aikido way), we are in fact restoring harmony or redressing an imbalance. This is the basic logic and underlying philosophy of Aikido.

Training:

Aikido is a discipline that seeks not to meet violence with violence, but instead looks towards harmonising with and restraining and opponent. Aikido is, in many ways, unique among the martial arts, in that the majority of techniques are based on the aggressor making the first move. Therefore, Aikido techniques are usually aimed at joint immobilisation and throws which utilise an opponent’s energy, momentum and aggression. Many body movements have been taken from Japanese sword and spear fighting arts, and the use of the bokken (a replica sword) and jo (a stick) is intended to build the practitioner’s understanding and skill.

Aikido teaches one-on-one and multiple attack defence. It incorporates knife-taking, sword-taking and stick-taking, and even defence from a kneeling position. Differences in size, weight, strength or age negated as we learn to use our inner ki (flow of energy). Weapon training with a bokken and jo indicates the ancestry of the discipline as well as helping to improve our body movements.

It should be emphasised that Aikido is a budo (literally a martial way). We practise each technique with total commitment, as if our life depended on its success, for only in this way is it possible to bring about the true spirit of budo. This is not to say that training has to be hard or violent. It is possible to be physically soft and still generate the power to control a confrontational encounter.

Styles of Aikido:

In reality, there are several major styles of Aikido today. As Ueshiba was continually refining and modifying the art he had created, some of his students at various stages left to pursue their own ideals. Thus, Master Gozo Shioda created the yoshinkan style, characterised by short and sharp movements and powerful joint applications; Kenji Tomiki developed sport Aikido, as it is widely known, characterised by competitions in which rubber knives are used; Minoru Mochizuki successfully amalgamated Aikido with other martial arts within the International Martial Arts Federation; and Koichi Tohei created shin-shin toitsu Aikido, which concentrates on the ki aspect of Aikido. All of these men trained with and listened to Ueshiba and yet each came away with a different idea of the discipline.

- Thanaseelan, click on http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com to view his main blog. Don’t forget to check out the categories on his blog.

History:

Shotokan is both a young and an ancient martial art. It is ancient because its roots are deeply entrenched in the past, and young because, as it is expressed today, it is an art that is less than a 100 years old. Shotokan is characterised by its long and low stances, its powerful techniques and its dynamic forms.

The founder of Shotokan, Gichin Funakoshi, was an Okinawan. He trained in the oldest of the Okinawan te (hand) systems as a young man and in the early 20th century brought what he had learned in the island of Okinawa to mainland Japan, where he demonstrated his art before the Emperor. He originally intended to return to Okinawa but was persuaded to to remain and continue teaching in Japan. Funakoshi’s pen name was Shoto (waving pines) and kan (hall). Hence Shotokan can be translated to mean “Shoto’s hall of the way of the empty hand”.

While Funakoshi was the originator of Shotokan, it was really his son, Yoshitaka Funakoshi, who developed it into the form we know today. It rapidly grew in popularity, supported, encouraged and regulated by the powerful Japan Karate Association. Before long, it was to be found all over the world.

Triads:

Shotokan is built on what are known as triads, which are both real organisations and metaphors for something much deeper within the human psyche. There exists the physical triad of kihon (basics), kumite (sparring) and kata (forms), which require dedicated training and the constant perfecting of technique. This is followed by the moral triad of justice, mercy and compassion and finally by the ethical triad of duty, honour and loyalty.

If we put all of the 9 triad principles together (9 symbolises perfection) we achieve the whole, rounded person. When these principles are practised in a martial art, they illustrate one of the fundamental concepts of Shotokan, as advocated by the founder, Gichin Funakoshi. His aim was to focus on the development of the human character as a whole being, rather than on winning and losing.

Significance:

While Shotokan is a wonderful form of relaxation or sport for many people, for those who practise it seriously it has a much deeper and wider significance. This deeper realisation, however, can only come after years of dedicated practice. While this is a dimension of the art that emerges rather slowly, Shotokan can still be enjoyed at all levels by hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world.

- Thanaseelan, click on http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com to view his main blog. Don’t forget to check out the categories on his blog.

History:

Hironori Ohtsuka (1892 - 1982) was the founder of the Wado Ryu system of Karate. He commenced training in shindo yoshin ryu jujitsu at the age of 6, and at the age of 30, he began training under the supervision of Gichin Funakoshi (the founder of Karate-do) before founding the Wado Ryu system in 1939. Wado Ryu is one of the 4 main Japanese styles of Karate that are taught around the world. In 1939, Ohtsuka organised the All Japan Karate Do Federation Wado Ki and the Worldwide Headquarters for the Wado Ryu System. In 1967, he was the first katateka to be awarded the 5th order of merit of the sacred treasure of the Emperor of Japan as an acknowledgement of his achievements. Following his death in 1982, Hironori Ohtsuka’s son, Jiro, became the chief instructor of the Wado Ryu system. Today, there are a number of senior, well-respected representatives of Wado Ryu in Japan, who are also leaders of their own federations or associations.

Characteristics of Wado Ryu:

To practitioners of Wado Ryu, the main philosophy is to better their attitude both within and outside the art. This is one of the main aims of the martial art which emphasises the development of respect, discipline and understanding in a mental as well as physical capacity. This aim affects our attitude towards ourselves and others in our home life, work and social activities. To show aggression outwardly, even during training sessions, is greatly discouraged. The name Wado Ryu, approximately translated, means “the peaceful way”.

Another characteristic of Wado Ryu is that unnecessarily large movements are kept to a minimum. Importance is placed on the speed and efficiency of movements with which each technique is performed, rather than the strength or physical effort outwardly shown. Exponents of Wado Ryu place great emphasis on the coordination of body movement with each particular technique. This principle is found in many other martial arts, such as ju-jitsu, aikido and kendo. This coordination is stressed at all stages of learning, from the execution of basic techniques to the application of advanced, free-fighting combinations.

- Thanaseelan, click on http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com to view his main blog. Don’t forget to check out the categories on his blog.

The last 10 years or so, there has been a new martial art that has made a lasting impression on the European community. It is called nunchaku-do or loosely translated “the way of the nunchaku.”

The nunchaku is a martial arts weapon that consists of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope. Nunchaku-do, though not popular yet in the U.S., has been growing at a steady pace in Europe.

Ever since the days that Bruce Lee flashed this elegant weapon on the big screen, the nunchaku has achieved celebrity status among its practitioners and developed a loyal following among non-martial arts students. There are schools of nunchaku-do all over Europe that teach this Okinawan weapon. As of this writing, there is only one school of nunchaku-do in the U.S.

Some of its aspects include kata, which is the practice of forms fighting against imaginary opponents, and sparring. Sparring is one of my favorites.

Being a big fan of combat sports such as professional wrestling, UFC fighting, boxing, muay thai, and kickboxing, I have found nunchaku kumite to be just as dynamic and unpredictable as the other sports.

Nunchaku kumite, or sparring, involves participants who wear protective helmets with a face cage or a plexiglass visor covering the face. Each player wields a foam padded safety nunchaku that is lightweight so that the centripetal force of a speeding nunchaku handle does not cause too much damage to his opponent.

In order to score in this method of combat, a player must perform a twirling technique before striking his opponent. Failure to do so and then striking will not earn him any points.

There are other variations of nunchaku sparring in which no twirling technique is required before striking your opponent. This is called freestyle nunchaku sparring. This is similar to Bruce Lee and Danny Inosanto’s fight seen in the movie classic Game of Death.

I have had the privilege to try out this sport with great fun and enjoyment using the ActionFlex safety nunchaku. Nunchaku sparring is no different than boxing in that anything goes when it comes to ring fighting.

Like boxing, nunchaku sparring is great exercise that will test your speed and agility in ring combat.

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That’s right! Forget the martial arts and self defense classes, forget karate, forget most things that you have read about self defense. When it comes to a REAL street attack, all the martial arts moves you spent hours practicing under instruction will be useless.

The aggressive drug user, street robber, or drunken thug will not follow set moves or patterns shown in self defense instruction manuals or martial arts books.You need to know how to disable that threat as quickly as possible and then make good your escape.Unlike martial arts instruction centres or self defense classes there are no rules to street attacks and there are no rules on defending yourself too. Do not be afraid to be a ‘dirty’ fighter.Before I mention some of the techniques to use to fend off any attacker I must stress these 2 points first;

Do not be a hero. No matter how much you make dislike a drunken or drugged up thug trying to rob you, intimidate you, threaten you or hurt you, the best method to stay alive is get out of that situation. They are already in the mindset of confrontation, have planned what they will do and are ready to go. You are unprepared and likely to be hurt. If you see a gap, take it and get clear the situation.

2) Distract your opponent.

They will be expecting you to be intimidated and surprised so do the unexpected. Shout as loud as you can at your attacker and cause a big scene. This may be enough to get them to step back giving you a few seconds with which to escape.

Now, and only now, if you cannot do that, and are boxed in a corner then you can use these moves to stop your attacker no matter how big they are;

1) Groin Kick. Very underestimated in self defense. Remember there are no rules here. Kick as hard as you can, or if you are close or grappling, grab it with your hand, pull and twist. Forget martial arts rules! Go for the groin!

2) Eye gouge. Again, very frowned upon because it is a ‘dirty’ trick. Yes, it is, but it works. Put your fingers or thumbs into your attackers eyes. As well as pain it will cause blurred vision. Another martial arts no-no but this is the street!

3) Throat punch. A punch or elbow to the throat will have the same effect as choking. Instant pain and a struggle to breathe. Again, a self defense shock tactic to enable you to escape.

4) Neck punch. Similar to the above but on the side of the neck. A hard punch will interrupt the artery blood flow and cause the attacker to faint or at the very least, black out for a split second thus allowing enough time to escape.

5) Cupped hands. Cup your hands and ‘clap’ his ears. This is a dirty trick that will burst his ear drums and instantly stop any attack. Very effective self defense technique.

6) Nostrils. This one if for very close fighting. Fingers in the nostrils can pull his nose, and hence him, wherever you want. It may sound like a funny one to do but believe me, an attacker of any size can be pulled off another person or yourself, or his head pulled back by a much smaller opponent just by pulling his nose up his face!

7) Side kick to the knee. The knee is a very vulnerable part of the attackers body. A side kick to this can pop his knee out of place with ease, or even shatter the whole kneecap. Just sweep the kick side on to his knee as hard as you can. Those with a little martial arts instruction will be super- effective at this self defense technique.Remember, if you can, then get away as fast as you can. If not, then use the street attack moves above. Yes they are unorthodox, they are dirty but they work. You do not need to know the fancy moves from martial arts and self defense classes. They won’t work in real life even if you can remember them all.

YOUR PRIORITY IS TO STAY ALIVE

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To make sure you can beat the crap out of any scum bag who tries to attack you or your family on the street, forget martial arts and self defense classes. Click here (http://self-defence.whitewave.co.uk ).

The following exercise that I am going to explain to you is deceptively simple to perform, yet the benefits that you can achieve in a relatively short period of time, if you are consistent in your workouts, are nothing short of amazing. NO, this isn’t some silly miracle technique or some secret training technique only known to a select few who learned it from a Tibetan monk. It is simply a solid basic exercise combined with any kick or kicks that you wish to combine with it. So, without further delay let’s get started!

BASIC SQUAT:

The starting position for your basic squat is executed by facing directly forward (front facing squat position) while standing with your feet approximately a little wider than shoulder width apart and your upper body and back straight. In this particular case, I want you to keep you hands up in a fighting position, exactly like a boxer would hold his hands up.

From this position, slowly bend your knees keeping your upper body and back straight and your hands up, while lowering yourself down until the tops of your thighs are parallel with the ground. Make sure your head is up with your eyes focused in front of you, not on the ground. Once you reach this position, slowly raise yourself back up to your original starting position. Once you become familiar with this exercise and your bodies reaction to it, you can adjust the speed to where you alternate between doing slow repetitions and faster ones.

VARIATION of the BASIC SQUAT:

The only difference in this particular variation is that instead of standing facing directly forward, I want you to stand more sideways (side facing squat position) like you would if you were in an actual fighting position. One thing to remember though, keep your feet parallel with one another. Don’t actually have your feet in the position you would normally have them in during an actual fighting stance.

From this position, slowly bend your knees keeping your upper body and back straight and your hands up, while lowering yourself down until the tops of your thighs are parallel with the ground. Make sure your head is up and turned over your lead shoulder with your eyes focused in that direction, not on the ground. Once you reach this position, slowly raise yourself back up to your original starting position. After doing a predetermined set of repetitions, switch your feet so that you are facing the opposite direction with your opposite side of your body now facing towards the front.

Once you become familiar with this exercise and your bodies reaction to it, you can adjust the speed to where you alternate between doing slow repetitions and faster ones.

KICKING:

What kick or kicks you decide to do is entirely up to you. My only recommendation is to not do any kind of jumping kicks for several weeks until after your legs have become accustomed to the new training routine. You can execute your kicks at any height you prefer. The only thing to make sure and do is to alternate your legs after each squat, but more on that later.

SQUAT KICKS (The Exercise):

Start out by standing in either the front facing squat position, or the side facing squat position. Whichever position is more comfortable for you to be in. Eventually, you will want to do this series of exercises from both positions.

Keeping your hands up and your upper body and back straight, slowly lower yourself down until the tops of your thighs are parallel with the floor. Upon reaching this point, slowly raise yourself back up into your original starting position. However, as you start to reach your original position, execute any kick you prefer with your right leg. Immediately upon returning your kicking leg back down onto the ground, slowly lower yourself back down again into the squat position. Repeat this again and then execute your preferred kick with your left leg. This constitutes one (1) repetition.

Execute this 10 times executing the same kick ten times with each leg before moving on to your next kick.

Now I know what you are thinking. This is really simple! Well, you’re right, it is simple, but extremely effective in building strength and endurance in your legs. Not to mention improving the speed and power in your kicks.

RECOMMENDED ROUTINE:

I strongly recommend performing the following routine 3 to 4 times per week. You will need to adjust the number of repetitions to fit your own level of fitness.

Day One:

Knee Raises – 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps (2 squats and 1 kick with each leg is one-rep)

Rising Kicks – 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Front Kicks - 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Side Kicks - 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Back Kicks - 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Day Two:

Knee Raises – 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps (2 squats and 1 kick with each leg is one-rep)

Rising Kicks – 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Crescent Kicks - 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Reverse Crescent Kicks - 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Roundhouse Kicks - 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Day Three:

Knee Raises – 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps (2 squats and 1 kick with each leg is one-rep)

Rising Kicks – 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Axe Kicks - 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Wheel Kicks - 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Hook Kicks - 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 20 reps

Be sure and stretch properly before attempting to execute these exercises. They are simple in nature, but are a very brutal workout for your legs. These can even be done while watching your favorite TV show. However, if you do decide to do them at that time, I recommend that you perform the exercise during the show itself and take a break during the commercials. Try and work up to where you can do these during the entire time your favorite show is playing.

Final Note:

Please feel free to drop me a comment on this routine and let me know how it works for you.

Shawn Kovacich is a high ranking black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Shawn is also a two time world record holder for endurance high kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. Shawn is the author of Back Kick, volume one in 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.

The jump rope, one of the most seductive tools of boxing. I remember watching the first Rocky movie seeing Sylvester Stallone twirling the rope so fast that you couldn’t even see it, and thinking “Man that is awesome”.

His style and grace were perfect but there was one thing that Rocky had all wrong.

He was jump roping in his boxing shoes. Now this may look great for television but I found out the hard way that what looks good in Hollywood, doesn’t always work in the real world. Because if you jump rope in boxing shoes or any other shoes that do not have the proper fore foot padding, your shins will ache like you know what the next day.

When I first started jump roping I tried to use some running shoes (Nike Air Max, I love these shoes). They were great for running because they have added support and cushion for your heels, but they didn’t do a darn thing when I got on the rope because they do not have a lot of cushion for the fore foot.

The best shoes you can get for jump roping are cross trainers and basketball shoes.

You see when you jump rope all your bodyweight is concentrated on the balls of your feet. And these shoes offer enough cushion and support in this area to absorb the jolting forces and save your shins.

Before you jump rope make sure you have on the proper shoes and your shins will thank you.

Tony specializes in using combat conditioning exercises to help you improve your strength, flexibility, and endurance. You can find more tips at http://www.MyrmidonsFitness.com

The concept of Shaolin kung fu originated when Huang Zongxi defined Chinese martial arts as either the Shaolin school or the Wudang school. You also sometimes hear the Shaolin school referred to as the external school, and the Wudang school referred to as the internal school. This was 1669, and since then people call external Chinese martial arts “Shaolin kung fu” even if the style or student has no affiliation to the Shaolin monastery. Learning the Shaolin fundamentals can help anyone improve their understand of the martial arts and help them better protect themselves in case they are attacked.

The Shaolin fundamentals start by teaching basic attacks such as punches, kicks, open hand strikes, elbow strikes, and knees. After the fundamentals are like second nature, then the student works on combinations. The goal is to string together attacks in a logical way that will break through the defenses of the opponent and flow in a fast and fluid fashion. As the opponent tries to defend against one attack, another attack is already coming and heading for a target that is not defended. By keeping pressure on, the opponent will eventually falter in his blocking.

After basic combinations are mastered, the student can learn some more advanced Shaolin fundamentals. Grappling and joint locks are great skill sets to learn because they are very practical and often have a huge impact on the outcome of a fight. It is important to have tools to control the attacker even when he moves too close for effective striking. Restraints and vital point striking allow the student to control an attacker without having to expend a large amount of energy. Leverage is the key to controlling someone that is bigger and stronger while at the same time using very little of your own energy.

The Chinese martial arts also stress the use of kiai, or what the Japanese usually call chi. By focusing your kiai you can inflict more harm on an attacker with strikes because the sum power of your strike will exceed what your muscles can do alone. The Shaolin fundamentals of training your kiai usually involve focusing and mental strength rather than putting the kiai into physical action.

Learning the Shaolin fundamentals makes a martial arts student more prepared for close quarters unarmed combat and is a great stepping stone to more advantages techniques and even other disciplines and martial arts styles. It is all about being ready to protect yourself while hoping that you never need to prove yourself.

Yoshi E Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He covers the
mixed martial arts industry. For a free report on shaolin fundamentals visit his blog.

Yoshi Kundagawa is a freelance journalist covering
the martial arts world. Too much time at his computer
eating donuts reduced him to couch potato status.
He’s on a quest to recapture his youth and fitness.
You can read his blog at http://www.martialarts3000.com

Tae Kwon Do is a martial art form that originated in Korea over two thousand years ago. Tae Kwon Do literally means “the way kicking and punching”. Tae Kwon Do stresses fast and effective strikes that are accurate and powerful. Tae Kwon Do is not just a martial arts style, but also a mindset and way of life. Most people recognize Tae Kwan Do by its fast kicks, spinning kicks, and aerial kicks. However, Tae Kwon Do also makes use of the fists and can be very defensive as well. Taekwondo footwork training allows a martial arts practitioner to improve his or her precision and speed.

Tae Kwon Do pushes muscles to their limit in terms of speed, strength, and flexibility. Tae Kwon Do also pushes your body to operate with as little oxygen as possible so that you can perform fast and energy-draining moves without getting tired quickly. Tae Kwon Do combines extensive fitness training with fighting skills that can be applied to most self defense situations. The precision gained from Taekwondo footwork training can even be applied to other martial arts disciplines and make you a more effective fighter in any martial arts style.

Tae Kwon Do is also effective at training the mind and improving the student’s ability to focus. Tae Kwon Do is not about sheer strength but focusing the mind to allow the student to deliver strikers on target while keeping a cool head. Tae Kwon Do helps you identify the correct target to strike and improves your ability to make a strong impact. Tae Kwon Do also stresses the ability to quickly return to your fighting position after following through on the previous move.

Strikes that are seen before they land often do not land at all, which is why Taekwondo footwork training is designed to help you minimize your telegraphing of moves to help each strike be a surprise that is not blocked and reaches its target.

By combining mental focus, cool-headedness, precise strikes that hit the most important targets, extreme physical fitness, and fast reactions and defenses, Tae Kwon Do is a complete martial arts package that represents the pinnacle of unarmed defense. It is important to keep focuses enough to be able to logically deconstruct the situation. It takes precision to hit the proper targets. Hitting a good target can end an altercation quickly while repeatedly hitting less optimal targets can make very little head way. Being able to move quickly helps ensure you will not be blocked and that you can return to your stance quickly enough to prevent a counter attack. Tae Kwon Do is a very practical martial arts system that works in the real world to offer personal protection.

Yoshi E Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He covers the
mixed martial arts industry. For a free report on taekwondo footwork training visit his blog.

Yoshi Kundagawa is a freelance journalist covering
the martial arts world. Too much time at his computer
eating donuts reduced him to couch potato status.
He’s on a quest to recapture his youth and fitness.
You can read his blog at http://www.martialarts3000.com