St. Louis Kickboxing: The Best Martial Arts To Get You Into The Best Shape

By Edgar D. Madison

If you are searching for high impact, fun, and a challenging St. Louis kickboxing experience, you should to try out Absolute Martial Arts. Absolute Martial Arts focuses on Muay Thai type of kickboxing. Muay Thai is growing quicker than any other martial art is right now.

So, to maximize your St. Louis kickboxing training experience, Muay Thai will offer you the best. Absolute Martial Arts is focused on two main keys: fitness and self-defense. You will have never had so much fun while getting in shape. Muay Thai is not like most St. Louis kickboxing regimens, it is boxing mixed with high impact kicks.

All that said, you need to make it a goal to find the best Muay Thai St. Louis kickboxing experience possible. How does one discern a good trainer from a bad one? You cannot overstate the importance of the instructor when it comes to St. Louis kickboxing. Make sure you have the proper trainer that will teach you techniques safely and correctly.

When it comes to St. Louis kickboxing trainers that are well known not only in their community but also the world, Toddy at Absolute is right at the top. He is one of the best instructers in the world in the Art of Muay Thai. You will be hard pressed to find that in any other St. Louis kickboxing community.

You also need to make sure that your Muay Thai program is registered with the Muay Thai International Association. You should to do this because it is important to know proper techniques and the absolute uses of the latest progressive methods.

But not any St. Louis kickboxing regimen will give you the treatment you will find at Absolute Martial Arts. You will also find instructors who work right next to you and give you the attention you need. It will be like having your own personal trainer with much less cost.

Don't fret if you are not fit, that's why we're here! Unlike most St. Louis kickboxing regimented programs, Muay Thai exists to develop strength, mental toughness, fitness, and fun! Do not worry about hurrying your training - we'll go as fast or slow as you want while we stretch you where you are.

If you want good looking legs, a flat stomach, stronger body, stress relief and more self confidence, come by to learn the step by step basics in the very first lesson. At Absolute, we think that we are the best of St. Louis kickboxing programs and think that you will feel the same way. - 31497

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How to Learn the Martial Arts Ten Times Faster!

By Al Case

It took me almost seven years to earn my black belt in traditional Karate, but it only took the fellow who taught me 2 1/2 years to get his black belt. I always wondered why this was so, but it wasn't until I began to take apart martial arts systems that I understood why. It turns out that there are several reasons why it takes people longer and longer to truly learn anything in the martial arts.

When I took apart the system I had been taught I found there were two systems within it. I had not only learned the traditional system of 10 forms that had originally been taught to the fellow who taught me, but I was learning an additional system of seven forms that my instructor had made up. I was also learning several other forms that had been thrown into the mix just because my instructor thought they were valuable.

This happens quite often throughout the world of the martial arts. Ed Parker, of Kenpo fame, for instance, began his career teaching simple karate forms. When he ran out of forms to teach he started putting vast amounts of kung fu into what he was teaching.

Now the problem is not one of not enough material, there is endless material out there. The real problem is separating the material of the martial arts into logical slices. Each of the slices must represent a logical look at a style or system.

If we were talking dance, we would be separating hip hop from square dancing from whatever. If we were talking music we would be separating country from bebop from so on. In the martial arts we must actually separate tae kwon do from shaolin from jujitsu from pa kua...and so on.

When you separate the martial arts, you must understand the difference between basics and stylistic differences. You must understand that karate blocks, for instance, go out from the tan tien, and wudan type blocks are rotated off the turning torso, and silat blocks are slipping types of blocks, and so on. If you don't understand these differences the arts remain complex and are difficult to absorb.

If you don't understand these differences then you are mixing arts, and different ways of moving the body, and different ways of using energy, and so on. Thus, a peach becomes indistinguishable from an apple from an orange, and so on. Thus, the arts become a mush which the mind refuses to digest.

Understanding the differences between the arts, however, the arts become very easy to absorb, everything aligns and catalogues everything easy as pie. The martial arts, you see, are only illogical because people have made them that way. Separate Pa Kua into pa kua, or karate into karate, or Choy Li Fut into Choy Li Fut, and the martial arts can be learned in a matter of months, not years. - 31497

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Wonderful Wii!

By Anna Cross

Nintendo's Wii has had its failures and its triumphs. It has completely revolutionized older games and made them ten times as fun, despite it's remote control's issues. This all aside, the Wii has evolved quite extensively.

If you have never experienced the Wii's gaming capabilities, you're truly missing out. There are several types of games, from good ole Mario Kart to Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3, to more revolutionary games such as Wii Sports.

The Wii has it's ups and downs. Some of the ups are how interactive and just plain fun the games are. You can play them with old-fashioned controllers, and old fashioned games, or you can play the newer games and jump around.

For several games, different controllers are needed. However, that does not imply you want to dish out another forty bucks for a new controller. There are'holders' of kinds which hold your primary Wii remote and simply play. The majority of these holders also come with the game in which they're supposed to be played with. I recently saw one for Link's journey that came with a cross-bow holder.

Bad : The remotes. If you mistakenly forget to the wrist strap, they can easily go flying into your TV, playingbuddy, neighbor's window, dog's water bowl, and so on. Also needed is a charger to charge your Wii's controllers. The chargers in reality are about 40 greenbacks, which after dishing out a good 250-300 dollars for the console is a bit frightening. However, an alternative is to buy chargeable batteries and a battery charger and simply change them out. issues could also arise. The Wii is twice as fun when played with a friend, or perhaps multiple chums, but some of the more interactive games might provide a problem in crowded places.

Arguments aside, the Wii is certainly a worthwhile , and is enjoyable for every age. Old folks, young children, teenagers, anybody can play the Wii. ( This is assured by my 70-year-old granddad who in total truth plays the Wii more than his youngest grandchildren for whom he bought the Wii for. His special favourite are Wii Bowling and golf. )

Finally, you gotta be pondering just how many games there are. According to several site, it's quite close to 450. This is quite an exponential growth considering it started with 21 in 2006.

Having said that , go try the Wonderful Wii! . - 31497

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MMA Training Workouts

By Gloria Clarence

I encourage anyone who wants to lose fat, build lean muscle and get into "fighter shape" to start to train with their own version of MMA work-outs. It isn't surprising that MMA fighters all appear to have that lean, ripped, and athletic look, like Brad Pitt in Fight Club.

It's critical that we learn from these world class athletes. If you want to look like an MMA fighter who's in glorious shape, you really need to be in excellent shape yourself. Sadly, we cannot cut corners and the only way to get a ripped MMA body is to put in difficult work via your own MMA-inspired exercise routines.

In my opinion, the ripped Hollywood look is the only one to go for. Massive and cumbersome is going out of style. In general, one can see from watching MMA sportsmen compete, that having slightly less muscle mass is favorable to an impressive performance. These fighters have the perfect mix of power, explosiveness, endurance, and overall athletic ability.

If only strongman competitions were more mainstream then muscle building then maybe more mixed martial artists would incorporate better strength and conditioning exercises into their MMA workouts without the need of learning or knowing why.

One of the most typical mistakes MMA wrestlers make when the are new to the theorem of adding strength and conditioning to their MMA exercise programs is they carry around the perspective of a body-builder. They go to the gym thinking they have to do all kinds of exercises for each muscle group and the sole technique to get a productive workout in is to get a good "pump."

But if you wanted a general idea of what type of strength and conditioning you want to develop with your MMA exercise routines, then think about the sort of exercises strongmen do : picking up heavy and awkward objects, carrying heavy weight for long distances, performing extremely strong and heavy lifts as many times as possible in a certain period of time, to name a couple.

These sorts of exercises are more functional and carry over very well to MMA fighters when it comes to the type of strength and conditioning they need . The explanation being is that in a MMA fight your competitor, unlike a balanced barbell, is a continually shifting his ungainly weight that you've got to steadily push and pull from both balanced and unbalanced positions,eg the kind of resistance a heavy and clumsy object would give you.

if you would like to be an MMA fighter, you will have to train like one. This means you will have to learn the elements of an MMA workout. Though self-defense skills has been around for hundreds of years, the game of mixed martial arts is still in its youth. Mixed karate skills is growing leaps and bounds with the increased popularity of the ultimate Fighting Championship ( UFC ) and the real life television show, The ultimate Fighter.

there are several facets to planning a good MMA workout for anybody looking to become a professional fighter, or for someone just hoping to get in shape. A good workout includes training in some, or all, of the following areas, conditioning, striking, grappling, wrestling, or submission talents. These talents can be both offensive and defensive in nature. - 31497

Enlightenment, Zen, and the Martial Arts!

By Al Case

The martial arts have long been held up as a way to enlightenment. Indeed, this is the goal at the end of the road of The True Martial Art. This article is about why this is so, and to enable the reader to walk to the end of that road all the sooner.

Enlightenment is when light shines forth from the individual. With that light the enlightened being views the world differently. His perceptions are heightened, and he has a superior viewpoint.

If enlightenment happened because of motion, then the fact of motion would result in enlightenment. Gymnastics, ballet, football, all would result in an enlightened individual, but they don't, so one must ask oneself, what is it about the Martial Arts that they result in enlightenment?

What is different is that there is combat, and when one understands the essence of combat, one becomes enlightened. What is the essence of combat? One could sum up the subject by saying that when one finally understands he is opposing himself, he becomes enlightened, and a study of the martial arts does eventually result in this.

The universe, you see, is a vast space filled with objects. Every object in the universe has a direction. It is only in the martial arts that one actually engages in the study of the directions of objects from the viewpoint of one who creates the direction.

A fist flies at you, and you go through a range of emotions. Eventually, you give up emotions so that you can analyze. Thus, you rise above base reaction and become cause.

A person threatens you, he holds a knife and approaches you, and you must divine the direction of the knife before it enters you. You must look at the world the way it exists, and not through some fantasy of how it is supposed to exit, and thus you look at the world you created. Thus, you rise above being the flotsam and jetsam of a universe awash with the shards of random motion, and thus you take control of the motions of the universe.

There would be no motion in this universe, you see, were it not for the fact of you. That star shines because of you, if it wasn't for you, there would be no purpose for that star to emit even the faintest shred of light. And through the tempering of form, the steeling of will, the martial artist engages in fighting to give up fighting, and thus becomes an enlightened being free to roam the universe as he wishes. - 31497

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Fighting Games On PC

By Dan Foote

Fighting games are the most intense for of skill in a game, it is just you and the opponent in which you need to defeat them. Its all about quick reflexes ability to adapt to the situation that you are put in.

PC fighting games, however, are few and far in between. I mean truly good PC fighting games not simple broken flash games that will never maintain your interest for more than 10 minutes.

First of all what exactly classifies a fighting game? I would have to go with any game that lets you take direct control of your character form the punches to the kicks and usually as a bonus allow you to play multi player against other people, although it is not necessary.

A lot of people ask me why there aren't that many great PC fighting games anymore? Well I think the answer lies in how we control the computer, with a keyboard. Its not a precise controller quite like the PS3/Xbox 360 has so you will not always be able to achieve desirable results. This is probably the biggest reason that most big publishers started to shy away from PC fighting games when there are consoles to publish their games to.

Who would ever want to play a fighting game on the PC then? They are in all reality really fun on the computer but first I suggest you get yourself a controller for the PC or use your PS3/Xbox 360 controller and set it up for your game as they make your game A LOT more fun and allow you to pull off more intricate combos.

How do I hook up an Xbox 360 or PS3 controller to my computer? Its pretty simple for the most part just plug it in and install a piece of software to act as an emulator to simulate keystrokes. All of the software can be found in the site below.

PC fighting games online are one of the best ways to show off your skills, especially against your friends. You get to teach them a lesson and assert that you are the most dominate force. Fighting games make for a great tournament style game play so you can really find out who is the best. - 31497

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Trampolines And Gymnastics ' Poetry In Motion

By Dave Vower

All kids love bouncing on trampolines ' and grown ups too. If your child is keen to start gymnastics, you should encourage him or her because this is a really beneficial form of exercise. As with ballet or judo, a child will develop discipline and focus with trampolines and gymnastics. Children as well as adults can start classes at any stage.

Watching Olympic gymnastics perform on TV is fascinating. They do incredible stunts on trampolines, rings and uneven bars. The novice gymnast will learn the basics such as tucks, roll-overs and handstands. Certain muscles need to be strengthened in order to hold your own weight. Children aged 3 or 4 quickly learn exercises and their bodies become supple very quickly.

Beginner students are introduced to the trampoline by doing basic moves. They will also learn the basics of tumbling. Trampolines come in a variety of sizes. There are small, softer ones perfect for the beginner, and larger ones with a vaulting board which allow low-impact training.

A more experienced gymnast will do a lot of practice on a larger trampoline. This sets the pace for complex movements such as back flips and aerial somersaults. The more air-time one gets, the sooner you can start learning new skills.

Very few stress injuries occur on a trampoline. You are more likely to suffer injury if you land on the floor because it does not have any give. Repetitions are accomplished faster on a trampoline as opposed to a sprung floor. The prevention of injuries and safety during gymnastic classes is very important.

A trampoline at home is great not only for the aspiring gymnast, but for every member of the family. The gymnast can have practice sessions while mom, dad, brothers and sisters can get fit. A 14 foot built-in trampoline is ideal, but there are other sizes that are free standing. Even a mini trampoline is excellent for training and exercising. - 31497

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How to Use Yoga to Master the True Martial Art

By Al Case

There are two paths to take in the martial arts. The directions of which I speak are sport, and art. One of these methods leads to decay, the other leads to enlightenment.

If one does the martial arts as a sport, he engages in contest, and that actually defines the difference between sport and art. If one practices the martial arts as art, he is attempting to conquer himself. Subdue the self, or subdue another, the difference is easy to see.

If one is attempting to subdue another, he is holding the world responsible for his problems, fighting the world, not taking responsibility for what he does. Wether the accumulation of wealth, or just trying to beat somebody through a violent contest, the student is not using the art the way it was designed, as a mirror for the soul. It is the soul, the individual, the spirit, the I AM that is what the martial arts are all about, not the smacking down of somebody else.

When one is doing the art as sport, he is creating the strongest body, and then tossing that body to destruction. When one is doing the art as art, he is obsessed with finding out the truth about himself and what this thing called life is really all about. He is engaged in defining what impulse is behind the muscle and quiver of fighting his fellow man, and then defeating that impulse

The True Martial Way can be defined by the degree of motion within the art. A young man studies the excessive motion of Karate and Shaolin and that type of art. As the student ages, he practices tai chi, slowing his motion down, trying to take responsibility for his every action.

Eventually, man becomes old, runs down, and begins to think about what it all means. He aspires to motionlessness, he is a person who watches the movement of the universe, and this is where he finds the truth. In motionlessness, he sees the truth of motion and who creates it.

When one does Yoga one is exercising, making the body strong, but not through the make up of combat. This does create a weakness, as the universe is motion, and we should duplicate that motion to understand it. That one weakness aside, yoga does allow one to go to the heart of the matter.

Putting the body in postures, breathing, watching, we slowly become aware of who is doing the watching, who is creating the posture. We find the I AM that is behind all the motion of the universe, and thus we become spiritual, souls, individuals unique and creative and filled with passion. We could wait, and grow old, or we could pursue violence until we run out of violence, or, we could just accelerate the process with yoga, through posture and slow breathing, and find out who we really are. - 31497

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Trampolines And Gymnastics ' A Great Activity

By Dave Vower

Trampolines have been in existence for hundreds of years. They can be used as a fun activity or a more serious pursuit. Trampolines and gymnastics have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last ten years as more adults and children are rediscovering the joy and excitement as well as health benefits that can be achieved.

A trampoline is basically a springboard. There is a heavy elasticised fabric that is stretched over a geometrically shaped metal frame. Usually there will be pads on the floor and edges of the device to protect the user from injury.

It's now fairly common to see trampolines in yards and gardens around the country. They come in all shapes and sizes. There are small one metre square options for young toddlers and larger four by four metre sized models for the bigger gardens. The larger versions will often come with a fence or net surrounding them so that it is not possible to jump or fall out.

One of the main reasons for the increase in popularity of gymnastics and trampolines has been the greater number of events that are televised. In 2000, the Olympic Games in Sydney Australia featured trampolining fort the first time. The level of performers inspired many people to also take up the activity. Another place you can see such athletes is in the circus. The stunts and leaps that circus performers pull are breathtaking.

It's also known that regularly using a trampoline can be a wonderful form of exercising. It will improve your cardio vascular system as well as improve the tone and strength of your legs and abdomen. Be sure to warm up for a few minutes as it is easy to damage a muscle when out of practice.

Whatever your age you will find that it is always good fun to jump on a trampoline. It's a great way to unwind and release tension. - 31497

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The Principles of Gracie Jiujitsu

By Curtis Adams

Ever since Royce Gracie won three out of the first four Ultimate Fighting Championships, Brazilian jiu-jitsu academies have been springing up all over. You can find many different styles but Gracie Jiujitsu is probably the most famous. This discipline takes the martial art very seriously, and has at its core a philosophy on how to live one's life in order to achieve the best results on the mat, and how to be more complete as a human being.

The first principle of Gracie Jiujitsu is about control. In a fight, this involves being the one who will dictate what happens during the fight. Part of this is in physically controlling your opponent and restricting his movements to what you want him to do; the other part is the self-control that you need to impose upon yourself so that you can make the best choices to win the fight. This is personal training at its best, and it is part of a healthy lifestyle. It is expected that you are able to exercise enough control to eat properly and take care of your health.

The next principle of Gracie Jiujitsu involves patience. This is particularly important for a fighter, since so much that occurs in a fight can depend on timing and whether enough patience has been used. Patience is often rewarded, as opportunities are more likely to appear. For those who rush, bad decisions are more likely to occur. This philosophy is instilled from the beginning and it is expected that if you can be patient on the mat, then you will display the same quality in your life outside of the dojo.

The final of Gracie Jiujitsu principles is efficiency. This is particularly important for a fight, since the foundation of this discipline is built on the assumption that you will be fighting someone stronger and bigger than yourself. Jiu jitsu schools will often promote the idea that you drain your opponent of his or her energy while conserving your own strength in order to finish the fight. This applies to daily living as well, with the idea that you are able to maximize your results through an efficient application of effort, whether it is in business or social situations.

As you can see, Gracie Jiujitsu goes well beyond the mat, and really the only people who will succeed in this discipline are the ones who are able to live their lives according to the ideals that the discipline is based upon. Brazilian jiu jitsu academies are everywhere nowadays, and you can probably find one that won't require a commitment on your part to lead your life outside of the dojo according to the Gracie Principles. But whether that will result in you being a better fighter is unlikely, since how you are on the mat is not so different from how you are when off it. - 31497

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The past Behind The Chinese Traditions

By Pauline Go

Besides its rich history, China is world prominent for it's philosophy, especially the Chinese ancient Dragon dance and also the lion dance. The traditions of the east have over the years become a rage in the west; several of us get pleasure from watching these dances, knowing very little or nothing regarding their origin and importance. The Dragon it's a belief in China that the individuals of China are the forbearers of dragon. Dragon is of course a mythical creature, believed to have had options of alternative animals like fish, deer, lion, horse, snake and vulture.

The Legendary Dragon Dance:- The dragon dance is a crucial festive tradition in China. Originally this dance was performed to please the God of water and for rain throughout the drought years. Gradually it took a type of leisure and shaped a important part of all festive occasions, especially throughout the spring pageant and Lantern Festival.

Dragons are normally contrived out of bamboo, wood, cloth and paper sometimes it's a huge creation generally even ranging more than 100 meters. Poles are hooked up to the belly of the dragon and during the show; performers hold these poles and lift the dragon, beginning the grand dance with the beats of roaring drums. The dragon mask and body used for the dance is colored green, gold and red. If this dance is performed at the hours of darkness, then it's preceded by carrying bunch of burning torches to calm down the show.

The Lion Dance:- Chinese think about the lion to be a symbol of power, pride, dignity and bravery, capable of fighting off evil spirits. In Chinese tradition, lion is the ninth son of the dragon and was considered because the prime protector; still it is seen in front of royal palaces and huge houses.

Besides the dragon dance, the lion dance additionally incorporates a long history in the Chinese tradition, it was originally used for worship and to pray for rain, the lion dance is usually performed with the dragon dance on auspicious occasions. A good performance is believed to convey luck and happiness.

The fascinating lion dance can be enjoyed at the time of the Chinese New Year or on any ancient festival. The lion dance is performed by Wushu - Kung Fu experts. There are typically 2 performers who bring life to the lion - the one managing the lion's head leads the dance and depicts the lion's emotions. The other plays the body and tail. They hide themselves below a cloth fur attached with the head. There's also a 3rd person - a person who allures the lion, and carries a silk flower ball or wears a mask of the happy Buddha with a banana-leaf fan in one hand. He further magnifies the amount of merriment of the Lion Dance by dodging from left to right, jumping all around to make a lively entertainment, driving lion crazy.

The centuries previous traditions of the Chinese remains alive and surprisingly gaining popularity by the day. But, it's for us to keep alive the history of those age old traditions, cultures and practices. - 31497

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The Secret of Matrix Martial Arts and Real Intelligence

By Al Case

It is easy to ascertain that Matrix Martial Arts raises intelligence. It is a proven fact that when one matrixes his art, be it Kenpo or aikido or that rare form of wudan hsing i, the art becomes better, and the person becomes more intuitive, and his intelligence goes up. What is not so easy to see is why this happens.

Intelligence is measured in todays institutions through various tests. What these tests do, however, is tell you how big your memory is. What these tests do is evaluate how adequate your memory is.

Thus, current testing is checking the state of memory, and it has nothing to do with the factors of true intelligence. Current testing does nothing more than verify that the memorization methods of modern schools is working. To come to grips with what this really means we must define what true intelligence is.

True intelligence is the speed at which your mind actually functions. There are other factors, but this is the one that tells the true tale. This doesn't tell you how big or good your memory is, but how fast you can get along with the environment.

In the martial arts the student is taught by having him or her memorize strings of random data. Or memorize random strings of data, however you want it. The hope is that if you get a big enough memory then you can pull a trick out of the hat, and hopefully it is the right trick.

When you matrix the martial arts you put the data in logical order, no more random data, or random strings of data. Thus, you use less memory, and the data is filed properly for quick and accurate extraction. Thus, you are not distracted by incorrect data, the missing data and the gaps and holes and wrong arrangements of data and so on, and intuition can kick in.

Intuition means that the data being extracted for use is being extracted virtually instantaneously. Furthermore, and here is a blessing, it is never wrong. Thus, the true speed of the martial arts, as represented by intuition, is in effect, and thus the students intelligence is raised.

Now, it doesn't matter what form of wudan you are partial to, or what system of karate you study, all that matters is that you take the time to rearrange the data by applying matrix martial arts to it. When you use matrixing as your mode for learning, you see, it is nothing more than putting the book on the bookshelf. The trick here is that we are putting all the books on all the bookshelves throughout the entire library, in the right order, at the same time, and that is certainly measurable as an increase in intelligence. - 31497

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How to Punch Harder than Mike Tyson!

By Al Case

Wham and bam! Iron Mike Tyson, a few years ago, was knocking them down faster than they could stand up. More than half of his first nineteen fights ended in the first round, and always with the opposing fighter laying face down like a drunk that had been humped by a bulldozer!

No other fighter was knocking people out like Iron Mike, also known as Kid Dynamite, and there were a lot of strong fighters out there. So there had to be something that Mike was doing that nobody else was doing. There simply had to be a secret behind his incredible, dynamite filled, slobber knocking punches!

The secret can be detailed in two parts. The first part is that he was not as tall as the other fighters, therefore he was automatically ducking under the incoming fist, and rising up with his own. This meant that he had to use the push of his legs as part of his punch.

Because he was coming up from under, he learned how to push with his legs and use his hips so they assisted the angle of his punch. He just happened to be the proper size that enabled him to arc his punch at exactly the right angle, to pop that chin at exactly the right spot. Every opponent fought him in similar fashion, he defended the same way, and he didn't start losing until opposing fighters analyzed him correctly and actually boxed!

The other part of the secret has to do with his lifestyle. He was winning fights while Cus DAmato was training him, because Cus DAmato was keeping him in hand, caring about him as an individual, working with him as a person. When Cus died, however, everything changed for the man who came to be known as The Baddest Man on the Planet.

After Cus died Tyson came under the influence of such people as Don King. His marriage ended in divorce, and he eventually began taking prescribed medicine. The mental edge evaporated, and other fighters were no longer coming in in exactly the right manner to be taken apart by him.

So the secret of Mike Tysons fantastic, first round knock out punch had to do with taking advantage of his height to use his legs and come up under his opponent It also depended upon the discipline in his life, which was enforced through the friendship of a man who cared about him as a person. And he began losing when fighters figured him out and he no longer had a trainer who could help him solve the issue.

The lesson here is that when you train in the martial arts, be it boxing or whatever, you must assess your body truthfully, and learn how to avoid its weaknesses and exploit its strengths, not an easy thing to do, but rather requiring an honest and truthful approach to oneself. The second thing you must do is live your life the right way, staying away from people who say they love you, but who act otherwise, this is seen easily if you look at how they treat people in their past. Anybody who utilizes these two principles, being accurate in your assessment of your body and living a good lifestyle, has a chance to develop the hardest punch in the world. - 31497

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How to Make the Transition from Shaolin to Wudan

By Al Case

One of the oldest martial arts on the planet is Shaolin. It was brought from India by a fellow named Bodhidharma, and has been an inspiration to martial artists the world over. Interestingly, Shaolin evolved into an internal art atop Wudan Mountain.

I know there will be those who disagree with what I say here, but I hold to it, as I have watched students go through the evolution of hard to soft, and the evolution of art from Shaolin to Wudan mirrors what I have seen students go through. Indeed, as students peel layers off the art, so they peel off layers of unawaress, and attain the truly miraculous.

The beginning students learn to expend energy from the tan tan, to spread that energy throughout the body and make the body hard. Arms become like iron, stances become as if permanent fixtures to the planet. This, however, is all based on explosion, and outward expulsion of energy.

As a student explores the varieties of martial art he may encounter the concept of absorbing energy. The act of guiding a punch, instead of blocking it, brings awareness of the concept of drawing energy in, instead of just putting it out. This progression of art often starts with a hard Shaolin art, goes through a softer art like Wing Chun Kung Fu, and, eventually, ends up with Wudan Tai Chi Chuan.

If the student studies a hard art, and does so with intelligence, he will eventually evolve into the soft. The fact of growing older, of the body no longer being able to handle the hard arts, will draw the student onward into the softer arts. He will develop his punch so that he doesn't undergo neck injuries, he will learn to use his legs so his hips don'thave problems, and he will naturally evolve his art from hard to soft.

As these progressions of art and age occur, students learn to use their minds and their bodies with less and less effort, and and they are surprised tolearn that the abilities they gained in the hard arts grow even greater. Instead of forcing energy through bodies no longer strong enough to handle it, they guide the energy with less effort, and focus it. Thus, awareness becomes a growing factor, and the blinders come off.

Instead of exploding energy brutally through their bodies, the students seep the energy through their bodies. They learn to guide this energy with their awareness, and the smallest of their motions contain ideas of energy. They learn that the crude body energy they used when they were young and robust was...unaware.

Finally, the transition is made in full, and the Shaolin adept becomes the Wudan sage. Instead of reacting with violence, the Wudan master observes his opponent, and moves with him, drawing in whole body energy and transforming it to his needs. Yet, though there is wisdom in the Wudan Gung Fu, there is no disdain, for the true sage knows the need for his early Shaolin, he knows the benefit of understanding energy on low levels if he is to transform it to high levels. - 31497

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The Fascinating Development of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

By Curtis Adams

A group of Japanese martial artists, the Kodokan, is the original source of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Kano Jigoro, one of the members of the Kodokan, sent out his followers to different parts of the world to spread the knowledge of his teachings. Mitsuyo Maeda was sent to Brazil and he began to share the art of what would become known as jiu-jitsu to the citizens there. Though the martial art was actually closer to judo, the name was not as important as the actions.

Among the individuals that Maeda was in contact with was a man with the last name Gracie. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is very much linked to the Gracie name and this is where it started. Carlos Gracie began being taught by Maeda and subsequently in 1921, transferred his know-how to his brothers, including the youngest, Helio. Helio modified the teachings so that he, as a smaller man, could overcome much larger opponents. This became a principal aspect of jiu-jitsu and it would be shown time and again in competitions that size really does not matter in combat.

Up until this point, what the Gracies were studying was mainly known just as jiu-jitsu. In 1978 it became Brazilian jiu-jitsu when Helio's son left Brazil to make his and his family's mark on America. Rorion Gracie was determined to succeed. He was not accepted by any other martial arts schools, so he created his own school in his garage, offering free lessons and personal training to virtually everyone he met. After defeating several larger opponents in fights, word spread and soon the Gracies had more students than they could teach from their garage.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu took off throughout the planet in the early 1990s, with the formation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments. These were mixed martial arts fights that were mostly no-holds-barred events that paired fighters of diverse disciplines. Royce Gracie leapt to fame and victory by winning three of the first four tournaments, mostly by beating opponents a lot bigger than he and through submission holds on the ground. It became obvious that his martial art methods were significantly superior to those of other disciplines and Brazilian jiu jitsu academies arose all over North America.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu still continues to be one of the most effective forms of fighting, with Gracie jiu jitsu being recognized in its own right as a separate discipline. From Japan to Brazil and then to America and finally the world, the Gracies have had tremendous success in proving the excellence of their abilities and of their chosen discipline. The future only looks bright as jiu-jitsu continues to be extremely popular for martial artists and for those who watch the fights. - 31497

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The Role You Know About The Lion Dance

By Dustin Heath

Are you fascinating in knowing concerning the Lion Dance? This article can tell you all that you would like to know. Well, it's a very traditional part of Chinese culture, and the dance essentially mimics the movements of a lion, an individual doing it in a very lion costume. The lions that are depicted in Chinese culture are Asiatic lions, which are found in India. In fact, the Lion Dance actually originated in India, a rustic where the lion is considered a creature of guardianship.

Nowadays, the Lion Dance has several variations in alternative Asian cultures like Hong Kong, China, Macau, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Malaysia, etc. and Sydney - and also the dance varies from region to region, in the shape of distinct styles and movements. For instance, in Japanese culture, the Lion Dance is practiced as Shishimai, a observe that meant dancing around symbols of different animals like deer.

The Chinese Lion Dance will be of two main types - Northern and Southern. The previous was used as a form of entertainment for the imperial court, and also the northern lion is red, orange and yellow, typically the feminine lion is depicted as having inexperienced fur. The lion additionally has a shaggy look, and contains a golden head. The northern Lion Dance itself is very acrobatic in nature, and is sometimes performed for the aim of entertainment. Dangerous stunts are typically performed by them.

The Lion Dance, on the other hand, is more symbolic in nature. The aim of its performance is typically to exorcise evil spirits, and to bring in fortune and smart luck. The southern lion will have a large choice of colours, and also the animal itself has a distinctive head with huge eyes, there's a mirror on the forehead, and on the middle of the top could be a single horn. Don't ever confuse the Lion Dance with the Chinese Dragon Dance, which is completely different. The latter is done with a team of 10 or a lot of people, whereas the Lion Dance sometimes is made up of simply 2 dancers. The Lion Dance is closely connected to the apply of Kung Fu, and therefore the individuals who dance it may be members of the native Kung Fu Club. Some rigorous training is needed so as to master the Lion Dance.

The northern Lion Dance has the dancers appearing in pairs, and during their performance, the lions sometimes resemble Pekingese or Fu Dogs, the movements are realistic and life-like. They perform stunts like balancing on a giant ball, or doing lifts. It is quite common for the northern lions to look as a family, there are usually 2 massive adult lions, and a try of little young lions. On the opposite hand, the homeland of the southern vogue of the Lion Dance is Guangdong, and also the southern Cantonese vogue will be further sub-divided into Hok Shan (Crane Mountain), Fat Shan (Buddha Mountain), Fat Hok (this is a combination of the previous two), Jow Ga, and also the Inexperienced Lion (which is very in style with the Taiwanese). - 31497

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Four Important Reasons to for Teaching the Martial Arts

By Al Case

People are always impressed when they find out that I am an instructor of the martial arts. Unfortunately, impressing people is not something I care about. This is a cruel trap, because if they are impressed enough I can make students out of them, but I don't really care to impress them.

I remember when I first began the martial arts, this was a long time ago, I was impressed by these quick moving ninjas in pajamas, but what kept me going was that they talked to me. I mean, they were so tough, and yet they took the time to sit down and laugh and joke with a young kid. I always remember this, from the early days, and try to emulate my instructors behavior.

Now, having said that, there are four specific reasons why I teach the martial arts. I am speaking from the viewpoint of instructor here, so you will probably find what I say a bit odd. Still, you might find my reasons enlightening and educational.

One, I teach for the power it gives me. The thing is, I am not speaking about power over people, I am speaking about the power I feel with the health of my body and the clarity of my thought. While comrades grow old and fat, use walkers and oxygen tanks, cannot even bend over to tie their shoes, I run up the stairs, eat what I want, and am as active today as I was forty years ago, when I was but 19.

Secondly, when I teach it empties me. Now this is really quite something, when I teach somebody, if I have been true in my instruction, then I am suddenly empty, and in that emptiness I learn things. It is almost like I have shoved a book off a table, so there is room for another book to be placed upon the table, except that we are talking about knowledge being shoved out of the mind here.

Three, I teach so that I can get outside myself. I am not the attacker nor the defender, but I am both, outside of them, and this gives me a viewpoint that is almost totally unknown in western society. There simply is no practice, even of teaching, in western society, that gives this viewpoint.

Four, I teach so that I can relate to the world in a more realistic way. I see so many people who are filled with talk, but don't really see the world, and certainly can't communicate about that real world. Teaching the martial arts develops a commitment to a deeper level of communication, an intuitive type of communication, a zen communication that is so much more natural to beingness and existence.

So, there you have it. Not all teachers have my same reasons, but you can bet they have reasons similar in scope and magnitude. Always know that whether somebody teaches the beautiful and exquisite arcs and forms of shaolin, or the inspiring internal energy of wudan, or combat oriented Krav Maga, or just fun and games like one would find in the mixed martial arts, know that there is a depth of personality that they are pursuing, and that it would behoove you to similarly pursue. - 31497

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It Is Time For You To Start A Tai Chi Routine

By Spencer Yurtt

Are you trying for a approach to reduce the strain of everyday life? If thus, then it is about time that you start Tai chi. This ancient art used gentle flowing movements which will improve general health and cut back tension and stress by connecting the mind and body. Thus if you are worked up together with your daily routine of work or studies, then learning how to do this program can be a terribly healthy habit.

Before You Begin Before you start this healthy habit, it'd prove useful to perceive its dynamics first. This sleek sort of exercise originated as a form of a self-defense art. Today, though, it is primarily used for stress reductions and health improvement. It is mainly centered on light stretching and sleek movements of the body. It practically permits you to make swish movements or gentle positions that may tone not just the body however also the mind. So, there are way more than one hundred possible movements that can be tired Tai chi. You do not have to learn all of them. The important thing is to find out a few and coordinate each one together with your respiratory to achieve tension unharness, physical relaxation and inner calm. You would like to concentrate when doing Tai chi. You do this by putting aside gift problems or distressing thoughts. This manner, this way of graceful exercise is not simply for the physical self however also for the mind and spirit.

Who Can Try Tai Chi Practically anyone can do Tai chi. You are doing not have to fulfill specific physical standards as this manner of exercise will be terribly gentle and the intensity can rather be adjusted. The fast-paced movements will be reserved for those that are already physically fit. If you are doing not fit this description then you'll begin with the terribly slow and light movements that are appropriate for everybody regardless of age. Another advantage to the current type of exercise is the very fact that it does not need you to use any kind of equipment. You simply want to be in comfortable garments thus you'll be able to simply do the movements and postures without restrictions. It will additionally be done indoors or outdoors, by yourself or as half of a group. Previous people, those with special health conditions and pregnant girls must 1st consult their doctors before beginning a replacement tai chi program.

What You Will Get Out of the Program There are many benefits to a tai chi program. Primarily, it brings your body and mind in sync with every other so relieving you from stress. Since you concentrate on movement and calming breathing, a session can also offer you relaxation and tension release. The most effective factor about it is that you are doing not only feel the results throughout or immediately when a session.

You're able to feel relaxed and relieved of tension long when you have done your routine. Other than stress and tension reduction, tai chi can also supplement your alternative health practices. It will facilitate scale back tension, depression and anxiety, improves flexibility, balance and muscular strength, improves the quality of sleep, lowers blood pressure plus improve one's overall cardiovascular condition, will increase the levels of endurance, energy and adaptability and improves a person's general feeling of well-being. - 31497

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The Effect of the Lensmen on Martial Arts

By Al Case

Many of the martial arts, like karate are fiction. Slam somebody on the nose with a palm and bone shards will spear into his brain and kill him, except there isn't any bone in the nose, its all cartilage. And all those old legends, a lot of them are good for washing the hog, if you have a willing hog.

But, there is a certain science in the martial arts that is true. This is the science of geometrical energy potentials. I discovered this field in a series of books called the Lensmen Series.

I suppose the first time it hit me was when the author, E. E. Smith, described people fighting on the hull of a space ship. They were hooking their feet under hand grips so they would not fly into space from the reverse force of their strikes. They were anchoring themselves so they could apply force, and not be the effect of their own force.

Soon I was totally immersed in a universe where weapons created incredible geometries of force. A death ray created a mattering splattering beam, and it could be deflected by a well built shield. And if a shield could deflect that beam, then another shield used like a disk could slice the first shield apart.

Soon I was enraptured by concepts of fleets of space ships creating their own particular brand of strategic logics. Fleets of space ships would form globes around other fleets, and cones of fleets of spaceships would engulf and swallow globes of fleets. Each time a geometry was described, my mind struggled to keep up with the concepts.

Then, shock of shocks, fleets of spaceships gave way to the powers of the mind. Those same rods and shields and globes and cones, made real in the ultimate space combat, became the stuff of mind to mind encounters. How do you slide your awareness through the grid of another minds awareness?

And, ultimately, having exhausted the books, I began extending those outer space alien mind combat strategies to the field of the martial arts. I sank my weight into deep horse stances, planted my stance so I would not fly away from my own force. I described cones with the movements of my arms, and engulfed the globes of fists as they flew out of space at me.

When I tell people about what has inspired me in the martial arts they generally think I am a bit crazy, or they realize I am a genius. Reading sci fi so as to use weird concepts in the martial arts, who would have ever imagined? Yet, both fields are art, and should not art be brandishing creativity and expression and beams of force and mind to mind conflicts? - 31497

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The Origins of Aikido

By Rhys Jones

The term 'Aikido' is created by the grouping of three characters in the Japanese language. 'Ai', which signifies 'joining'; 'ki', which means 'spirit' and 'do', which means 'way'. These three words actually encapsulate the essence of Aikido as a type of martial art: 'the joining of the spirit to find the way'. It was only in the period from 1930's to the 1940's that the name Aikido was formally accepted as the name of this martial art variety.

Aikido uses methods that do not seriously injure or kill not like different types of martial art. The movements and skills being taught are just intended to divert attention or immobilize attackers. This is perhaps the explanation why most people prefer Aikido, because of its concentration on peace and tranquility as opposed to violence and conflict. In deed, Aikido teacher, Morihei Ueshiba, believes that to have power over hostility without causing any injury is the art of peace.

Ueshiba, who is also called Osensei, which signifies 'Great Teacher', formed Aikido from the doctrine of Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu. He incorporated the methods of the 'yari', the spear; the 'juken', the bayonet; and the 'jo', which is a short quarterstaff. But what ultimately distinguishes Aikido from other types of martial art is the fact that its proponents can strike while empty-handed. Proponents require no arms for their protection.

As a young child, he was greatly into physical fitness and conditioning. This was because of his oath to avenge his father's attackers. Eventually, his studies and actions brought him to the discipline of the various martial arts. He studied several of them. He even has qualifications for fencing, fighting with spears, etc. He has learned it all. This is perhaps the reason why Aikido is such a disparate and multi-disciplinary form of martial art.

Yet in spite of his skill, he remained discontented. He felt that there was still something missing. It was then that he turned to the religions. He studied under a spiritual leader, Onisaburo Deguchi of the sect named Omoto-kyo in Ayabe. Deguchi taught him to take care of his psychic growth. He then combined his spiritual beliefs and his mastery of the different martial arts and Aikido was born.

His association with this fascinating spiritual leader Deguchi also smoothed the way for his introduction to the elite political and military people as a martial artist. Because of this association, he was able to establish Aikido and even pass on his knowledge to students, who have, in turn, created their own methods and movement in Aikido.

Aikido is a blend of the different styles of jujitsu as well as some of the techniques of sword and spear fighting, of which Ueshiba was an expert. To obtain an general picture, Aikido combines the joint locks and throws of jujitsu and the techniques of the body necessary when fighting with swords and spears.

Oriental in origin, it was brought to the West by Minoru Mochizuki when he visited France in 1951. He introduced the Aikido techniques to students who were studying judo. In 1952, Tadashi Abe came to France as the official Aikikai Honbu spokesperson. Then in 1953, Kenji Tomiki toured throughout the United States while Koichi Tohei stayed in Hawaii for a full year where he set up a dojo. Aikido then spread its influence in the United Kingdom two years after and in 1965, it reached Germany and Australia. At present, Aikido has centres all over the world. - 31497

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