Martial Arts - The Number One Way to Combat Bullying

As parents, we do everything we can to protect our children from harm and to provide them with the skills they need to be healthy, successful adults. The problem is, we are not with them all the time. What our kids do at school is sometimes a mystery to us. Are they polite to their teachers? Do they participate in class? Are they bullying other kids? Are they being bullied? There is something you can do to help get them on track to be successful in school and to avoid the bully trap – even when you’re not around:  Enroll them in a martial arts class.

One of the biggest misconceptions about enrolling children and teenagers in martial arts is that the kids become aggressive and, therefore, a likely to bully. The fact is, however, that martial arts do just the opposite. Bullies often have a sense of superiority over others and their environments and lack impulse control. Often time, bullies don’t know how to manage their anger, so they take it out on people they deem weaker than themselves. Many times, bullies are being, or have been, bullied at some point in their lives as well. Martial arts help solve these problems.

Martial arts can also help kids who are being bullied. Bullies thrive on attacking (physically or emotionally) people that they see as weak. Kids who are bullied often have (generally as a result of the bullying) low confidence levels, inability to concentrate on schoolwork, lack of focus, and high-stress levels which make them look even weaker. Martial arts help solve these problems too.

The many benefits of martial arts for children are a great way to combat bullying, but as you read on, you’ll see that the benefits extend past bullying and will help your children succeed in other areas of their lives as well:

Concentration and Focus. Training martial arts is not a mindless activity. It requires complete concentration and focuses on all times during training. The best part about this needed concentration, however, is that it carries over into all parts of your children’s lives. You’ll notice (and your children’s teachers will probably also notice) that they will be able to focus more on their schoolwork and they might even have more successful grades.

Confidence and Control. Martial arts will help your children get in tune with their minds and bodies. This will help kids better understand themselves, their actions, and their options. They know that they don’t need to lose their temper to manage stressful situations and they’ll also know that they can physically defend themselves if needed. All of this knowledge will increase their confidence and overall demeanor making them appear (and be) stronger individuals and less likely to be a victim of a bully. It will also help prevent them from bullying others because they will be more aware of themselves and those around them.

Stress Reduction. You probably already know that physical exercise is a great stress reliever for you. Do you also know that it works for your children as well? Any type of exercise such as jogging or playing sports can relieve the physical stress that your children feel from daily life – and it may be more than you’d expect. Training martial arts goes one step further, however. It will also help your children relieve their emotional stress because martial arts require them to concentrate on their training, not dwell on their problems.

Respect. If you send your children to the right school, their martial arts instructors will both command and deserve respect from all of their students. They will also be able to instill in your children that all people deserve respect, especially adults.

How To Choose A Martial Arts School

To reap the best benefits from martial arts, they should be taken as long-term activities rather than short-term. Given this suggestion, one should not just simply walk into the closest martial arts studio and sign up right away without doing some research. Not all martial arts are alike and not all schools or studios are alike either. Therefore, it is important to think about what your own needs are concerning martial arts training.

The discussion of which martial art style to take is too extensive for this article. So what I will say here is that there are differences in the various styles of martial arts which may result in some being more suitable for certain individuals compared to others. Do some research on the different styles and do visit the classes of different studios that teach different martial arts if possible. But more important is each school’s approach to teaching their martial arts. Many martial arts schools teach only techniques and forms (set routines) that are specific to a traditional style. These schools follow the ways that the founders of each martial art style developed, and they have continued with minimal variance over the years.

Other studios like to borrow techniques from a variety of martial art disciplines and integrate a mix into their programs. Some schools are non-traditional and adopt a more open freestyle system that incorporates traditional martial art techniques with gymnastics and open choreography of forms. Many clubs do both traditional and open styles. Each school will claim that its martial art style and method of teaching are superior to others. Prospective students must not take these claims too seriously and choose an approach that would be best suited for them on an individual basis.

Many advertisements for martial arts schools push the backgrounds of their higher-ranking instructors as a way to attract students. It is important to realize that the more degrees (or dans) a particular black belt has do not always mean that the individual is a better instructor.

This is the same with instructors who have very successful competition records.  There is no correlation between the number of world championship titles won with how good an instructor is. The term ’master’ should also be taken with caution. A master does not always make an excellent instructor.  The teaching style of different instructors can vary. Some use the old Asian masters’ approach where discipline is strictly enforced much like in the military. While general discipline is a good attribute to learn from martial arts training, some of the old ways of teaching, particularly reprimanding students vocally or physically for incorrect techniques may be considered a bit harsh for today’s society. This is why it is important to watch classes of prospective martial arts schools in which you are interested. You want to see the teaching style of an instructor to determine if it is a style that would be compatible with you or not. Ask questions after instructors have finished teaching. If you have the gut feeling that certain instructors will not be right for you, move on to find another club. Most legitimate schools will allow prospective students to witness or even try out a class for free before joining.

Related to teaching styles, some instructors emphasize safety more than others. The use of protective equipment and certain rules while sparring are factors. In addition to asking instructors, also ask other students about injury rates and their general feedback about the classes (ideally when they are outside of their schools). Another point on the students is that some schools attract a certain type of student profile. Observe the other students and decide whether these are people you would like to train with.

Some schools are very much into competition with the active encouragement of students to participate in tournaments. Some schools even make this a requirement to advance through the different levels. Other schools have been known to restrict competition only within a particular circuit.

For example, many tae know do clubs only participate in tournaments that are strictly Olympic style tae kwon do and never go to events that are open to all martial arts styles. There are schools on the complete opposite end where they do not believe in competition at all and pretty well keep to themselves without any interaction with other martial arts clubs. Many Chinese kung fu clubs do not compete and some styles of martial arts such as aikido do not offer any competitive outlet. Many martial arts schools choose to have a relaxed position toward competition where they leave it up to individual students to choose whether they want to participate in tournaments or not. Some schools have special competition teams where additional training is available for those students who wish to compete.

So as a prospective student, you should consider what involvement you would like in the competition if any. If you know that you never want to compete, you should not get locked into a school that requires tournament competition. If you have a desire for competition, do not join a studio that shuns competition.

Some martial arts schools teach in community centers, school gyms, and even church basements. Some have bare-bones studios with outdated equipment.

Some schools have the latest martial arts and fitness equipment with sparkling clean change rooms and facilities.

All of these will factor into the membership fee of each school. You have to determine what you are willing to pay for and what type of environment you will feel comfortable training in.

Many schools require annual contracts while some are on a month-to-month basis. There could be initiation fees. There could also be testing or grading fees for advancement.

All of these extra costs will add up.

Ask what happens if you have to freeze your membership due to extended illness or injury.

If one does not know whether martial arts is an activity for them in the long run, the option of taking short-term courses such as those offered by community centers may be a viable alternative to making a full commitment to a dedicated martial arts club with its own studio space.  But do be aware that although martial arts can be very enjoyable from the first day you put on a karate uniform, it is a long-term activity, and one must have the patience to benefit the most from martial arts.

Fortunately, there are many options in the form of different martial art styles and schools to choose from in the market today. Just make sure that you do some preliminary research before committing to any particular club.

How to Choose a Martial Art

Once you have decided that you want to start training in a martial art, you will need to decide which one is best for you. Of course, your choice might be dictated by the schools available in your area, but if you are lucky, you will have the choice of at least a few different types. There are many different types of martial arts (and even variations within the basic types) so it is important to make sure that you research the techniques and features to find the best fit for your lifestyle and needs. This general explanation of the six most popular styles in the United States can help you get started on the decision.

It is also important to note that there are as many interpretations of the martial arts styles as there are instructors. Students also interpret the class differently than other students in the same class, so other people’s opinions are not always the best determiner of what style you should pursue. While you are trying to find the martial art that is right for you, it is helpful to also try a few classes to get a feel for the style, instructor, and school.

KARATE

History

Karate can be translated as “empty hand” which means that it is a martial art performed without weapons.

While the history of Karate is somewhat vague, its ancient roots have been traced back to China in the 5th century B.C. The more modern form of Karate began in Okinawa, Japan during the late 1700s.

There was a weapon ban in Okinawa at this time, so people had to produce a system of self-defense that used empty hands – they combined aspects of Chinese martial arts with the Te traditional to Okinawa. By the early 1900s, it began spreading throughout Japan. In 1964, the Federation of Karate Organizations was formed as a means to create some continuity for Karate worldwide. Even so, there are many different styles and variations of Karate today.

Techniques

Karate is a linear martial art. It uses a wide variety of movements: kicks, punches, blocks, strikes, evasions, and throws.

Training focuses on having a strong offense and puts equal importance on the three areas of the art: basics, sparring, and forms.

Features

•                    People who practice Karate use their hips to generate power.

•                    Ranks, values, and styles differ from organization to organization.

•                    Karate, which can be a hard and straight line, is very disciplined and some traditional schools might seem very harsh.

AIKIDO

History

Using the influences of the traditional art of Daito Ryo Aikijo-Jitsu, Japanese fencing, spear fighting, and Omotokyo, Moriehie Ueshiba developed the martial art of Aikido (“the peaceful art”). He first used this name for it in 1942. The basis of this art is to live in a spirit of protection instead of physical domination.

The art of Aikido is ruled by the International Aikido Federation in Tokyo, Japan.

Techniques

Aikido is a circular martial art. Instead of winning a fight with physical domination, Aikido teaches its participants to control and redirect the negative energy. This leads to a commitment to both peaceful resolutions of conflict as well as self-improvement through training. People who practice Aikido learn to use throws and pins as well as how to immobilize their attackers. They do not use punches and kicks, except as a distraction. The basis of the art is to learn how to stay out of the line of attack and gain control of the attacker’s balance to stop the attacker.

Features

•                    Aikido does use weapons: jo (a 4-5 foot long staff), Bokken (a wooden sword), and a Tanto (a wooden knife).

•                    Aikido is a non-violent method of self-defense.

•                    The quality of the belt ranks is strictly regulated.

•                    Aikido lacks many of the kicks and strikes common to other martial arts.

JUDO

History

Dr. Jigro Kano developed Judo after he was enrolled at Tenjin Shinyo ryo School of Ju-Jitsu because he was frustrated with all of the student injuries. Judo is a gentle martial art that helps its participants strive to perfect themselves and to be of value to society. Judo, which means “the gentle way,” improves physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

Techniques

Judo uses throwing, grappling, pins, holds, locks, and choking. However, the training focuses on safety – participants need to work towards top conditioning and Judo is always practiced on mats. Judo participants learn the art through a series of forms that consist of throwing and sparring – there are no strikes in competitive Judo.

Features

•                    Judo has a strict set of rules and a clear instructional sequence.

•                    Judo rules, training, and ranks are fairly standardized throughout the world.

•                    Judo helps develop complete body control, fine balance, and fast reflexes.

•                    Judo uses a lot of grappling, throws, grabbing, and groundwork. Because of this, it often reminds people of wrestling.

TAEKWONDO

History

While the beginnings of Taekwondo can be traced as far back as 30 B.C., modern Taekwondo began after Korea was liberated in 1945. Koreans wanted to eradicate all Japanese influence on martial arts, so they began connecting the Korean martial arts schools and styles to create a national sport.

The name Taekwondo (“the way of the hand and foot”) was chosen in 1965. 1973 marks the beginning of the World Taekwondo Federation. It became a part of the Olympics in 2000.

Techniques

Taekwondo consists of four disciplines including patterns, sparring, self-defense, and a break test.

Taekwondo is primarily a kicking art and there is a large emphasis on sport. People who train in Taekwondo need to combine philosophy, mental and physical discipline, and ability in their training.

Features

•                    Taekwondo is recognizable by its high kicks.

•                    Taekwondo black belts exams require a break test.

•                    Taekwondo training can include the use of vital points to attack an enemy.

•                    Taekwondo schools are often kid and sport-oriented.

•                    Taekwondo students often are expected to compete in many tournaments.

T’AI CHI

History

The development of T’ai Chi (translated as “the supreme ultimate”) is credited to Chang San-Feng, but Wang Chung-Yueh and Chiang Fa elaborated on the original art. They took San-Feng's 13 postures and devised continuous sequences that linked them together. T’ai Chi used to be a greatly defensive art – even deadly. So much so, that the families who knew it guarded it fiercely. Now, T’ai Chi is less violent and is used to get rid of more figurative enemies such as stress and fatigue.

Techniques

People who practice T’ai Chi may use weapons, but the underlying theory is that the art is used to unify the mind, body, and spirit. It is often now used to guide negative energy away from oneself. There are two ways to practice T’ai Chi. The long-form can take 30 minutes or more while the short form can take less than 10 minutes. The forms focus on continuous movement that leads to relaxation and solid stances. In T’ai Chi, each arm is used to protect half of the body and the hands never reach past the toes. T’ai Chi can be done alone (forms) or with a partner (self-defense training).

Features

•                    T’ai Chi teaches awareness of balance and what affects it in oneself and others.

•                    T’ai Chi has five major styles, but there are always new ones developing.

•                    The basis of T’ai Chi’s self-defense is to meet force and stick with it until can be redirected instead of resisting it.

•                    T’ai Chi focuses on slow movements, so people who like vigorous exercise often find this martial art to be boring and slow.

KUNG FU

History

Kung Fu (translated as “skill and effort”) refers to over 200 styles of martial arts (most of which stem from Chinese martial arts). Kung fu can be traced back to the Shaolin temples where the monks used it for health and spiritual development as well as a method of self-defense.

During the early 1900s, Kung Fu, also called Wu Shu, spread throughout China when fighting arts became extremely popular.

In the 1960s and ‘70s, Kung Fu’s popularity grew due to the Bruce Lee movies.

Techniques

Kung Fu is central to Chinese culture and is used both for physical wellness and artistic expressions. Within the many different styles of Kung Fu, there are variations from hard and linear to soft and circular in technique. Some use weapons (including the common sword, saber, spear, and cudgel) and others do not. The seemingly common thread through them all, however, is to teach the students to respect the teacher and other Kung Fu styles. Kung Fu also requires (as well as builds) mental strength in addition to physical strength to be successfully practiced. Kung Fu students also often practice some techniques individually and others in groups. In many schools, beginning training starts with what is called the Southern Fist style.

It involves footwork, kicks, and hand combat techniques.

Features

•                    Kung Fu refers to the hundreds of different styles of martial arts in China.

•                    People who practice Kung Fu learn many different fighting techniques including fist fighting, weapon fighting, routines, and combats.

•                    Many Kung Fu styles use similar principles such as proper diet, breathing, concentration, and meditation exercises.

•                    Some Kung Fu styles use weapons while others do not.

•                    Kung Fu training improves physical conditioning through the strengthening of the joints and increases speed and reactions.

•                    Kung Fu’s major difference over other martial arts is that it not only focuses on outer, physical power but also involves training the mind and inner power through breathing exercises and meditation.

I hope you find this information useful. I wish that I could cover all of the styles that I left out, but it would take an entire book to do that. If you have any questions about which style would be best for you, please feel free to call or email us.

False Sense Of Security

Working my usual weekend gig as a bouncer in a night club an attractive blond approaches me and asks if I can walk her through the club because 15 minutes before a male grabbed her arm a told her that she had to dance with him. She refused and pulled away; the male grabbed her harder than pulling her to the dance floor, lucky for her another bouncer spotted this and took care of her problem. I decided to give her my business card, she tells me that she is a brown belt in the martial arts but everything she’s learned, she couldn’t remember and just blanked out. I tell her that this is normal, it is the effects of adrenaline.  Most self-defense programs do not think about these effects when training someone that is why 95% of self-defense programs do not work and will get you hurt or killed. I proceed to tell her most of my clients are martial artists or had some type of self-defense training in the past, she nods in agreement, understanding what I mean. The next day she gives me a call for self-defense training.

 That is a very high percentage and considering many people still believe in these systems, thinking they are effective, this also includes reality-based systems, or no holds barred people need to be educated. It is amazing what is being taught out there in self-defense schools, joint locks, cross-legged arm bars which require you to go on the ground. I have seen self-defense instructors teach students to kick to the head or grapple with an attacker, step here, turn this way, twist his wrist that way. The bottom line to many movements to remember, which are too complicated to work for ANYONE in a high-stress situation of a violent street attack.

 You are being lied to, ripped off of your hard-earned money, and given a false sense of security. What is being taught is too complicated to even work for a seasoned martial artist. It’s like going to culinary school and your instructor has never cooked or even turned on an oven before, how is he supposed to know how to make the meal, let alone teach you. Unfortunately, people who have trained in these self-defense programs learn in horror after being assaulted the hard truth. Most self-defense instructors also do not understand the effects of adrenaline and how it affects the mind, or motor skill performance.  Top it off most instructors have not even been in a violent street confrontation so how would they know what to do?

Many systems use joint locks and pressure points that require years of training to properly execute. Some techniques even when applied properly to someone who has an unusual amount of joint flexibility or high pain tolerance such as someone high on drugs will not work. A lot of self-defense techniques also have to be altered to work if environments change such as being in a small space or if there is snow on the ground causing slippery conditions. Think someone is going to remember all that while they are being attacked. I don’t think so.

Here are some tips on finding a realistic self-defense program 

·         Pick an instructor who is average or small in build they will focus on leverage techniques, not on their strength, which is important if you are small or a woman.

·         Make sure you check your instructor's credentials; ask to see his black belt certificate it will state what federation he is under and when he got it. If the instructor says he doesn’t have one then he’s a fake. There are a lot of people who will watch self-defense instructional tapes or train in the martial arts get an orange belt and start up a school. Anyone can go to a store and buy a black belt.

·         Do you wear loose clothing and are barefoot when you train and wear protective gear? Conditions are completely different from the streets. If you answered yes find a new self-defense program. Training should be as real as possible or be condition stimulus training. While training wear clothing that you wear when you go out, not gym pants, this includes shoes or boots. This will give you a realistic feel on how to move.

·         Do you train under situation-specific scenarios; do they have to change if your attacker does something different or if he does this then do that? And then you ask what if he does this question making everything too hard to remember and confusing

·         Do methods consider every type of environment? Street, bus, rain, living room in confined spaces.

·         Can you perform these techniques even if you are injured?

·         Do these self-defense methods require constant practice and do you have to separate techniques for empty hands, weapons, or multiple attackers. Bottom-line techniques should be quick and easy to remember.

·         Training should be focused equally on physical techniques and mindset conditioning.

How you train is how you will respond in the real world; training should be as real as possible so you can get out alive.

Stress Relief with Martial Arts

Are you a busy executive or mom trying to do everything?  Are you getting so stressed out that it seems like you’re not accomplishing anything? If so, you can use martial arts to combat that stress!  Many of the skills and techniques used in martial arts training are the same skills and techniques you can use to rid your body of stress.

So, you might be wondering how a skill that is commonly depicted as a fighting tool can reduce stress…  Some of these common images of martial arts aren’t completely accurate.  The cartoons, video games, and movies showing martial arts as a fighting tool are only showing you one small facet of the art. The skills necessary for training martial arts can teach you how to balance your mind and body and give you the confidence you need to face stressful events in your life. 

How do you do it?

One of the techniques used to create this balance is using breathing and meditation techniques to help you connect and control your mind and body.  There are different types of meditation: sitting, standing, kneeling, and moving.  Find the position that works best for you.  Here’s how to start.

1. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.

2. Breathe deeply.  To make sure you’re breathing deeply enough, put your hand on your stomach. If your stomach isn’t pushing out as you breathe in, you’re not breathing deeply enough. Try to pull the air to your navel before you let it out.

3. When you breathe out, keep your tongue on the roof of your mouth.  This keeps helps minimize your saliva and swallowing. 

In the Chinese way of thinking, breathing like this is completing a path:  The mouth is a gate and the tongue on the roof of the mouth allows your vital energy called “Qi” or “Chi” (both pronounced “chee”) to circulate throughout your body.  Chi is what helps your mind and body connect. 

After you’ve gotten the physical aspects of breathing down, you can start counting your breaths – this is a form of meditation that many experts teach during stress management courses. Start short and work your way up.

• Begin with a count of 4 as you breathe in and a count of 6 as you breathe out.

• As you go along, extend the in and out until you can get a count of 6 as you breathe in and up to 24-30 as you breathe out.  Just remember that you want a short, deep breath in and a slow, long breath out.

Why does it work?

This mind and body connection through breathing works because stress is a mental state that manifests itself as a physical symptom in your body.  This physical symptom then acts as a trigger to tell you to do something about it.  As you become more aware of your body, you’ll be able to notice the “trigger” before it becomes something unbearable such as a severe neck problem or a migraine headache.

Once you notice your trigger, you can stop and do something about it such as practicing a breathing technique. For example, I used to get stress-induced migraines that would leave me out of commission for a whole day.  Now, I’ve come to realize that it starts in my lower back as a small thing.  If I let it go, it works its way up to my head.  Now, when I noticed this trigger in my back, I stop and do my breathing. It allows the issue to surface so I can deal with it and I don’t have to deal with a migraine.

We all have those moments from time to time when we experience stress (some more frequently than others).  The overall benefits of training martial arts for the mind and body (including self-awareness, self-confidence, focus, concentration, and physical conditioning) all lead to reducing that stress.  You owe it to yourself to start relieving the stress in your life with the skills taught through martial arts.  The best place to find these skills is at a fine martial arts school.  Why not give it a try?  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Martial Arts Uniforms – The Gi

Since it was created in 1882 by Kano Jigoro of Japan, Judo has become one of the most popular martial arts in the world. It is quite a rigorous and physically demanding sport, appearing in several major international sports competitions. As a result, when partaking in judo training, it is important that a high-quality judo uniform, or Gi in Japanese, be worn to avoid tearing and damage.

Judo uniforms are generally constructed out of 100% cotton, bleached white. Cotton is the best choice for breathability. Care should be taken when laundering, as most judo uniforms are not pre-shrunken and will shrink up to a full size from excess heat. Therefore, washing in cool water and air drying is highly recommended to avoid shrinkage.

There are three pieces to the judo uniform: the jacket, the belt, and the pants. The jacket is quilted with a thick pliable collar and wide sleeves. Two short splits are on either side of the hip, which are reinforced with extra cloth. The jacket is secured with a belt, colored according to level, wrapped tightly around the body, and knotted. The pants feature an elasticized drawstring waist with wide legs to allow for movement. In areas where there may be a lot of friction or stress from pulling, reinforcement at the seams and additional padding is vital to prevent damage. These include the shoulders, collar, knees, and crotch of the pants.

The cloth for Gi’s comes in a variety of weights and textures. For training purposes, judo uniforms are made out of single weave cloth. The appropriate weight for a Judoka (Judo practitioner) is measured in ounces or grams and depends on their ability and age. Usually, beginners at a younger age opt for lighter weights while older advanced students and instructors choose heavier ones. Weights can vary from 7 ounces or 198.44 grams to 40.57 ounces or 1150 grams.

For competitions, double weave cloth is ideal for judo uniforms, making them thicker and heavier. Judo uniforms for competition use tend to be more durable, and as a result, much more expensive than a single weave. While training judo uniforms come in white, competition-level uniforms also come in blue.

Higher quality judo uniforms should not weigh down the practitioner and restrict their movement. They should fit loosely and comfortably on the body.

Are the Martial Arts Still Under Development?

What is a martial art?

A martial art can be defined as any skill that can be applied in warfare. The word martial means "military." So traditionally, a martial art is a military art. The first things that usually come to mind when discussing modern martial arts are leaping, kicking, punching, blocking, inverting elbows, twisting necks, throwing, and weapon fighting. But also horsemanship, javelin throwing, archery, spear fighting, halberd fighting, wrestling, knife fighting, rifle, shotgun and pistol shooting, demolitions, logistics, and battle strategy can all be described as the field of martial arts. Anything that a soldier might do in battle is a martial art. By martial art usually, it is meant aikido, Arnis, Western Boxing, Capoeria, Chow Gar, Choy la fut, Hapkido, Hsing'I, Hun gar, Jeet Kune Do, Jow gar, Judo, Jujitsu, Karate, Kempo, Kick Boxing, Krav Maga, Kung Fu, Pa Kua, Penjak Silat, Praying Mantis, Savate, Shaolin, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, White Crane, Wing Chun, Wu Shu and more! As you can see the list is quite long and it is quite amazing how many martial arts systems there are and how many methods of self-defense can be formulated. Often within a martial arts school, it is taught that 'this particular system is the best, and it was created to beat all the others. Of course, every martial artist would have the viewpoint their style is the best because that is the style they have chosen to do, but in reality, what they are saying is 'this is the best style for me as it suits my temperament and I like the teaching environment'.

The Changing of the Arts

Throughout this history and development of the martial arts and all the combat systems of man, our training tools have played a vital part in evolving and perfecting these systems and techniques. All the martial arts have been affected by the role that mechanical devices play whether it be weapons, dojo mats, breaking boards, or even the uniforms we wear - all these paraphernalia identify the martial arts into their systems and style. The main players in shaping our new martial arts would be the traditional wooden dummy, Wing Chun rings, iron palm ointments, and even the system of using forms, called kata, which have developed the martial arts into their current form. Even today modern training tools are common and again the martial arts are under development with new training products such as the Wavemaster, the ‘BOB’ training dummy, the Focus Master. All with one thing in common, to create a well-rounded combat system. Ideally, a martial arts solo training tool should be workable for all and based on sound theory and through constant practice develop into a sound physical application. The ideology and theory would have to take into account all the history of the combat technology of man and give this competition and street application.

The Rapid-Reflex Boxing Bar

In a martial arts or boxing career you can occasionally find yourself with no gym to go to or no one to train with and so out of necessity The Rapid-Reflex Boxing Bar solo training partner was born. The Rapid-Reflex Boxing Bar is a training tool used to develop the entry and trapping skills of any martial arts system. It is designed to test any techniques so to improve the ability to block, trap and control your opponent’s hands and arms. This can be done because the bar moves and reacts like a real opponent. The bar moves and twists just like a real opponent would - so it can spring forward, and it does strike back! The Rapid-Reflex Boxing Bar was designed and developed on the following theories: 

1.      Safety - You must maintain 100% safety when entering into the opponent's attack range, this means limiting any variables that could occur by covering them. (Methods of entry must be sophisticated yet simple, fast as well as safe!) 

2.      Attack - You must have the ability to attack at will, with no concern or hesitation. The attack should incorporate total control of the opponent's weapons. (Attacks must be structured to have within them a 100% defense!)  

3.      Adaptability - Techniques, attacks, and defenses must flow but not necessarily at a constant pace. Adaptability to choose what's next is key! Whatever martial arts you choose just be sure you do look at a few before you decide and enquire with the school what martial arts equipment, they utilize to get the best from your training.

A Quitter Never Wins and a Winner Never Quits

The bottom line that the difference in the mindset between a champion and just another fighter. The difference between winning and losing. This is the attitude you must have to overcome all the obstacles in your training and matches. Focus, hard work, and commitment are some of the key factors in the making of a champion. Knowing the right way to train/condition your mind and body will increase your odds of becoming a champion. So how do you go about it? First, it starts with your most powerful asset or weapon you have, your thoughts. We are all in control of our destiny because we control our thoughts.

WHAT THE MIND CAN BELIEVE, THE MIND CAN ACHIEVE.

A lot of people do not like to hear this because it makes them responsible for where they are at in life, it takes away excuses for failing, not trying, or giving up. It’s all about the attitude that sets you apart from everyone else. DO OR DIE, that is the attitude you need to defeat your opponents in the ring or outside of it in the real world. When you don’t feel like training because you are too sore, too tired from a long day at work or your hand hurts or there are other things you need to get done these are excuses that you put in the way, so you don’t achieve your goal. You have to train and condition your mind to focus on your goal, so you have a burning desire to obtain it.

If two opponents of equal strength and fighting ability step into the ring the man with the stronger mind will be victorious. Here are some ways to train your mind to have the edge over your opponent. Take time to visualize your match or techniques in your mind with a clear, detailed, and realistic picture for 10-30 minutes twice a day once in the morning when you awake and before going to sleep. This will feed positive messages to your subconscious mind.

•         Find a quiet place in your home to sit or lay down whatever makes you comfortable and begin to visualize.

•         Always visualize what YOU are going to do, not what your opponent is going to do because you can only control yourself.

•         Visualize yourself always moving quickly, effortlessly, and being victorious, standing over your opponent holding your arms high up in the air with the championship belt around your waist.

•         Visualize as if you have already obtained your goal, SMELL the scents of the arena. TASTE the salt from your sweat on your lips. HEAR the crowd chanting your name. FEEL and TOUCH the championship belt around your waist and the crowd energy as you put up your hands in victory.

•         Surround yourself with positive people who push you to be your very best, believe in you and your goal, and will help you achieve it. Having supportive people around will help deflect negative thinking and will rub off on you. We become who we hang out with.

•         Read biographies of your idols on the obstacles they overcame to get to where they are today.

The key to visualization is to have 100% belief and faith that you WILL ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL, and this is YOUR PURPOSE AND DESTINY. Push away any doubt you have when it comes into your mind, or the negative thoughts will cancel out the positive message. After a little while, it well becomes easier to believe what you are telling yourself. The mind cannot tell what is real or imagined when you keep telling it something. You will subconsciously begin believing those messages. attracting people in your life that will help you reach your goal, and you will begin ACTING, TRAINING, and FIGHTING like a champion.