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WHAT IS MARTIAL ART ?
A Martial Art can be defined as a system of
techniques, physical and mental
exercises developed as an effective means for
self-defense and offense, both unarmed and with the
use of weapons. The origin and history of Martial
Arts is a controversial issue. We can see signs of
Martial Arts in Greek, Indian, Egyptian, African,
Japanese, Chinese, Thai, as well as other cultures.
There is a clear trail leading from the Southern
China-regions up to Korea, Okinawa and Japan. The
details before that, and the exact details of that
transfer, are greatly debated by historians and
Martial Artists.
Martial Arts Philosophy
The martial arts are both art and science. The word
"art" is defined as the activity of creating
beautiful things and the word "science" is defined
as a methodological activity, discipline, or study".
While these two definitions are correct, I prefer
the contributions of an anonymous poet: "Art is a
passion pursued with discipline; science is a
discipline pursued with passion". At their most
basic level, the martial arts are nothing more than
ways to prevent someone from harming or killing you.
At their highest aspiration, the martial arts are
paths to self-knowledge and the expression of
beauty. The martial artist must be both scientist
and artist. He must learn the traditions, theories,
principles, laws and techniques upon which martial
artistry is based. He must then practice them with
passion and discipline so as to properly learn and
understand what he is doing. Only then can he master
himself and the martial arts.
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WHAT KIND OF MARTIAL ARTS ARE THERE ?
There are many ways in which martial arts can be
divided. Here are a few of them that might be useful
to use in defining Martial Arts and discussing them.
These are not necessarily consensus definitions but
they are commonly held. It is also useful to
remember that very few of these martial arts are
just one way or another...they are all mixtures of
these elements in various degrees. When we say a
style is "hard" what we mean is that the predominant
expression of that style is hard. If we say Shotokan
is linear, it does not mean Shotokan has no circular
techniques.
Linear and .Circular
styles
This distinction refers to lines of movement, attack
and defense. "Circular" styles use circular
movements to block, attack, or move. Around and
aside... "Linear" styles use direct, straight-on
movements, attacks, or head-on blocks. In and out...
Styles can, and sometimes do, mix circular blocks
with linear attacks. This is a subtle distinction
and not absolute, but it gives some information.
Soft and Hard styles
"Soft" styles tend to redirect energy, channeling
and diverting momentum to unbalance an opponent, or
to move them into striking range. They tend to be
lower commitment and use less force. Thus, they are
less likely to be unbalanced and can recover from
redirection easier. Examples are Tai Chi, Aikido,
Ninjutsu, or many Kung Fu styles and sub-styles.
"Hard" styles tend to direct energy outward and meet
energy with energy. They will tend to strike more,
and deliver more force with each strike. Hard
stylists will often damage with their blocks,
turning them into attacks. They deliver more power,
and thus are harder to turn aside, but they are
higher commitment, and thus don't recover as well
from mistakes. Examples are Karate, Tae-Kwon-Do,
Muay Thai, and some Kung Fu styles and sub-styles.
Internal and
External
"Internal" styles are styles that emphasize the more
non-tangible elements of the arts. They utilize chi/ki/qi
flow, rooting, and those elements which some people
consider "mystical". They tend to emphasize
meditation, body control, perception, mind control
(self, not others!), and pressure points. Typically
internal styles are soft. Tai Chi is an internal
style. "External" styles tend to emphasize body
mechanics, leverage, and applied force. They tend to
use weight, strength, positioning, and anatomy to
optimal advantage. Typically' external styles are
hard. Muay Thai is an external style. MARTIAL ARTS:
A WAY OF LIFE
Did you eat breakfast today? Probably so. Just as
you need to nourish your body everyday, martial arts
is also a daily supplement to good health. Neither
with food nor martial arts should you feast and/or
famine. You can buy anything you want with money; a
car, clothes or a house, but even a million dollars
cannot buy your good health
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Who
Can Learn KARATE?
Anyone can learn Martial Arts, regardless of age,
sex, or limitations, it is never too late to begin
practice. Even the physically challenged individual
can learn martial arts because it is not just
kicking and punching. It is a modern universal art
of self-defense and character development.
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Discipline and Self-respect in
KARATE
"Discipline is the foundation stone of a martial
artist and self-respect is the pillar". You should
always be aware of what you do and say and how it
will affect others. Discipline yourself. When you
can control what you do and say, you will know the
satisfaction of having contributed your best,
whether it be by outward expression or silence at
the right time. Your ability to discipline yourself
will have a direct effect on the degree of success
you have in attempting to reach your goals. Your
self-respect will be something that you deserved and
earned.
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Patience and
KARATE
"Everything comes to those who wait". When one
begins practicing martial arts, hours are spent
performing techniques over and over, sweating as you
go. When you leave to go home, you can leave that
place behind, but you must take that patience and
persistence with you. Not only during practice but
in everything you do, have patience. Whether driving
your car or cooking dinner, give yourself the gift
of time. Don't try to beat the red light. Patience
can save your life.
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Always
Keep a Goal.
Whenever you drive, your car must go a certain
direction, otherwise you will make unnecessary turns
and waste fuel. The same is true in life. You should
have a goal, a direction in which you will go. In
certain times of hardship, having, keeping and
relying on your goal can help brace you for the
continuous road ahead.
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KARATE
and Promise
Everyone makes commitments in their life but few
people practice the art of keeping their word on
promises. Whenever you make a commitment, stick by
it, even if circumstances change and you end up
losing somewhere. Your promise is your name. Give it
a reason to be depended on.
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Respect others
The meaning of respect includes several things, all
of which deal with your relationship with others.
The degree to which you trust, love and attempt to
understand others equates to the degree of respect
you have for them. If you ignore someone, obviously,
your respect for that person is not great. Attempt
to extend yourself, to offer your undivided
attention so that not only do you please others but
you also gain from the experience. Enrich your life
by respecting others.
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KARATE
and Character
Always remember one of the most important
distinctions between individuals is their character.
As children, we are blind to politics, financial and
social status. We act how we feel, spontaneously and
without influence. As we reach adulthood we learn
the rules of the world and that in some cases,
acquiring what you want means sacrificing a little
individuality. If we are fortunate enough to begin
martial arts as a child, we can avoid the adolescent
conformity. Individuality, pride, self-confidence,
optimism none of these are for sale. This is another
part of you that a million dollars cannot buy.
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THE PHYSICS BEHIND FORCE
A look in any high school physics book will
give us the equation Force = Mass X Velocity. This
means that an object with twice the mass moving at
the same speed as another object will hit with twice
the force, or an object moving at twice the speed
will hit with twice the force. This is a proven law
of physics. It explains why a small bullet with
little mass but traveling at a very high velocity
can do so much damage. When we apply this unwavering
law of physics to the martial arts it gets a little
more complicated. Therefore to increase the force of
your strikes you must increase your mass or your
velocity.
Physically increasing your mass through weight
training will increase your power but of coarse you
must be careful that you are not
sacrificing speed.
A small technical machine can do a lot of work, as
we read in our books simple machines i.e. a pulley,
a rod if used technically right they can lift up
amazingly lot of weight. So remember all your
martial arts techniques are the same principles of
science.
An easier way to increase your mass or force is to
work on weight transfer. Weight transfer is simply
the process of applying your mass to achieve the
maximum benefit. This is accomplished many ways, by
developing a strong base, by proper transfer of
energy through the hips, by using full extension of
your techniques, as well as other aspects of proper
body mechanics. These methods of developing
efficient mass transfer are usually described simply
as developing "good form". All instructors teach
proper form but not all understand that its purpose,
in scientific terms, is to increase the amount of
mass that is directly applied to the strike.
Velocity is the other aspect of force. There are
many drills that are used to increase a student's
speed, but it is the speed of the delivery, not the
reaction speed, that increases force. The two
easiest methods to increase the speed at which a
technique is delivered is one, to improve
flexibility through proper stretching so that the
muscles don't have to work against internal
resistance. Secondly, to simply concentrate. It is
amazing how delivery speed can be improved if
students concentrate on hitting fast instead of just
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