Shaolin

The techniques became popular and evolved into more refined systems of self-defense, hunting, military strategy, and fundamental tactics.  There are a variety of styles including exercises to mimic the movements of specific animals, philosophies, legends, or myths; others are more external, focusing more on improving muscle fitness and power.  There are a variety of styles in Kung Fu and each offers a different technique for self-defense, health, and self-improvement.

The two distinct categories are Northern and Southern style; Northern focusing more on kicking with Southern focusing more on hand techniques.  Within each category are the sub-categories of “Internal”, focusing on fluid and graceful power, and “External” spotlighting on developing the body to generate power.

Most everyone is aware of the coveted Black Belt level of achievement, but do not understand the levels that must be reached before achieving this height of discipline, control, skill, and power.  There are thousands of dojos around the world teaching the art; each with varying degrees of skills that are required to meet a precise level of expertise to be awarded a “Belt”.   Each level of attainment is identified by a specific color to the belt.

The different levels of achievement and belt colors are:

• White Belt – Initially earned to depict a solid foundation and understanding of the various techniques at a beginner’s level.  It includes stances, basic punches, and fundamental kicking methods.  Most people take about two months to achieve this level.

• Gold Belt – This is the next level that builds upon the basic skills and typically takes about three months to reach this level.

• Orange Belt – This level focuses on some advanced techniques including hand movements, blocking, punching, and next level of kicking.  This level takes about three months to earn.

• Green Belt – This level focuses on more challenging techniques including strength and speed.  This level usually takes four months to achieve.

• Blue Belt – In this level you are introduced to the use of weapons in fighting, which typically including a broadsword, and is much more vigorous.  An additional four months of training typically achieves this belt.

• Red Belt – This level exemplifies superior speed, power, and form when demonstrating the various techniques.  This level takes an additional six months of work.

• Black Belt – This is the advanced and final level exhibiting expertise in the skills learned.  Once previous belts are achieved, this level takes an additional year to achieve.

The term Kung Fu translates as “time and effort” and includes various levels of achievement which identifies the skills and proficiency of the students.  It takes months, or even years of dedication, practice, and discipline to reach this much desired highest level.  Kung Fu is not an attack-based skill, rather relying more on skill and swift movement to evade attack.  Achieving each level of understanding and expertise is rewarded with a specifically colored belt.

Photo Credits: bozzo2m

Originally posted 2010-04-19 16:55:11.

Shaolin Kung Fu

For me, there is nothing better than training in an individual form of martial arts than at its homeland.

If you want to learn Kendo, go to Japan.  If you want to learn Muay Thai, why not go to Thailand.  How about traveling to China for Shaolin Kung Fu?

Saying it is one thing, but doing it is quite another. After this article, you find that doing it is a lot easier than you once believed.

What kind of Martial Arts are you most interested in?  This is the most important part because if you are going to travel across the world, make sure this is something that inspires you.

When you go to the home country of a Martial Arts system, you will get incredible training, but it will also be tough.  You will find yourself with plenty of bumps and bruises.

Say you love kick boxing and want to learn Muay Thai from the country where Muay Thai is the national sport, Thailand.  How would you go about this?

1- Go to Google and type, “Muay Thai Training in Thailand.”

You will get a list of over a hundred different schools and locations.  Browse the websites and look at a few schools that peak your interest.  Narrow it down to about seven schools.

2- Email all seven schools and ask these important questions:

• What is the best price you can offer if I train at your school?
• Do you have onsite living arrangements or can you provide a list of nearby hotels?
• What kind of visa will be required?
• Any other questions that you are curious about.

If you are already in the country - narrow it down to three schools that are not too far from each other.  Set up a time to look at each school and train in at least one class each.

3- Reserve your spot.

If all three schools offer an onsite living option reserve your spot at all the schools and tell them you simply have to check their school out and two others before moving in.

Go to a site like hotels.com and place a book for two nights in a central location of all three schools.  This way you will not be tied to one school before you make your final decision.

4- Visit the three schools and narrow it down to one.

Move in and start your training.

Enjoy your time there - soak in the culture and warrior spirit!

Photo Credits: artberri

Originally posted 2010-04-14 03:04:58.

Just want to kick and punch?

So how exactly do you know which martial arts discipline is for you, and how can you make sure that once you've made a decision, you've made the right one? Here are some quick tips for choosing the right discipline to match your personality.

• For some, they just want to learn how to kick and punch.

The more "traditional" Eastern martial arts fall under this category: Karate, Kung Fu, and Tae Kwon Do. In these arts, you won't learn how to wrestle, but you will learn how to use your mind to create more self-discipline and belief: breaking boards with your foot or your hand help you realize that you're stronger than you initially thought.

If you're a tumbler who simply wants to be able to defend himself in real-life situations, these might not be for you. But if you want to realize a lot of side-benefits from a martial art, you might consider one of these.

• Mixed martial arts promote fitness and improvisational skills.

Today's most popular types of martial arts, MMA or mixed martial arts, are the kind of fighting you'll see on a UFC Pay-Per-View event. MMA includes both grappling or wrestling along with standing up and striking, allowing you a balance of different types of martial arts. These can help you to build confidence.

• If you need a workout, focus on the upper body.

For many people, working the legs is easy - biking, walking, swimming, running. But the upper body's a little trickier. A martial art more focused on punching, like boxing, might be more up your alley. If you want to build some solid upper body fitness, you might want to consider boxing. Again, you won't necessarily learn how to defend yourself effectively, but you will be able to get in some great workouts.

Which martial art is right for you? Only you can know. Try taking a few trial classes to see which one seems to fit your personality.

Photo Credits: The She-Creature

Originally posted 2009-07-28 05:00:54.

Karate in Action.

Striking

First, karate is primarily a striking art, though not exclusively, like Tae Kwon Do. "Striking" generally refers to quick thrusts like kicks and punches that are aimed at disabling or quickly stopping an attacker. Other martial arts styles like jujutsu are in direct contrast to karate, as they emphasize using ground techniques and wrestling strategies in order to counter an oppontent.

Karate generally functions by teaching its students to defend themselves from strikes using blocks, and then to counter-attack with strikes that will disable the opponent. Karate can include other types of strategies like locks and throws. If you see two martial artists fighting each other through punches and blocks, there is a chance that you're watching karate.

You'll that weapons in karate can be employed, but they are often related to farm tools, as the original practioners of karate were banned from using weapons, and instead training using the tools they had at their disposal.

Goals and Philosophy

Like other martial arts, karate generally has a goal of promoting self-discipline and the ability to defend yourself from an attacker. Karate's method of doing so generally relies on blocks and strikes, rather than directly using an opponent's weight against them, as you often see in jujutsu. Karate is generally a "standing up" form of combat, as opposed to "on the ground" fighting. Mixed martial arts can incorporate both of these types of fighting styles, so karate could be included in the mixed martial arts.

Should you study karate?

The only one who can really tell if karate is for you is you. If you're an aspiring martial arts student who wants to learn a style of fighting that includes standing-up kicks and punches, karate is probably for you. But there are other styles out there, including jujutsu, Tae Kwon Do, wrestling, and grappling. If you're really interest in martial arts, it's best to go with whichever discipline you'll enjoy the most, as this is the discipline you're likely to stick with over the long haul.

Photo Credits: Szift

Originally posted 2009-12-01 03:53:33.