The History of Martial Arts

Sekiguchi-ryu

2009-05-21T13:14:00.001-04:00

Sekiguchi-ryū (or Sekiguchi Shin Shin-ryu ), is a Japanese martial art founded in the mid-17th century by Sekiguchi Yarokuemon Ujimune (also known as Sekiguchi Jushin).
He was a member of the famous Seiwa Genji Imagawa family, and when the Imagawa family fell to Oda Nobunaga, Jushin dedicated his life to martial arts training.
In the Atago Mountains he underwent physical and spiritual training and the result was the creation of Sekiguchi ShinShin Ryu.

Jushin was asked by the head of the Kishu Han, Tokugawa Yorinobu, to stay at Wakayama castle as a guest of the Han and teach Sekiguchi-ryū.
The art spread, but because of Allied bombing in World War 2, many of the historical documents and techniques were lost.
After 15 years, the art was restored and passed on till it reached the present day master, Sekiguchi Yoshio.

You can learn a lot more about Sekiguchi-ryū here:
http://www.bushinjuku.com/arts/bushinarts/sgrjj/sekiguchijj.htm

Nippon Kempo

2009-05-14T12:44:00.000-04:00

Nippon Kempo was developed in 1932 by Muneomi Sawayama, although the origins can be traced back to Nomi no Sukune and Taema no Kuehaya, the founders of Sumo Style Wrestling. Sawayama was a student of Okinawan Karate Master Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shito Ryu.
Nippon Kempo is a Japanese martial art that places emphasis on striking techniques using hands and feet, immobilization and controls, projections and take-downs equally.
Although it is a system unto itself, it also uses techniques from other martial arts, including judo, jujutsu, aikido, karate, and wrestling.
Practitioners practice these techniques with protective gear (bogu kumite).
Nippon Kempo is practiced in universities in Japan, and is also part of the training in many police forces.

To learn more about Nippon Kempo you can visit their website here:
http://www.nipponkempousa.com/

Ninjutsu

2009-04-20T13:42:00.000-04:00

Ninjutsu is the martial art, strategy, and tactics of unconventional warfare and guerrilla warfare practiced by the shinobi (ninja).
Of course the tales of Ninjas are widespread and all over popular media from video games to comic books to movies.
The invisible, silent assassins are seen everywhere.
Kind of defeats the whole idea doesn't it?

Ninjutsu was developed by people mainly from the Iga Province and Kōka, Shiga of Japan.
All through history the ninja have been seen as assassins, scouts and spies, noted for their use of stealth and deception.

Ninjutsu was developed as a collection of survivalist techniques that included gathering information, techniques of non-detection, avoidance, and misdirection, disguise, escape, concealment, archery, medicine, explosives, and poisons.

The lineage of modern day Ninjutsu schools is very cloudy.
Most modern schools are considered "Neo-Ninja" because of this.

I am in no position to argue the validity of any of the modern schools claims.
So if you are thinking of studying Ninjutsu you need to do a lot of research on your own.

Nanbudō

2009-04-03T13:19:00.000-04:00

Nanbudō is a relatively recent martial art, founded by Yoshinao Nanbu Doshu-Sōke in 1978.

Nanbudo's roots are in Karate, but it is considered as an independent system.
It is more than just fighting techniques.
Nanbudo is based on four concepts: breathing, energy manipulation, gymnastics and spirit/ mental strength.
The techniques are based on movements and patterns in nature, and are intended to work as a system to strengthen the body, as well as prevent many modern-day illnesses.
The fighting techniques in Nanbudō include punches, strikes, kicks, throws, locks, joint and pressure point techniques, and grappling techniques.
Most of the techniques are unarmed, but Nanbudo also uses the bo (six foot staff) and bokken (sword).

For more information, you can visit the Nanbudō website:
http://www.nanbudo.com/

Naginatajutsu

2009-02-25T12:36:00.003-05:00

Naginatajutsu is the Japanese martial art of using the naginata.
The Naginata is a a pole weapon with a curved blade on the end.
Not very practical in today's world as far as self defense goes, but still a great discipline and a very graceful martial art.
Of course since the weapon is so simple, there are several theories on how it originated.
Some of the theories are it was a modified farming tool, a Japanese modification of a Chinese Guan Dao or an inventive samurai needed a longer weapon, so he attached a sword to a pole.
The weapon was originally used against opponents on horseback, allowing the user to stay a safe distance from a mounted opponent.
Naginatajutsu is today most often practiced in the form of a sport called Naginata.
For more info you can go to the All Japan Naginata Federation here
http://www.naginata.jp/
Or if you can't read Japanese, you can go to the International Naginata Federation here
http://www.naginata.org/inf/inf.html

Kyudo, The Way of the Bow

2009-02-17T13:10:00.003-05:00

The Japanese art of archery, Kyūdō ,"way of the bow", is a modern Japanese martial art.
If the phrase "It's all in the technique" was ever true for any martial art, its true for Kyūdō.
Each detail of the shot is meticulously planned and laid out.
It calls for perfection in not only the body, but the mind and soul as well to hit the mark.
The goal of kyūdō is to achieve the state of shin-zen-bi,"truth-goodness-beauty".
As you can see, this is not just target practice.
To illustrate, these are the three rankings of the archers level of skill:
Tôteki, the arrow hits the target.
Kanteki, the arrow pierces the target.
Zaiteki, the arrow exists in the target.

To learn more about Kyūdō check out this link:
http://www.kyudo.jp/english/

Kenpo kai Karate

2009-02-11T12:45:00.001-05:00

To me, Kenpo kai has one of the coolest back stories in martial arts.

There was a Shaolin monk named Chian in China.
His family's home was getting robbed over and over again (who in their right mind breaks into a Shaolin monk's family's house?), so Chian taught Shaolin Kung Fu to his family and the style became known as "Chian Quan" (boxing of the Chian family) and was handed down in the family.
Years later the family took in a Japanese traveler named Tawada Ishizaka, who was skilled in the art of Kashima Shinto-ryu.
Ishizaka stayed with the Chian family for 20 years (evidently when a Chinese family takes you in, they REALLY take you in) and as a member of their household he was taught Chian Quan.
He eventually left the family, returned home to Japan and modified the style creating his own style called "Ishizaka Ha Kenpo" (boxing of the Ishizaka family) and it was in turn passed down through his family.
Many years later in 1967, Kazuo Ishizaka and Sotoki Ishizaka went to Shanghai to recover old martial arts forms and techniques lost with time.
They found Hou Rou Chian, who had inherited his family's art and trained with him for two years, then returned to Japan.
Since the style was originally Chian Quan, they didn't feel right about calling their style Ishizaka Ha Kenpo, so they created the name "Kenpo Kai" or "society of the fist method."

For more info you can go to the International Kenpo Kai Organization's site here

Kenpō

2009-02-04T13:09:00.000-05:00

Kenpō is a name for multiple martial arts that developed in Hawaii due to cultural exchanges between practitioners of Okinawan martial arts , Chinese martial arts, Japanese martial arts and several additional influences.
A Japanese American martial artist, James Mitose (Masayoshi Mitose, (December 30, 1916-March 26, 1981) brought the art of Kenpo to the United States in the late 1930s.
Mitose is a controversial figure in Kenpo. He was convicted of murder and extortion in 1974 and sentenced to Folsom Prison.
William Kwai Sun Chow faired a little better. He trained under James Mitose and it is said that he took his techniques to the streets in Honolulu and tested them against US military personnel.
Mitose had never related his kosho-ryu style with karate, but in 1944 Chow began teaching what he called “Kenpo Karate” at the Nuuano YMCA in Honolulu.
The legendary Ed Parker was trained by William Chow in Hawaii.
After his training, Parker went back to the United States and opened the first commercial karate school in the western United States in Provo Utah in 1954.
You can learn a lot more about the history of Kenpo here

Kendo, The Way of the Sword

2009-01-12T12:41:00.001-05:00

The "Way of the Sword", Kendo is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on Kenjutsu traditional Japanese swordsmanship.
An organization, The All Japan Kendo Federation, was founded in 1952 to promote and popularize kendo, iaido and jodo.
In 1975 they developed and published a book, The Concept and Purpose of Kendo, showing the concept and purpose of the art.
Kendo's roots go far beyond the 1975 book and the 1952 forming of the All Japan Kendo Federation.
It developed all the way back in the Kamakura period (1185-1233) of Japan.
Kendo practitioners are called kendōka (meaning "one who practices kendo") or kenshi (meaning "swordsman").
For more information on Kendo you can go to the International Kendo Federation here.

Kickboxing

2009-01-06T09:21:00.001-05:00

The term kickboxing was coined by Osamu Noguchi, a Japanese boxing promoter in the 1950s.
There are several martial arts labeled kickboxing including Japanese kickboxing (Similar to Muay Thai), American kickboxing, Adithada (Indian kickboxing), Lethwei (Burmese kickboxing), as well as Savate (French kickboxing).
Kickboxing is often confused with Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). But in Thai Boxing, kicks below the belt are allowed, as are strikes with knees and elbows.
Kickboxing can be practiced for general physical fitness, or as a full-contact sport.
In full contact Kickboxing, the male boxers are usually bare chested and wear shorts and protective gear including a mouth-guard, hand-wraps, 10-oz. boxing gloves, groin-guard, shin-pads, kick-boots, and sometimes a protective helmet.

For more information go here:
http://www.kickboxing.com/

Kokondo Karate

2008-12-22T12:11:00.001-05:00

Kokondo(literally "the way of the past and the present")Karate and Jukido Jujitsu are martial arts developed by Paul Arel.
You can read more about Paul Arel here.
Jukido Jujitsu was founded in 1959, and Kokondo Karate was founded in 1970.
Kokondo is a closed system as in students are expected not to train in any other martial arts.
The focus of Jukido and Kokondo is on realistic self-defense, not sport fighting. As such Kokondo practitioners are discouraged from competeing in martial arts tournaments.
Arel's stance is that training for tournaments is disruptive to true self-defense training.
The IKA (The International Kokondo Association) does not use student contracts, rather, it attempts to retain students through excellence of instruction.
This is not a "McDojo" either. The average length of time that a student takes to reach a black belt is 4 to 5 years.

You can visit their official site here:
http://www.ikja.com/

Yoshukai Karate

2008-12-12T13:15:00.001-05:00

Yoshukai is a branch of Japanese/Okinawan karate.
The idea of this system was formed when its founder Mamoru Yamamoto was 15 years old.
At 15 he was jumped by a gang of older boys and when his Judo training didn't help him, he decided it was time to study Karate.
Yamamoto began studying Chito-ryu under its originator, Tsuyoshi Chitose.
After years of training Yamamoto opened his own school in Kitakyushu, Japan in 1959.
Between the years 1960 to 1963, Yamamoto was considered the top competitor in Japan and in 1963 Chitose pronounced him the Grandmaster of the Yoshukai style of karate.
Hiroaki Toyama and Mike Culbreth established the World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization, under the authority of Yamamoto.
There are many styles of karate that call themselves "Yoshukai" around the world, however, only dojos in the World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization are recognized by Yamamoto as legitimate outlets for his teachings.

For more info, go here:
http://www.wykko.com/

Wado-ryu Karate

2008-12-03T11:44:00.002-05:00

Hironori Ōtsuka (1892–1982) founded the Wado-ryu school of Karate.
It was originally a unified school, but now three organizations teach the Wado-ryu style.
The Japan Karatedo Federation Wadōkai, the Wadōryū Karatedō Renmei, and the Wadō Kokusai Karatedō Renmei.
The name Wado-ryu means "harmony,"(wa), "way,"(do) and "style."(ryu).
Wadō-ryū uses a typical karate belt ranks.
As far as Katas go, Ōtsuka Sensei declared nine official kata for Wado-ryu: Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Pinan Sandan, Pinan Yondan, Pinan Godan, Kūsankū, Naihanchi, Chinto, and Seishan.
Wado-ryu has spread to many countries in the world, by Japanese and non-Japanese students of Hironori Otsuka.

Shuri-ryu karate

2008-11-26T11:43:00.003-05:00

As far as the History of Martial Arts in the United States, this really is a key point.
Shuri-ryu karate, is an eclectic martial arts system developed by Robert Trias (1923 – 1989).
Robert Trias may very well have been the first person to teach karate in the mainland United States.
After teaching martial arts in his backyard in Phoenix, Arizona, He opened what was probably the first karate dojo in 1946 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Later in 1948 he formed the first karate association in the U.S., The United States Karate Association (USKA).
He spent several years in the Arizona State Highway Patrol, utilizing his self-defense knowledge on duty and teaching his fellow Patrol officers.
The USKA quickly became one of the largest karate associations in the country, it's membership included almost all of the early top karate instructors.
The style of Shuri-ryu is taught in the United States, parts of Europe, and South America it is is related to other Trias styles of karate such as Shorei-Goju Ryu, Shorei-ryu, and Shorei Kai.

Shudokan Karate

2008-11-18T12:22:00.001-05:00

Shudokan literally means "the hall for the study of the way,".
It is a school of karate developed by Kanken Toyama (1888-1966).
Characteristics of Shudokan karate include large circular motions with an emphasis on covering. Shudokan also has it's own unique kata.
Shudokan should not be confused with Shodokan, a school of Aikido.

For more info go here:
http://www.smaa-hq.com/
and here:
http://www.wkf.org/shudokan.html

Shukokai Karate

2008-11-06T13:05:00.002-05:00

Shukokai is a group of closely related styles of Karate, based on Tani-ha Shito-ryū, a branch of Shito-ryū developed by Chojiro Tani in the late 1940's.
The first dojo where Tani taught his style was opened in Kobe, Japan in 1946 and named Shuko Kai, meaning the "Way for All" Club.
Shukokai was designed around the study of body mechanics, and is famed for its 'double hip twist' to maximise the force of its strikes.
Due to this, Shukokai is known as one of the hardest-hitting Karate styles.

You can find more info here:
http://www.shukokai.com/
and here:
http://www.shukokaikarate.com/

Shito-ryu Karate

2008-10-23T10:45:00.003-04:00

Shito-ryu is a form of karate founded in 1931 by Kenwa Mabuni.
Shito-ryu is a combination style, which attempts to unite the diverse roots of karate.
On one hand, Shito-ryu has the physical strength and long powerful stances of Shuri-te derived styles, such as Shorin Ryu and Shotokan.
On the other hand Shito-ryu has circular and eight-directional movements, breathing power, hard and soft characteristics of Naha-te and Tomari-te styles, such as Goju-ryu.
Shito-ryu is extremely fast, but still can be artistic and powerful.
In addition, Shito-ryu formalizes and emphasizes the five rules of defense, developed by Kenwa Mabuni, and known as Uke no go gensoku, Uke no go genri or Uke no go ho.

For more info go here:
http://shitokai.com/

Shidokan karate

2008-10-16T10:49:00.001-04:00

Shidokan karate encompasses knockdown (bare knuckle) karate, Muay Thai, and grappling.
Tournaments are full contact and are normally held in a boxing ring.
Shidokan Karate was created by Yoshiji Soeno and originated in his training in Kyokushin karate.
Shidokan means SHI--spirit, DO--the way, KAN--group or training hall.
Today, Shidokan has dojos all over the world, in Japan, USA, Sweden, France, Arab countries, Greece and Britain, taking an active part in increasing the awareness of Karatedo.
More info here: http://www.ihadojo.com/

Shindo jinen-ryu Karate

2008-10-09T11:00:00.000-04:00

Shindo jinen-ryu is one of the original six karate schools, or ryu, that were recognized by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai back in the early 1930s.
The system was founded by Yasuhiro Konishi, a practitioner of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu who trained with many of the first Okinawans to teach karate in Japan.
Konishi trained with Gichin Funakoshi (founder of Shōtōkan-ryū), Kenwa Mabuni (founder of Shitō-ryū), Chojun Miyagi (co-founder of Gōjū-ryū), legendary fighter and teacher Choki Motobu, and Morihei Ueshiba (founder of Aikido).

Very good write up on this school of Karate here:
http://www.dragon-tsunami.org/Dtimes/Pages/article40.htm

And anothere here:
http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=87

Yoseikan Karate

2008-10-01T12:18:00.000-04:00

Yoseikan Karate or Yoseikan Ryu Karate is the name of a variant of Shotokan Karate taught at the Yoseikan Dojo in Shizuoka, Japan, under the direction of Minoru Mochizuki, 1907–2003.

Minoru Mochizuki trained directly under Gichin Funakoshi, the man that formally introduced Karate to the Japanese mainland in 1921. In the 1970’s, Minoru Mochizuki formally organized his arts into Yoseikan Budo, including Karate, aikido, judo, Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu, jujutsu, kobudo, iaido, kendo, jojutsu, and kempo. A small number of schools through the world still focus on the traditional Karate aspect of Yoseikan, and as such refer to it as Yoseikan Karate, or Yoseikan Ryu Karate.

For more info go here and here.

Shotokai Karate

2008-09-23T12:17:00.002-04:00

Shotokai is an organization formed in 1936 by Gichin Funakoshi to teach karate.
The organization is still in existence and promotes a form of martial art that strictly adheres to O-Sensei's teachings, in particular the notion that competition is contrary to the essence of karate. Nowadays, the name also designates a style and technique.

Shotokai Karate differs from much of Shotokan in that it totally rejects competition altogether, feeling that it compromises the spirit of Karate itself.
Kata are generally the same as other forms of karate, although Shotokai often emphasizes smooth flowing movements rather than the sharp snappy movements of other styles.
Kumite (sparring) in some Shotokai schools is practiced with full strength attacks, and is tightly controlled in terms of who is attacking and defending and the attacks that can be performed in order to reduce the chance of injury.

http://www.shotokai.com/

Shotokan Karate

2008-09-17T10:15:00.001-04:00

The first martial art I ever studied.....

Shotokan is a school of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957) and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi (1906–1945).
Gichin Funakoshi is widely recognized as having brought karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan, although Kenwa Mabuni, Chōki Motobu, and other Okinawan karate masters were actively teaching karate in Japan prior to this point.

Shotokan is one of the five traditional karate styles, the others being Gōjū-ryū, Shitō-ryū, Shōrin-ryū and Wadō-ryū. Although it began as a unified karate school that developed into the Japan Karate Association, Shotokan now exists as several independent organizations.

Shotokan training is usually divided into three parts: kihon (basics), kata (forms or patterns of moves), and kumite (sparring).
Techniques in kihon and kata are characterized by deep, long stances that provide stability, enable powerful movements, and strengthen the legs.
Shotokan is often regarded as a 'hard' and 'external' martial art because it is taught that way to beginners and coloured belts to develop strong basic techniques and stances.
Initially strength and power are demonstrated instead of slower, more flowing motions.
Those who progress to brown and black belt level develop a much more fluid style which incorporates grappling and some aikido-like techniques, which can be found in the black belt katas. Kumite techniques mirror these stances and movements at a basic level, but progress to being more flexible with greater experience.

http://www.jka.or.jp/

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Seido juku Karate

2008-09-11T11:48:00.001-04:00

Seido juku is a style of Karate founded by Kaicho (Grandmaster) Tadashi Nakamura in 1976.
The World Seido Karate Organization was founded by Tadashi Nakamura. Well known and respected for his karate skills, Nakamura is a ninth dan (degree, title:Kaicho) black belt with over 50 years of experience in practicing and teaching in the martial arts. An expert in the use of oriental weapons, Nakamura has given numerous martial arts lectures and demonstrations in many countries around the world. He still travels and teaches regularly.

Seido Karate is an international organization with strong and growing branches in seventeen countries, with more than 20,000 students practicing the 'sincere way' worldwide. The World Seido Karate Organisation headquarters (Honbu) are at 61 West 23rd Street, New York City, New York, 10010, U.S.A., and has over 100 dojos all around the world, including: Australia, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, Singapore, Poland, South Africa, United Kingdom and across the United States of America.

Enshin kaikan Karate

2008-09-05T12:45:00.002-04:00

Enshin kaikan is a style of knockdown, "full contact karate" founded in 1988 with dojo and students in various countries around the world. The emphasis in Enshin is use of the Sabaki Method, a system of techniques employed with the goal of turning an opponent's power and momentum against him or her and repositioning oneself to the opponent's "blind" spot to counterattack from a more advantageous position. Although Enshin is a "stand-up fighting" style that includes kicks, strikes, and punches found in most other styles of karate, it also utilizes numerous grabs, sweeps, and throws often associated with Judo or other grappling styles of martial arts.

Enshin was founded by Kancho (Grandmaster) Joko Ninomiya who directs the Enshin organization from the honbu in Denver, Colorado. The organization is noted for its annual tournament, the Sabaki Challenge, a full-contact, no pads/no gloves, knockdown-rules competition held annually in Denver and open to advanced martial artists from any style or school.

Website:
http://www.enshin.com/

Genwakai Karate

2008-08-31T12:22:00.000-04:00

Genwakai is a style of Karate-do.
Nippon Karate-do Genwakai, or just plain Genwakai for short, is a style of Karate-do that was developed from Gensei-ryu, which has roots in one of the original styles of Okinawa, Shuri-te.
Genwakai was a development of Gensei-ryu, so naturally, the two are very similar.

In or around 1962, one of Shukumine's senior students, Yoichi Takahashi (Takahashi renamed himself as Tsugumasa Nango), started calling the style of Karate-do he practiced Genwakai. Genwakai has since spread to the US and Europe

In 1973, Hiroshi Tajima traveled to North America. He visited various cities in Canada, Michigan, California, and Ohio. A close training associate, Robert Clary (Sho Dan) was returning to the United States from Japan. He and Robert Fryer (a former soldier stationed in Japan who studied Genwakai) invited Hiroshi Tajima to come and live in their hometown of Dayton, Ohio. Tajima eventually settled in Dayton, Ohio and achieved the rank of Shihan. Subsequently, he became the director of Nippon Karate-do Genwakai-US.

At the peak of Genwakai training in North America, there were three dojo in Dayton, OH, one in West Milton, OH, and dojo in Michigan, California, Florida, and Toronto, Canada.
In 1995, Tajima traveled to the Genwakai headquarters to discuss some concerns he had. Due to disagreements over these changes, Tajima returned to the United States and stepped down from his position of Shihan and director of Genwakai-US, and founded a newer style of Karate-do, Taiyo Washin Ryu.

The title of Shihan and position of director of Genwakai America (formerly Genwakai-US) subsequently passed to one of Tajima's senior students, James Italico Rodriguez. Currently, Genwakai America is an independent organization and has assumed responsibility for oversight of all Genwakai in North and South America. Nippon Karate-do Genwakai is currently being practiced at Ohio Budokan, located in Dayton, Ohio. There are other Genwakai America dojo in Cincinnati, Ohio; Saginaw, Michigan; and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

There are some differences in the accounts of which style name came first. It was either Shuri-te or Shorin-ryu. Either way, it is commonly accepted that Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura, who studied Tode under Bon “Tode” Sakugawa and Chinese boxing from Kong Su Kung (also known as Kusanku) was the originator of Shuri-te. Among his students were such men as Gichin Funakoshi (Shotokan) and Yasutsune Itosu sometimes called Anko. Another of his students was Soko Kishimoto who lived from 1862 to 1945 and trained primarily under another of Matsumura’s instructors, “Bushi” Takemura. (“Bushi” Takemura must have been a very good student to inherit the martial arts name “Bushi” from Matsumura).

Genwakai was first brought over to Holland by Tadayoshi Masuko in 1968. Other instuctors followed, including Akio Kobayashi in the 1970's. In 1970, Masuko left Holland to move to Toronto, Canada where he opened a small dojo there. Kobayashi is currently the Shihan of Nippon Karate-do Genwakai Netherlands.

Gensei-ryu Karate

2008-08-25T14:12:00.002-04:00

Gensei-ryu is a karate style with roots in Shuri-te, one of the three original karate styles of Okinawa Japan.
It was developed by Seiken Shukumine (1925-2001) who combined classic techniques with his own innovations thus developing the special characteristics of Genseiryu.
Shukumine had two known teachers, Sadoyama and Kishimoto. The name of Genseiryu was first used in 1953. In Japanese the name consists of three different characters.

The first is Gen and means 'mysterious', 'occult', and 'universe' but also 'a subtle and deep truth'. The second is Sei and translates to 'control', 'system', 'law' or 'rule' but also 'creating a form.' The last is Ryu which simply means 'style' or 'school.' The combination of Gensei could be translated as 'to control the universe', but reading Japanese Kanji is not that simple. In this combination the meaning becomes something like "to pursue the deep truth and making it clear through the form," which can be regarded physically as well as spiritually.

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Butokukan karate

2008-08-20T13:15:00.001-04:00

Butokukan karate is a style of karate practiced mainly in the U.S. state of Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
The style originated under the name of Shimpu-ren in 1940s Japan and was headed by Yon Pon Gun, a former student of Shitō-ryū founder Kenwa Mabuni. Yoichi Nakachi was a student of Yon Pon Gun and took over as head of Shimpu-ren in 1950 when Yon returned to Korea.
Yoichi Nakachi left for Seattle, Washington in 1959 to attend college on a scholarship. He started teaching and changed the name in late 1963 to Butokukan. Nakachi taught karate at the Seattle YMCA and met with a then-unknown Bruce Lee. Nakachi taught Lee the use of nunchaku. Lee influenced Nakachi with some softer/flowing Chinese martial arts techniques.
Robert Hill is the present sōke of Butokukan Karate, having taken over as head of the style when Nakachi died in late 1998.
The Butokukan Open tournament in Bremerton, Washington is one of the oldest martial arts tournaments on the West Coast of North America.

Karate: Budokan

2008-08-09T13:14:00.001-04:00

Budokan is a style of Karate recognized by the World Union of Karate-do Organizations (WUKO).
It was founded on July 17th, 1966 by Chew Choo Soot in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia and grew to expand throughout the world.
The organization that governs Budokan is Karate Budokan International (KBI), currently headquartered in Australia.

Budokan's website in Australia:
http://www.karatenoosa.websyte.com.au/

Karate: Ashihara kaikan

2008-08-04T14:39:00.001-04:00

Image via WikipediaAshihara kaikan is a full contact Japanese martial art that was founded by Hideyuki Ashihara in 1980 and existed under his direction until his death, by ALS, in 1995.
Officially his organization is known as New International Karate Organization (NIKO), Ashihara Karate Kaikan .

The style is partly based on Hideyuki Ashihara's studies of Kyokushin Karate, but also includes many original techniques that he himself developed and taught. Often referred to as "fighting karate" by its practitioners, it is known for its emphasis on practical techniques and "hard contact" approach to training. The core curriculum of techniques is known as the Sabaki Method, to move to the side and attack from a safe angle.

Karate

2008-07-18T16:24:00.000-04:00

Image via WikipediaKarate or karate-do is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands from native fighting methods and Chinese kenpō. It is primarily a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands and ridge-hands. Grappling, locks, restraints, throws, and vital point strikes are taught in some styles. A karate practitioner is called a karateka.

Karate can be practiced as budo, as a sport, as a combat sport, or as self defense training. Traditional karate places emphasis on self development (budo).[4] Modern Japanese style training emphasizes the psychological elements incorporated into a proper kokoro (attitude) such as perseverance, fearlessness, virtue, and leadership skills. Sport karate places emphasis on exercise and competition. Weapons (kobudō) is important training activity in some styles.

Karate training is commonly divided into kihon (basics or fundamentals), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring).

Karate has more styles than Baskin Robbins has Ice Cream flavors. In the next several blogs I'll start going through the styles.

Jujutsu

2008-07-05T12:18:00.001-04:00

Jujutsu, literally meaning the "art of softness", is a martial art consisting of grappling and striking techniques. Jujutsu evolved among the samurai of feudal Japan as a method for dispatching an armed and armored opponent in situations where the use of weapons was impractical or forbidden. Due to the difficulty of dispatching an armored opponent with striking techniques, the most efficient methods for neutralizing an enemy took the form of pins, joint locks, and throws. These techniques were developed around the principle of using an attacker's energy against him, rather than directly opposing it, and came to be known as jujutsu.

There are many variations of the art, which leads to a diversity of approaches. Jujutsu schools (ryū) may utilize all forms of grappling techniques to some degree (i.e. throwing, trapping, joint locking, holds, gouging, biting, disengagements, striking, and kicking). In addition to jujutsu, many schools taught the use of weapons.

Today, jujutsu is still practiced both as it was hundreds of years ago, but also in modified forms for sport practice. Derived sports forms include the Olympic sport and martial art of judo, which was developed from several traditional styles of jujutsu by Kano Jigoro in the late 19th century; and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which was in turn derived from judo.

Judo

2008-06-04T11:08:00.002-04:00

Judo , meaning "gentle way", is a modern Japanese martial art (gendai budō) and combat sport, that originated in Japan in the late nineteenth century. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking the elbow or by applying a choke. Strikes and thrusts (by hands and feet) - as well as weapons defences - are a part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (kata) and are not allowed in judo competition or free practice (randori).

Ultimately, the philosophy and subsequent pedagogy developed for judo became the model for almost all modern Japanese martial arts that developed from "traditional" schools (koryū).

Practitioners of judo are called jūdōka.

The early history of judo is inseparable from its founder, Japanese polymath and educator Kano Jigoro (1860–1938). Kano was born into a well-to-do Japanese family. His grandfather was a self-made man: a sake brewer from Shiga prefecture in central Japan. However, Kano's father was not the eldest son and therefore did not inherit the business. Instead, he became a Shinto priest and government official, with enough influence for his son to enter the second incoming class of Tokyo Imperial University.

Jōdō

2008-05-23T09:17:00.000-04:00

Jōdō ( not Judo) , meaning "the way of the jō", or jōjutsu is a Japanese martial art using short staffs called jō. The art is similar to bōjutsu, and is strongly focused upon defense against the Japanese sword. The jō is a short staff, usually about 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) long, about the average length of a walking stick. However, the art was not used, as one might fancifully imagine, by travelers to ward off aggressive bandits or swordsmen. The martial art of jōdō was the province of professional warriors.

The modern study of the jō, known as jōdō (way of the jō), has essentially two branches. One is the koryū, or "old school" jōdō, which also incorporates other arts and weapons, such as the short staff (tanjō), the chained sickle (kusarigama), the police truncheon (jitte), and a lesser-known art called hojōjutsu, the art of tying up one's opponent after subduing him. All of these point to jōdō's strong connections to law-enforcement, which is probably what it was originally used for. The other branch is called Seitei Jōdō, which is practiced by the All Japan Kendo Federation in conjunction with kendo, the art of Japanese fencing, and iaidō, the art of drawing and cutting with a real blade. Seitei Jōdō starts with 12 pre-arranged forms (kata), which are drawn from the koryū system. After mastering these 12 kata the student continues with the study of the koryū. Today, jōjutsu has also been adapted for use in the Japanese police force, who refer to the art as keijō-jutsu, or police stick art.

Jinenkan

2008-05-11T12:12:00.001-04:00

Jinenkan means "Hall of Nature", reflecting an emphasis on natural movements and the strength found in nature and the environment.
Jinenkan is one of three organizations teaching Takamatsu-den martial arts.
The three X-Kan, a term coined by Joe Maurantonio in mid-1995, are systems of traditional Japanese martial arts with their roots in the teachings of Toshitsugu Takamatsu.
The incumbent headmaster is Manaka (Fumio) Unsui.
The Jinenkan teaches taijutsu, bikenjutsu, bōjutsu, sojutsu, naginatajutsu, tantojutsu, tessenjutsu, juttejutsu, kusarigama, and more.
All training is done strictly according to the Densho.

http://www.jinenkan.com/

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Iaidō

2008-04-25T10:00:00.001-04:00

Iaidō, approximately "the way of mental presence and immediate reaction", is a Japanese martial art associated with smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard. Modern day iaidō exponents typically use a blunted metal practice sword (iaitō) for practice, especially among beginners, while many advanced practitioners use a sharpened sword (shinken).

Hakkō-ryū

2008-04-12T09:53:00.001-04:00

Hakkō-ryū or Hakkō-ryū Jujutsu is a martial arts school or 'style' of jujutsu related to Daito-ryu founded in 1941 by Okuyama Ryuho (1901-1987) a student of Sokaku Takeda and a practitioner of shiatsu. The school is currently headed by his son Okuyama Ryuho. The headquarters or hombu dojo is located in Ōmiya-ku, Saitama, Saitama Prefecture.

The influence of oriental medicine is one of the distinguishing elements of the style and can be seen in the Koho Shiatsu system taught to its members at the higher levels of the art, as well as in the jujutsu system's emphasis on using pressure points and manipulation of the opponent's body through both the skeletal structure and the body's meridians...

It was studied by the founder of Shorinji Kempo (Doshin So).

Hakkoryu should be recognized as a distinct and separate tradition from the more recently formed Hakko Denshin Ryu.

Hakkoryu comes from the Japanese language meaning "The Style of the 8th Light." In the color spectrum, Violet is the 8th light, or the weakest color of light. It was said by Sensei Okuyama that the pathway of least resistance would always overcome strength. Therefore schools of Hakkoryu Jujutsu exercise strategies that avoid conflict as much as possible, and employ techniques that do not use strength, but instead use techniques that work against the body's natural motions and movements to take down the opponent.

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Goshin Jujutsu

2008-04-07T10:10:00.001-04:00

Goshin Jujutsu is a modern self-defence-oriented style of jujutsu. As there is no single creator of Goshin Jujutsu, per se, the name of the style refers to systems which are rooted in traditional Jujutsu, but also draw heavily from sports such as boxing (both Western and Thai) and certain techniques from Judo (itself a Jujutsu derivative), but in a street (i.e., non-sport) application. A distinctive trait of the system is the significant emphasis on modern weapons defense (guns, knives, etc.) from the onset of training, as opposed to sport-oriented systems that omit weapons training entirely, or systems that train in traditional weapons (e.g., sai, sword). Goshin Jujutsu (or Goshin Jutsu) is taught by name most commonly in schools in the Midwestern United States , England , Scotland and Spain since at least the 1970's.

Genbukan

2008-03-27T10:53:00.001-04:00

Genbukan is a school of Japanese martial arts, and one of the three X-kan. The incumbent Grandmaster is Shoto Tanemura.

The Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation or GWNBF (originally Ninpo Bugei Dojo, Genbukan) was founded in 1984 by its present "Soke" (Grandmaster) Shoto Tanemura, a descendant of an old and respected samurai family with roots tracing back to the imperial family of Japan.

The name Genbukan means the place that nurtures the professional martial artist. The phrase Genbukan World Ninpo Bugei Federation, its abbreviation GWNBF and Genbukan are interchangeable. However only Honbu Dojo may refer to itself as Ninpo Bugei Dojo, Genbukan .

The GWNBF is an international organization in scope with in excess of a hundred dojos and many thousands of students throughout the world. Soke Tanemura is also head of three sister organisations, the Kokusai Ju-Jutsu Renmei or 'KJJR' (International Ju-Jutsu Federation), a sister organization dedicated to the factual portrayal, propagation and preservation of traditional Japanese jujutsu, Koryu Karate an organisation dedicated to the factual portrayal of a form of Koryu Karate, and the Amatsu Tatara Bumon shumon, based on the ancient spiritual martial arts.

With the advent of the KJJR, the Genbukan's specific purpose is the factual portrayal, propagation and preservation of Genbukan Ninpo Bugei.

The Genbukan Ninpo Bugei is divided in 36 categories called the "Ninja Sanjurokkei" focusing on taijutsu, bōjutsu, bikenjutsu and equally importantly Seishinteki Kyoyo or spiritual refinement. Other topics of study include but are not limited to yumi-ya, naginata, yari, jutte, kusari-gama, shuriken etc. Importance is also placed upon Reigi Saho or manners within the Genbukan.

Genbukan Ninpo taijutsu consists mainly of dakentaijutsu, jutaijutsu, koppojutsu, kosshijutsu, and taihenjutsu. Daken-Taijutsu specializes in striking techniques including blocks, punches and kicks etc. Jutai-Jutsu focuses mainly on throwing techniques, joint manipulation, locks and chokes. Kosshi and Koppo Jutsu are specialized techniques dealing with nerve or pressure point attacks and bone breaking among other things. Taihen-Jutsu deals with body movement and body placement enabling one to effectively null or avoid an attackers motions completely.

The ranking system for Genbukan Ninpo Taijutsu is from 10th kyu (also known as mu-kyu) through to 1st kyu and then from sho-dan (1st dan) through to 10th dan. The ranking system for weapons is dependent upon the weapon and varies between a traditional system of licenses and modern 10th kyu - 10th dan system.

Persons of rank 4th dan and above may open a shibu-dojo (branch dojo) although in special cases it is possible to open a dojo with a lower rank. Upon reaching the rank of 4th dan one may specialise in any ryu or school of which Tanemura is the soke of (17 ryu-ha).

Dakentaijutsu

2008-03-14T10:39:00.001-04:00

Dakentaijutsu is the striking component of taijutsu in the Bujinkan.

Dakentaijutsu combines the techniques of the koppojutsu and koshijutsu disciplines that are believed to have originated in China.

Shinden Fudo Ryu dakentaijutsu is a school of dakentaijutsu and jutaijutsu/jujutsu. Shinden Fudo means 'immovable teachings transmitted by the gods'. Shinden Fudo Ryu has many body conditioning methods using items found in nature. Like nature, the forms and movements are natural and relaxed. The school also teaches Ono (a very large axe), Otsuchi (a very large hammer), and Odachi (a huge sword).

According to the claims of the Bujinkan, it was founded by Genpachiro Tameyoshi in the middle of the 12th century.

Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu

2008-03-10T11:00:00.002-04:00

Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu , originally called Daitō-ryū Jujutsu, is a Japanese martial art that first became widely known in the early 20th century under the headmastership of Takeda Sokaku. Takeda had extensive training in several martial arts (including Kashima Shinden Jikishinkage-ryū and sumo) and referred to the style he taught as "Daitō-ryū" (literally, "Great Eastern School"). Although the school's traditions claim to extend back centuries in Japanese history there are no known extant records regarding the ryū before Takeda. Whether he is regarded as the restorer or founder of the art, the known history of Daitō-ryū begins with Takeda Sokaku. Perhaps the most famous student of Takeda was Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido.

The Bujinkan

2008-02-28T10:17:00.002-05:00

The Bujinkan is a martial arts organization practicing the art commonly referred to as Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu . The art is widely considered to be the last legitimate ninpo, or ninja, martial art, particularly because of the influence of Togakure ryu. It is headed by the Sōke of the school Masaaki Hatsumi. Masaaki Hatsumi states he is the lineage holder of the nine ryūha transferred to him in the middle of the 20th Century by his teacher Takamatsu Toshitsugu. The Bujinkan is specifically known for its koshijutsu, koppojutsu, jutaijutsu, dakentaijutsu, and happo hikenjutsu in addition to its higher elements of ninpō and ninjutsu.

The training is generally referred to as taijutsu (body arts), and is composed of both armed and unarmed methods of fighting. Much of the basic taijutsu taught to beginners comes from six primary lineages in the Bujinkan compendium, namely Kotō-ryū, Gyokko-ryū, Shinden Fudō-ryū, Takagi Yōshin-ryū, Kuki Shinden-ryū, and Togakure-ryū.

A large variety of weapons are taught, including swords such as daitō, wakizashi and tantō, bamboo shinai, wooden bokken, mogito (a flexible aluminum replica sword that holds no edge), or swords made by soft modern materials are employed for safety such as fukuro shinai, staves of varying lengths (bō, jō), short staves called (hanbō, hanjō), nawa (rope), kusari-fundo (weighted chain), kusarigama (scythe with chain), yari (spear), kamayari (spear with curved scythe-like blades crossing the principal head), kagiyari (spear with 2 rearward hooks), bisento (known in Mandarin as 'kwandao'), kyoketsu shoge (similar to a kama except it has a dagger point and a rope of several feet attached to an iron ring), jutte (sword trapping truncheon), tessen (iron fan), naginata (Japanese glaive), kunai (a blunt digging tool), as well various form of shuriken including bo-shuriken and senban shuriken. In training, students are encouraged to always use any available weapons, including the environment. In some dojos, students will practice hiding training weapons in their uwagi or somewhere on the mat, and surprise their uke (training partner) during technique. In many other martial art styles, such an act, may consequently result in "harsh" disciplinary punishment[citation needed][dubious – discuss]. However, the emphasis Bujinkan places on stealth and deception makes it a valuable exercise when practicing awareness.

Bujinkan Budō Taijutsu practice does not include participation in competitions or contests because the style is not legal in many martial arts tournaments.[citation needed]

The Bujinkan Dōjō has a series of nine kyū (grades) below the level of shodan, starting with mukyu ("without grade") and then from kukyu (9 kyu) to ikkyu (1 kyu), with 9 kyu being the lowest rank and 1 kyu being the highest. Just like in other Japanese martial arts, such as karate and judo, unranked (mukyū) practitioners wear white belts, and those with ranks of shōdan and above wear black belts. Kyū level practitioners wear colored belts, though the actual color of the belt varies from place to place. Furthermore, unlike other martial arts, the color has no relation to the actual kyu-level the practitioner holds. In Japan, it was once customary for kyu-level men to wear green belts and women to wear red belts; however, this practice has largely been abandoned. Now, both male and female Bujinkan practitioners wear green belts at most Japanese dōjō. Outside of Japan, some countries still follow the green for men/red for women custom, while others use green for all practitioners.

There were originally 9 dan levels, as with many other martial arts using the kyū/dan system, but this was changed by Hatsumi to 10 and later, 15 dan levels. He then went on to joke that now with the mature age being 21, maybe he should raise it again. The grades are divided into three groupings; 1-5 dan Ten (Heaven), 6-10 dan Chi (Earth), 11-15 dan Jin (Man, in the sense of Humanity). The Jin levels are further divided into the five elements of the Godai; chi (earth), sui (water), ka (fire), fū (wind) and kū (void).

The practitioner's level is displayed by the color of the art's emblem, called wappen, inscribed with the kanji "bu" and "jin". There are four kinds of wappen (9 to 1 kyū, 1 to 4 dan, 5 to 9 dan, and 10 to 15 dan) sometimes augmented with up to four silver or gold stars (called hoshi) above or around the emblem, representing the individual ranks.

At 4 dan (yondan), practitioners submit to a test before the sōke to establish that they are able to sense the presence of danger and evade it, considered to be a fundamental survival skill. This is called sakki. This is the test for 5 dan. A practitioner with the level of godan or above is entitled to apply for a teaching license (shidōshi menkyo). A shidōshi is entitled to open his own dōjō, and grade students up to the level of 4 dan. A practitioner with the level of between 1 dan to 4 dan may become a licensed "assistant teacher" (shidōshi-ho), if backed by and acting under the supervision of a shidōshi 5th to 9th dan or a person who holds the level of 10 dan (jūdan). In the Bujinkan a person who holds the level of between 10 dan and 15 dan is often referred to as a shihan.

In addition to the kyū/dan system, a few practitioners have earned menkyo kaiden "licenses of complete transmission" in individual schools. These menkyo kaiden essentially establish that the master practitioner has learned all that there is to learn about the particular lineage. Whereas the kyū/dan ranks are often made public, those select practitioners who have earned menkyo kaiden rarely divulge their status, sometimes even being reluctant to recognize their actual dan ranking to outsiders.

Bojutsu

2008-02-19T12:20:00.001-05:00

Bōjutsu, translated from Japanese as "staff technique", is the martial art of using a staff weapon called bō which simply means "stick". Staves are perhaps one of the earliest weapons used by man. They have been in use for thousands of years in Eastern Asia. Some techniques involve slashing, swinging, and stabbing with the staff.

Today bojutsu is usually associated either with Okinawan kobudo or with Japanese Koryū budō. Japanese bōjutsu is one of the core elements of classical martial training. In the Okinawan context, the weapon is frequently referred to as the kon.

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Battojutsu

2008-02-14T10:55:00.001-05:00

Battojutsu is a Japanese term meaning techniques for drawing a sword. It is often used interchangeably with the terms iaijutsu, battodo, or iaido, although each term does have nuances in the Japanese language and different schools of Japanese martial arts may use them to differentiate between techniques (e.g. standing or sitting techniques). The emphasis of training in battojutsu is on cutting with the sword. All terms are somewhat more specific than kenjutsu or kendo which more broadly means simply sword techniques, and is often used to refer to techniques where the sword is already out of the saya.

The emphasis of training in iaido is on quickly and correctly drawing the sword, striking, and returning the sword to its saya (scabbard/sheath). Battojutsu techniques usually incorporate multiple cuts after drawing the sword. Often the focus in any form of iaido is on cutting with the draw (i.e. cutting from the saya, rather than first drawing the sword and then engaging an enemy as a separate action). Consequently, battojutsu students may also practice cutting techniques on real objects (on soaked straw mats), while iaido students rarely do.

Karl Friday in his book, Legacies of the Sword, discusses the historical usage of various terms in Japanese to describe sword arts. Suffice it to say, that while in English many people may dispute the use of -do or -jutsu or else ascribe specific differences to the terms batto or iai, these differences are not nearly as clear in the original language and the words are often used interchangeably. In general however, -do refers to the way of..., usually including mental and spiritual practices, whereas -jutsu refers to the art of..., specifically the actual forms and techniques of the style.

The origins of drawing the sword from the sheath and cutting on the draw are murky. Although various martial traditions in Japan have legendary founders going back many years, much credit is given to Hayashizaki Jinsuke. He is now enshrined at the Hayashizaki Jinja, a shrine in the Tohoku region of Japan seen by many modern practitioners as the chief shrine for iai. The concept of battojutsu may have existed before this time, but it is unclear who was the first person to actually use the term.

Aikido

2008-01-29T09:35:00.000-05:00

Aikido, is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.

Aikido techniques are normally performed after first blending with the motion of the attacker, so that the defender may redirect the attacker's momentum without directly opposing it, thus using minimum effort. This is often done with various types of throws or joint locks, resulting in aikido typically being categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts.

Aikido derives mainly from the martial art of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, but began to diverge from it in the late 1920s, partly due to Ueshiba's involvement with the Ōmoto-kyō religion. Many of Ueshiba's senior students have different approaches to aikido, depending on when they studied with him. Today, aikido is found all over the world in a number of styles, with a broad range of interpretation and emphasis. However, they all share techniques learned from Ueshiba and most have concern for the well-being of the attacker.

Sindo

2008-01-18T13:06:00.000-05:00

Sindo is a modern form of Indonesian silat which is a combination of practical self defence, combat martial art and the internal martial arts. Founded and lead by Kak Jimmy Thaibsyah who has trained in various martial arts since 1972.

Thaibsyah studied with the founder of Kateda and the two arts are similar but nonetheless distinct. Sindo has avoided the notoriety of Kateda.

http://www.sindo.org/

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Kuntao / Kuntao Silat

2008-01-13T15:00:00.000-05:00

Kuntao or Kuntao Silat

Kuntao or Kuntao Silat is a Hokkien term referring to Chinese martial arts practiced in Southeast Asia and have usually been influenced by silat. The word kuntao means way of the fist (similar to Chuan Fa, or Fist Technique). Purely Chinese kuntao styles exist in China and Taiwan, but kuntao styles have been spread for centuries by merchants and other travelling Chinese people. Forms of kuntao are practiced in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia (particularly Borneo) and the Philippines (where it is often called Kuntaw) as well as in some other countries. Some kuntao styles were not changed but many were. This happened because the styles had to be adapted to a new environment, fighting in different terrain, fighting local styles, defending or fighting with local weapons.

Most Indonesian kuntao styles began to integrate techniques from silat styles and some even changed their name from "kuntao" to "silat". For example, Liu Seong Kuntao is a hybrid kuntao-silat system. Kuntao Silat is the Martial Arts practiced by several ethnic groups in the south of the Philippines. It is said that it is the combination of indigenous Silat and Chinese Kuntao which arrived in the Philippines by Chinese merchants.

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Vajra Mushti

2008-01-04T12:05:00.001-05:00

Vajra Mushti is the name of both a knuckleduster-like weapon and an ancient Indian martial art identified with that weapon that incorporates striking aspects, grappling aspects, and a study of vital pressure points (marman). The striking aspects of Vajra Mushti are similar to Kung Fu, Boxing and Karate, while the grappling aspects are similar to jujutsu and Vale tudo.

The martial art of Vajra Mushti was described in the Buddharata Sutra, written in the 5th century CE, based on earlier material used by the Kshatriya warrior caste.

The forms of wrestling and striking described in the Manasollasa of Somesvara III (ruled 1126-1138 CE) and associated with the Jyesthi caste in the Malla Purana have been identified with Vajra Mushti by Donn Draeger and Robert Smith.

"Mushti" literally means "closed hand" or "fist", while the vajra is a religious symbol in both Hinduism and Buddhism translated variously as "thunderbolt" and "diamond." Vajra Mushti could therefore be translated as "Thunderbolt Fist" or "Diamond Fist."

Simhanada Vajramushti is known as the "Lions Roar" variant of Vajra-Mushti (Mukti). This is supposedly the martial art of the historical Buddha's blood-line, and, also became known as "Indra's Fist" (after the Thunder and Sky God Indra). It is still called Indra's Fist in China, where it is also known as Tibetan Lion's Roar.

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Varma Kalai

2007-12-17T16:33:00.000-05:00

Varma Kalai (also spelled Varmakalai or Varmakkalai, meaning 'the art of vital points') is an ancient martial art which has its origins in Tamil Nadu, India. The art itself originally began as a healing art from Varma Cuttiram (the 'Tamil science of medicine'), which later turned into a martial art, thus the name Varma Kalai.
The attacks in Varma Kalai are meant for self defence and though they target the vital pressure points throughout the human body, the emphasis is on stopping an attacker without actually damaging him permanently. Even in the most extreme situations there is an emphasis on using as little violence as possible. Varma Kalai teaches one to attack with or without weapons. The effect of Varma Kalai based offences is effective yet rarely damaging a human being. One who teaches and masters this art is called aasaan .
According to legends, wrongdoers eventually learned the art and this upset the masters who trusted in the character of their disciples. This led to a code of secrecy in which a master never teaches all of what he knows to one man. A few secrets on how to counter the misuse of the act are always safe with a chosen few who excel in the art and have unimpeachable moral values.
Though Varma Kalai is still taught at Tamil Nadu the art is not popular with the youth who choose to study less time-consuming martial arts. Worth mentioning is the fact that it would take about 10 years for a student to learn about 75% of Varma Kalai his master knows."

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Thang-Ta

2007-10-06T14:14:00.000-04:00

Thang-Ta is most popular Meetei Martial arts in Manipur. The literal translation of Thang-ta in the Manipuri language is swords and spears.

Thang-Ta at present, is seen in most part of the world through demonstration in cultural programs. Fighting with the weapons including sword, spear and Axe. The history of Thang-ta and Sarit-Sarak can be traced to the 17th century. Thang-ta involves using a sword or spear against one or more opponents. Sarit-Sarak is the technique of fighting against armed or unarmed opponents, but on many occasions there is a combined approach to the training of these martial arts. These martial arts were used with great success by the Manipuri kings to fight against the British for a long time. With the British occupation of the region, martial arts were banned, but post - 1950s saw the resurgence of these arts.

Thang-ta is practiced in three different ways. The first way is absolutely ritual in nature, related to the tantric practices. The second way consists of a spectacular performance involving sword and spear dances. These dances can be converted into actual fighting practices. The third way is the actual fighting technique.

http://themanipurpage.tripod.com/culture/thangta.html

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Silambam

2007-09-05T13:30:00.001-04:00

Silambam or Silambattam or Chilambam, is a traditional Dravidian martial art based on stick fighting. This style supposedly originates from the Kurinji Hills in present day Kerala, 5000 years ago, where natives used bamboo staves to defend themselves against wild animals. As per Sangam literature, the Kurinji Hills was one of the five physiographic divisions within Tamilakam, which became known as Keralam after the arrival of Brahmins. The Narikuravar of the Kurinji Hills used a staff called Chilambamboo as a weapon to defend themselves against wild animals, and also to display their skill during their religious festivals. The Hindu scholars and yogies who went to the Kurinji mountains to meditate got attracted by the display of this highly skilled spinning Chilambamboo.
http://www.silambam.in/

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Ohhhh Nooo...Jackie Chan and Jet Li Paired Onscreen for "Forbidden Kingdom"

2007-08-14T18:02:00.000-04:00

Ohhhh Nooo...Jackie Chan and Jet Li Paired Onscreen for "Forbidden Kingdom"

The biggest martial arts team-up short of digging up Bruce and Brandon is coming September 2008 - legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li will finally team up on the big screen for "Forbidden Kingdom." Weinsten Co. and Lionsgate films will produce. First "Grindhouse," then this? Weinsteins, you guys are on a roll…

Rob Minkoff, who directed "The Lion King," is set to helm the flick starting May 2nd. Script is by John Fusco and…YUEN WOO-PING will be doing stunts. WTF! This is a martial arts wet dream. For those not in the know, Woo-ping did the action choreography for "The Matrix" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

The flick will be based on the legend of the monkey king, which is the basis for the "Dragonball" Japanese animation series. Jet Li will play two roles, the monkey king and the silent monk.

http://www.filmwad.com/ohhhh-nooo-jackie-chan-and-jet-li-paired-onscreen-for-forbidden-kingdom--2163-p.html

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Samurai Tradition Continues In Japan.. Video

2007-08-08T19:25:00.000-04:00

Samurai Tradition Continues In Japan.. Video

Sarit Sarak

2007-07-14T17:12:00.000-04:00

Sarit Sarak (Bengali: সরিত সরকার) is a form of martial arts, which is relatively unknown outside of its place of origin - the north east Indian state of Manipur. This form of art was much in vogue with the people of Manipur a few generations back. It was taught much for defending rather than attacking.

Sarit-Sarak: (India) Sarit-Sarak is an art of bare handed combat emphasizing evasive skills and offensive attack. According to its lore, the Dragon God, Lainingthou Pakhangba, ordered King Mungyamba to kill the demon Moydana of Khagi and taught him the ways of combat and presented him with a special spear and sword for this purpose. A local Indian dance known as the Manipuri also finds its origins with this martial practice.
http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article_nc.php?id=59#sarit_sarak

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Modern Indian wrestling, or Pehlwani

2007-07-04T15:12:00.000-04:00

Modern Indian wrestling, or Pehlwani , is a synthesis of an indigenous Aryan / Hindu form of wrestling that dates back at least to the 5th century BC and a Persian form of wrestling brought into South Asia by the Mughals.

A practitioner of this sport is referred to as a pehlwan (also spelled pahlwan in Persian, champion, literally a Parthian). Generally speaking, Hindu teachers of wrestling are known as guru and Muslim teachers ustad.

The Indian wrestling form has undergone several changes in both the nomenclature and training methodologies through the ages, the more prominent influences include the introduction of Persian nomenclature and western training methods.

Wrestling competitions, known as Dangals, are held at village levels and have their own rules which vary from place to place. Usually, a win is awarded by decision from the panel of judges, knockout, stoppage or submission.

Wrestling has been very popular in India since Vedic times. Malla-yuddha, the classical form of Indian wrestling, dates back to at least the 5th century BC and was a precursor to modern Pehlwani. There is a memorable wrestling contest between Bhima and Jarasandha narrated in the Mahabharata, and there is a duel between Rustam and Sohrab mentioned in the Persian Shahnameh (Book of Kings). Balarama, the brother of Lord Krishna, was a wrestler described in these religious texts. In the Ramayana, there is mention of the vanara King Vali, having won against the mighty Ravana, the king of Lanka, in a wrestling contest. These texts describe the ancient wrestling art of Mallayuddha.

The Manasollasa of the Chalukya king Somesvara III (1124–1138) is a royal treatise on fine arts and leisure. The chapter entitled "Malla Vinod" describes the classification of wrestlers into types by age, size, and strength. It also outlines how the wrestlers were to exercise and what they were to eat. In particular the king was responsible for providing the wrestlers with pulses, meat, milk, sugar, as well as "high-class" sweets. The wrestlers were kept isolated from the women of the court and were expected to devote themselves to building their bodies. The Manasollasa gives the names of moves and exercises but does not provide descriptions.

The Malla Purana is a kula purana, dating most likely to the thirteenth century, about the Jyesthimallas, a Brahmin jāti(clan) of wrestlers from Gujarat, which categorizes and classifies types of wrestlers, defines necessary physical characteristics, describes types of exercises and techniques of wrestling as well as the preparation of the wrestling pit, and provides a fairly precise account of which foods wrestlers should eat in each season of the year.

During Sivaji's regime we hear of his son Sambhaji performing great feats in wrestling and finally tearing a lion with his own hands.

India in the recent past had great wrestlers of the class of Great Gama and Gobar Goho. India reached its peak of glory in the IV Asian Games (later on called Jakarta Games) in 1962 when all the seven wrestlers were placed on the medal list and in between them they bagged 12 medals in Freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. A repetition of this performance was witnessed again when all the 8 wrestlers sent to the Commonwealth Games held at Kingston (Jamaica) had the distinction of getting medals for the country.

During the 60’s, India was ranked among the first eight or nine wrestling nations of the world and hosted the world wrestling championships in New Delhi in 1967.

The undefeated champions of India hold the title Rustum-i-Hind title.

Cross training was inevitable even in this ancient discipline. Pehlwans who compete in wrestling nowadays are also known to cross train in the grappling aspects of Judo and Jujutsu.

Legendary wrestlers from the bygone era eg. Karl Gotch have made tours to India to learn the art of Pehlwani and further hone their skills. Karl Gotch was gifted a pair of "mudgals" (exercise equipment used by the Indian wrestlers) by the Indian wrestlers. The conditioning exercises of Pehlwani are incorporated into many of the conditioning aspects of both catch wrestling and shoot wrestling, along with their derivative systems. These systems also borrow several throws, submissions and takedowns from Pehlwani.

The popularity of this tradition seems to be withering away. The "milked sand wrestling pits" (20X20 deep stone courtyards, filled with clay and water or milk), which served as the traditional arena for both training and competitions are now giving way to wrestling mats and rings. The wrestlers are pursuing the sport as a hobby and not as a full time profession, and popular professional wrestling promotions have pushed Pehlwani to the brink of obscurity.

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Niyuddha-kride

2007-07-01T17:05:00.000-04:00

Niyuddha-kride is a form of Indian wrestling and martial art that concentrates on diversion and quick striking in case of a successful diversion. The practitioners of Niyuddha-kride practice swaying movements, quick alterations of movement patterns aim to move in quickly and expectedly.

"Indian wrestling pre-dates military tradition and has been variously known as mallak-rida, malla-yuddha, and niyuddha-kride. These names covered four activities, one of which was dharanipata, the techniques of taking an opponent to the ground. It is not clear whether dharanipata involved striking techniques. Asura was a second type of wrestling and certainly did include striking. However, all blows had to be delivered above the chest if they were not to foul. Nara was a third type but no clear details about the rules under which it was fought have survived. Yuddha was an extremely bloodthirsty variant in which opponents frequently died from their injuries. "
http://www.pvv.org/~leirbakk/rpg/streetfighter/styles/sf_fightingartsofindiaandpakistan.html

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Mukna

2007-06-06T14:42:00.000-04:00

Mukna (Bengali: মুকনা) is a sport, which is a variation of wrestling originating from, and popular in the state of Manipur.

Historical records show that Mukna has been played since the first half of the 15th century, but no exact record is available of the earlier meets. In Manipur, there is a belief that this type of wrestling goes as far back as the Hayachak era (Satya Yug), when Pakhangba, the son of the Atiya Guru Shidaba, caught his irate brother, Sanamahi, who was the incarnation of a horse, causing chaos and confusion in the kingdom. Sanamahi was furious with his father, for naming Pakhangba as his successor. Pakhangba trapped his brother at the end of a long and bitter encounter, when he used a deadly grip that rendered Sanamahi powerless. This paved way for the birth of Mukna.

The sport really flourished during the reign of King Khagemba (1597-1672). The game is generally played on the last day of the festival of Lai Haraoba (worship of the sylvan deity), and is an intrinsic part of the ceremonial functions.

The competitions are usually in the same weight category. Contestants, wearing a waist belt and a groin belt, hold each other's belts, and then the match begins. Holding the opponent's neck, hair, ear or legs with the hands, are considered foul. Striking is also not permitted. The competitor, who touches the ground first with his head, back, shoulder, knee or the hand, is declared the loser.

Some of the traditional equipment and dresses of the land are used by the players of this game. This is principally, to protect the vital parts of a player's body. It also helps to identify the pana or the yek, to which the wrestler belongs. The waist belt is known as a ningri. Throws may be used. The winner is called a yatra. He is declared winner, if he succeeds in pinning his opponent to the ground (with the whole of his Body or his back touching the ground).

There are many techniques or lou, used in Mukna. Absolute physical fitness and skill is required, while mastering these techniques. Today, the game is popular in Imphal, Thoubal and Bishnpur.

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Qigong

2007-05-25T23:09:00.000-04:00

Qigong is an aspect of Traditional Chinese medicine involving the coordination of different breathing patterns with various physical postures and motions of the body. Qigong is mostly taught for health maintenance purposes, but there are also some who teach it as a therapeutic intervention. Various forms of traditional qigong are also widely taught in conjunction with Chinese martial arts, and are especially prevalent in the advanced training of what are known as the Neijia, or internal martial arts where the object is the full mobilization and proper coordination and direction of the energies of the body as they are applied to some target.

There are currently more than 3,300 different styles and schools of qigong. Qigong relies on the traditional Chinese belief that the body has something that might be described as an "energy field" generated and maintained by the natural respiration of the body, known as qi (this is analogous to Prana and Pranayama in Yoga). Qi means breath or gas in Chinese, and, by extension, the energy produced by breathing that keeps us alive; gong means work applied to a discipline or the resultant level of technique. Qigong is then "breath work" or the art of managing one's breathing in order to achieve and maintain good health, and (especially in the martial arts) to enhance the energy mobilization and stamina of the body in coordination with the physical process of respiration.

Attitudes toward the scientific basis (or lack of it) for qigong vary markedly. Most Western medical practitioners, many practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, as well as the Chinese government view qigong as a set of breathing and movement exercises, with possible benefits to health through stress reduction and exercise. Others see qigong in more metaphysical terms, claiming that breathing and movement exercises can help one tap the fundamental energies of the universe.

Today millions of people in China and around the world regularly practice qigong as a health maintenance exercise. Qigong and related disciplines are still associated with the martial arts and meditation routines practiced by Taoist and Buddhist monks, professional martial artists, and their students. Once more closely guarded, in the modern era such practices have become widely available to the general public both in China and around the world.

Medical qigong treatment has been officially recognized as a standard medical technique in Chinese hospitals since 1989. It has been included in the curriculum of major universities in China. After years of debate, the Chinese government decided to officially manage qigong through government regulation in 1996 and has also listed qigong as part of their National Health Plan.

Qigong can help practitioners to learn Diaphragmatic breathing, an important component of the relaxation response, which is important in combatting stress.

Yan Xin , a doctor of both Western and Chinese medicine as well as founder of the relatively popular Yan Xin Qigong school, suggests that in order for qigong to be accepted by the modern world it must pass the test of scientific study. Without such studies, Yan maintains, qigong will be dismissed as "superstition" In the mid-1980s he and others began systematic study of qigong in some research institutions in China and U.S. More than 20 papers have been published. Yan Xin's research papers were never published in peer-reviewed journals of any international scientific standing and he has denied to demonstrate his results to sceptic scientists.

Taijiquan, a martial art based on the principles of internal qigong, appears to be a potent intervention to prevent falls in elders, maintain joint mobility, and improve balance.

In 2003 the Chinese Government respectively their mass-organization "Chinese Health QiGong Association" presented the newly developed four Health Qigong Exercises.

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Tai Chi Chuan, part 3

2007-05-25T00:19:00.000-04:00

There are five major styles of tai chi chuan, each named after the Chinese family from which it originated:

Chen style
Yang style
Wu or Wu/Hao style of Wu Yu-hsiang (Wu Yuxiang)
Wu style of Wu Ch'uan-yü (Wu Quanyuo) and Wu Chien-ch'uan (Wu Jianquan)
Sun style

The order of verifiable age is as listed above. The order of popularity (in terms of number of practitioners) is Yang, Wu, Chen, Sun, and Wu/Hao. The first five major family styles share much underlying theory, but differ in their approaches to training.

There are now dozens of new styles, hybrid styles and offshoots of the main styles, but the five family schools are the groups recognised by the international community as being orthodox. Zhaobao Tai Chi, a close cousin of Chen style, has been newly recognised by Western practitioners as a distinct style. The designation internal or nei chia martial arts is also used to broadly distinguish what are known as the external or wai chia styles based on the Shaolinquan styles, although that distinction is sometimes disputed by modern schools. In this broad sense, among many T'ai Chi schools all styles of tai chi (as well as related arts such as Pa Kua Chang and Hsing-i Ch'üan) are therefore considered to be "soft" or "internal" martial arts. Many styles list in their history that tai chi was originally formulated by a Taoist monk called Zhang Sanfeng and taught by him in the Taoist monasteries at Wu Tang Shan. Some consider that what is practised under that name today may be a modern back-formation based on stories and popular veneration of Zhang Sanfeng (see below) as well as the martial fame of the Wu Tang monastery (there are many other martial art styles historically associated with Wu Tang besides tai chi).

When tracing tai chi chuan's formative influences to Taoist and Buddhist monasteries, there seems little more to go on than legendary tales from a modern historical perspective, but tai chi chuan's practical connection to and dependence upon the theories of Sung dynasty Neo-Confucianism (a conscious synthesis of Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian traditions, esp. the teachings of Mencius) is readily apparent to its practitioners.[citation needed] The philosophical and political landscape of that time in Chinese history is fairly well documented. Tai chi's theories and practice are therefore believed by some schools to have been formulated by the Taoist monk Zhang Sanfeng in the 12th century, at about the same time that the principles of the Neo-Confucian school were making themselves felt in Chinese intellectual life. Zhang Sanfeng as a young man studied Tao Yin breathing exercises from his Taoist teachers and martial arts at the Buddhist Shaolin monastery, eventually combining the martial forms and breathing exercises to formulate the soft or internal principles we associate with tai chi chuan and related martial arts. Zhang Sanfeng is also sometimes attributed with the creation of the original 13 Movements of Tai Chi Chuan. These 13 movements are in all forms of tai chi chuan. Its subsequent fame attributed to his teaching, Wu Tang monastery was known thereafter as an important martial center for many centuries, its many styles of internal kung fu preserved and refined at various Taoist temples.

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Tai chi chuan, part 2

2007-05-19T22:01:00.000-04:00

The Mandarin term "tai chi chuan" literally translates as "supreme ultimate boxing" or "boundless fist". The concept of the "supreme ultimate" is the symbol of the Taijitu meant to show the principles of Yin and Yang duality of Taoist philosophy. Thus, tai chi theory and practice evolved in agreement with many of the principles of Chinese philosophy and Taoism in particular. Tai chi training involves learning solo routines, known as forms (套路 taolu), two person routines known as pushing hands, as well as martial applications of the postures of the form. Tai chi chuan was created as a form of traditional Chinese martial arts of the Neijia (soft or internal) branch. Despite these origins, it has developed a worldwide following among many thousands of people with little or no interest in martial training for its benefit to health and health maintenance. Some call it a form of moving meditation, as focusing the mind solely on the movements of the form purportedly helps to bring about a state of mental calm and clarity. Besides general health benefits and stress management attributed to beginning and intermediate level[citation needed] tai chi training, many therapeutic interventions along the lines of traditional Chinese medicine are taught to advanced tai chi students in traditional schools.

The physical techniques of tai chi chuan is described in the tai chi classics (a set of writings by traditional masters) as being characterized by the use of leverage through the joints based on coordination in relaxation, rather than muscular tension, in order to neutralize or initiate attacks. The slow, repetitive work involved in the process of learning how that leverage is generated gently and measurably increases and opens the internal circulation: (breath, body heat, blood, lymph, peristalsis, etc.).

The study of tai chi chuan primarily involves three subjects. Traditional schools cover these aspects of tai chi practice syncretically, while many modern schools choose to focus on a single aspect alone, depending on their goal in practicing the art. These three subjects include:

Health
An unhealthy or otherwise uncomfortable person will find it difficult to meditate to a state of calmness or to use tai chi as a martial art. tai chi's health training therefore concentrates on relieving the physical effects of stress on the body and mind. For those focused on tai chi's martial application, good physical fitness is the first step in effective self-defense.
Meditation
The focus meditation and subsequent calmness cultivated by the meditative aspect of tai chi is seen as necessary to maintain optimum health (in the sense of effectively maintaining stress relief or homeostasis) and in order to use it as a soft style martial art.
Martial art
The ability to utilize tai chi as a form of self-defense in combat is said to be the most effective proof of a student's understanding of the principles of good Tai Chi. The study of tai chi chuan martially is studying how to change appropriately in response to outside forces, to be able to yield and blend with opposing force rather than meet it with equal force. These principles are taught using the examples of physics as experienced by two (or more) bodies training for combat.

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jiu-jitsu, world martial arts, self-defence

Tai chi chuan, part 1

2007-05-15T23:55:00.000-04:00

Tai chi chuan, t'ai chi ch'üan or taijiquan (literally "supreme ultimate fist") is an internal Chinese martial art often practiced with the aim of promoting health and longevity. Tai chi chuan's training forms are well known as the slow motion routines that groups of people practice together every morning in parks around the world, particularly in China. Some medical studies support its effectiveness as an alternative exercise and a form of martial arts therapy.[citation needed] Tai chi chuan is considered a soft style martial art - an art applied with internal power - to distinguish its theory and application from that of the hard martial art styles. There are many different styles of tai chi chuan, but most modern schools can trace their development to the system originally taught by the Chen family to the Yang family starting in 1820.

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Indian Martial art: Mallayuddha

2007-05-14T19:39:00.000-04:00

Mallayuddha (literally "wrestling combat") is the martial art of classical Indian wrestling .

Mallayuddha is described in the Indian epics as the fighting style of warriors such as Bhima. From extrapolation of the epics, the art is supposed to have gained maximum prominence in ancient India at the time when the oral tradition of the Mahabharata was conceived. As the Mahabharata was compiled in textual form around the 5th century BC and the epic's setting has a historical precedent in Vedic India, it is believed then that mallayuddha was regarded as a prominent martial art in that era.

Generally Indian wrestling can be divided into two categories. The malla krida and the mallayuddha. Malla krida is the sports version while mallayuddha is the combat wrestling version.

According to the techniques and methodology used, the wrestling is divided in four types. Bhimaseni, Hanumanthi, Jambuvanthi, and Jarasandhi.

Hanumanti : Hanumanthi type concentrates on the technical superiority of the wrestler and here superior skill will help one to beat an opponent of greater strength.
Jambuvanti : Jambuvanthi wrestling uses locks and holds to force the opponent into submission.
Jarasandhi : Jarasandhi is the most lethal form among the above as it concentrates in breaking of the limbs and joints.
Bhimaseni : Bhimaseni wrestling stresses the acquiring of strength and its use. Most suitable for persons of huge build and strength.

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Indian Martial art: Lathi

2007-05-06T17:49:00.000-04:00

Lathi (Devanagari: लाठी) is an ancient armed martial art of India. It also refers to the weapon used in this martial art. The word lathi, in Hindi, means bamboo stick. A lathi is basically a 6 to 8 foot long bamboo stick tipped with a metal blunt. It is used by swinging it back and forth like a sword. The metal blunt is an optional part for a lathi. It is the Indian Police's most used crowd control device. When referring to the weapon itself, a lathi could be considered the world’s oldest weapon.

Lathi originated as a yogic spiritual practice. It is a moving, physical, whole-body meditation mantra that harmonizes body, mind and spirit by moving kundalini energy through the chakras. Its central idea is continuous circles, which describe the figure-8 or infinity sign. Its movement is balanced, organized, symmetrical, stimulating, soothing, pulsing, wavelike, meditative, healing, therapeutic, dance, exercise and fun.

The movement of Lathi is continuous and repetitive, what the western world might call hypnotic. It moves kundalini (energy) through the body and evokes a deeply internal meditative state on a physical body level. This, on the other hand, is very active. It is a physical moving-mantra meditation.

Although Lathi shares many principles with other martial arts, it is totally unique in a way. Most armed martial arts of Asia have one thing in common – they use the dan-tien as their energy center. The dan-tien is two fingers below the navel and corresponds to the solar plexus. This relatively low center of gravity causes these martial arts to be mostly performed out of a knees-bent crouch, which is called horse stance.

The energy center of Lathi is the heart chakra. This higher center of gravity allows the Lathial (practitioner of Lathi) to practice from a higher, longer, more extended posture. Practitioners feel this provides a natural alignment with gravity that balances, orders and aligns the body with the earth’s gravity field, and believe this means that Lathi can be used as a powerful therapeutic tool to heal the human body of all kinds of chronic and acute structural troubles.

It is worth noting that in dan-tien-centered martial arts, belly breathing is the predominant pattern. In Lathi, the higher heart center allows for the breath to flow into the high chest. The high chest breath moves energy, nourishes the heart and lifts the body structure into a natural and therapeutic alignment with gravity.

Wielding the lathi involves giving quick lethal blows to the opponent and defending opponent attacks by using the lathi as a shield. A lathial needs to be quick and precise. Lathi blows are powerful and sometimes even fatal. A good lathial must be able to fight with lathis of different lengths and thicknesses.

Lathi became popular among villages of India, especially eastern and southern India. Other than fighting lathi was often used to control domestic animals. A common Hindi saying goes "Jiski lathi, uski bhains" meaning, "he who wields the lathi gets to keep the buffalo" ("bhains" in Hindi) and the "Buffalo" is used to personify as that buffalo can be anything, it's not like that it's always you get to keep a buffalo! But instead of buffalo, it can be anything. It's just that Buffalo is used as a perspective of personification to say because for example, saying buffalo is mentioned in this phrase a lot because in Indian culture, buffalo is considered very important, it gives milk, you can even cultivate land with a buffalo by farming with it, also considering the fact that most of Indian culture is rural based which tells of the great importance of a buffalo.

Local warlords and landlords often raised armies of lathials for settling disputes and for security purposes. Lathial armies were also used to oppress and punish common people. The size of the army was also an indication of the power of a warlord or landlord. At the same time lathi had also evolved as a sport. Tournaments involving lathi duels often took place in Indian villages.

The Zamindari System was introduced by the Mughals in India and continued during British rule of India. The Zamindar raised lathial armies to forcefully collect taxes from people. The British introduced lathi as a weapon for the Indian Police. This gave birth to the lathi charge, a military-style rush (or charge) that uses lathis to disperse crowds. Lathis were now often used by Indian Police to control riots and also as a secondary weapon. Lathi charges were a common way to suppress marches and protests for independence by freedom fighters and common people.

http://www.guildbodywork.com/lathisplash.html

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Indian Martial Art:Kuttu Varisai

2007-04-24T18:26:00.000-04:00

Kuttu Varisai (Empty Hand Combat) is an Indian martial art practiced in Tamil Nadu, South India and in Northeastern Sri Lanka. It is a form of hand to hand combat similar to Kung Fu and Karate. This Tamil martial art was first documented in the Tamil Sangam literature ( 2nd-1st centuries BC).

Both Kuttu Varisai and Varma Kalai combined make up a deadly fighting art. In Kuttu Varisai, gymnastic, stretching (yoga), and breathing exercises are conducted before training. In combat, almost every part of the body is used such as the fists, elbow, feet, knees, etc. Various different animal styles such as the tiger, elephant, snake, eagle and monkey are used. All these styles include posture, grappling, throws, hits, and locks.

There are a huge variety of weapons used in this fighting system which can easily be seen in many Chola bronze statues of various deities. Weapons include the trident, sticks (kali or kaji) (short, long, or double sticks), swords (val) and shield, double swords, daggers (kuttuval) (simple or double), knuckle duster (kuttu katai), and whips with several flexible and metallic blades (surul pattai).

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Indian martial art:Kalarippayattu

2007-04-22T21:00:00.000-04:00

Kalarippayattu is an Indian martial art practised in Kerala and contiguous parts of neighboring Tamil Nadu. It incorporates strikes, kicks, grappling, martial dance, and weaponry, as well as healing techniques.

The term "Kalarippayattu" is a tatpurusha compound formed from the words kalari meaning "school, gymnasium" and payattu derived from "payattuka" meaning "to fight" or "to exercise" or "to put hard work into".

Together these two words in Malayalam or Tamil mean "Practice of arts of the battlefield". Most words related to Kalari are originally from Tamil, including words like "suvadi" (palm leaf manuscript), "vadivu" (stance/pose), "verum kai" (empty hand), "mei payattu" (mei=body).

The word "kalari" can be traced to ancient Sangam literature. The martial tradition of Kalarippayattu is also dated to ancient Dravidian traditions. The earliest mention of the concept marmam also dates back to the Rig Veda where Indra is said to have defeated Vritra by attacking his marman with his vajra. References to marman also found in the Atharva Veda.

Phillip Zarrilli, a professor at the University of Exeter and one of the few Western authorities on kalaripayattu, estimates that kalarippayattu dates back to at least the 12th century CE.The historian Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai attributes the birth of Kalarippayattu to an extended period of warfare between the Cheras and the Cholas in the 11th century CE. What eventually crystalised into this style is thought to have been a product of existing South Indian styles of combat, combined with techniquies brought by migration from the north along the western coast. Discovery channel notes that Kalarippayattu may be one of the oldest martial arts in existence. The oldest western reference to Kalarippayattu is a 16th century travelogue of Duarte Barbosa, a Portuguese explorer. The Southern style, which places more emphesis on open hand combat has mainly been practiced by the Tamil speaking regions, at least for the last few centuries.

Kalarippayattu underwent a period of decline after the introduction of firearms and especially after the full establishment of British colonial rule in the 19th century. The resurgence of public interest in kalarippayattu began in the 1920s in Tellicherry as part of a wave of rediscovery of the traditional arts throughout South India and continued through the 1970s surge of general worldwide interest in martial arts. In recent years, efforts have been made to further popularise the art, with it featuring in international films. Some dance schools incorporate kalaripayattu as part of their exercise regimen.

technorati tags: martial-arts, karate, silat, health, movies, sports, self defense, thai, novel, recreation

Indian Martial Art: Inuban

2007-04-16T16:13:00.000-04:00

Inuban is a form of wrestling native to the people of Mizoram in India. Inbuan is said to have originated in the village of Dungtland in 1750 A.D. It was recognized as a sport after the Mizo people migrated from Burma to the Lushai Hills.

Inuban involves very strict rules prohibiting kicking, stepping out of the circle and even bending of the knees. The contest is held in a circle 15-16 feet in diameter on carpet or grass. The objective is to lift one's opponent off his feet while strictly adhering to the rules. The matches are held in three rounds each of 30-60 seconds of duration, the match generally continues till a wrestler either breaks a rule of is lifted off his feet.

Another feature of this form of wrestling is the catch-hold belt worn by the wrestlers around the waist, it has to remain tight all through the game.

technorati tags:martial arts,karate ,tai chi ,judo ,muay thai ,kick boxing,aikido ,kung fu ,tai chi chuan ,ninjitsu ,shaolin kung fu,sambo,wing chun kung fu

Sikh martial art: Gatka

2007-04-12T15:57:00.000-04:00

Gatka is a traditional Sikh martial art. Gatka was handed down from the period of the 6th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind Sahib (early 17th century).

Gatka emerged formally from its original birthplace in the Punjab region of northern India.

Gat means grace, liberation, and respect in one's own power. Ka means one who belongs or one who is part of a group. Gatka means one whose freedom belongs to grace. It was originally created along three principles:

it had to be easy to learn
it had to make use of every possible weapon
it had to allow for fighting multiple opponents at once
Unfortunately much of it has been lost and what is left primarily exists only through oral tradition.

The Sikhs mastered Gatka and perfected its use in battle. Many hundreds, if not thousands, of battles were decisively won by the Sikhs, despite often being outnumbered. The techniques within Gatka were combined with the spiritual practices of the Sikhs to create a complete fighting system. Opposing forces are documented to have cursed the Sikhs for their skills in fighting.

The Sikhs actively used Gatka in warfare for over 200 years, until they finally enjoyed peace under their own rule, free from the Mughal Empire. Since then, Gatka has been passed down as a tradition amongst the Sikh generations. With the emigration of Sikhs to western countries such as the UK, Gatka has grown again in the hearts and minds of the new generation of Sikhs. Now, in the 21st century, martial artists in the West are slowly beginning to recognize Gatka and inquire about it.

A different theory of origin is that Gatka is a remnant of Shastar Vidiya system. According to mostly oral tradition and some writings, Shastar Vidiya was a system learned from the Rajputs (another kingdom in NW India) in reward for aid in liberating some fifty-two Rajput princes from the Mogul empire in India. It was perfected by the time of the tenth and last Sikh Guru.

It blended the skill practice with deep spiritualism. It taught the learners that they learn from their Gurus and also from the weapons themselves. In a manner of speaking, the users also worshipped the weapons as teachers. The practitioners would not submit to British rule of the Punjab. Shastar Vidiya was found intolerable by the British occupying forces and the exponents were proscribed and hunted down. Supposedly, it nearly died out except for a few surviving members. However, it was kept alive even though the British authorities and some Sikh accommodating the new government started Gatka as a replacement for it. The British favoured Gatka as it kept Sikh militarism as a useful (as part of the British-officered Indian Army), and controllable (no latent hostility against the British interests), asset.

One of the most important things learned in gatka is Paenthra. Paenthra is the ritualized footwork involved in fighting moves, and every fighting move has a different paenthra. A very important paenthra is also performed before picking up the weapon of choice. The paenthras used for picking up a weapon is unique to each gatka club, or school. One with experience in gatka would therefore be able to see which club a practitioner is from, merely by looking at their paenthra.

The arm movements are circular representing the Sikhs belief of one God who was never born and will never die, similar to one of the five Ks, the kara(or bracelet). Some Gatka members state that the above sentences further support the theory that Gatka was in fact an authentic system passed down from Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji and not the remnants of "shaster vidya".

It is largely weapon-based. The three primary types of weapons used are:

Swords - Tulwar
Sticks of bamboo (from one to three meters in length) - Lathi
Flexible weapons, such as whips and chains.
Gatka had none of Shastar Vidiya's almost unarmed fighting system (e.g. Chakra or Kara, the sharpened war wrist bracelet used in hand to hand combat and also as a quoit (deadly flying disc)).

It has few of the original fifteen weapons (e.g. Barsha (spear), Choori (large Khyber or Afghan knife), Peshkarj (dagger-like knife) etc.) except for the Tulwar (single-edged Persian sabre), Lathi (staff), Khanda (Double-edged sword) and some other weapons.

This theory is also controversial as there are somewhat strong feelings for and against it. As mentioned above, Gatka is primarily a weapons based art.

According to the Shastar Vidiyia exponents, Gatka eventually devolved into a sport and exhibition form that is shown at Sikh festivals and is shorn of the ancient and actual combat skills. There was at least one reported instance where a Shastar Vidiya exponent challenged a leading Gatka organization head to a no-holds barred match for the purpose of re-establishing the ancient methods of perfecting methods by combat. This interesting ritual has rules that reportedly gave assurances that all injuries, deaths would be forgiven in the quest for perfection and that the loser (if alive and not permanently maimed) would receive more teachings from the winner to perfect himself and then ask for a rematch with the winner. Below is a report stating that the contest had taken place and is recorded on film. Although the final result remains somewhat inconclusive, the strong feelings and controversy involved is readily apparent.

Currently there is a huge feud and rivalry between The International Gatka Organisation (Mainly the umbrella group, Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara) headed by Ustad Bhai Uptej Singh "Teji" and the Shastar Vidiya Organization headed by Nihang Niddar Singh. It started from when the Shastar Vidya organisation started to put down Gatka by stating superiority of Shastar Vidya and calling Gatka a mere sport. One recorded battle took place between Teji and Niddar with the fight being broken up before a winner could be found. There is no audio for the tape so what happens after the grappling begins (i.e. when Teji allegedly debunks or rebukes Niddar) is subject to conjecture. The summary following was provided by an assumed spectator present at the contest. Teji can be seen knocking Niddar's stick out of his hand thus turning the fight into a grappling match. After Niddar jumps on Teji, he is rebuked.

technorati tags: martial arts,karate ,tai chi ,judo ,muay thai ,kick boxing,aikido ,kung fu ,tai chi chuan ,ninjitsu ,shaolin kung fu,sambo,wing chun kung fu

But Marma Atti

2007-04-09T12:49:00.000-04:00

But Marma Atti is an Indian martial art, which emphasizes exhausting and discouraging an attacker psychologically as well as exhausting him physically.

But Marma Atti is a refined form of a rudimentary self defence system taught widely in rural south India, enabling a common person to defend him or her self in case of an attack while keeping his or her physical limitations under consideration. It is a limited set of physical self defence and behavioural patterns, emphasising on calm rather than fear in case of attacks.

The movement style is comprised of fighting using evasive movements, reversals and soft striking. The practitioners of But Marma Atti are also taught to be of unimpeachable character, and to have the moral high ground and inner strength to both evade and psychologically exhaust their opponents.

The psychological aspect of this martial art involves reasoning with the attacker after repeatedly foiling the incoming attacks (the art teaches to successfully evade punches, kicks, knives, sticks and other weapons, frustrating and humiliating the attacker in process) and trying to reason with the attacker while successively foiling his attack attempts and exhausting him in the process.

technorati tags: martial arts,karate ,tai chi ,judo ,muay thai ,kick boxing,aikido ,kung fu ,tai chi chuan ,ninjitsu ,shaolin kung fu,sambo,wing chun kung fu

Adithada

2007-04-07T14:19:00.000-04:00

Adithada (Adi means hitting and thada means block) is an ancient martial art originating from erstwhile Travancore regions in South India comprising southern Kerala and the Kanyakumari district which was later ceded to Tamil Nadu. Adithada is similar to Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Karate. It is often referred to as the southern style of Kalari Payattu.

It is largely practiced in southern Kerala, Kanyakumari and northern Sri Lanka. It has both grappling and striking concepts, and a detailed study of pressure points. Disciples of Adithada are trained in using bare knuckles, feet, knees, elbows and forehead.

technorati tags: martial arts,karate ,tai chi ,judo ,muay thai ,kick boxing,aikido ,kung fu ,tai chi chuan ,ninjitsu ,shaolin kung fu,sambo,wing chun kung fu

Filipino martial arts: Yaw-Yan

2007-04-05T18:17:00.000-04:00

Yaw-Yan (Filipino Kickboxing/Footboxing) — Sayaw ng Kamatayan (Dance of Death) is the proper name for Yaw-Yan, a Filipino martial art developed by Napoleon Fernandez. The art resembles Muay Thai in a sense, but differs in the hip torquing motion as well as downward-cutting of its kicks.

The acknowledged originator of Yaw-Yan is Grandmaster Napoleon A. Fernandez, a native of Quezon province, himself an undefeated All-asian and Far-East Kickboxing champion. The word Yaw-Yan was derived from the two last syllables of "Sayaw ng Kamatayan" meaning "Dance of Death". Since its inception it has dominated the kickboxing scene in the Philippines and has proven very effective against other Stand-up fighting arts such as karate, taekwondo and Muay thai in professional bouts in the Philippines. With the growing popularity of Mixed Martial Arts in the Philippines and the world it had upgraded its fighting style that includes striking, takedowns,grappling ,arnis and knife fighting with the new and complete Yaw-Yan Ardigma.

Yaw-Yan is not purely a full-contact no-holds barred sport martial arts. It is a complete martial training with body-mind coordination and test of enduring indomitable spirit. More than just physical training, it also involves the mental disciplines of focus, concentration, alertness, flexibility, stamina, speed and continuity. Students train for real confrontation and actual fights -- on or off the ring. Advanced Disciples have to go through a rigorous ritual of practice and discipline consisting of actual full-contact sparring, bag hitting, and flexibility exercises. The Elbows (siko), knees (tuhod), and shin (lulod) are utilized in much the same way as in Muay Thai. Yaw-Yan practitioners have to learn 40 basic kicks, advanced disciples have to be able to execute and apply complexed advanced kicks requiring great dexterity, flexibility, and mastery. Most of these advanced kicks are trick kicks which always caught unsuspecting opponents by surprise. Yaw-Yan Back-kick, reversed Yaw-Yan roundhouse stomp thrust and the famous scorpion kicks were some of these kicks popularized in national motion picture by action stars Boy Fernandez and Rey Malonzo, both Yaw-Yan experts. Yaw-Yan practitioners are also adept with Philippine bladed weaponries as balisong and bolo. Bladed weapons are mere extensions of the hands. The forearm strikes, elbows, punches, dominating palms, and hand movements are empty-hand translations of the bladed weapons. There are 12 bolo punches which were patterned from Arnis, the philippines' very own armed art. These punches have continous fluid striking motion quite similar to western boxing but incorporating the art of Arnis. Grappling, ground-fighting, and knife-fighting had always been a part of the philippines' martial art and are always incorporated during the Yaw-Yan practice period. Yaw-Yan is a transformation of ancient Filipino Martial Arts and a Modern Competition Sport with high emphasis on practicality and actual confrontation.

The devastating "Mountain-Storm Kick" The mountain-storm kick had been debatable as who originated it, where and when. Yaw-Yan mountain-storm kick is hundred times more effective than karate's roundhouse kick and highly effective if not better than thai roundhouse kick. It's fluid effortless execution awes most spectators and the receiving end couldn't believe its' destructive power. Mountain Storm kick seemed similar to Thai roundhouse kick except that the kicking leg was drawn up and swung-through in full force swiftly with a continous downward cutting motion of the shin as you torque your hips in, instead of just plain straight through burst. A carefully planted mountain-storm kick had left most receiving opponent with agonizing pain and were most often carried away due to inability to walk. Yaw-Yan fighters have been known for breaking their opponent's strong femur bone if not the ribs or jaw, with one mountain storm kick.

Philippine YAW-YAN ARDIGMA KickBoxing Federation

technorati tags:martial arts,karate ,tai chi ,judo ,muay thai ,kick boxing,aikido ,kung fu ,tai chi chuan ,ninjitsu ,shaolin kung fu,sambo,wing chun kung fu

Filipino martial arts: Sikaran

2007-04-04T17:46:00.000-04:00

Sikaran is a Filipino martial art whose history dates back to the early 1500s before the Spaniards came. It is the art of foot-fighting where the farmers use their strong legs to drive the partners outside the designated line (pitak) which was drawn in rice fields about 25 sq. ft.

Sikaran is a pastime of the Baras Rizal farmers who gathered during the festival after a good harvest season. Constant practice lead to the development skills that would eventually be marked by notable effectiveness; of the practitioners, some went on to discover certain skills in combat that made them deserve the honor of being called "Hari"(champion). The original practitioners have long passed, taking the secrets of their talent with them.

The early Sikaranista (farmers) session commenced with the drawing of a circle on the ground. The more skilled opponent is often obliged to take a handicap, and positions himself inside the circle to trade kicking talents with the other who stays at the circle's rim. The objective is for the combatant outside to dislodge the contestant within. More confident opponent would agree to a number of opponents to form a circle around them. Should the man within be driven out of the circle, it signifies defeat and, correspondingly, humiliation. If the game's continuation be opted, another contender takes the place of the dislodge practitioner and the same procedure is repeated.

Occasionally, a mischief-prone contestant made it a point to step in buffalo dung prior to a competition in order to dirty and humiliate the opponent.

The Baras-originated method of foot-fighting in its original form has no time limit. Combatants call for time out if they became exhausted or are beaten enough. There is no discrimination regarding sex.

They have a vernacular name for a Hari. He was awarded Ias Agila (for his impressive agility), acknowledged as the foremost padamba (jumping front kick) exponent. That he could leap as high as six feet is definitely a testimony to an awesome power.

So also was awarded classified as Hari, a fellow reputed to crack husked coconuts with his steel-like shins. On the other hand a Hari also boasts of the singular reputation of knocking out (T.K.O) a carabao with a single hammer biakid.

Sikaran utilizes only the feet as a rule for sport and for combat, self-defense and this is what makes it distinct, the hands are never availed of in the sikaran. If they utilized at all, it's only for defense, the player uses his legs 90% of the time and his hands 10% only for blocking or parrying blows. Violation of this injunction, especially in tournaments, is ground for disqualification.

The rationale behind this has something to do with the role of the feet whose significance has yet to be fully appreciated. It is the largest part of the body, aside from the fact that it nurtures the largest bone as well as the most massive muscle.

The entry of Sikaran in tournaments, particularly those of international caliber, presaged certain modifications, if innovations, of its original rules. Like the setting of a time limit, widening of the fighting area into twice the size required of the original arena.

Sikaran have its own share of kicking styles. The "Biakid" the classic kick is executed by pivoting to the back in a full or complete turn about manner. The degree of effectiveness subscribes to two classifications: "panghilo" (paralyzing blow) and "pamatay" or lethal kick. Obviously the first aimed at less vital parts of the physique, while the target of the second includes the heart, neck, head, groin, and spine, all highly vulnerable parts.

Weapons of Sikaran include the balisong, kris, sticks among others.

Sikaran finds a no more vigorous exponent than the last descendant Col. Meliton C. Geronimo (ret. PAF) and ex-mayor of Baras Rizal. Who conducted a research and perfected on the art and to the extent of organizing clubs for the purpose of teaching the art to anybody, who would care to learn it, as well as to spread its popularity. His attachment to sikaran is understandable and was awarded as Martial arts masters' pioneer and legend hall of fame. Baras is the venue of his childhood and Cipriano Geronimo. Geronimo's father, past 100 years old and known as the "LAST KING or HARI of the past century", handed down the game to Meliton, To ensure that Sikaran would not fade into oblivion. The younger Geronimo founded the Kapatiran Sikaran Ng Pilipinas in 1958 now named as WORLD SIKARAN BROTHERHOOD OF THE PHILIPPINES.

In Korea, Master Hwong Kee of Muduckwan, Master Doctor KaiByeong Yun, Master Koichi Kondo of Japan Karate Association, Kung-fu Chinese Group and Master Meliton C. Geronimo, organized the Asian Karate Association in year 1961. Sikaran made an international debut and it was made possible when the organization committed to its promotion and propagation, Kapatiran Sikaran, got affiliated with the aforementioned Asian Karate Association, under the banner of Karate Brotherhood of the Philippines. SIKARAN has been "Battled-Tested" in the most Asian Tournaments. Meliton C. Geronimo won as individual champion in 1964 Utsunimiya Tochegeken, Japan and also awarded by the Eagle award during the first Asian Tournament. Thereafter he headed, coached and became the Chief Instructor and the head of the Philippine Teams that participated in the succeeding Asian Karate Tilts. Among the champions who used the Sikaran Style were the late Bernard Belleza, 1965, Emelio Galiciano 1965, Ariston Bautista 1968, Amado Diaz 1967, Jaime Geronimo 1965, Antonio Ganiela 1968, and Herminia Agapito was the lone female participant in the First World Karate Tournament in 1970 in Tokyo, Japan. In 1972 Paris, France participated by Marlyn Compuesto and Militon C. Geronimo.

Under Geronimo's Tutelage, the RP Team introduced the Sikaran Style in the Six Asian Karate Tournaments. The Philippine contingents to these tilts received awards for being "BEST FIGHTING TEAM" for this feat. Geronimo was awarded the REDBELT 10th Degree by the Asian Karate Association in 1966. The award was for Developing a "DISTINCT STYLE OF ORIGIN." he was further cited for introducing into the world a new style of an ancient Art in the light of the modern sport of Sikaran and proves its effectiveness as a fighting method.

The RED BELT signifies that he was the originator and Master of distinct Style of Martial Art and there can never be another Redbelt holder in the same school.

Master Geronimo explained that he used the word Karate (KARATE BROTHERHOOD OF THE PHILIPPINES) to indicate his school/Style (Sikaran) and to affiliate with the Asian Karate Association and the World Union Karatedo Organization. Which were the first and the only affiliated martial arts school in the WUKO. "But I was inactive in Karate because Sikaran is really a different form of Pilipino Martial Art" Says Master Geronimo. Sikaran uses the feet in offense and Defense. The hands are used only for parrying and balancing.

Today, Forty two years after the WORLD SIKARAN ARNIS BROTHERHOOD OF THE PHILIPPINES was founded, SIKARAN had already taken roots in Canada, United States, England, Australia, Saudi Arabia, West Germany, Qatar, Palestine and New Zealand. Program reports are sent by WSABP instructors, from those countries to Manila Headquarters.

Pangamot

2007-04-01T14:29:00.000-04:00

Pangamot is a Filipino martial art taught by Dan Inosanto, Kevin B. Smith, and many others. It is composed of panantukan (hand techniques), dumog (grappling), pananjakman (kicking and sweeping), kaukit (foot trapping), and kino mutai (biting and gouging).

" Pangamot is the art of fighting empty-handed against an armed opponent. While it is fairly common to see different martial arts systems teach a couple of techniques to deal with an armed opponent, Pangamot is a complete system that revolves around fighting successfully against a blade or stick wielding attacker. Training is centered on 3-D’s: defending, disarming, and disabling your assailant. "

http://www.fmaa.net/arts.html

technorati tags:martial arts,karate ,tai chi

Pananjakman

2007-03-29T17:09:00.000-04:00

Pananjakman is the Filipino art of kicking.
Although not as appealing to the eye as the kicks found in Capoeira, Karate and Tae-kwon do, the kicks are all designed to inflict pain, destroy an attackers mobility or distract him for an upper body strike.
The kicks are done with the point of the foot, the heel and the shin. Popular targets include the shin, the knee, the inside and outside of the thigh and the groin. The art of Filipino kicking is still prevalent in the Philippines today, in the traditional form of Sipa , a game which involves kicking a small rattan ball with the foot over a net to another player. Another more village based activity with the same name, starts out with two competitors in a small circle. Once the game begins, both contestants attempt to kick each other until one contestant falls outside the ring or can no longer continue. This "game" is not as popular today, and is perhaps one of the fundamental training exercises in Pananjakman. Finally, Pananjakman is frequently paired with Panantukan to create a complete fighting system. The kicking art serves to distract the opponent while the punching art incapacitates him. Alternatively, the punching art can distract the opponent or neutralise his attacks while the kicking art cripples the attackers mobility.

http://www.black-eagle.org/pananjakman.htm

technorati tags: martial arts,karate ,tai chi

Kombatan

2007-03-27T17:19:00.000-04:00

Kombatan is a Filipino martial arts system. The head and founder of the system is Ernesto Presas. The style is known for its double stick techniques but features other stick and blade techniques, as well as empty-hand methods.

Ernesto A. Presas Sr. was born in the coastal town of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental on 1945-04-20. At age 8 he began his martial arts training under his father, Jose Presas, a well known escrima practitioner at that time. He went on to be an athlete in his college years, participating in various sports. His training in the martial arts is eclectic, having studied judo, jujutsu, karate, and various forms of Filipino and Japanese weaponry. He is currently a Lakan Sampu (10th Dan) in arnis and Mano Mano (hand to hand combat) and holds a Lakan Walo (8th Dan) in Philippine Weaponry.

Remy and Ernesto Presas both recognized that the classical arts of their country were losing their appeal and therefore slowly dying. Both sought to modernize the native arts into an effective fighting system that would be appealing to martial arts students living in modern Filipino society. Their dream to re-introduce his native arts led to the development of Modern Arnis. Ernesto Presas would later re-christen his version of the art Kombatan.

In 1970 he began to teach the Filipino martial arts in the University of the Philippines and Lyceum of the Philippines. Later other classes expanded to the University of Santo Tomas, Central Colleges of the Philippines, the Far Eastern Military Academy, Philippine National Police Academy and the Philippines Air Force Officer's School. Also in 1970 he was invited to Japan at Expo '70' to demonstrate Arnis. He quickly earned the respect of many of the Japanese masters who called his Art Filipino Kendo. After returning home, with the help of his friend Frederico Lazo, he opened his first club. Later he formed the Modern Arnis Association of the Philippines International and the ARJUKEN (which stands for Arnis, Jujutsu, Kendo) Karate Association to formally spread the art within the Philippines. In 1975 he founded the International Philippine Martial Arts Federation (IPMAF) and began to spread the Filipino art to the outside world. In time his Arnis Presas Style and techniques became widely accepted and adopted by countries in Europe, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Puerto Rico. He has also published numerous books and videos and has been featured on the cover of Inside Kung Fu magazine with the title "Ernesto Presas: The Father of Mano-Mano" (which art he created).

technorati tags: martial arts,karate ,tai chi ,judo ,muay thai ,kick boxing,aikido ,kung fu ,tai chi chuan ,ninjitsu ,shaolin kung fu,sambo,wing chun kung fu

Kali Sikaran

2007-03-24T15:53:00.000-04:00

Kali Sikaran is a Filipino martial art.

The art of Kali has its roots in the ancient Filipino history dating back to before the Majapahit Empire, which dominated South East Asia during the 5th and 6th centuries. The art was used against the Spaniards in their attempts to conquer the islands. The famous Ferdinand Magellan was defeated by the national hero Lapu Lapu that was an ancestor of today's arts.

The Spanish occupation lasted for more than 400 years and influenced the art a lot with the Spanish fencing. Kali is also known by names such as Eskrima or Arnis. Because of all the different dialects, there are many different names. Sikaran is influenced by the concept of the old bodyguards at the Majapahit Kingdom. They were the best fighters from Southeast Asia. Everything from Thaiboxing, Pentjac Silat to Kali, among many other arts, are included in the system. Sikaran is the empty hand transfer from the principles of the weapon art of Kali. Therefore, Kali has many similarities with other martial arts, notably Silat and Kuntao. Kali development in the Philippines was influenced by the conquest of the Spanish who prohibited the carrying of weapons. This in turn led to the development of the stick fighting element where the bladed arts were trained in secret, using the stick and, where possible, the blade.

Kali Sikaran has its roots in the martial arts of The Philippines and the South East Asian countries. Kali Sikaran is a member and one of the principle styles of the IKAEF, the international Kali Arnis and Eskrima Federation. Kali Sikaran has members, clubs and organizations in over 20 countries.

The training concepts of Kali Sikaran are unique to the system. They are based on Panantukan (Filipino Boxing), Sikaran (Filipino Kickboxing), Stick fighting, Daga (Knife Fighting Training), Kadena De Mano (Close Quarters Range) and Dumog (Grappling). In Kali Sikaran these concepts are woven together into a complete and very effective fighting system. Any improvement in one aspect of the system will accelerate change and immediately enhance another. In a combination of empty hand training and weapons training, the practitioner will develop speed, coordination, stamina, strength and reflexes that support self-defense and fighting skills. The Kali Sikaran practitioner is trained to be able to adapt to any given situation.

technorati tags: martial-arts, karate, silat, health, movies, sports, self defense, thai, novel, recreation

Jendo

2007-03-21T14:30:00.000-04:00

Jendo is a Filipino martial art that utilizes empty hand, sticks and bladed weapons as a means of self-defense. Jendo originated in Mandaluyong, a small city located in the central part of Luzon Island of the Philippines. It was founded by Jonathan Makiling. In 1996, Jendo was one of the very few martial arts able to pass the screening and requirements of the Philippine Sports Commission as an original Filipino Arts. Although the art passed and registered in 1996, it has existed since 1973. It was based on Jonathan's original concept of Tri-Force or the Tres-Energias (Tatlong-Lakas).

technorati tags: martial-arts, karate, silat, health, movies, sports, self defense, thai, novel, recreation

Espada 'y' Daga

2007-03-20T16:08:00.000-04:00

Espada 'y' Daga is a discipline of Eskrima and the Filipino martial arts (FMA) believed to be influenced by Fencing, in particular the Spanish style of Sabre and Dagger used by the Conquestadors who invaded the Philippine islands in the 16th Century, and not the Rapier and Dagger styles used for dueling and self defence purposes by the Spanish upper classes as was once believed.

It is believed that the indigenous peoples who were sympathetic to the Spanish rulers were enlisted into the Spanish forces to help fend off regular invasions from the Muslim pirates from Mindanao and Sulu. Once recruited into the garrisons it is believed the Spanish Friars and commanders taught their fighting skills to the native recruits, who in turn adapted this style of fighting and combined it with their own indigenous fighting skills.

Espada 'y' Daga is originally a Spanish term literally translated as "sword and dagger"; this discipline of the FMA focuses on engaging an opponent(s) in close (Corto), mid (Medio) and long (Larga / Largo) ranges.

Typically the stronger or dominant hand (usually the right hand) will hold the long weapon (sword or stick) and in many styles will serve as the primary weapon. The weaker hand (usually the left hand), or off-hand, wields the short weapon (dagger/knife) and is used for both offense (thrusting and sliding) and defense (blocking, checking and locking).

Training typically begins with drills teaching coordination of the two weapons in striking and checking patterns. The incorporation of footwork, body angling, locking, and takedowns are normally added once the student(s) have demonstrated competence in their application of the basic patterns/sets.

Training Espada 'y' Daga is generally precipitated by solo baston (single stick) and/or doble Baston (double stick), with mano mano (empty hands) and dumog (wrestling) being taught to advanced students. The number and variation of the disciplines taught will vary by guro (teacher) and/or school/style.

The Cabales Serrada Eskrima and Doce Pares Eskrima styles are well known for their focus on their teaching of Espada y Daga. In particular the San Miguel Eskrima of the late Momoy Canete is considered to be one of the oldest styles of Espada 'y' Daga taught today.

Many other styles have been known to teach Espada 'y' Daga in their curriculum with the degree of focus on the subject varying from style to style.

martial arts

Eskrima / Escrima

2007-03-17T15:29:00.000-04:00

Eskrima or Escrima refers to a class of Filipino martial arts that emphasize stick and sword fighting. Other terms which have entered into common usage include Kali and Arnis de Mano (harness of the hand); occasionally the abbreviation FMA (Filipino Martial Arts) is used. Eskrima and Arnis are among the many names primarily used in the Philippines today to refer to these arts. The name Kali, although primarily used in the United States and Europe, is seldom used in the Philippines and in most cases is an unknown word. But due to the popularity of the term outside of the Philippines and the influence of foreign practitioners, the term Kali is increasingly being recognized and accepted in the Philippines. Kalis, as used in the Philippines, refers to a sword. It is commonly mistaken as synonymous to or a derivative form of kali (note: postfixing of "s" is not used in Filipino languages or dialects to indicate plurality). However, for all intents and purposes, Eskrima, Arnis, Arnis de Mano, Kali and FMA all refer to the same family of Filipino weapons-based martial arts.

The teaching of the basic skills in FMA are traditionally simplified. With limited time to teach flashy and intricate techniques, only skills that were proven effective in battle and could easily be taught en masse were used. This allowed villagers, generally not professional soldiers, a measure of protection against other villages, as well as foreign invaders. This philosophy of simplicity is still used today and is the underlying base of the FMA.

Because of this approach, the FMA are often mistakenly considered to be "simple" fighting arts. However, this refers only to its systematization, not effectiveness. To the contrary, beyond the basic skills lies a very complex structure and a refined skillset that takes years to master.

Many different systems of Eskrima exist and can trace their origins to a single tribe or region. Some of the most famous systems from and in the Philippines are Lightning Scientific Arnis International/Lema Scientific Kali-Arnis System (LSAI/LESKAS), Pekiti Tirsia Kali, San Miguel Eskrima, Doce Pares, Balintawak, Modern Arnis, Kalis Illustrisimo/Bakbakan, while in the United States the Inayan System of Eskrima, Sayoc Kali, Cabales Serrada Eskrima, Lameco Eskrima and Dog Brothers Martial Art are popular.

Practitioners of these arts are noted for their ability to fight with weapons or empty hands interchangeably. Most Eskrima systems include fighting with a variety of weapons, striking with hands and feet (suntukan, sikaran, tadyakan/tadiyakan), grappling and throwing (dumog), biting and whatever skills needed to complete a warrior's training in the old days of tribal warfare. Perhaps the only major fields that have not been given as much emphasis as in the past in modern eskrima training today are skills needed for fighting effectively in groups and hilot - a Filipino system of first aid, healing, massage, and herbal medicine traditionally taught alongside eskrima but that has now virtually disappeared.

In most systems, skills with weapons and with empty hands (unarmed) are developed concurrently using training methods designed to emphasize their common elements. The most common variations used are single stick (solo baston), double stick (double baston) and sword/stick and dagger (espada y daga). Some systems are known to specialise in other weapons such as the whip and staff.

An eskrimador, kalista or mangangali (as some modern practitioners called themselves) is a practitioner of Eskrima, while Arnisador is also used for the variant name Arnis.

martial arts

Dumog

2007-03-16T12:58:00.000-04:00

Dumog is the term used in Eskrima to refer to wrestling techniques. A specific system of Filipino wrestling, Buno, is considered by some to be more advanced. "Combat Judo" is another local name.

The term "dumog" is also used in the Philippines to describe dogs, kids or drunk people wrestling around without any skill (brawling).

In general, dumog is a basic Filipino technique that is often taught along with Silat, Kali, and Arnis styles. A dumog technique encompasses a variety of pushes, pulls, weight shifts and joint locks designed to "move" the opponent. It is a term used to describe a technique that creates a quick change in weight or force which is very similar to the soft styles of martial arts such aikido. The core of the technique is to utilize your own and the attacker's own body weight to force them to try to regain their balance. An example of this sort of dumog could be seen by a fighter defending himself from an attacker trying to clinch (like a Muay Thai style clinch). The fighter would grab his other arm inside the joint of an opponent attempting to clinch him and drop his weight downward immediately. The sudden shift of weight forces the opponent to temporarily be pulled forward which could potentially expose an opening for a counterattack such as a headbutt or even another dumog technique to push their weight back as they attempt to correct themselves.

These techniques can often be performed just as easily with a weapon such as a sword or an eskrima stick. (e.g. replace grabbing your own arm with grabbing the other end of an eskrima stick.)

Cinco Teros

2007-03-14T18:35:00.000-04:00

Cinco Teros or Cincosh Teroesh ("Five Strikes") refers to the five most basic strikes in eskrima, which is a class of Filipino martial arts that emphasizes staff and sword fighting.

The art is composed of the four basic cuts and one basic thrust. There are varied patterns for the strikes depending upon the teacher or in the system. However, the Cinco Teros is believed to have originated in Pangasinan, Philippines.

Cinco Teros commonly utilizes an "X" pattern in attacking the opponent, but some methods employ patterns resembling a "+" while others use stiking patterns that emulate a "V".

The most common pattern for the Cinco Teros are as follows:

Downward diagonal forehanded Slash.
Downward Diagonal Backhanded Slash.
Horizontal Forehand Slash.
Horizontal Backhand Slash.
Straight Thrust.
The Cinco Teros is based upon angles of attack, not specific targets. This allows the practitioner to apply any one of the five striking angles to any target they choose. For example, the fifth strike, which consists of a straight thrust, does not necessarily need to be targeted towards the belly. While it can be targeted towards the belly, it can also be targeted to the throat, the heart, or the eye. Instead of tediuously taking the time to learn individual angles for individual targets, the angles of attack can be applied to any target that is available.

The strength of the Cinco Teros lies in its simplicity. While many systems of Eskrima may have seven, twelve, or seventeen angles of attack, the Cinco Teros are often sufficient for developing combative knowledge and efficiency in the shortest amount of time possible.

Filipino wrestling: Buno

2007-03-12T23:09:00.000-04:00

Buno is a system of Filipino wrestling like Dumog, but it's said to be more refined than Dumog and utilizing the force of the attacker instead of putting force against force.

The term "buno" is also used in Filipino to describe people killing each other.

San Soo

2007-03-10T15:25:00.001-05:00

San Soo is a form of Chinese martial arts.

San Soo has its origins in the very basics of Chinese life two thousand years ago. These fighting tactics were begun in the Kwan-Yin (goddess of mercy) monastery in the village of Pon Hong, Guangdong Province of Southern China. It is said that the monks developed this form of martial arts to protect themselves from bandits and outlaws as they returned with supplies and donations from the nearby villages as well as to maintain their physical fitness. Combinations of kicks, punches, strikes and leverages are based on scientific principles of physics. It follows no set pattern, and is easy to adapt to any given situation.

Grandmaster Jimmy Woo (Chin Siu Dek) is credited with bringing the art to America in the 1930's, finally opening his own studio to teach formally in 1962.

San Soo is not a tournament sport. San Soo incorporates techniques that can remove a threat as quickly and effectively as possible being as it is a combative art. Typical moves during a fight could include blows to the throat, upward blows to the nose, or kicking to the groin, all of which are customarily banned from tournament fighting.

The application of proper technique is paramount for San Soo. This paradigm can be used effectively by smaller, weaker persons against large assailants, as it does not rely on brute force. Therefore, San Soo is useful to women in rape prevention and self-defense. A basic premise of San Soo is there are "no rules in a fight" and hence it is an extremely brutal form of hand-to-hand combat. The swiftness of neutralizing an opponent is another aspect of this paradigm, with some practitioners aiming to end a fight within ten seconds, using merely three blows.

San Soo is an efficient form of hand to hand combat, but this doesn't preclude its practitioners from having respect for human life. This point is demonstrated with a quote from Jimmy H. Woo, “The art of San Soo does not lie in victory or defeat, but in building human character

Sanshou

2007-03-08T16:49:00.001-05:00

Sanshou (Chinese: 散手, lit. free hand) or Sanda (Chinese: 散打, lit. free fighting) is a modern Chinese hand to hand combat, self-defense system, and combat sport. Not seen as an independent style, it is rather considered just one of the components of Chinese martial arts and is normally taught alongside other wushu. The term Sanda has a longer history and is more commonly used. Sanshou was the official name given to the martial art when it was formalized and standardized by the Chinese government. Later the official name reverted back to Sanda.

It is composed of some aspects of traditional martial arts fighting styles in China, but mainly based on scientific one on one combat efficiency. Sanshou is composed of Chinese martial arts applications including most aspects of combat including striking and grappling. Sanda tournaments are one of the two sport wushu disciplines recognized by the International Wushu Federation.

Sanshou's history involved barehanded or "lei tai" fights in which no rules existed. However, as a competitive event sanshou developed in the military as these bouts were commonly held between the soldiers to test and practise barehanded martial skills, ability and techniques. Rules were developed and the use of protective gloves etc. was adopted. It was originally used by the nationalist party (KMT) at the first modern military academy in Whampoa in the 1920's. Later it was also adopted as a method by the People's Liberation Army of China.

One can see Sanshou as a synthesis of traditional Chinese kung fu fighting techniques into a more amorphous system and is commonly taught alongside traditional Chinese styles which Sanshou techniques, theory and training methods are derived from. The emphasis of Sanshou is on realistic fighting ability.

As an unarmed self-defense system, Sanshou includes punches, kicks and grappling (throws, locks, chokes)

Kuen-Do

2007-03-07T11:52:00.000-05:00

Kuen-Do (拳道) literally means "the way of the fist." However, in the intended Chinese term, the character "fist" is also synonymous with "style of martial art" and "martial art" itself. The hyphenated term specifically refers to the system founded by Randy Tay, a Singaporean and one of the foremost authorities on the Cho Ga lineage of Wing Chun, a version more popular in South East Asia.

Kuen-Do requires understanding through experience and guidance in a dynamic process, as opposed to the usual transmission of knowledge found in most other systems. Of course, effectiveness in combat is essential, however Sifu Randy Tay also believes that martial arts is a lifelong discipline that transcends physical combat. For this reason, Kuen-Do stresses the development of physical efficiency, mindfulness, and insight through challenging training sessions.

Often mistaken as a hybrid martial art, Kuen-Do is based on some concepts of Wing Chun, while other influences include Kyokushin Karate, Goju-Ryu Karate, Muay Thai (or Thai-style boxing), Hapkido, Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and Daito-ryu aiki-jujutsu, as well as the Theravada school of Buddhism, which stresses critical thinking and personal cultivation.

Today, Kuen-Do is practised in Singapore (where it was founded), Australia, Japan, Canada, and recently in the USA (2003).

Jing Quan Do

2007-03-05T20:26:00.001-05:00

Jing Quan Do is a modern synthetic martial arts style created by Alex Tao (Tao Zhong Xian) of Shandong province. Also known as China's Police Combat Method, this style is a combination of different Chinese martial art styles designed for practical applications. Tao is now based in Southern California.

Do Pi Kung Fu

2007-03-03T13:18:00.000-05:00

Do Pi, "style of the way", is a southern style of Kung Fu founded by the late Chan Dau in the Yung Kay district of Canton in the late 1930s. Chan was a student of Yu Mui (Hung Gar), monks at a nearby temple (Hop Gar) and Charn the Fist-Monger (Choy Li Fut, student of Wong Fay Hung). He established a school in Canton and later at the Sham Shui Po district of Kowloon, Hong Kong. The tradition is continued today by Chan Ching in Hong Kong, and by Lok So and Paul Chan in Toronto, Canada.

The style is a combination of Hung Gar, Choy Li Fut and Hop Gar. Some of the sets of this style include Drunken Eight Fairies and Drunken Fan.

http://www.hongluck.org/

Zui Quan

2007-03-02T11:44:00.000-05:00

Zui Quan (Traditional and Simplified Chinese: 醉拳; pinyin: Zuì Quán, literally Drunken Fist, also known as Drunken Boxing or Drunkard's Boxing) is a traditional Chinese martial art. It is a style of wushu that imitates a drunkard in its movements. The postures are created by momentum and weight of the body, and imitation is generally through staggering and certain type of fluidity in the movements. It is considered to be among the more difficult wushu styles to learn due to the need for powerful joints and fingers. Zui Quan is sometimes called Zuijiuquan (醉酒拳, literally "drunken alcohol fist").

'Drunken Boxing' techniques are based on the legend of the 'The Eight Drunken Immortals' of the Taoist Sect from Chinese Mythology. Each of the techniques in the Drunken Set demonstrates an attribute of one of the Immortals. These "elements" from all eight Immortals' styles are combined to form a beautiful and effective fighting art.

Drunken boxing includes almost everything contained in any other kung-fu style and above all that it contains a deceptive philosophy. As the pugilist staggers about, he or she is concentrating on creating momentum and avoiding attacks with the style's trademark unorthodox adaptive moves; for example, if someone is going to push the pugilist, he or she rolls over his arms and hits him, and sometimes sinks his or her weight upon him, according to the situation.

The secret behind Drunken style kung fu is the sudden release of power from awkward positions. The agile footwork enables the exponent to totter, sway and fall without harm, confusing his opponent, rising up on the tips of his toes then dropping to low, crouched positions. The hand-form which is readily identified with the Drunken style is the Cup-Holding hand-form.

There are two kinds of Drunken Boxing, traditional and contemporary. Traditional Drunken Boxing is fight oriented. Contemporary Wushu Drunken Boxing is acrobatic and is very different from the Traditional Drunken Boxing. Contemporary Wushu exaggerates its drunken appearance, so much so that anyone actually under the influence of alcohol would have a tough time performing such actions. Traditional Drunken Boxing also involves stumbling and staggering, but not to such an extreme as Contemporary Wushu Drunken Boxing.

Yiquan

2007-03-01T12:19:00.001-05:00

Yiquan ("Mind Boxing"), also known as dachengquan ("Great Achievement Boxing"), is a martial art system which was founded by the famous Chinese xingyiquan master, Wang Xiangzhai . Having learnt xingyiquan with Guo Yun Shen in his childhood, Wang Xiangzhai became a skilled fighter, who spent years travelling all over China, meeting and comparing skills with masters of various styles of kung fu. In the middle of the 1920s, he came to the conclusion that xingyiquan too often was taught wrong, with too much emphasis on 'outer form', neglecting the essence of true martial power. And so he worked to return to what he felt was the true essence of the art using a different name, without the 'xing' (meaning form), and began teaching and practicing it accordingly. Unlike most other martial arts, yiquan is essentially formless, containing no fixed sets of fighting movements or techniques. Instead, focus is put on developing ones natural movement and fighting abilities through a system of training methods and concepts, working to improve the perception of one's body, its movement, and of force. Another thing that sets yiquan apart from other eastern martial arts, is that traditional concepts, like qi, meridians, dan tien etc. eventually were discarded to make place for new explanations and ideas rooted in Western science, medicine and psychology. Much of this came about due to one of Wang Xiangzhai's key philosophies, which was that yiquan was a science of martial arts, and that there always would be room for improvement. If new methods or explanations are found that help produce better results faster, they should be adopted.

In 1939 an invitation was published, by Wang, in a Beijing newspaper for all martial arts masters to come and exchange experiences and ideas, which usually ended up in comparing skills. If anyone was to fight with Wang, though, they would first have to defeat one of four students he had appointed to fight for him, which no one who answered the challenge did.

Yiquan seems to have been influenced by various other arts that Wang was exposed to, include Fujian hèquán and bāguàzhǎng.

martial arts

Eagle Claw

2007-02-28T11:16:00.000-05:00

The traditional Chinese martial art known as Eagle Claw (Ying Jow Pai ) is one of the oldest and most complex of the surviving Northern Shaolin kung fu systems. Along with the long strikes and kicks that typify Northern systems, the Eagle Claw system is distinguished by its powerful gripping techniques and intricate system of locks, takedowns, and pressure point strikes, which represent one of the oldest forms of the Chinese grappling known as Chin Na.

The Eagle Claw system is taught differently by different teachers and different branches. Because Eagle Claw was primarily taught through the Ching Mo Association, training generally includes a number of standard northern kung fu forms and techniques taught to all practitioners at the Association, alongside the elements specific to the Eagle Claw system.

The system includes fist forms, weapon forms, partner sets, and the 108 locking hand techniques. The range of traditional Chinese weapons are covered, including the long staff, spear, double pointed spear, kwan do (or halberd), saber, sword, hooked swords, three-section staff, daggers, fan, short stick, and chain or whip.

Many people today study martial arts primarily as sport or exercise, for fun or health. Even so, Eagle Claw’s main historical emphasis has been on fighting. In particular, its seizing and locking techniques have genuine value for self-defense in close encounters. However, the antiquated weaponry of ancient China has little to no value for modern military practice and is unlikely to come in handy in a self-defense situation. Instead, weapons training has become more performance-oriented and a way to build strength and coordination. That said, with a proper understanding of handling weaponry it is perfectly possible to translate the weapon practices of a system such as this to almost any everyday object with great effectiveness. An emphasis on the understanding of weapon handling in this context can be found in the art of ninjutsu where it is of vital importance to be adaptable to any situation.

While many Eagle Claw practitioners do participate in martial arts competitions, the range of techniques they can use in actual sport sparring are limited. Most of the techniques that characterize Eagle Claw, such as grabs for the throat and joints, are banned in sport sparring. Forms practice, however, is one place where Eagle Claw practitioners can excel, since its acrobatic flips and jumping kicks give the performer plenty of opportunity to display his or her skill.

Yau Kung Moon

2007-02-27T10:39:00.001-05:00

Yau Kung Moon (also Yau Kung Mun and YKM) is a Southern Chinese martial art that originated in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) with a Shaolin monk named Ding Yang (~800 AD) and is closely related to Bak Mei.

The name is Cantonese and roughly translates to "the style of flexible power". The Hong Kong and US schools usually use the romanization "Yau Kung Moon" or "Yau Kung Mon", whereas the Australian schools use the romanization "Yau Kung Mun".

During the 1960s, two of Grandmaster Ha Kwok Cheung's top disciples, Wong Cheung, Wan Tak Kei immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong... Master Wong in San Francisco and Master Wan in Los Angeles.

Master Wong and Master Wan passed on their art and knowledge to their top disciples, Bill Lee, Loi Lok Fu, Lok Sang Lee, Michael Lau, David Louie, and Bob Gin. In 2000, Sifu Lok Sang Lee promoted two of his top students to the rank of Sifu, Susan Yee and Richard Ow.

Xingyiquan

2007-02-26T13:18:00.000-05:00

Xingyiquan is one of the three major internal Chinese martial arts—the other two being T'ai Chi Ch'üan and Baguazhang—and is characterised by aggressive, seemingly linear movements and explosive power.

Xingyiquan features aggressive shocking attacks and direct footwork. The linear nature of Xingyiquan hints at both the military origins and the influence of spear technique alluded to in its mythology. Despite its hard, angular appearance, cultivating "soft" internal strength or qi is essential to achieving power in Xingyiquan.

The goal of the Xingyiquan fighter is to reach the opponent quickly and drive powerfully through them in a single burst — the analogy with spear fighting is useful here. This is achieved by coordinating one's body as a single unit and the intense focusing of one's qi.

Efficiency and economy of movement are the qualities of a Xingyiquan fighter and its direct fighting philosophy advocates simultaneous attack and defense. There are few kicks except for an extremely low foot kick (which avoids the hazards of balance involved with higher kicks), and techniques are prized for their deadliness rather than aesthetic value. Xingyiquan favours a high stance called Sāntǐshì, literally "three bodies power," referring to how the stance holds the head, torso and feet along the same vertical plane. A common saying of Xingyiquan is that "the hands do not leave the heart and the elbows do not leave the ribs." Another characteristic common to many styles of XingYi is a stance called "Dragon Body". This is a forward stance similar to a bow stance with a straight line from the head to the heel of the back foot and the front foot perpendicular to the ground. This is not so much a separate stance or technique in itself as a principle of movement to provide power to techniques.

It is worth noting the use of the Santishi as the main stance and training method originated from Li Luoneng's branch of Xingyi. Early branches such as Dai family style do not use Santi as the primary stance nor as a training method.

martial arts

Wu-Tang quan

2007-02-24T22:52:00.000-05:00

Wǔdāngquán , also known as Wu-Tang quan, is a family of Chinese martial arts known more generally as nèijiā. The name refers to the Wudang Mountains of Hubei Province, which are known for their many Taoist temples.

In 1669, Huang Zongxi was the first to describe Chinese martial arts in terms of a Wudang or "internal" school versus a Shaolin or "external" school.

Internal or "soft" styles of Chinese martial art are sometimes referred to as Wudang styles regardless of whether they originated in or were developed in the temples of the Wudang Mountains, just as external or "hard" styles are sometimes called Shaolin regardless of whether the individual style traces its origins to the Shaolin tradition or not.

Wudangquan incorporates yin-yang theory from the I Ching as well as the Five Elements of Taoist cosmology: water, earth, fire, wood, and metal. Animal imagery is evident in some of their practices. These motions are trained to be combined and coordinated with the neigong breathing to develop nei jin, internal power, for both offensive and defensive purposes.

Wudangquan is known for its weapons training and is famous for its jian (Chinese straight sword) techniques.

Wing Chun

2007-02-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

Wing Chun occasionally romanized as "Ving Tsun" or "Wing Tsun" ( literally "spring chant" and alternatively as "forever spring", or substituted with the character for "eternal springtime") is a Chinese martial art that emphasizes short-range combat.

Wing Chun believes in using the least amount of required force in any fighting situation. It believes that small movements, properly timed and correctly positioned, can and should be used to defeat large movements. This is achieved through balance, body structure and relaxation. The Chinese saying "4 taels to move 1000 catties" (referring to an old Chinese measurement system) is appropriate here in describing how a small amount of force, precisely applied, can deflect large and powerful attacks.

Wing Chun prefers deflection and counterattack to hard blocking to conserve movements. Rather than blocking and attacking on two separate beats, a Wing Chun practitioner will either block and punch on the same beat, or block with a punch, known as the Intercepting Fist (Cutting Arm). The punch acts as a block as a consequence of the structure and the position of the arm travelling along its triangular "power-line" pathway to the opponents "Core". This means that the opponents attack is automatically deflected by the arm-structure of the Wing Chun practitioner as the counter-punch is delivered.

The "structure" in the arm which permits this deflection to occur is controlled through the correct focus of energy from the "elbow" to the "core". If the direction of the counter-attack is not correctly aligned the Wing Chun practitioner will lose the "forwarding" power which may result in the deflection failing and allowing the attacking punch to make its target.

In addition to efficiency being understood as the "shortest distance to the opponents core" (which relates specifically to the speed of attack/counter-attack), it is also important to understand the importance of energy efficiency within Wing Chun. A weaker person using Wing Chun is said to be able to defeat a stronger person because they are able to use their muscles effectively and not exhaust themselves through tense motions. Given this, it is essential in ensuring only the minimal use of energy is required by the Wing Chun practitioner - any deviation from the "power-line" uses additional muscles in the shoulders which causes fatigue very quickly. This deviation removes the Wing Chun practitioners advantage since their "structure" will no longer carry the full force of their body weight behind the punch. So the conclusion of the fight will not be determined by the opponent with the stronger arms and shoulders

Tongbeiquan

2007-02-22T11:53:00.001-05:00

Tongbeiquan ("passing through back fist,") is a style of Chinese martial arts supposedly created in the Song Dynasty by General Han Tong .The term passing through arm/back refers to Fa Jing or explosive power. It is a Northern style form in the same family of styles as fanziquan and piguaquan.

The strength in Tongbeiquan comes from the swift swaying movements of the arms. To be effective, the shoulders must be completely relaxed, and the upper body must lean towards the target when striking, albeit without losing uprightness. Agility and flexibility are key to the mastering of this form, but great physical strength is not.

Tien Shan Pai

2007-02-21T14:27:00.000-05:00

Tien Shan Pai (天山派) is a northern style of Kung-fu which originated in the Tien Shan mountains of northwestern China. At the same time it also contains graceful empty-hand and weapons forms. It stresses rhythm, the demonstration of power accentuated by solid thuds made by the hands, the emitting of power from the entire body, the coordination of the hands and feet as well as blocks and strikes, high kicks and low sweeps, as well as locking and throwing techniques. Tien Shan Pai self-defense is characterized by angular attacks coupled with multiple blocks. If one block fails, the second can cover. Footwork is considered essential to countering attacks. Tien Shan Pai focuses on low and steady steps to the side, along with swift "hidden" steps to trick the opponent. Paired boxing forms and exercises are emphasized for timing and accurate evaluation of distance in reference to a moving, responsive adversary.

Tán Tuǐ

2007-02-20T10:29:00.001-05:00

Tán Tuǐ (Chinese: 彈腿; literally "springing legs") is a martial arts routine based on kicks. Created in Northern China by Chinese Muslims, tan tui is composed of a series of forms, which emphasize blocking, stances, footwork, and most of all, kicks. Tan tui exists as a style on its own, but is commonly used as a basic form for styles like Chāquán.

Tan tui as a form is a famous northern wushu form and has several variations due to its incorporation into various styles and characteristics of the form also vary. These styles include Northern Praying Mantis, Chángquán, and Northern Shaolin as well as many other minor styles and systems.

The tan tui routines consist of "roads" or parts that divide the form and vary from variation to variation of the form. Originally tan tui consisted of 28 roads that were based on the 28 characters of the Arabic alphabet and was later summarised. Today the most common variations of tan tui are the 10 and 12 road tan tui.

Springing Leg forms have a long History in China. The 12 roads of this form are the basis for more advanced material in the Long Fist system. This form improves your fighting skills, balance, strength, and focus, thus, Tan Tui contains the basic skills and flexibility drills required in advanced forms. In some Schools, Tan Tui is taught as the first form to build the skills necessary to advance in the system. It has been stated that if a new student doesn't find the Tan Tui form challenging that he or she will not like the Long Fist style of Kung Fu. Tan Tui is deep rooted in China’s Hui Muslim community. One such reference to the Islamic influence is the posture of holding one punch out in front of body as a punch is thrown to the rear with the other hand. The Body is turned sideways so that both the front and the rear punches reach maximum range. Besides being a good exercise to train the fighter to get full shoulder and body trust behind each punch, like a good Boxer, it also is a giveaway that the form has a Muslim history. Kung fu forms that use this posture came from China's Muslim community.

Tai Chi Chuan

2007-02-19T09:57:00.000-05:00

Tai Chi Chuan, T'ai Chi Ch'üan or Taijiquan (Traditional Chinese: 太極拳; Simplified Chinese: 太极拳; pinyin: Tàijíquán; literally "supreme ultimate fist"), commonly known as Tai Chi, T'ai Chi, or Taiji, is an internal Chinese martial art. There are different styles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, although most modern schools can trace their development to the system originally taught by the Chen family to the Yang family starting in 1820. It is often promoted and practiced as a martial arts therapy for the purposes of health and longevity, (some recent medical studies support its effectiveness). T'ai Chi Ch'uan is considered a soft style martial art, an art applied with as much deep relaxation or "softness" in the musculature as possible, to distinguish its theory and application from that of the hard martial art styles which use a degree of tension in the muscles.

Variations of T'ai Chi Ch'uan's basic training forms are well known as the slow motion routines that groups of people practice every morning in parks across China and other parts of the world. Traditional T'ai Chi training is intended to teach awareness of one's own balance and what affects it, awareness of the same in others, an appreciation of the practical value in one's ability to moderate extremes of behavior and attitude at both mental and physical levels, and how this applies to effective self-defense principles.

Southern Praying Mantis

2007-02-17T12:12:00.000-05:00

Despite its name, the Southern Praying Mantis style of Chinese martial arts is unrelated to the Northern Praying Mantis style. Southern Praying Mantis is instead related most closely to fellow Hakka styles such as Dragon and more distantly to the Fujian family of styles that includes Fujian White Crane, Five Ancestors, and Wing Chun.

Southern Praying Mantis is a close range fighting system that places much emphasis on short power and has aspects of both internal and external techniques.

As in other southern styles, the arms are the main weapon, with kicks usually limited to the hip and under. Emphasis is placed on strengthening and lengthening the arms.

When an extended arm has strength, it allows the practitioner to move about faster since his arms don't need to recoil or move back for more strength, like in boxing or many other fighting systems.

Like Wing Chun and Xingyiquan—other styles created as pure fighting arts—Southern Praying Mantis has relatively no aesthetic value, unlike its northern counterpart and many other styles.

Southern Praying Mantis is informed by traditional Chinese medicine, in particular the concept of meridians, which it uses for dim mak and tui na.

Snake Kung Fu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2007-02-16T10:43:00.000-05:00

There are several Chinese martial arts known as Snake Boxing or Snake Style (literally "snake fist") which imitate the movements of snakes. Proponents claim that adopting the fluidity of snakes allows them to entwine with their opponents in defense and strike them from angles they wouldn't expect in offense. Snake style is said to especially lend itself to applications with the Chinese straight sword. The snake is also one of the animals imitated in Baguazhang and Xingyiquan. The sinuous, fluid motion of the snake lends itself to the practical theory that underlies the "soft" martial arts.
Different snake styles imitate different movements of snakes. Some, for example, imitate the Cobra, while others imitate the python, while some schools imitate both for different applications. There are two unrelated, Northern and Southern snake styles.
The style gained prominence in Jacky Chan's film Snake in the Eagle's Shadow It is the fighting style used by the video game character Christie from the Dead or Alive fighting game series. In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance and Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Snake is the primary fighting style of Shang Tsung. In Mortal Kombat: Deception, however, Havik uses Snake as his primary fighting style.

Shuai jiao

2007-02-15T08:47:00.000-05:00

Shuai jiao is the modern Chinese term for wrestling. In a Western context, the term refers specifically to Chinese and Mongolian styles of wrestling. These styles have a long history and have undergone several changes in both name and form.

The earliest Chinese term for wrestling, "jǐao dǐ" (horn butting), refers to an ancient sport in which contestants wore horned headgear with which they attempted to butt their opponents. Legend states that "jiao di" was used in 2697 BCE by the Yellow Emperor's army to gore the soldiers of a rebel army led by Chi You. In later times, young people would play a similar game, emulating the contests of domestic cattle, without the headgear. Jiao di has been described as an originating source of wrestling and latter forms of martial arts in China.

"Jiao li" was a grappling martial art that was developed in the Zhou Dynasty (between the twelfth and third century BCE). An official part of Zhou military's training program under the order of the king[3][4], jiao li is generally considered to be the oldest existing Chinese martial art and is among the oldest systematic martial arts in the world. Jiao li supplemented throwing techniques with strikes, blocks, joint locks and attacks on pressure points. These exercises were practiced in the winter by soldiers who also practiced archery and studied military strategy.

Jiao li eventually became a public sport in the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BCE), held for court amusement as well as for recruiting the best fighters. Competitors wrestled each other on a raised platform called a "leitai" for the potential reward of being hired as a bodyguard to the emperor or a martial arts instructor for the Imperial Military. Some contests would last a week or so, with over a thousand participants. Jiao li was taught to soldiers in China over many centuries and its popularity among the Manchu military guaranteed its influence on later Chinese martial arts through the end of the Qing dynasty.

The term "shuai jiao" was chosen by the Goushu Institute of Nanjing in 1928 when competition rules were standardized. Today, shuai jiao is popular with the Mongols, where it is called "böhke," who hold competitions regularly during cultural events. The art continues to be taught in the police and military academies of China and Taiwan.

Shaolin Kung Fu

2007-02-14T14:29:00.000-05:00

Ever since 1669, when Huang Zongxi first described Chinese martial arts in terms of a Shaolin or "external" school versus a Wudang or "internal" school, "Shaolin" has been used as a synonym for "external" Chinese martial arts regardless of whether or not the particular style in question has any connection to the Shaolin Monastery, especially since 1784, when the Boxing Classic: Essential Boxing Methods made the earliest extant reference to the Shaolin Monastery as Chinese boxing's place of origin.

Moreover, since the beginning of the 17th century, the Shaolin Monastery has been famous enough that martial artists have capitalized on its name by claiming possession of the original, authentic Shaolin teachings.

While sometimes represented in Western films as a mystical or even mythical school of martial arts, actual access to the Shaolin Temple has until recently been restricted to China and visitors to the Temple itself. In the last few years, notably under Abbot Shi Yong Xin, there has been a concerted effort to place teaching monks outside of China in order to spread Shaolin martial arts and as ambassadors of Chinese culture. Official schools have arisen in the USA, UK, Germany, Australia and other countries. There has also been a critically acclaimed stage show, "The Wheel of Life", in which a troupe of monks demonstrates fighting and qìgōng skills within the context of a historic episode from the Temple's history.

The Shaolin Wahnam Institute , with its many subbranches worldwide, has grown since 2000 to become one of the strongest advocates for the use of genuine, traditional Shaolin Kung Fu in combat sparring. This school is based in Malaysia and headed by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit, 4th generation successor of Venerable Jiang Nan of the Southern Shaolin Monastery. His lineage traces back through his previous teacher, Ho Fatt Nam, who was taught by Yang Fatt Khuen, who was, in turn, taught by Ven. Jiang Nan himself.