Muay Thai

 Muay Thai 

It all began

Muay thai is the form of martial art which began its journey from the Kingdom of Thailand more than 2000 years ago. Now it is popularly known as ‘thai boxing’ all over the world. Muaythai is the art of fighting without the use of any weapon.
Thai boxing can be differentiated from the general form of boxing, as it includes the use of hands, elbow, feet and the knee. It’s not only an art of fighting; it is also a form of science, with discipline, knowledge and respect.

Thai boxing is an art which needs to be practiced with proper training. It not only keeps you body in good form and proper shape; it improves your blood circulation and builds up your nervous system. Regular practice enhances the flexibility of the body, which means better use of the bones, muscles, and the tendons in bending and moving the body.

It is very important to be brave in order to practice the Art of Muaythai. One must accept the danger and pain involved in this form of fighting, bravely without any fear. Practicing Muay thai is not only getting physical training but also includes the learning of moral values and disciplines in life. It teaches to be modest, to be confident, to always speak the truth and avoid committing sins in life.

 The music played during the fights

In this form of martial art it is trained to be aware of the weak and the fatal points of the opponent’s body. A fighter can easily defeat the other in less time if he has good knowledge of his weak positions.
One of the unique features in Thai boxing is the music, which is known as the “Sarama”.  It is played before and during the combat session. This Sarama music or the wind music is played before the fight with a ceremony, which the fighter performs to pay his respect and gratitude towards those who insisted and helped him to become a boxer. He thinks of his teacher who trained him with all his knowledge and efforts and of his parents who gave him life. This music helps the boxer to raise his spirits and confidence and make him ready for the real physical combat

 Travel in time

Muay thai has given born to many great fighters who are now known all over the world. Samart Payakaroon is one of the best among legendry muay thai heroes; he held the title of “Baby Face Tiger”. He accomplished both Muay thai and World Super Bantamweight championship in his carrier. One of the most promising muay thai boxer is Buakaw Por  Pramuk. He won the title of K-1 Max World Champion two times till now. First in 2004 at the age of 22 and he reclaimed this title again in 2006. The K-1 Grand Prix is a famous competition which is held in Japan to determine the single best standup fighter in the world. In Atlanta Olympics 1996, Somrak Khamsing is the first Thai boxer who won a gold medal in feather weight class. He is well known, from then for his swiftness and his reflexes. Another Muay thai hero in K-1 world competition Kaoklai Kaennorsing once held the title of K-1 grand prix championship in 2004. He is talented at quick maneuver and effective hit. He was called the giant killer after he beat tougher competitor by his technique.

pictures and information: http://www.muaythai-fighting.com

Kickboxing

What Is Kickboxing?

Although the true roots of kickboxing date back to Asia 2,000 years ago, modern competitive kickboxing actually started in the 1970s, when American karate experts arranged competitions that allowed full-contact kicks and punches that had been banned in karate.
Because of health and safety concerns, padding and protective clothing and safety rules were introduced into the sport over the years, which led to the various forms of competitive kickboxing practiced in the United States today. The forms differ in the techniques used and the amount of physical contact that is allowed between the competitors.

Currently, one popular form of kickboxing is known as aerobic or cardiovascular (cardio) kickboxing, which combines elements of boxing, martial arts, and aerobics to provide overall physical conditioning and toning. Unlike other types of kickboxing, cardio kickboxing does not involve physical contact between competitors — it's a cardiovascular workout that's done because of its many benefits to the body.
Cardio kickboxing classes usually start with 10-15 minutes of warm-ups, which may include stretching and traditional exercises such as jumping jacks and push-ups, followed by a 30-minute kickboxing session that includes movements such as knee strikes, kicks, and punches. Some instructors may use equipment like punching bags or jump ropes.
After this, at least 5 minutes should be devoted to cooling down, followed by about 10 minutes of stretching and muscle conditioning. Stretching is really important because beginners can strain ("pull") their muscles, and slow, proper stretching helps relax muscles and prevent injury.

 Comfort is key 

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows your arms and legs to move easily in all directions. The best shoes are cross-trainers — not tennis shoes — because cross-trainers allow for side-to-side movements. Gloves or hand wraps are sometimes used during classes — you may be able to buy these where your class is held. Give your instructor a call beforehand so you can be fully prepared.

 Start slowly and don't overdo it. 

The key to a good kickboxing workout is controlled movement. Overextending yourself by kicking too high or locking your arms and legs during movements can cause pulled muscles and tendons and sprained knee or ankle joints. Start with low kicks as you slowly learn proper kickboxing technique. This is very important for beginners, who are more prone to developing injuries while attempting quick, complicated kickboxing moves.

pictures and information: www.kidshealth.com

Systema, the Russian Martial Art

Systema

Literally translated as “the system,” systema is a Russian martial art notable for its hand-to-hand and close-quarters-combat ways. It is the system of choice for many Russian Spetsnaz which is a catchall term for Russian special-forces units. In fact, one of the most prominent practitioners of systema today is Mikhail Ryabko from the early Spetsnaz era. He learned systema from one of Joseph Stalin’s personal bodyguards.
It was during the 400-year Mongol occupation of Russia that systema evolved. Created by the Cossacks in A.D. 948, systema is thought to have originated from Hun and Mongolian martial arts. It is also a conjecture that it may have been influenced by Chinese martial arts. After the warring periods between the Mongolians and Huns, the systema weapon nagaika, which is a lead-filled short whip, was created by the Cossacks to be used specifically against Eastern threats.
Today, systema focuses on hand-to-hand combat, knife fighting, grappling and firearm training wherein the six body levers—neck, shoulders, elbows, waist and ankles—are the primary targets for striking, pressure-point attacks and weapon applications. Systema is the progenitor for Russian sambo.

Mental and Physical Impact of Ballistic Striking 

Systema expert Val Riazanov asks the tough question: At this point in your martial arts career, why should you consider changing the way you strike? What’s wrong with conventional methods? Plenty, says the systema instructor, who’s certified under Mikhail Ryabko. In this exclusive in-studio video, Riazanov discusses the psychological advantage of ballistic striking and how that translates, ultimately, into physical superiority.

Self-Defense

Self Defense Training

Although many martial arts focus on the virtues of violent restraint during conflict, the commonality of all styles is that they’re systems of self-defense training. In regard to fighting, the bottom line is survival: defeating an opponent by any means. Yet in the wake of 9/11, the general public is more aware of the preparatory effectiveness that martial arts brings to those interested in protecting themselves and their families.
The trend of self-defense training systems moving away from the codified traditions of martial arts as a way of life have led to a view of martial arts techniques as a means of survival. Self-defense training has become about quickly developing skills for personal combat in which the mindsets range from maiming your attacker with brutal, lethal tactics to escape tactics (i.e., get the heck out of there as quickly as possible). Any self-defense system is about identifying your goal and training to meet it.

Close Quarters Combat

Traditionally, close-quarters combat was a military or law-enforcement term used to describe armed or unarmed hand-to-hand combat. However, the importance of martial arts in CQC training has always been of tantamount importance.
Before the advent of guns, especially in Asian cultures, military and martial artists developed battle-, ring- and street-tested methods of CQC training. CQC techniques have specifically focused on efficient, powerful and deadly hand-to-hand fighting strategies. Many martial arts—such as muay boran, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wing chun kung fu—have evolved from combining skill sets from other combative arts.
Today’s martial artists, law-enforcement officers, military and elite fighting forces incorporate simple armed and unarmed drills, situational awareness and scenario training. Current CQC training also synthesize wrestling and boxing with neo-modern martial arts such as muay Thai, sambo, and “whatever comes along and is useful.”

Combatives

Combatives is a term used by the United States Army for its hand-to-hand combat training program. Although the key for military personnel during missions is to never find one’s self in a situation without a rifle, sidearm or knife, sometimes a soldier has to defend himself with his fists.
Initialized by Rex Applegate during WWII and presented in his book Kill or Get Killed (1943), American combatives’ foundation lies in the close quarters combat techniques developed by British armed forces officers William E. Fairbairn and Eric A. Sykes while working for the Shanghai Municipal Police between 1907-1940.
In 2002, Matt Larsen created the Modern Army Combatives program, which incorporates judo, escrima, boxing, muay Thai and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The effectiveness of combatives’ training methods come from their short, easily repeatable drills, so soldiers can rapidly learn and effectively perform combatives techniques.

Krav Maga

Krav maga is a brutal hybrid form of martial arts hand-to-hand combat that was founded by Imi Lichtenfeld (1910-1998). It is based on Imi Lichtenfeld’s street fighting, boxing and wrestling skills that he used to defend the Jewish quarter in the city of Bratislava (the modern capital of Slovakia) against fascist groups in the mid- to late-1930s.
After fleeing Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, Imi Lichtenfeld arrived in Israel in 1942 and immediately began teaching close-quarters combat to Israel’s first fighting units. After Israel’s independence in 1948, Imi Lichtenfeld became the chief instructor of physical training for the Israel Defense Forces, and his fighting style was named krav maga, which means “contact combat” in Hebrew.
The following principles define krav maga: Strive for maximum versatility, defend and attack simultaneously, never assume that the fight is over, train from positions of disadvantage, target vulnerable areas, let reality dictate your response, use instinctive movements, train to build sound tactics and strive to get yourself as safe as possible as quickly as possible.
Krav maga’s basic philosophy is aggression and threat neutralization, which are tenets that align well with the IDF Special Forces where krav maga is standard training.

pictures and information: www.wikipedia.com

Kung Fu Martial Tips

Kung Fu Tips

Intro 

Here i am going to show you the 9 martial art tips from the master himself Mark Chen, this is what he says -

People tell me I tend to sound like an old-timer. I tell them to shut up and get off my lawn! Then I explain that a lot can be learned from comparing the way we did things in the past with the way people do them now. Case in point: martial arts training.
Back at the tail end of the 1970s when I started, we were told we could get everything we needed from one art and one master. Want to get strong? Eat lots of rice, like your master does. Need to build up your arms? Do more punches. Want to boost your endurance? Spar and do more kata. Worried about taking on an armed assailant or multiple attackers? Spar and do more kata—what’s wrong with you, I just said it!
Things are different now. We have access to so much more information thanks to martial arts books, DVDs and the Internet. We can train under people whose job it is to specialize in the various aspects of the martial arts. We no longer believe one sensei has the answer to every question in the universe. Overall, I think it’s a good thing.

 Martial Arts Training Tip #1: Stand-Up Skills

“Sil lum fut ga is a unique combination of savagery and artistry; you’ll be hard-pressed to find a style of southern Chinese martial arts with more of a mean streak with such control of movement. Combat shuai chiao is China’s best throwing art. Once I got the opportunity to study under Bruce Lee’s highest-ranked student, Dan Inosanto, it was a no-brainer.”

 

Martial Arts Training Tip #2: Stand-Up Recommendations

“If you want to develop combat skill, any system that puts you in the ring as often as possible and gives you tons of contact will get you to develop quickly. However, if you want to not only develop combat skill but also avoid making Advil your chief dietary supplement, you need to look at a holistic system that gives you training in fundamental movements. Bando, shuai chiao, northern Shaolin kung fu and silat teach warm-ups that are essentially sophisticated yogic routines that prepare your body to perform at a higher level instead of compensate at a deeper level.”

Martial Arts Training Tip #3: Ground Skills

“Combat shuai chiao allows you to deal with someone from either a striking platform or a grappling framework. To throw him into the ground is the essence of control and situational mastery. On the ground, Brazilian jiu-jitsu is unparalleled. Sambo and old-school judo also have great ground-fighting repertoires.”

Martial Arts Training Tip #4: Impact/Edged Weapons

“Every individual I consider gifted as an empty-hand fighter has always said that if he had the option to use a weapon when the odds were stacked against him, he’d use it. I carry a knife—it’s an insurance policy.”

Martial Arts Training Tip #5: Weapon Arts

“If you’re a policeman doing riot control or a member of the armed forces who has to deal with close-quarters combat, krabi krabong might be your best choice. If you’re a civilian who wants to become familiar with different weapons that you might have to improvise with, the Inosanto blend of kali is superb.”

Martial Arts Training Tip #6: Firearms

“I own firearms and practice with them whenever I get the chance. If you have access to a self-defense tool that greatly stacks the odds of survival in your favor, you’d have to be supremely confident or stupid not to make use of it.”

Martial Arts Training Tip #7: Kettlebells

“Kettlebells are my main form of weight training. I was privileged to train directly under Russian Kettlebell Certified founder and former Spetsnaz operator Pavel Tsatsouline. His methods have revolutionized my views on training. I also use the Century Ripcord to practice throw setups. It’s a grossly underutilized piece of equipment that has high yields.”

Martial Arts Training Tip #8: Conditioning

“At this point in my life, conditioning is secondary to correction. Making sure my body is functionally symmetrical and pain free is what improves my performance under stress.”

Martial Arts Training Tip #9: Shaolin and Shotokan Exercises

“The more I investigate sports science and human performance, the more I realize that the fundamentals I was taught in Shaolin kung fu, shotokan karate and almost every old-school system are where the real gold is. Many of those traditional warm-ups are very sophisticated yogic practices. They build a strong foundation of movement so you don’t end up piling fitness on dysfunction. Those exercises force you to develop a broad base of movement so your strength and skill acquisitions don’t tear your body apart from the inside out.”

pictures and information: www.blackbeltmag.com