Martial Arts | Exploring the World of Sports

Jeet Kune Do: a sad Story

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Roughly forty years ago, Bruce Lee was among the best fighters in the world. Some people have even posited that he was unbeatable. And while that statement will never be proven one way or the next (as a legend is impossible to defeat, and he has been dead for decades), if his movies and the stories told about him were true, he was a lot more than just a hyped up actor with great ab definition. At one point in Bruce’s life, he fought a powerful karate man who had been training since childhood to be one of the best. That man beat Bruce several times, before he came to a startling revelation: it was time, after all of the dogma, to finally empty the cup.

Now, emptying the cup does not involve a literal cup of anything. It actually revolves around the point in a martial artist’s life, after practicing the moves over and over again, when it stops being about the dogma of the art, and it becomes about something a lot more important than that. For Bruce, it was personal self expression, which he strove to do in every movie and interview he did. And from what everybody said, his invention of Jeet Kune Do, while definitely a great idea, was tragic only for its name. The problem with most people is, giving a name to something is what creates dogma in the first place.

While Bruce would undoubtedly be proud that his students have worked to spread the word about his fighting method (everybody appreciates it when their life’s work outlives them), he expressed disappointment in life that people could not see beyond the “style” aspect of how he fought, to its underpinnings. The real reason for his particular method was to avoid dogma, not to create it. Unfortunately, just like with every fighter who inspires a legacy after he is gone, Jeet Kune Do has become yet another martial style.

Filed Under: Games, Martial Arts Tagged With: Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do, Martial arts, Muay Thai, Wing Chun

Why Children Enjoy Playing Sports

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Children get the most joy out of any sporting activity. Add in the ability to play with friends their own age, run around like crazy and just have a chance to be themselves and you’ve got a mixture for one extremely happy child. Just take a look at the various sporting leagues, camps and events that are held for children and it’s obvious just how appealing sports are to children.

It is averaged that a child by the time they reach the age of 10 will have tried over 10 different sporting events in their life. That is a lot of different sports to try but it’s clear that the reason that they are trying these various sporting events is because they truly love and enjoy what they are doing.

Of course children love to play sports because it gives them a chance to run around and be wild but they also love to play sports because it’s a chance to be a kid. There is very little pressure on a child at that age to have to compete at a high level of athleticism. It’s not as if sports betting sites are lining up to take bets on the winner of the “Boy Under 10 Soccer Match”, but it just doesn’t happen. This free style atmosphere makes playing in sports a lot of fun for children.

Sports is also an outlet for releasing frustration, anger, depression and loneliness. So while a child may appear as if they are just playing in sports and enjoying it, they could really be enjoying it because it is a form of therapy for them. This is a lot better then turning these emotions inward which could cause even further harm to the child. As a parent if you keep the stress off a child and allow them to just enjoy playing their chosen sport, you’re sure to have a very happy child.

Filed Under: Atheletics, Athletics, Fitness, Games Tagged With: Child, Kristen Gilbert, Martial arts, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, sport, Vancouver

Capoeira, the Artful Sport of the Brazilians

If you spend a lot of time watching ESPN and following the same teams you always have, watching the same plays you’ve seen before, it’s easy to forget that there’s an entire world out there with an exotic host of different sports and athletic activities. Principle amongst these, and gaining in popularity, is the Brazilian sport of Capoeira (pronounced kap-oo-air-uh), which mixes dancing, music, martial arts, and it demands a high level of athletic ability.

Capoeira’s roots date back to sometime in the mid early 18th-century, and is supposed to have originated from African slaves brought over to Brazil during the dark age of colonization. The Capoeira dance, while at once beautiful and strange, is likewise violent and aggressive. During a Capoeira match, the dancers/fighters will kick, tumble, roll, do leg sweeps, and perform other martial-arts stunts in a sort of aggressive, fluid, improvised choreography. The dancers will hardly ever make contact with one another, but insofar as the dance is a staged battle or fight, they will often come close with their hits, which are intended to be painful and incapacitating.

- Capoeira’ means literally -chicken coop’ in Portuguese. It was originally a term coined by the Brazilian slave owners who observed the Capoeira dances between the slaves and likened the behavior of the fighters to that of chickens.

For a while, the dance was banned in Brazil as it was still dominated by colonialist pretense, but by the late 19th century, opinions changed and people started to recognize Capoeira as a legitimate sport and folk art form. In the 1920s and 30s, the practice of Capoeira became more formalized and it has since been practiced, respected, and taught in numerous countries around the world. It acts as a form of self-defense, a dance, a picture of a historical movement, and if it is performed well, it is something inspiring to behold. It demands the highest amount of strength and flexibility from its athletes, and though it is somewhat of a -fringe’ sport, it is authentic as an artform.

Filed Under: Martial Arts, Sports Tagged With: Art, Brazil, Martial arts, sport

Kids and Kenpo

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There’s a phenomenon out there in kid land, similar to the cowboy and Indian scenario. Children all want to be the hero compelled by their inner strength to save others from the mayhem created by the evil villains. They’ve evolved however, from cowboys and Indians to Power Rangers and The Justice League. From the Ultimate Alliance to the Karate Kid, all children; boys and girls will love participating in Kenpo Karate and living out their fantasy in real life.

Most sports offer children a chance to be physically fit, but Kenpo offers so much more. Kenpo is not just about self-defense. It’s true that your son or daughter may be able to defend themselves against bullies on the playground, but Kenpo also gives them a sense of discipline and self-control. It teaches them about respect for themselves and for others. They will learn skills to help them problem solve throughout their life and they will not only become strong physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

It’s becoming much easier to find a way for your children to participate in Kenpo. In fact, most cities across the United States have many dojos to choose from. Take a look in your local phone directory, or you can even find one on line. You are bound to locate something close to home. Take you child out and visit the classes. Find an instructor and style that fits their personality best.

Keep in mind that Kenpo Karate is not just a sport for children. Parents are often encouraged to participate with their kids. There is no greater bond that can be made then when you are working together toward a specific goal. Kenpo is just the vessel to help you achieve that. What a great gift to give your child, your time. How about not only strengthening your mind and body, but your relationships as well. Your family may just become “Incredible” after all.

Filed Under: Martial Arts Tagged With: Justice League, Karate Kid, Kenpō, Kenpo and Kempo, Kenpo Karate, Martial arts, sport, United States

Mind Body and Spirit

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There are many avenues to pursue when trying to find balance in your life. Some have joined the yoga craze, while others have taken up swimming and spiritual guidance. Kenpo Karate has been known to offer strength in all areas of your life, and because of its success, people are starting to take note.

Many athletic clubs are adding this type of martial art to their repertoire of programs. There are Kenpo classes offered in private dojo’s and wellness centers all over the country. There are even local chapters of the YMCA offering classes in Kenpo.

There is a cost associated with many classes. In addition to the training, there are educational booklets, the traditional gi or uniform – including belts that need to be covered. Each time you level up, you receive a new belt. There are also various types of equipment associated with each level. Many dojo’s finance the cost of Kenpo over a 12 month period of time, while others will just have you pay as you go. Whatever the cost may be in your area, participants say that the peace of mind, body, and soul out way the pocketbook every time.

As with any other sport, while participating in Kenpo, you build strength; physical strength as well as inner strength. Whether you’re four or forty, you’ll experience a feeling of confidence that you’ve never before achieved. Kenpo allows you to apply the martial arts spirit into every facet of your life. Even simple trips to the grocery store will take on new meaning when you realize the power and control you have over the basic decisions in your life. In addition to strength you may experience benefits that are not so obvious. Some say your joint pain will decrease. Others notice significant amount of weight loss. What you will notice is that you feel good. You will gain a greater amount of self-esteem and self-control. And who doesn’t want that? If so, Kenpo is the way to go.

Filed Under: Martial Arts Tagged With: Health, Martial arts, Physical strength, Shopping, sport, Weight loss, YMCA, Yoga

Forget Football, Consider Enrolling Your Child in Martial Arts

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Taekwondo is one of the most popular martial arts, and one of the best for children to learn. The art itself relies on kicks and punches, but the sport offers so much more to children, especially in their early development. The physical advantages are self-evident. Taekwondo provides physical fitness to children through stretching, sparring, and repetitive practice. Most exercises are not combat-intensive, but rely on mastering kicks and punches while developing correct form and gaining strength. The physical achievements become almost secondary to what taekwondo does for participants both mentally and psychologically.

The art focuses on specific ideals and tenets when teaching its students. Taekwondo teaches discipline and self-restraint. Students learn to defend themselves; not to fight other children. Taking ownership of one’s self and of one’s actions is a large focus of any martial art, but especially taekwondo. Taekwondo instills self-control, self-confidence, and self-respect in its students.

The world is always changing, and new dangers present themselves every day. Children have access to more information than ever before. Children deal with increasingly mature concepts and content thanks to the internet and television. Learning a martial art like taekwondo can give them the mental and physical abilities to handle the world more positively and responsibly. By having stronger self-esteem and self-worth, children are better prepared to handle pressure. Taekwondo teaches respect, integrity, and perseverance.

Sometimes parents may overlook martial arts as a positive sport for their children. This could stem from misconceptions over the violent nature of martial arts, or a fear of their child’s safety. With a little research, however, parents can find the advantages of martial arts over traditional sports. As children grow, potential politics or genetic differences start separating children from larger team sports. Children can continue taekwondo regardless of external factors, as the only person the children compete with are themselves. The self-confidence and self-discipline taekwondo teaches lasts far beyond the end of a child’s martial arts activities. The values stay with children throughout the rest of their life.

Filed Under: Fitness, Sports Tagged With: Martial arts, Taekwondo

Kenpo Karate in America

There are numerous martial arts disciplines that individuals can participate in to learn discipline, self-defense, self-exploration, increase physical fitness and stamina, and lower stress levels. Common forms are Karate, Tae-kwon-do, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Kenpo, however, is a martial art form that isn’t widely known outside of the martial arts community.

The History of Kenpo

Kenpo originated with the Shaolin monks in China and from there the martial art form flourished in neighboring Japan. Nowadays you can find Kenpo communities in China, Japan, and America. There is some dispute as to what individual actually introduced Kenpo to individuals living in the U.S.

It is widely believed that, Kiyoka Komatsu began training a small group of individuals in the martial art style in the 1920’s, which at that time was termed Kenpo-Jiu-Jitsu. Kenpo slowly began to spread across the states and in 1940 the style was renamed Kenpo Karate. Eastern Kenpo teachers focus as much on obtaining a spiritual goal as a physical one. Ed Parker who trained under one of the individuals that received their training from Komatsu, is known as the father of American Kenpo, which differs a bit in style from traditional Kenpo in that it is more sports oriented and less ground in eastern spirituality. The American Kenpo Senior Council is an organization dedicated to perpetuating this martial art within the U.S. as well as increasing the amount of Kenpo masters within the U.S. Borders via training opportunities.

Kenpo Techniques

There are actually a melody of techniques that are involved in Kenpo. One of the most distinguishing aspects of the technique is the placement of emphasis on using the hands, feet, elbows, and knees to take down an opponent with a rapid series of blows. Individuals that are trained in this form can go through the ranks of belts that begin with white and going continue through 10th level black belt. American Kenpo or Kenpo Karate is an interesting martial art form with a rich historical past.

Filed Under: Games, Martial Arts Tagged With: American Kenpo, Kenpo Karate, Martial arts

The Pros and Cons of Self-Defense for Kids

The gamut of martial arts as a group of sports has proved an invaluable means of crossing cultural barriers. From Brazil’s Capoeira to Korea’s taekwondo, martial arts are taught and performed all over the world, often providing kids with an insight into the culture where the specific sport originated, while simultaneously they develop self-defense tactics and get fit too!
Some of the longer established organizations promoting well-supervised martial arts training include Yang’s Martial Arts Association, or ‘YMAA’ and NAGA, the North American Grappling Association, both bodies which accredits martial arts schools. By applying strict criteria before being willing to extend endorsements to individual establishments, such organizations endeavor to keep standards high. Schools which have received this approval exist in Poland to New Zealand, Italy and the United States.
As a fount of new friends, and a place to gain leadership skills and strategies for tackling bullies, classes for kids in karate and other martial arts are often a good idea. Those who have concentration difficulties can benefit from the discipline of the drills. Self-esteem can be raised through sparring, and many adults who were sent to self-defense classes in childhood now recognize the advantages in terms of increased confidence.
Realistically, however, if a child were to contemplate using the skills taught in order to fight off a would-be abductor, they could scarcely succeed. An adult’s strength and size will virtually always overpower the attempts of any but the most well-built child. No matter how well-drilled that child may be in fight moves, the odds are stacked against him. Whilst self- defense classes are a viable option when selecting sports to take up, touting them as possible training in combating real-life adversaries could be considered irresponsible.
Issues of physical size and shape aside, kids’ involvement in martial arts often has the unlooked-for benefit of opening the mind to other philosophies, eastern or otherwise. Perhaps the time has come to make the most of these barrier-busting opportunities and to hold the first international martial arts congress for kids.

Filed Under: General, Martial Arts Tagged With: Martial arts, Schools and Instruction, Self-defense, Sports

The Health Benefits of Martial Arts

There is no question that the various forms of martial arts including Kenpo, Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Tai Chi, and Kung Fu, are excellent ways to learn how to defend yourself. Did you know that they also provide you with extensive health benefits as well? As with many other sporting activities, marital arts provide your body with an all over workout.

Physical Fitness and Mental Calm

The aerobic qualities of martial arts raises your heart rate, increasing the amount of calories you burn. If practiced frequently enough, martial arts can be a great way to lose weight. For instance in one kickboxing session, an individual could potentially burn up to 1000 calories. Along with the direct fitness aspects, martial arts are also an effective way to reduce stress.

The repetitive nature of the techniques along with the attention to breath contribute to increasing your bodies endorphin levels and reducing the stress hormone- cortisone. Other physical benefits include improved brain functioning, decrease in blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and increase in blood supply to your cells and tissues. Overall these benefits can assist your body in fighting off diabetes, increasing heart health and preventing certain types of cancers.

Flexibility and Control

Yoga, an ancient eastern spiritual and physical practice is also widely touted for its increase in a person’s flexibility. Surprisingly enough most martial arts practices also offer an excellent way to warm your body while increasing its flexibility. Various stretches actually increase the effectiveness of marital arts techniques, tight muscles don’t’ have the range nor the preciseness in movement that limber ones do.

Overall, martial arts offer its participant’s way more than just the ability to protect themselves. A frequent practitioner of any of the various martial arts forms will discover that they are a leaner, calmer, and more flexible person than before.

Filed Under: Fitness, Games, Sports Tagged With: Kung Fu, Martial arts, sport, Taekwondo

American Kenpo – A Brief Introduction

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While Kenpo is a Japanese/Chinese version of karate that developed in Hawaii, the American version of Kenpo was developed by Ed Parker and was developed by a series of his masters, most notably Master Chow, in the 1940′s. Kenpo can also be spelled kempo and means “fist law” or “china hands”. It is a blend of the original Shaolin arts and Karate. There were three forms of Kenpo that Ed Parker taught. One was the Kenpo Karate which he taught to his students in Provo, Utah. A second was called Chinese Kenpo, that he wrote a book based upon chinese-influenced moves called Secrets of Chinese Karate. A third form was American Kenpo and this is the style we will focus upon today.

When Ed Parker died on December 15th, 1990, he left no successor, so it is said that American Kenpo is in decline and the martial arts style that he created is only being taught by two of his students today. Ed Parker was known as the black-belted Mormon and he taught his style to many of the students in BYU, in Utah and later in Pasadena, California.

There is a Kenpo creed that says “I come to you with only “Karate” – empty hands.I have no weapons; but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles or my honor; should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong; then here are my weapons – “Karate” – my empty hands.” That creed was developed by Ed Parker in 1957. He founded the Kenpo Karate Association of America.

Kenpo techniques are taught in a three part series. The Ideal, the What-If and the Formulation. The reasoning behind teaching a technique in such a way is that one never knows exactly how an opponent will react to a certain technique. Techniques are taught as techniques.

In American Kenpo there are several degrees of belts, White, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Third Brown, Second Brown, First Brown, and First through Tenth Black. The final phase is called Shodan.

Filed Under: Martial Arts Tagged With: Karate, Martial arts