Applied Kingfu

Muay Thai kickboxing is also known as simply Muay Thai. It is a martial art that is practiced throughout the world, but originated in Southeast Asia. Muay Thai is also known as the "art of eight limbs" because it uses hands, elbows, shins, and knees to strike opponents. Originally, Muay Thai incorporated the use of the head, but as the martial art has developed, the use of the head has declined. Muay Thai kickboxing has become very popular in the United States since the mid 1990's when mixed martial arts hit the scene, particularly in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. With the popularity of the UFC, the Ultimate Fight Championship, mixed martial artists became convinced of the[..]

Karate for the whole family is proving that getting in shape mentally and physically can be fun and help improve family life. People in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. areas are finding that karate is fun for everyone in the family regardless of their age or size. It is quickly becoming a favorite for families of all walks of life. Karate teaches many qualities that can benefit everyone in your family. It teaches self discipline, self defense, respect, coordination, balance and fitness as well as helps increase children's grades in school. Many parents are finding that enrolling the whole family in karate is helping everyone from toddlers to seniors. Karate used to be a sport[..]

Mixed martial artists are some of the toughest competitors in sports today. Many MMA fighters train as though they are in a competition, and they give it much more than all they've got, all the time! Training to compete in mixed martial arts in the states of Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC or any other place for that matter, can be physically and mentally grueling. It can also be one of the best things you can do for your body and your mind. You will develop physically and mentally in many, many positive ways. Training to be a mixed martial arts fighter is intense. You have to be focused and you have to be prepared to challenge yourself on a daily basis and not to let up. When you're[..]

Whether you want to learn how to throw crescent kicks like martial arts movie actors, or if you want to get in touch with your inner energy, then kung fu may just be right for you. Learning this kind of art is half the battle; practicing it is something that takes a lifetime of commitment and dedication. What Is Kung Fu? Most people think of "kung fu" as "Chinese martial arts," although the term "wushu" more properly applies to the physical aspects of this kind of sport. It combines centuries of Oriental martial arts traditions with ancient Chinese philosophy. It may involve combat with or without weapons, although it is more often practiced as an exercise or for meditation. Principles[..]

Have you ever walked into a karate school and wondered what all of the rigid hierarchy and bowing is all about? Are you currently a new member of a karate studio and are wondering what all of the foreign words and chanting means? Or are you an avid student who still wonders what it all means when you enter your "Mini Martial Arts Experience" every Wednesday evening at 6pm? Lots of people share your confusion and many people wonder if it is all necessary. Here is your quick cheat sheet to "The Dos and Don'ts of Karate Etiquette." Depending on your karate school and style, some or all of the following may apply: 1. DO show respect to your instructor and fellow members while you try[..]

Many people are enthusiastically joining one of the newest and fastest developing sports in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, and other parts of the country. Mixed martial arts is an exciting development in the martial arts disciplines. People are joining MMA schools to learn Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, grappling, Muay Thai kickboxing and much more. Many people join these schools in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC to challenge themselves physically and emotionally in ways they haven't been challenged before. And once they realize the physical and psychological benefits of the MMA, they become hooked. They want to further the challenge by competing against other mixed martial artists.[..]

Taekwondo is a martial art originating from Korea. Taekwondo translated means "the way of the hand and foot", consequently, the emphasis of Taekwondo is on discipline with hand and foot movements and techniques. People begin taking Taekwondo classes for various reasons. This martial art has many applications and benefits, such as physical conditioning, mental and physical discipline, self defense, and more. It provides the opportunity to engage with others in a fun, challenging and beneficial activity. Beginning Taekwondo training can at first be intimidating. Some fear that they are out of shape, too old, not athletic enough, and a plethora of other reasons that keep them from starting.[..]

Walk into any traditional martial arts dojo, and just observe. Notice how many middle-aged men and women that you see there over the age of 50. I would dare say very few. Have you ever asked yourself why? If you say that martial arts is only for the very young, then how do you account for the fact that most of the teachers who consider themselves as masters are in their 50's and 60's? (By the way, to reach your 50's and 60's in the mastery of a martial art usually means that you started maybe as a teenager and because you are a teacher, you get to continue to practice and maintain your skill level by practicing hours each day. The average everyday person has a life and families and[..]

If you are interested in learning the art of Grappling and Submission Wrestling in the Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC areas, there are multitude of Mixed Martial Arts schools and classes to choose from. As you start out on this exciting journey, it is important to get the best possible experience. As with most people, it is most likely you will be taking this up as a hobby or pastime. And whilst you will be ultimately learning the skills to fight, it is important to remember that you are out there to have fun! To help you do this, we have put together a small piece, explaining some of the best ways to learn and the quickest ways to improve. It is likely you will be nervous in your[..]

Martial arts programs teach various methods of self-defense. The program lets students learn from a knowledgeable and skilled martial arts instructor that has years of experience and knows how to work with young children. Regardless of which method of martial arts that is studied, a student will learn about respect, focus and discipline. This is especially beneficial for young children who are at an impressionable age and must learn the proper way to act and treat others. Respect Respect is an important aspect of the program in order to mold the child into a better person. Some students begin training because they are not happy with bullying or teasing that they are experiencing; others[..]

What benefits do our children get out of participating in organized sports? How about physical development? What about learning teamwork, discipline and good sportsmanship? Little league sports can teach children all of these things, but are they the best vehicle to teach these skills? How many times have you heard another parent yelling and screaming negative and profane comments at a little league sports event? I have even seen parents of opposing teams get into fights at a little league game! Does this teach our children good sportsmanship? There is an alternative that teaches children, and adults for that matter, these skills. What would you say to a sport that teaches discipline,[..]

Over the holidays, I had the chance to relax and watch one of those great Chinese martial art movies. You know the ones with the subtitles and great sound effects. The film caught my interest because it was about Wing Chun, my absolute favorite martial art. The actors displayed some of the most beautiful techniques I have seen that rivaled those of the late Bruce Lee. In one scene, the master is working with a student who apparently is one of his favorites. The master however doesn't coddle him and make life easy. Instead, he demands perfection. He yells at the student for his mistakes and tells him he is the dumbest and the most foolish of any student he has ever taught. If you have[..]

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be described as many things; malicious sport that results in breaks and torn ligaments, or something that involves beating up someone badly in your spare time. Well, forget that nonsense. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (also referred to as BJJ) is a martial art that can change your life for the better. Kids, teenagers, and adults who are involved in BJJ can say that their lives have altered to be on the better successful wave than the negative one. Okay, of course this sport is not perfect, there are times where you can get injured due to submission holds and other joint locks, but to me that is the beauty of the sport. I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the age of 8 years old[..]

For some people they have the perfect situation. They are trained by a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a former Muay Thai competitor, former collegiate wrestler or judo champions are teaching them takedowns and they have the time to train outside of class. For others that's not the case they don't have that situation or they can't afford to train at a regular academy, but they still love the sport and want to train all the time and improve. Here is a list of things to do to help you improve in grappling and mixed martial arts if you don't have the ideal training situation. Here are some things that will help you stay focused and improve when you don't have an instructor or a school to[..]

With all the different styles of martial arts that are practiced today karate is definitely the most popular. There are karate studios all over the country in virtually every town and city. They are not all the same, however, as the best ones will teach traditional Japanese karate, which involves more than just self-defense techniques. Karate is a truly incredible art form, one which is built upon the basic concept of merging the body and mind into a defensive weapon and using it to protect not only ones own self, but others as well. Karate has actually always been one of the most practiced martial art forms in the world, and it strongly relies on physical coordination and mental focus.[..]

Sleep is important for the body to function, mature, and heal itself after being injured. Most studies advise that adults need from six to eight hours of sleep nightly. Many people, however, find themselves unable to achieve this. Approximately 20 million Americans alone experience significant difficulty sleeping every night. Numerous circumstances that result in sleep disorders are responsible for this unsettling statistic. For instance, many people snore. Deep snoring may even cause sleepers to wake, in a start, by their own noise. Moreover, people whose spouse is a loud snorer frequently find it hard to sleep while such a racket is happening in the same room! Snoring can sometimes[..]

You may have seen or heard how effective Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be and you're considering devoting your time to BJJ training, but you're wondering what to expect. Jiu Jitsu emphasizes ground fighting techniques to prevail in a physical battle with an opponent. These techniques mostly consist of submission holds involving joint locks or chokes based on the idea that you can negate the advantage of an opponent's strikes, even a larger or stronger one, by taking them to the ground. Joint locks typically involve creating leverage and pain in an opponent's limb to the point that they surrender... or the limb is broken or joint destroyed. A choke hold usually disrupts an opponent's oxygen and[..]

NeiGong translates as "internal work." It is the ancient Chinese art of breathing exercises that calm and soothe the mind, body, and spirit. Additionally, it is well known for its ability to improve health, tone the skin, and facilitate weight loss. The boost it gives to your immune system affords greater capability in fighting off illness and disease. NieGong has traditional beginnings in the Chinese culture, and at one time was taught in secret by a master to one student at a time. The techniques of Chi Gong, Tai chi, and Yoga owe their origins to the healing exercises of NieGong. This internal martial art teaches you to intensify your actions without exerting the effort and has[..]

of people are put off by the idea of martial arts for a simple reason that you need to wake up early and practice outside during winter. In my opinion these are such minor components of the whole practice and if you do get into practicing at dawn and during the winter than you are already into it that much that it does not matter. Focus Many students ask - what do I do with my eyes? Where do I look? Regardless what the practice is - standing, walking, moving - eyes are looking straight but your mind does not register information taken by your eyesight. The gaze is turned internally, observing your muscles, your legs, your hands, scanning every single part of your body with your mind. I[..]

Sun style T'ai Chi was developed by Sun Lu-t'ang in the late 1800s. He was already highly experience in other martial arts before he developed this style. It is the youngest of the five styles of Tai Chi and it is known for incorporating elements derived from Xing Yi and Ba Gua, two other forms of internal martial arts. Sun tai chi uses very fluid, flowing movements with no jumping or vigorous bending as used in the other styles. It can be recognized by its 'soft' looking movements that can be described as graceful. Movements are short and compact and hand movements are performed in conjunction with simple stepping movements. Stance is always upright and the feet are rarely any wider[..]

In the last section of this series, we will cover a little more nutrition advice and move back into low-impact exercise routines. Let's start with choosing the right daily vitamin for you. Daily vitamin supplements are gender and age specific, so you want to pick one that fits your age and gender profile. For example: Men should not be taking a woman's daily vitamin and mineral supplement with iron. Too much iron can be toxic, have devastating effects, and even be fatal. Some men do need iron supplements, but please consult with your family physician, and then he, or she, can give you an informed opinion. Children are also at risk from iron poisoning, as this is a very common cause[..]

Any discussion of martial arts has to be tempered because of an inherent problem. Simply put, there are so many fighting styles that it is hard to know what martial arts are exactly. When you discuss martial arts, you are really introducing a very broad and complex subject. People have developed a lot of different ways to classify them and there is sometimes a lot of controversy and disagreement on what art falls into which category. The basic dividing point might be between classical martial arts and non-classical martial arts. Such things as fencing, archery, or even knife fighting might be considered non-classical. Although at one time they might have shared the characteristics of[..]

Push hands is a training method found in many internal martial arts that has many different uses and benefits. Methods very greatly but they all involve trying to move or unbalance an opponent, and they usually prohibit striking techniques. Push hands is often used as a source of competition and for tournaments however it's primary purpose is to develop the internal skills of Tai Chi. Students are able to take the skills practice in their solo forms and apply them against an opponent who is trying to defeat what they are doing. At first it is a good idea to go slowly and work with your partner. This will build skill quickly and allow you to begin gain an understand of using the[..]

He was one of the greatest kung-fu masters in the world, a direct descendant of the creator of tai chi, and he was asking me to show him a punch. It was an exciting moment but also nerve-wracking. Trying not to be nervous, I settled into the posture and prepared to show him internal power. Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang stood in front of me, watching carefully. Trying to remain relaxed, I shifted my weight from my right to my left leg and my right fist shot out, fast, relaxed, and powerful. At the same time, my left elbow thrust backward and my left hand stopped at my ribcage. Grandmaster Chen was not impressed. He took my right hand in his left, my left hand in his right and told me to[..]

It is a big misconception that because one is short and small that they will always be weak, and will always remain unable to defend themselves from much larger opponents. Without training, yes, this could be true. But generally: this is a blatant LIE. Yes, it's a HUGE lie. Small people absolutely CAN defend themselves against an opponent that is potentially twice their size. For one, true martial arts don't require much physical strength to be used efficiently. None. In fact, a common theme in virtually any martial art is to use an opponent's weight against them. This IS very possible, and a very useful skill to smaller martial artists. Internal martial arts such as Taiji quan and[..]

Has a spouse or significant other made a suggestion about your martial arts school or how you teach? What was your reaction? I know mine was essentially 'Who the heck are you to tell me, the black belt, about martial arts?' The key, though, is: They don't care about martial arts; they care about you. They usually represent Market Eyes, and they are almost always right. In a previous article, I introduced the concept of "Black Belt Eyes" and how they are based on false assumptions and often get in the way of our more useful "Market Eyes". Market Eyes could represent the eyes of a potential student who doesn't know a black belt from a green belt but has a willingness to learn. Other[..]

Martial art styles like tae kwon do, tang soo do, wushu and some forms of karate instruct their students on how to perform flying, spinning, and jumping kicks. A martial arts movie without a good number of these kicks is boring. Flying, spinning, and jumping kicks are what make martial arts movies fun and demonstrations exciting. Tournament competitors pepper their forms with a series of these kicks along with breath taking acrobatics. While these kicks are very flashy, the reality is that they have very little practical application. When martial artists are young, they all want to learn flying, spinning, and jumping kicks. It's a great way to impress those around you as you "wow" them[..]

Even though the primary choice is to avoid or deter physical assault whenever you can, such a case is not always possible. There may be confrontations in which you can not run away fast enough or where your attempts to diffuse a hostile situation are pointless. When you face imminent bodily injury or harm, you need to know how to defend yourself quickly and effectively especially if you find yourself without your pepper spray or stun gun in hand, and you are left with only your bare hands as tools for your safety. You may be walking home to your dorm room on a college campus and feel uneasy about walking by yourself because the campus' escort service is closed for the evening. The[..]

If you want to be a mixed martial artist and fight in the UFC, you may end up doing quite a bit of traveling around the world whether for training or competing. Also, if you aren't wanting to become a mixed martial artist this information is just as applicable to any tourist. Traveling to new countries or places will put you in unfamiliar surroundings and can present many situations that if unprepared can lead to you being robbed, beaten or even worse. Below are some tips to keep you safe and out of trouble. Believe It, "Americans Are Not Liked" Firstly if you are an American traveling abroad you may be surprised to find that contrary to many beliefs Americans are pretty much hated in[..]

"You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great." Les Brown What a brilliant quote from Les Brown! We all need to appreciate the fact that we don't have to be great before we can make a start on becoming great. Your first cooked meal might taste atrocious but starting on the road to skillful cooking could eventually lead you on to be a culinary blessing to your family and friends! Every one looks forward to my brother's meals! My first meal ended up buried on the outskirts of the scout camp where I had attempted it! We had fried sausages instead and my cooking skills are still severely limited. But every day, I have the opportunity, at least, to become[..]