Martial Arts Training: Jeet Kune Do, Taekwondo & Self-Defense

Martial arts disciplines offer various benefits ranging from physical conditioning and speed development to internal energy management and practical self-defense for diverse demographics.

Cork, Ireland

The Most Deadly Fighting Styles

What's the most deadly fighting style? Well, much depends on who's doing the fighting but here are a few options to bring your super hero fantasies to life.

Read more →
Mature Adults Doing Tai Chi

Free Tai Chi Exercises for Seniors

Tai Chi is a Chinese form of martial arts that involves slow, controlled and low-impact movements that can be easy for seniors--even those with limited movement. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, tai chi can help seniors feel steadier on their feet as well as improving their hand eye coordination.

Read more →
Martial arts students bowing

What Are the Benefits of Martial Arts for Kids?

Martial arts are an ancient method of training your mind, body and spirit to act as one. Martial arts practitioners strive for harmony, but also learn effective and often devastating self-defense techniques. Children who get involved in martial arts reap many benefits in several areas of life.

Read more →
Senior man practicing tai chi on beach

Tai Chi Basic Steps for Beginners

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art form often referred to as the practice of "meditation in motion." The gentle, flowing movements in Tai Chi promote relaxation, stress relief and conscious awareness of the present moment.

Read more →
Hispanic woman practicing martial arts

The Best Martial Arts for Women's Self Defense

The world can be a dangerous place for women. Women are victims of violent crimes like sexual assault and domestic violence on a daily basis. Many women are interested in learning how to protect themselves against violent situations, but they are often not sure where to turn.

Read more →
Man and woman practising tai chi in park

The Best Tai Chi DVDs for Beginners

Although it is better for beginners to attend a tai chi class, a good DVD can undoubtedly help to keep your practice going at home. As a rule, you should look for a DVD that sticks to beginners' sequences, provides clear explanations of each move and allows you to establish a daily routine.

Read more →
Man practicing martial arts

A Comparison of Martial Arts Styles

When comparing martial arts styles, it is important to understand the different ranges that can occur in an actual fight. These ranges refer to the distance between you and your opponent. The ranges are kicking, striking, trapping and grappling.

Read more →
Man training taekwondo Isolated on white background

The Advantages of Taekwondo

Taekwondo provides both fitness and mental benefits to children and adults alike. Engage in classes to unify your body and mind.

Read more →
Young woman exercising in a gym

Comparison of the Benefits of Tai Chi & Yoga

Unlike a traditional workout, yoga and tai chi focus on precise movements that allow the body to slowly transition from one position to the next. Both practices attempt to coordinate the muscles, bones, heart and mind with the positive energy that surrounds the body.

Read more →
Ult. Fighter/Gracie

What Are the Benefits of Jiu-Jitsu?

Jiu jitsu is a martial art from Japan that focuses on grappling. Practitioners use throws and locks to defend themselves in the street, or to defeat an opponent in competition. Studying jiu jitsu provides students with physical and mental benefits.

Read more →
elevated view of a woman wearing karate clothing

What Is the Hardest Black Belt to Gain?

There are literally hundreds of martial arts, and for each the black belt is a standard of excellence. It typically signifies the student is now an instructor and performs at an expert level. Four martial arts stand out for their black belt demands, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu may be the most demanding.

Read more →
Player of karate, breaking plank

How to Focus Chi Into Your Fist

Chi, also spelled qi or ki, is our life-giving energy. Martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture are all based on focusing, balancing or aligning chi. In particular, the practices of qigong, also called chi kung, and tai chi teach students to focus on and tap into chi.

Read more →
karate

How to Advance to Yellow Belt in Taekwondo

The second belt in most tae kwon do organizations is the yellow belt. Advancement requirements vary between schools, but typically you must demonstrate proficiency at basic techniques before earning this rank.

Read more →
Martial Arts Practice

BJJ Black Belt Vs. Judo Black Belt

Judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu, or BJJ, are both practices that evolved from traditional Japanese jiu jitsu. Stylistically, judo uses more standing and grappling poses while BJJ tends to focus on ground fighting.

Read more →

The Order of Belt Colors in Kung Fu

As most people already know, kung fu schools often award their students colored belts to demonstrate their degree of training, time in rank and dedication to the art. Fewer people know that this is a relatively new part of kung fu training, a facet that became part of the art during the 20th century.

Read more →
black belt with a combat sport

The Highest Degree of Black Belt in Karate

A lot of people who aren't involved in the martial arts perceive the black belt as the highest achievement in fighting skill. However, most martial arts grant "degrees" of black belt to indicate levels of training and experience above the first-degree black belt.

Read more →

Difference Between Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Judo

Brazilian jiujitsu and judo seem similar because they are. The Gracie family invented Brazilian jiujitsu by modifying the judo they had previously learned. After several decades of developing in different directions, the two arts still have basic techniques in common.

Read more →
two boys practicing judo

What Is the Difference Between Karate & Kung Fu

Many people are confused about the terms "karate" and "kung fu," treating them as synonyms or simply not understanding the difference between these systems. Neither term actually refers to a single martial art; both words are blanket terms for a wide variety of distinct styles.

Read more →