Martial arts disciplines offer various benefits ranging from physical conditioning and speed development to internal energy management and practical self-defense for diverse demographics.
Kenpo is a Japanese term for “fist law”; karate means “empty hand.” Kenpo Karate was founded by Professor William K.S.Chow in 1949. Ed Parker, one of Chow’s most famous students, developed American Kenpo Karate, a style which is widely practiced today.
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Most people view a black belt as a symbol of proficiency in martial arts. Not as many people know, however, that many martial arts programs grant advanced black belt degrees that represent training and mastery beyond the first black belt.
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Your fighting style should match your personality and body type if you are to become proficient. Martial arts like Shotokan Karate are best for strong individuals, while others, like Jujutsu, are best suited for more agile people. And some fighting styles, like Kenpo and Arnis, use weapons.
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Iron body is a subset discipline within Shaolin Kung Fu. Students of this martial art form subject themselves to daily exercises that harden body tissue. The practice is applied to the legs, trunk, hands, arms and head.
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The close-quarters combat techniques used by the world’s most elite fighting units are not publicized.
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Many of the old Shaw Bros. martial arts films play off the mystique of the wise old master. Sure, the star of the film is half his age, ripped and gets the girl, but the master can beat the student with just his pinky. The message here is that martial wisdom trumps youth.
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Improbable though it might seem, Boston Celtics center Robert Parish credits tai chi with extending his career and making him one of the oldest dominant players in NBA history.
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The warrior class of feudal Japan, the samurai have become almost mythical with their reputation for personal fortitude and toughness on the battlefield. Although some samurai were over-privileged elitists, many lived austere lives of brutal training and conditioning.
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To many, the black belt is a sign that one has mastered the art of karate. However, holding a black belt, while a very impressive accomplishment, does not mean that one has reached the upper echelons of karate skills.
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Krav maga and jujitsu are both forms of self-defense that differ in style, history and practice. Developed in different areas of the world during separate periods, the intent of these strategies of defense differs greatly as well.
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Martial arts are the fighting arts. Each martial arts style is a system of exercises, practices, forms and traditions combined into a training program to teach combative fighting and defense. Martial arts originated in the ancient cultures of Asia, including India, China and Japan.
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Martial arts historian Dave Coffman likes to joke that the main difference between Qi Gong and Tai Chi is "the spelling." While it is true that both arts have similar emphasis, and probably stem from common origins, there are some significant differences in how they are practiced.
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Awarding various colored belts to signify the achievement of new levels of expertise in karate (and other martial arts) is a relatively recent tradition. The colored belt is said to have been created by Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, in 1888.The practice was then adapted into other martial arts, including karate.
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The bo staff is a traditional martial arts weapon that is typically 5 or 6 feet in length. This long wooden stick has both defensive and offensive applications. The staff is especially good for hitting an opponent from a long range. Experienced martial artists can twirl this weapon at mesmerizing speeds.
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Tai chi is a great exercise option for seniors, people recovering from surgery and anyone else looking for a low-impact workout. According to an article from Harvard University, tai chi is a "mind-body practice"
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Muscle testing is an alternative healing diagnostic tool that allows you to ask your body yes or no questions. It works with the idea that a positive association or “yes” strengthens the muscles, while a negative association or “no” weakens them, according to the website Guided Self Healing.
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Many kung fu styles base their techniques on the movements of animals. These animals include the snake, dragon, crane, leopard and tiger, among others. According to the Shaolin Kung Fu Academy, a tiger stylist “leaps into attack” and goes for a quick resolution of a fight.
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A punch to the jaw causes the head to suddenly spin around. This quick motion of causes trauma to the brain that knocks the recipient out leaving him unconscious. Points on the jaw that are especially vulnerable to knockouts are the sides of the chin, and where the jaw is attaches to the skull.
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The length of time it takes to earn a black belt in karate depends on the dedication of the student and the standards of the martial arts school issuing the black belt. There is no standard period of training time required to earn a black belt in karate.
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Shaolin Kung Fu is a comprehensive collection of fighting arts that emerged or were adopted by the Shaolin Monastery in ancient China. According to the Shaolin Gung Fu Institute, students engaging in Shaolin Kung Fu exercises gradually learn the specific methods and techniques used in performing animal fighting styles.
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