Resources and in-depth articles for martial artists
Mention the words “Jiu-Jitsu”, and you are sure to evoke images of contestants grappling on the mat, or of MMA bouts filled with ground fighting. While Jiu-Jitsu and, in particular, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, are very popular today as combative sports and (to a lesser extent) self defense systems, the parent martial art of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu is […]
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Book Review Read More »
Many students in our San Diego martial arts school ask: “how can I increase the amount of power in my strikes?” The answer is simple: get to understand your center, and how to use it effectively! The center is an incredibly important concept in martial arts. Where beginner martial artists use their limbs in an
Power Generation in Martial Arts: Axis, the Spine, and the Center – Gamaku Read More »
The makiwara is a cornerstone for the martial artist. Famous Okinawan karate masters used to say that a dojo without a makiwara is not a dojo. Although sometimes misunderstood, the main purpose of makiwara training is not to build calluses on one’s knuckles and “toughen” one’s fists. Rather, the main purpose of makiwara training is
How to Build a Makiwara Read More »
Recently, a student at our San Diego dojo asked me: ”I read somewhere that the Naihanchi katas, by themselves, teach one how to defend themselves. In other words, if one knew the Naihanchi katas, they would automatically be able to defend themselves. Is that true? Asked differently: is there one kata or a set of techniques
The Road to Mastering Martial Arts and Self Defense Read More »
As we strive to get in better shape – for summer, for an occasion, or just to feel better – it is a good idea to check and “tune” our exercise routine. (You have one, right?). In this article, I wanted to talk about an immensely popular “new” form of exercise called High Intensity Interval
High Intensity Interval Training and Martial Arts Read More »
Hitting a target is helpful for developing speed, power and precision in martial arts. When we learn a new technique, we may initially practice the technique “in the air.” In time, we become more familiar with the basics of the technique. Then it is time to apply the technique against a partner or a target,
Punching Bag and Makiwara Practice – What’s Better? Read More »
Being confronted by perpetrator holding a gun can be extremely scary. Having a “gun pulled” on you is sure to get your adrenaline going! Guns Represent a Serious Threat Before delving into the specifics of how to defend yourself against a gun-toting assailant, a word of caution. Even for the highly trained, a gun presents
Gun Takeaway and Self Defense Read More »
As we all know, in addition to numerous health and fitness benefits, one of the key benefits of martial arts training is in allowing us to gain valuable self-defense skills. Those skills go with us wherever we go, and are at our disposal should a situation arise – at home, in school, at work, at
Self Defense Training Read More »
Recently, we started learning the karate kata Pinan Nidan at the San Diego dojo. Kata, which in Japanese literally means “form”, are a set of choreographed movement patterns, that can be practiced solo or in groups. At a basic physical level, kata help in drilling movement patterns into “muscle memory” – patterns that are useful
Pinan Kata — History and Background Read More »
Last week, on January 7, 2014 the famous Hong Kong entertainment mogul and philanthropist Run Run Shaw died. Having lived a long life, to the respectful age of 107, Sir Shaw (Queen Elizabeth II knighted him in 1977) built Shaw Brothers Studios into one of the largest film production companies in the world. If you
The Origin of Kung-Fu Read More »
