martial arts quotes introduce an array of interesting philosophies. Regardless of the words used, they are often thought provoking and even touched with humor. The practice of martial arts has been around for centuries. It began as a means of defending and protecting one’s home. It has also been an instrumental part of teaching discipline, self control, and respect to individuals around the world. On the humorous side, it has also produced many movies known for their excellent fight scenes and very bad story lines. Martial arts have had a large impact on cultures around the world.
Muso Kokushi lived in 13th century Japan. His influence made him the most well known monk of that century. He is quoted as saying, “When it’s cold, water freezes into ice; when it’s warm, ice melts into water. Similarly, when you are confused, essence freezes into mind; when you are enlightened, mind melts into essence.” While there are many who practice martial arts purely for the physical advantages it provides, mental strength has always been a key component. Being able to show strength mentally can only improve one’s physical strength, especially when the techniques and forms require so much focus. Rick English presents it clearly when he says that, “A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist. Being a black belt is a state of mind and attitude.”
On the humorous side of things, Ed Parker has been quoted many times. His approach is realistic and frequently provides a dose of wit as well. “He who hesitates, meditates in a horizontal position.” clearly points out that waiting to strike an opponent may result in losing one’s fight. At the very least, one may get knocked down for failing to react in time. According to the 6th Code of Isshinryu Karetedo, “The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.” With regard to method, the anonymous quote advises, “If you can’t beat your computer at chess, try kickboxing.” In other words, if one is unsuccessful in defeating an opponent, perhaps it is time to try a different method.
Perhaps the most well known of martial artists was Bruce Lee. As one might imagine, he has been quoted numerous times with regard to martial arts and its practice. One of his many quotes is “I fear not the man who has practiced ten thousand kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick ten thousand times.” One doesn’t need to think very hard to interpret this quote. The amount of dedication and discipline that goes into practicing a single kick ten thousand times would create a most formidable opponent. Martial arts quotes are full of wisdom and practical advice if one chooses to pay attention.
Posted in martial arts quotes by .
Of the types of competitions held by martial artists, taekwondo poomse competitions are newer and have some controversy. Some people consider them to be unnecessarily costly and believe that they take the focus off of what Taekwondo really is, while others think them to be helpful for students and a great way to focus on Taekwondo as an art. Poomse is one of the tenets of Taekwondo, and are specific patterns the student learns. The serious of blows, stances, and blocks is meant to represent a lone fighter fending off many enemies.
The cost of a student attending both regular Taekwondo competitions as well as poomse competitions causes the overall cost to rise. For this reason, many dojo owners think that it is not worth it, especially in the current economic climate. They also do not draw in the crowds or funds that larger Taekwondo competitions do, which are much more exciting to watch.
On a deeper level, poomse is about the student being the best that they can be for the purpose of winning. Many hold to the belief that Taekwondo is to be about something greater than the attention that is put on individuals during these competitions. It is about bettering oneself for the greater good, and for the ability to protect, no about the pride gained in being able to out-form other students.
This group also thinks that the weight poomse has on perfecting form will take away from the student’s ability to perform in sparring competitions, or if they do have to use their martial arts in a real-life situation. Martial arts, especially Taekwondo, is supposed to be about the practical application of learned techniques, and many believe that poomse competitions take away from that.
On the other side, people believe that these competitions are good, as they give another way for students to compete. If a student is not strong enough to do well in sparring competitions, they may be able to shine in poomse competitions, which will give them confidence to continue on and do even better. They also believe that these competitions encourage Taekwondo to be a true form of martial art, with the beauty in perfecting the stance and techniques, and fluidity of movement.
The concentration in form is believed to be an advantage to some, as it will cause a student to spend more time practicing the basic stances and movements. With a good, solid base, the student will be able to better perform in other competitions, including sparring. No matter which way an individual dojo chooses to go, Taekwondo poomse competitions are now a part of the martial arts world.
Posted in taekwondo poomse by .
Over the years, there have been many different karate styles that have developed. If you are considering starting a karate class or getting your child involved in one, it is important to know what the different styles are, and what they focus on.
The original style of Japanese karate is called Okinawa. All other styles of karate come from this one. It was started on the island for which it was named, with Samurais seeking a way to teach self-defense. Eventually, it became about more than learning techniques, and became a way to pass wisdom from one generation to another. Today, this style still focuses mainly on self-defense, and will help develop self-control, humility, and confidence in the lives of the students.
This style focuses on taking out enemies with one well-aimed blow. Rather than learning numerous fancy high kicks, students of Shotokan learn the basics extremely well. The goal of Shotokan is to know each of several techniques so well that they come naturally. If in a fight, the student of this style of karate should be able to defend himself and take out the enemy without having to think much about what he needs to do. The more advanced students will learn forms, which are a specific series of techniques that are performed. Because of the emphasis on perfection with these movements, it can take years to master these forms.
On the other end of the scale is Wado Ryu. This style focuses on inner character building as much as outer skill building. With the karate techniques that are used, there is a lot of focus on doing them efficiently and quickly. There is also a lot of focus on harmonizing the whole body for each different technique, demonstrating a peace between the parts of the body. Through this, an inner peace can be gained, with students learning things such as discipline, understanding, and respect. If you want your child or you to learn peacefulness, Wado Ryu is an excellent way to do so.
In addition to these styles, there are many others that you might be able to find in your area. Before enrolling yourself or your child in a karate class, be sure to have all the facts, and be sure to know what you want to get out of your karate experience. Each dojo teaches different karate styles, and has different teaching methods, so be sure you find a dojo that is right for you, or for your child.
Posted in karate styles by .
Although martial arts quotes are traditionally for people who are students of martial arts, they are also very applicable in everyday life, for people who are not students of martial arts. When you can understand the deeper meanings behind the quotes, you can begin using them to enrich your life.
“Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to go to his class.” This is a popular quote for new students. It helps them see that they will have to work hard and take some bumps along the way to learn, and that they don’t have to fear the pain because of the learning it brings. Every person has to face some sort of pain in their life, be it emotional or physical. When you do face that pain, you can remember that there are lessons that can be learned from it, if you let the pain teach you.
“To win one-hundred victories in one-hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill.” The man who said that is considered one of the greatest military minds in history, General Sun Tzu. For martial arts students, this helps them understand that fighting should not be the first thing they do to solve a problem. For everyone that has conflict in their life, this can help them understand that solving that conflict peacefully is the best route, and shows the most strength of character.
“He who hesitates meditates in a horizontal position.” Choi Hong Hi said this, the founder of Taekwondo. When sparring in a martial arts class, hesitation means that you will be knocked to the ground if you do not react to the oncoming attack of your partner. In everyday life, it is a way to remember to react instantly to new problems, and deal with them. If you do not deal with problems as they come, they are likely to put you in a horizontal position.
“The more you know, the less you understand.” This quote is included in Tao Te Ching, a Chinese philosophical text. This is taught to new students so that they know their new martial arts knowledge does not necessarily mean having an understanding of martial arts. For daily life, this can help you understand that in order to have understanding, you must apply the knowledge that you have, and dig deeper, and these martial arts quotes are a great place to start.
Posted in martial arts quotes by .
Mar 12
30
Breaking Wood With Taekwondo Kicks
Part of testing the technique of taekwondo kicks is to have the student kick through a board. There are special boards that are used in Taekwondo that are thin enough that they will easily break under force, but strong enough that it does take a good kick or punch to break them. Because one of the focuses of Taekwondo is the ability of the students to defend themselves in real life situations, board breaking is an important way of being sure that they can kick hard enough to cause damage to an enemy.
One of the mistakes that a student may make is using an improper technique. Before getting tested on technique, a student should have practices many times, so this should never be a problem. If it is the problem, this can only be solved by more instruction and a lot more practice. A true martial artist is dedicated to honing techniques so that they are the best they can possibly be.
If the student is using proper technique but is still unable to break the wood, he may simply be aiming at the wrong spot. Many students will aim at the wood itself, but it is best to aim 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) beyond the board. When a student aims at the board, that is where his foot stops, and the board will not break. It is important that the student does not stop his foot until it has gone all the way through the board, so aiming beyond the board will ensure that this happens.
The last thing that can happen when proper technique is used is improper positioning. This means that the student is too far away from the board, or too close to it. When he is too close to the board, he doesn’t have enough power behind his foot by the time he kicks it to go all the way through. The buildup of power is what allows the foot to go through the board. When he is too far away, his foot will be too slow by the time he gets to the board, same as if he is not aiming properly. This problem can be solved by checking distance before kicking. The student may even lift his foot up to the board before performing the Taekwondo kicks to be sure he is the right distance away from the board.
Posted in taekwondo kicks by .
Mar 12
21
Taekwondo Poomse Competition Gear
Taekwondo poosmae competitions are rising in popularity among martial artist today. If you want to have an edge to get ahead, it is important to have the right gear. The right gear will help with your presentation, will not prevent balance or perfect form, and will help you look sharper in your movements.
Proper gear can help you greatly in competitions, but it will not win them alone. You have to first have good form and confidence in your abilities. Once you have perfected your form and prepared your body, you can add a good uniform that will give you that extra edge. Good gear will also help you feel more confident.
First of all, it helps with presentation, which is the way you appear to the judges. It is important that you make a good impression on the judges just with the way you look. That means that your gear needs to be as neat and clean as you are. It is best to wash your uniform the day before, and iron it until it is flat and wrinkle-free. Part of presentation is that you also look neat, clean, and presentable.
Obviously, balance is important to have when competing in poomse. Wearing a uniform that is too long may cause you to step on it and trip. Even if you do not trip but it is long enough to step on, it could throw off your balance. Also, if it is too baggy, it can feel strange, and you may have to pull it up during the pattern, which is not preferred by the judges.
Another important part of the competition is having a perfect form. If your uniform is too baggy, it will throw off your form as you have to deal with having more fabric than you are supposed to. If it is too tight, however, it could cause even more problems. Uniforms that are too tight in the joint areas could prevent you from taking some of the stances, or reaching the full range of your motion.
The last thing that a correct uniform will do for you is give you an extra sharpness to your movements. Your movements should already be snappy and sharp, and a good uniform will accentuate those movements. This is good for impressing the judges with your movements, and will draw attention to the preciseness of each move as you go through your taekwondo poomse.
Many people do not realize that all karate styles came from one style, Okinawa. Okinawa karate is named after the island where it originated. The style came into being when the people on that small Japanese island needed to defend themselves against invading samurais from a larger island. The style became a part of their culture, and began to be passed down to the next generation.
The word “karate” literally means “empty hands.” During the time of oppression, the people of Okinawa were placed under a weapon ban, which meant they had to find ways to defend themselves without weapons, with empty hands. They were also banned from learning fighting techniques, so the karate moves were hidden within dances, which are today reflected in forms.
This original style of karate continued to become popular even after the weapon ban was lifted, and became national throughout Japan because of Gichin Funakoshi bringing it into the school system. In various cities across Okinawa, there were different styles that developed from the original one, and were named after the cities they came from, Naha-te, Shuri-te, and Tomari-te.
Throughout the years, more and more distinct styles of karate have been formed. Sometimes, it is a way for a student of two different methods to reconcile the two in a whole new style while honoring both original styles, but other times, it is because a student does not agree with the philosophies of his master. When a student creates his own style of karate, it can be a benefit to martial arts as boundaries are expanded, but it can also be hurtful as the traditional styles are twisted.
For this reason, it is important to thoroughly investigate each individual dojo before joining. Each style has certain techniques that it uses, and philosophies behind them. Although most styles use the same belt system to rank students, different systems have different expectations for each rank. They also have different focuses, whether it’s on inner strength that will translate into outer strength, or learning to coordinate your physical self to promote inner peace.
Goju-Ryu is called “hard-soft” as it is a basic self-defense technique that pits the hard parts of your body against the soft parts of your attacker. Shotokan focuses on tournaments and point sparring and has deep and long stances coupled with linear movements. Wado-Ryu was developed from Shotokan, but focuses on moving to avoid attacks. These are just a few of the karate styles to choose from.
Posted in taekwondo poomse by .
Mar 12
12
Where All Karate Styles Came From
Many people do not realize that all karate styles came from one style, Okinawa. Okinawa karate is named after the island where it originated. The style came into being when the people on that small Japanese island needed to defend themselves against invading samurais from a larger island. The style became a part of their culture, and began to be passed down to the next generation.
The word “karate” literally means “empty hands.” During the time of oppression, the people of Okinawa were placed under a weapon ban, which meant they had to find ways to defend themselves without weapons, with empty hands. They were also banned from learning fighting techniques, so the karate moves were hidden within dances, which are today reflected in forms.
This original style of karate continued to become popular even after the weapon ban was lifted, and became national throughout Japan because of Gichin Funakoshi bringing it into the school system. In various cities across Okinawa, there were different styles that developed from the original one, and were named after the cities they came from, Naha-te, Shuri-te, and Tomari-te.
Throughout the years, more and more distinct styles of karate have been formed. Sometimes, it is a way for a student of two different methods to reconcile the two in a whole new style while honoring both original styles, but other times, it is because a student does not agree with the philosophies of his master. When a student creates his own style of karate, it can be a benefit to martial arts as boundaries are expanded, but it can also be hurtful as the traditional styles are twisted.
For this reason, it is important to thoroughly investigate each individual dojo before joining. Each style has certain techniques that it uses, and philosophies behind them. Although most styles use the same belt system to rank students, different systems have different expectations for each rank. They also have different focuses, whether it’s on inner strength that will translate into outer strength, or learning to coordinate your physical self to promote inner peace.
Goju-Ryu is called “hard-soft” as it is a basic self-defense technique that pits the hard parts of your body against the soft parts of your attacker. Shotokan focuses on tournaments and point sparring and has deep and long stances coupled with linear movements. Wado-Ryu was developed from Shotokan, but focuses on moving to avoid attacks. These are just a few of the karate styles to choose from.
Posted in karate styles by .
There are many famous martial arts quotes that are used today, but not all of them have martial arts origins or exceptionally old. However, that does not mean that they cannot have meaning today for people who are involved in martial arts.
“Do not permit the events of your daily life to blind you, but never withdraw yourself from them.” This quote is actually a part of Zen philosophy. It applies to the martial arts student because they may either allow martial arts to distract them from their responsibilities at school or home, or they may allow responsibilities at home to distract from their martial arts studies. It is important to have a balance between martial arts training and daily life.
“Fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 different kicks, but fear the man that has practiced one kicking technique 10,000 different times.” This quote comes from Bruce Lee, who was a 20th century martial artist. He is most famous for his many appearances in films. This quote stresses the importance not of knowing many different movements, but of practicing and knowing each technique well. Some students will try to learn as many techniques as possible, but they can’t do any of them well.
“Even though surrounded by several enemies set to attack, fight with the thought that they are one.” Morihei Ueshiba said this. He was the founder of aikido, and this was one of many martial arts quotes that he said. This helps the students keep focused and calm. If the student is trying to monitor the movements of multiple opponents, he will quickly become distracted and confused. However, if he is able to think of the multiple opponents as one, he will be able to focus only on blocking and returning blows.
“It is a good day to die.” This quote is from CrazyHorse, a Native American. This quote is not so much about death as it is about standing up for what you believe in no matter what. In martial arts, students learn many important things about what is right and wrong, and how to use their martial arts abilities. When they understand these concepts, they need to be prepared to defend them no matter what. Part of preparation to defend that knowledge is gaining a full understanding of the what these martial arts quotes really mean, and how to apply them.
Posted in martial arts quotes by .
Good taekwondo kicks require more than good technique. They also require that the martial artist is relaxed. Although it may seem to be contradictory, if you carefully observe the masters, you will see that they are extremely relaxed, even when kicking through boards or sparring.
When you tense up, you allow adrenaline to surge through you. Adrenaline is a chemical that occurs naturally in your body, and is meant as a defense mechanism. If you needed to run away from or fight against an enemy, your adrenaline would help you burn more energy. It also tenses up your muscles. Although this can be useful when your life may be in danger, it is not good for performing good Taekwondo kicks.
The main reason adrenaline doesn’t help you in class is that the tightening of your muscles don’t allow you to move smoothly through every motion. Fluidity in movement is important for properly building the momentum needed to break boards, and just to perform the kicking technique properly. The more you can teach yourself to relax in class, the better you will do.
There are a few different things that you can do to help yourself relax. Be aware of your body when in class and what parts are tensing up. If you find that your fists are clenched, release them. If your face or neck is tensed up, relax those muscles. Sometimes, you will need to close your eyes for a moment and take a deep breath to help you calm your nerves.
It will be harder to relax as a white belt, when everything is new to you. At the beginning, you probably won’t have good balance and you won’t be very strong. Coordination may come naturally to some people, but others may have a hard time of it. As you start to learn these new techniques, it will be hard to relax while trying to master these tricks.
As you practice each technique and get better, you will be able to relax more knowing that you know things well. Be sure to put in a lot of practice with each new technique as you learn it. To help keep relaxed, you have to be able to perform the kick without really having to think about it. You will get stronger as you grow in your martial arts abilities, and your coordination and balance will also improve, which means you can relax more when performing your Taekwondo kicks.
Posted in taekwondo kicks by .
taekwondo poomse are the forms used to help a student learn the techniques and strikes that make up taekwondo. In addition, the level of difficulty increases with the level each student achieves. The next poomse always requires more focus and control than the last. The first eight poomse provide a testing standard up until a student receives his red belt. Each level requires the completion of two poomse to progress to the next belt. Taegeuk Il Jang and Taegeuk Ee Jang are yellow belt forms. Taegeuk Sam Jang and Taegeuk Sa Jang are the green belt forms. Taegeuk Oh Jang and Taegeuk Yook Jang are the blue belt forms. The final two forms in the first eight, Taegeuk Chil Jang and Taegeuk Pal Jang are the red belt forms. There are other poomse used in the nine dans of the black belt.
Each poomse coincides with an aspect of nature. Nature produces gentle winds and delicate flowers. However, destructive storms and damaging fire are also products of nature. As a force, nature is unpredictable. It can be calm one moment and powerful the next. Each poomse uses this contrast to produce a dance. The moves may be slow and gentle, then become quick and sharp. With all of the movements, control is essential. They must be beautifully executed for a student to pass his test. Taegeuk Il Jang expresses the glory of heaven. Taegeuk Ee Jang explores the mystery of a lake. Taegeuk Sam Jang imitates the energizing and destructive force of fire. Taegeuk Sa Jang represents the power of thunder. Taegeuk Oh Jang is both the gentleness and the forcefulness of the wind. Taegeuk Yook Jang displays the contrast of water. Taegeuk Chil Jang is the majestic mountain. Taegeuk Pal Jang encompasses the earth and everything in it.
These eight forms are derived from the Chinese “I Ching”. A classical text, it describes a diagram consisting of 64 hexagrams around the Yin Yang symbol. Each hexagram is further divided into two sets composed of three lines each. Some of the lines are broken, others remain unbroken. Each set makes up one of eight trigrams, known as Pal-gwe. The designation of Poomse Palgwe refers to these eight forms. While the proper execution of these poomse requires much of one physically, the ideals behind them focus on something greater. Well-rounded teachings of taekwondo include dedication to the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. Some may view taekwondo as a sport, but it is a way of life for those who practice it the way it was intended. The taekwondo poomse combine all four aspects to encourage growth and maturity.
Posted in taekwondo poomse by .