Top 5 Most Popular Martial Arts Actors Born in the UK Or USA

Top 5 Most Popular Martial Arts Actors Born in the UK Or USA

Whenever there is action, that means that there are not only car chases, explosions, shootings and guns but also fists, punches and roundkicks. Many of the martial arts actors in the Funny Action Movie genre master a huge collection of deadly techniques, which they use in close combat scenes.

In fact, most of these martial arts actors used to compete in official tournaments at the very dawn of their acting careers and then they used the fame gained to establish themselves in the cinema industry. More or less (in most cases more) the martial arts are taking a huge part in their lives.

What a better way to become an action star when there is a real, heart pounding action in your life, right?

Here is a list of the top five martial arts actors a.k.a. killing machines, who can terminate you with their bare hands. These machos have a proven record in the real life fighting world and they based their movie careers on the martial arts knowledge.

1.Bruce Lee (1940-1973)

A lot of things were said and written about probably the most influential figure in the martial arts movie industry. Where exactly the fiction meets reality can sometimes be difficult to determine but one thing leaves no doubt- Bruce Lee had kung fu in his blood. The man was breathing martial arts.

Many people don't know that Lee Jun Fan (as his real name was) was an accomplished cha-cha dancer and championship winner. Officially, he had only five years of formal martial arts training under the guidance of another legend- "Sifu Yip Man".

Yip Man taught Bruce the art of wing chun kung fu- a self defense technique from close range combat. By the way, if you haven't seen the three Yip Man movies starring Donnie Yen, you definitely might want to check them out. Believe me it is well worth your time.

Because of his hot temper and the police issues he had in Hong Kong, his parents suggested him to try his luck in the United States where he was initially born.

While he was living in America, Lee opened a kung fu school and eventually became associated with many key figures in the U.S. martial arts scene. Soon he was noticed by famous Hollywood producers. The rest is a history.

His genuine talent and unbelievable speed has established him as a leading authority in the mixed martial arts and cinema scenes.

Among the most memorable movies, revealing his magical martial arts techniques are "Enter the Dragon", "The Way of the Dragon" and "Fists of Fury". And yes, those are great funny action movies.

2.Michael Jai White (1967)

3rd dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, 3rd dan Black Belt in Goju Ryu,3rd degree Black Belt in Kyokushin, 2nd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, 1st degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do. Do you still wonder why Michael Jai White takes part in this prestigious martial arts actors list?

If you still do, then let me tell you that the muscular build international box office sensation has eight black belts in eight different martial arts forms. Pretty impressive, isn't it? The man is no joke at all.

Honored with the title Man of the Year by the popular "Black Belt" magazine in 2014 and inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, Michael Jai White is allegedly the most accomplished, highly trained action star in America.

Michael also often does comedy and drama movies which makes him a pretty versatile artist.

I strongly suggest that you check out Blood and Bone, Never Back Down: No Surrender, and Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing.

3. Chuck Norris (1940)

Don't worry, he is in the list, don't rush to kill me, please.

By the way, did you know that Chuck Norris has already been to Mars and that is why there are no signs of life?

OK let's get serious here.

It is just impossible not to include in the list the first ever Westerner in the history of the Tae Kwon Do, honored with the rank of 8th degree Black Belt Grand Master title.

During his impressive martial arts career, Carlos Ray Norris has won numerous tournaments. His name is also in the Martial Arts History Museum's Hall of Fame. He was several times on the cover of the Black Belt magazine and in 2000, Chuck Norris has been given the Golden Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.

He also has a rich and successful military career with many different medals and honorary awards.

In his movies, he is rarely even wounded and he kicks tough asses for breakfast.

In case you have missed to watch the legendary on screen fight between Chuck and Bruce Lee in the funny action movie called "Way of the dragon", please watch it. It is superb.

Another legendary actioners (the list is huge) starring Chuck Norris are "The Delta Force", "Missing in Action" and lately "Expendables 2".

4. Steven Seagal (1952)

You surely remember how brightly The Master of Aikido shines in "Under Siege" and "Above the Law". Steven can easily break your arms like if they are toothpicks.

Lord Steven, as one of his nickname is, holds a 7th degree black belt in Aikido- a Japanese martial art which teaches how to harmonize your moves to your opponent's body motions (or attacks). The idea of this martial art form is to defend yourself without hurting your attacker.

Well, at least in his movies, Steven Seagal doesn't follow this rule because all of his opponents die painfully.

What is interesting about this iconic actor is the fact that he is the first ever foreigner to open a dojo in Japan where he is a respected Aikido instructor.

Steven is also a well-known musician who travels the world with his band and some time ago he was a Reserve Deputy Chief in Louisiana Sheriff's office.

5. Scott Adkins (1976)

The most complete fighter in the world "Yuri Boyka", a.k.a. Scott Adkins was born in the United Kingdom in 1976.

He holds a black belt in kickboxing, which he achieved when he was only 19 years old. His spectacular martial arts skills come from knowing ninjutsu, judo, Karate, jujutsu, wushu, Krav Maga, capoeira and Jeet Kun Do. I don't know about you but I'm pretty impressed!

Scott Adkins is mostly known for his stunningly beautiful and complex fight choreography in the smashing hit "Undisputed 2: Last man standing" and the followed sequel" Undisputed 3: Redemption".

The fans are impatiently waiting the fourth installment of the franchise and the third with Scott starring in it. The direct-to-video movie is coming on 17th January 2017 in the U.S.A. ("Boyka: Undisputed IV"). All of the four movies were shot in Bulgaria.

Scott's heart stopping martial arts skills have gained him mainstream success and roles in various mainstream blockbusters like "Expendables 2", "Doctor Strange", "The Bourne Ultimatum" and many others.

So here it was the list of the TOP FIVE American or United Kingdom born martial arts actors. Stay healthy by not messing around with these tough nice guys.

Jackie Chan meets his first team

The Dos and Don'ts of Karate Etiquette

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 to find your place within the group and see if the school matches YOUR goals and has YOUR best interests at heart. If the school does meet your expectations then continue to train there and continue to show respect to the instructor, the club members and the traditions of the style. If the school doesn't meet your expectations then get out of there faster than Bruce Lee coult throw a One-Inch Punch.

2. DO open your mind to different ways of doing things. For the most part karate practices and methods have been transmitted down through the generations and as such carry a lot of cultural-specific traditions. In many ways these traditions help to accentuate the overall benefit of the "karate experience", in some ways they serve to distract you from your main goals for beginning karate in the first place. Be sure to be clear about why you want to start karate.

3. DO try to learn more about the background culture of your chosen martial art. For example, Karate is originally from Okinawa, Taekwondo is from Korea, Kung Fu is from China. By knowing where your art originated you can begin to learn some basic cultural knowledge about your chosen style. Your instructor should be able to help you find material for this.

4. DO your best to follow the directions given by your instructor and to fit in with the class, at least while you are in the discovery phase of seeing if Karate is for you. You will probably have lots of questions and depending on the situation it may be bad timing to ask your questions in the middle of the class. However, make sure that you ask your instructor and other club members about things that don't make sense or that are confusing before you go home. They should be more than willing to answer your questions and offer help.

5. DON'T take karate etiquette too seriously. A bow is simply a form of greeting, just like a handshake in the West. Some martial arts schools embrace traditional values, others don't. It's not a big deal either way. Your decision to join a particular school should be based on the quality of their martial arts programs and on their customer service, not on their chosen rituals of etiquette.

6. DON'T give up your spiritual values or religious beliefs. Just because you start learning about some mysterious Chi force or miraculous feats, don't suddenly think that you have found the answers to all of your unanswered questions. While karate can provide some very enlightening wisdom and inspiration, you should always remember why you first enrolled in the martial arts. It was probably to learn self-defense, to improve your health and fitness, or to join in with a worthwhile activity together with your child. I doubt that you wanted to join a pseudo-religious cult.

7. DON'T think that your instructor is some transcendental guru or sage, or even a demi-God. He's not! He is just another human being like you. He happens to be very good at karate; you may be very good at playing the piano, singing a song or telling a joke. Recognize that all people have strengths and weaknesses - even karate instructors!

8. DON'T forget the value of humility. Despite my rather light-hearted look at karate etiquette, it is still important to be respectful in a martial arts environment and not to be too outspoken. As with anything "actions speak louder than words" and all too often members of martial arts clubs get into trouble by speaking out about things that they don't understand too soon. It is better to give your chosen art a fair chance and to let your efforts in class initially do the talking until you feel that you have reached the point of being accepted and are able to ask intelligent questions.

To many people martial arts are a completely foreign activity and it takes some time to acclimate themselves to the specific culture and nuances of the art. Give karate a chance and don't deliver yourself a killer blow without first paying your dues.

The Importance of Humanity in Karate

Karate was fashioned on the model provided by Kendo and Judo. It was intended to be a 'style' of Martial Arts in itself but this never came about, perhaps because of WW2, or there may be other reasons. In any case, the original school system spawned Shotokan-Ryu, Wado-Ryu and Shito-Ryu. Goju-Ryu was developed much later and was accepted in to the Okinawa school system many years after the original karate program of Itosu.

If there had not have been a revision of Jujutsu into Judo, and Kenjutsu into Kendo, it is possible that those arts would not have survived. They were frowned upon by the new society. Similarly, Okinawa 'Te' was not popular and considered a violent activity by the general community, the more refined art of karate succeeded and was responsible for the continuation of this Okinawan Martial Art, albeit in another form.

Itosu realized that education was the key and that with education came humanity and understanding, and less need for civil self-defense. Okinawa had no organized sport like we know it today so an exercise regime, such as karate, was a brilliant stroke of genius on his part. Karate was to be a community exercise program, an educational undertaking to promote humanity and a pathway back to brutal self-defense should it be necessary.

Unfortunately karate has become a sport and recreational activity taught by those of both a high and a low rank. Very few know what it is they are teaching and mainly focus on all the wrong aspects. The physical techniques are not well understood so the basics of kata are taught as the foundation of karate. The humane aspects are rarely discussed or, are taught via the dojo kun and paid lip service only.

Karate was developed in Okinawa, a small backward country at that time, with very few people involved, yet we somehow consider that they have developed a complete system that will allow one to beat of 4, 8 or more attackers. The secret of karate is common sense and a combination of physical practice and intellectual study (bunburyodo).

One of the mistakes made today is to sell Karate as a product, it is not something that can be bought and sold like a hamburger. You are paying for someone's knowledge, skill and ability to pass on important information about how to gain health, fitness, compete in sport and defend yourself. You are paying a fee for an educational service. Apparently it's no longer important whom you learn from but at the end of the day, the only rank you hold is that of personal knowledge and ability.

How can one teach humanity? By setting standards. I don't think it can actually be taught but perhaps it can be nourished and nurtured. It's a bit like thinking that karate builds character. If someone is of poor character then that may be impossible to change.

It is important to ensure that a sense of fairness and consideration of others is the benchmark of any karate class. If we are to allow training partners to punch, strike and kick just mm's from our body then we must have trust in their character and faith in their humanity.

Nobody likes to be taken advantage of and we are brought up to have faith and trust in those in authority such as teachers. Hypocrisy by karate teachers destroys that trust, especially in the area of morals and ethics. Poor instruction can lead to karate damaging a person's character. Poor role models can influence a student of any age in the wrong direction.

It is a great responsibility in teaching anything, but especially karate. If it is misused the consequences can be very serious. Certainly karate training does not make anyone invincible but it can make one dangerous to those that have no self-defense skills.

Students need to be taught with great caution about the effects of striking another human being. Many people suffer serious injury from being knocked to the ground, not from the punch but from hitting their head on the hard floor. How can you give someone a loaded gun with no instructions in the why and when, and not be responsible if another human being is maimed?

Luckily most human beings are reasonably sensible and humane. I remember a case where a karate student was convicted of killing his own unborn child by kicking it's mother in the stomach when she was pregnant! We all know of karate instructors that have been charged with crimes against children.

If karate is to be taught like an aerobics class at the gym then there is a problem. Aerobics is about health and fitness, karate may be utilized in that fashion but there is still a need for explanation and standards of behavior to be set.

Are you a karate teacher, a sports coach or a gym instructor? Is your place of instruction a dojo, a clubhouse or a gym? All are worthwhile but you should not fool yourself or others. If your level of expertise is of a low level then admit to it and don't leave others thinking you are an expert. Otherwise, unintentionally, you are giving the experts a bad name.

Karate should be enjoyable, i.e. serious fun. One cannot pretend to be a Doctor, a Dentist, a Solicitor or a karate teacher, these are all known as Sensei, someone that has reached a certain stage of understanding, not someone who has yet to pass beyond the novice stage.

A Black Belt or Black and White Belt doesn't entitle the wearer to teach. They need to have a thorough knowledge of the content and training in the principles of teaching. If they are to teach a watered down sport version, as some suggest, then they still need to know enough so as not to cause injury to those within their duty of care.

Cheyne McMahon

Are Aikido Throws Efficient, Effective and Safe

You can learn how to perform amazing Aikido throws in an efficient and effective way by joining your local Aikido club.  Practise on a regular basis, and you will soon be able to successfully throw your training partner.

Of course, you will have to work on many other skills, before you can attempt to throw in an effective way. For example, you'll have to learn the Aikido club rules/etiquette, how to fall safely, the movements of a variety of techniques, how to effectively work together with a partner in order to develop your techniques further.

After a while you will be able to perform some amazing Aikido throws, that your training partner would not be able to resist... even if they were foolish enough to try!

What are these Aikido Throws?

Well, there are many basic techniques in the art of Aikido, and hundreds of advanced variations as well. Many are simple takedowns that lead to a controlling pin, or they can be adapted into an Aikido throw.

Aikido teaches you how to be spontaneous during your training and find the best possible way to control an attacker... using the minimum amount force.

So, lets take a look at some of the most effective throws. Now, by effective, I mean those that will work under difficult street conditions. This will limit some of the more complex moves that appear to be more flashy, and unlikely to work in a violent street attack situation.

One of the more basic Aikido throws is tenchi-nage, which is based on the principles of heaven and earth, where you reduce your opponents strength by distracting the mind. This is done by sending their energy up and down at the same time, giving you the ability to unbalance them to the rear.

This can easily be adapted into irimi-tsuki, where you control your attacker by lifting their chin up with the palm of your hand, to off-balance them to the rear... effective for all types of attack, dojo or street.

Of course to make a throw work, there are a series of conditions you will need to observe. You must make sure you get the timing right, or you will be too early or too late. If early you can be accused of attacking them, and if too late, you may be hurt.

You will also need to take control of the opponents mind by distracting them. This can be done with a sudden unexpected move, a ki-ai shout, or even an atemi strike to a pressure point.

Another important aspect of making a simple throw work on the street, is learning how to deal with fear and a surge of adrenaline, that will either...

1 - Make you freeze on the spot, and maybe get hurt.
2 - Walk or run away from the situation... good idea!
3 - Apply a successful defence, using minimum force.

But, you have to ask yourself - Is it safe to throw someone down?

In the training hall your partner has learned how to fall safely, and they have nice mats to cushion the effects. In the street your attacker could bang their head on concrete, or another hard surface. This is highly dangerous for them, so it is much better to control them by breaking their balance and take them down in a controlled manner, if possible.

Another very effective throw is called Koshi-nage, where you duck under your attackers hips. This has the effect of taking their legs away and forcing them into a break-fall or pile driver. This will only work if they are coming at you with plenty of momentum, if not you will be vulnerable!

Once again good in the dojo with experienced training partners and mats, but in the street your attacker could be badly hurt. If it is an all out war that you need to survive, by all means go for it. But in my opinion, there are much safer and effective controlling techniques available.

In time, and with dedication to your training, your Aikido Instructor will pass on to you his experience and knowledge in this area... happy training!

Tony Wilden

Aikido Health Centre

Tony Wilden has been studying health and spirituality for over 30 years and Aikido since 1985. He founded the Arun Aikido Club in West Sussex UK in 1992, and has given dozens of demo's and 1000's of health treatments.

Practise Aikido in Daily Life to Fast-Track Your Skills

Many aikido students, just like everyone else, are busy people, and may not have the time to go to an Aikido dojo every day. This often reduces their ability to learn the art down to a couple of times a week. Aikido training a few times a week is a rather slow process, when it comes to developing real aikido skills.

You see... If a class is 2 hours long, the first 20-30 minutes is taken up by warm-ups and stretching to prepare your mind and body for Aikido training. Then you may cover a series of basic movements for 30 minutes, to remind you of the correct attitude, mindset and form. Maybe another 30 minutes, is spent covering several basic and advanced techniques. After a small amount of lecturing on theory... the class is over.

You must have noticed that in each class you are taking a long time just to reach the skill level you were at in previous classes. Once this level is reached you can then develop further. BUT it takes almost half a class to return to where you left off each time, so how can you possibly develop good Aikido skills with the little time left.

It can't be done! At least not quickly. This is why it takes so long to reach Dan grade level in Aikido.

Is there an easier way?... you bet there is! The way to develop your Aikido training skills fast, and take your development to a whole new level, is to practise Aikido in daily life. A little at a time, or for best effect, a few hours, that moves you quickly forward to peak levels of skill.

You can easily work on the form, postures or movements at home (make sure there is enough space). A lot of what you learn in Aikido can be practised without your instructor. Of course, an instructor is definitely necessary to give you tips and feedback on techniques specifically, and also about your direction and progress etc.

But YOU can work on many of the aspects of the art, at home, on your own or with a partner just when it suits you. Now don't go throwing each other around without a safe environment and teacher present. But, you can practise your moves slowly, work through them, and think about them. This is the best way of developing your skills fast!

Even better, is to work on using the theory and principles of Aikido in your everyday life. If you are working on the essence of Aikido in daily life, you will learn at a much faster speed! Think about different aspects of the art, do some research, and imagine the new you with great skills and understanding.

You can either change your lifestyle around drastically and just go for it. Or you can introduce aikido into your day, a little at a time... its your choice, but it can be done. There are several key tools, and tips to get the most out of your training...

How to choose an aikido instructor, best ways to focus your mind for training, principles of Aikido - the real key to effective techniques, how to prevent and treat Aikido training injuries, how to avoid many of the training pitfalls that slow you down, and a lot more... all covered in my Aikido Success Blueprint.

I recommend that you study the art of aikido on and off the training mat for the very best results.

Tony Wilden
Aikido Health Centre

Tony Wilden has been studying health and spirituality for over 30 years, and practising Aikido since 1987. He founded the Arun Aikido Club in West Sussex UK in 1992, and has given 1000's of health treatments. He offers Aikido, Aiki principles, self defence, and pressure points to individuals and small groups.

Questioning Martial Arts

My Sifu, Alan Orr often starts his class with the question "Any questions?"

One of the problems with martial arts training can often be the unwillingness to really question anything, it's an easy habit to get into and often only broken by the best students, so start by asking yourself if you want to be amongst that group? One of the best students, the students who go on to become instructors and/or fighters within their system.

It is a constant questioning of what you are doing, what it is that you are being taught, why do this? What happens in this situation and possibly most importantly "Is what I'm doing actually relevant?" that will lead to finding the solutions. It's maybe that those questions take you away from where you are training to seek out new information, maybe new teachers. I have trained under many different instructors, some good, some not. Sometimes years on you realise all you learned from one was that you had to find another but this article is aimed at cutting down that time span and to help lead you to the right path for you.

Why am I doing this?

This to my mind is one of the questions you should be asking yourself and then a secondary question should be what am I doing to achieve my goals??

My belief is that if you wish to do a martial art then you must want to learn the skills to defend yourself effectively against an average adversary maybe one with greater strength or size, maybe to be able to really fight against a skilled and determined opponent or multiple attackers. The self confidence aspect of martial arts to my mind is the knowledge that you really can do those things under pressure. If you simply want a social club and a bit of fitness thrown into the bargain then fair enough maybe this article holds no relevance to those people and I know there is quite a contingent of people out there that go to their respective martial arts club to say they do a martial art but really have no intention of ever really being able to seriously use it. This article is aimed only at those who really want to achieve a good level of skill and the ability to use it under real pressure.

Anyone who trains at a martial arts club will recognise this scenario.......

You know nothing or very little about the martial arts but are eager to learn, you have seen Bruce Lee flicks, the UFC, Jet Li, you want to be like those guys, you are in a training hall with fifteen others most of which obviously know what they are doing. The instructor starts the class and everything feels alien. You learn some moves, the instructor explains and demonstrates them with the help of a willing senior and they all look good. This is probably where most people have stopped thinking....

Its accepted practice in many walks of life that in order to be successful you must have clear and concise goals. In martial arts this is very true. However so few people take control of their path, instead they chose to rely on the guy standing at the front with the black belt or the pretty suit to take them there. If the guy with the black belt isn't of the highest calibre then you probably won't get to where you wish to be. However if you are in control, if you have done your research and have kept informed then you may learn to recognise what you can take from an instructor and also what to leave, sometimes even when to leave! An instructor must have integrity and humility to truly lead his students to a high standard and this is the ability to be transparent to his students as regards his/her own strengths and weaknesses. I admire any instructor who willingly brings in other teachers to fill his own deficiencies and will happily take his better students to study with others with skills to offer they might not have themselves. The best instructors are unafraid of honesty.

To blindly follow someone on the premise that because he or she has done something a long time therefore they must be right, because they call themselves "Master" or "Sensei" or "Sifu" or simply because they have put themselves into the role of an instructor is certainly unwise. Common sense, taking note of real situations, reading, watching will all tell there own stories so don't ignore them.

Listen to your own experiences!!

My first martial art was Tae kwon do which at the time was very much the fashionable martial art. In some ways I was lucky because I landed at a club where the instructor was both honest and also ex military and unlike many in the TKD field had spent some time boxing and was reasonably progressive with his training. However after 2 years I had started reading Bruce Lee's JKD books and in practice started trying out many of the techniques and concepts outlined there. Bruce Lee's investigations led me to go to a local boxing club and voila.... Some of the guys I really couldn't do much with in sparring suddenly became much less trouble. The day I walked past one particular black belts' defences and landed several unanswered punches was the day I decided TKD had lost its appeal. I had my 5th or sixth grade at the time, no black belt. I didn't want one if 8 weeks boxing could wipe out the advantage of years of my opponents experience.

Be prepared to walk!!!

It was about the same time I decided to find a Wing Chun school. Like many people I decided to learn this martial art because it was the basis of Bruce Lee's thinking. One of the truly keenest and revolutionary minds that the martial arts world had ever produced had based many of his beliefs on his first system and that was good enough for me. Unfortunately finding a teacher to match was another matter. I was in a class almost exactly like I outlined in the scenario above aside from the fact I did have some sparring experience and was still boxing on and off.

One year on my feelings towards this school were changing. Most of the students there couldn't handle my sparring ability, they couldn't handle pace or power, couldn't deal with my ability to kick. I stayed for another year although mainly because I'd met a guy very like minded who became my sparring partner and friend. We used the class to train together and often just experimented with our own ideas. Dave emigrated (returning years later to again help with my development) and that was me done with that school. Again the temptation to stay for the next grade, the next 'level' just lost its appeal and again the idea of chasing the black belt held nothing for me there.

This particular school is a great example of a place where the instructor had lost all his humility and although a nice enough guy who did believe in his own ability he was neither skilled nor really honest. He would rarely chi sao and certainly never spar with his students, external training was very strongly discouraged. Everything was in house. There was never a comparison with the outside and students could blindly follow their "master" for many years achieving meaningless grades in a system that was never ever tested.

The year that time forgot......

In 1993 two things happened that shook the martial arts world. The Ultimate Fighting Championships should have re educated the world as to what it takes to win a fight but much of the martial arts world myself included were unaware of it in its early days (although mixed martial arts certainly changed things for me later on) and a series of books by a gentleman by the name of Geoff Thompson, a night club doorman from Coventry. I can't remember whether it was 93 or 94 when I read "Watch my back", and then bought "Real Self Defence" and "The Pavement Arena".

Real Self Defence is to my mind still one of the best books ever written on the subject of self protection in the street and "Pavement Arena" should be sent to every "traditional" martial arts club in the UK and beyond because its honest and frank discussion of what it takes for a martial art to be effective for real is still very relevant. The information in these two books certainly reinforced some views I held and gave me impetus to explore other aspects of my training. I recognised the truth of what the man said and acted upon it. I still find it amazing how the so many in the martial arts world still manage to ignore all the information available to them, if you wish to own a black belt that's worth more than the 5 quid you paid for it then don't be one of them.


"You too can learn the ways of the force"

I had ditched one martial art took up another and had sampled several others including traditional Ju Jitsu, Freestyle Karate and Kickboxing. Whenever I got sick with Wing Chun I went back to the boxing gym, often doing the two in tandem. My heart was with the kung fu style but often my head with the honest sweat of the gym. Looking back I have often thought that had I put the effort into my boxing over the years that I had my Wing Chun then I would be a better fighter today but as its turned out I now don't think that's true but not because I finally exited the temple doors a shaolin warrior monk with secret kung fu skills only revealed to me after years of training, nor did I face Darth Vader again to finally become a true Jedi.

Like many others I continued to believe that if I just got that bit better in Wing Chun everything would fall into place and I would be the untouchable "Bruce Lee" type I'd seen in his films. I think many martial artists fall into this trap. The truth was I knew my Wing Chun training lacked something, I could see its potential, I knew it had something special, something I hadn't seen anywhere else but couldn't grasp what it was.

So, I followed my Wing Chun instructor and continued to supplement my training now in the new realms of mixed martial arts. I learned some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (A martial art with true depth that has become a second love), Wrestling, takedown defence and indeed takedowns. My new training and sparring partners often derided my Wing Chun training with "prove it, get in the ring, do it!!" In fairness they did give my hands some respect but would often put that down to my boxing and encouraged me to use my long reach and not play the 'Wing Chun' game.

I'll finish this little story with a happy ending but bare with me for the moment and I'll return to the key points of what this article is about.

When learning something new the worst thing to lose is time and many people in martial arts spend many years developing something that simply isn't really relevant in the belief that if they just get better at it then they'll see that thing, learn the ways of the force???? It'll all click??

It's also a total and utter lie

Tae Yun Kim Performs Amazing Martial Art Demonstrations

Snow Training with Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim

A Career in the Martial Arts - From Student to Instructor

If you are a martial arts instructor today, odds are that you began teaching classes for your instructor shortly before or after you earned your black belt. You became a good teacher, but you were still under the control of your instructor, and you loyally taught and followed his syllabus. This is usually a great period in our lives. We can teach without risk but, more importantly, we have gained control of a very important part of our new life and are in a position of power. People bow to us and call us Mr. or Ms. or a title of some sort that we associate with prestige, such as "Sensei." That's a big turnaround for many of us.

That is the beauty of the martial arts. The arts provide you with a healthy way of redefining yourself and your future. I was an 18-year-old bus boy clearing tables in a restaurant during the day and Mr. Graden, black belt teacher, at night. My days were filled with, "Graden, clear off table six, fast!" My nights were, "Mr. Graden, would you please speak to my son? He's having trouble in school, and he looks up to you so much..." Which do you think appealed to me and fueled my ambition?

If you started your training in the 1970s, or maybe even the 1980s, because of the Kung Fu TV show and the many Kung Fu movies, there was what I call an "implied wisdom" in earning a black belt. As a black belt, especially a "master," you were perceived as somehow knowing more about life than the average person. This image of the martial arts master as being a master of life was reinforced by the martial arts movies, television shows, and magazines.

To this day, that prestige has tremendous pull and attraction for martial artists. Why do you think black belts seem in such a rush to call themselves Master, Grand Master, Senior Master, or Supreme Grand Master? In the real world we have master mechanics, master sergeants, chess masters, and even chess grandmasters, but only martial artists insist on actually being called "Master."

On the popular TV show Seinfeld, a small-time conductor insisted everyone, including his girlfriend, call him "maestro." I wonder if sometimes we don't generate some laughs ourselves with these titles.

In moving from a martial arts student to a martial arts school owner, a few things may have happened to you as an assistant teacher. Your instructor may have been "overusing" you and taking advantage of your loyalty. This is never pleasant, because you have to face some cold, hard realities, and your relationship with your instructor begins to change.

Your spouse, family, or friends may have suggested that you were being exploited. They may have urged you to open your own martial arts school. Perhaps even a student offered to back you financially. Being loyal, you decided to be upfront with your instructor and tell him you were considering opening a school.

What was his reaction? Either he went for your throat or insisted you pay him a percentage of your lifetime earnings.

Why did he react that way? Odds are, because he went through the same cycle of moving from no control to total control about a decade before you, and then you threatened that control. He had you, his golden child, teaching classes. You symbolized his success as an instructor, but now you were making the biggest decision in your martial arts life without his control? Not without a fight you weren't.

This is often the beginning of the end of your relationship with your instructor. If he can't control you, he may perceive you as disloyal. Does this sound familiar? "I taught you everything you know. You owe me! How dare you take what I taught you and use it against me?" Mind you, he will probably view anything less than totally capitulating to his demands as working against him.

Contrast this with a college professor. If you attend law school, your law professor wants nothing more than for you to go out and be successful using what he taught you. That is his reward. He doesn't ask for a percentage of your revenue.

One school owner would bring each student into his office right before he tested for black belt. He pulled a.38 revolver out of his drawer, set it on the desk, and explained, "Just to be clear. You will never, ever open a martial arts school in my area. Understood?"

Widely recognized as the man who revolutionized the martial arts industry, John Graden launched organizations such as NAPMA (National Association of Professional Martial Artists), ACMA (American Council on Martial Arts), and MATA (Martial Arts Teachers Association). Graden also introduced the first trade magazine for the martial arts business, Martial Arts Professional.

John Graden's latest book, The Truth about the Martial Arts Business looks into key strategies involved in launching a martial arts business and includes Graden's own experience as a student, a leader and a business owner.

Graden is the author of six books including The Truth about the Martial Arts Business, The Impostor Syndrome: How to Replace Self-Doubt with Self-Confidence and Train Your Brain for Success. From keynote presentations for thousands to one-on-one coaching sessions, John Graden is a dynamic speaker, teacher, and media personality who brings passion and entertainment to his presentations.

The Decline and Fall of Martial Arts Films and the Rise of the Action Blockbuster Movie

Comparing martial arts films of the 1970s to the action blockbusters of 2009/10

Red Cliff, Ip Man and True Legend are already iconic of the early 21st century "martial arts films"-although many can argue they are more action spectacle than true "kung fu" films. The 1970s, on the other hand, didn't rely on eye-candy effects and were defined more by the true grit of its martial arts actors: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, the Five Venoms, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Jimmy Wong, and other real fighters trained in genuine kung fu, karate and other arts.

Martial Arts Becomes Mainstream But Evolves Into Spectacle

Cult classics such as Enter the Dragon helped change Hollywood. Its growing popularity forced filmmakers to adopt martial arts into the formula of the "action flick." Through the eighties and nineties, spectacle thrillers were expected to deliver "the fight moves", even if it was only a few basic moves supported by some stuntmen and wires. Action movies became spectacles that required equal blends of story, drama, pace, "kung fu", special effects and improbable plot twists.

In the 21st century, this became less "equal" with films relying first on special effects, then improbably plot twists (surprise is important, right?), followed by pace, martial arts skills, drama and-last and possibly least today-story. This trend extended even to the hot movies of the last few years, including Kung Fu Panda, Forbidden Kingdom, G.I. Joe and even the Transformers.

Asian Film Industry Threatens to Out-Spectacle Hollywood

With the full support and weight of China's cultural industries, Asian film has blossomed into mainstream spectacles in high demand, led by CGI treats such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers and other instant classics. Arguably, Asian film long ago surpassed Hollywood for imagination, with the western producers buying rights to several hugely successful Asian films. With the largest population demographic in the world, there can be no doubt that Chinese films are set to dominate the film industry in years to come.

Red Cliff and Ip Man are perhaps the best known of these new hit-classics, but the rumor mills and fansites are buzzing with all the latest "coming soon" gossip. The big buz movies in 2010 is True Legend (Su Qi Er), starring Zhao Wen-Zho as the historical Begger Su, the originator of drunken kung fu. Donnie Yen returns in both part 2 of the Ip Man saga and in the much anticipated 14 Blades. Chow Yun-Fat breaks the mold and surprises everyone in his role as Confucius.

Both Hollywood and Asia Rely on CGI and Special Effects

The growing spectacle and importance of the "action film" is both enjoyable to the escapist and annoying for the aficionado of the true martial arts. While the actors in many of the films-in particular Asian films-are genuine martial artists (for example, Donnie Yen, Jet Li and Chow Yun-Fat)-the over-dependence on CGI and elaborate choreography turns the adventure into comic book. With notable exceptions, such as Ip Man and Tony Jaa in Ong Bak (and to a lesser extent Ong Bak 2 and 3), most action films rely on the "wow" factor of dazzling camera angles and computer-aided "enhancements."

Ninja Assassin and the Cross-Over

There are, to be sure, cross-over films such as Ninja Assassin, where actor Rain trained 14 hours a day for months to perfect real martial arts moves (albeit only a handful of repeated moves), blended together with rather Matrix-like special effects. To some, the beauty of the realistic CGI takes away from the pleasure of watching well-choreographed real martial arts.

Ong Bak, on the other hand, led by genuine martial arts expert Tony Jaa, got by on solid martial arts and good choreography. No stuntmen, thank you. Tony Jaa was hailed as the "next Bruce Lee" for this reason, with much buzz and excitement in the martial arts community, and martial arts film fansites.

There's No Escaping Escapism

Action films are, by design, escapist entertainment. They have become somewhat comic-book (pardon me, graphic novel), but that's what most audiences do want. We want to forget reality.

Kill Bill and Kill Bill 2 probably came closest to the ideal mix for both the escapist fan and the martial arts practitioner-fan. While it wasn't "real" by any means, and contained a brilliant and zesty blend of satire, comic-book, spoof, and choreography, it never-the-less nostalgically hearkened back to the wondrous days of Enter the Dragon and the classic Japanese Samarai films of the 70s.

Japanese Film Stays True to Martial Arts Traditions?

Perhaps the film industry most aligned with the older traditions of martial arts film making is Japan. Zatoichi, the Blind Swordsman, was a low-budget film, that became an instant cult classic. Zatoichi took movie audiences back to the classic real-sword skills of the old Samarai films of the earlier decades, and spawned video games and an entire industry.

Less is More? Where is the Real Martial Arts Skill?

Genuine martial arts actors still abound-led by superstars such as Donnie Yen and Jet Li-and most Chinese martial arts actors are proficient. In Hollywood, the film-makers opt for four-move choreography (two kicks, a block and a punch), multiple camera angles (particularly close ups when the skills of the martial artist are not genuine), pounding music, FX, and stuntmen. With the old hopefuls gone from the Hollywood big screen-Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme and the other promising real martial artists-there's now a world of difference between Asian film actors-who work in frigid cold, fourteen hours a day in often primitive conditions, hammering out genuinely complex martial arts moves for relatively paltry paychecks-and Hollywood films that now rely on computer and actor stand-ins.

Batman Now Does Kung Fu

Batman now does kung fu, and so does G.I. Joe, and even Hellboy. They're fun, but the martial artist fan misses the great luminaries of martial arts films who built their careers on the "real thing": Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, David Chiang, Sonny Chiba, Chen Kuan-tai, Tomisaburo Wkayama, Jimmy Wong Yu, Ti Lung and the Liu brothers.

Derek Armstrong is a journalist contributor to several TV news shows, magazines and newspapers. He has appeared as a reporter on HNN's Nancy Grace, the Larry King Show, MSNBC News, FOX News, Inside Edition, NBC's Dateline and the Dr. Phil Show. Armstrong is currently chief crime correspondent for Crime Report USA, and contributes to Films & Books Magazine, Advance Magazine, Canadian Money Magazine, Secure Net News, LINK World News Magazine, and EDI Weekly. Derek Armstrong is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ).

All readers or media who pick up this story agree that use of this information is solely their responsibility and its use is at your own risk. Nothing in this article is intended to advise. Refer to Blogertize News and Entertainment Zines at http://www.blogertize.com for our full information, subscription information, disclaimers and legal information on our publications.

The Culture Of A Champion`s Courage, Body And Mind- The Hayabusa Mma

The Hayabusa MMA revolutionized the clothing along with the proficient apparels for a person all about the universe, first started as a challenge and now transformed into an exclusivist civilization. The evoking and unique simile of Hayabusa MMA often is the peregrine falcon. Framing the fighting spirit as well as independence of the mighty bird, the legendary icon speeds the corporate in direction of unbeaten pathways. Dedicating its clothing and apparel to varied choice growing devoted fans and MMA fighting champions, the product offers inventive and extraordinary designs. Bringing novelty and premium in their clothing line, Hayabusa MMA strongly links the unique appear of its apparel by means of the feel of pride. For martial arts athletes, who are taking the game because a situation of mind and a kind of living, the effervescent and inventive Hayabusa gear generates intense vibrations. 

Considered the best dedicated manufacturer of the maximum and maximum unique stock in the mixed martial arts, Hayabusa MMA is with no any wonder the pioneer of this industry. Created with a well defined offer, every item from the Hayabusa collection has an inventive design type. In the improvement method of this perfect engineering MMA gear, no detail is neglected as well as the enthusiasm along with the fighting courage represents the original base, that spin around the clothing collection. The wonderful inclusive grain leathers along by means of battle-tested arsenal of specialized enhancements are on behalf of the amazing fabrics used in the clothing design and every item of the collection takes the MMA fighters right into a mystical travel, wherever unmatched stability, effectiveness and a distinctively grace, are redefining the actual meaning of an outfitted fighter conceitedly walking to the battle. Along with the premium the fighters deserve, Hayabusa MMA strives to give them the resources as well as the inspiring ideas they want, offering a brilliant choice of fight shorts, t-shirts, hand-wraps, gloves, headgear, pads, and guards. Besides providing several of an ideal high proficiency guards, fight shorts and street wear, Hayabusa has as well designed and developed among the mixed martial arts world outstanding superior MMA gloves. The official MMA fightwear dealer of Hardcore Championship Fighting in Calgary previously it folded was by quality the Hayabusa MMA.

As the Hayabusa gear follows and fulfills some of the peak standards in the MMA clothing and business garb, each user are going to embrace the unique and extraordinary feelings of a champion. The Pro Hybrid MMA Gloves are on behalf of an eloquent example of the innovative and stunning Hayabusa gear. Providing a high performance lining and a Twin Cross Directional closure system, the good-looking gloves are completed out of a hundred% Top quality Grade leather for utmost durability. Especially designed if you are an individual in search of a mystical glove suitable for both the ring and procedure, the Hayabusa Hybrid MMA Gloves are all about versatility. Created by means of an exact surplus thick Pro Hard Padding, these gloves are offering a most knuckle protection. With impeccable fit and comfort degree, the Hayabusa Hybrid MMA Gloves come with an ergonomically perfected design. 

The Hayabusa MMA goes beyond their easy establishment since the fighting gear industry leaders and their superb products.Being the official supporter of UFC, Hayabusa collection concentrates on propelling MMA in the direction of one of the most success pathways ,sustaining body and mind both the novice and the experienced athletes.

Jujitsu: History, Philosophy And Methods

Jujitsu is a 2500 year old unarmed combat discipline that has its roots in ancient Japan. The exact date on the creation of this martial art form is hard to trace but techniques resembling that of Jujitsu had already been incorporated into the training methods of the Samurai, from the 8th to the 6th centuries. Earliest Japanese historical records such as the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) also have passages related to unarmed combat systems. 

Before this Japanese martial art developed into what we know as Jujitsu today, there were many other Japanese combat techniques such as Kogusoku, yawara, kumiuchi, and hakuda etc, also collectively known as Sengoku Jujutsu. Traditions finally gave rise to the modern Nihon Jujutsu we know today, which is classified under Edo Jujutsu – the true unarmed Japanese combat system. 

Jujitsu gained prominence during the reign of Tokugawa in the 1600s but was soon alienated when Emperor Melse regained power. However, towards the mid-20th century, the ban on Jujitsu in Japan was lifted, following the Meiji restoration, and the combat art form began to be widely practiced. 

The Philosophy:

Jujitsu revolves around three basic states of mind – Zanshin, Mushin and Fudoshin. The proper combination of these elements gave the power, preparation and potential to the practitioner to excel in the Jujitsu art. 

1. Zanshin – “remaining spirit” – connotes the readiness for anything at any given time.

2. Mushin – “no mind” – Its spontaneity permits instantaneous action without conscious thought.

3. Fudoshin - "immovable mind" –during times of confrontation.

Basic Methods:

Jujitsu is a circular, hard and soft, external combat style. The basic techniques of attacks includes throws, locks, hitting and striking, thrusting and punching, pinning and immobilizing, strangling and joint-locking, with strong emphasis on throws, locks, and defensive techniques. In-fighting and close work are also focused upon. 

Even though Jujitsu is basically an unarmed fighting system, small weapons like the Jitte (truncheon), Tanto (knife), or Kakushi Buki (hidden weapons), which include the Ryofundo Kusari (weighted chain) or the Bankokuchoki (a type of knuckle-duster) may also be used in combat.

Competition Systems:

Conventional Jujitsu can be dangerous, or maybe even fatal if its fundamental techniques were to be applied. So, in order to make the art a safer sport for the competitive arena, systems and rules have to be introduced. That is why most of the competition methods have incorporated “Half-contact”, which prohibits serious attempts to knock out an opponent.

1. The Fighting System: This is the most popular method, divided into three phases. The first is for striking only, the second for striking, grappling and throwing, and the third includes ground-fighting such as chokeholds.

2. The Practical System: According to this rule, two defenders are surrounded by four attackers from four corners. Highest points go to the best defender judged upon effectiveness, oversight and control of the situation.

3. The Duo System: In this system, contestants are randomly chosen and awarded points for effective defences. The attacks are divided into four groups of five attacks each.

4. Combat Jujitsu: The most recent system developed in the United States. Victory in the competition is based on submission. The combat round between the two opponents lasts for not more than two minutes.

Interesting Facts About The History Of Children's Karate

If you're thinking of enrolling your kids in karate classes, then you're probably here to do a little research about the facts of the history, the science and the ultimate end effects of children's karate. If you're still on the fence about kids martial arts in Minneapolis, check out these five facts below.

Karate Has Traditionally Been Taught to Children Since its Inception
While the original purpose of the martial arts was in the name of defense, in systemizing defensive principles into a school of thought that could be taught, it wasn't long before children were being taught these principles as well. Karate has always demanded a kind of discipline and self knowledge that makes for strong development as a child grows.

Karate has Been Used in Children's Recuperative Therapy
Kids of all ages who are recuperating from injuries sometimes enlisted in karate classes as a way to recover. The idea is that for them to learn a discipline over their own body, that the principles of the form will rub off on all aspects of their lives and help them gain a fuller control of their own bodies. A child who suffers a broken arm, for instance, would do well to strengthen it with the help of martial arts training.

Shotokan was Developed as a Kid Friendly Martial Art
Shotokan was actually developed in part to teach school children the value of the ethics of karate and to shape them into contributing adults in the east. Shotokan is a style of Karate focused especially on the personal benefits before the martial aspects. While shotokan can be used in self defense, its primary purpose is in self improvement.

Kids who Study Karate Suffer Fewer Injuries in School Sports
Child karate teaches a familiarity with one's own body, first and foremost. Your kids may or may not ever have to use their martial arts in self defense, but they will most certainly get some use out of the precision of movement that they learn. Karate teaches you to know yourself, to know your body, and to have a more precise control over yourself than most. This means fewer injuries on the field.

Children Who Study Karate Do Better in School
This is where the discipline takes effect. A child who can master the first three kata in their class in martial arts in Minneapolis will find it easier than a walk in the park to read a couple of books and ace some tests at school.

Reaching Fitness Ambitions With Martial Arts

Discover How to Use An Easy Meditation Exercise To Boost Your Martial Arts Expertise

Martial arts is not just about sparring with your spouse or hitting a punch-bag for thirty minutes. To be truly effective at the arts you want to be ready to include meditation and breathing physical exercises into your everyday lifestyle, you can begin operating the thoughts-body-spirit connection in some fairly delicate means and not so delicate means.

There are quite a few diverse forms of meditation workouts to decide on from based on what you are making an attempt to acquire. For instance if you are making an attempt to search for enlightenment with Buddhism, then you will meditate differently from the particular person who is attempting not to yell at the kids.

Western Vs Eastern Martial Arts

The martial arts of the west had their great stage techniques which can be uncovered in the review of the ancient Greek fighting art regarded as Eleftheri Pali which will mean ruthless overcome or something goes. Scenes depicting this product can be identified on historical pottery and demonstrate deadly strikes to the throat and groin. Later on the additional sportive Pancration arrived about which was practiced for the Olympic games. In later on instances, Dans la rue Savate (road savate) was produced in France. I trained some of the personalized bodyguards of French Prime Minister Jaques Chirac in 1995. They have been versed in Savate as properly as Jiu Jitsu and numerous forms of Karate. Most of their instruction centered on how to prevent or incapacitate or kill a would be assassin. What occurred was that in simplifying their coaching the finish end result resembled primary CQC which is comparable to the beginning system of Guided Chaos. It appears that when males who have to battle for a residing develop a program of fighting it all starts to appear the exact same. Simplicity is king. The road or overcome Savate that was demonstrated to me was pretty powerful. Generally minimal kicks, knees and hard style boxing and side of hand strike combinations had been made use of. These guys skilled each day like their life depended on it.

One exercising that they practiced to develop strong punching energy was to carry out up to three sets of 20 dips with many quantities of excess weight all around their waists from thirty kilos to 60 kilos. They felt that obtaining strong triceps and shoulders would make it possible for them to maximize their punching electrical power. I demonstrated Guided Chaos dropping energy for them by getting three of them line up in front of me locked in a robust stance. I placed my ideal fist on the initial man's shoulder and dropped even though shifting my fist about three inches into the to begin with man leading to him to fall into the following and the up coming a single fell into the 3rd one. This gave them a thing to consider about. I showed F.C., their leading fighter, how to do it and he has practiced it for fairly a when and I trust that he teaches this to his guys even nowadays. Dropping Energy is a much more sophisticated version of the "drop punch" that American boxer Jack Dempsey developed and later was utilized accidentally by Muhammad Ali when he knocked out Sonny Liston. Dropping Power uses some principles relatively comparable to "cold power" in tai chi and other internal Asian systems. By using dropping energy with CQC striking we have a beneficial melding of eastern and western procedure.

Acquiring A Lot From Your Combined Martial Arts Sports Coaching

At some stage, you will need to have to concentrate your mixed martial arts training on submission holds. This is the way quite a few matches are won. Applying a submission maintain can let a competent competitor to go from shedding the match to successful it in a make any difference of seconds. Of program, it's not advised that you rely totally on submission retains, as you want to increase all of your competencies, but they can enable you win, primarily in near fights. Retains such as the triangle choke and the rear naked choke need to nonetheless be studied and practiced when you have time. These retains can be threatening and should be practiced meticulously and you should master them from anyone who is seasoned ample to teach them to you safely.

It's important that you train with a wide variety of men and women at your combined martial arts health club or martial arts college. Make a stage of coaching with these who are even more knowledgeable and skillful than you. Everyone's ego can lead them to only train with somebody who is at their degree or reduced so they can sense in handle of the position.