Yoshitsugu Yamashita, Judo Techniques and MMA

Yoshitsugu Yamashita, born in 1865 started very early with martial arts training at the Yoshin-ryu and Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu as his father was of the samurai class. This is what allowed him to enter the Kodokan Judo School quite young, very soon performing outstanding judo techniques and at the same time getting involved in mixed martial arts fights on the streets as he was a quarrelsome fellow.

It is known, that while still in Japan, he got involved in a fight with about fifteen people in a restaurant. Due to the excitement of the situation he overreacted and broke one fellow's neck killing him. The others ran off all bruised. The police arrested him, but very soon he was freed as he could prove that he was assaulted by all fifteen. Nevertheless he got temporarily suspended by the Kodokan.

In 1902 Sensei Kano, who was often contacted by judo enthusiasts of other nations wishing to have Kodokan teachers, decided to send Yamashita to the States, in order to teach judo to the Americans.

Yamashita started with a dojo in Washington DC and also taught at Harvard University, where his first student was Mary Lee, the grand-daughter of General Robert E. Lee. Then thanks to President Theodore Roosevelt, who also became one of his student, he became a judo teacher at the Naval Academy.

While there he accepted a mixed martial arts fight with an American wrestler, George Grant (6'3'' 230lb), whom he beat without any problems, throwing him twice with his outstanding judo techniques and then pinning him to the ground. Thanks to this victory, which impressed everybody there, his teaching contract was prolonged for another two years.

Even though he had all these successes, he was rather lonely in his life and had difficult times, because of the language, which he did not fully understand and a lack of money. Once he was challenged by a boxer from New York, who called him "small Japanese". Everybody got really excited about this mixed martial arts challenge between a judoka and a boxer and tickets for the match got literally sold out.

Each one of the fighters entered the ring with its typical outfit. The boxer charged Yamashita with his punches, but with no effect as the "little Japanese" was able to escape all of them. While doing this he studied the boxer and just waited for the opportunity to get his arm in order to throw him, which happened immediately with a hane goshi. The spectators just heard the loud noise of the boxer falling on the ground and a few seconds later again with a beautiful seoi nage.

Yamashita won the match, the crowd was so excited and enthusiastic, that later on a stamp was emitted in order to commemorate this moment of an outstanding judo techniques' performer also doing well in a mixed martial arts fight at the beginning of 1900.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4202170

All Judo Players And Coaches Must Do This: The Post Competition Analysis

Do you sit down and do a post fight analysis after judo competition?

If you coach, do you have a standard mode or form of communication or a meeting after tournaments?

If you are a student, is there an opportunity for you to provide feedback to your coach after the tournament?

You may be surprised, but as a Combat Sports Consultant I have seen many athletes and coaches miss this very key element to athlete development. As a coach I can tell you right now that that it is a very difficult portion of the training to implement.

Why?

Well, getting feedback from your student or client requires "deep" listening. Deep listening occurs whenever your mind is quiet. Your thoughts are flowing rather than crowding your head with distractions, interpretations, judgment making, conclusions, or assumptions. The goal of deep listening is to hear beyond the words of the other person and yourself, to the essence of what the words and feelings are pointing to. You are listening wholeheartedly.

As a coach, this is really tough because when your student or client is speaking you are going to want to "explain" or "coach" them through their answer so they can "understand" but what you MUST understand is that it is you who must understand.

I can remember a time when I was preparing an athlete for the Olympics and after the Olympic, we had a debriefing session as usual and the athlete told me, "You ruined my life!"

As hard as it was for me to hear, I had to sit down, shut up and listen deeply. It was very difficult. After the client spoke I asked him, "Why did you say that I ruined your life?" He replied, "Because you lied to me. You had me thinking and believing that I could win."

Now, I'm sure that you know that as a coach, it is my job to provide the client with the best chance at winning and i must believe in them and make them believe in the program, in themselves and in what they are doing. Never in a million years did I think this was a bad thing, but I can tell you this, I learned a great deal about high level athlete preparation that day. Why am I telling you this?

I'm relaying this message to you so that you can understand that many times you really do not have a clue of how your athlete or client feels and even if you think you do, you do not, unless you really mine and dig deliberately for such information.

After every judo competition, I email my clients a series of questions and I have post-competition debriefing sessions along with film/video analysis to make sure I understand them completely, how they felt during the competition, how they felt about their preparation and what and how they think the process can be improved. Sometimes they're points are valid and sometimes they are invalid, but they are always VALUABLE. It's always better to know than not know.

What I have found out that is super important is that there are times where what I believe that I am teaching is NOT what I am actually teaching. Meaning, the message that I meant to relay and the message that came across are two different messages. Feedback from the athlete/client allow me to refine the coaching and communication process.

If you do the sport of judo, you must not only scout the competition and prepare physically, you must also improve the communication between the coach and the athlete. One element of this is doing the post fight analysis.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6027894

Judo's Biggest Secret - The Technical Myth

Many individuals define good technique or a person as being *technical if they display the techniques which they believe are sound moves and traditional moves which 1) appeal to their definition of the sport and 2) can be accomplished by the player in the environment in which he/she is competing.

This is the MYTH!

People look at those who have achieved Olympic Medals, World Medals, International Medals and various championships and place those individuals, which display the moves that they like as being technical players, when in fact their judgment is completely off, tainted with survivor bias and skewed via of an untrained eye.

This is the MYTH.

Another MYTH exists when arguments are made about how people win matches and the argument is initiated by phrases such as: Yes, she won, but she didn't win on technique. She beat the more technical player with tactics and strategy. That's not technique. That's not the (insert sport here) that I want to teach my kids.

This is the MYTH.

The TECHNICAL MYTH lies in the fact that many people don't know how to properly define and differentiate the following:

A TECHNIQUE FROM BEING TECHNICAL!!!

First up. Let's look at the word technique.

Webster defines it as

1: the manner in which technical details are treated (as by a writer) or basic physical movements are used (as by a dancer); also: ability to treat such details or use such movements

2 a: a body of technical methods (as in a craft or in scientific research) b: a method of accomplishing a desired aim"

It is CLEAR to see that through the lens of a PRACTITIONER one sees technique as being a set of physical movements. But through the lens of a SCHOLAR/COACH one sees technique as being a method.

You see. A good technique or good "technique", as many people say it, does NOT win contests.

What win's contests are A TECHNICALLY SOUND SYSTEM. A good method! A good strategy.

The Technical Myth is that being technical has nothing to do with your PHYSICAL technique. (a good uchimata will not necessarily help you win, it can't hurt. But...a good uchimata and no grips, or a good uchimata and no conditioning, or a good uchimata and no strategy will most likely earn a loss).

Here's The Secret.. The Key

The secret to success is strategy execution. Not strategic execution....STRATEGY execution. The Delivery Method of your movements is the key. The System that you create, follow or adhere to will allow you to successfully execute your technique.

For example, if player X trains judo all of his life and has some beautiful waza and fights against a person that has been doing judo for 6 months and the person that has been doing judo for 6 months wins, it could possibly be said (can't be for sure so we must say possibly) the more technical fighter won the fight.

Why?

Because the "delivery system" for the issuance or display of technique(s) was superior.

Some may say: "But the other person just used strength!"

Well strength is only a part or portion of the system which "delivered" the win.

In order to be Technical, you have to have a Technical System in place to allow your techniques to be displayed or to impede one's techniques from being displayed.

No system is fool-proof.

Some systems are better than others; some systems are BETTER for others. (Read that last 

sentence again, please). Every system should be analyzed and questioned.

The Technical Myth causes coaches to make SEVERAL mistakes. Here are the chief ones that I found, which exist in the United States in a major way: 

1. Lack of a collaborative approach. No one knows everything. Find the person who IS THE BEST in their area. Create a collaborative team approach and then work for the best interest of the clients and/or athletes
2. Not placing your system under scrutiny. Have someone come in and analyze your system and teaching methods no matter how good you think that they are. You can always use some help. Don't ever believe that just because you've been doing something longer than someone else, that you know more than someone else. You may, but you may not know something which they know that can help you.
3. Not being able to explain the basic tenets and structure of your system in an intelligent manner.
4. Not having an open mind. Have an open mind about your sport. The Bible has a verse in it that reads (and I'm paraphrasing) that there is nothing new under the sun. This is true. However, we learn something new everyday. So, while it may not be new to God, it may be new to you ;-)
5. Not removing your ego. REMOVE YOUR EGO and realize your bias. Keep the athlete/client at the forefront.
6. Not increasing your knowledge base through education. Refusal to get coaching education. The Coaching Education courses provided by USA Judo at this time are ill-equipped to provide US coaches with the information which they need at this time
7. Not invoking diversity. Diversity is good (I'm not talking gender or race here, I'm talking about thought). Diversity of thought processes and schools of thought are good
8. Trying to pick up another country's model. Look at the best practices. I would encourage everyone to do this. Adopt it, if it fits. It has to fit socially, morally, ethically, economically, educationally, personally, affectively, etc.,. More than likely you will have to develop your own. (or you could just ask your National Governing Body for a copy of their model and follow that. LOL) :-) Remember, Judo is a Japanese sport which has a huge Asian cultural component to it. The cultural imperatives and allowances in Japan aren't the same as here. You can't pick the Japanese model and plop it down in the United States and expect it to work. It can work for individuals but not on a mass production level. U.S. culture will not allow it. (I would have loved to beat Taraje with a Kendo stick or slapped him in the face if he didn't fold up my gi appropriately after practice, but that is not how we teach judo here. And yes, I've seen beatings doled out in Japan. And they are serious. But it does create a culture of conformance and compliance in the dojo.) LOL Just kidding.

With all that being said.... Harvard Business Review magazine had an article on "Success Strategy Execution" and in that article it was reported that the number one thing that mattered most for executing a strategy was Information.

This is the reason why I really try to put out as much information as possible because all of the things which I provide can truly enhance and develop your ability to build, create and have a sound model to teach and use so that you can actually, on a personal level or as a coach, allow your technical moves to be displayed via a good Technical System.

Hopefully you now understand how two individuals can speak about technique and have differing viewpoints based upon their conceptual framework concerning athlete development.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2162354

Benefits of Kids Martial Arts - Focus and Concentration Inside and Outside the Dojo

Focus in Kids Martial Arts

There are many benefits associated, or at least claimed to be, with martial arts for kids. One of these is focus. By focus I am referring to focus of attention, taking instruction, listening to the teacher or put simply concentration. Learning judo, kung fu or karate for kids involves listening to the teacher, understanding the instruction and acting on it. Often this process involves a physical demonstration. Nothing spectacular in any of that but it can result in a concurrent improvement in focus at school.

I remember one mother after a grading had finished remarking how well her daughter took instruction. I agreed with her but it turned out that her child had a form of dyslexia which was supposed to make taking instruction difficult. I was incredulous at the time, as the girl in question was one of the most dedicated kids, worked very hard at her training and as a result was one of the most talented kids in the class. I would never have guessed her condition.

Other times I have parents telling me their kids grades have improved at school, partly, at least to the kids ability to focus improving. This is all very good but how does this happen?

In many ways martial arts classes are an analogy for the big bad world. You get out what you put in, and this should be especially so for kids. Children will mess about given the chance, by balancing learning MA skills with fun games that are relevant to martial arts, the kids have fun and learn through play! This balance of learning and fun keeps kids on track AND focused!

Focus in Kids Martial Arts Classes and School is Rewarded

In Martial Arts classes, as in school, children that pay attention are able to learn to a higher level than those that don't. In martial arts this is reward is manifested at gradings as the relatively higher skill level in comparison to less attentive kids is demonstrated and rewarded in the form of the highly desirable new coloured belt.

At gradings we tend not to fail kids, rather we break belts or grades into quarters so the less able have a reasonable opportunity to progress. This enables a certain amount of leeway to reward those that put the effort in with higher (partial) grades than those that tend to cruise.

There is a natural selection process here. If a kid puts the effort in, practices at home as well as in class it is reflected in their ability. It is very obvious to see. Of course the reverse is true; anyone coasting does not improve to the same level.

By ensuring that focus in class is rewarded with praise and tangible reward, kids come round to the idea that it's a good idea to listen and act on instruction. Not rocket science but this occurs time and time again. Through positive peer 'pressure' in class to do the correct thing, focus, and with tangible rewards on offer kids get the message. This is reinforced through the sheer joy of learning a physical skill.

The act of overcoming an obstacle that once seemed impossible, breeds confidence and supports the notion that focusing on the teachers advice is a good, helpful thing. Nowhere is this more so than in kids martial arts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5155255

The Major Things That You Need In Order To Be Good At Judo

Everybody knows.... well, almost everybody that knows that I started judo at the age of seven and stopped when I hit 13. My parents decided to move from Miami, Florida up north to Pennsylvania and I had to say "bye-bye" what I hoped would be a great judo career.

Well, what does all that mean?

Well, first it means that there MUST be another way to get good at judo without actually DOING judo.

I know it sounds ridiculous, but an athlete that I coach personally also took a long layoff from Judo and we worked together to get him all that way to being the number one ranked player in the United States in his division.

How?

Well, here's a dirty little secret and I know you aren't going to believe me but here's what I found out.

The sport of Judo is as much as a "mental game" as it is a physical one. If you want to improve your judo you need to sharpen your mind!!

A Professor from the well-known Duke University in the United States discovered that finding Simple, yet effective ways to Use your brain can help you Process information, faster and better.

Now what I'm going to say to you right now is completely crazy. BUT I am 100% honest with you and if you are an athlete, a coach or just want to get better at Judo, here are some things that you should do today!

POINT #1

1. Read. That's right - READ!!

The benefits of reading are enormous. Now don't just read anything. Read, Sun Tzu's "Art of War", read books by Aristotle, Plato, "The Prince" by Machiavelli. Read books on combat, business takeover strategies, and things of that particular nature.

===================================

JUDO IS A THINKING SPORT.

===================================

It requires, strategy and tactics and knowing when to strike and at the right time.

Think about this. How many times has someone accused you of kicking them while doing judo? Many, right. You want to know why? Because a well-timed kick is a foot sweep and poor timed foot sweep - is a kick! Read and get mentally sharp - you will be amazed at how your focus will increase.

POINT #2

2. Play Chess! If you don't play chess - start playing. Get a book and learn. How often have you heard about a tennis match, football game, wrestling match or a mixed martial arts fighting seeming just like a "chess match". Heck, you've heard the reference many times, haven't you? So if Judo matches are just like chess matches (and they are) - why don't you play chess!?!?!?!

Let me share this inside story with you....

During the years of 2003 to 2004 I don't think that you could have walked in the cafeteria at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado without seeing at least 3 to 4 matches of chess being played at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Before and after practicing everyone was playing.

Why?

Because the game of Ches, like Judo requires YOU to see things 3, 4, 5, 6 and sometimes 7 moves ahead. You have to anticipate what is going to happen, You have to make and take CALCULATED risks, you have to do all of these things while playing. Chess is the best (and might I add safest) way to get an 'extra' practice in that will drastically improve your judo. Just think about some of the best judo players and grappler that you know. I'll give you a list:

Lloyd Irvin:

Lloyd was my Brazilian Jiujitsu coach, training partner and my judo student and then he became my judo coach. He's won several National Judo Championships and is a World Jiujitsu champion. And he was selected by the United States Judo Federation as the International Coach of the Year in 2002. When it comes to match strategy he is like a genius. He coaches Ultimate Fighting Champion Brandon Vera and he is known all around the world as "The Grappling Coach". He gets up every morning and either reads or writes in order to keep his mind sharp and stay on top of the numerous businesses that he runs.

Jimmy Pedro:

Jimmy Pedro is a 4-time Olympian, a 1999 World Judo Champion and a 2-time Olympic Bronze Medalist. He's also a graduate of Ivy League, Brown University, the author of a book and runs and operates his own business.

Robert Berland:

Robert (Bobby) Berland is a 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist, a graduate of San Jose State University and currently he owns and operates a successful printing business in Chicago. He was also a coach on the 2004 Olympic Team staff and I had the opportunity to speak with him on several occasions and he is "sharp" as a tack. And although not a judo player, this man is a wrestler and an excellent example of why you should keep your mind sharp and also why you should take the time to add "the listening of classical music" to your list.

******Key Point*******

(and honestly, just my opinion)

Instead of pumping rap music, R&B, heavy metal and rock -n- roll through your eardrums, try a little classical music.

Why?

Well, other styles of music tend to make you operate off of an emotional high. Before competing I never listened to music - I needed to think! I can't think with garbage being pumped into my head. It's the equivalent of trying to concentrate on something and people are talking in the background. You 'can' concentrate, but you have to use some of your mental energy in order to 'block out' the background noise.

I digress...

Last but not least, make sure you check out...

Alexander Karelin

And if you don't know who he is then it is best if you find out RIGHT AWAY. From 1987 to 2000 he was UNDEFEATED. He holds 9 World Championships and 3 Olympic Gold Medals. He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D. in Education). He listens to classical music regularly and is also an avid chess player. And in JUDO, our job is not only to advance in judo, but in life.

The lessons that we learn in Judo and from Judo should allow us to build quality character, good self-esteem, quality morals, sound ethics and good citizenship.

I found out that the most important things that you need to have in order to become a great judo player is the ability to get in shape and the willingness to learn.

An open mind and a fit body - those are the things that you need - FIRST!!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6043200

Benefits of Martial Arts Training For Kids

Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we've all plopped the kids in front of the television and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, we can get started on dinner, maybe check email or sort that massive pile of laundry.

But when your five-year old yells at you "Mom, Kids Rule!" or your ten-year old horrifies you with language that would make a sailor blush, you realize there must be something amiss with what these "family programs" really teach our kids. And sadly, its happening all over the media today, from sports to cartoons, and our children are learning things that we, as parents, vowed we would never teach them. Old fashioned values like respect and self-discipline, seems to have been forgotten, replaced by the dreaded "bling bling" pop culture of today.

Just the thought of your angelic three-year old morphing into a designer-clad, smart-mouthed, money-worshipping, me-obsessed, lay-about is enough to make any parent consider that threatening military school brochure, but there is a solution out there to consider.

Martial Arts training.

From Ninja Turtles to The Karate Kid

You and your kids have all seen the flying kicks, battle cries and mighty chops of their favorite TV characters, as they beat the bad guys to submission - but, you may ask, how on earth can these acts of violence teach my child anything worthwhile?

First, know that what you see on television (save perhaps the Karate Kid) is a far cry from what real martial arts are all about. The fact is, martial arts training is based on non-violence.

Originating in Asia (mainly Japan, China and Korea, although Thailand and Vietnam have their own practices as well), martial arts range from a variety of types and styles, all of which are based on well-rounded, moral teachings. The beauty of learning martial arts is that it encompasses not just the physical aspect of the "sport", but mental and emotional lessons as well.

Comparing that to other kid's activities and sports, where fierce competitiveness and "winning at all costs" seems to be the order of the day, it's not surprising that many children grapple with issues of self-esteem and misplaced aggression.

Now imagine your child actually learning valuable life lessons, skills that he will take throughout life, laying the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted and fulfilled adult life. If only karate for kids was popular in the 70's, when I was growing up!

The Advantages

o Karate, and other martial arts for kids, builds confidence and self-esteem as well as self-discipline, respect, concentration and courtesy.

o Many martial arts schools also offer leadership courses for kids, in conjunction with their karate for kids programs, or similar lessons.

o Martial Arts is ideal for children who do not do well in team sports, giving them the ability to flourish this activity, while combining physical and mental practices.

o Many do not realize this, but it is a fact that martial arts training are safer than most school sports.

o Children with special needs, such as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), learning difficulties and hyperactivity are often recommended to participate in martial arts for kids because of the clear benefits in its structured training techniques. 

Kung-Fu Master or Ninja Warrior?

Before you sign up Junior for the first martial arts class you see, take some time to check out the different methods available, and match it with what you know would suit your child best. This is a good way to avoid any problems that may sprout from a conflict of your child's personality and the training techniques.

Is your little Zach a sensitive soul? Then maybe a class that doesn't center on sparring (full-on kicks and punches training) but rather, slower, defensive maneuvers would fare better for him. Kids with an aggressive streak, however, may prefer the more forceful moves and thrive in competitive sparring.

Here's a quick primer on the kid-friendly martial arts training you're likely to find:

Martial Arts From Japan

Karate

o Uses defensive and aggressive moves

o Centers on building strength and endurance

o Involves chops, punches, kicks, strikes, blocking and sparring

o May use weapons

Jujitsu

o Uses defensive and aggressive moves

o Involves lots of sparring

o Teaches a fair amount of weapons training

Aikido

o Uses a more "spiritual" and harmonious style in redirecting the aggression of the attacker as the form of defense, using throws, pins, rolls etc.

o Taught on the premise of disabling an aggressor without attacking, through your individual inner energy

o Does not involve sparring or competitions

Judo

o Uses gentle, "wrestling-like" movements

o Considered one of the safest methods of martial arts

o Emphasizes physical control as well as mental development

o Engages in competitions 

Martial Arts From China

Kung-Fu

o The generic term referring to Chinese martial arts with a variety of styles

o Involves attack movements as well as defensive techniques

o Teaches kicks, punches, chops, throws, falls, grappling, katas, leg sweeps and blows among others.

o Engages in sparring competitions 

Martial Arts From Korea

Taekwondo

o Competitive in nature, involves techniques using elaborate footwork and unique high kicks.

o Emphasizes strength, force and attack methods.

o Engages in lots of sparring and competitions. 

Choosing The Right Instruction

If you have an idea of the type of martial arts class you'd like your child to participate in, the next step would be to find the right school. Finding the right class that not only matches your child's and your needs, in terms of teachers you feel comfortable with, the price, facilities and so on, are all important factors.

Say you've found a local place that specializes in Karate for Kids. What are the things you should look for?

1. Good Instructors

Check out their qualifications, teaching methods and watch carefully how they interact with the other children. It should be a fun learning experience!

2. Space and Safety

Obviously you would want to entrust your child in as establishment that is safe, well-maintained, and clean with ample space as well as decent facilities and equipment.

3. School Values

Different martial arts schools inevitably go by different values, for instance, one kid's karate class may handle aggression in one way, while a judo class would have a different approach. Take some time to observe which school's ideals match your family's principles.

4. Prices and Schedules

Prices for martial arts training can vary according to school and location, so make sure you the instruction you choose represents fair value. Finding the most effective way to fit martial arts training into your family's lifestyle is also essential, knowing what works best with your schedule and other activities. 

Baby Blackbelts

Starting your child young in karate training is ideal (children as young as the age of four are usually accepted, as it is also a good way to hone fine motor skills), and lots of parents have found that in as little as a year, their children who were involved in martial arts had noticeably gained positive traits such as increased self-esteem, respect and overall physical fitness.

Many parents also opt to join a martial arts training program themselves, making it a great bonding experience for the entire family.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/52697

Fighting Fit - Martial Arts and Weight loss

If your goal is to improve your fitness or lose weight but you need to do something more exciting than jogging on a treadmill to keep you motivated, perhaps you should consider doing a martial art like boxing, kickboxing, karate, or judo.

In this article we list the top 10 reasons to consider doing a martial art for fitness and weight loss to help you decide if doing one is right for you.

1. Doing martial arts for weight loss

It's no coincidence that gyms, personal trainers and producers of exercise videos and DVD's are now heavily incorporating training techniques and exercises from a wide variety of martial arts in their workouts.

Boxercise, Tae Bo, Cardio-Kickboxing, Kung Fu Aerobics, and personal trainers using punching bags, focus mitts and kicking pads in their sessions are just a couple of examples of how martial arts training is being used in cardio workouts for fitness and weight loss.

Because martial art training is typically high intensity and usually lasts for at least an hour in most cases, it burns a maximum number of kilojoules or calories per workout and is therefore great for anyone who wants to lose weight and lose it fast.

2. Doing martial arts for fitness

Most martial arts incorporate exercises and drills that improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance, help build muscle strength and improve muscle flexibility so they are perfect for anyone wanting to improve their overall fitness.

Cardiovascular fitness improvements require us to regularly elevate our heart rate for extended periods and most martial arts training can help us do that.

Improving the strength, size and shape of our muscles requires us to regularly subject them to some form of resistance training. Martial arts training helps provide this training by requiring us to perform exercises like push-ups and squats using our own body weight for resistance.

Improved flexibility is a natural byproduct of martial arts training because most, if not all styles of martial art incorporate stretching exercises in their workouts.

As a result of providing all of these fitness benefits, martial artists like boxers and kickboxers are widely regarded as being among the fittest athletes in the world and practitioners of karate, judo, etc are considered among the strongest pound-for-pound and most flexible athletes in the world.

3. Doing martial arts and self-defense

One of the most obvious benefits of doing a martial art is that it provides us with the fitness, strength, skill and techniques necessary to protect ourselves from being attacked by others who are out to harm us if the need should ever arise.

Like an insurance policy, we hope you're never in a position to have to use your martial arts training to defend yourself, but it's great to know this ability is there just in case.

Because they are primarily concerned with elevating our heart rates to burn energy and improve our fitness, many of the workouts listed above like Tae Bo, Boxercise, etc don't really provide this benefit to the same extent as doing martial arts training with a dedicated teacher in a martial arts school that only provides one service - to teach you a specific martial art.

Many people mistakenly believe that because they punch a focus mitt 50 times during a session with their personal trainer that they know how to punch properly and can therefore defend themselves if they need to. This is a big mistake and we hope these people never find themselves in a situation where this belief is tested.

Unless they've had many years of martial arts training themselves, most personal trainers and gym instructors will not be able to offer advice about your punching and kicking technique, they are only really qualified to hold the focus mitts or kick-pad for you while you punch or kick them.

Remember, while probably great at what they do, these trainers are more like aerobics instructors than specifically qualified martial arts instructors.

4. Doing martial arts and self-confidence

In addition to providing us with the ability to defend ourselves, one of the greatest personal benefits that martial art training provides is a high degree of self-confidence.

This self-confidence partly results from the knowledge that we are much better equipped to defend ourselves given that we have done some martial arts training, but it also comes from a sense of achievement once we begin to master the techniques taught to us and the new confidence that results from feeling fitter and stronger and looking fitter and stronger.

Given that one of the first things to suffer, and one of the hardest things to reestablish afterwards, when we become overweight is our self-confidence this benefit is of particular value to those of us who have a weight problem.

5. Doing martial arts to improve body balance and coordination

As well as helping us to become fitter and stronger, martial art training typically involves the mastery of a range of techniques that requires us to be well-balanced and have superior body coordination.

In learning to master these techniques we naturally improve our balance and our coordination which helps us with other aspects of our daily life.

6. Doing martial arts for variety

Martial art training provides great variety in two ways.

Firstly, martial arts training sessions themselves have great variety built into them by including warm-ups and cool-downs, stretching exercises, strength building exercises, cardio exercises and exercises designed to improve and teach us a wide variety of techniques.

This variety is great for our mind as well as our body.

Secondly, there are such a wide variety of martial arts to study that we should be able to easily find one that suits our particular goals and interests.

Whether we prefer to do a martial art that primarily revolves around striking or grappling techniques or a perfect mix of both, or we want to study a highly technical or very simple style, the choice is great.

7. Doing martial arts teaches discipline and provides motivation

Everybody knows that studying a martial art requires and teaches discipline.

Because it is also goal orientated, training in one of the many martial arts also provides a great deal of motivation.

Lack of discipline and motivation are the most often quoted reasons for weight loss failures and for this reason, doing a martial art for weight loss and fitness may help many of us who lack the required discipline and motivation to achieve our weight loss goals to overcome these common barriers to success.

8. Doing martial arts for spirituality

One definition of spirituality is "Activities which renew, lift up, comfort, heal and inspire both ourselves and those with whom we interact."

Martial art training has been practiced by millions of people over many centuries because among other things, it has a great ability to spiritually uplift us.

As well as forging a better connection between our mind and body, it also has the ability to forge a better connection between us and our world and us and others.

9. Doing martial arts training is relatively inexpensive

Compared to joining some gyms and hiring some personal trainers, training at a martial arts school or dojo is relatively inexpensive.

Many martial arts schools charge a very modest monthly fee for training and the beauty of this is you can train when and as often as it suits you.

In addition to low ongoing training costs, buying a uniform and any equipment you may need to train in most cases will be relatively inexpensive as well.

10. Doing martial arts has a social aspect

Many people who start doing martial arts training for weight loss, improved fitness or self-defense end up enjoying it most for its social aspects.

As well as training and learning with others with similar goals, many martial arts trainees help encourage and motivate each other and end up becoming very good friends.

Many martial arts instructors too have very friendly dispositions and foster a fun and friendly environment in which to train which endears them to their students who typically also become close friends.

Conclusion

If your goal is to improve your fitness or lose weight but you need to do something more exciting than jogging on a treadmill to keep you motivated, perhaps you should consider doing a martial art like boxing, kickboxing, karate, or judo.

In this article we listed the top 10 reasons to consider doing a martial art for fitness and weight loss to help you decide if doing one is right for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/188403

Training Judo For Self Discipline and Fitness

Judo is considered a fun sport at present, but it can also be considered a form of self-defense. Other people even use it as part of a fitness program or a social activity with a group.

Interestingly, it was more than a recreational activity when it first originated in feudal Japan. It actually began as a refined version of the ancient martial art Jujutsu. It was developed by Dr. Jigoro Kano in 1882, who was then President of the University of Education in Tokyo. He studied the ancient martial art form and chose the best fighting techniques into what is now the modern sport of Judo.

In 1964, Judo was introduced to the Olympics, and it now has millions of users across the globe. The top reasons why people enjoy Judo are to compete against others, to get physically fit, and to improve one's self esteem and confidence. But in any case, they are all unanimous in the fact that they simply find Judo to be challenging and lots of fun!

Judo generally comes with strict rules for competition and general practice that makes sure participants remains safe. After all, it is known for its throwing, grappling, and choking techniques. 

This is why it is usually learned on special mats and encourages top physical condition. Although it can be learned by nearly all age groups, it is crucial that whoever practices it stays within the bounds set by the rules.

In the end, anyone can see that Judo helps a person develop respect for others while enhancing his own self-discipline.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5750330

Five Ways To Tell If Your Children Need More Exercise

It's absolutely essential that children get lots of exercise, both for their health now and in the future. Here are five ways to tell if your child isn't getting enough exercise.

1. If your little one plays for hours on their video game console or the internet without a break, they probably aren't spending enough time getting exercise, so set limits to their screen time.

2. If your children are TV addicts at an early age, it's a bad sign for things to come, as the way they are now could dictate how they are as young adults. This often comes from how you spend your time, so make sure you don't spend hours on end glued to the gogglebox.

3. If you drive your children to a school that's within walking distance, they could be missing out on half an hour of valuable exercise every day. If they're young, then walk with them. Or, if at high school, encourage them to walk to school with friends.

4. If your son or daughter isn't interested in sport, they could be getting far less exercise than those who are. Consider introducing them to new sports and activities, like Judo or Gymnastics. Or, why not take them for kids swimming lessons or to a nearby children's fitness club? Just because they don't like tennis, football or cricket doesn't mean they should miss out on exercise.

5. If your home doesn't have a big garden or there isn't a safe place for them to go out and play near where you live, then you may think your children have no option but to find indoor, non-exercising, activities to keep them busy. The best way to overcome this is to make the time to take them to a local park or woodland area and play sports with them.

So, if you suspect your kids aren't getting the exercise they need, you need to introduce some changes. From letting them walk to school to taking them to a local children's gym, make sure you make the effort. For instance, there are many places to find kids swimming lessons that will help your children enjoy exercise.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5230898

Advantages of Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed martial arts is a full combat sport. It is called mixed martial arts because it mixes together various skills from various martial arts. Its aim is to help people master different skills, thus improving their overall fitness, fight-readiness and defense tactics.

It offer a forum that allows martial artists to compete against each other, whether they are masters of Judo, Tae Kwondo, Jiu Jitsu or Hapkido. In this form of sport,  known for striking can include grappling also. So, there is a mix of skills. For example, Karate and Kung fu allow martial artists to throw their opponents, while Judo and Sambo have kicks and punches.

Combatants of similar styles have been fighting each other ever since the beginning of combative sports. But a competitive event where, for example, a wrestler meets a boxer is a relatively modern phenomenon, which according to history books started as late as the 1860's. However, these kinds of combative competitions soon caught the public fancy and mixed style contests were a rage in Europe and Japan by the 1900's. The epitome of mixed combat was Bruce Lee, who believed that the best fighter is not a specialist in Karate, Boxing or Judo, but can adapt to any style to defend himself.

At the risk of oversimplification, mixed martial arts may be considered to teach artists skills and techniques found in kickboxing, boxing, wrestling, grappling and Muay Thai. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but most combatants develop skills and techniques in these because these are time-tested combat sports. Mixed martial sports has expanded and grown in stature precisely because combining these distinct styles of combat into a single art is challenging, highly competitive and requires quite a lot of skill.

It has several benefits to offer artists. It develops a well rounded form of attack. Even martial arts that focus only on a single aspect of fighting is benefited from mixed martial arts. That is why boxers and wrestlers are known to cross train. So, while Judo teaches amazing throws, Muay Thai offers artists great control over their feet and boxing specializes in heavy duty punches. A boxer who trains in Karate will have the ability to throw punches as well as deliver deadly kicks.

It challenges artists to develop excellent skills in all aspects of unarmed combat. This prepares artists for a one-on-one competitive event.

These arts seek to strengthen every part of the body. It makes used of light exercises like skipping and weight lifting to strengthen muscles and improve cardio vascular health. Gym training is also an important part of the training and greatly improves efficient movement. Flexibility is improved using stretching exercises.

People who learn mixed martial arts do so for self defense, great physical health, mental agility and for the love of the sport. Due to the increased interest in this field, modern artists participate in training camps and learn as much as they can through information sharing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2422007

Mind Over Muscle - Important Judo Moves

Two special judo moves you need to be able to perform are ko-uchi-gari (minor inner reaping)
and tomoe-nage (circle throw). If you can perform these throws well you will be able to perform them to your advantage against any opponent.

Ko-uchi-gari (minor inner reaping)
If you stand with both your feet wide apart, you will have difficulty shifting your weight from one leg to the other quickly. If you stand with both your knees bent a little, your waist lowered, and your feet wide apart, the same condition will exist. If your opponent stands in such a bad posture, it becomes easier for you to throw him down, since his center of gravity is lower than yours, and his position prevents him from changing his stance quickly.

Ko-uchi-gari is the technique that takes advantage of this condition. You and your opponent hold each other in right natural posture. When he spreads his legs more widely than usual and lowers his waist a little, you unbalance him to his right back corner by pushing with your right hand while pulling with your left hand.

At the same time you push him backwards with your right hand by taking advantage of the force with which you strike the right part of your chest against his. You pull his right sleeve downward with your left hand while reaping his right heel from the inside with your right foot. He will then be thrown on the mat.

KEY POINTS:
a.You should reap your opponent's leg as soon as you push his upper body, but never before. In fact, it is better to push before reaping.
b. You must push him back in the direction perpendicular to the straight line passing through both his heels; otherwise, he will shift his weight to his left foot.

Tomoe-nage (circle throw)
We sometimes see a boy clinging to his father's shoulders with his hands. As a result, the father staggers forward. What causes this to happen? The reason is that a new center of gravity is created between the father and the boy and that its position is outside the base of the father's balance.

If the boy throws himself backward and at the same time pushes up the lower part of his father's abdomen from underneath with his foot, what will happen? A clear understanding of what happens in this case will help you to understand why a large man can be thrown by a small man. Let us study the technique of tomoe-nage and learn how to carry out the judo moves which use this technique.

You and your opponent hold each other in right natural posture. Availing yourself of the force with which he pushes you backwards, making his left foot advance, you unbalance him forward. You quickly slide your left foot as far as possible between his feet and simultaneously place the sole of your right foot against the lower part of his abdomen.

If you bring your right knee in contact with your own chest, the placement of your right foot against his abdomen will be naturally correct. Falling on your back, you pull his upper body downward with both your hands while springing up his lower body with your right foot. He will then be thrown over your head in a circular movement.

KEY POINTS:
a.Slide your left foot between your opponent's feet as deeply as possible.
b.Drop your hip as close as possible to your left foot. This will produce a center of gravity between you and your opponent that will enable you to rotate him with ease.
c.Bend the knee of your throwing leg and touch your own chest with it before you execute the throw.

Master these two judo moves to improve your skills.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2639352

Essential Judo Tips - 5 Exercises to Try

Let us study the method in judo of creating centripetal pressure and of invigorating the waist and abdominal region. This is one of the best judo tips to learn.

a. When standing or sitting, keep your body erect without bending in any direction so as to put the center of gravity just above the center of the base.

b. Project the lower part of the abdomen to the front and the hips toward the back by bending the loins at the junction of the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae (arching the lower back).

c. Form a right triangle with your legs and your feet when standing and with one foot and the lower half of the other leg when you have a knee on the ground in a squat-like position.

These conditions are fundamental to creating and preserving correct centripetal pressure.

When you stand in a position with your feet spread about shoulder-width, you are in natural posture, or shizen-hontai. Let us try a few experiments.

(1) Sit with your feet tucked under you, your thighs forming a right angle. Next, by breaking the right angle combination, put both knees together. You will notice that the force of the waist and abdominal region becomes weaker and the body less stable. Even a slight push can knock you down. This is because the muscles of that region cannot contract vigorously and harmoniously.

(2) Next, stand in a natural posture position. Break the right-angle combination, pointing toes in or out. You will find that you are less stable, while the force of your waist and abdominal region becomes weaker.

(3) Stand or sit as you wish, bending the loins forward as well as putting your center of gravity somewhere other than above the center of the base. You will find that you cannot give a strong and harmonious contraction to the muscles of the waist and abdominal region.

(4) Advancing a step further, let us see how we can strengthen the forces of the waist and abdominal region. This is another of the best judo tips you can learn. You can train these muscles if you sit or stand still for a long time, taking the postures described above. But the best method of training is to take advantage of the reaction produced when you step forward and drop one foot to the ground while still keeping the right-angle combination.

(5) Step forward with the knee bent and drop your foot quickly so that toes and heel touch the ground simultaneously. The advanced foot should make a right angle with the other foot. At this moment you can probably shout louder (from the abdomen) than when you are standing still, and the abdominal region becomes as strong and hard as stone. This shout in judo is called kiwi (pronounced "key-I"). The deep diaphragmatic outburst of air creates strong abdominal muscle force.

If you step out with the angle smaller than 90 degrees, the force of your step is weaker. The contraction of the muscles of the waist and abdominal region also decreases proportionately. The more vigorous the step, the stronger the correct centripetal pressure becomes. The less vigorous the step, the weaker the pressure.

By taking advantage of stepping out in this manner, you can give maximum contraction to the muscles of the waist and abdominal region, with the effect that these muscles can be strengthened by training. Eventually you will be able to produce a tremendous force in the waist and abdominal region with ease.

Take advantage of these judo tips, practice these exercises and your judo will improve.

     By Desmond McKay

Judo Groundwork Techniques revealed

The secrets of good ne-waza (groundwork) are very much the same as in tachi-waza: relaxation, balance, timing, effective use of body weight, and knowing how and where to move. There are three major groups of techniques: osaekomi-waza (hold-downs or immobilizations), shime-waza (strangles and chokes) and kansetsu-waza (armlocks). In order to apply these techniques a multitude of methods have evolved for getting past the opponent's defense or for turning him over into a disadvantageous position. 

The classic situations which ordinarily occur in combat are with uke on his hands and knees after a failed attempt at a throw, uke on his back with tori entangled between his legs or tori on his back with uke between his legs. The problem in ne-waza is in managing to apply the techniques against frantically resisting opponents and the interplay of technique and counter-technique can be quite fascinating, indeed it is often described as physical chess by many judoka. Because experience and strength count for more than reflexes and daring in ne-waza than in tachi-waza older judoka can continue to enjoy competition with younger, fitter opponents in randori for quite some time after standing practice becomes one-sided.It is a vital for competitors to practice methods to keep the opponent on the floor in randori, for when he attempts to stand up in contest. 

HOLD-DOWNS 

These techniques are the backbone of judo ne-waza and, while lacking the flair and instantaneous gratification of a well-applied arm-lock or strangle, are effective important techniques which decide a great many contests, particularly in the kyu grades. The Japanese regard good osaekomi-waza as the basis for groundwork, and tend to regard the hold-down as the surer option, less spectacular perhaps, but also less risky than an arm-lock or strangle where you may have to roll underneath your opponent. 

As ne-waza is physically demanding and very tiring it is vital to learn to keep the body relaxed to conserve energy when holding an opponent; the trick is in ensuring that the hold is secure at the same time. The beginner often squeezes as tightly as possible, hoping to force a submission from his opponent, and then finds himself lifted bodily and turned over on to his back. It is important to grip tightly, but in a relaxed way so that the body does not become rigid and easy to move. Keep a grip with the hands, and feel how your opponent struggles; grip more or less tightly depending on how secure your hold feels, but keep the legs relaxed and springy, ready to move if there is a sudden surge of power from uke as he tries to escape. Try to control him with body positioning, pinning him where he is weak, moving away from where he is strong. 

An important component in developing effective osaekomi-waza is that you link them to standing techniques and try to make the transition from standing judo to groundwork as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Certain throws link more easily to particular hold-downs than others, and whatever your favorite throws are you should train to follow up with the appropriate hold. Harai-goshican lead very easily into kesa-gatame, ko-soto-gari into yoko-shiho-gatame, drop ippon seoi-nage into kami-shiho-gatame and sumi-gaeshi into tate-shiho-gatame. It is important to experiment and above all to practice with co-operative partners to find out the best combinations for your favorite techniques. If you like ouchi-gari throw your partner, but study how to follow up immediately if you only score koka, yuko or waza-ari. Work out a fast, safe way to bypass his legs and slip into a hold; the appropriate technique will inevitably vary from individual to individual. 

As well as needing to study hold-downs as combination techniques resulting from throws begun in standing judo, it is necessary to practice linking techniques on the ground. A well-applied hold-down is extremely difficult to escape from, but often people fail to get the hold on in the first instance because their general movement skills on the ground are lacking. In ne-waza randori practice moving from technique to technique and consider 'what if scenarios. Perhaps you are stronger than the person you are currently holding and he cannot turn to his left, but what if he were much stronger, what would you do then, how would you move, where would you go? You need to discover the answers to these questions in randori , not suddenly be confronted by your lack of awareness in the heat of contest. Bigger, heavier players in particular should keep in mind that ne-waza randori is training, not an excuse to take a rest.

About the Author

Tony is leading Entrepreneur and great martial art enthusiast, where as deals in supplying Martial Art accessories in United States.