The Best Way to Find the True and Perfect Art

By Al Case

There is this thing called The Perfect Art, or The True Art or The Way. Oddly, though it is a widespread concept, there has never been a real definition for it. Until this article.

After all, if there is a definition for the this idea of attainable perfection of art, it will make it that much easier to attain. It is always much easier to find something if you know where it is, or, as we say in this case, what it is. Thus, the intent of this article is to provide a definition for The True Art, and hope that it will speed up your progress towards that goal.

One of the first definitive things I ever hard concerning attaining The True Art was that it can?t be heard. I found this interesting, because while it provided proper instruction in the case of developing an Aikido shoulder roll, it didn?t necessarily hold true in the case of spirit shout, or Kiai. However, I eventually realized that placing the foot firmly without causing excessive sound provided for a purer transmission of energy from and to the ground, and thus was somewhat true, and I was on The Way.

Another definition I came across during my studies was that The True Art cannot be felt. For years I struggled with this concept, working my way through such ideas as Economy of Motion, the most gained for the least effort. Finally I realized that the concept of Do nothing until nothing is left undone, which was written in the Tao, was an attainable.

A tough concept for me to come to grips with was that The True Art could not be seen. This was summed up by one person I met through the oblique statement that energy is invisible. But, with enough practice, you do start to move in a different time frame than non-martial artists, the practice of the martial arts does establish a different universe that does coincide, yet be superior to, the universe in which we all live.

Finally, there is my personal instruction for people on this subject of defining The Path of The True Art. I advise students that The True Art is like a wobbling wheel, the less wobble in the wheel, the more True it is. Thus, through a study of that great measuring stick known as physics, real time measurements can be applied to the analysis of our motions.

Now, thus far, we have a definition that can?t be seen, felt, or heard, but can, after a fashion, be measured. Combine that with the definition of chi (it cannot be seen but is everything and everywhere), or even the definition of God (that which cannot be named), and we have something that is real in the abstract, and which can be measured. And in this delineation we have found our definition of The True Art.

In the end, having measured ourselves and sought perfection, we achieve The True Art. The question is how long is it going to take? The measuring methods of ancient cultures often take on the form of mysticism, and so tend to obfuscate as much as enlighten. However, through the religion of physics we can forge our own path, and this path can, indeed, be a speedy path. - 30300

About the Author:

Al Case has been seeking The True Art for 4O years. You can avail yourself of his success with a free book at Monster Martial Arts.

Ninjutsu Training and Martial Arts For Fitness

By Anne Torres

Weight problems are some of the common issues among people from all walks of life and ages. Children or adults, rich or poor, Western or Oriental, overweight is always viewed as a health danger and this has led to the growing public consciousness about keeping fit and healthy.

There are many different approaches to developing a healthier body and though most may stick to the traditional basic formula of diet and exercise, there have been efforts to explore other aspects of life that may contribute to weight loss or gain. True enough, fitness experts are beginning to evolve from merely focusing on physical fitness to actually discovering more about people's way of life and how this ultimately affects the possibility of obesity or developing a tendency for it.

In general, a person's lifestyle is now being considered as physical trainers develop weight loss or simply fitness regimens for their clients. Factors such as smoking, employment, family background and even romantic relationships are now being incorporated into the total package of wellness that trainers take up. In fact, even in the aspect of physical exercise as a control for obesity, people are more adventurous and open to different strategies including martial arts.

A lot of people think martial arts is solely meant for physical defense but those who truly know it believe that it is, in fact, a total package of wellness for the mind, body and the spirit. Advocates are convinced that martial arts is the best form of exercise there is because while it works to strengthen one's body, the person is at the same strengthening his will to continue searching for wellness even in the absence of someone to coach him. In other words, martial arts as an exercise goes beyond physical health. It also cultivates and hardens a person's sense of discipline so he may continue, not just with his exercise regimen, but with any other task in his life with a drive for excellence and the will to always achieve one's full potential.

Of course, part of being a martial artist is gaining recognition for your know-how. This is why although a ninjutsu dvd or video may work to orient one about this type of martial arts, it usually is not enough. Most people would actually want to learn it in actuality and even work one's way up to a black belt.

Because there many types of martial arts, you'll probably do well getting acquainted with each of them and going for one that is you think you'll be most at home with and interested in. As an exercise, this regimen is definitely holistic and should work in developing not just a better physique but eventually in making a whole new and better person out of you. - 30300

About the Author:

Simply getting a ninjutsu video or even enrolling in one of those actual ninjutsu schools could be a good move as you work towards physical fitness through the holistic approach of martial arts. one of your best moves as far as achieving total fitness is concerned.

The Early Years Of MMA: Ali Vs. Inoki

By Ross Everett

Decades before mixed martial arts became popular in the United States, events matching fighters of different fighting disciplines were very common in Japan. They weren't called "mixed martial arts" at the time, but that's essentially what they were.There's an entire history of pro wrestlers fighting specialists from other martial arts (particularly judo) that were leaving out, but during the 1970's Antonio Inoki began to put the concept of "mixed martial arts" on the map with his matches against fighters from other disciplines.

Inoki would often face other martial artists in fights that are widely accepted to have been "worked" (having a predetermined outcome) in the same manner as professional wrestling matches. While Inoki faced a number of karate, judo and boxing champions his most famous match was certainly his fight against world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali.

There's a great deal of uncertainty about many of the stories surrounding how the event came together and transpired, but a few facts are now known. Ali took the fight as it was a large and presumptively easy paycheck. The big money he was earning is what kept him from walking out when his camp started to disagree with Inoki's handlers over the rules and 'finish' fo the fight. Some suggest that it was supposed to be a fair fight going in, but Ali at the last minute insisted on rules more favorable to him. The more likely version of events is that Ali's handlers agreed to a predetermined finish, only to have Ali balk at the last moment.

Many conspiracy theorists have noted that these rules were never announced to the crowd on fight night, leaving many with the impression that they were being made up as they went along. Action in the fight would further validate this view, but there actually were rules that both camps agreed to heading into the fight. Not surprisingly, most of these were designed to protect Ali. In fact, they were so one-sided that if Inoki hadn't been so concerned about preserving his big payday he would have been justified in not fighting. Inoki was prohibited from punching with a closed fist or striking Ali in the head (ostensibly since he wasn't wearing gloves). Inoki was prohibited from using any sort of submission maneuver. The most absurd limitation was that Inoki was prohibited from "grappling or trying to take Ali to the ground". A few observers noted that this was like not letting Ali throw a jab.

The painfully boring event that ensued was, despite many suggestions to the contrary, an actual fight. Inoki spent most of the match on the ground, unsuccessfully imploring Ali to join him and throwing kicks at his opponent's legs. Ali did even less throughout the match, throwing a few jabs and trying to protect his knees and legs. The fight was scored on a 5 point system, and ended up in a 74-74 draw. It's worth noting that Inoki had three points deducted for very dubious infractions: the first for throwing (and missing) with a drop kick, the second for throwing an elbow to Ali's head and the third for a swift kick to Ali's ribs. Had these deductions not occurred, Inoki would have won by decision. From a strict standpoint of scoring boxing, he probably deserved to win since he at least tried to execute a fight plan despite the restrictions he faced. For all practical purposes, however, a draw was the proper outcome. Both guys got paid and no one won, least of all the fans.

The fight was officiated by former pro wrestler "Judo" Gene Labell, a legendary tough guy considered at the time to be the 'baddest man on the planet'. He could have easily beaten up both men, possibly at the same time. That might have provided some much needed entertainment to liven up the tedious charade masquerading as a fight.

The fiasco didn't hurt Inoki's popularity in Japan whatsoever. Oddly, he became something of a hero for trying to take the fight to Ali despite the one sided rules. He would remain one of Japan's most popular pro wrestlers and later serve in the country's parliament. Inoki's fights against other martial artists remained wildly popular, and are often credited as being the forerunner of PRIDE, RINGS and the major MMA organizations in Japan today. - 30300

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance writer specializing in college football and NFL NFL betting. He is a frequent contributor to online and print publications, and often appears on talk radio where he gives tips on successful NFL betting. He lives in southern Nevada with his two dogs and an emu.

You Must Have a Black Belt Before You?

By Al Case

I had a fellow send me an e-mail the other day, and he told me of a fellow who won?t let his daughter go on a date until she is a black belt in karate. Well, I have to tell you, there is more than just brilliance in this idea. No more rape, because when this girl decides to say no...she means NO!

Don?t you just love it? Little Johnny, eh, Loveherfaster takes daddy?s little girl out on a date. His hands start to wander a bit more than drunk on a foggy night, and, suddenly...bam! Daddy?s little girl uses a little kung fu to knock the sweet living bejesus snot out of our horny, little knucklehead.

Now, there is humor here, I know, but there is something else that we might take a look at. What most people don?t get is that once you get past the violence and fighting in such arts as kenpo or tae kwon do, or other martial arts, there is moral certitude. You know the difference between virtue and...non-virtue.

Oh, I know there have been people who haven?t lived up to this mnaifestation of the True Art, there have been martial arts instructors who have committed crimes, but they are just the exception. And, let?s face it, they probably weren?t studying the martial arts, they were probably just studying how to be a bully. They were scumbags, polite but still just scumbags, dressed in a martial arts uniform, and that?s all they were.

In ancient times people who taught the lessons of karate or kung fu or other arts used to screen their students to make sure no idiots could infect the art. In modern times, however, the only screening process is whether a person is willing to fork over the moolah. And, the sad truth is that most schools advertise fighting to try to sell the art.

The True Art has fighting in it, but that is not the real intent here. The True Art is actually about the realities of physics, it requires immense attention to detail, and patience, things which are not normal to the thuggish personality. And, the final result, the True Art teaches one how to perceive that actions of the world before they happen.

Oh, we?re not talking about some silly psychic stuff here, but rather the ability to observe such things as body motion, appearance, and what these factors indicate are going to happen. Once little Janey has practiced enough kung fu, and I mean the True Art, not just the fighting sport that is promoted in movies, she gains the ability to see people for what they are. She will not be fooled by a gangster in cheap clothing.

So, make your little girl get dan ranking in Karate or tae kwon do, or judo or ninjitsu, or whatever, before she goes out with little Johnny Squirtface, but make sure she learns from a school that has some steel in the cement. Make sure that the instructor is smiling and joking, and knows what he is doing, not some lantern jawed bully boy talking about the need to hit first and talk later. Make sure that there is virtue, the ability to know right from wrong, as well as good, firm martial knowledge, in the instructor who is going to help your daughter gain the ability to protect herself throughout her life. - 30300

About the Author:

Al Case has studied martial arts for forty years. You get a free ebook at Monster Martial Arts.

Where are You Going to Focus Your Eyes in the Middle of Combat?

By Al Case

There is, of course, the simple yet devious concept of blindsiding. This is to sneak attack, from the rear, by misdirection, or some other means. Assuming that you are going to have enough awareness to survive and avoid the blindside, what are you going to do?

Where are you going to place your eyes when some mugger or thug wants to blindside you on the street? The other guy wants you to blink, to be unaware. You have to remain aware, and you have to figure out where to look, where to place your gaze, how to keep the visual line of perception open.

The first place I was told to look with the gaze, when doing kenpo karate kumite, was on the chest. One was supposed to open up the gaze and try to unfocus and see everything. With this method one could use the eyes to perceive a larger area, and not be fooled by an attack from a smaller area.

The problem here is that it is the human being, not the body, that is attacking you. The body is just a hunk of vaguely aware meat, and, especially in the arena of the martial arts, it is being used by the spirit which is the human being. You must perceive the human being operating the body if you are going to understand who is making the decisions involved in the attack of the body.

One Kang Duk Won martial arts fellow told me to look at the body when doing freestyle, and especially the Wing Chun kung fu drill known as Sticky Hands, because the eyes could be used to fool you. I found this extremely interesting, but, in the end, it was sort of a limiting concept. It was years before I figured out what was wrong with this type of thought.

The error in looking at the body of the other fighter is found in the concept that the eyes are the windows of a man?s soul. The soul is the human being, it is the spirit that is atually making the real decisions. If you look at the eyes long enough, if you use good, solid karate kata training to learn and understand the concept that you are looking for the source of the thought that is driving the action that is the attack, then you see the human being, and you see the exact thought that is behind every action.

In the martial arts, no matter if it is Wing Chun or kang duk won or Krav Maga, there is no action without a thought behind it. Even a a fellow who is drunk behind the wheel of a careening car, as unconscious as he can be, is making decisions. And a fighter, even and especially a warrior of the octagon, honed to a technical perfection, is going to exude a stillness which you can perceive the thought within.

So in martial arts, even and especially Mixed Martial Arts, you must look at the eyes if you wish to see what a fighter is thinking. You must look, and train yourself to keep looking, and not be distracted by anything, through all the phases of freestyle. This is the way to cultivate martial arts intuition and the sixth sense you are going to need in survival oriented combat. - 30300

About the Author:

Al Case has analyzed the martial arts for 4O years. You can have everything he knows at Monster Martial Arts.

The Science Of Street Combat

By David Weinberg

If your life was in jeopardy at knife point, would you know how to respond? What if your wife or child was being assaulted by multiple attackers right in front of you? It does not matter whether you like to fight or not. It is critical that you learn some basic martial art strategies in case you find yourself in a bad place at a bad time.

Undoubtedly, excellent footwork is the foundation of any effective martial art system. If you look at the most dominant boxers, the greatest football players, or the most exceptional dancers, they all have phenomenal footwork. Developing good footwork with your martial art will allow you to deftly evade lethal knives and larger stronger attackers who may outnumber you. If your footwork is weak not only will your evasion and survival skills fall apart, but your punches, kicks, joint locks, chokes, and throws will suffer greatly as well.

It is imperative that your martial art training focuses on strengthening your awareness. If your awareness is high it is much harder for an attacker to creep up on you and catch you off guard. If your mind is trained properly you can learn to spot trouble long before it begins. You can learn to remove yourself from situations before they escalate to a physical level.

Peripheral vision or wide-angle vision must be utilized for street combat. It can empower you to see multiple opponents at the same time and enable you to use your surroundings such as stairs, chairs, or rocks as potential martial art weapons. If you train properly peripheral vision can even allow you to see your opponents moving in slow motion.

It is important to learn to recognize the nine angles of attack. Many martial art schools over complicate their teachings by having their students memorize hundreds of random techniques. If you can learn to spot the nine angles it makes no difference if an assailant comes at you with his right or left hand, a kick, a charge, a bat, a knife, a crowbar, or a machete. There are only nine angles that you may be attacked on and if you learn to recognize them you will always have an answer for surviving an encounter.

It may go against your formal training, but save the high kicks for the movies and martial art tournaments. They can be extremely effective one on one, but in the street high kicks create too many openings and vulnerabilities against weapons and multiple attackers. In the street martial artists should rely on powerful low kicks to the shins, knees, and groin. It is also important not to rely on athletic movement in the street where you will probably be wearing restrictive clothing that will limit your moment.

It is critical that you learn to defend yourself from all possible scenarios. The majority of martial artists learn common techniques against strikes and grabs while standing or on the ground. What about learning to defend yourself while sitting in a chair or car, standing in a phone booth, elevator, or stairwell, or defending yourself while both your arms are held or bound? In the street there are no worst-case scenarios just realistic scenarios and you better be prepared. - 30300

About the Author:

Sensei David Weinberg is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Instructor of Freedman's Method Ketsugo Jujutsu, a Reiki Master, a Certified Personal Trainer, and an Integrative Flexibility Specialist. To learn more about Freedman's Method, visit the official jujitsu nh site or the official jujutsu nh blog.

10 Important Concepts When Practicing Tai Chi

By Walter McKibben

Practicing Tai Chi isn't just about the movement of the arms and feet, it's mostly about the meaning behind every movement and style being performed. These concepts paved the way to the creation of various forms of Tai Chi. Now, the challenge for every Tai Chi practitioner is to pay close attention, because even though some of the movements seem basic, they are still very important.

Here are 10 of the most important concepts of Tai Chi that you should never take for granted. Remember these, and it will make you appreciate more the forms that are performed.

Concept #1

Tai Chi is done with an emphasis on every movement. The fashion of every pattern must be in connected with one another. Meaning, if every motion made must always start from the spine, move down to the waist, legs and feet, then it is simultaneously going up the body from the legs, through the waist, then the arms, hands and last, the fingers.

Concept #2

Maintain your shoulders dropped so that any tension will be eliminated. Shoulders that are always propped are said to have overflowing tension.

Concept #3

Maintain a straight wrists in order to keep your arms and hands supple and open to energy. This allows the energy to flow, not just through your arms, but is an important part of learning to move the energy throughout the body.

Concept #4

Slow motion is one of the best ways to achieve mastery. It can never be overlooked because if the slow rate of your motions is performed with continuous smoothness, this will improve the connection of your body to your environment.

Concept #5

Never let anything disconnect you. You should always stay connected with every movement. If you have been disconnected, continue to perform the movements and listen to your body so that you can overcome any distraction.

Concept #6

Keep your knees bent during the entire form. Your height must not bob up and down. Although, there are some considerations, your height must still be maintained at a constant level.

Concept #7

The power of Tai Chi travels differently from the movement of Tai Chi. Power of Tai Chi will start from the feet going up to the legs, controlling the shoulders, and will be expressed by the fingers and hands.

Concept #8

Imagine your head is being help up by an imaginary string very high in the sky.

Concept #9

Your chest must be depressed and your back should be raised but this must be done effortlessly.

Concept #10

Your breath must be focused on your dan-tien (your body?s center of gravity); this is done smoothly without the exertion of force. In the long run, you?ll likely be synchronizing your breathing with the movements that you make.

Remember to always consult your teacher when to exhale or inhale. - 30300

About the Author:

Everything they never told you about Tai Chi and Health revealed! For more insider tips and information from experts of Tai Chi themselves be sure to check out Santa Monica Tai Chi.