Karate is a form of fighting that is thought to have orginated from China. The word “kara” means ‘open’, and the “te” translates to ‘hand’. Practitioners of this form of martial arts make judicious use of footwork, as well as varius posture and punching techniques in tadem with specific placements of the feet.

It is a very ancient form of fighting that was established way before man was fully literate. The original methods focused mainly on a body’s movements, different postures, and sequence of motion. Ancient practitioners focused on the physical aspect of the art, without concentrating on any distinct pattern or interpretation of this art form. Simple posturing forms involved blocking, punching, throwing an opponent, striking joints, or locking an opponent in a hold.

Karate developed throughout the Eastern culture with the use of various sorts of training equipment. In Japan, they used the “hojo undo” to help students and practitioners focus on specific fighting techniques. Other equipment, the chi-ishi, the nigiri game, and the makiwara, used weights or different grips in order to develop body strength.

Students of this fighting style are taught that the art is meant to build strength of both body and character, while developing agility of movement as well as optimal physical fitness. The principles of this form of martial arts are also geared to help students mature as persons and equip them to hurdle difficult situations in life that they may encounter. It likewise teaches students respect for elders and teachers, as well as giving value to community.

One may actually conclude that it is not merely a method of fighting but also a form of lifestyle, training students’ bodies, as well as purifying their minds and molding their characters. Widely considered an art of developing the inner self, it encourages patience, calmness, and restraint in all things.

Students of Karate practice this form of martial arts for the duration of their lifetime, meeting the stringent standards for both physical and inner self. It is one of the very few fighting arts known to relieve stress and to actually improve a person’s life by developing strong relationships built on strong bonds of trust. Students are also encouraged to interract with their community actively, while passing on this new lifestyle on in many different ways – through patience, unfailing courtesy, respect and fairness, as well as through harmony and balance, and a visible inner peace.

The founder of Shotokan Karate, Gichin Funakoshi, maintained that the aim of this form of martial arts is not only in achieving victory by defeating one’s enemies, but by working hard to attain character perfection. This is precisely why the main principles of Karate-Do, literally translated to mean “the way of the empty hand”, not only incorporate self-defense, but also involve self-improvement through actively combining the mind, body and soul into a whole lifestyle.

This means that Karate is not only a means of combating an enemy using bare hands alone, it is likewise a method for achieving and propagating peace. Students and practitioners are taught to keep their minds open to every situation, using their open hand not only to defend themselves against their opponents, but also to reach out to their fellow human beings in fellowship.

There is a form of martial arts that originated in the Philippines known as Kali, or Kali-Sikat. Literally translated to mean “body in motion,” this fighting art has developed into a very effective and efficient combat measure that combines both the body and the use of weaponry in taking down an opponent. Outside of the Philippines, this form of martial arts is known as Kali, while in the Philippines, it is chiefly known as arnis, arnis de mano, or escrima, particularly if the use of various sorts of weapons is included.

This Filipino fighting discipline requires extensive drills that involve harnessing the body’s energy, as well as eye and hand coordination techniques that utilize all the senses of the body to sense the enemy and disable him, thus. Using this method, a Kali practitioner is able to bring down an opponent in the most simple and straightforward manner using any series of chokes, locks and holds.

Whether with the use of the weapons or with bare hands, students of this form of martial arts are taught to be flexible in defending themselves and attacking an opponent when faced with every manner of hostile situations. Its principles incorporate the different ways of angling and positioning the body, and moving with the flow of each stance in order to bring an opponent down. Students are likewise taught how to harness their speed, taught judicious use of footwork, and go through drills to increase their skill. As a result of this, brute strength is not given much importance, as this form of fighting is a fluid and practical method of defending oneself without having to rely on extreme force, but rather on mastering its comprehensive skills of vanquishing an opponent.

The weapon-based method of fighting include the use of swords, knives, and long wooden sticks that have been strengthened in fire. These tough batons are carved from rattan, an extremely sturdy variety of vine that is found in huge abundance in the Philippines. In some instances, stick-fighting practitioners can may make use of either a single sticks, or a pair in order to disarm and defeat their opponents.

To an outsider, observing basic training of this fighting art form as taught to large groups of students would have the impression that it is a very simple form of martial arts, involving an extremely simplified form of instruction. However, even the basic levels of the art are difficult and complicated to master, and it may take a student many years of practice before finally hurdling the basic levels. In the Philippines, Kali is not a sport reserved solely for men, either.

Throughout the history of the Philippines, women have taken an active part in various wars and battles making judicious use of this martial art. In fact, well-known explorer Ferdinand Magellan from Spain was known to have been defeated by Filipino male and female warriors using this ancient form of fighting. The native, Lapu-Lapu and his warriors successfully routed the Spanish invading forces using only swords and sticks against guns and armor. To this day, both genders study, practice, and make use of Kali still.

Jujitsu practitioners have been schooled in a particular form of self-defense that is known as the “science of softness”. The term “ju” is literally translated to mean either ‘soft’ or ‘gentle’, while “jitsu” is Japanese for ‘art’. Despite this unlikely moniker, attacks based on this fighting style’s principles are neither soft nor gentle in any way.

Said to have began early in the 8^th century, more evidence suggests that it goes back even before Christ’s time. Dating back to A.D. 712, ancient Japanese chronicles describe how one warrior threw another down, as if throwing down a leaf, and there are records in 23 B.C. of the Emperor Shuinjin hosting fight tournaments where one warrior, Nomino Sukume, caused the death of a Sumo wrestler by throwing him to the ground and kicking him.

Evidence of this “empty hand” fighting style point towards Japan being the birthplace of Jujitsu, and not China, as some historians earlier believed. There is also some evidence pointing towards this form of martial arts stemming from the work of a 13^th century Buddhist monk. The early techniques of these ancient times were called either kumitachi or yawara, and it is clearly outlined in the antique Buddhist text of the Konjaku-monogatari.

The main philosophy of this fighting art is for a combatant to be able to vanquish an opponent using all and any means, as long as the force exerted to do so is minimal. To achieve this end, the fighting style requires stringent conformity to harsh physical and mental disciplines, which include maintaining peak physical fitness, strict diets, and adherence to a rigid code of morals. It is only through these practices that a fighter is able to achieve the utmost levels of perfection required in this form of martial arts. This is the most likely reason the reason why most practitioners confine themselves to religious foundations such as Buddhist or Shinto monasteries.

While it is generally believed that fighters who are stronger have the higher advantage, this is certainly not the case in Jujitsu. Even if a fighter is smaller compared to an opponent, if he is well versed in utilizing fulcrum leverage to be able to lift someone much heavier, then he can use this advantage over a larger person who is ignorant of such fact.

A practitioner of this form of martial arts understands that there is a system that will enable them to best a larger opponent, such as attacking an adversary at a vulnerable point, thus ending the fight instantly. One of Jujitsu’s principles states that strength and brute force will gain no ground over skill and intelligence. Jujitsu is one of the ultimate weapons for punishment, and it will be very simple to defeat and even seriously an opponent when one is skilled in this form of martial arts.

Because it is focused on self-defense to render powerless and overcome an enemy using very minimal force, Jujitsu is composed of a host of dangerous and even fatal techniques. This was particularly true in the past, when, as an older art, it was used to deal fatal death blows to annihilate an enemy.

When we talk of martial arts, one of the first things that would come to mind is the discipline and structure that comprise the practice of each movement. From this discipline and structure grows the art from which both defense and attack movements are based on. According to Bruce Lee, a master of Jeet Kune Do, one need not learn an art to the letter. What is important is to understand how the system itself is delivered. What he meant is that a student must know how the delivery of the attack gets from point A – the attacker, to point B – the person who is attacked.

During his time in the 1960’s, a person’s style was given the utmost importance. This meant that if you were a Jujitsu practitioner, you didn’t have to study Karate or Taekwondo. All a Jeet Kune Do (JKD) student did in those days was to practice against other fighters who studied the same martial art. Martial arts tournaments during that time were also limited because they were mostly non-contact in nature.

This has drastically changed after Bruce Lee’s time. Today, Jeet Kune Do is frequently incorporated into a free-form style of fighting, together with other forms of martial arts, best demonstrated in the octagon ring of the UFC.

Even so, despite the revolutionary changes introduced by Bruce Lee, a lot of misconceptions surrounding Jeet Kune Do remain. One is that this particular form of martial arts has no discernible techniques or concepts. This is misinterpreted due to the precept of “using no way as way”. There are however very specific value sets and structure models in the art of using JKD in combat. What Bruce Lee did was to simply liberate practitioners from the strict confines of its particular style. While one fighter’s style may appear different from that of another practitioner of JKD, it is merely each person’s utilization of the technique that spells the difference. A person with longer arms may choose to fight at a longer range away compared to a person with shorter arms, for instance.

Another misconception is that Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do is merely a combination of other martial arts and forms of defense such as Wing Chun, western boxing, and even fencing, among many others. This myth grew from the time when Bruce Lee, in order to expand his own understanding of martial arts, started researching and examining other forms of fighting. In fact, his book, and other works he wrote that were published after his death, contained many references to other forms of martial arts. He looked at each method from every angle and studied each technique and strategy in the quest for understanding. Bruce Lee believed that fighting was a universal thing, and his intention was not to put together all the best fighting techniques from the different forms of martial arts, but simply to learn the truth of each, and what made them work best.

One cannot call Jeet Kune Do a mixed form of martial arts, culled from different techniques, structures and disciplines. It merely shares some elements of the different fighting styles while evolving on its own through the years.

Iaido is a form of martial art wherein the Iaidoka (an Iaido practitioner) reacts to a surprise attack with a counter attack using a sword.  It is a Japanese art that consists of the continuous and graceful movements starting from the drawing of the sword, cutting an adversary, removing the opponent’s blood from the sword and returning the sword inside the scabbard.  Iaido came from the Japanese words “I” meaning “being”, “ii” meaning harmony and “do” meaning “way”.  Iaido when translated means “The way of harmonizing oneself in action”.

              Iaido is a contemporary and authentic Japanese martial art that has proven its importance during warfare which was preserved and later passed on from masters to students from generation to generation for about 450 years now.  The Iaidoka uses the sword to actually control himself and not the opponent.  He develops the mind to attain an active but harmonious and peaceful state in order for it to be able to react or deal with any type of situation.  This is why Iaido is presently taught to students not only for them to learn sword-drawing techniques and forms but also to as a form of physical as well as mental discipline which emphasizes on meditation, right techniques and development of the student’s character.

            Iaido, kenjutsu (literally means combative swordsmanship) and kendo are forms of martial arts that make use of swords.  They are however different from each other.  The kendo is actually the sport of fencing in Japan.  There is no drawing or re-sheathing of a sword in kendo.  The weapon used is a shinai or a bamboo sword that is very flexible.  Kenjetsu on the other hand are performed with a partner with routines that involves the sword’s drawing and re-sheathing.  Iaido is commonly performed alone as a series of “Waza” which beginnings and endings have the sword sheathed.  The Iaidoka performs different techniques one or many opponents that are just imaginary.  For the Iaidoka to do the waza gracefully and correctly, he should also be knowledgeable with the right grip, swing and posture.  Iaidokas do not use Iaido in a sparring manner.  The techniques in this martial art are quite simple and direct but very refined with no unnecessary movements.    An iaidoka not only practices for waza performances but also to prepare themselves when there are surprise attacks.  When this happens, the iaidoka has no choice but to employ aggression.

            In an Iaido training, a practitioner will learn solo kata (meaning forms) and the kumadachi (meaning partner forms).  These forms of training put emphasis on the correct etiquette on the way the sword should be handled.  The former concentrates on how to correctly draw, cut and return the sword to the scabbard.  The nukitsuke, also called the life of iai, is an important part of Iaido, which is a really fast draw done by drawing the sword from a “saya” when it was moved back in the “saya biki”.  The sword could be brought out from the saya and used to make a slashing motion in a nukitsuke manner.

            Many schools in America still teach the Iaido.  Any interested individual may look online for the nearest school and begin learning the martial arts that is also termed the “moving Zen”.

Have you ever watched Japanese or Chinese martial arts movies?  Are you familiar with Jackie Chan or Jet Lee?  Have you heard of monkey style, drunken style, eagle’s claw, tiger style and the like?  All these things are commonly seen in martial arts movies that has quite a big following.  To those who do not know it, these martial art styles are real and are taught to individuals who may be interested in learning the art to defend themselves.  They are not meant to only entertain people who are watching movies.  They are actually authentic martial arts derived from real techniques.  What is even more exciting to know is that martial arts like these can be learned by anybody.  All they need to do is check online which form of martial arts they want to learn and then find the school that teaches it which is located nearest you.  For those who may not have any idea, the Hsing may be an ideal form of martial art to study.   

            Hsing, also called Hsing-I Chuan or Hsing Yi Chuan or Xing Yi Ouan, is  also known as the Mind Boxing or Form Will Boxing.  It originated from Northern China and is believed to have been originated by General Yu Fei.  There are 5 distinct actions that characterize Hsing.  These five are the fist elements called the Crossing Fist, the Crushing Fist, The Pounding Fist, the Splitting Fist and lastly, the Drilling Fist.  The actions that comes from these five are crossing, crushing, pounding, splitting and drilling which are connected to the 5 elements of fire, water, wood, metal and earth that was derived from Chinese tradition’s philosophy and medical theory.  Aside from these, Hsing also trains students the twelve animal movement styles.  These twelve styles, which we usually see in the movies, are the Snake style, the Tiger style, the Dragon style, the Eagle, the Hawk, the Falcon an even the Turtle style, the Horse, the Cock, the Bear and the Swallow.  Each of these animal forms has their own stances, postures and way of fighting characteristic of the other.

            Like the Pa Kua and Tai-chi, Hsing is also an internal arts.  They also share the same types of training that makes use of weapons.  These weapons are the “Jen” or the straight sword, the “Chiang” or the long spear and the “Dao” or the curved sword.   Unlike the other two martial arts however, the Hsing involves more linear moves in combination with attacks that are straight forward.  In the Hsing movements, there is emphasis placed on the development of strikes that are quite powerful which can deliver “chi” or inner energy at the adversary.

It is really good to know that what was only seen in the movies before may now be learned in real life.  You may easily find out the details about this martial art from the internet.  Even the schools teaching this technique may be found online.  So to those who are interested, you may now start learning the art of Hsing and be the next Jet Li or Jackie Chan.  Simply check a Hsing school nearest you and start learning.

The combination of Aikido, Judo and Karate is what is now called the Hapkido, a Korean martial art that is said to be both eclectic and dynamic.  Characteristic to this form of self defense are the joint and wrist locks, the kicks, strikes, pressure points and the throws that are spectacular looking.  Hapkido also make use of some traditional weapons, e.g., cane, rope, short stick, sword and nunchucks that may differ in emphasis.  Hapkido practitioners are trained in such a way that they could counter any offensive attacks as well as those techniques from other martial arts. 

            The art of Hapkido was developed in the 40s and 50s.  It was founded by Grandmaster Choi Yong Sul.  His early learnings of the martial arts are actually derived from Japan.  When he returned to Korea, he added some techniques to what he learned from Japan, like the Jujutsu, and also borrowed from other martial art techniques.  His student, Ji Han Jae continued what he began and even improved on it.  Ji is responsible for bringing Hapkido to the West.  The FBI and other US agencies have their people learn the art of Hapkido.  Jeet Kune Do, the martial art form which was made famous by Bruce Lee in his movies was greatly influenced by Hapkido since he and Ji Han Jae met and Ji even trained Bruce Lee with the Hapkido.

            Hapkido came from the Korean words “Hap” which means harmony or coordinated, “ki” which is a description of spirit, internal energy and power and “do” which means art or way.  The word therefore means the way of harmony or the art of coordinating energy.

            Hapkido involves close range as well as long range fighting styles and techniques.  It makes use of percussive hand strikes and dynamic kicking at long ranges.  It also employs jointlocks, throws and pressure point attacks at a closer range of fighting.  Moves like circular motion, control of opponent and other non-resisting movements are characteristic of Hapkido.  In Hapkido, employing leverage over the adversary is through good body positioning as well as proper footwork.  Using strength against strength is not recommended in this art.

            The major Korean players involved in the art of Hapkido that has brought this martial art from generation to generation are Choi Yong Sul , who is said to be responsible of bringing this art to Korea, his students Suh Bok Sub, Ji Han Jae, Kim Moo Hong and Myung Jae Nam to name a few.  Suh Bok Sub is Choi’s first student.  Ji Jan Jae, es earlier mentioned is said to be the foremost promoter of the art of Hapkido.    Kim Moo Hong is a big innovator of Hapkido.  Lastly, Myung Jae Nam founded Hankido, which is the combination of Aikido and Hapkido.

            Currently, there are many schools that teaches the art of Hapkido.  One will go through the different stages, from first degree to 5^th degree black belt and before he could truly be called a Hapkido expert.  To take the first step in enabling one’s self to learn self defense techniques, check the nearest Hapkido school in your area and being learning the art.

Karate has many styles.  Goju Ryu is one of them.  It is an Okinawan style of karate that features the combination of both the hard and soft techniques, thus the name.  “Go” meaning hard, pertains to the closed hand techniques as well as straight linear attacks.  On the other hand, “Ju” which means soft, pertains to circular movements and open hand techniques.  In Goju Ryu, proper breathing is given a big emphasis.  The methods employed in this martial art include the conditioning and strengthening of the body, partner drills and other fighting approaches, e.g., power generation, stickiness, distance, etc.  Goju Ryu trainings include in its curriculum the combined linear and circular movements.  This martial art can truly be called an art because it manages to combine two contrasting techniques as apparent when it combines soft open handed circular techniques like grappling, locks, throws and take downs to enable to block, attack and control the opponent, with hard striking attacks which includes close handed punches and hard kicks.

            Goju Ryu’s history is not very clear due to the fact that there is not much documentation on the art.  However, it is widely accepted that Goju Ryu was founded by Master Chojun Miyagi in Okinawa, Japan.  It is also known that Goju Ryu followed the path taken by other martial art forms as a result of Japan’s modernization.  Goju Ryu, just like other martial arts developed from being a fighting discipline to an educational discipline.  In 1933, Goju Ryu was recognized as a modern martial art (gendai budo) and was likewise recognized as an ancient martial art in 1998.  Actually, the terms “Karate” and “Goju Ryu” are just recently used.  The Okinawan term for this style was “toudi” wherein “to” means “Chinese” and “te” meaning “hand”.  The 3 toudi variants in Okianwa, Japan then are the  Tomari-Te, Shuri-te and the Naha-te, where Goju Ryu came from.

            Grand Master Gogen Yamaguchi is Chojun Miyagi’s student.  He is the founder of the Goju Kai, an Association recognized for its authority in the art of Goju Ryu.  Yamaguchi is responsible for the unification of the teachings of the Goju Ryu Karatedo.  Goju Ryu Karatedo’s goal is to inbibe in a person strong will power and fighting spirit as well as develop the individual’s fighting techniques in karate and to better his strength physically.  It also improves the character and mentality of person that would go hand in hand with dignity, thoughtfulness and kindness.

            Presently, Goju Ryu is growing its popularity in over fifty countries worldwide.  Each country has their own affiliated association with the Goju Kai Association of Japan.  There is a Goju Kai Karate Do in the United States at present.  No less than Gocen Yamaguchi’s son, Gosei Yamaguchi presides over this association whose main purpose is to preserve the Goju Ryu martial art not only in Japan but the rest of the world.  Anybody interested in becoming a student of the Goju Ryu may visit their websites for further information. 

The Goju Kai Karate Do is a martial art that puts major emphasis on the sport side of this training more than the exercises and body conditioning methods found in Goju Ryu.  However, the similarities of the techniques employed in both the Goju Kai and Goju Ryu are very distinct.  This may be due to the fact that Goju Kai is really a part of the historical evolution of the Goju Ryu.  Chojun Miyagi named the school founded in 1930 Goju Ryu.  However, during the post war era,  Goju Ryu’s national structure was established by Gogen Yamaguchi.  This organization was since then called Karate Do Goju Kai.  Until the present time, Goju Kai Karate Do is still the association that presides over the Goju Ryu Karate Do.  This Association, is now headed by Gogen Yamaguchi’s son, Gosei.

            Many may not know this but Gogen Yamaguchi was a student of Chjun Miyagi, the founder of Goju Ryu.  Added with his own style, he combined it with the important techniques of Goju Ryu and later came up with the Association of  Goju Kai.  This is one of the main reasons the two martial arts are treated as one. 

            Gogen introduced to karate the free sparring training.  Early on,  the attacks and defense techniques done during training are pre-defined.  Goju Kai is known for its clenched-fist logo are are easily recognizable and can be seen on the facades of the number of Goju Kai schools all over the world today.  The insignia on the logo was actually Gogen Yamaguchi’s design and was done in 1932.  The insignia is currently protected by different patent and trademark laws of different countries including the United States.  In the 60s, the elder Yamaguchi’s sons brought Goju Kai to California, U.S.A.

            Now, Goju Kai Karate Do, U.S.A. is a Karate organization headed by Gogen Yamaguchi’s able son, Gosei.  To its students called practitioners, the family of Yamaguchi is already considered an institution when it comes to Goju Ryu Karate Do.  In 1964, Gogen sent to the United States Gosei Yamaguchi to bring with him there the art of Goju Kai.  He succeeded in promoting and establishing it there.  Currently, Gosei teaches the martial art in National Headquarters’ Honbu Dojo.  Likewise, he also trains Karate at the San Francisco State University.  He teaches there under the Kinesiology Department as part of the curriculum of the university.   It has been his mission ever since, to preserve the Goju Ryu Karate Do martial art according to the Goju Kai tradition and he is definitely succeeding.

            Presntly, the number of Goju Ryu karate do schools are increasing rapidly in over fifty countries globally.  Most of these schools, if not all, are still maintaining ties and are continually affiliated with the International Karate Do Goju Kai Association which has its headquarters in Japan and currently led by Saiko Shihan Goshi Yamaguchi.  Saiko is likewise the President of the “All Japan Karate Do Goju Kai Association.

This fight was never close.  GSP dominated the entire fight and BJ Penn looked light a BJJ white belt.  Penn must have really been hurt early because he is one of the best out there and GSP made him look bad.

For GSP this continues a trend that he rededicates himself after a loss to come back and destory whomever he lost to in the past.  Now, I know the first fight wasn’t a loss, but a split decision is not the victory a guy like GSP wants.  So this time there was no doubt.

The only part about the fight that was not satisfying (I’m a huge GSP fan) was the way the fight ended.  You didn’t get to see anyone tapout or the ref stop the fight.  Instead between rounds it was decided that BJ Penn could not continue.  So that is not a very satisfying way for a $60 fight to end, but its all good, still much more entertaining than boxing…