Archive for February, 2009

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.

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Hapkido, a Popular Technique Through Generations

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 5th 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.

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Goju Ryu Literally is the Hard-Soft Style

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. 

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Goju Kai Presides Over Goju Ryu

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.

Who won the St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn fight?

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...

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