http://startingmartialarts.com All sorts of useful information for people starting out in the martial arts Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:16:23 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en One thing that has concerned me for many years about self defense and martial arts is that most tend to focus solely on the physical aspects. While it is important to understand and appreciate how to fight, it is equally important to understand that the physical is only a ... http://startingmartialarts.com/types_of_martial_arts/senshido-reality-based-self-defense-for-everyone/ If you’re on the market for mixed martial arts gloves and don’t know what to look for, don’t feel bad. Unlike boxing gloves, MMA gloves are a relatively new product to hit the market, and were only popularized after the UFC craze made a big splash after The Ultimate Fighter ... http://startingmartialarts.com/martial_arts_training_tips/how-to-buy-good-mixed-martial-arts-gloves/ A Brief History of Aikido Aikido is a powerful martial art developed throughout the mid 20th century by a Japanese named Morihei Ueshiba.  Aikido differs from most other martial arts in that the practitioner seeks to achieve self-defense without injury to attackers.  Aikido is most often practiced with a partner where ... http://startingmartialarts.com/types_of_martial_arts/starting-martial-arts-aikido-classes/ History of Wado Karate In 1934 Master Hironori Ohtsuka founded the traditional Japanese Karate style called Wado-Ryu Karate – which translates to “way of peace” or “way of harmony”.  Master Ohtsuka believed that “violent actions may be understood as the way of martial arts, but the true meaning of martial arts ... http://startingmartialarts.com/types_of_martial_arts/starting-martial-arts-classes-wado-ryu-karate/ A Brief History of Shaolin Kung Fu The dawn of Shaolin Kung Fu can be traced back almost 1, 500 years ago to a northern-central Chinese temple known as Shaolin Tzu (“Little Forest Temple”). The inception of Kung Fu training is most often attributed to an Indian Buddhist monk known as ... http://startingmartialarts.com/types_of_martial_arts/starting-kung-fu-tien-shan-pai-shaolin-style/ “A Brief Description and History of Tae Kwon Do” Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art known for its flying and spinning kicks. The name comes from the Korean words tae (foot, or kick), kwon (fist, or punch), and do (art, or way of life) and literally means “the art ... http://startingmartialarts.com/types_of_martial_arts/information-for-beginners-starting-tae-kwon-do-lessons/ In my experience, the particulars of how a system works typically means very little to the average prospective student. Instead, the most common interests expressed to me over the years by people considering taking up the martial arts are: The desire to learn self defense, To build confidence and To improve ... http://startingmartialarts.com/types_of_martial_arts/on-choosing-a-style-or-system-a-chinese-kenpo-instructor-weighs-in/ Judo, which is translated as the "gentle way", teaches the principle of flexibility in the application of technique. This is the flexible or efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the performance of Judo throws and other skills. Skill, technique and timing, rather than the use ... http://startingmartialarts.com/types_of_martial_arts/a-brief-introduction-to-judo-history/ There are numerous accounts and legends of the origins and history of the Shaolin Temple. In my humble opinion and what has been past down to me from my teacher's this is the story of Shaolin. Most likely you learned of the Shaolin Temple through the Chop Sokey Kung Fu ... http://startingmartialarts.com/types_of_martial_arts/the-ancient-fighting-art-of-southern-shaolin-kung-fu/ What is Traditional Ju-jutsu? Ju-Jutsu (also often referred to as Ju-Jitsu or Jiu-Jitsu) is a fighting system that employs a wide range of techniques - which include strikes, kicks, throws, joint locks and choking. This is taught in stand up style (Tachi Waza) or from the ground (Ne-Waza), which has ... http://startingmartialarts.com/types_of_martial_arts/a-brief-history-of-traditional-jiu-jitsu/