Compare and contrast

                                             

                                            Martial Arts for Self Defense or Sport



                There are similarities between the kind of martial arts used in sport martial arts and the kind that is used in self defense.  The martial arts that are used in sports (point sparring, form, and breaking competitions) incorporate a lot of the same techniques that are used for self defense.  Many of the strikes and stances are used in both styles.  Much of the physical training that goes into learning how to do a technique is also comparable.  However that is where the similarities end.
                 In any kind of sport martial art you are striving for a certain goal, whether it be winning a competition or placing in a division.  The practitioner is able to train for a situation with a controlled outcome and environment.  The practitioner knows what day the competition is, what he or she is likely to encounter and can train accordingly for the situation.  Of course in the actual competition there will be situations that the practitioner must adapt to, however most will be determined well in advance.
                 When training for self defense the martial arts take on a whole new meaning.  There are no weight classes, gender divisions, or time outs.  Every technique learned must have value in a critical situation.  If one misses a block or one's strike is weak the consequence could mean bodily harm or death, as opposed to a second place ribbon.
                Both types of martial arts have their place, however, they are night and day different.  If ever fortunate enough to see a martial arts demonstration - and the hard work and skill that goes into it - appreciate the hours spent learning those skills but do not confuse it with self defense.

Process Analysis

The sidekick is the most recognizable and the most powerful kick in all of martial arts. It is also the kick that many struggle to do correctly. When done correctly a sidekick can generate an enormous amount of power.  However, when done incorrectly it can knock the kicker backwards and off balance. Developing proper technique takes time and practice but it can be done following a set of basic steps.
        The first step is to make sure you begin in a proper stance. A horse stance is the best way to begin. A horse stance is achieved by placing your feet a little wider than your shoulders. With your knees slightly bent, keep your back and your head straight and look either right or left toward leg you want to use do the kick. In the horse stance you are relaxed and not rigid. Don't worry about your hands; let them go to your sides or hold them in front of you.
          After you're in the horse stance take one foot and step behind and slightly past the opposite foot and as you do this rotate your hips so they are pointed in the direction of your target. It is important that the heal of foot being used to step behind the other foot is also pointed at your target. Now with your hips turned and pointed lift the leg you intend to kick with, the leg opposite the one used to step behind, and raise it like you were going to step on a bug. This is called the chamber position. From the chamber position thrust your leg out using a piston motion, leading with the heal of your foot. After your leg is extended, bring the leg back to the chamber position and  return to your horse stance.
         One of the biggest mistakes made in the execution of this technique is the failure to get the hips rotated toward the target. If the hips are not fully turned a great deal of power will be lost due to the fact that the kicking motion will have an arc instead of a straight line. Also, if the hips are not rotated, the chambered  knee cannot be properly placed and the kick will start to resemble another technique altogether. All of these mistakes are easily avoidable with a little patience and practice.
         If these steps are followed the sidekick can become a very powerful weapon in your arsenal. This kick is also the foundation for several other kicks in the martial arts. A beautiful sidekick can show the dedication you have and the time you put into your training.
   

Illustrative Blog Entry

The martial arts are not just about fighting. The Martial Arts can inspire confidence and self respect, especially in younger people. Self confidence can include being proud of who you are and a sense of well-being. This is accomplished not through fighting, but through over coming physical and mental challenges.  Many studies have shown that kids involved in Martial Arts have higher self-esteem than children of the same age who are not involved in the Martial Arts
      Imagine for a moment your son or daughter coming home after school with slight rip in their shirt or a scrape on their arm they just don't want to talk about. As you continue to ask your child about what happened they become more defensive and you can tell that their story is just not adding up.
      Now picture the scene in on the playground or in the hallway. Your child scared, with tears in their eyes waiting for this moment to be over. Your child, too scared to yell for help or stand up for themselves in fear of more repercussions from their bully. Your child standing against the wall with a bloody nose, books thrown on the floor and an expression of humiliation as they look around to see classmates watching.
      The Martial Arts can help instill in children the ability to stand up for themselves. This doesn't mean fighting back or hurting an individual. What the Martial Arts can do is give a child the self confidense to ask for help or tell their bully to stop.
      Learning Martial Arts challenges children and adults both mentally and physically and through that adversity teaches people that they can do the same in everyday situations. It instills the "never give up attitude" and helps people see that they can do things they might not have thought possible. The Martial Arts gives people in adverse situations the knowledge that they have the ability to make a bad situation manageable.
     
     

Descriptive Blog Post.

    Have You Learned Enough


            By the time the wedding reception was done I was more than ready to go back to the hotel. As I exited the reception hall a cool blast of mid October breeze ran over my face. I looked up to see the almost full moon and zipped up my jacket the rest of the way. Winter was just around the corner and soon the last of the leaves would be off the trees. I picked up the pace to the parking ramp to get some relief fom the bitter air.
                    When I got to the huge spiraling concrete structure that was the parking ramp I was quickly reminded how late it was. The massive structure that was abuzz with people and cars earlier now stood silent. As I took my first few steps into the ramp I could not help but notice the huge echo my dress shoes made on the concrete. As I followed the echo up the first floor I squinted to see what section of the ramp I was now in. I finally got close enough to the sign so that the dim reflection of the few working overhead florescents let me read LEVEL 1 SECTION B. One more level and two more sections to go.
         I walked in silence except for the echo of my footsteps. BOOM! A huge sound from a level up. Or was it now a level below me? Wherever it came from it sure made my heart skip a beat. With my newly racing heart and sweaty hands I picked up the pace to a near trot, sure that whatever made the boom would be coming for me. One more section to go.
         I was almost running now. The sound of my steps and the drumming of my heart in my ears was like the sound of a freight train. I could see my car in the far off shadows at the end of the section. That's when it happened, a shadow black as the October night I thought I had found refuge from moved from behind the car next to mine. This was it, the moment I was fearing. I swallowed hard and slowed my pace. I began to think of my martial arts techniques. Had I done enough to get me through this situation?  Had I trained hard enough? Had I put off the one thing might have saved my life? Had I learned enough?