Cause and effect blog post

              I often time hear the question from parents of what are the benefits of my child learning the martial arts. There are many reasons for kids to become involved in martial arts that go far beyond learning how to protect themselves. Many parents think that by their child learning how to protect themselves and stand up for themselves, that their child will build confidence in other areas of their day to day life. This is only a small part of what training in the martial arts can do for a child.
             Several studies have shown that after school activities or activities done in a structured environment not only help children with learning how to interact with others of the same age but also promote strong social development skills. This also holds true for children involved with martial arts.
             Studies also show that children involved in the martial arts are much less likely to be involved with gang activity and recreational drug abuse.
             I have personally seen some amazing behavioral transformations in the time I have been involved in the martial arts. Children with short attention spans and behavioral problems have made great strides in both areas. The children get help with staying on task and focusing on the goals ahead of them in a constructive atmosphere. Not only does a  child learn for themselves how to stay on task but they see other children around them accomplishing the same objectives.
             When viewed from the outside it is easy to think that the martial arts is about punching and kicking. This couldn't be farther from the truth. The main purpose of the martial arts is character building and then comes self defense. Don't get me wrong, learning how to defend yourself is a big part of it but when parents send their kids to a martial arts class they will be surprised how much more they are getting than a kid who can punch and kick. Self respect, self discipline, hard work and a set of moral ethics are all part of the end results of a good martial arts program.
           
   

Argumentation Web 2.0

             I decided to write my blog this week on the Web 2.0 subject. I think the author brought up some valid points but I have to disagree with him on most of them. Let me start by saying  the authors "end of the world" style of writing really turned me off. I don't believe the situation is quite as dire as he makes it out to be. Keen states that there will be an over abundance of authors, musicians and movie makers and that that influx will destroy the classics we now hold dear. I believe quite the opposite is true.  There have always been movie makers, artists and musicians.  However we only hear of the successful ones. Why do we only hear of the successful ones? Because they have something we want. If we don't like what someone has to say or make we disregard it. This holds true for how ever many artists there are.
              If everyone in the world suddenly became a writer, what difference would it make?  The people we want to read will make books.  The people we don't want to read will make hamburgers.
               Keen also says that the world will lose its Hitchcocks, Bonos, and Sebalds. The people he names are people who made it despite a great deal of competition and adversity. To say we will lose talent like that because there will be an influx of media is ridiculous at best and belittles the heroes he holds so dear. Competition drives success not dilutes it.
              Keens warning of an absent elite mainstream media that will result in a loss of our memory for things learned, read, experienced or heard holds no water. There is a huge amount of information that people deal with on a day to day basis. To say that people hold everything we read, hear or say as fact belittles peoples integrity in general. I remember the things I learn, not the things I'm taught, and I believe that holds true for most people.
                I believe keen needs to revisit some of the history on the renaissance. What we have today is an electronic renaissance and the great artists will succeed and the rest will fade. In the end we will ultimately benefit from the influx and some truly great authors, musicians, and movie makers we may have never heard of will enrich our lives.

Procces Analysis Rough Draft Essay

Andy Bush
Process Analysis Essay
Instructor Daykin
Written Communication

The Complete Side Kick

The side kick is the most recognizable and the most powerful kick in all of martial arts. It is also the kick that many people struggle to do correctly. When done correctly, a sidekick can generate an enormous amount of power and be the difference between a broken board and a bruised heel. If done incorrectly, the side kick can knock the kicker backwards and off balance making the kick weak and ineffective. The side kick is not a forgiving technique- meaning that if done incorrectly, it is very easy to point out the mistakes, and the flaws in the kick will be obvious. On the other hand, a good side kick quickly shows the flexibility, balance and hard work the person executing has dedicated to it. Developing proper technique takes time and practice but it can be done following a set of basic steps.

I would suggest when preparing to practice your side kicks for the first time that you find an area with a good amount of open space. It is important to find a space free of tables, lamps, and other people in case you misplace your kick. I would also suggest some loose-fitting clothing that does not restrict your range of motion especially your legs. Barefoot is often the best way to practice as you will need to slide your feet, and shoes with traction can put stress on your knees. Make sure you have done a basic warm up such as running in place for a minute and a couple of stretches that involve the legs (a runners stretch or toe reaches).

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 the leg you want to use to do the kick. In the horse stance you are relaxed and not rigid. You don’t need to worry about your hands- let them go to your sides or hold them in front of you like a boxer.

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. Getting the hips rotated and pointed is crucial as it will help generate your power.  It is important that the heel of foot being used to step behind the other foot is also pointed at your target. Another basic mistake is to leave your foot pointed out and the heel away from the target. Without the heel properly positioned, it will make it very difficult to turn your hips.  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 heel of your foot. As your leg is extended slightly, lean back into the kick. When the leg is fully extended, bring it 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 because 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. It takes time and practice to develop a great side kick but it is well worth the hard work. This kick is also the foundation for several other techniques in martial arts and with a good knowledge of the side kick; the others will be easier to master. A beautiful side kick can show the dedication you have to martial arts and the time you have put into your training.

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?