so Tito Ortiz on Pokerstars million dollar challenge... guess he is planning for retirement?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
mma safest contact sport?
When you think about contact sports the main ones that probably pop into your head are football, boxing, hockey and Mixed Martial Arts. Of all of these sports the most vilified currently is MMA. People tend to denounce it as barbaric and dangerous. And while there is considerable potential for bodily injury there are a myriad of factors that help to keep it safe. In its nearly 17-year history there have only been two verified deaths. Furthermore there is evidence to suggest that the two individuals who died were the victims of pre-existing physical ailments that contributed heavily to their untimely deaths. The other sports listed above with mixed martial arts have directly responsible for more deaths in their histories, both in total and on average, than MMA.
Take hockey for instance. Hockey players can skate up to about 25mph. Consider that that is top speed. Even when two players skating toward each other at 20mph each collide that is a 40mph collisions. At that speed it is easy to render someone unconscious. Hitting an unforgiving surface like ice while out cold can be deadly. There are more than a handful of players that have died from on ice head injuries. There are players that have died from taking a frozen puck to the chest as well; And this is not old school hockey, this is modern-day hockey. Graham Christie died in 1997 from having his heart stopped by a puck in the chest. And what about Miran Schrott? He died on the ice after being slashed in the chest by an opposing player, stopping his heart. The speed of the players and the speed of the puck, combined with player-to-player and player-to-surface (i.e the boards or the ice) are bound to collect more lives.
Football's history is much more severe than that of hockey. The origins of football are littered with death. (This is not to mention all the career ending or other devastating injuries such as paralysis that have occurred) According to The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury, 325 men and boys have died either directly or indirectly from playing football at the high school and college level between 1982-2008 (26 years). Direct injuries are defined as those fatalities, which resulted directly from participation in the fundamental skills of football (such as tackling and blocking). Indirect injuries are those injuries that are caused by systemic failure as a result of exertion while participating in football activity or by a complication, which was secondary to a nonfatal injury (such as heart failure and heat stroke). 1990 was the first and only year there was no fatality in any level of football from the years 1931-2008.
It is remarkable to think that football goes largely uncriticized as a potentially hazardous sport while a sport like mixed martial arts is still referred to by people, ignorant of the rules and practices of MMA, as "barbaric" or "human cockfighting." This basic misconception of the sport is a detriment to its legitimacy as a high level athletic endeavor. The worst sport to this day for deadly injuries and certainly life altering injuries is boxing. Boxing gloves are 14oz - 16oz and are designed to protect the hands of the puncher and not the head of the punchee. Oddly enough it does a great job of protecting the punchers hands to the extent that he can deliver far more blows to his opponents head and thus cause much greater cerebral damage than if he were simply able to knock his opponent out with smaller gloves like MMA participants wear. MMA gloves are 4oz.
They protect the hand to a moderate degree, but still allow knockouts to occur. I bet you never thought a knock out would be safe. But in comparison to repeated blunt force trauma, it is by far the safer alternative. The main goal in boxing is to hit your opponent until he is unconscious or unable to continue from repeated blows to the head. It is rare that a fighter's corner will throw in the towel to save their fighter. It is considered embarrassing and unmanly. Mixed martial arts, on the other hand, has a variety of ways to end fights. Furthermore there is no stigma to submitting whether it is to a Brazilian jujitsu technique like a choke, joint lock or due to strikes. It is actually considered intelligent to submit to joint locks or strikes to avoid serious injury.
Maybe that makes boxers (and football player and hockey players) tougher than MMA guys. I guess you can just keep stacking those tough dead guys on top of each other while the less tough, but smarter MMA guys live to fight another day. There are many places to train to be a fighter or participate in mma St Louis, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, Bettendorf, IA or even Appleton, WI. Simply make sure you find a well-established, safe school in which to train.
Take hockey for instance. Hockey players can skate up to about 25mph. Consider that that is top speed. Even when two players skating toward each other at 20mph each collide that is a 40mph collisions. At that speed it is easy to render someone unconscious. Hitting an unforgiving surface like ice while out cold can be deadly. There are more than a handful of players that have died from on ice head injuries. There are players that have died from taking a frozen puck to the chest as well; And this is not old school hockey, this is modern-day hockey. Graham Christie died in 1997 from having his heart stopped by a puck in the chest. And what about Miran Schrott? He died on the ice after being slashed in the chest by an opposing player, stopping his heart. The speed of the players and the speed of the puck, combined with player-to-player and player-to-surface (i.e the boards or the ice) are bound to collect more lives.
Football's history is much more severe than that of hockey. The origins of football are littered with death. (This is not to mention all the career ending or other devastating injuries such as paralysis that have occurred) According to The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury, 325 men and boys have died either directly or indirectly from playing football at the high school and college level between 1982-2008 (26 years). Direct injuries are defined as those fatalities, which resulted directly from participation in the fundamental skills of football (such as tackling and blocking). Indirect injuries are those injuries that are caused by systemic failure as a result of exertion while participating in football activity or by a complication, which was secondary to a nonfatal injury (such as heart failure and heat stroke). 1990 was the first and only year there was no fatality in any level of football from the years 1931-2008.
It is remarkable to think that football goes largely uncriticized as a potentially hazardous sport while a sport like mixed martial arts is still referred to by people, ignorant of the rules and practices of MMA, as "barbaric" or "human cockfighting." This basic misconception of the sport is a detriment to its legitimacy as a high level athletic endeavor. The worst sport to this day for deadly injuries and certainly life altering injuries is boxing. Boxing gloves are 14oz - 16oz and are designed to protect the hands of the puncher and not the head of the punchee. Oddly enough it does a great job of protecting the punchers hands to the extent that he can deliver far more blows to his opponents head and thus cause much greater cerebral damage than if he were simply able to knock his opponent out with smaller gloves like MMA participants wear. MMA gloves are 4oz.
They protect the hand to a moderate degree, but still allow knockouts to occur. I bet you never thought a knock out would be safe. But in comparison to repeated blunt force trauma, it is by far the safer alternative. The main goal in boxing is to hit your opponent until he is unconscious or unable to continue from repeated blows to the head. It is rare that a fighter's corner will throw in the towel to save their fighter. It is considered embarrassing and unmanly. Mixed martial arts, on the other hand, has a variety of ways to end fights. Furthermore there is no stigma to submitting whether it is to a Brazilian jujitsu technique like a choke, joint lock or due to strikes. It is actually considered intelligent to submit to joint locks or strikes to avoid serious injury.
Maybe that makes boxers (and football player and hockey players) tougher than MMA guys. I guess you can just keep stacking those tough dead guys on top of each other while the less tough, but smarter MMA guys live to fight another day. There are many places to train to be a fighter or participate in mma St Louis, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, Bettendorf, IA or even Appleton, WI. Simply make sure you find a well-established, safe school in which to train.
reaction time
Reaction time is one of the terrible, if not the most terrible, scams ever foisted upon human beings. The idea that you must wait for somebody else to move before taking action will get you killed, and it is a trick of a blind mind. The whole concept, and I don't care if you are a practitioner of Wing Chun or Hung Gar or Shotokan or whatever, is designed to make you a victim.
Now, the problem is that this concept of reaction time has become common to all arts, and basically corrupted those arts. One of the reasons is that the martial arts have been designed for children, and children don't have enough sense of themselves to deal with reaction time except in the most victim manner. Thus, you have to avoid classes taught for, or evolved for, or designed for, children.
Another problem is that the mixed martial arts phenomena that is currently the wow in society has driven people to training methods that utilize nothing but muscle and brawn. How strong are you, how fast are you, and not how can you harmonize with your opponent. Again, the method creates victims of time, moving after somebody else has moved, and it does not create people who move in The Now.
For example, watch one of the latest UFC bashes, they miss as much as they hit, yet the time involved should be faster than somebody can move their heads. The reason this is happening is because people are moving in response. Or, and this is really worse, they are moving without having any real idea of where they are moving, not sure where they should be striking, just striking out blindly and hoping to win the lottery.
On the other end of the scale are the artists who don't miss their strikes, who are aware in the middle of combat, and come out of the battle unmarked and yet with a knock out to their credit. Watch the last fight with Anderson Silva Silva, the one in which he bashes Forrest Griffin. Anderson seems lazy, dancing unconcerned at the end of Forrests punches, and yet he is never touched, and instead loops a lazy, little punch in that knocks Forrest into the middle of next week.
But Forrest was already out of the fight! Forrest, you see was trying to hit a Anderson without knowing where the man was, which is obvious if you analyze the trajectory of his punches. Forrest was caught by reaction time, he was not able to predict in any fashion where Andersons head would be.
So here is the question that I have been getting up to, if a person is in reaction time, punching because of and not in concert with the action, where is he? The truth is that it doesn't matter where he is, what matters is that he is victim to the trap of reaction time. He is not in charge of the fight, he is living some other time, he is living in the past, he is victim to reaction time.
Well, the world is crazy, and we all knew that, but we can make it un-crazy by undoing this silly thing called reaction time. Simply, you must seek out training drills where you move in The Now, and not in the past. Whether you study Kenpo or Tae Kwon Do or Choy Lee Fut or whatever, you must research what reaction time is, and remove it, through intensive training, from your existence.
Now, the problem is that this concept of reaction time has become common to all arts, and basically corrupted those arts. One of the reasons is that the martial arts have been designed for children, and children don't have enough sense of themselves to deal with reaction time except in the most victim manner. Thus, you have to avoid classes taught for, or evolved for, or designed for, children.
Another problem is that the mixed martial arts phenomena that is currently the wow in society has driven people to training methods that utilize nothing but muscle and brawn. How strong are you, how fast are you, and not how can you harmonize with your opponent. Again, the method creates victims of time, moving after somebody else has moved, and it does not create people who move in The Now.
For example, watch one of the latest UFC bashes, they miss as much as they hit, yet the time involved should be faster than somebody can move their heads. The reason this is happening is because people are moving in response. Or, and this is really worse, they are moving without having any real idea of where they are moving, not sure where they should be striking, just striking out blindly and hoping to win the lottery.
On the other end of the scale are the artists who don't miss their strikes, who are aware in the middle of combat, and come out of the battle unmarked and yet with a knock out to their credit. Watch the last fight with Anderson Silva Silva, the one in which he bashes Forrest Griffin. Anderson seems lazy, dancing unconcerned at the end of Forrests punches, and yet he is never touched, and instead loops a lazy, little punch in that knocks Forrest into the middle of next week.
But Forrest was already out of the fight! Forrest, you see was trying to hit a Anderson without knowing where the man was, which is obvious if you analyze the trajectory of his punches. Forrest was caught by reaction time, he was not able to predict in any fashion where Andersons head would be.
So here is the question that I have been getting up to, if a person is in reaction time, punching because of and not in concert with the action, where is he? The truth is that it doesn't matter where he is, what matters is that he is victim to the trap of reaction time. He is not in charge of the fight, he is living some other time, he is living in the past, he is victim to reaction time.
Well, the world is crazy, and we all knew that, but we can make it un-crazy by undoing this silly thing called reaction time. Simply, you must seek out training drills where you move in The Now, and not in the past. Whether you study Kenpo or Tae Kwon Do or Choy Lee Fut or whatever, you must research what reaction time is, and remove it, through intensive training, from your existence.
plyometrics
You've seen them fighting in the ring. Those fighters are solid muscle--maybe twice your weight--but they can still jump higher and move faster than you can, somehow. That footwork and endurance is not an accident; it's a result of a type of exercise called plyometrics. The thing about a sport like MMA (mixed martial arts) is that there is no aspect that can really be ignored if you want to be the best. You can be better at one aspect than another, but if you really want to be better than all the rest, you have to at least have a solid foundation in every possible skill, technique, and factor in the performance of an MMA fighter.
Plyometrics in MMA starts where power, strength, and endurance end. Once you're strong and can last a long time without getting too tired, your work isn't done. You need speed, and you need to be able to pull punch after punch in rapid succession. You'll also need a lightning-fast reaction time that can help you dodge oncoming blows and strike whenever your opponent has revealed a weakness. If you can move quickly, both in terms of footwork and in terms of the speed of your blows, and you can also react quickly, you'll be miles ahead of the other MMA fighters.
Modern MMA fighters are now getting trained in plyometrics so that they can improve their reaction time and speed. You might not have realized that you can actually train yourself to have a faster reaction time, but that's exactly what plyometrics is. Not only will you get super fast reactions, but you will also learn how to channel your strength in one blow at a rapid speed. This means that you can have punches that are both strong and fast. There is nothing better than being able to knockout your opponent quickly due to a sudden, sharp blow to the head.
If power and strength are the payload, then plyometrics is the targeting and delivery system. No matter how strong and powerful you are, you can see that the job won't get done if you aren't fast enough to dodge your opponent's blows. The job won't get done if you can't spot an opponent's weakness and take advantage of it in a split second. And best of all, you don't have to be the strongest or have the most endurance if you've mastered speed. Your goal is to strike where it hurts as quickly as possible. If you get good at that, then strength and endurance can be secondary (still important, but not as critical as if you didn't master plyometrics in MMA).
The way plyometrics works is by learning how to contract muscles more quickly. It also develops the functioning of your nervous system. This might sound intimidating, but a proper MMA trainer can give you the right guidance to master plyometrics in MMA, along with all those techniques and physical goals that you should be striving for too.
Plyometrics in MMA starts where power, strength, and endurance end. Once you're strong and can last a long time without getting too tired, your work isn't done. You need speed, and you need to be able to pull punch after punch in rapid succession. You'll also need a lightning-fast reaction time that can help you dodge oncoming blows and strike whenever your opponent has revealed a weakness. If you can move quickly, both in terms of footwork and in terms of the speed of your blows, and you can also react quickly, you'll be miles ahead of the other MMA fighters.
Modern MMA fighters are now getting trained in plyometrics so that they can improve their reaction time and speed. You might not have realized that you can actually train yourself to have a faster reaction time, but that's exactly what plyometrics is. Not only will you get super fast reactions, but you will also learn how to channel your strength in one blow at a rapid speed. This means that you can have punches that are both strong and fast. There is nothing better than being able to knockout your opponent quickly due to a sudden, sharp blow to the head.
If power and strength are the payload, then plyometrics is the targeting and delivery system. No matter how strong and powerful you are, you can see that the job won't get done if you aren't fast enough to dodge your opponent's blows. The job won't get done if you can't spot an opponent's weakness and take advantage of it in a split second. And best of all, you don't have to be the strongest or have the most endurance if you've mastered speed. Your goal is to strike where it hurts as quickly as possible. If you get good at that, then strength and endurance can be secondary (still important, but not as critical as if you didn't master plyometrics in MMA).
The way plyometrics works is by learning how to contract muscles more quickly. It also develops the functioning of your nervous system. This might sound intimidating, but a proper MMA trainer can give you the right guidance to master plyometrics in MMA, along with all those techniques and physical goals that you should be striving for too.
gear
To do extremely well in any sports or discipline and especially the martial arts, the competitor needs the right training equipment and gear. There are hundreds of martial arts styles all over the world and a lot of styles use some sort of equipment, especially the competitive fighting arts.
The mixed martial arts, which are a blend of some of the combat arts from all over the world, like Judo, Karate, Thai Boxing, and kung fu make use of some traditional gear as well as boxing equipment.
Some mixed martial arts make use of a punching bag, a speed bag, and a double end bag or floor to ceiling ball. These fighting bags all help increase various skills in a combatant. The heavy punching bag helps with clout, the speed bag with hand eye coordination and the double end bag improves punching accuracy and tempo as well.
Some martial artist make use of the Thai bag, which is an extremely long bag, sometimes up to six feet, that allows martial artists to practice devastating lower leg kicks.
Another great piece of martial arts supplies is the kick shield. This is nothing more than a large leather shield that is used for blocking and absorbing blows and kicks during a workout. The shield is great as the target can be moved around the room and also used for low or high kicks to practically any part of the body, including the stomach, chest, and legs.
Mixed martial artists also use focus mitts, which are also versatile. The focus mitts are great for accuracy and endurance for long bouts; they can not only be punched, but also for skilled martial artist can kick them held in a variety of positions. The function of this particular piece of equipment is to help fighters develop fast and fluid combinations.
Another important training item is the protection gear that professional boxers and fighters wear. The mixed martial artist sport normally wear a four ounce glove or similar. The boxing gloves average around ten ounces. For both styles, hand injuries can end the fighter's career and participation in the sport, so the correct training and protective gear is vital.
No matter if you punch, grab, grapple, or box, martial art supplies can help you get the most out of your training and fighting skills.
The mixed martial arts, which are a blend of some of the combat arts from all over the world, like Judo, Karate, Thai Boxing, and kung fu make use of some traditional gear as well as boxing equipment.
Some mixed martial arts make use of a punching bag, a speed bag, and a double end bag or floor to ceiling ball. These fighting bags all help increase various skills in a combatant. The heavy punching bag helps with clout, the speed bag with hand eye coordination and the double end bag improves punching accuracy and tempo as well.
Some martial artist make use of the Thai bag, which is an extremely long bag, sometimes up to six feet, that allows martial artists to practice devastating lower leg kicks.
Another great piece of martial arts supplies is the kick shield. This is nothing more than a large leather shield that is used for blocking and absorbing blows and kicks during a workout. The shield is great as the target can be moved around the room and also used for low or high kicks to practically any part of the body, including the stomach, chest, and legs.
Mixed martial artists also use focus mitts, which are also versatile. The focus mitts are great for accuracy and endurance for long bouts; they can not only be punched, but also for skilled martial artist can kick them held in a variety of positions. The function of this particular piece of equipment is to help fighters develop fast and fluid combinations.
Another important training item is the protection gear that professional boxers and fighters wear. The mixed martial artist sport normally wear a four ounce glove or similar. The boxing gloves average around ten ounces. For both styles, hand injuries can end the fighter's career and participation in the sport, so the correct training and protective gear is vital.
No matter if you punch, grab, grapple, or box, martial art supplies can help you get the most out of your training and fighting skills.
Monday, November 16, 2009
two things define a man... kickin ass and bbq
Over the last few months, I've done a lot of research on many different types of grills. Many of them are good, lots of them aren't. But what I found is that there is one brand of barbecue grills, both charcoal and gas, that stands far above the rest. Weber, a name that everybody knows and respects. Why? Because their products have stood the test of time, decade after decade.
I can remember as a kid the Fourth of July cookouts at my Grandparents' house with a huge hunk of beef on the Weber grill. The sound of the rotisserie will stay with me always. My Weber Performer is the same basic grill my Grandfather used back then. It just shows you the quality of their grills holds true still today. That is why I highly recommend Weber products.
I've listed five of the top selling Weber Grills that I recommend:
Smokey Joe Grill
The Smokey Joe Grill is a great grill for apartment dwellers who have limited storage space. This table-top model features a 14 inch grate for 147 square inches of cooking capacity. Its great to take on you next picnic too. You can count on the quality and dependability that you've come to expect from Weber products.
The One-Touch Gold Series Grill
The One-Touch Gold Series Grill is a great starter grill that will last you many years. It's the classic Weber Kettle Grill design. The great feature of the Gold Series is the convenient Ash Catcher. It makes it very easy when it comes time to empty the spent ashes. You can choose between the 18.5 inch model for a cooking capacity of 240 square inches, or the 22.5 inch model for a capacity of 363 square inches. Again, the Weber quality is always present. A great grill for the price.
The One-Touch Gold Series 26.75″ Grill
The One-Touch Gold Series 26.75″ Grill is the next step up in charcoal grills. Its massive 26.75 inch grate provides 508 square inches of cooking capacity. Plenty of space for any size brisket you have. This model features a built-in thermometer, as well as the convenient Gold Series Ash Catcher. Many other feature abound. This grill is for the serious barbecuer.
The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill
This is the ultimate in charcoal grilling. The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill features the classic Weber Kettle Grill design built into a cart format. The unique Touch-N-Go gas ignition system lights your charcoal with a small LP gas burner. No more lighter fluid!! It also features the convenient Gold Series Ash Catcher as well as a dual purpose thermometer and weather protected charcoal storage container.
I've personally used the Performer Grill for the last 9 years and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't do without it.
Well, there you have it... I sincerely hope that these recommendations will help you in your grilling quests.
I can remember as a kid the Fourth of July cookouts at my Grandparents' house with a huge hunk of beef on the Weber grill. The sound of the rotisserie will stay with me always. My Weber Performer is the same basic grill my Grandfather used back then. It just shows you the quality of their grills holds true still today. That is why I highly recommend Weber products.
I've listed five of the top selling Weber Grills that I recommend:
Smokey Joe Grill
The Smokey Joe Grill is a great grill for apartment dwellers who have limited storage space. This table-top model features a 14 inch grate for 147 square inches of cooking capacity. Its great to take on you next picnic too. You can count on the quality and dependability that you've come to expect from Weber products.
The One-Touch Gold Series Grill
The One-Touch Gold Series Grill is a great starter grill that will last you many years. It's the classic Weber Kettle Grill design. The great feature of the Gold Series is the convenient Ash Catcher. It makes it very easy when it comes time to empty the spent ashes. You can choose between the 18.5 inch model for a cooking capacity of 240 square inches, or the 22.5 inch model for a capacity of 363 square inches. Again, the Weber quality is always present. A great grill for the price.
The One-Touch Gold Series 26.75″ Grill
The One-Touch Gold Series 26.75″ Grill is the next step up in charcoal grills. Its massive 26.75 inch grate provides 508 square inches of cooking capacity. Plenty of space for any size brisket you have. This model features a built-in thermometer, as well as the convenient Gold Series Ash Catcher. Many other feature abound. This grill is for the serious barbecuer.
The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill
This is the ultimate in charcoal grilling. The Weber Performer Charcoal Grill features the classic Weber Kettle Grill design built into a cart format. The unique Touch-N-Go gas ignition system lights your charcoal with a small LP gas burner. No more lighter fluid!! It also features the convenient Gold Series Ash Catcher as well as a dual purpose thermometer and weather protected charcoal storage container.
I've personally used the Performer Grill for the last 9 years and I absolutely love it. I wouldn't do without it.
Well, there you have it... I sincerely hope that these recommendations will help you in your grilling quests.
Friday, November 13, 2009
internal martial arts
Chinese martial arts are broadly split into two categories: external martial arts and internal martial arts. In reality, it is sometimes difficult to categorise any particular system as internal or external as it is likely to contain aspects of both. For example, many of the Shaolin animal styles manifest themselves as outwardly external, very powerful styles, but the training within those systems incorporates meditative practices called qigong. Qigong is used for cultivating the mind and "qi" of the practitioner and is normally a practice associated with the internal arts. Similarly, the internal martial art called xingyiquan looks like an external art but does not use muscular force in the same sense that the external art would.
There are several Chinese internal martial arts, but the three most well-known are xingyiquan, baguazhang and taijiquan.
Xingyiquan (Hsing-I Chuan) - Shape Intention Boxing
Xingyiquan, usually referred to simply as "xingyi" is a very powerful martial art, devised as a battlefield fighting system. The training consists of three main parts: qigong, using the "Three Body Posture"; the Five Elemental Fists techniques; and the animal forms, where techniques are taught that mimic the actions of various animals. It is sometimes said of xingyi that it is easy to learn, but hard to master. The techniques look external to the untrained observer, but the xingyi practitioner's body is totally soft and relaxed during fighting, except at the moments when landing punches, when the energy is released in an explosive manner. Xingyi is a very direct, almost linear style, ideal for close range fighting. To see an example of xingyi, watch Jet Li in the movie "The One" - the villain does xingyi.
Baguazhang (Pa Kua Chang) - Eight Diagram Palm
Bagua is a very different style, and can appear baffling to an observer when watching an expert demonstrating one of its forms (kata). It is a style designed for defending against multiple opponents and can be effective at all ranges. It emphasises firm, rapid footwork, and the majority of the techniques are circular. It is common to see a bagua practitioner move in and out of a group of opponents, swooping down low to uproot and throw, or quickly take up a position behind an opponent to strike while they are confused. Once again, bagua pays close attention to qigong, and being relaxed in body and mind during confrontation, and so maintains its status as an internal martial art. In the movie "The One" Jet Li - as the hero - also demonstrates bagua forms and applications.
Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) - Supreme Pole Boxing
Tai chi is the internal martial art that most people instantly recognise, although they do not immediately think of it as a martial art. Many of the training forms are performed very slowly, although there are also some advanced routines which are performed explosively fast. In tai chi, the fighting applications are hidden somewhat within the slowness of the forms, but when used in real self-defense situations, the techniques issue their force like a whip; soft, but powerful and penetrating. Everything within tai chi is aimed at developing power, and at using that power in combat situations without losing balance. To gain a thorough understanding of the principles of tai chi for fighting takes many years. The route to that understanding provides other benefits, such as better general health, which is why many people who have no interest in the martial aspects of the art still wish to learn it.
Why Study Internal Martial Arts?
The three main internal styles of kung fu described above, and the other rarer styles such as yiquan and liuhe bafa, are suitable for all age groups, and are beneficial for health and well-being. They tend not to rely on brute force and physical strength, but rather to absorb or redirect an opponents energy. An internal stylist will use the attacker's force against him, rather than meeting it head on. Although the forms practised in these styles look beautiful when performed correctly, they are not designed to be flamboyant, as each technique has a specific purpose, and uses the minimum effort to get the desired result in, for example, a self-defense situation.
Many masters in these arts are able to continue practising well into their eighties, and often they will attribute their longevity itself to the fact they spent years doing their tai chi or bagua or xingyi. That is the best part about internal martial arts; you are never too old to start learning them.
There are several Chinese internal martial arts, but the three most well-known are xingyiquan, baguazhang and taijiquan.
Xingyiquan (Hsing-I Chuan) - Shape Intention Boxing
Xingyiquan, usually referred to simply as "xingyi" is a very powerful martial art, devised as a battlefield fighting system. The training consists of three main parts: qigong, using the "Three Body Posture"; the Five Elemental Fists techniques; and the animal forms, where techniques are taught that mimic the actions of various animals. It is sometimes said of xingyi that it is easy to learn, but hard to master. The techniques look external to the untrained observer, but the xingyi practitioner's body is totally soft and relaxed during fighting, except at the moments when landing punches, when the energy is released in an explosive manner. Xingyi is a very direct, almost linear style, ideal for close range fighting. To see an example of xingyi, watch Jet Li in the movie "The One" - the villain does xingyi.
Baguazhang (Pa Kua Chang) - Eight Diagram Palm
Bagua is a very different style, and can appear baffling to an observer when watching an expert demonstrating one of its forms (kata). It is a style designed for defending against multiple opponents and can be effective at all ranges. It emphasises firm, rapid footwork, and the majority of the techniques are circular. It is common to see a bagua practitioner move in and out of a group of opponents, swooping down low to uproot and throw, or quickly take up a position behind an opponent to strike while they are confused. Once again, bagua pays close attention to qigong, and being relaxed in body and mind during confrontation, and so maintains its status as an internal martial art. In the movie "The One" Jet Li - as the hero - also demonstrates bagua forms and applications.
Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) - Supreme Pole Boxing
Tai chi is the internal martial art that most people instantly recognise, although they do not immediately think of it as a martial art. Many of the training forms are performed very slowly, although there are also some advanced routines which are performed explosively fast. In tai chi, the fighting applications are hidden somewhat within the slowness of the forms, but when used in real self-defense situations, the techniques issue their force like a whip; soft, but powerful and penetrating. Everything within tai chi is aimed at developing power, and at using that power in combat situations without losing balance. To gain a thorough understanding of the principles of tai chi for fighting takes many years. The route to that understanding provides other benefits, such as better general health, which is why many people who have no interest in the martial aspects of the art still wish to learn it.
Why Study Internal Martial Arts?
The three main internal styles of kung fu described above, and the other rarer styles such as yiquan and liuhe bafa, are suitable for all age groups, and are beneficial for health and well-being. They tend not to rely on brute force and physical strength, but rather to absorb or redirect an opponents energy. An internal stylist will use the attacker's force against him, rather than meeting it head on. Although the forms practised in these styles look beautiful when performed correctly, they are not designed to be flamboyant, as each technique has a specific purpose, and uses the minimum effort to get the desired result in, for example, a self-defense situation.
Many masters in these arts are able to continue practising well into their eighties, and often they will attribute their longevity itself to the fact they spent years doing their tai chi or bagua or xingyi. That is the best part about internal martial arts; you are never too old to start learning them.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
wrestlers tougher than bjj'ers?
That's the question that has been bothering me for years. And probably like you, I have a natural bias to support my decision based on what I am... a BJJer. But in spite of that bias, I'm gonna tackle this question as objectively as possible to support my theory. So, just bear with me before you call me an idiot.
Ok, the answer to the question are wrestlers tougher than BJJers is... yes and no.
Why, you ask?
The reason that I say wrestlers are tougher than BJJers is because of the way they train and the mindset that's ingrained (overtly and covertly) within the training. If you've ever been around wrestlers for any period of time, it's easy to notice common traits they possess, regardless of whether they're pee-wee, master/veterans level wrestler, and every level in
between.
And what stands out in my mind about wrestlers are these common characteristics:
- They're always aggressive on the mat
- They usually attack first
- They're not afraid to work hard, even to point of complete exhaustion
- They'll fight anybody, regardless of size
- They're all a little cocky about their skill set
- They believe they can beat anyone in the world that faces them
- They don't quit on themselves during a match and if they do, they're destroying something as soon as the match is over
- They hate losing at anything
- They basically evaluate grapplers in two categories: you're either tough or a punk
Now, are those characteristics that BJJers don't possess? No, that's not what I'm saying at all.
It's not that BJJers can't have that tough mindset that I've mentioned above because many do, especially those schools that are involved in various competitive events (e.g. BJJ Tourneys, MMA Events, etc).
What I believe is the way that BJJ has been marketed (e.g. an art for a smaller man to win against a bigger man, technique not strength, etc.) for average Joe has made it easier for the "toughness" aspect
to be downplayed (or even removed) from the daily training, especially when a certain amount of people are paying to learn how to grapple as a recreational activity.
And since instructors must create friendly training environments where all students (from MMAers to couch potatoes) can train and not feel physically overwhelmed, it's easy for an environment to evolve
where an instructor or coach has to:
- "Protect" certain grapplers from training with other grapplers
- Allow grapplers to skip certain part of the workout (e.g. warm-ups) so they won't be too tired
- Allow grapplers to not train because they're getting tired and don't want to lose
- Avoid certain training situations (e.g. takedowns) for fear of injury or it's too exhausting
- Displaying passive behavior on the mat
- Quitting during matches with impunity
And while that may be the "right" thing to do as far as business is concerned, that approach makes it easy to remove the element of toughness that's automatically ingrained within BJJ training to make it "safer and friendly" for the potential student.
And once many students realize how demanding the training can be, they usually quit before ever achieving a purple or even a blue belt.
What's the solution for the BJJer? Well, I think the solution lies in the question itself. I don't really think it's important to improve who's tougher, but I think it's quite obvious that we should lean towards wrestlers to learn how to engrain the tough mental mindset into grappling training, for grapplers of all ages to learn.
Ok, the answer to the question are wrestlers tougher than BJJers is... yes and no.
Why, you ask?
The reason that I say wrestlers are tougher than BJJers is because of the way they train and the mindset that's ingrained (overtly and covertly) within the training. If you've ever been around wrestlers for any period of time, it's easy to notice common traits they possess, regardless of whether they're pee-wee, master/veterans level wrestler, and every level in
between.
And what stands out in my mind about wrestlers are these common characteristics:
- They're always aggressive on the mat
- They usually attack first
- They're not afraid to work hard, even to point of complete exhaustion
- They'll fight anybody, regardless of size
- They're all a little cocky about their skill set
- They believe they can beat anyone in the world that faces them
- They don't quit on themselves during a match and if they do, they're destroying something as soon as the match is over
- They hate losing at anything
- They basically evaluate grapplers in two categories: you're either tough or a punk
Now, are those characteristics that BJJers don't possess? No, that's not what I'm saying at all.
It's not that BJJers can't have that tough mindset that I've mentioned above because many do, especially those schools that are involved in various competitive events (e.g. BJJ Tourneys, MMA Events, etc).
What I believe is the way that BJJ has been marketed (e.g. an art for a smaller man to win against a bigger man, technique not strength, etc.) for average Joe has made it easier for the "toughness" aspect
to be downplayed (or even removed) from the daily training, especially when a certain amount of people are paying to learn how to grapple as a recreational activity.
And since instructors must create friendly training environments where all students (from MMAers to couch potatoes) can train and not feel physically overwhelmed, it's easy for an environment to evolve
where an instructor or coach has to:
- "Protect" certain grapplers from training with other grapplers
- Allow grapplers to skip certain part of the workout (e.g. warm-ups) so they won't be too tired
- Allow grapplers to not train because they're getting tired and don't want to lose
- Avoid certain training situations (e.g. takedowns) for fear of injury or it's too exhausting
- Displaying passive behavior on the mat
- Quitting during matches with impunity
And while that may be the "right" thing to do as far as business is concerned, that approach makes it easy to remove the element of toughness that's automatically ingrained within BJJ training to make it "safer and friendly" for the potential student.
And once many students realize how demanding the training can be, they usually quit before ever achieving a purple or even a blue belt.
What's the solution for the BJJer? Well, I think the solution lies in the question itself. I don't really think it's important to improve who's tougher, but I think it's quite obvious that we should lean towards wrestlers to learn how to engrain the tough mental mindset into grappling training, for grapplers of all ages to learn.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
makiwara
If you use a makiwara as part of your martial arts training, or you are thinking about it, this technique will also carry over into your real-world fighting. By using this method of putting your weight into your punches, you can triple the power behind them. Read on to find out more about this little-known technique
When training with your makiwara, not only is it important to build up the strength in your fist, but you also need to learn to put your whole body behind a punch. The makiwara can be a great tool for this as well. Not to be confused with just pushing someone, using your body weight to enhance a punch can mean the difference between hitting someone hard and completely knocking them off their feet.
When you use your makiwara at home, practice sliding your back foot up slightly at the moment of contact. Your feet should not be stationary duing your training, because a huge portion of the power from each punch actually comes from your feet. By driving that back foot forward just a few inches at the exact moment of the strike, you can draw from a huge amount of power that the arm alone can't generate.
This is a great technique for all fighters, but it really levels the playing field for smaller people. You can easily take down a bigger opponent if you learn to use the power in your entire body when punching. This sliding motion of the feet take all of the mass of the whole body and channels it up the legs, through the torso and shoulders and out through the end of your fist. Your front foot slides just an inch, a fraction of a second before the punch, and your back foot comes up and does the heavy hitting.
Remember, when you are practicing this technique on your makiwara, make sure that you are not just pushing the striking post forward. You will still punch it just as hard, but then the back foot drives your fist up, through the target just that little bit more, causing much more damage to the striking point. In order to gain this power accurately, you need to use it in conjunction with your weekly makiwara practice. The makiwara is the Swiss Army knife of fist training tools and if you use it to its fullest potential, you can develop the punching power of a freight train no matter what size you are.
When training with your makiwara, not only is it important to build up the strength in your fist, but you also need to learn to put your whole body behind a punch. The makiwara can be a great tool for this as well. Not to be confused with just pushing someone, using your body weight to enhance a punch can mean the difference between hitting someone hard and completely knocking them off their feet.
When you use your makiwara at home, practice sliding your back foot up slightly at the moment of contact. Your feet should not be stationary duing your training, because a huge portion of the power from each punch actually comes from your feet. By driving that back foot forward just a few inches at the exact moment of the strike, you can draw from a huge amount of power that the arm alone can't generate.
This is a great technique for all fighters, but it really levels the playing field for smaller people. You can easily take down a bigger opponent if you learn to use the power in your entire body when punching. This sliding motion of the feet take all of the mass of the whole body and channels it up the legs, through the torso and shoulders and out through the end of your fist. Your front foot slides just an inch, a fraction of a second before the punch, and your back foot comes up and does the heavy hitting.
Remember, when you are practicing this technique on your makiwara, make sure that you are not just pushing the striking post forward. You will still punch it just as hard, but then the back foot drives your fist up, through the target just that little bit more, causing much more damage to the striking point. In order to gain this power accurately, you need to use it in conjunction with your weekly makiwara practice. The makiwara is the Swiss Army knife of fist training tools and if you use it to its fullest potential, you can develop the punching power of a freight train no matter what size you are.
Friday, November 6, 2009
power kicks!
Kicks can be devastating when kicking to an opponent. In just one kick, you can knock a tall muscular well built person down like a brick wall. The only problem with kicks, is that they are slow and easy to see coming. But if you have lightning fast kicks, your kicks will be unseen by your opponent, and they are much more powerful then a normal kick because of the sheer speed of it. To get lightning fast and very powerful kicks, all you need to do is follow these 3 secret ways.
1. Do lots of sit ups!
To get fast kicking speed, you need to strengthen your waist and stomach muscles. When you strengthen your stomach and waist muscles, you increase the turning power of your legs. Also, all kicks start from the waist then to the legs. So if you strengthen the origin of your kicks, your kicks will be flying out very fast from your body!
2. Skipping for 1 hour straight!
To kick fast, you have to move your leg and feet very fast. The only way to keep your feet moving fast all the time is skipping constantly for one hour straight! When you do this, you are building fast twitch muscle fibres in your leg, which fire your muscles very fast giving you lightning fast kicks.
3. Hopping for 1 mile straight on one leg and then another 1 mile on the other
When you kick, you are standing on one leg. Most of the power of kicking comes from the standing leg to twist around so you can kick your leg. So to improve the power of your kicks, you need to improve the strength of your legs on one leg. You do this by hopping for one mile straight one leg and as fast as possible. Then swap and do the other leg for another one mile.
1. Do lots of sit ups!
To get fast kicking speed, you need to strengthen your waist and stomach muscles. When you strengthen your stomach and waist muscles, you increase the turning power of your legs. Also, all kicks start from the waist then to the legs. So if you strengthen the origin of your kicks, your kicks will be flying out very fast from your body!
2. Skipping for 1 hour straight!
To kick fast, you have to move your leg and feet very fast. The only way to keep your feet moving fast all the time is skipping constantly for one hour straight! When you do this, you are building fast twitch muscle fibres in your leg, which fire your muscles very fast giving you lightning fast kicks.
3. Hopping for 1 mile straight on one leg and then another 1 mile on the other
When you kick, you are standing on one leg. Most of the power of kicking comes from the standing leg to twist around so you can kick your leg. So to improve the power of your kicks, you need to improve the strength of your legs on one leg. You do this by hopping for one mile straight one leg and as fast as possible. Then swap and do the other leg for another one mile.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
look mom, i'm bendy.
f you are looking to increase your range of motion -- safely -- then Isometric Stretching is something you should be familiar with.
However, I find that many people are not familiar with this unique form of stretching. Let me first explain the differences between isometric stretching and regular stretching.
You are probably most familiar with static stretching (regular stretches.). This is the traditional stretching that you learned in school and unfortunately is not the best way to stretch out your ligaments and muscles.
You know what I mean -- you place a particular muscle in an elongated position -- then you stretch them beyond your normal comfort zone... slowly and then you stay there for a few seconds.
The problem with this type of stretching is that the muscles are slowly being pulled apart and you are actually weakening them. This increases your flexibility and range of motion. However, this can create an unstable joint and leave you more susceptible to injury.
This is very true in your lower back area and of course your knees.
If the muscles supporting these joints are not tight you could cause a strain or even for the joint to popout.
Isometric stretching is the complete opposite of what I described. When you stretch using isometrics you actually are making your weak position stronger and are making your tendons and ligaments tighter able to contract more forcibly while at the same time being flexible.
Sounds like a complete contradiction in terms doesn't it? Well it's true!
Here's the deal of isometric stretching. You can use Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation which is a form of isometric contraction. So for example -- if you were to do a side split -- first you would squeeze your legs together at the same time tense all the muscles of the leg. You would hold the contraction anywhere from 10 to 20 seconds -- then you would relax and you would be able to stretch even further than before. The relaxation response is a normal reaction that your body has.
Using isometric stretching in this way... will allow you to be more flexible and at the same time protect you from injury.
However, I find that many people are not familiar with this unique form of stretching. Let me first explain the differences between isometric stretching and regular stretching.
You are probably most familiar with static stretching (regular stretches.). This is the traditional stretching that you learned in school and unfortunately is not the best way to stretch out your ligaments and muscles.
You know what I mean -- you place a particular muscle in an elongated position -- then you stretch them beyond your normal comfort zone... slowly and then you stay there for a few seconds.
The problem with this type of stretching is that the muscles are slowly being pulled apart and you are actually weakening them. This increases your flexibility and range of motion. However, this can create an unstable joint and leave you more susceptible to injury.
This is very true in your lower back area and of course your knees.
If the muscles supporting these joints are not tight you could cause a strain or even for the joint to popout.
Isometric stretching is the complete opposite of what I described. When you stretch using isometrics you actually are making your weak position stronger and are making your tendons and ligaments tighter able to contract more forcibly while at the same time being flexible.
Sounds like a complete contradiction in terms doesn't it? Well it's true!
Here's the deal of isometric stretching. You can use Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation which is a form of isometric contraction. So for example -- if you were to do a side split -- first you would squeeze your legs together at the same time tense all the muscles of the leg. You would hold the contraction anywhere from 10 to 20 seconds -- then you would relax and you would be able to stretch even further than before. The relaxation response is a normal reaction that your body has.
Using isometric stretching in this way... will allow you to be more flexible and at the same time protect you from injury.
Jujitsu fever?
Well I know that the world is going Jujitsu crazy, because of cage fighting becoming so popular. Hey why not? Jujitsu is one of the few fighting styles that is most effective on the ground and doesn't revolve around strength. How does it work?, you may be wondering. (Leverage) One of the most simple tools man has ever came up with. The effect however is devastating. The power behind the fighting style breaks bones, tears joints, and enables you to get out of the worst position in the world when your in a fight (On the ground). Jujitsu focuses mostly on grappling, but does choreograph sweeps, and strikes into the mix.
If your are an advanced fighter in this style you can knock someone out by choking them in as little as three seconds. You can kill them in eight. Also an advanced fighter in this style can break your limbs (from any position they are in one the ground). However the down side to this hardcore fighting style is that it is impossible to fight more then one person at a time. It also lacks the proper stand up strikes to be efficient against an advanced Boxer. I know what your thinking, (I would just take that guy to the ground). Wrong! In fact without the ability to get close to that person Jujitsu is completely useless.
The point is, if the guy your fighting has hand speed your not going to be able to start grappling. That means your getting hit why your fighting and really don't have a lot choices to choose from, other then trying a take down. Now an advanced fighter in Jujitsu may get the take down, but not before that Boxer gave him one serious blow to the skull. The fact remains also that in a real fight that guy will rake you in the eyes and hit you in the groin if given half the chance. You guys out there that thinks that makes him a wimp, well I hope you never have to fight for your lives because you are going to die very quick and very painful.If your fighting on the street in a one on one fight. You probably will mess up a guy in thirty seconds flat. However if that guy has a stick, your in for a rude awakening of the bone cracking kind!
The worst part about this fighting style is the fact that you have to tangle your body up while fighting and opponent, so if he has friends they are just gonna stomp you in the back of the skull. In truth the worst place to be in a real fight is on the ground, because no matter if your a pro or not. Some ones foot coming down on your face is going to hurt you bad enough that you won't continue fighting. However the best part about this fighting style is its fatal time to do things. If you quickly broke one opponents arm and got to your feet you could fight the next. The only thing is in a real life or death situation everyone will rush you at the same time.
I'd say over all Jujitsu is and eight out of ten because of its lack of long range defence and ability to only fight one man at I time. Sorry, but the thought of getting stomped to death in a real fight just doesn't sound fun. However this fighting style is a must for people who want to quickly be done with an opponent on the ground. It also is a very good way to get more flexible, when learning some of the more challenging grappling techniques. I know alot of you out there are thinking, what about the flying arm bar? Well its a cool looking move, but completely unthinkable in life or death situation.
If your are an advanced fighter in this style you can knock someone out by choking them in as little as three seconds. You can kill them in eight. Also an advanced fighter in this style can break your limbs (from any position they are in one the ground). However the down side to this hardcore fighting style is that it is impossible to fight more then one person at a time. It also lacks the proper stand up strikes to be efficient against an advanced Boxer. I know what your thinking, (I would just take that guy to the ground). Wrong! In fact without the ability to get close to that person Jujitsu is completely useless.
The point is, if the guy your fighting has hand speed your not going to be able to start grappling. That means your getting hit why your fighting and really don't have a lot choices to choose from, other then trying a take down. Now an advanced fighter in Jujitsu may get the take down, but not before that Boxer gave him one serious blow to the skull. The fact remains also that in a real fight that guy will rake you in the eyes and hit you in the groin if given half the chance. You guys out there that thinks that makes him a wimp, well I hope you never have to fight for your lives because you are going to die very quick and very painful.If your fighting on the street in a one on one fight. You probably will mess up a guy in thirty seconds flat. However if that guy has a stick, your in for a rude awakening of the bone cracking kind!
The worst part about this fighting style is the fact that you have to tangle your body up while fighting and opponent, so if he has friends they are just gonna stomp you in the back of the skull. In truth the worst place to be in a real fight is on the ground, because no matter if your a pro or not. Some ones foot coming down on your face is going to hurt you bad enough that you won't continue fighting. However the best part about this fighting style is its fatal time to do things. If you quickly broke one opponents arm and got to your feet you could fight the next. The only thing is in a real life or death situation everyone will rush you at the same time.
I'd say over all Jujitsu is and eight out of ten because of its lack of long range defence and ability to only fight one man at I time. Sorry, but the thought of getting stomped to death in a real fight just doesn't sound fun. However this fighting style is a must for people who want to quickly be done with an opponent on the ground. It also is a very good way to get more flexible, when learning some of the more challenging grappling techniques. I know alot of you out there are thinking, what about the flying arm bar? Well its a cool looking move, but completely unthinkable in life or death situation.
Judges, WTF?
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua is one of the very best mixed martial arts fighters in the world. He is very exciting to watch fight, and he is very explosive. He started out training in the famous Brazilian academy Chute Boxe. This academy is famous for making fighters such as Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva, and of course Mauricio Rua. Mauricio is considered to be the perfect prototype of the fighter Chute Boxe is looking for. He is fast, aggressive, explosive, creative, and smart. He also is great at jiu-jitsu, and his strikes are more accurate than Wanderlei Silva. Wanderlei was kind of a mentor to Shogun back in the time when they both fought at Pride.
Recently, Shogun knocked out Ultimate Fighting Championship hall of famer Chuck Liddell. Chuck was on the end of his career, but still, Shogun was able to win in very impressive fashion. His next opponent was Lyoto Machida. Machida is one of the most technical fighters in the sport today. They had a great fight, and Mauricio definitely controlled the action. It was a pretty close fight, but you could tell that Mauricio was breaking down Lyoto's spirit.
However, he was unable to win due to the judges, and I feel that since he was unable to knock Lyoto out, this is the basis of their decision. What I would like to see is a rematch as soon as possible. I feel that Lyoto will be much better prepared, and he will give the fans another great fight.
Recently, Shogun knocked out Ultimate Fighting Championship hall of famer Chuck Liddell. Chuck was on the end of his career, but still, Shogun was able to win in very impressive fashion. His next opponent was Lyoto Machida. Machida is one of the most technical fighters in the sport today. They had a great fight, and Mauricio definitely controlled the action. It was a pretty close fight, but you could tell that Mauricio was breaking down Lyoto's spirit.
However, he was unable to win due to the judges, and I feel that since he was unable to knock Lyoto out, this is the basis of their decision. What I would like to see is a rematch as soon as possible. I feel that Lyoto will be much better prepared, and he will give the fans another great fight.
what are you putting in your body?
There is no doubt that MMA training can be extremely tough. The fact is that it has to be to cope with the demands that are put on the body in a competitive bout.
Your training will go to higher levels as your body adapts to what you are doing. In order to keep progressing, the nutritional aspect of mixed martial arts training cannot be understated. After all it is the food that you put into your body which is going to decide how much effort you are able to put into your workouts.
The rising popularity of this sport has given rise to an industry which markets supplements as an aid to training, fitness, and strength gains. Much of these types of supplements are just a crossover from the huge bodybuilding supplement market.
While it is true that the nutritional aspects of mixed martial arts will be higher compared to the normal guy on the street, much of the products on the market make claims which they rarely live up to. At the end of the day MMA Nutrition is largely about common sense.
There are certain products which are going to beneficial to you. These will mainly include good protein powders, creatine, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Some nutritionists will tell you that a lot of these requirements can be met through a healthy diet consisting of a variety of foods. However because MMA training is so difficult, it is not possible to get everything that you need purely from food. Supplementation is going to be a necessary requirement if you want to get stronger and fitter.
The key to remember is that supplements are there to eat along with your normal meals, and not instead of your normal meals. Solid food is the the basis of your dietery needs. In order for your body to use the most of what you put into it, you will need to eat smaller meals, more frequently through the day.
Your body finds it much easier to digest smaller portions than it does large meals. With a large meal your body can only make use of so much. Anything that is not discarded through natural waste, will end up as being stored as fat. This is not something that you will want.
In laymans terms carbohydrates will give your body energy, protein will repair and grow muscle tissue which has been damaged by training, and healthy fats are needed to help your body to make the use of the nutrients that you are eating, among other functional requirements for your body.
By all means use supplementation, but try not to fall for the products which promise you amazing results as part of your MMA training.
Your training will go to higher levels as your body adapts to what you are doing. In order to keep progressing, the nutritional aspect of mixed martial arts training cannot be understated. After all it is the food that you put into your body which is going to decide how much effort you are able to put into your workouts.
The rising popularity of this sport has given rise to an industry which markets supplements as an aid to training, fitness, and strength gains. Much of these types of supplements are just a crossover from the huge bodybuilding supplement market.
While it is true that the nutritional aspects of mixed martial arts will be higher compared to the normal guy on the street, much of the products on the market make claims which they rarely live up to. At the end of the day MMA Nutrition is largely about common sense.
There are certain products which are going to beneficial to you. These will mainly include good protein powders, creatine, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Some nutritionists will tell you that a lot of these requirements can be met through a healthy diet consisting of a variety of foods. However because MMA training is so difficult, it is not possible to get everything that you need purely from food. Supplementation is going to be a necessary requirement if you want to get stronger and fitter.
The key to remember is that supplements are there to eat along with your normal meals, and not instead of your normal meals. Solid food is the the basis of your dietery needs. In order for your body to use the most of what you put into it, you will need to eat smaller meals, more frequently through the day.
Your body finds it much easier to digest smaller portions than it does large meals. With a large meal your body can only make use of so much. Anything that is not discarded through natural waste, will end up as being stored as fat. This is not something that you will want.
In laymans terms carbohydrates will give your body energy, protein will repair and grow muscle tissue which has been damaged by training, and healthy fats are needed to help your body to make the use of the nutrients that you are eating, among other functional requirements for your body.
By all means use supplementation, but try not to fall for the products which promise you amazing results as part of your MMA training.
mma for you?
A lot of individuals backed away from studying martial arts simply because there's too much to learn all at once. That is why it is better to split the steps into smaller chunks to assimilate. Once simple chunks are remembered then these must be applied with repetition to be acquired with muscle memory. Even exactly duplicating the steps over and over again in a session has its constraints. Research on a simple nervous system have shown that there is no increase to retention when any more than 10 repetitions of a task in a session are done.
The most helpful system of repetition exercise is to spread the repetitions over couple number of sessions. So basically, the technique is to do only seven to ten repetitions of a particular move in a training session. Then depending on your availability, carry out at least 9 repeat review sessions over a couple of days or weeks. The beginning repeat session could be close to the end of the session and the closer the review sessions are together the, the quicker optimal retention is obtained.
Another frequent problem is that many folks who have experience in mixed martial arts fighting get bored when trying to train the number of drills in trying to get through them adequately. This process will seriously impair your concentration. Mixing the repetitions in the forms of drills, fun competition, and games that employ the specific ability concerned is a practical method that may aid you to get by this issue and will heighten your versatility as well. Keep in mind that this is for the learning of new techniques.
In order to achieve the top level of both mixed martial arts fighting or Muay Thai Fighting, you would need to condition the variety of attributes required such as speed, timing, balance, modification adjustment, corrections in balance, readiness for reaction to the competitor's movement, and other qualities. Making your mixed martial arts fighting power to this degree needs lots more hard-working efforts.
Once a dependable level of fighting efficiency is gotten, then you could attempt to spar with a partner in a carefully managed conditions or do controlled performance drills in which your training partner presents moderate problems to address. Using this technique for developing and doing your drilling could reinforce your game and also make repetition drilling much more easy when training for mixed martial arts fighting.
The most helpful system of repetition exercise is to spread the repetitions over couple number of sessions. So basically, the technique is to do only seven to ten repetitions of a particular move in a training session. Then depending on your availability, carry out at least 9 repeat review sessions over a couple of days or weeks. The beginning repeat session could be close to the end of the session and the closer the review sessions are together the, the quicker optimal retention is obtained.
Another frequent problem is that many folks who have experience in mixed martial arts fighting get bored when trying to train the number of drills in trying to get through them adequately. This process will seriously impair your concentration. Mixing the repetitions in the forms of drills, fun competition, and games that employ the specific ability concerned is a practical method that may aid you to get by this issue and will heighten your versatility as well. Keep in mind that this is for the learning of new techniques.
In order to achieve the top level of both mixed martial arts fighting or Muay Thai Fighting, you would need to condition the variety of attributes required such as speed, timing, balance, modification adjustment, corrections in balance, readiness for reaction to the competitor's movement, and other qualities. Making your mixed martial arts fighting power to this degree needs lots more hard-working efforts.
Once a dependable level of fighting efficiency is gotten, then you could attempt to spar with a partner in a carefully managed conditions or do controlled performance drills in which your training partner presents moderate problems to address. Using this technique for developing and doing your drilling could reinforce your game and also make repetition drilling much more easy when training for mixed martial arts fighting.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
little bit about Lyoto
By now, if you are a fan of mixed martial arts, you have heard of the name Lyoto Machida. Who is he? Machida is one of the most successful fighters in the world today. He currently holds the light heavyweight championship belt of the world, and he is also considered the most elusive fighter in mixed martial arts history.
Lyoto Machida is of Japanese and Brazilian heritage. Perhaps this is one of the secrets of his success because he has the traditional discipline of the Japanese combined with the athleticism and creativity of the Brazilians. He does not speak English well, but he is working on it. He speaks Portugese and a little bit of Japanese. Regarding Spanish, he says that he only knows the word "gracias".
Lyoto is so successful because he combines the best aspects of traditional Karate along with jiu-jitsu, grappling, and wrestling. Those who have fought against Lyoto such as Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evens, and Thiago Silva can testify to the immense difficulty they have had in even touching Lyoto.
Something else that you may not know is that his brother Chizo Machida is also a great fighter in his own right. He is one of the best Shotokan fighters in the world, and he has also competed in mixed martial arts competitions. He has great standup, but his ground game has much to be desired.
Recently, Lyoto has added a new strength and agility coach, and it has paid off in his knockouts of Thiago Silva and Rashad Evans.
Lyoto Machida is of Japanese and Brazilian heritage. Perhaps this is one of the secrets of his success because he has the traditional discipline of the Japanese combined with the athleticism and creativity of the Brazilians. He does not speak English well, but he is working on it. He speaks Portugese and a little bit of Japanese. Regarding Spanish, he says that he only knows the word "gracias".
Lyoto is so successful because he combines the best aspects of traditional Karate along with jiu-jitsu, grappling, and wrestling. Those who have fought against Lyoto such as Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evens, and Thiago Silva can testify to the immense difficulty they have had in even touching Lyoto.
Something else that you may not know is that his brother Chizo Machida is also a great fighter in his own right. He is one of the best Shotokan fighters in the world, and he has also competed in mixed martial arts competitions. He has great standup, but his ground game has much to be desired.
Recently, Lyoto has added a new strength and agility coach, and it has paid off in his knockouts of Thiago Silva and Rashad Evans.
submission fighting as exercise
When many guys think of the term submission fighting, it probably sounds like something you wouldn't want to participate in, but many are seeing that submission fighting can be a great sport to control.
This form of fight development can literally change the way you look at life. You will also get a solid workout with this sort of activity. While this isn't a sport that just anybody would like to occupy, many individuals find it super fascinating, life changing, and naturally fun to learn. If you want to test yourself to learn submission fighting, you could see that even if you're in great shape you'll be beat and sore when you first begin conditioning.
The majority of the people don't realize how difficult it is, but this sort of fighting needs that your whole body is fit in most areas and not simply just your legs, arms, or chest. This art of fighting will give you a total workout and a cardio workout in which you will see changes arriving rather quick. Most folks that are concerned in this sport report effects like shedding weight, gaining toned muscle mass, and over the course, they develop more stamina and energy to do all the things that they like more than only for sparring and conditioning.
It could be difficult to get into submission fighting and to do it safely due to some of the classes and coaches out there are not that knowledgeable. Prior to starting with any instructor, you should make sure that they're licensed and are professional. You can harm yourself and you could damage other folks incidentally if you're not taught correctly. This style of fighting is mostly about control and giving the utmost effect with least effort. These sort of things need to be taught suitably.
Some individual find schools that have programs are their area but shortly determine that they just can't make it to the classes sufficient enough to make it valuable in order to pay for them. However with the progression of the Internet you can find all the same methods that you would learn in the class room, but given the information on line, you can directly study and exercise where and when it is accessible for you. The web site also offers streaming video so you can really have your defense at any day or night time.
This form of fight development can literally change the way you look at life. You will also get a solid workout with this sort of activity. While this isn't a sport that just anybody would like to occupy, many individuals find it super fascinating, life changing, and naturally fun to learn. If you want to test yourself to learn submission fighting, you could see that even if you're in great shape you'll be beat and sore when you first begin conditioning.
The majority of the people don't realize how difficult it is, but this sort of fighting needs that your whole body is fit in most areas and not simply just your legs, arms, or chest. This art of fighting will give you a total workout and a cardio workout in which you will see changes arriving rather quick. Most folks that are concerned in this sport report effects like shedding weight, gaining toned muscle mass, and over the course, they develop more stamina and energy to do all the things that they like more than only for sparring and conditioning.
It could be difficult to get into submission fighting and to do it safely due to some of the classes and coaches out there are not that knowledgeable. Prior to starting with any instructor, you should make sure that they're licensed and are professional. You can harm yourself and you could damage other folks incidentally if you're not taught correctly. This style of fighting is mostly about control and giving the utmost effect with least effort. These sort of things need to be taught suitably.
Some individual find schools that have programs are their area but shortly determine that they just can't make it to the classes sufficient enough to make it valuable in order to pay for them. However with the progression of the Internet you can find all the same methods that you would learn in the class room, but given the information on line, you can directly study and exercise where and when it is accessible for you. The web site also offers streaming video so you can really have your defense at any day or night time.
just breathe...
Do you ever think about your breathing? Most people don't give it a second thought and why should they? We are not meant to give it a second thought. It is one of those automatic processes that our unconscious mind knows we would be too useless to take of ourselves if we were left with the responsibility. So it does it for us and very well at that.
Breathing however is incredibly important and I am not talking about just keeping us alive here. I am talking about the effect it can have on our state of mind, our sense of equilibrium and our effectiveness in our martial arts practice.
The way we breathe can directly influence how we perceive the world around us and can also help us to control our bodily states and runaway feelings which might consume us if we let them. For instance, when very angry or agitated, practising calm, controlled breathing can takes us out of that angry state and into a quieter more resourceful one. If we are nervous or feeling anxiety, say before a competition or sparring session, simple breathing from the abdomen can reduce that anxiety and let a greater sense of poise take its place. I know that before ever learning the art of breath control I could sometimes spend hours consumed with an unhealthy state of mind before gradually coming out of it. With proper breathing, I can now get myself out of an unhelpful frame of mind and back to something more positive in a few minutes.
What mental state we are in when we take action or engage in martial arts combat can help or hinder us during that experience. As martial artists it is vitally important that we set aside time in our training in order to practise this aspect of our development as it can deepen our insight and mastery of our particular style.
Breath control goes hand in hand with other elements of training such as focus and concentration. The so-called internal martial arts, a good example being Tai-chi, have traditionally placed great emphasis on breathing correctly during the precise movements and forms of practise.
Modern martial arts classes tend to place less emphasis on breathing exercises instead going for all out physical training. This is a shame though because gaining mastery over our internal states and emotions can bring all kinds of benefits, not just to our martial arts but to our lives. Greater tolerance of distractions, discipline and stronger will power are all eventual side effects of regular practise. The ultimate goal is self-control in its highest sense. As the great Lao-Tzu is often quoted as saying "He who controls others may be powerful...but he who masters himself is mightier still."
Breathing however is incredibly important and I am not talking about just keeping us alive here. I am talking about the effect it can have on our state of mind, our sense of equilibrium and our effectiveness in our martial arts practice.
The way we breathe can directly influence how we perceive the world around us and can also help us to control our bodily states and runaway feelings which might consume us if we let them. For instance, when very angry or agitated, practising calm, controlled breathing can takes us out of that angry state and into a quieter more resourceful one. If we are nervous or feeling anxiety, say before a competition or sparring session, simple breathing from the abdomen can reduce that anxiety and let a greater sense of poise take its place. I know that before ever learning the art of breath control I could sometimes spend hours consumed with an unhealthy state of mind before gradually coming out of it. With proper breathing, I can now get myself out of an unhelpful frame of mind and back to something more positive in a few minutes.
What mental state we are in when we take action or engage in martial arts combat can help or hinder us during that experience. As martial artists it is vitally important that we set aside time in our training in order to practise this aspect of our development as it can deepen our insight and mastery of our particular style.
Breath control goes hand in hand with other elements of training such as focus and concentration. The so-called internal martial arts, a good example being Tai-chi, have traditionally placed great emphasis on breathing correctly during the precise movements and forms of practise.
Modern martial arts classes tend to place less emphasis on breathing exercises instead going for all out physical training. This is a shame though because gaining mastery over our internal states and emotions can bring all kinds of benefits, not just to our martial arts but to our lives. Greater tolerance of distractions, discipline and stronger will power are all eventual side effects of regular practise. The ultimate goal is self-control in its highest sense. As the great Lao-Tzu is often quoted as saying "He who controls others may be powerful...but he who masters himself is mightier still."
Fists of fury?
If you are a fighter or martial artist looking to develop your punching ability and you think you need to bulk up to do it, your all wrong. In fact, some of the strongest people can have the least effective punches because of the one secret in this article. Read on to find out how you can punch like a freight train even if you barely register on the scale.
There are three different keys to an effective punch, and none of them rely on bulky muscles or a shirt that barely fits. If you want to create a punch that will knock your opponent off his feet and you are any size at all (it doesn't matter) then you need to focus on these 3 things:
1. Speed- You must develop lightning fast speed. Which does more damage, shooting a tiny bullet or throwing a cinder block at someone? Although the cinder block is much heavier, it's slow and bulky. You opponent can easily jump out of the way. I'd take the bullet any day and that is how you need to train your punches, for bullet-like speed. If you train for speed correctly, you will focus on punching right through your opponent as fast as you can.
2. The target- You must punch in the right place for the most damage and power. If you focus on studying the pressure points (all over the body), you can find various places that will inflict huge amounts of pain and debilitating power over your opponent without any lasting damage. The opponent is put in submission and you both walk away (you first) without anyone going to the hospital.
3. Focus- As I said before, you need to punch as if your fist is going to go all the way through your opponent. You will imagine your fist hitting something on the other side of the person's body. You will imagine your fist traveling through to the other side in your mind. If you can picture this image in your head, your punching power will be much greater.
To recap, in order to increase your punching power, you much focus on speed, the target, and mental focus. None of these things require you to lift a bunch of weights, or work out for hours at a time. Much of punching power is mental energy and if you use your mind to out-focus your opponent, you can develop the punching power of a freight train in no time.
There are three different keys to an effective punch, and none of them rely on bulky muscles or a shirt that barely fits. If you want to create a punch that will knock your opponent off his feet and you are any size at all (it doesn't matter) then you need to focus on these 3 things:
1. Speed- You must develop lightning fast speed. Which does more damage, shooting a tiny bullet or throwing a cinder block at someone? Although the cinder block is much heavier, it's slow and bulky. You opponent can easily jump out of the way. I'd take the bullet any day and that is how you need to train your punches, for bullet-like speed. If you train for speed correctly, you will focus on punching right through your opponent as fast as you can.
2. The target- You must punch in the right place for the most damage and power. If you focus on studying the pressure points (all over the body), you can find various places that will inflict huge amounts of pain and debilitating power over your opponent without any lasting damage. The opponent is put in submission and you both walk away (you first) without anyone going to the hospital.
3. Focus- As I said before, you need to punch as if your fist is going to go all the way through your opponent. You will imagine your fist hitting something on the other side of the person's body. You will imagine your fist traveling through to the other side in your mind. If you can picture this image in your head, your punching power will be much greater.
To recap, in order to increase your punching power, you much focus on speed, the target, and mental focus. None of these things require you to lift a bunch of weights, or work out for hours at a time. Much of punching power is mental energy and if you use your mind to out-focus your opponent, you can develop the punching power of a freight train in no time.
got gloves?
MMA gloves or Mixed Martial Arts gloves are meant for mixed martial arts fighting. Martial arts require fighting with hands with your opponents. Therefore, protection of the fighter's hands is mandatory and for that purpose, one needs a good pair of MMA gloves.
MMA gloves are made of leather or polystyrene and there is a thick layer of foam inside for resistance. They ensure complete protection of your hands and a good grip. Gloves protect the fingers, knuckles and wrist from injuries and bruises while fighting. Wearing gloves minimize the damage that can happen due to hard blows. Even during training sessions and championships, they play a role of protective shield for your hands. Always make sure that you wear gloves of appropriate size. They should not be loose or tight because proper movement of fingers is necessary.
A good glove also acts as a good palm cushion as it guards your palm during palm strikes. The techniques of martial arts are of course helpful but good gloves assist you in super ceding your opponent. The gloves reduce the actual damage caused by punches. Thus, when you wear gloves, your opponent is more likely to be knocked out than get hurt.
Be very cautious while choosing gloves for yourself. For that, it is important for you to learn the structure of a MMA glove. The text below helps you to know your glove better.
The most important portion in any glove is the KNUCKLE GUARD. If a glove cannot protect your knuckles then it is better not to waste money and fight barehanded. This region of the glove absorbs majority of the force of the punch.
Second important portion is the PALM COVER. This must be made of flexible and durable material as your palm stretches edgeways when you hit with it.
Last but not the least is WRIST GUARD. This part must be made of tough material with foam covering the inside. This prevents the wrist from being twisted in awkward angels.
Professional fighters use many brands. Four of the best brands are listed below:
Hayabusa: their latest design Y volar palm design offers the best fit and flexibility.
Fairtex: the sparring gloves are famous for they have oversized knuckle padding with pre-curved foam that offers complete security and comfort. Another of their design that is equally famous is the one meant for spirited fights. It is the competition gloves of leather with open palm design and flexibility. Fairtex is known for durability and quality.
Truth Fight Wear: They have gained extreme fame in the competition and training gloves category. Their design has soft piping around the knuckles and an open thumb that minimizes the irritation. Large Velcro wrist straps offer greater security and grip.
Everlast: this brand is probably the oldest brand in this regime. The gloves they sell are of supreme quality. Their glove has open palm design, stitching on fingers, proper padding and safe wrist strap.
MMA gloves are made of leather or polystyrene and there is a thick layer of foam inside for resistance. They ensure complete protection of your hands and a good grip. Gloves protect the fingers, knuckles and wrist from injuries and bruises while fighting. Wearing gloves minimize the damage that can happen due to hard blows. Even during training sessions and championships, they play a role of protective shield for your hands. Always make sure that you wear gloves of appropriate size. They should not be loose or tight because proper movement of fingers is necessary.
A good glove also acts as a good palm cushion as it guards your palm during palm strikes. The techniques of martial arts are of course helpful but good gloves assist you in super ceding your opponent. The gloves reduce the actual damage caused by punches. Thus, when you wear gloves, your opponent is more likely to be knocked out than get hurt.
Be very cautious while choosing gloves for yourself. For that, it is important for you to learn the structure of a MMA glove. The text below helps you to know your glove better.
The most important portion in any glove is the KNUCKLE GUARD. If a glove cannot protect your knuckles then it is better not to waste money and fight barehanded. This region of the glove absorbs majority of the force of the punch.
Second important portion is the PALM COVER. This must be made of flexible and durable material as your palm stretches edgeways when you hit with it.
Last but not the least is WRIST GUARD. This part must be made of tough material with foam covering the inside. This prevents the wrist from being twisted in awkward angels.
Professional fighters use many brands. Four of the best brands are listed below:
Hayabusa: their latest design Y volar palm design offers the best fit and flexibility.
Fairtex: the sparring gloves are famous for they have oversized knuckle padding with pre-curved foam that offers complete security and comfort. Another of their design that is equally famous is the one meant for spirited fights. It is the competition gloves of leather with open palm design and flexibility. Fairtex is known for durability and quality.
Truth Fight Wear: They have gained extreme fame in the competition and training gloves category. Their design has soft piping around the knuckles and an open thumb that minimizes the irritation. Large Velcro wrist straps offer greater security and grip.
Everlast: this brand is probably the oldest brand in this regime. The gloves they sell are of supreme quality. Their glove has open palm design, stitching on fingers, proper padding and safe wrist strap.
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