I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much has everyone improved in the year since we last got together?"I've practiced the same basics everyday for decades.Everyday Rain or shine. Summer, winter, spring and fall. Over and over and over.............................................And I'm never satisfied. I'm not fast enough, I don't hit hard enough, my basic "technique" is NOT at all satisfactory.I don't train a lot of "techniques". But, I train those "techniques" a lot.Basic fundamental stuff. That's all I can handle.Over and over and over and over and over................................Know why?Because I'm NEVER satisfied. I'm not fast enough, I don't hit hard enough, my basic "technique" is NOT at all satisfactory.Nope! I'm NEVER happy.It might be nice to "do" more advanced, complex, and exotic stuff.But personally I can't justify it. I see far too much room for improvement in just the most basic fundamental stuff.Because I'm never satisfied. I'm not fast enough, I don't hit hard enough, my basic "technique" is NOT at all satisfactory.I guess the problem is that I don't have a clue as to when these basics become "good" enough. Seems to me I could spend the rest of my life constantly working at improving just a handful of solid basics and still NEVER be satisfied. Never be fast enough, never hit hard enough.Damn. Consigned to an existence of fundamental basics. Well, I guess I'm just one of the unlucky few.Copyright 2003 http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

The most common place to buy martial arts or self defense equipment is in the local dojo. Most dojos, training centers, etc., have a small store where you can buy or order the martial arts or self defense equipment you need for your practice.Buying your martial arts or self defense equipment at your local dojo has a lot of advantages. You will get expert advise from your teacher. He knows your needs and what type of martial arts or self defense equipment you are going to need for his classes. He will also be the best person to advise you on the quality of the different brands due to his years of experience with many different suppliers.The negative part of buying martial arts or self defense equipment at your local dojo is the price. Buying only a minor wholesaler, the discount margins are very small and this will reflect itself in the prices your teacher has to charge for the martial arts and self defense equipment he or she sells.The second possibility is buy your martial arts and self defense equipment at a local specialized store. The advantage is a lower price than in your local dojo or gym, you can touch, feel and try on the equipment before you buy to see if you like it and if the size fits you. You can get some advise from the salesperson about the different brands of martial arts and self defense equipment they sell.The downside is the fact that most salespersons in those shops are non practitioners of the martial arts or self defense so they have no practical experience with the equipment they sell. This may lead to mistakes that will cost you money.The third way to buy your martial arts or self defense equipment is to shop for it online. There are many suppliers to be found online that will ship the goods to your doorstep. To find them just type: martial arts or self defense equipment in google or any other search engine and you will get thousands of listings for this term.The advantages are obvious: no need to leave your home, low prices and shipping to your doorstep but the inconveniences are also very obvious: You can not feel, try or touch the equipment before finishing the payment and receiving the shipment of your martial arts or self defense equipment. You won't be able to get advise from a real person, face to face. Some suppliers will be happy to assist you in your selection of martial arts or self defense equipment by email or phone. If you have to return an order for whatever reason you will have to take care of the shipping and packing and refunds can take time to be paid.So before starting to shop for your martial arts or self defense equipment take a look at the above and consider what is the best way for you. Some people will be limited to one or two possibilities and others can only buy their martial arts or self defense equipment online but wherever you go to buy yours, consider the warranty and the refund policies of all 3, the local dojo, the specialized shop and the online supplier.This can save you a lot of headaches. Things do break and sometimes it just isn't manufactured as it should be so warranty and refund policies will help you determine the professionalism of the seller and save you time and headaches.Peter Vermeeren is a traditional martial arts teacher for over 30 year. His websites can be found here: Martial Media Productions and Kamikaze | martial arts | fitness | self defense

Kuang Ping was the T'ai-chi set favored by Yang Lu-Chan, the man who brought forward the "Yang" style in the mid-1800's, now so popular throughout the world. Kuang Ping is what the man trained with himself. The popular "Yang" set was/is something for the masses--not for the aficinado, the athlete, the martial artist.I learned Kuang Ping from Kuo Lien Ying (that's him above, taken in the late 1960's), third generation student of Yang Lu Chan. I was already an accomplished runner and martial artist when I started training (1970), so it was difficult to please me in the arena of athletics--but 75 yr-old Kuo was definitely impressive! Eventually I studied five T'ai-chi sets, but his was/is definitely the most dynamic and challenging.I teach two sets currently: a short Yang style (for beginners and the unfit) and Kuang Ping. They are both available on tape.T'AI-CHI CH'UAN: A Few WordsThis soft or "internal" art is, in all aspects, a psycho-physical exercise, a boxing system, and a meditation method. Most of the tens of millions of practitioners are into it for health and meditation, so they move very slowly during the training. But what most people don't realize is that since the art is founded on using the principles of change, you can-and should-move the body and mind according to the need of the moment.This wondrous exercise can be used by anyone, male and female, old and young. A five year-old child and a person of 90 years or more are both able to practice T'ai-chi Ch'uan. The complete form can be learned within three months; pretty good acquaintance can be obtained with a year's practice; and a student training perseveringly for about five years can have significant integration of mind and body, intuition and knowledge. There are delicate details of T'ai-chi, keys to its marvels which are understood only with faithful practice. Traditionally, a person is required to train seven years before qualifying as a teacher.Of the more than 100 million people who practice T'ai-chi regularly, most train outdoors, even in severe weather conditions of northern China. The reason is simple and can be understood only when you accept the elements and embrace the opportunity to integrate with nature. Year-round, outdoor training is good for the spirit, heart, mind and body.Instructor Certification:T'ai-chi Ch'uanFirst ? Third years: White Sash
Introduction to internal arts studies
Yi Bai Ching Kung
Zhan Zhuang
Basic Health Maintenance
Tui-Na
Tao Yin
T'ai-chi Chi-Kung
Stance and kicking drills
Tui Shou
Postures training for Yang or Guang Ping T'ai-Chi Ch'uanFourth Year: Blue Sash
18 Therapies Chi-Kung
T'ai-chi Chi-Kung
Breathing patterns in T'ai-chi Ch'uan
T'ai-chi Kun/Dragon's Head Staff #1Fifth Year: Green Sash
T'ai-chi KunDragon's Head Staff #2
T'ai-chi Chi-Kung
Continued physical and respiration studies in T'ai-chi Ch'uanSixth Year: Gold Sash
Five Animal Frolics
T'ai-chi Chien/Rapier #1
T'ai-chi Chi-Kung
Cont'd studies in T'ai-chi Ch'uanSeventh Year: Black Sash
T'ai-chi Tao/Saber #1
T'ai-chi Chi-Kung
Original thesis researching T'ai-Chi Ch'uanView this article in its entirety:
http://kempochuanfa.comSifu Orem holds the following ranks:-Certified Instructor, Guang Ping Yang T'ai-Chi Assn.;-Black Sash/Instructor, from Gung-Fu Wu-Shu Institute;-6th Degree Black Sash in Chinese Boxing, from the International Chinese Boxing Federation;-8th Degree Black Belt in Zen Kempo-jitsu, from the World Nibuikai Budo Federation.He was also voted into the World Martial Arts Masters Society (head-quartered in Germany), as the ranking member of the Society.Sifu Orem is the author of several manuals focused on the practicum and methodology of effective training, including the acclaimed SENG PING TAO: PATH OF THE WARRIOR MONK and ESOTERIC MARTIAL ARTS OF ZEN: TRAINING METHODS FROM THE PATRIARCH. He has also created and produced 50 training videos with such diverse topics as Kempo Ki/Chi Development, Northern Shaolin for the Mature Athlete, T'ai-chi and Pregnancy, a children's Kung Fu series, plus many northern and southern Shaolin hand and weapon forms. He was a featured writer with the on-line martial arts magazine DRAGON'S LIST (dragonslist.com).

Martial arts have become incredibly popular in the US. Drive through any little strip shopping center in nearly any city and you're likely to see a martial arts studio. There are dozens of styles to choose from. Karate, jujitsu, aikido, kung fu, qi gong, taekwondo, tai chi. How did that happen?I think it's partly because Americans are so competitive. To many, a martial art is just another sport. You move up the ranks from one belt color to another until finally you're at the top and you're a black belt in karate. It's also good exercise. Many of us don't get nearly enough exercise. But if we can engage in a little friendly martial arts tournament and work out at the same time, we can really get into that.In the East where all the martial arts came from, it's a bit more than just a sport or a way to exercise. Martial arts are the physical part of an entire spiritual discipline designed to teach us to live as better and happier people. They believe that our bodies must be healthy temples for our spirits. Monks in monasteries learned the martial arts. I don't know of any comparable practice in Catholicism. Do you? There may be, but I have never heard of it.In karate, and all the martial arts, we bow to our opponent before and after the match. Why is that? Any martial arts student from any decent school can tell you that you are honoring the other person. You honor them for their skill. You honor them as another spiritual being on the planet. You honor them for giving you the honor of the match.I think practicing karate and other martial arts is really adding something sacred to our American understanding of people. And yes, we get to compete and get a little exercise in, too.About this writerAiko Mettarod moved from Japan with his parents as a child. His father was his first karate teacher. You can read more articles about martial arts at Tsunami Karate

PrefaceThere are many different ways to understand Aikido philosophy and perceive, utilize, and benefit from energy. What I offer here is one of many ways. Indeed when I do other kinds of activities I perceive of and work with energy in quite a different manner. What follows is my experience of energy while performing Aikido over the course of more than twenty years. Certainly there are likely to be many other Aikido practitioners that would explain their experiences and beliefs in a manner that is somewhat different than mine. I offer you here, one experience, my experience, and thus all that I say is part of my belief system, and not at all necessarily THE truth.AikidoAikido is a Japanese martial art, and it does not have an attack form. We do not kick, punch, or in any other manner, attempt to hurt our opponent.The meaning of Aikido:"Ai" To gather or harmonize."Ki" Universal life force/energy.
This is the energy that we share with nature and all living beings."Do" An artful path of discovery."Aikido" An artful path of discovering how to gather and harmonize the energy of the universe.When we sense and move with the energy that is manifesting throughout the universe we find that we have a greater ability to live a life that is healthy and fulfilling."Ki"In Aikido we believe that all human beings utilize and share a common energy source (ki) that helps to run and maintain our environment as well as our individual human systems. We believe that since we all share a common energy source, that in some important way we are all truly members of the same family, and truly sharing our lives with all of nature. We do not have an attack form in Aikido, because attacking an opponent would be like attacking a family member that you love. Attacking an opponent would also be like attempting to damage the flow of Universal energy in the world, and such acts are likely to have many far reaching consequences.In the Japanese language words that use the concept of "ki" are common.
"Gen-ki" means "root energy" or one's "personal health."
"Ten-ki" relates to "heavenly energy" or "the weather."
"Hon-ki" relates to "original energy" or "the truth."
"Yuu-ki" relates to "brave energy" or "courage."
"Ki o tsukete" means "attach your energy to what you are doing, or "be careful."The origin of ki?Where does ki originate from? In Aikido the answer is poetic in nature rather than scientific. It is suggested that ki was "born" at the same instant as the rest of the universe, and that we are all born from the ki of the universe. Ki is considered to be an energy that we all have equal access to. It is an energy that courses through our system if we do not restrict it. In Aikido we believe that excess tension physically and emotionally, fear, hate, greed, and anger, all cut us off from the universal source of ki. Our daily practice involves working at maintaining a balanced state physically and emotionally, and indeed, practicing ways to cultivate physical and emotional balance is much of what the study of Aikido is about. In Aikido physical and emotional balance are meant to be two sides of the very same coin. Physical balance helps to engender emotional balance and health, and vice versa as well. Often in my professional work with individuals I find myself first addressing the clients physical balance when they come wanting to resolve emotional issues, and I do the reverse as well. I often first address or explore how emotional imbalance might lead to the physical difficulties they are experiencing."Ki signature" mind, spirit-Energy manifests as spirit, spirit manifests as mindEnergy manifests within each individual as spirit, spirit manifests in each individual as mind. In some way that is a mystery to all of mankind, the freely available energy of the universe is transformed by each person into one's own unique "ki signature", spirit, mind. No two people have the same exact "ki signature", just as no two people have the same exact written signature. No two people have the same exact spirit, no two people have the same exact mind. The unique way that we each take in, utilize, and expend energy, can be considered to be our "ki signature", mind, or spirit. Each person starts with the same source of energy, and manifests this energy in a way that will never exactly be duplicated by any other human being.Thought, body structure,and movement, shape the flow of ki, into spirit/mindThink of the freely flowing water of a powerful river that comes upon a series of fairly large rocks spread out across the river bed and extend up beyond the water's surface. These rocks affect the flow of the river but they do not change the nature of the water itself. Ki flows through the river bed of our brain and body. Our thoughts, body structure and movements, are like the rocks in the river bed. These are the main elements that shape ki into individual mind, or spirit The flow of ki is uniquely transformed by each human being, but the nature of the ki itself, is not altered in the process. Just as the pattern of rocks spread out along the river bed is never exactly duplicated in any other place on earth, the pattern of our thoughts, body structure, and movement is also never exactly duplicated. All mind is similar, but no two minds are exactly alike.A heartfelt understanding of the nature of our spirit will help us to create a healthy alignment of our thoughts, body structure, movements, and actions. When every aspect of our self is fully aligned we have a much greater ability to think, feel, and act in accordance with what is best for us in any given moment. We are better able to adapt and change in a manner that is supports the well being of our entire self and our surroundings.The misnomers of "mind-body" and "mind and body"A definition of "mind" that I often use it in my work, is the following:
"Mind is a dynamic, self-organizing, creative system, capable of overcoming physical and temporal constraints. Mind uses and manufactures energy in order to support the self and one's surroundings, trade information, and adapt to change."When considering this definition of mind, we can say that mind manifests equally in the body and in the brain in the skull. Because of this I believe that the terms "mind-body" or "mind and body" as used in the Western world, are somewhat missing the mark and tend to lead to a certain degree of misunderstanding. If you ask a Japanese person to point to their mind, usually they will point to the area of their heart, or they will point to their lower abdomen. If you ask the average Westerner to point to their mind they will point to their head. This is why I think the terms "mind-body" and "mind and body" were developed in the Western world. I believe that the average Western person thinks of the term "mind" in relation to "thinking" or "thought". Oriental philosophy considers "mind" to be immanent in both the body and the brain. In Aikido we say that we practice in order to calm the mind, by coordinating our thoughts, the actions of our body, and our breath. Or we say that we practice in order to further empower and actualize our mind by coordinating our thoughts, physical actions, breath, and spirit.When looking to calm our mind we give our primary attention to calming our breath and our heart beat, which will tend to lead towards a relaxing of our musculature and a slowing down or cessation of our internal dialogue. If we calm our body we will tend to calm our cognitive thought processes. Calming the mind can also be accomplished by giving primary attention to the speed, rhythm, and tone of voice of our internal dialogue. If we calm our cognitive thought processes we will tend to calm the body. When we calm both our cognitive thought processes and our body, then we calm our mind. Cognitive mind and somatic mind are part of a recursive feedback loop. You can't affect one without affecting the other.Charlie Badenhop is the originator of Seishindo, an Aikido instructor,
NLP trainer, and Ericksonian Hypnotherapist. Benefit from his thought-provoking
ideas and a new self-help Practice every two weeks, by subscribing to his complimentary
newsletter on the website Seishindo: Accessing
Your Body Wisdom. On the website, you can also find out more about Aikido
Philosophy and the importance of understanding the
internal language of your body.

1st Lady Assistant to Sensei Henry Ellis
Ellis Schools of Traditional AikidoI was born in West London in 1963, my father was very involved in the martial arts and a dan grade in Karate he was also a dealer in ancient Japanese arms and armour, although my father has an antiques shop in London's Bond Street, my home was more like a samurai warriors dressing room, with original suits of Japanese armour complete with very frighting face masks that would frighten the life out of my friends when ever they came to visit, there were also very many valuable swords yari and naginata spears.The MastersMy father would travel around the world searching for the best quality weapons, what intrigued me the most as a child was all these strange visitors that would come to my home, the famous Otani family were regular visitors with Sensei Matsuro Otani 7th dan Judo the UK National Coach, Kenshiro Abbe Sensei, Tomio Otani Sensei the UK National Coach for Kendo, his visitors were like the who's who of martial arts, as recently as two weeks ago I was pleased to meet with Sensei Kazuo Chiba 8th dan when he came to see my father.Introduction to AikidoAs a child I did a little Karate with my father but nothing serious until 1992 when I went to the local Aikido dojo in Bracknell, Berkshire, UK. All those years with my father and his Japanese weapons must have had a latent but profound effect on me, as I watched Sensei Ellis teaching his Positive Style of Traditional Aikido I knew there and then that this was the martial art for me.The Hard Training BeginsWhen I started Aikido I made a point of training with the men and they treated me as one of them. With regular practice I progressed. I had now developed the hard training bug and started courses in physical training and amateur weight lifting, after a few years of hard work I became a fully qualified fitness instructor-personal trainer and amateur weight lifting coach, the high light of all this effort was when Sensei Ellis promoted me to assistant coach of the Ellis Schools of Traditional Aikido (ESTA) two years later he promoted me to first lady assistant to himself, there had never ever been a lady assistant in all the long history of the ESTA, Sensei put me on a three month trial and 8 year on I am still here.In 1994 I received my coaching certificate from the British Aikido Board (BAB) which is the governing body for Aikido in the UK. Once I became assistant to Sensei Ellis I became involved in assisting in teaching both men and women and also helping with the children's classes.The First SeminarSensei Ellis asked if I would like to take part in a very large and important seminar in Liverpool in the North of England, Sensei Ellis is not one of those teachers who has a pet uke follow him around to fly all over the mat at a touch or a glance, he prefers to try to involve all the students who attend his seminars if possible, knowing this I felt very privileged but nervous when Sensei told me there would be about 700 students from various martial arts, I think the phrase "Being thrown in at the deep end" is applicable here.On arrival at the venue I was amazed to see so many students from so many countries, UK-France-Germany-Italy-India-Austria are just some that I can recall. Sensei Ellis was asked to take the first class of approximately 50 dan grades from various martial arts. Sensei had me demonstrate 100 press-ups on the backs of my wrists with fingers pointing both inwards and outwards. When I had finished and was in the raised position Sensei sat on my back (he did not warn me of this) and carried on with his lecture. Sensei suggested that those who wanted to should try this exercise. It was amazing to see all these black belts struggling. Later I had a little crowd around me wanting to inspect my wrists, I explained that this exercise is standard for both seniors and juniors in our schools.I was now feeling a little more confident when Sensei pointed out that there were six young dan grades who had arrived late and were respectfully waiting for permission to come onto the mat. Sensei asked me to show them what we had been teaching so far, they were all wearing black gi's and when I approached and invited them on the mat, they scowled as if to say "hey, we have not traveled all the way from London to be taught by a women" as I showed the first technique "nikkyo" a wrist locking action, the first guy tried to resist me, I applied the technique as shown to me so many times by Sensei and almost put him through the mat. I thought he would be upset with me, but as he got up he asked "How did you do that?". He then wanted me to do the technique on all the others, now I had their attention and they were a great bunch of guy's. I really enjoyed teaching them. At the end of the seminar, as we were leaving the hall to head for the car park, these six guy's were waiting in a line and bowed to me simultaneously with a smile and said to Sensei Ellis " You have a strong lady assistant there ,sensei" Sensei replied " That is why she is my assistant". That was my first seminar and one that I will never forget.I have been involved in many other seminars with my Sensei and they were always good, but I was never so overawed as I was at my first one, or so I thought. Then Sensei Ellis asked if I would like to visit New Mexico in the USA for a seminar. The seminar was to be held in Alamogordo NM, where Sensei's USA representative in the US lives and works at the Space Museum. Sensei visits New Mexico every year and we have another Ellis dan grade in Texas, Al Montemar. I had always wanted to visit the US and jumped at the opportunity. We made the trip into a vacation for friends and family. We taught members of the USAF and German Air Force at Holloman AFB, which included a guided tour of the base and various fighter aircraft, including the Stealth bomber. Sensei Rogers is an instructor who teaches students from the USAF, Highway Patrol, police and some members of the United States Marshals.While in the US, I also visited the Grand Canyon and Phoenix. I intend to move to Phoenix to live within the next two to three years. Sensei Ellis has a book on aikido coming out next spring in the US titled "Positive Aikido" which I am pleased to be featured in, Sensei Rogers is a journalist by profession and has worked on this book for the past two years and it will be published in the US. There are several publishers interested in the book so we are all very excited about this latest project. I hope to be visiting the US again next year and I hope to be there for the launching of the book.For the martial artists out there I would like to add one more comment about the proposed book. Where as most Aikido books spend a great deal of time harmonizing with the planets and the universe, there will be none of that in this book, Sensei always tells students to come out of the clouds and get back on the tatami because "This is where it all happens" and he also often says "leave the dancing to Fred Astair" (who is Fred Astair?).Anita Wilson
Assistant to Sensei Ellis
www.EllisAikido.org
www.geocities.com/britishaikidoAnita Wilson has been involved in the martial arts from childhood she is now a very highly qualified personal fitness training instructor, qualified BALA weightlifting coach, Aikido assistant coach.By: Henry Ellis

We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There always exists stepping stones or a progression of events that lead up to a "situation". Whether YOU are AWARE of them or not is not the issue(it should be, but as they say "sh%& happens").Regardless whether you saw it "coming" or BAM it just kicks you in the ass there were any number of factors that occured PRIOR to the "trouble" you are now facing. Some of those "factors" were quite literally YEARS in the making.The idea of developing "de-escalation" skills is generally understood as a way to defuse or lower the level of aggressive intent and minimize the possibility of serious hands on physical violence. This is done thru verbal and physical actions that are designed to calm the stormy seas.Sometimes it will work and sometimes it won't. I for one would RARELY place a bet on the general altruistic, logical, compassionate and thoughtful "nature" of humankind. So I would ALWAYS opt for the "mindset" that NO MATTER what I do, it most probably WON'T WORK. Somebody is GOING to get a severe asskicking or worse NO MATTER what is done to quell the "potential" violence. So it ONLY makes sense to hedge EVERY bet and do your UTMOST to insure YOU are the asskicker and NOT the asskickee.Consider YOURSELF very fortunate that you even have the OPPORTUNITY to attempt a run at "de-escalation". That MEANS that you haven't just been KILLED or rendered hors d'combat OUTRIGHT. SO USE THIS "GIFT" TO YOUR FULL ADVANTAGE!DE-ESCALTION, both verbal and physical should be a TACTICAL tool that at it's ESSENCE has NOTHING to do with your "percieved" intent BUT EVERYTHING to do with SETTING UP YOUR MOST ADVANTAGEOUS STRATEGY FOR ATTACK OR SURVIVAL!I don't BELIEVE for a SECOND that Joey Dirtbag is GOING TO BUY INTO the idea of any "peaceable negotiation" ANYMORE THAN I WOULD! A grift is grift and a "front" is a "front". I KNOW the GAME and so does HE! AT BEST we're "dancing the dance".MY JOB is be MORE believeable and SMARTER than the other guy. 'Cause we are BOTH RUNNING THE GAME. The best I can hope for is that my opposition wonders if I really am THAT STUPID to believe that my attempts at "backing it down" will really sway his intent to DO what he SET OUT TO DO!So while I'm acting like my whole demeanor is screaming "HEY, BROTHER DEAREST, CAN'T WE ALL JUST GETTING ALONG". What I'm really doing is setting HIM UP for the inevitable crash landing.He's thinking......LOOK at THIS sappy, pussy-assed schmuck. I'M gonna PLAY him right into the boneyard. I'M using ARTIFICE and guile to manuever HIM for MY BENEFIT.Dance the dance of the biggest galatic wussy appeaser that was ever BORN. And while YOUR doing that bit of street level "pys-ops" manuever him into YOUR TRAP.Curbs, poles, fire-hydrants, sharp edges and corners, brick facades, plate glass windows, on rushing traffic, whatever.........Get his back to the nastiest most damaging shit in your environment. Place YOURSELF in the BEST attack line which is HIS worst DEFENSE line. Manuever yourself to the BEST position to ATTACK while SETTING UP YOUR BEST AVENUE OF ESCAPE.THAT is what the DANCE of "de-escalation" SHOULD BE PRIMARILY ABOUT!AND........if by some chance the gods of fortune smile upon you AND the mis-direction or your "de-escalation" PLOY actually WORKS................................................GREAT!BUT ALWAYS...........ALWAYS PREPARE FOR THE WORST!DE-ESCALATION is the ARTIFICE that SETS UP THE VEHEMENCE.Besides I don't believe ANYTHING is ever going to work as "advertised".Don't be a sucker.Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

Defences against Knife attacks, Firstly if at all possible get yourself and anyone else out of the potential danger area.....RUN AWAY.Yes you heard right, run away. This is not a cowards way out, this is sensible. After all your potential assailant could be on drugs or just plain crazy. Nobody needs a dead hero.However if you can't get away or you are cornered, try to talk your way out of the situation, tell the guy what he wants to hear or give him what he wants, if it's a mugging, but only if you think this will pacify him...Let me explain. If it is apparent that your assailant is going to stab you whether you give him all your money or not then you must do something about the situation before this happens, either way you may get stabbed. Thats why this is a last resort and only attempted if YOU are certain he is going to attack you no matter what.It's a judgement call that only you can make and if you ever do end up in that situation it won't be easy.So, you're in that nightmare situation. How do you tackle him ?Do you use the knife defences you learned in your martial arts classes ? I hope not because you'll very soon be bleeding to death if your assailant has any idea how to use the knife.I tried an experiment about 5 years ago now with my training partner who is very fast with his hands and can handle a knife. We used a dummy knife (Thankfully) with some red ink on the end of it and I wore a white Gi.I had at this time been training in the martial arts for about 16 years and had learned many many knife defences from many different styles so I was sure that whatever he came at me with I would be able to handle it.He moved the knife very quickly from hand to hand and attacked from a variety of angles, slashing, lunging and really going for it. I successfully disarmed him several times, but each time he had also stabbed me several times (This is why the Police and Prison service use riot shields and several officers when dealing with knife attackers).We worked this scenario using all the knife defences we had both learned from many different styles over the years but the one factor that kept coming up was the fact that this was simulating a real situation, so the attacker wasn't in stance and didn't come with a single attack in a straight line, he'd attack several times from any angle very fast.What we were looking for was something that kept your vital organs as far away from the knife as possible whilst allowing you to attack the assailant.Here's what we came up with: (This is just my opinion, based on over 20 years martial arts experience, and this one worked time after time. But remember only use as a last resort)First you must take your attackers mind off what he's thinking about (I.e. stabbing you !) .........Spit in his face, not nice but remember this guy wants to stab you !This gives you a fraction of a second to move.Next, drop to your side, fast ! (Side breakfall) As you do this hook one of your feet round the back of his front foot and with your other foot, stamp hard onto the front of his knee. This will either snap or dislocate it (Again not nice but this guys going to stab you !) It also doesn't matter too much if you miss with the hook as you can still get the stamp in on the knee.Either disarm him while he's on the floor and wait for the Police or just get out of there, he won't chase you.The fall and hook take some practice to get fast but it's worth it as this is one well worth having in your arsenal.Any comments or feedback would be welcomedPaul Swift has been a student of Martial Arts for 22 years attaining the grades of:5th Dan Karate Jitsu
3rd Dan Ju Jitsu
1st Dan Freestyle Karate
1st Degree Tiger Claw Kung FuAlso studied the following arts without taking any grades:
Boxing, Muay Thai, JKD, Wrestling.More information of this subject and martial arts in general can be found at: http://www.make-your-martial-art-grow.com

The benefits of Martial Arts has always appealed its practitioners. The disciplined training of the mind and body give a sense of well being but some aspects of Martial Arts training do present a problem.Most forms of martial art will eventually lead to contact training at some level, whether is is light contact, semi-contact or full contact. Whilst training it is important to wear the right equipment. But what is the right equipment and what protection will it afford you?During this article I hope to point you in the right direction towards choosing the protective sparring gear that is right for you.Head gearThis is probably the most important piece of protective equipment you can purchase. Head injuries are serious and can even be fatal.
When choosing head gear for martial arts sparring there are certain features you should look out for.
What material is used in its construction
What protective features are particular to the model
How large is it
How easy is it to cleanThese questions can be asked of most martial arts equipment.Head gear should be comfortable to wear (not too loose and not too tight), light for ease of movement and padded well around the crown and base of the head as these areas are most likely to be damaged and are most vunerable.Body ArmourBody armour is used primarily in Taekwondo and Karate sparring. Its function is to protect the trunk of the body especially the ribs, kidneys and liver from damage.GlovesThere are varying styles of martial arts glove on the market. Each style has a particular function to perform. Boxing gloves come in standard sizes 10, 12 and 16 ounces. the heavier gloves are for sparring training the lighter gloves are for competitions. Bear in mind, boxing gloves are designed for use with hand wraps.Martial arts sparring gloves are usuall open handed, allowing for strikes with fists or open hands and finger thrusts. They are lighter for quicker strikes. Mixed martial arts use a specific glove that is designed for grappling and is very flexible.Shin and foot guardsshin and foot guards offer as much protection for the attacker as they do for the defender. Often they are made from foam and poly-urethane (P.U.), are easy to clean and light.The most iimportant thing to remember is the cheapest is not always the best. You must feel comfortable in you equipment and be confident it will protect you. Shop around. Many places will be able to tell you what the equipment is designed for and what you can expect from it.
a good site to begin with is
Pad-Up.com
there is a wealth of information here and questions can be answered quite quickly.Good luck in your discipline!

How practical are throwing techniques (nagewaza) for self-defense or street-fighting? NOT VERY!The Japanese themselves have a saying, "One year for newaza (ground technique), TEN YEARS for nagewaza (Throwing technique)". It takes ten times as long to become proficient at throwing than it does at ground fighting.Trying to throw a fully resisting, fighting adversary and pulling off a "clean" throw is VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.People will INSTINCTIVELY grab, seize, claw and otherwise do all sorts of "spoiling" maneuvers when one attempts to execute a "throw".In all of the fights I have seen, I can recall ONLY three instances where one guy was able to pull off a clean solid throw. And this person was practicing Judo on an almost DAILY basis.I've seen throws used in other situations but quite honestly they got the person into MORE TROUBLE than it was worth.I will cite three classic examples of what it takes to become "skilled" enough to even attempt Nagewaza in a real street fight.1. Masahiko 'Judo" Kimura TRAINED upwards of NINE hours a DAY!
He did thousands of repetitions of Uchikomi (fitting in) to develop just a COUPLE of reliable Nagewaza (Seoi Nage (Should throw) & O Soto Gari (Big leg reap)). Reading Kimura's biography you will note that in his street fights and "vale tudo" matches as well, when he faced skilled boxers his reliance on Nage was still an "iffy" proposition.Make no mistake..KIMURA WAS AN ANIMAL!2. Famed Judo legend Yamashita (explained at his recent seminar that it took THOUSANDS of repetitions of uchikomi AND the brutal three man drills to BEGIN to develop the skill to effectively employ throwing techniques.3. And last but certainly not least is Yonezuka who ADVOCATES the use of ASHIBARAI (foot sweep) without GRABBING as the BEST overall and SAFEST (for you) method of slamming someone on their ass.The other thing that pisses me off is the idea that JUJUTSU throws are somehow BETTER than JUDO throws for real combat. BULLSHIT. The only REAL difference between Judo and Jujutsu nagewaza is generally the manner of seizing the opponent. HOWEVER, a judoka can do this just as EASILY. But moreover, JUDO nage are PROVEN to be effective in REAL ADVERSARIAL COMPETITIONS. Sure you can talk about the old Jujutsu styles employing joint locks and strangleholds in conjunction with throwing BUT again, JUDO methods have been evolving in a far MORE real arena.I have NEVER seen a Jujutsuka "pull off" any NAGEWAZA against even neophyte JUDOKAS or WRESTLERS! EVER.And in a REAL street fight some of the NONSENSE that these people banter on about concerning the "COMBAT" application of these throws will get you F%^&&G KILLED!The nonsense they preach on about SOUNDS "cool" but will FAIL in the REAL unscripted world.Almost ANY attempt at REALLY slamming someone will invariably find BOTH of you on the ground. Hopefully, but CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS, with you on top, then the fight goes ON. Against more than ONE opponent you HAVE BIG PROBLEMS!Also consider the TACTICAL problems with KNOWINGLY turning your BACK into an ENEMY! And ANY one-legged type throw, i.e., Hane-goshi (Hip spring throw)/Harai-goshi (Loin throw)/O guruma (Big Outer Wheel) /Uchimata (Inner Thigh Throw) will INSURE that you BOTH hit the DECK.The BEST methods I have seen and practiced for actually USING throwing techniques in self-protection came from Bruce Tegner. His concept of seizing the upper arms or shoulders with both hands and then GOING TO WORK on the opponents legs with a BARRAGE of LOW HARD KICKS and THEN executing a throw is the ONLY approach that seems to have validity and is viable. AND that approach is what REAL kuzushi is all about.Another topic loaded with BULLSHIT. KUZUSHI is NOT a subtle maneuvering to "break balance" in THE REAL WORLD nor is it evident in almost ANY real Randori or Shiai. MORE esoteric fantasy crap. If I want to "break your balance" I'll do it by KNOCKING THE S$%T out of you!Lastly, DON'T believe the BULLSHIT about Judo throws "being SAFE" for the opponent. HORSES#$T! With SUFFICIENT practice you can "land" a guy on his HEAD, NECK or shoulder.What makes Judo throws SEEM safe is the practice of UKEMI, the use of TATAMI and the LACK of intent in F!@#$%G up your training partner.Check out Koizumi's book on throws. He explains very well how a Dojo "safe" throw can be executed on the STREET with devastating results by a simple change in the direction of the "pull" done by the hands and wrists.Instead of "heaving" your man over and directing him INTO a breakfall, you JUST pull STRAIGHT down and DRIVE him head first into the ground.The DOERS KNOW the difference between real and chickenshit. The pontificators present ONLY a "shell" that has NO REAL SUBSTANCE, just "warrior fantasy appeal".They are blinded by their own BULLS@#T.PS: CJ1 "Throws Grips and Dirty Tricks" cover the set up, throwing techniques and drills - http://www.combatjujutsusecrets.comCopyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com