Hanchi Judan Nakazato is the only 10th Dan in the world.  That basically what his title stands for.  Hanchi meaning 8th Dan or higher, and Judan, specifying his rank(Ju being ten, Dan being his rank)  Right now the man is over 70 years old.  He is the only man who has received awards from the emperor of Japan for his dedication to the art of Karate-Do and has huge recognition in dojos all over the world(Dojo being training area).  A feat like this is incredible, is it not?  Its what all martial artists aspire to.  If you take a black belt certificate to any dojo of any type of martial art, you will be recognized.  Thats how high his name is.  To be like that is a dream.  Karate is way more than just come, train, take your black belt, and leave.  Its a lifelong commitment.  Its like marriage except this can be started at any age.  And there are other highly respected names in other parts of the world.  Kyoshi Nabil Noujaim is the only 7th Dan in the California region.  He has travelled around the world to different dojos to instruct and goes to Okinawa, Japan at least twice a year to train under Hanchi Judan Nakazato.  He has dedicated his life to this thing that we all have seen.  It is truly a phenomenom to spend 30, 40, 50, even 60 years faithful to the Shorin-Ryu system.

Now I know I am gettin a little boring.  Just rambling on about random Karate facts trying to get people to understand it better.  And hopefully its working.  So now if I have opened your eyes about Karate with this one bulliten blog thing, I probably am done.  So yeah.  Karate is way more than just yelling at each other and throwing awesome looking kicks and punches at each other.  I hope this wasn't a complete waste of time and I hope some of you that read this actually get to start in the Shorin-Ryu / Shorin-Kan system.  Oh and by the way, those words are pronounced sho - rin - ru / sho - rin - kan.  Pretty simple.  See ya later.

     The first martial art that will be discussed is one that I have 13 years of experience in; Shotokan Karate.  This style was created by Gichin Funakoshi in approximately 1963.  It is considered a Hard style and is seperated into three sections; Kihon (basic), Kata (Forms), and Kumite (Sparring).  The power of Shotokan karate comes from the hips.  The syncronism of rotating hips guiding the strikes, kicks, and blocks allows for optimum power for the techniques as well as increasing the speed that the techniques can be executed.  The confrontational style is direct, meaning that there isn’t flowing motions that are found in tai chi, but instead a more block/strike/counterattack mentality.  Shotokan has helped spawn various other styles such as kyokushinkai, several Ryu Styles and even Russian Sambo.  The older forms of karate have been used by the Japanese in their military and these principles are even adopted by modern soldiers.  The strikes in Shotokan are not meant for a brawl, they are meant to end the fight with that one strike.  The close-fisted strikes are administered by rotating the hips and guiding the fist with the palm side parallel to the floor towards the target.  The impact is concentrated on the index and the middle knuckles.  This creates a strike that surpasses a boxer’s hook because the impact area is concerntrated to those two knuckles and therefore has deeper penetration.  A strike to the temple can kill, to the sternum can break it,can crack ribs, and to the stomach can cause internal damage.  The kicks differ to those traditionally used in the UFC.  Those kicks are administered with the shin and the upper arch of the foot.  However, the limitation in this variation is that if somebody blocks with the elbow, the kicker will be limping for a month.  In shotokan, frond kicks and roundhouse kicks are administered with the front sole of the foot.  This is a safer way to kick because the impact will not cause the kicker pain and it is also a less tender area than the shin or the upper arch of the foot.  The front kick is considered one of the fastest forms of attack and also one of the most powerful because of the direct impact.  It must also be noted that practitioners of Shotokan go through a long line of conditioning by doing push ups on knuckles and punching boards.

     The second style that I would like to discuss is Tai Chi.  Many observers that have become accustomed to the MMA culture will consider Tai Chi to be a “pretty dance”, however, to their disadvantage, these people will miss the subtle power that governs this martial art.  The influcences of Tai Chi are derived from Taoist and Budhist temples.  It is considered an internal martial art and is widely known for it’s beneficial effects on the health of the practitioner.  However, this martial art has been used as an effective means of self-defense for countless years.  The subtle law mentioned earlier is center of balance.  The Tai chi practitioner uses the his own stable center of gravity to locate the opponent’s center of gravity and displace it with the least amount of force possible.  In fact, on several occasions, a Tai Chi master has been able to put a Jiu Jitsu user flat on his back.  The ability to sense the opponent’s center of gravity, allows Tai Chi practitioners to utilize pushes, throws, and strikes that are difficult to block because they do not attack the body, but instead the ability to maintain composure.  When attacked, the Tai Chi user will absorb and redirect the force of the strike, push, or pull and turn that strength against the attacker.  Many of these principals can be found in aikido, hapkido, and Systema Kadochnikova (Russian Military).

     The main point that readers should take from this article is that the UFC is a sport and is governed and limited by the rules of engagement, while the classic styles of martial arts are used as a means of self-defense from potentially fatal attacks.  For example:  In the UFC, one of the most widely used forms of combat is Brazillian Jiu Jitsu in fact it is said that most of the fights will end up on the ground.  Though BJJ is effective when it is one on one, the usefulness of this style is obsolete when facing more than one opponent.  The second widely used martial art is Mui Thai.  Unfortunately, only the ‘legal’ aspect is taught.  What isn’t taught is the strikes to vital areas, nor do UFC trainers teach defense against weapons.  However, classical martial arts do not fool around with a brawl.  They are used to disarm and disable an opponent in the fastest means possible.  Instead of striking to the face and body twenty times, a true martial artist will end the fight with one strike to the groin, neck, throat, eye, temple or another vital area that will have a crippling effect, however, a master will be able to avoid the fight altogether.  Therefore, it is impossible to use the UFC as a measuring stick for classical martial arts because figuratively speaking, UFC fighters have one hand and one leg tied behind their back.  The winner of a UFC bout either knocks out, submits, or gets scored higher than the opponent.  The goal of a martial artist is simply to walk away with his life and limbs attached.  The UFC is not even close to “as real as it gets”, it’s just a game of pretend.

Bruce Lee Speed Demonstration

This hero is actually so fast that to see his hand you have to put the camera in slow motion and a 24 fps camera is just not fast enough for him. See to believe.

Bruce Lee Two Finger Push Ups

Are you man enough to do push ups with both hands and with all the five fingers? Probably not. However Bruce Lee was able to do it with just one arm and two fingers. Again see to believe.

Shaolin Monk Power Demonstration

These guys seem to live in some kind of temple and they train everyday so hard that even a medieval lance isn't able to pierce the neck of these guys! They can even break a huge stick just with their heads! And how about sitting with your stomach in a thin mediaval lance and not getting pierced? And getting hanged for hours straight and living to tell, or better, show the story!? Yes, it's possible for these guys. See how.

Yet another amazing video of the same guys

Don't you feel like going to pratice this stuff right now? You should because it's good for your body for your mind and for your health in general as well as to kick someone if they dare to fight you.

Take care!

As you get more proficient you are taught Kata,which utilises all you have learned Often without any explanation why you are doing things in a certain way. I have read other articles which go in to more detail on the pros and cons of Kata and i do not wish to get bogged down with this subject. Except to say we sometimes do certain things with no real thought as to why we are doing them.
Which seems lazy to me?

In fact it was many years of learning like this that got me my black belt. I had thought I had achieved something wonderful. Looking back now I realise that I had missed out an awful lot. Yes I could do the kicks, I could do the Kata not realising how ineffective they would be in a true life confrontation. My training now is very much with smaller classes and concentrating on realistic self defence.

One technique we practise is the same as the one favoured by street fighters for centuries.
The head butt. This was certainly never part of the curriculum in the school I was taught in fact it was looked down on or treated as a joke.

Lets look at some facts the human head weighs between seven and ten pounds with eight and a half being average. The skull protects the brain with pretty dense and solid bone. So if a head butt to the centre of the face is done correctly it is like being hit in the face by a bowling ball. Resulting in reconstructive surgery and severe pain. Done incorrectly you could hurt yourself as much as your opponent. So it stands to reason if it can be so effective why are we not all trained to execute it correctly.

The answer I am sorry to say is as above it is not taken seriously as a legitimate technique in many styles. Look around you contact sports like boxing, kick boxing, all ban the head butt. Why because it can cause the damage I have already described So for sport it must remain outlawed, but as a great self defence tool it must be practiced.

The Principles of Krav Maga: Krav Maga is a combat oriented martial art that was later modified to have more civilian self defense aspects. The core principles of Krav Maga are

Avoid injury

• Defend and attack as quickly as possible
• Use the body's natural reflexes
• Take advantage of your opponent's vulnerable points
• Use any tool or weapon at your disposal

Techniques

Krav Maga consists of kicks and punches similar to those used in other martial arts. Also used are elbows, knees, joint locks, throws and some weapon disarm techniques.

The Krav Maga is not an mixed martial art system, rather, it was developed with the perception that the classic martial arts were lacking various elements. The defense needs in the eras that the classic martial arts were developed were different than those of today. New unique techniques for defense against pistols, guns and hand grenades were considered needed, and therefore developed.

Krav Maga has no katas or specific sequences that must be followed. Students use the basic moves in conjunction with any one of a number of other moves to fend off an attack, the key idea being adaptability to new situations through improvisation. Emphasis is put on speed, endurance, strength, accuracy and co-ordination especially for intensive Krav Maga training.

Each technique was carefully dissected and considered for its merits, and if found acceptable in unarmed combat, refined to reach Sambo's ultimate goal, to stop an armed or unarmed adversary in the least time possible. Bruce Lee was also an innovator and was quoted as saying, "Take what is useful and use it and what is not useful throw it away."

Bruce was referring to martial arts because many of the techniques that are taught are not useful in a real fight. Many of the techniques taught look good and sound good on paper, are ineffective in a real situation and will only serve in getting one in a compromising situation.

Discipline and the ability to instantly estimate the complex situation of a battle, to make the right decision with a lightning speed, and to govern ones own body is the object of pursuit of any combat art. To anticipate the action before action is required is being keenly aware of your surroundings and the possible conflict that can occur with-in the moment.

However, it's insufficient just to master the close fighting art. It is also necessary to possess a strong spirit and be ready to give your life to defend what is important to the individual. The genuine close combat is effective even when he or she has to act rightly, in an unpredictable situation, when there is no time to spot and think, and no mistake is permissible.

Sambo has been tested in so-called hot spots and showed its military efficiency, saving the lives of those who mastered it. Its detachment have conducted operations to stop illegal drug and arms trade, to fight against customs crimes, and to provide personal security for customs officers and their relatives, or even to rescue hostages. The close fighting, as well as each phenomenon in our lives, is governed by certain laws. The same is true for the close fight psychology.

Modern combat Sambo is renown for its aggressive style and rigorous training. It includes techniques that are dangerous and prohibited in sport MMA. The elite Red Army are renown the world over for the brutal training the solders must pass through before being accepted as an elite solder.

The philosophy behind the training, "to survive". To survive is to push the mind body to the outer limits to visualize the complete endurance that the person is capable of. Once the outer limitations can be achieved does the person ever recognize how true life is and the importance of the survival of the spirit. To have a complete disregard for ones own limitations to serve the better good of other members. The frigid cold nor the searing heat can concur the warriors spirit and the mission will be completed at all cost.

There are some schools that teach Sambo in the U.S.

Firstly, let me say, I've spent ten years in the martial arts and been through many five-hour-long examinations. I've broken a few bones along the way, busted my nose once or twice, and-at almost every testing-been to the brink of passing out.

Unfortunately, many people have not had similar experiences in martial arts examinations. Yes, I said unfortunately. At the end of your testing, you should feel as if you've earned that belt. Whether it be a green or rainbow, the belt is sacred and not given to just anyone. That thought should be in your head throughout your preparation and demonstration. Whether your school is the type that pushes students in a military style with five-hour or longer testings or whether your school makes you do a kata/form, asks the meaning, then ends the testing, you always should put 200% into your actions during a testing.

So, if your goal is to put 200% into your testing at all times and really believe that you've earned your belt, read on.

Preparation for your examination should start well before the week of the testing. Ideally, you should be training always for your next testing, but, of course, people are busy and long-term goals are hard to have. In general, make sure you start training AT LEAST a month before your testing. A month is a very short time to improve your body and mind, but with a specific training schedule and determination, you can do it.

Running

Running is the best way, in my opinion, to increase your aerobic capacity. Aerobic capacity or endurance is essential to every martial art, and especially important during an examination of skill. How horrible would it feel to have the skill and knowledge necessary to perform your kata and spar at 200%, but not be able to keep up because you're so exhausted?

2-5 miles EVERY day is essential. You should run it at a pace that is comfortable to you, but you should definitely be out of breath near and at the end. You should aim to decrease your time and increase your stride.

Walking for five minutes before running is important, as this will loosen up your muscles. You don't want to risk pulling a muscle so close to a martial arts examination.

Also, stretching AFTER your run is equally as important. Your muscles are extremely volatile after your run and are susceptible to becoming more flexible or possibly less. This is the time when you need to stretch them.

Stretching

Stretching is important enough to be its own category of preparation for a martial arts testing. Unlike conventional sports or activities like football or basketball, the flexibility of your joints and muscles-especially in your legs-is one of the most important things in martial arts. You should stretch at least three times a day. One of these stretching times should be after running of course, but the other two should be when you wake up and before bed.

It's important not to overdue your stretching, especially in the early morning when your muscles are the tightest. Slowly stretch your legs and arms, being sure to hold the stretch for thirty seconds while not bouncing. Bouncing when stretching is inefficient and leads to pulled muscles.

By stretching every day, your flexibility will skyrocket in a month. You will be faster and you will actually use less energy during your testing when you're kicking or moving. Stretching is an undervalued exercise in western culture, but by utilizing it, you'll be able to set yourself above the rest.

Kata/Forms

Katas or Forms are a part of almost every martial art. They represent an ancient aspect, yet they are relevant and extremely important. They teach you how your mentality should be in a fight by emphasizing calm, yet forceful execution. They are a bridge to the past masters' technique. And, of course, they look pretty darn cool.

Doing your Katas twice daily should improve your form and presentation rapidly. However, you need to do them EXACTLY how you would do them if you were at your testing and there were a hundred people watching and judging you. You should recite the meaning of each Kata before you do it. You should do your Katas in chronological order and then backwards. Some days you should start with a random Kata and work your up in rank or down.

Self-Defense

If you have specific self-defense moves that you have to demonstrate, practicing them is essential. This is sometimes hard if you don't have a brother or sister in martial arts with you. Try asking your dad or friend to be your practice buddy. Make sure you go gentle and don't hurt them, though. Save the test-like demonstrations and practices for class.

This was always my worst area during an examination. Forms were my forte, always scoring top marks in them. I became better at sparring as the years went on, eventually being one of the best at my school. Self-Defense was an even slower progress, however. It was always the least practiced and, in my mind, the hardest.

But, in reality, it's not the hardest. My mistake was my mindset. I viewed it as an extra, something that I'd have to get through as fast as I could. It was only as I got older that I realized how important getting out of those "silly" grabs and holds are. Hopefully you've realized this now. Try to practice your self-defense as often as you can get a partner, at least three times a week.

Education

Most martial arts claim to develop the mind, body, and spirit. Developing the body is basically what this article has been about thus far. Developing the spirit comes with time and experience and can't really be taught in words. Developing the mind, however, is an ongoing process and should be treated as so.

You should study everything you need to know for your examination: form meanings, terminology, translations, etc. You should not only memorize these things, you should understand them. With understanding them comes greater knowledge. By understanding, for example, why you should punch the way you're taught to, you'll probably improve your punching skill and gain greater insight as to how your body works.

Know your body, but don't be afraid to push yourself. With all the adrenaline pumping during a testing, realize that you may be able to do some things that you never could before. Never think you can't during a testing. If your instructor asks you to break three bricks, you break three bricks. Engrave it in your mind during your training period that there are no limits. Do not ever second-guess yourself during an examination of the martial arts.

You are almost never still, and it is fun to compete in tournaments. In tournaments, there are 3 categories you can get graded on. They are sparring, breaking, and pattern. In sparring, you basically fight someone of roughly the same skill level as you, and get graded. One point is earned for a mid section punch or kick, two for high section, and three for a head shot or take down. People do sometimes get hurt. In breaking you get graded on how many boards you can break. In pattern, you demonstrate your belt pattern. As a green belt, my pattern is Do-San.

A few basic techniques are sitting stance punch, walking stance punch, and low section block. These were the first techniques I learned. All of these techniques are just what they sound like, and are easy to learn. The stance that most kicks are done in is called Maaki. A few basic kicks are front snap kick, turning kick, and side kick. These techniques are also what they sound like. Advanced techniques are difficult to learn, and often take a full second to employ. A few examples of these are spin kick, hurricane kick, and back kick. All of these involve spinning, making the kick last longer.

Testing is the one time you feel pressure in Tae Kwon Do. It is always loud. It is very much like tournaments. You get graded on pattern, sparring, and breaking. There is also an extra category, One Steps. One Steps are a series of moves that go together, and you have to memorize them before getting your next belt. Some belts only require knowing a few, while one belt requires 9.

I highly recommend Tae Kwon Do, as it is fun and great exercise. Currently I only have my green belt, but I hope to advance up the ranks and obtain my black belt.

Second, bend your knees and turn about 70 degrees to the left or right so that you are partly facing sideways, put your left/right foot forward and bend it to left/right. Then bend your other foot about 30 degrees. Raise both of your arms up close to your head for blocking, and put the arm that you will be punching with a little more forward.

Finally, before you are about to punch turn your fist upside-down and move it back so that your arm is behind you and your fist is right next to your side. Then move your fist directly out in a straight motion as fast as you can. Turn your foot that was behind forward so that you extend your reach. Turn your fist right side up as you are punching so there is a twisting motion at the end.