A martial art can be defined as any skill that can be applied in warfare. The word martial means "military." So traditionally, a martial art is a military art. The first things that usually come to mind when discussing modern martial arts are leaping, kicking, punching, blocking, inverting elbows, twisting necks, throwing, and weapon fighting. But also horsemanship, javelin throwing, archery, spear fighting, halberd fighting, wrestling, knife fighting, rifle, shotgun and pistol shooting, demolitions, logistics, and battle strategy can all be described as the field of martial arts. Anything that a soldier might do in battle is a martial art.
By martial art usually it is meant aikido, arnis, boxing, capoeria, chow gar, choy la fut, hapkido, hsing'i, hun gar, jeet kune do, jow gar, judo, jujitsu, karate, kempo, kick boxing, krav maga, kung fu, pa kua, penjak silat, praying mantis, savate, shaolin, tae kwon do, tai chi, white crane, wing chun, wu shu and more! As you can see the list is quite long and it is actually quite amazing how many martial arts systems there are and how many methods of self defense can be formulated.
Often within a martial arts school it is taught that 'this particular system is the best system and it was created to beat all the others'. Of course every martial artist would have the viewpoint their style is the best because that is the style they have chosen to do, but in reality what they are saying is 'this is the best style for me as it suits my temperment and I like the teaching environment'. The changing of the arts
Throughout this history and development of the martial arts and all the combat systems of man our training tools have played a vital part in evolving and perfecting these systems and techniques.
All the martial arts have been effected by the role that mechanical devices play whether it be weapons, dojo mats, breaking boards or even the uniforms we wear - all these paraphanialia indentify the martial arts into their systems and style.
The main players in shaping our new martial arts would be the traditional wooden dummy, wing chun rings, iron palm ointments and even the system of using forms and karta have developed the martial arts into their current form.
Even today modern training tools are common and again the martial arts are under development with new training products such as the Wavemaster, the BOB training dummy, the Focus Master. All with one thing in common, to create a well rounded combat system. Ideally a martial arts solo training tool should be workable for all and based on sound theory and through constant practice develop into sound physical application. The ideology and theory would have to take into account all the history of the combat technology of man and give this competition and street application.
The Martialarm Combat Training Partner
In a martial arts career you can occationally find your self with no school to go to or no one to train with and so out of neccessity the martialarm solo training partner was born. The Martialarm is a Martial Arts training machine used to develop the entry and trapping skills of any martial arts system. It is designed to actually test any techniques so to improve the ability to trap and control your opponents hands and arms. This can be done because the Martialarm moves and reacts like a real opponent. The Martialarm moves and twists up, down, left and right just like a real opponent would - so it can spring forward and it does strike back!.
The Martialarm Combat Training Partner was designed and developed on the following theories Martialarm Theory
1) Safety, You must maintain 100% safety when entering into the opponents attack range, this means to limit any variables that could occur by covering them. (Methods of entry must be sophisticated yet simple, fast as well as safe!)
2) Attack, You must have the ability to attack at will, with no concern or hesitation. The attack should incorporate a total control of the opponents weapons. (Attacks must be structured to have within them a 100% defense!)
3) Adaptability, Techniques, attacks and defenses must flow but not necessarily at a constant pace. Adaptability to choose what's next is key!
Whatever martial arts you choose just be sure you do look at a few before you decide and enqire with the school what martial arts equipment they utilize to get the best from your training.
I remember talking to one of my teachers once about the traits of a master leader. And though we discussed many topics, traits and themes - attitudinal qualities like "caring," "trust," "being a role model;" and skills like "management," "study," etc. - 'the' trait that lay at the center, or formed the foundation for all of these others was: Decisiveness - the simple ability to make a decision.
Though all of the other traits were and are important in the overall character of a leader, at the heart it all lay the willingness and, yes, "decision," to be or do those other things. For example, we cannot and generally will not "care" about something until we 'decide' to care about it. Carrying this to it's fullest, we will not be a "caring" person until we decide to be. This is true for everything.
It's funny, you know. I've been an avid student of human nature for a long time now. I've studied how we human beings latch onto ideas, beliefs, and concepts, and run with them. The one thing that most people do not do, however, is to check the integrity of their ideas with one another. Do you know what I mean? Most of us never stop to see whether or not our "beliefs" and habitual patterns "jive" with each other.
More often than not, under close examination, things tend to break down. One belief is not congruent - it contradicts - another belief about the same "type" of thing but from a different perspective.
Here's an example. Staff and I are constantly joking about how many people come to WCI because they are interested in taking up martial arts. How do we know this? Not necessarily because they've told us (lots of people tell us they're interested - especially after you mention that you're studying the martial arts, right?! We know because they have actually picked up the phone or stopped into the academy for information.
But, once here, we notice that their demeanor - their actions and responses, mirror those that come up for many when their approached by a salesperson at a store.
Isn't that funny? These folks are interested in taking up martial arts but...
... They're afraid we're going to "sell" them martial arts lessons!
This happens all the time. To each and every one of us. It may not be about sales, or martial arts, but it happens nonetheless. What does this have to do with martial arts, a black belt, mastery, or warriorship? Thanks for asking. Otherwise, this article is going nowhere!
The ability to make a decision is at the heart of all of this confusion. It is also at the heart of success and mastery. It is the very thing theta defines a leader.
You see, life - every single moment - is made up of choices. And, as the author Richard Bach cited in his book 'Illusions,' "we design our lives through the power of our choices." And, it is our decisions, or lack of, that define us in the eyes of others. In fact, it could be said, and has been by the great H. A. Hopf, that we teach others how to act in regards to decisiveness. We teach our children, our students, even those who are thinking about associating with us, who we are and how we engage life and that, if they are to be "like" us, they should make decisions like we do.
There are really three types of decisions to make in any given situation, whether it's goal-setting, planning, or problem-solving. They are:
1) Do It! You decide in favor of an action.
2) Don't Do It! You decide against the action.
3) Don't Decide! You avoid making a choice or decision altogether.
Yes, choosing to "not" make a decision IS a decision - a choice! Because what you're really saying is either:
1) I don't care one way or the other which way this goes or what we do. In this case, there would not be complaining afterwards of the decision(s) made by others (if you were being honest).
2) I'm afraid to commit to something because I'm afraid of failure, success, or a hundred other things. So what if your decision proves to be wrong or simply a bad choice; make another one! After all, THAT'S what leaders do!
3) I don't want to have to think about this right now so I'll postpone the decision.
This last one is what most people do with regards to their goals - including going to Japan. Why else would they put off going for three years? Money? I think not. And, why not? Because everyone that has told me they were going to Japan, for example, last year, has no more money saved for the trip than they did when they first supposedly set the goal.
I remember when my teachers first started forcing me to stand up and make decisions. It was uncomfortable in many cases, and terrifying in others. But, developing this powerful ability has literally changed my life. And, it will yours as well.
Imagine: actually attaching people to you that are more helpful to you and your on life BECAUSE you are decisive. Why? Because decisive people are Confident, Trusting and Trustworthy, the take risks (another important key to success and mastery), and they make people feel comfortable and Safe.
Your ability to make confident decisions, even in the face of little support or help from others, will set you apart from everyone else who has "decided" on a mediocre, passive, and everyday existence. You will be in great company though because you will have elevated yourself to the level of the Abraham Lincolns, the Walt Disneys, the Madame Currys, and so many others that made their own path in life - decisively, confidently...
Both John Pawlett & Jeffrey Miller are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
John Pawlett has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mobile Phone Reviews, Home Based Business and Facelift Before and After. Arts Martial Studio is an informative website that looks into all aspects of Martal Arts from aikido throught to wu shu. includint the popular martial arts like karate and judoTo find out more visit. John Pawlett's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.
Jeffrey Miller has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing Tips, Recreation and Sports and self improvement and motivation. Jeffrey Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. He is a consultant for businesses and groups, on self-protection & personal development. For more info,. Jeffrey Miller's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.