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!.
#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.
This article was written by P. Sundbye who has been training in various martialarts for the last 11 years including Wing Chun Kung Fu, Aikido, Tong Long and the Lee Total Control system.
For more information and martial arts news visit http://www.martialarm.com
Keys to Responsible
Recreation in the BackCountry
by: Chuck Fitzgerald
Having a good time is pretty high on everyone’s to do list, especially
when surrounded by awesome views and super-awesome friends. We hike, bike,
climb, camp, raft, fish, hunt, four-wheel, sleep and eat – among other
things – in the backcountry. If not done properly, that’s a lot of wear
and tear on our natural resources. Responsible recreation ensures future
outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors as you have.
Without a recreation code of ethics, our backcountry would become a thing
of the past. Here are some universally agreed upon keys for having a good
time – the right way.
-Take only pictures, leave only footprints. If you carry it in, carry
it out. This will eliminate litter.
-Protect water sources from contamination. Use bio-degradable soap, or
try hot water soap-less dishwashing, bathing and clothes washing. When
using soap (even bio-degradable) and toothpaste, dispose of the wastewater
at least 100 feet away from natural water sources, well or faucet water
sources.
-Be a good neighbor - control your noise and your pets. Always keep
your dog on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and away from public swimming
areas. Barking and not cleaning up after pets leads to many complaints
from other outdoor enthusiasts. Do not leave pets unattended.
-Be respectful of the natural environment – keep the trees and shrubs
alive and growing. Nails and wires should not be used on trees because
they can cause serious damage to trees. Burn damage will permanently scar
or kill a tree.
-When hiking or biking, stay on designated trails. This keeps damage to
vegetation and erosion in one place.
-Before leaving your campsite, clean your fire pit and your campsite.
Make it as clean as you would want it if you were arriving that day. The
next user will appreciate it.
Leave-No-Trace, www.lnt.org, offers the following Principles for
Outdoor Ethics: Plan Ahead and Prepare, Travel and Camp on Durable
Surfaces, Dispose of Waste Properly, Leave What You Find, Minimize
Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife and Be Considerate of Other Visitors.
Here is the Tread Lightly!, www.treadlightly.org, pledge: Travel and
recreate with minimum impact, Respect the environment and the rights of
others, Educate yourself – plan and prepare before you go, Allow for
future use of the outdoors – leave it better than you found it and
Discover the rewards of responsible recreation.
Responsible recreation means having the common sense and the courtesy
to enjoy the backcountry without spoiling someone else’s experience. Most
outdoor enthusiasts understand this very well and spend a good deal of
their time restoring, enhancing and conserving our backcountry. Have a
good time when you’re outdoors, share these keys with your friends and use
this information to Get It Right The First Time.
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