In a great Karate Program, it’s all about the Basics

Our Student Learn to Master the Basics Karate Techniques
Learn to Walk before they Run

Ask any professional athlete from basketball, football, soccer or martial artist how they became good at their disciple and they will tell you hours of practice. Ask them what they practiced and you will most likely hear “the fundamentals” or “the basics.” Did not get me wrong, I love the advanced striking, kicking and ground techniques.

I once asked several great martial artists in San Diego what made you so fast and precise in your movements. The thing that struck me was that every one of them talked about how their earliest instructor was a traditionalist and had them study the basics. In other words, what made them great was the fact that they spent time on the fundamentals.

Now the sad part of this was that half of them were not teaching the knowledge they claimed made them good. Remember a shortcut is only part of a motion, but most motions are made up of many parts which can lead to shortcuts. When a master takes a shortcut they look good, but when a student learns only shortcuts they look poorly trained.

My teacher Sr. Grand Master Tony Bowles and Grand Master Tim Bowles stressed the basics.  Kicks, punches, strikes, self-defense and forms.  Like in elementary school your teacher would review your A-B-C’s and counting 1-2-3…  to the point you know them in your sleep.  It’s the same in martial arts, however, the sad news is that we as a society want to run before we crawl.  The 360-degree roundhouse kicks are cool and I love executing them, but in a fight, it comes down to fast hard and effective techniques and at times those are your basics.

Stances: horse, bow, front, cat, upward back and downward back. They should be low and comfortable so you are able to move in different directions while staying level. The lower you are in your stance, the more stable you will be and low stances build leg and lower body strength.

Kicks: front side, back, and round kick. These should be controlled and very smooth.

Blocks: high rising, downward, outside block, front punch, back hand and vertical fist. If these are perfect your training can start!

If you just had those basics perfect you could master most any art. The reason is simple, once you master your body you can make it do anything. A new style of martial arts is like learning a new dance.

If you are interested in learning more about how martial arts can help you and your children, please contact us at (619) 894-0191 or stop by 2356 Fletcher Parkway El Cajon or darryl@jamesmartialartsacademy.com to set up a free trail orientation.

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It there still honor in the martial arts?

Today it is hard for an athlete to succeed in a sport if he or she wants to do it the right way through hard work and dedication to the sport.   We are finding more and more athletes are using performance enhancing drug to win. Martial arts is a discipline of honor, it is a shame when folks lower the bar and take the easy route. More to come on this topic.

Let me know your thoughts….

By: Brent Brookhouse |

Felipe Olivieri

Felipe Olivieri is the latest fighter to fail a drug test under the UFC’s drug testing program, which is overseen by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

Olivieri (14-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) was submitted by Tony Martin (10-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at UFC on FOX 18, which took place Jan. 30 from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The bout was his debut in the promotion.

The UFC released a statement to announce the failure.

According to the statement, Olivieri’s post-fight drug test was negative for banned substances. However, a pre-fight test from the lead-up to the bout was recently returned as testing positive.

“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Olivieri, as it relates to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and future UFC participation,” the statement read. “Because Olivieri participated in a bout sanctioned by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board after the sample in question was collected, USADA will work to ensure that the Board has the necessary information to determine the appropriate course of action under the Board’s rules.”

741 tests have been conducted by USADA since the program’s launch, including 388 in 2016, according to the organization’s website.

If you’re looking for a great place to train in karate or kung fu  in San Diego

 

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Kosho-Ryu and Kajukenbo San Diego

This blog is not intended to create controversy with other martial arts system which speaks of their system’s dominates. However, Kosho-Ryu and Kajukenbo are known as multi-faceted martial arts. The Kosho-Ryu and Kajukenbo practitioner are taught to fight equally effective on our feet as on the ground. We all understand that a street fight is a pure chaos, and this episode of Fight Quest show the effectiveness of Kajukenbo dealing with multiple attackers. I would say the episode is probably still the most watched episode of Fight Quest ever produced. Fight Quest was a show that aired on Discovery Channel a few years back. This show was hosted by two martial artist and pro fighters who traveled all over the world training in different martial arts.
 
When they traveled to San Francisco California to train with Kajukenbo instructors, things got a little as we like to say “Kaju rough”.
 
Please know the training you will see in this episode is way more extreme than you will typically do in our classes. However, for those who want this level of training, I will have special classes to accommodate you (this is the way Grand Masters Tony and Tim Bowles) trained me.
 
The two host due to their background were allowed to experience a level of intensity reserved for more advanced students like higher level green belt intensity in Kajukenbo “This is not beginner level training!”

 
Nevertheless, these two guys got put through the ringer on this show with no Kajukenbo experience, and here’s why. The Kajukenbo instructors they chose for this episode knew they were presenting Kajukenbo to the world. Think about it; would you show weakness or mercy on international television. Fortunately, we live in a great county however, people are under threat of being the attack at work, malls, schools, movie theaters or enjoying a marathon, 24/7/365?
 
The training Jimmy and Doug go through seems a little over the top (okay, flat out crazy), that’s why I like to watch this video because it reminds me of how unpredictable this world is and how Kajukenbo has adapted so people can protect themselves.

Watching shows like this is why I know I can rely on my Kajukenbo/Kosho-Ryu training when it counts.

 

 

My teacher Grand Master Tony Bowles (left) learned Kosho-Ryu from both the Reverend James Mitose and Soke Thomas Mitose. The James Martial Arts Academy students are learning authentic Kosho-Ryu.

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A Martial Artist needs Proper Nutrition

A key factor for top performance in martial arts is not only training hard but also taking care of the internal man. Nutrition is certainly top of mind in today’s society. People are becoming more concerned about their health and what they put in their bodies.

Most people think of fresh corn as a vegetable, and to some extent, they’re right; it’s plump, juicy, and full of fiber and Vitamin A. Sadly, it’s also extremely starchy, and better thought of as a grain instead. Imagine corn tortillas and corn bread, instead of an ear of juicy corn, right off the stalk.

Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your body.

Eat a diet of mostly plant-based foods, with a little animal protein and healthy monounsaturated oils. This type of diet will provide your system with the nutrients, protein, and essential fatty acids that you need to be healthy. A healthy variety of plant-based foods also gives your body the fiber it needs for good health and to maintain regularity.

Plan ahead for healthy nutrition. Keep healthy snacks on hand so that you don’t make a poor choice, on the spur of the moment when you get hungry. If the well-balanced and nutritional choice is the easier one, it becomes a habit to pick that option instead of putting forth the effort to locate an unhealthy item.

Keep a ceramic or glass kettle of pure water with a bit of honey and a fresh squeezed lemon or lime warming on the back of your stove during the winter months. You can drink cup after cup of this healthy beverage to keep cold and chill at bay and provide you with all the pure water you need to stay healthy and strong.

Don’t chide then for doing this, or they may have a negative impression of the food and refuse to eat it. Help them to get a grasp on the color, texture, and smell of the food.

It’s typically a poor approach to eating carbohydrates right before bedtime. Carbohydrates are chock-full of sugar and will immediately convert into energy when they’re digested by your body.

As the beginning of this blog discussed, eating habits has gained a lot more awareness in recent years as people have become more concerned about their health and how they eat. Making the correct nutrition decisions can be tough. Apply the advice of this article and be on your way to improving your nutrition.

Individuals are becoming more concerned about their health and what they put in their bodies. Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated. Keeping hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your body. A well-balanced variety of plant-based foods items also gives your body the fiber it needs for good health and to maintain regularity.

Carbohydrates are chock-full of sugar and will immediately convert into energy when they’re digested by your body.

Train yourself for combat internal and externally!

 

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Get In Shape Today with Martial Arts

Developing your fitness program is an excellent first step for building a healthier lifestyle. These tips will outline a few simple ways that you can enhance your fitness routine.

It is crucial to use high-quality gear when you are exercising. Shoes are important to keeping yourself injury free and using shoes that have been worn out is never a good thing. Shoes last approximately 500 miles, so by keeping track of your mileage or your average routine you can know when it is time to replace your shoes.

When pursuing your fitness goals, it is vital that you keep your muscles limber and martial arts is an excellent way of accomplishing this due to the dynamic stretching performed before the workout starts . If you are over the age of forty, you should hold your stretches for sixty seconds because your muscles get less flexible as you age.

To cut down on your soreness following a workout, be sure to perform adequate cool down exercises. This cool down period allows your muscles to loosen up and relax after your workout is over and signals to your body that the workout is over. Failure to cool down properly after exercising can cause additional soreness and even cramping to occur.

One of the best fitness partners I have found was Mike Guimond in my Kosho-Ryu/Kajukenbo karate class, he was dedicated, consistent and pushed me to get better. Working out with Grand Master Tony Bowles and Mike, I was able to lose 27lbs, going from 205lbs to my current weight of 178lbs. Moreover throughout my years of training, I have kept the weight off. At the age of 50, I might not have a 6 pack, but I still maintain a 4 pack.

One alternative fitness buddies you can choose is a good dog who will always enjoy doing anything you want to do! When you have a canine friend to keep you company, you will have plenty of motivation to go for daily walks, bike rides, throw a Frisbee or ball in the park. Having a good dog to care for will keep you active and fit!

When training to improve your fitness levels, it is important that you change up your routine and do things that you enjoy. If you hate running, and your exercise routine involves running five days per week, you are setting yourself up to fail. Find a sport or activity that you enjoy like basketball, swimming or dancing and incorporate this activity into your training schedule.

After your workout and only after your workout, make sure to have a lot of sugar. Sugar helps to carry vital proteins to the muscles that you have just worked on. It is important not to have too much sugar other times of the day, as this could actually dehydrate your body.

Kenpo karate is a great workout. It will give you a high-intensity cardio workout full of punches and kicks.

As you can see, a fitness routine doesn’t need to be complicated. Remember that motivating you to fitness is necessary to building a better quality of life!

These tips will outline a few simple ways that you can enhance your fitness routine.

When pursuing your fitness goals, it is vital that you keep your muscles limber. If you are over the age of forty, you should hold your stretches for sixty seconds because your muscles get less flexible as you age.

When training to improve your fitness levels, it is important that you change up your routine and do things that you enjoy. As you can see, a fitness routine doesn’t need to be complicated. Try and martial arts program in San Diego, you will see and feel the difference in your life.

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A Brief History of Tai Chi

Origin of Tai Chi

 

Some research indicated that traces of a wide acceptance of Tai Chi were found in the village of Chen. This was the time of Chen Wang Ting during the early 1600s. Documents have it that this is the place where Tai Chi was born.

 

One of the legendary and respected founders who created the idea of imitating the flow and motion of the different martial art and kung fu techniques is Chang San Feng. By combining the different principles of Taoism, kung fu, and the theory of Yi Jing, he created the ever popular form of meditation, Tai Chi.

 

Characteristic

Tai Chi stresses to its practitioners that they must observe proper breathing, and correct posture so as to facilitate the pattern of the flowing Chi. Tai Chi can also be used as a form of self-defense but as time moves forward, it is less stressed.

 

Schools

 

Today, there are four popular schools of Tai Chi– Yang, Wu, Sun and Chen. These four are all unique in appearance and method of instruction but all follows the fundamentals of the basic principles applied in ancient Tai Chi that consists of cultivation of chi, correct posture, and principles of breathing.

 

Yang Style

 

This is the most famous and popular form of Tai Chi. In this kind of style, the body emphasizes a consistency regarding its movement speed, smoothness and slow but refined motion with continuity through the entire session.

 

Chen Style

 

When the Chen style of Tai Chi is performed, it features a motion that is in slow portions but then builds a stronger inner chi. it also exhibits a more explosive form with a fast turning when attacking. The back foot remains the same with the Yang style but as to being straight, it maintains a bent back knee.

 

May be quite similar to the traditional style of kung fu san diego wherein stances are opposite to that of the Yang and Wu styles. All stances are often done in a low state and have a bit of an external feeling.

 

Sun Style

 

This type of Tai Chi was created in the year 1914 by Sun Lu Tang. By combining the three together with the theory supported by Yi Jing, principles of Taoism, and Qigong, he created a new and unique style of Tai Chi.

 

Wu Style

 

Considered as the youngest, it represents high stances and much slower movements. The front stances are parallel. This type of Tai Chi introduces a lot of reaching and leaning movements that are more controlled and slower than the rest.

 

By combining the different principles of Taoism, kung fu, and the theory of Yi Jing, he created the ever popular form of meditation, Tai Chi.

 

When the Chen style of Tai Chi is performed, it features a motion that is in slow portions but then builds a stronger inner chi. By combining the three together with the theory supported by Yi Jing, principles of Taoism, and Qigong, he created a new and unique style of Tai Chi.

 

Tai Chi stresses to its practitioners that they must observe proper breathing, and correct posture so as to facilitate the pattern of the flowing Chi. Tai Chi can also be used as a form of self-defense but as time moves forward, it is less stressed. Incorporating Tai Chi, can enhance one’s martial arts longevity.

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Basic Self-Defense Moves

Self Defense San Diego

Self-defense is the practice of protecting yourself in a protective way in order to lower any harm brought on by another attacker, or to assist you to do away with a violent situation. There are various kinds of self-defense. Not all self-defenses are considered “physical”. If you are researching self-defense, it is essential that you comprehend the fundamentals. Here, you will find out about self-defense fundamentals and the steps that you can utilize in order to secure yourself in threatening situations.

When thinking about self-defense, it is necessary to understand your limitations. It is similarly essential to be sure that you have the ability to determine your surroundings at all times to assist in any self-defense methods that you might be forced to use. This is typically referred to as “self-awareness”. If you practice the art of thoroughly evaluating your surroundings and know exactly what you are physical efficient in, you make certain to prevent a lot of harmful situations that you might possibly experience. When alone, it is essential to ensure that you show an air of confidence that others can see. If you are confronted with a dangerous situation, it is essential to ensure that you keep this level of self-confidence.

Lots of individuals get a license to carry a hidden weapon, such as a weapon. There are other individuals that carry items such as pepper spray and stun weapons. It is very important to guarantee that you do not totally count on these products. It may not be easy to obtain to these products if an unsafe situation occurs. This is why it is essential to establish some great self-defense moves. The harmful situation frequently occurs at unforeseen times, in unanticipated locations. It is necessary to understand self-defense strategies to guarantee that you are able to take care of yourself.

Reaction after taking our self-defense class:

When searching for ways to secure yourself in a dangerous situation, martial arts training is a terrific method to start. Martial arts training can teach you self-defense strategies that are both defensive and offensive. Martial arts San Diego training can assist you to determine a hazardous scenario, establish a strategy to eliminate yourself from the situation effectively, and prevent those types of circumstances in the future.

If you wish to be able to defend yourself in any situation, it is vital that you do all that you can to discover self-defense classes San Diego essentials. Knowing these self-defense techniques can suggest the distinction between getting hurt or remaining safe, being killed and living life.

If you would like to discover the most effective Self Defense Moves and Fear No Man, please come into our dojo and sign-up for our self-defense classes San Diego.

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Enrichment Classes For Your Child Through Karate in San Diego

A parent’s decision to homeschool their child does not mean they wish to keep them from socializing with other children their age. If you live in a city where your child goes to public school, your child is apt to come into contact with drugs and alcohol issues much quicker than they would if they were home schooled.

 

Many people do not understand why parents may choose to homeschool their child and many may picture the homeschooled child to be lonely. Homeschooled children are often more confident in their abilities and they have no problems fitting in with other children their age.

 

One major advantage of educating your child at home is that you are involved with their homeschool success. You help to decide that way your child is taught the material and no one knows your child better than you do.

 

There are enrichment classes available to children of all ages in San Diego, such as gymnastics, karate, art, and even guitar lessons. Many area high schools allow homeschooled children to participate in special classes, such as computer classes and even physical education.

Many communities have programs that were developed especially for homeschool success. It may be as much as an alternative school that offers enrichment classes to enhance your child’s homeschooling or it could be as little as informal get-togethers for homeschooled children. Either one will help your child to achieve homeschool success.

 

If you find there is not a community program in your area, you may want to think about starting a support group yourself. Many groups have started out small and together, they plan field trips to enhance their children’s learning experiences, as well as get-togethers where their children can simply interact with one another. It also can provide you a chance to talk with others that are in your position as parent and teacher.

 

It may be as much as an alternative school that offers enrichment classes to enhance your child’s homeschooling or it could be as little as informal get-togethers for homeschooled children. Many people do not understand why parents may choose to homeschool their child and many may picture the homeschooled child to be lonely.

 

A martial arts program will only enhance/reinforce your child’s development in the home school environment by teaching him/her the following:

1. Teaching Respect
2. Teaching Self-Control
3. Body Control
4. Teaching to Appreciate
5. Teaching Patience
6. Socialization

A parent’s decision to home school their child does not mean they wish to keep them from socializing with other children their age. If you live in a city where your child goes to public school, your child is apt to come into contact with drugs and alcohol issues much quicker than they would if they were home schooled.

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Recovering Through Qigong – The Art Of Breathing

In the contemporary globe, countless individuals throughout the globe method Qigong for keeping their healthiness. Qigong and also various other associated martial arts are still related to reflection and also fighting styles. Yet rather than the past, these individuals are no more the single custodians of the detailed methods associated with Qigong. These methods have actually ended up being so preferred since clinical Qigong has actually been formally identified as a clinical strategy in China.

It was seen that particular breat hing strategies utilized along with psychological focus significantly enhanced physical features. Qigong has actually likewise obtained greatly from Taoism as well as Buddhism. Hence, faith and also devoutness plays an extremely important duty in these methods. Some kinds of Qigong also think that a person could obtain greater degrees of achievement just if he is extremely righteous.

The word ‘Qigong’ is comprised of both words ‘Qi’ (implying breath or gas in Mandarin) as well as ‘Gong’ (definition strategy or job). Therefore, Qigong generally indicates ‘breath job’. Qigong, as a result, is a method of typical Chinese medication including the law and also control of breathing patterns to guarantee healthiness.

This style of martial arts is thought to be the outcome of 10 years of battle by the Chinese individuals for survival.

Typical Chinese medication operates an easy however reliable facility– that of ‘Chi’. Chi is the power or vital force that takes a trip via the body and also bathes all our body organs with health and wellness as well as well being. When this circulation is obstructed or disrupted, there is a disruption of the system that materializes itself as a condition. Based on custom, all that a medical professional needs to do to bring back health is to examine the factors for the block as well as to take steps to promote the complimentary circulation of power again.

This Chinese recovery fine art is a reliable type of natural medicine that utilizes a collection of mild concentrated workouts to collaborate the mind as well as the body system. It is thought that the majority of people utilize just a little part of the power within them. Many people get ill since they do not take a breath effectively. These 2 realities have actually been compared in Qigong, where correct breathing assists bring healthiness. Because of this, Qigong is primarily instructed for health care objectives. However seldom the physician additionally utilizes Qigong for restorative objectives.

The technique started almost 5,000 years earlier. Today there are practically 3,000 types of this style. Tai Chi is mere among the a lot more prominent kinds.
Western medication allows that this art could boost the general health and wellness and also vigor of an individual. Yet the spiritual undertones that are existing merely listed below the surface area have actually frequently confirmed to be an issue of dispute. Yet there are no 2 points of views concerning the degree of efficiency of this method.

Qigong educates a specific to stay in such a manner in which the complimentary circulation of power occurs constantly, to ensure that he is devoid of conditions. As both words show, Qigong handles the adjustment of breath to accomplish and also preserve durable health and wellness. This fine art has actually discovered a solid part in the fighting styles of old China where individuals needed to activate the power and also endurance in effectiveness with the physical act of breathing.

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