I’ve practiced Karate for many years and it was only when a fellow karateka mentioned that he also studied Tai Chi that I wanted to find out about this other martial art. Tai Chi is performed in what appears to be slow motion as the practitioner gracefully transitions between different techniques and stances. I thought …
Switch onto any documentary about China’s culture and you’re likely to see scenes of parks filled with elderly Chinese residents performing slow, graceful movements in unison. They are performing an ancient martial art called Tai Chi which consists of highly structured patterns of movement that transition from prescribed stances and positions. There is a huge …
China is famous for its vast number of fighting styles. Perhaps two of the best known are Tai Chi and Kung Fu. For me, Tai Chi is typified by scenes of groups of elderly Chinese practising slow graceful movements early in the morning. Kung fu, on the other hand, consists of acrobatic high kicks and …
As the sun rises in China, public parks and playgrounds welcome loads of people who move in graceful unison, flowing from position to position. This mesmerizing dance-like practice is Tai Chi. The ancient art is gradually increasing in popularity for its undoubted mental and physical health benefits. The various patterns of movements involve punching and …
In a combat situation, if skill levels are equally matched, the stronger and faster fighter will usually come off better. Technique should always be the primary focus of any martial artist’s training, but it should never be at the expense of developing strength and endurance. Many fighters make the mistake of going to the …
Isometrics for martial arts: how you can get really strong Read More »
Training with a heavy bag is an amazing form of exercise and is a reason why all boxers include it as part of their training regime. It builds amazing cardio-vascular endurance, strengthens the muscles and tendons of the body, develops hand eye coordination, and is an amazing way to release the frustrations of the day. …
A heavy bag makes an ideal addition to a home gym. It’s a valuable tool to develop full body explosive speed and power, hand-eye coordination, and stamina, as well as being an easy way to let off steam after a hard day’s work. Heavy bag work forms a major component of a boxer’s training regime …
Martial arts has seen a tremendous boom over the last ten years and it’s no surprise why. The physical component, combined with the mental disciplines and spiritual awareness, has made martial arts a way of life for many. If you’re looking to join in on the action and improve your physical, mental, and spiritual health, …
Krav Maga has sky rocketted to international popularity in recent decades as a no-nonsense and highly effective self defense system. I wanted to see how it compared to a more traditional martial art and for this I chose Silat, a brutal system from South East Asia. Here are my thoughts. Origins and History Krav Maga …
Most people who don’t keep a car in their garage end up using it as a storage dumping ground, filling it with items they can’t bear to part with or that may one day come in useful. However, if you’re looking to get in shape, with a bit of effort, the garage can be transformed …
