Dressing Up To Train
Like all martial arts or sports for that matter, Aikido has their own set of uniforms. The aikidogi or the uniform used in aikido is similar to the keikogi used in most martial arts. Keikogi is a term used to refer to uniform for training.
This is a general term used to refer to uniforms of donned for traditional martial arts class. For Aikido its the aikidogi, for Judo its judogi, for Jiujitsu its the jujutsugi, karategi for Karate, kendogi for kendo and the shinobi-iri and shinobi shozoku for Ninjutsu arts. The training uniforms used in martial arts are often times referred to as mere gi or dogi.
Dressing Up to Train
The aikid?gi consists of simple trousers and a white jacket or uwagi or upper garment. For aikidogi, wraparound jackets used in judo and karate are acceptable. Judo jackets are thicker and are built for durability since in judo the jacket receives considerable stress from the techniques like seizing and throwing.
For aikidokas, judo jackets might be advisable since some Aikido techniques also involve some keikogi grabbing which could tear the cloth during practice. Sometimes, aikido uniforms are customized to handle precisely the stress in some techniques. Although, personalized or specialized aikodogis are uncommon. If you do find keikogi specially made for Aikido training, you’ll notice that the gi has reinforced kneepatches.
The jacket is also a little longer around the waist which allows the aikidoka to easily tuck them to their hakama. The Aikdo jacket might also have shorter sleeves since basic techniques of Aikido focuses on wrist grabs and twists. The uwagi might be made from heavyweight tightly woven terrycloth which is similar to uwagi of Judo or from heavy canvas similar to karategi. Regardless, both are strong enough to withstand the regular grappling and throwing found in Aikido training.
Martial Arts
Aside from the trousers and wraparound jackets, Aikido schools also add hakama, which looks like a dress or skirt, to the uniform. The concept behind wearing a hakama is to be able to hide the movements of the feet. The hakama is commonly black or indigo in color and are usually reserved for aikidokas that have received the dan rank.
In Aikido, most of the styles or schools use the ky?/dan ranking system which is the norm in the martial arts world. However, each style has different qualifications for meeting each rank and each style might use colored belts for ky? levels while others do not. In some schools the hakama is worn by all students regardless of rank. While in other styles, only female aikidokas are required to wear them.
When buying for first aikidogi it is important to make sure that the size and fit is right. Uniforms that are too small will constrict your movements while too big a size will get in the way of executing techniques. As mentioned before, in Aikido you’ll get considerable pulling, stretching, sliding, jumping and throwing thus the need for a set of uniform that will not easily tear from the regular training routine. Double stitched uniforms are usually stronger and will handle the stress.
Self-defense For The Disabled
People with disabilities can have a hard time in doing strenuous physical activities. Their disabilities limit their capabilities to push harder to any physically-demanding activities such as sports. Disabled persons are vulnerable to attacks. Nevertheless, their disabilities should not be the total hindrances for them to learn how to defend themselves.
There are different kinds of human disabilities. Commonly, blind, deaf or mute people are considered to be sensory impaired. However, these people only lose one or two sensory functions that have made them less than ordinary persons. Their physical aspects can still function. They can still be able to do physical things if only determined.
People who are mute and deaf or are blind can learn martial arts moves. Martial arts can be learned as self-defense for disabled persons. If still physically active, people with sensory disabilities can practice Kung Fu, tae kwon do or judo. Although hindrances and limitations exist in learning the martial art techniques, individuals with sensory impairment can still push their physical limits.
Deaf and mute people may have a problem in communication in the learning process of martial arts. Blind people, on the other hand, could have a really hard time in practicing the moves for it would require visual sense to learn the martial art techniques. Nevertheless, it is possible for these people to learn the ways of the martial artist. Time and patience would enormously be required for people with sensory impairment to learn these.
Martial art is regarded as among the popular forms of self-defense for disabled person. The moves of a particular type of martial art can improve the physical condition of a physically-disabled person. An example of this is Choi Kwang Do.
Derived from the more popular taekwondo, Choi Kwang Do is created by Kwang Jo Choi. The Korean creator based his new styles martial art on bio-mechanical principles.
Choi Kwang-do can be best practiced by disabled persons. The movements are done gradually based on the natural body movement pattern. The moves in this kind of martial art should be slowly practiced in sequential pattern.
Martial art seems to be the most common form of self-defense for disabled persons. Even people on wheel chair can still learn some of the basic moves in martial arts.
Certain benefits can be likely attained by people with disabilities such as improved confidence and physical condition.
Knowledge and good faith can still be considered among the best forms of self-defense for disabled persons. The things they learn form self-defense can be applied in real-life situations. Their confidence to face the challenges even with disabilities can also help them.
The Stunning Ring: Self Defense Wrapped Around Your Finger
Choosing a self defense product can be overwhelming. So when making this important decision ask yourself, “How quickly will I be able to defend myself with this product?”.
An attacker often waits for that person who is alone and unaware. They look for vulnerability. Most people do not have the luxury of a personal body guard, so you must protect yourself.
In the event of an attack you have very limited time to react. You will not have time fumble through your purse or bag for that pepper spray or stun gun.
You need the power to stop an attacker at your fingertips. You can do that with the Stunning Ring.
The Stunning Ring is a self defense pepper spray ring. It is creatively designed to fit a man or woman; sizes 6-14. Choose between silver or gold plating, complimented with a genuine onyx stone.
Because it is disguised as a ring an attacker would never know you have pepper spray. The ring can be worn all the time or you can slip it on when necessary. The Stunning Ring is convenient because it will be there when you need it.
The ring is worn on the index or middle finger of your dominant hand with the safety latch closest to your thumb. Simply point the ring at an attackers face. Use your thumb to release the safety and depress the actuator.
The Stunning Ring will release a 10% pepper spray formula with a heat rating of 2 million scoville heat units, 400 times hotter than a jalapeno pepper! The pepper spray canister has a 2-3 second burst with a range of about 12 inches and is replaceable.
In addition to causing an attacker pain, the Stunning Ring formula will swell the mucous membranes, which makes breathing difficult, and swells the veins in the eyes, causing the eyes to shut. Coughing, choking, sneezing, severe burning sensations to the eyes, nose, throat and skin, and nausea are also effects that will last 20-30 minutes but cause no permanent damage.
Once you have the attacker under control you can safely run for help.
I hope that you never find yourself in a situation where your safety or the safety of your loved ones is compromised. But I also hope that you can protect yourself if you do.
Laura Hite is the Marketing Director for Safety Technology, a wholesaler and manufacturer of self defense and security products. For more information on the Stunning Ring
Finding Quality Martial Arts Equipment
What’s your style? Are you a kung fu fanatic or a karateka? There are so many martial arts gracing the globe these days. Have you found the one that truly suits your body and physical attributes? This can be a challenge, no doubt. The good news is the information you can acquire from the privacy of your own home. There is a plethora of it out there to say the least. Find out anything you like about any style you prefer. Purchase all the personal martial art equipment you need to practice at home. In this day and age you can totally have your cake and eat it to. Are you ready to get the scoop self-defense?
What martial art equipment sits in your workout room or garage? Have you attained all the necessities for a good workout? This is imperative in my book. Everyone should have a decent heavy bag, a jump rope, weight set, speed bag, and floor mat. These are the bare essentials regardless of style. Speaking of style, this will certainly have an impact on the martial art equipment you desire. I like to practice Wing Chun, therefore I need my Mook Yan Jong. What is this you may ask? It’s just a fancy name for the wooden dummy. You’ve probably seen one of these in a kung fu movie of some sort at one point or another. It’s a great training aid for building close combat skills. A few other defense arts make use of this martial art equipment as well. As far as a heavy bag goes, I feel that this is the quintessential of fighting and self-defense arts. It’s imperative to practice hitting something that’s solid. Air doesn’t cut it. You need to feel the impact on your limbs. This is what great martial art equipment is for. Furthermore, if you really want to get good at what you do, then you must test it out in full-on sparring against resisting opponents. This is the only way to know if it measures up. You may find that it’s not what you hoped it would be, and decide to choose a different style.
Are you in the market for quality martial art equipment? Hey, the absolute best place to browse is the Internet. I don’t care what you’re looking for you will find it on the World-Wide-Web. After all, isn’t that what we have computers for? Hop online today and sort through all the useful martial art equipment.
More Martial Arts Techniques articles
Amazing Benefits In Boxing Workouts That Achieve More Than Just A Toned Body
You may want to get your health on track and build up a physically fit body by committing to the training in boxing fitness programs.
This is the ultimate way for you to achieve a tougher body and boost your confidence. Your fighting condition could be improved too with such boxing workouts.
Some positive results that many people can see after a few sessions of boxing training includes a strengthened and more defined arms and legs. Beside that, these sessions and classes will assist you in developing a sense of inner strength and emotional balance.
The mainstream physical fitness industry had boxing workout classes introduced to their routine sessions a few years back.
People are convinced when they saw the improvement in the areas of cardiovascular and toning of the muscles that are produced by this workouts.
If you are familiar Tae Bo training videos, you will know that boxing and kickboxing exercises are made popular by it.
The movement in aerobic exercises share a lot of similarities with boxing training. In cardio boxing classes you will immediately realize that the clever variations of aerobic movements is evident in their sparring jabs, power punches, defenses, leg works and overall body positioning.
To step up towards a more demanding workout you will need to learn the proper techniques of the punch and kick combinations. With knowledge of the right techniques, you will build up your confidence and thus your strength will develop faster.
All the combination that you execute on the jabs, blocks and kicks are done against an imaginary opponent. These are classes where students throw punches and stab their feet onto the air.
An emerging trend in this form of exercise can be seen at some sessions where robust equipment like punching bags or padded hands are utilized to add variation to the routine.
Whenever you commit to an hour of cardio kick boxing workouts, about 350 to 500 calories are burnt so you enjoy more benefits aside from the physical aspects.
Another thing to take note is that your heart rate can achieve 75 to 85 percent of regular heart beat and this is in the zone of recommended range during training any exercise period.
After a while you may also enjoy an improvement in your speed, resistance and enhanced flexibility and reflexes of your muscles. Try doing a repetitive movement on arms by sparring and punching while jogging to get your arms and legs strengthened and become powerful.
All this types of movement will improve your joints, develop balance and coordination which allows your body to be stable and have a great form.
There are other benefits of boxing or kickboxing beside the physical aspects. At the same time you will learn skills in self-defense which you may call upon in an unwanted situations.
The feeling of satisfaction and achievement can be felt whenever you execute a proper punch or kick. Some people will take it as a form of relaxation and to nurture a character of self-motivation.
Stress can be greatly reduced from your everyday life and you will feel a sense of relief. With stress minimized, you will be able to eliminate any feeling of anger that is within you.
You might remember an experience where you are very relaxed and free from stress or anger like on a vacation or a simple walk at the beach. Without such negative elements, your body will feel light and somehow you get the peace of mind you had been longing for.
If you asked around, many fitness trainers will recommend boxing workouts if they see that you are a beginner.
No matter what your body condition is right now, boxing training allows you to immerse in the session at the pace that you feel comfortable. The classes encourages you to push the boundary of your limit as long as you do it safely and are conditioned for it.
Boxing training will bring about a huge number of positive results. Get the physically fit body that you can be proud of and that will keep you in a superb shape.
Since you have the choice of working out and exercising at your own comfortable level, do have a great time and enjoy the fun of these boxing workout programs.
Danial Dawood is involved with various companies and individuals in the area of information management and unique learning resources. Stop reading and start learning visually from the huge selection of workouts designed by world’s expert for you to jump start your exercise program, visit http://www.my-linker.com/hop/workout-training-program
The Fluid Motion of the Snake Lends Itself Well to Kung Fu
The Fluid Motion of the Snake Lends Itself Well to the Art of Kung Fu
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If youve read my articles, you know I have two passions: Learning various Kung Fu styles and seeing them performed on television.
Ive been doing snake style Kung Fu for almost eight years. Once I moved into Kung Fu styles, snake was the first one I learned, because it had a lot of similarities to jiu jitsu. Like jiu jitsu, snake style kung fu is all about transmitting core body strength from the abdomen to the arms, and uses a lot of joint locks and grappling moves. Unlike jiu jitsu, it uses a more open stance, and tries for greater flow in motion, with more arm strikes and kicks. Particularly, it incorporates several weapon elements, including techniques applicable to sword use. It contrasts with a lot of contemporary styles from China, in the focus on blocks, throws and hitting from weird angles.
Martial arts with applicability to swords are totally cool. Before we get to the sharp, pointy things, lets talk about snakes. The reasoning behind snake style kung fu, as was taught to me, is that from the fluid motions of snakes, you can learn a lot about balance, body motions and striking power. Some people focus on the cobra strikes, trying to emulate the lightning quick attack of a cobra with an open palmed strike. Others focus on the nature of the python, which draws in to joint locks and throws and immobilizations. All of them focus on feints you learn not just the strikes, but the techniques to mask which strike youre throwing, or which joint lock youre throwing. Snake style is sort of like a cross between poker and chess. Not that youre going slowly enough to think while youre doing it since its all learned at the muscle memory level, but that youve got moves, counter moves and bluffs, all running at once.
Snake style kung fu isnt the most effective on defensive blocks. The blocks, parries and lateral motions are fundamental at best. Snake is a more offensive style, in the Northern version, which is what I learned. (Northern snake style is largely what got used for the cinematography for Sir Tes style the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.) Wudang Mountain, the superb school in the film, is renowned for producing great Snake Style Kung Fu artists.
Southern snake style is a much more recent variation, and dates back to the late 1800s. Its a mixture of classic Shao Lin forms, with harder, direct punches mixed with Wing Chun movements for a bit of fluidity. You can tell the practitioners apart, because the Southern stylists have a much more open and upright stance, and focus more on a variety of punches instead of a balanced set routine of punches, joint locks and holds. I won’t get into the discussion about which one is superior, since Im obviously biased having gone for the more traditional form of the art. Both styles are satisfying and will train you in solid martial arts techniques.
Yoshi F Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He covers the
mixed martial arts industry. For a free report on Southern Boxing: Nan Quan Kung Fu DVD visit his blog.
Welcome to the Survival And Self Defense Information Blog
Welcome to the relaunch of the Survival and Self Defense website. We have relaunched the site as a WordPress Blog which will allow us to easily run and update the website on a continuous basis.
We are going to try to cover every aspect of the wide range of information that is available on the topic of Survival and Self Defense. We will probably stay mainly within the martial arts areas of self defense and using the martial arts for survival: How to protect yourself on the street, How to protect yourself from being attacked. The martial arts we will try to talk about are Aikido, Karate, Jeet Kune Do, JuiJitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Gracie JuiJitsu and all the variations that are practiced in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and other Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competitions.
