When someone tells you they study karate, or any Japanese martial art, your first question is probably, “What belt are you?” If they say black belt, then no doubt you’re thoroughly impressed. However, if they say white belt, you might simply nod, tell them that’s very interesting and wish them luck with their martial art training. What many people tend to forget is that those impressive black belts had to start somewhere.

What does the white belt really mean, though? Did you know that in traditional martial art training, the practitioners had no ranking system? Sure, there was a certain hierarchy within the dojo (formal karate training school): there were the beginning, intermediate and advanced students, the senior instructors and the Sensei (head instructor), but they had no colored belts.

Everyone had a white belt. The orthodox Japanese martial art of karate didn’t start with a colored ranking system until it came to America. As this author’s Sensei explained, the American student needed a measurement of progress, unlike the Japanese students.

Today, there are some schools that keep to the bare minimum of white, green, brown and black belts. Other schools like a little more flash and incorporate yellow, orange, blue and red. It all boils down to the same thing: something to keep your gi (karate uniform) closed.

Seriously though, in traditional martial art training, the difference between a white belt and a black belt was the amount of years you spent sweating in the dojo, paying your dues and how much knowledge you attained through your training.

In the Japanese martial art, the only thing a black belt represents is that you have mastered the basics and now the real work begins. Once you have reached this level, you start to learn the moves behind the moves.

The white belt in martial arts training represents innocence, birth and beginning. After many years of use, your white belt gets dirty from all your hard work (you never wash your belt!). It turns from white to brown and eventually black.

The funny thing is, that if you wear a black belt long enough, it will start to fray and you’ll notice that it’s turning to a white belt again. This, too, is symbolic: you never fully master everything in your martial arts training. A true master knows that learning is a never-ending cycle.

Your white belt is a symbol that you are trying to be a better person through the Japanese martial art of karate. Martial arts training has always been considered an ideal way to discipline yourself and reap some physical rewards at the same time.

Rather than being embarrassed of what your white belt signifies, look at it as a new pathway to a better life. Remember, a black belt is not far off if you continue to discipline yourself and work hard with your martial arts training program.

Knowing the art of martial arts is an asset for protection. Claim your free karate secret gift, and more useful information about the white belt from Mike Selvon’s portal, and leave a comment at his martial arts blog.

Tags: Wushu, Martial Arts, Judo, Jujutsu, Bruce Lee, JKD, Tai Chi, Grappling, Kickboxing, Karate

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No doubt, martial arts is one of the longest form of self defense technique that ever existed since the beginning of human civilization. Each part of the world region have their own version of martial arts. And if you observe the world history closely, Kung Fu, the chinese form of martial arts is perhaps one of the most well known and practised form of self defense arts from generation to generation.

And thanks to the exposures done by martial artists turned movie stars like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Bruce Lee and a few others, Chinese martial arts, more specifically Kung fu has spread beyond its ethnic root and is gaining attention from all around the world. Most people, when asked about what their idea about self defense are, kung fu, or karate-do. Let me spill out the truth for you. What you learn in school is not going to save your life if you’re involved in a real life situation.

And to be honest, I started to have interest in the martial arts when I was exposed to the Hong Kong dramas, so, that’s why if you ask me what I know about martial arts, I would say, I know them thru the TV and cinema. While it’s fun to see how Jackie Chan do his complex stunt action in his movies, just having half of what he know is already enough to save your life, or to do a counter attack in a real life fighting situation.

There are a lot of martial arts teachings available, and there is no right or wrong when it comes to which of them that you decided to learn. In fact, there are a lot of martial arts gurus like Bruce Lee who learnt so many types of martial arts and come out with their own styles. If you’re comfortable using weaponries, then you should at least try kendo and fencing. And if you’re like me, and interested to learn close combats skills, you can try Korean martial arts, Taekwando, or Japanese Judo.

But, always bear in mind to use your martial arts skill for self defense purpose. It’s always better to be prepared to face any dangers that may happen. Who knows you might be able to use your martial arts skill to save your life from a life threatening situation. We must do whatever it takes to save ourselves. Sometimes, even having a basic self defense skill can save your life. In real time combat, even a split second difference means a lot.

Chester Bleu is a street fighter and he aims to share his martial arts skills for self defense purpose.

Tags: Martial Arts, Hapkido, Kicking, Brazilian Jujitsu, Ninjutsu, Karate, Martial Arts Directory, kickboxing, Kenpo, Arnis

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The purpose of the article isn’t to sell you on the wonders and myriad benefits of practicing the martial arts.

Frankly, you may not need them.

It’s very unlikely that you’ll ever become the victim of a violent crime, and as you reach adulthood, the likelihood of getting into a fistfight diminishes as your real world responsibilities to your mate, your kids, and to your mortgage lender grow.

So, why do people, especially grown-ups, study martial arts?

The simple answer is to develop POWER.

When you boil it down, there are two kinds of power:

(1) Power over others, and

(2) Power over yourself.

If I were to guess, I’d say it’s the first type that attracts most people. Being able to bend others to our will, as it is portrayed in movies, looks very cool.

Not being picked on by those who would lord over us; also ranks high on most people’s lists of motivations.

Various martial arts kicks, hand strikes, and animal imitating moves, are appealing, as well.

But really, the power that is the most difficult to attain, and potentially the most rewarding in our daily lives has nothing to do with physicality.

It is the power which we can wield over ourselves, particularly in the area of restraint.

The other day I was provoked by a fool who not only cut me off in traffic, nearly causing a multi-car crash, but who pulled over, flipped me an unpleasant finger gesture, and menacingly invited me to match fists.

With my adrenalin pumping from a toxic brew of fear, anger, and overt provocation, I nearly gave him what he wanted.

Yes, I could have demonstrated my physical power over him, but a higher power, self-discipline, intervened, happily for both of us.

Realistically, you’ll probably never be called on to use your martial arts derived, physical skills.

So, if you want power over others go into corporate management or start your own business, and you’ll find plenty of it.

But if you want to master yourself, to make and break your own habits, and to summon the discipline to achieve nearly anything else, study the martial arts with that purpose in mind.

Best-selling author of 12 books and more than 850 articles, Dr. Gary S. Goodman is considered “The Gold Standard”–the foremost expert in sales development, customer service, and telephone effectiveness. Top-rated as a speaker, seminar leader, and consultant, his clients extend across the globe and the organizational spectrum, from the Fortune 1000 to small businesses. He can be reached at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Tags: Kali, Kickboxing, JKD, Grappling, Martial Arts, Martial Arts Consulting, Hwa Rang Do, Arnis, Bruce Lee, kickboxing

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There are numerous martial sports to choose from if you’re looking for a good workout, instead of martial arts traditional training. Of these martial sports, kickboxing is the most popular. If you want a martial art style routine to keep in shape, this sport might be for you.

Kickboxing, once of many martial art styles, goes back almost 2,000 years to Asia. Kickboxing made it’s debut into martial sports in the 1970s as a way for Americans with martial arts traditional training to compete with full contact.

These competitions were no-holds-barred and allowed the competitors to use kicks and punches otherwise banned in karate kumite competitions. Because of the hazards that any full contact sport presents, safety gear and ground rules were implemented into the competitions.

The martial sports of kickboxing are varied to suit all levels of involvement: from hard-core, full contact competition to cardio kickboxing classes at the local gym.

If you have decided that you want to try your hand (or feet) at kickboxing, there are a few things you need to consider with this particular martial art style. First, you have to be in shape to get in shape.

Kickboxing is demanding and plunging into a martial art school after having been inactive could put a lot of stress on your body. Take it slow and start easy. Don’t let your ego tell you differently.

Build up to your kickboxing training by first conditioning your body with low level aerobics or some other form of exercise that will build your endurance.

As with any martial arts traditional training, you should check out a class first. By doing this, you can see for yourself if kickboxing is for you or not. Ask the instructor how many beginners are in his or her class.

If there aren’t any, find out if the instructor would be willing to modify the routine to fit you in. Then again, do you really want to be the only beginner in an advanced class? Shop around and find the class that fits you best.

The qualifications in any of the martial sports are important, but your future kickboxing instructor may be the most important. Not only does the instructor need to have a high level of martial arts traditional training, but he or she also has to be certified as a personal trainer.

Ask them if they have certification from ACE (American Council on Exercise) or another established organization that specializes in training personal trainers and aerobic instructors.

Consult with your doctor before beginning a kickboxing or other martial sports routine. Martial sports can be exhausting on the body, so proper health is required to get the full benefits from this martial arts traditional training.

Kickboxing alone can strengthen your heart while burning a great deal of calories at the same time. The discipline and exercise involved with the martial sports routine can have an effect on everyday activities and aspects of your life.

Knowing the art of martial arts is an asset for protection. Claim your free karate secret gift, and more useful information about martial sports from Mike Selvon’s portal, and leave a comment at his martial arts blog.

Tags: Brazilian Jujitsu, Martial Arts, Judo, Martial Arts Yellow Pages, Tai Chi, Kempo, Ninja, Kali, Wushu, Martial Arts Business

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