Regardless of whatever sports you do or have done there is a good chance that you have sustained some type of injury of the years. One thing about old injuries though is they never seem to go away completely. Maybe it has to do with the saying ” a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link”.

If you have an old injury the best thing to do is try to strengthen the muscles, ligaments and tendons around the injury which will add more support to the injured area of the body. This is especially true with knee, shoulder, ankle and wrist injuries.

With martial arts there are more opportunities to injure yourself due to the nature of the particular martial art that you practice. Each one has it’s own type of predominate injury such as hands and knees for Karate, knees & shoulders for Judo, wrists & elbows for Aikido and so on.

This is not to say you will not get other types of injuries with a particular martial art or for that matter any sport that requires active motion but each sport due to the motion involved will favor certain stress on specific parts of the body.

If you have old injuries you need to take care of them by proactive therapeutic methods. A doctor can only do so much so it is up to you to educate yourself. This involves talking to to professional athletes if possible, research treatments and implement the knowledge that you have acquired.

For myself I do specific exercises to strengthen different parts of my body plus doing other exercises to prevent injuries such as situps to help with back injuries. Invest in therapeutic devices such as a tens unit, pulse laser, ultra sonic, electro magnetic therapy, sports rubs with capsicum & sweet birch, massaging vibrators, contoured ice packs, weight equipment for strength building, rubber bands for flexibility training and many others that will definitely help in your recovery.

If you want to continue for a long time in martial arts or any other type of sport it is imperative to take care of your body. With the right care & therapy there is no reason you can not keep practicing well into your 70′s.

Ever ask someone if they are a black belt in any particular martial art? It seems that this is the predominate question that comes up when there is a martial art involved. There are many people with so little knowledge that ask this question over and over.

It is quite natural and normal given the fact that martial arts still has a special cache for the uninformed. Fantastic feats of superhuman strength and abilities have been written of and described that have been supposedly performed by various types of martial artists. Karate practitioners breaking blocks of ice, concrete blocks and assorted solid objects without any type of techniques that make the task easier.

Other demonstrations involve sharp sword blades cutting a watermelon on someone’s stomach without harm and even people catching a live sword blade in mid air. Great to watch but these spectacles do not show the true spirit of martial arts and even serve to cheapen the martial art that is involved.

True there are `martial arts instructors that like to impress the masses that do not have a clear vision of what is involved in certain techniques or demonstrations but these I feel are the minority. The majority of martial artists especially those who hold a black belt are not exhibitionists that need their ego to be boosted. Instead the majority of black belts are quiet, unassuming and regular people who happen to practice a martial art.

So when a person that is not involved with martial arts asks the question, do you have a black belt the answer should be I have many belts that are many different colors. This usually silences the person because they really don’t know what to say after this answer.

The truth of the matter even with a black belt the path to understanding is a life long quest with each step adding to your knowledge. But with each step there are more questions that need answers to and the realization that there is so much more to learn.

Just about every martial art has some type of weapon that is sometimes dramatically demonstrated at a dojo or at seminars. The weapon will be whatever that particular martial art has utilized it for in the past to either defend oneself or to go into battle with.

It should be noted that most martial arts weapons are illegal to carry or use on the street in most parts of the country and I am sure this also applies to the rest of the civilized world so to speak.  This means that all your training with a weapon or weapons will be confined to the dojo, training hall or possibly your home.

Displaying the weapon in other more public places may get you arrested and also have your weapon confiscated. The other alternative is that a police officer will treat you as a possible threat and deadly force may be accidentally applied which means you could possibly be sprayed with pepper, shot or even both.

A person with a weapon that is in public is treated very seriously by law enforcement and they will not take chances when dealing with an unknown situation. So the first rule is; use your martial arts weapon only in the dojo, training hall or your home.

This rule may not apply to stick weapons such as a hanbo, jo or bo which just indicate the different lengths of the wooden sticks. Use common sense when carrying any type of martial arts weapon to and from the dojo or training hall because what seems innocent to you may look entirely different to someone else.

You should be cautious when dealing with handling weapons at all times. A simple solution to carrying wooden weapons is to get a carry case to use when transporting them outside in public. These carrying cases are relatively inexpensive and can solve many issues before they arise.

The wide range of weapons found in martial arts is quite varied and their roots usually come from ordinary objects and tools that were readily available to the common man. This was important because many of the weapons were developed to use against occupying forces such as the Japanese in Okinawa. Since obvious weapons were outlawed by the government authorities simple farm tools were adapted such as the bo, sai and tonfa.

With these weapons in plain sight yet hidden the common man was able to gain proficiency in defending themselves with such simple tools. Flash forward to the present time and you will still find these weapons being trained with in dojos all around the world. A true testament to the effectiveness of these types of weapons.

There are other types of ordinary objects that have been used as weapons such as chains, nails and walking sticks. Add sharpened items such as sickles, spears, knives and even swords and you have quite a list of usable tools for defensive and offensive actions.

Regardless of what weapon is used the basic principles of martial arts are needed to utilize the weapon in the best way possible. The body movements, the feet placement, the strikes and defensive blocking techniques are all used when training with a weapon in your hand or hands.

Obviously when first handling a particular weapon expert instruction is advised to prevent injuries to yourself or to others. On the surface weapon usage seems rather straightforward and this is where the first mistakes usually occur.

Even cleaning a katana with the powder and cloth can result in a serious cut since the blade is razor sharp and does not allow mistakes to happen without consequences.  So if possible find a qualified teacher for all types of weapons training. There is much more to mastering any type of weapon than is remotely obvious to the untrained eye

Anyone can swing a stick or try to cut something with a sword but to be able to do it efficiently and consistently is a whole different story. There are so many nuances and body movements that turn an awkward strike into a graceful and fluid motion. Since there are so many types of weapons I’ll just focus on some of the Japanese weapons that I am familiar with and have trained in.

These include the hanbo, jo, bo, weighted chain, tanto, bokken, naginata, yari and the jutte. All these weapons are traditional in nature and have a long history of use by the samurai and the common man. The samurai is most associated with the long sword often referred to as the katana. Then as is now sword training was with a bokken or wood sword as to prevent serious injuries or death.

Even after seven years of training the bokken is still a very difficult weapon to wield with precision, accuracy and control. Add to the basic bokken requirements; balance, fluid movements, timing and focus and you will get an idea of what is needed to even get a decent understanding of the weapon and it’s use.

My suggestion is to practice fifteen minutes a day on one particular weapon which will eventually lead to developing muscle memory, weapon familiarity and natural body movement while handling the weapon which should be your ultimate goal.

There are rules of etiquette when handling or using weapons which should be understood and remembered throughout your training. Here are some of the basic rules:

1.) Never step over a weapon that is laying on a mat. Step around it and this is usually to the left of the weapon.

2.) Never play with a weapon in the dojo and always use it in the manner prescribed by the instructor

3.) Never play with a weapon against a fellow student even in jest

4.) When handing a bladed weapon to a fellow student always have the blade facing you. This also applies to wooden knives and swords even if the blade is wood

5.) When using weapons with a fellow student use caution and control because serious injuries can occur

6.) When bowing in or out of class the weapon should be on your right and if it is an edged weapon the blade faces you

7.) If you have your own wooden sword or knife make sure that the surface is smooth and sanded down. Splinters will hurt a fellow student and periodically check to see if there are any cracks in the wood which can result in the wooden weapon spitting and flying across the dojo.

8.) Do not open someones katana without permission and definitely do not touch the blade with your hands or fingers. The moisture on your hands and fingers can cause rust if left unattended.

9.) Do adhere to the rules of the dojo when it pertains to weapons and weapons training.

One thing to consider when you are working with weapons and another student is to maintain your focus & awareness at all times. I will repeat this once more, your focus and awareness should not waver while training with weapons. It is imperative that you stay completely in the moment to prevent injury to your fellow martial arts student and to yourself.

A wooden weapon can easily crack open your head or break a bone if it hits you which is not supposed to occur. This also applies to bladed weapons that usually are not sharp but which are sometimes used in practice to demonstrate a bit more realism.

When practicing Iaido with a sharp katana then total focus is an absolute must because it can cut quite deeply with even the slightest mistake. When cutting bamboo mats also known as tamishigiri you must be totally aware of your surroundings and who is within the cutting distance of your sword. A good analogy would be to treat these weapons as you would a gun.

This is not a game or the movies where a mistake affects no one and is not real. Serious injuries can and do occur when training with weapons and this usually is the result of lack or awareness or respect for the weapon itself.

Another thing to consider is that in many traditional dojos if you turn your back, look away from your training partner or display a lack of awareness that training partner has the unspoken permission to attack you. This attack usually does not result in contact but it shows that if it were real you would sustain needless injury. A light tap or contact is all that is needed to remind your partner that they weren’t focused and aware of anything that was going on. This state is called zanshin in Japanese and advocates eye contact at all times with your awareness taking in all your surroundings at the same time.

It’s better to be reminded of your break in awareness & concentration in the dojo rather than on the street where the consequences can be life threatening.

You will notice that when training is weapons many people will have a haphazard approach to weapons training. Their attacks will be unfocused, their posture poor and their attacks lacking any type of true intent. This type of training is totally useless!

These types of attacks adversely affect the ability of the defender to adequately utilize the techniques that that have been taught. Without a focused determined attack it is impossible to create any sense of realism and both the defender and attacker do not gain valuable feedback.

The attitude of the defender is ” if you hit me, stab me or strike me then it’s my fault”. This onus is on the defender so the attack should be real and without hesitation. Conversely, the defense should be equally focused and with full concentration. If concentration slips then the defense will be poorly executed and with possible injuries to the defender.

Best to start slow with deliberate movements that are repeated over and over to develop muscle memory. Going fast in the beginning usually results in a very poor & sloppy technique that won’t get better with age. But regular consistent practice will give you a greater understanding of the weapon, it’s capabilities, your body’s movements in relation to the attack and how to best neutralize the attack.

Once a week is the absolute minimum you should be training in any particular weapon and also supplement your training at home.

The question you should ask yourself is what is the practicality of training with a weapon that was used hundreds of years ago in another country far away. Another point is that it is not usual to find a razor sharp blade being used to attack you nowadays.

Besides training yourself to utilize weapons as an extension of the body there are practical applications to training with ancient weapons. Many of the weapons you see in martial arts can be adapted to real life scenarios. A wooden sword is interchangeable with a stick and a rope is a great substitute for a chain weapon.

Ordinary items can easily be turned into weapons that are absolutely legal to have on your person and are not illegal until they are used to defend yourself in a manner that causes injury to the attacker. The transition between a martial arts weapon and a ordinary item is not difficult to bridge especially when you have a grasp of your body’s movement in relation to the weapon and the attack.

The tai jitsu also known as body movement will dictate the effectiveness of any weapon that you choose to use. Another important facet of your training is the ability to not telegraph your intentions so that the opponent will not be able to ascertain your next move. If the attacker is able to read your next move then his reaction may be able to  nullify your defense to your detriment.

to be continued…………………………………………………………………..

There are many reasons why people get into the martial arts and one of the main ones is self defense. Whether it is a young woman being afraid of being attacked or a man feeling insecure about his ability to protect his family from danger martial arts sometimes holds the key to security for many people.

When you go back to the roots of martial arts you will find the the sole purpose was to be able to save your own life while probably taking the life of your opponent. It was life and death sometimes on a daily basis on the battlefield and whatever techniques worked were added to the others that kept warriors alive!

These techniques then became the foundation of the different types of martial arts that are found in all parts of the world across the ages. Whether it was the Spartans in ancient Greece, the Shaolin monks in China, the Japanese samurai or the warriors of the early Koreans the concept is the same, survival.   Some of the older martial arts are still in existence which is a true testament to their effectiveness and longevity.

So fast forward to the present and the quest or desire to be able to protect yourself against all types of attacks or attackers is still very much the goal of many people besides the military or police personal. Unfortunately the expectations of most people are unrealistic to say the least.

The ability to thwart a serious attack especially one that is unexpected is one of the most difficult things to successfully accomplish. Many a high ranking martial artist has found out the hard way that all his training was useless when the adrenaline kicked in and panic took over. Some have even been seriously injured or killed over the years which highlights the serious nature of self defense.

If a experienced martial artist with years of experience can get himself or herself killed then what are the odds that a novice has in defending himself or herself? A very interesting question with wide ranging ramifications!

I would strongly recommend the book “Meditations in Violence” which has very powerful insights on violence, its effects on people with an eye towards the martial arts and the training that is required to deal with it. Excellent Reading!

So many people from all walks of life enter a martial arts school expecting to learn the secret techniques of self defense and all in ten lessons or less. What a ridiculous concept but an understandable one. With all the movies and special effects it is very easy to see how an inexperienced person can be fooled into thinking that there’s nothing to it.

One quick strike, a well placed kick and a throw over the shoulder and the attacker is left helpless on the ground. Good luck because you will need a lot of it if you find yourself facing a determined attacker or street fighter. This is no joke and anything less than a all out counter attack may be your only hope. Running is the first option that you should employ so a program of running regularly may be the best first line of defense.

If a person is honest with themselves they will realize that ten lessons will not really help them defend themselves and will dedicate more time & energy to truly learning a martial art that may give them the best chance at surviving an attack. But there are no guarantees that come with your lessons and this is a very real thing to consider because one day your life may depend on it.

A classic scene was in the movie “The Outlaw Josie Wales” when the group he was with was being attacked by Native American warriors and his words were to the effect that in order to survive they must resort to all out savagery with no hold barred in order to get out alive!

Other types of people that take up martial arts for self defense will find it too hard, too demanding, too violent and drop any and all desire to continue. This is very commonplace and after a while you will know which people will stay to train in the dojo and which people will drop out after a very short period of time.

The worse case scenario is the person who takes the ten lessons and then actually deludes themselves into thinking that they are now a lean, mean fighting machine ready to take on all attackers. This is a very dangerous state of delusion to be in.

Now here is something to think about! Most martial artists will never get into a fight for their entire lives and will never be attacked. I believe the reason for this is twofold. One, the awareness that you get from your martial arts training keeps you out of harm’s way and the aurora of confidence that you project unconsciously actually prevents attacks from occurring because you are not looked upon as a potential victim.

The wolf or lion does not attack the strongest animals but singles out the weak or injured animals to kill and eat. How do they know from a distance which is the strongest and which is the weakest? There are no obvious signs but yet they are able to tell and act upon their perception with obvious results.

The human predator also singles out the weak and their next potential victim by using a similar type of internal profiling system that picks up on certain movements or cues. This is their business and they are very good at it and also get off on the fear they create.

The experienced martial artist does not appear as a weak person or potential victim which prevents many attacks from even being considered in the first place by the human predator. They would rather go after an  easy victim than a potentially dangerous individual that could possibly cause them physical damage. This self defense mechanism comes about naturally through years of training & conditioning your mind and body.

From what I have seen even though I have not taken the martial art myself, Krav Magva seems to be a very good self defense martial art that is direct and dynamic. It does not require special uniforms, bowing or any type of classical martial art etiquette but does require a lot of physical contact. So be prepared for bruises, aches, pains and other injuries that are associated with a contact martial art that does not pull too many punches.

Most good self defense courses will be hopefully realistic with hard strikes, kicks to knees, gouging, elbows flying and take downs with finishing techniques. Some will have the padded person who absorbs the punishment protected by layers of foam and other protective material so that the student can actually feel the effect of his counter attack which provides excellent feedback.

Self defense serves to empower people to not be victims and the martial arts can be the conduit to their growth in confidence and overall awareness. This certainly does not mean that the concept of self defense is to be used as an offensive weapon consisting only of kicks or strikes but of also recognizing dangerous situations and avoiding them if possible.

Screaming, creating a commotion and running are also excellent tools in your self defense arsenal which should be included in any course that is taught by a certified instructor. Unfortunately just because the martial arts instructor is quite qualified in his or her particular martial art does not mean that they are the best self defense teachers available. There is no difference whether you are being taught self defense by a woman or a man in terms of techniques but some women may be more comfortable being taught by another female.

When you sign up for the self defense course make sure you give it the time it requires because if you are not used to physical contact in the context of defending yourself it may be very scary and frightening. It’s better to feel these emotions in a controlled environment and learn how to deal with them than being in a real situation that is totally uncontrolled & unscripted.

Repetition is very important to develop muscle memory and hundreds if not thousands of strikes, kicks, gouges, etc should be practiced in the class and if possible at home. Another thing that should be taken into consideration is that niceness and politeness goes right out the window when you are being threatened or attacked!

Eye pokes, throat strikes, ear compression strikes are all fair targets when your life is on the line. A Jujitsu instructor that was teaching at a dojo that I visited many years ago gave his students this pearl of wisdom ” I would rather be judged by 12 of my peers than be carried by 6″ This is a very powerful statement which will have it’s critics in the liberal end of the spectrum and probably in the legal & law enforcement fields.

Something to consider is that there is a strong possibility that if you have a black belt and you successfully defend yourself but the assailant is injured or killed you will find yourself being prosecuted to the full extent of the law. It is advisable that you research the laws of the state that you reside in that pertain to self defense.

This bias towards black belts might be the result of the Hollywood illusion that has been created to give the impression that a high ranking martial artist can easily disarm or incapacitate an attacker without causing any serious injury to him. Absolutely ridiculous!

Unless the attacker is dead drunk and can’t even stand up any attack and the defense you mount has the inherent risk of serious injury to either party. Now the intellects that formulate these self defense laws may actually believe that a martial artist can subdue an attacker regardless of the circumstances such as the attacker being just plain crazy, has drug fueled aggression or is a real angry person that wants to lash out at anybody that crosses their path.

It’s not going to happen according to the Hollywood script or to the dojo script. Many martial arts instructors are also guilty of this illusion or delusion which may be a more accurate description. Many an experienced martial arts instructor that I have encountered have advocated certain techniques that were guaranteed to subdue anybody or any type of attacker.

To prove their point they demonstrated the various techniques on a compliant student under controlled conditions. 100% of the time they were able to prove their point showing that it indeed worked as indicated. What a surprise!

The sad part is that many of the students will believe this to be true and this belief could cost them their life. Many of the martial arts instructors teaching have never been in a real fight and have not used any of the self defense techniques to successfully defend themselves. Thus the techniques have been untested and therefore unreliable in the true sense of self defense.

An example of this type of  myth is that if you strike an attackers nose  upwards with your palm it will drive the bone into the brain and kill the person immediately. This is not true but there are books and DVDs that still illustrate this as a real deadly technique that should not be used unless your life is on the line.

So it is very easy to see how an experienced martial arts instructor can be fooled into thinking that this or that particular technique will work when the chips are down. Since an instructor is usually taught by an instructor it stands to reason that a myth can keep going for many generations especially if there is no critical thinking and trial & error applied to each of the self defense techniques.

An example of what won’t work is the concept that a restraining technique such as a twisted arm or some other type of lock will not work on a determined, crazy adrenaline filled individual. Pain will not be felt in the normal fashion and trying to control such an individual usually requires many bodies on top. But the myth still pervades many jujitsu schools that an arm lock , wrist twist or  shoulder lock will be able to control an out of control individual.

Hopefully you will never be in the situation that finds you facing an abnormal attacker and/or street fighter that is enraged and possibly fueled by drugs, alcohol or by both. Your best bet is to run very fast from this type of person to live another day. It may sound pessimistic but I have seen people fight four or five people and it took that many to subdue him! Something to think about.

A strike to the throat or the eyes will cause damage and  rank up there as very effective self defense techniques while also being very dangerous. Its hard to control such strikes and the potential for permanently disabling the attacker is very high. Also body type, size, weight and strength all come into play when utilizing self defense techniques so it is true that one technique does not fit all situations.

I would recommend that you read Bruce Tegners books on self defense, pressure points and other great reference books. I really feel he was an overlooked pioneer in the martial arts way back in the 1960′s. It will be well worth it to include his books into your martial arts library which you should have already started adding to.

Remember that awareness is your first and most powerful defense tool. I pad earphones in your ear do little to help you listen for danger such as footsteps behind you and being distracted while texting does not allow you to be aware of anything except the little letters on the screen. Use common sense first & foremost.

Find a qualified self defense school and instructor to teach you the basics and maybe this will spark a desire to learn more and maybe even become a dedicated martial artist.

The term “martial Artist” is so commonly used that I feel little thought is given to what the term really means. Since it is comprised of the two words “Martial & Artist” let’s look at the meanings of both and see if we can combine them for a greater understanding of its true essence.

The term artist according to the dictionary refers to creativity, personal expression, imagination and superior skill. The word martial signifies war, armed forces, warrior characteristics, soldier like or warlike. An interesting combination of words.

When the definition of these two words are combined there is a vision of a warrior who uses creativity and imagination to crush his enemies. Is this what you envision a martial artist to be or if you are in the martial arts, is this you?

Just a footnote to think about!  When I look at boxing which I consider to be a real martial art have you ever heard of a boxer being an artist in the ring while he is engaging in the “sweet science”?

So why is a person who trains in a martial art considered an artist? When you first step onto the dojo mat you usually are a complete novice with absolutely no knowledge of what a martial art is really about. With small baby steps the novice begins to learn the basic techniques of the particular martial art that they are studying. After a while these techniques become ingrained into the muscle memory forever.

It’s only after years of consistent practice does the novice become a person who is somewhat proficient in the martial art of his or her choice. This process may take at least five years or maybe never depending on the individual.

My sincere opinion is that a person who practices a martial art does not become an artist until thought becomes secondary to unconscious action. It is at this point of his or her training that creativity and imagination can be used which is built on thousands of repetitive motions involved in the martial art techniques. This repetitive motion involves thousands of particular body movements, katas, exercises and all that makes up a particular martial art.

My feeling is that a very high percentage of people that practice a martial art will never become an “artist”. It is not necessary for a a person to make it a point to gain an understanding of the martial art they are practicing and it does not make you an idiot if you don’t have a clue. What is lacking though is the mind’s involvement in your training which will limit your advancement.

Many people that practice are like robots who continue to practice a martial art without getting to the next higher level. It almost seems like they are plodding along and not absorbing the essence of the martial art. This is an undefinable quality that is difficult to explain. But these people will give little thought as to why or how a technique can be used in different situations against different opponents.

In fact they may just keep training indefinitely with no thought at all and will even attain a black belt. Are they artists though? At a certain point in your training you need to look outside the box to attain a greater understanding of what you are learning or you are just wasting your time!

You can be a robot on the mat but it is certainly not the ideal goal that you should be striving for and will show in the execution of your techniques. Stiff, clunky and uncoordinated are just some of the adverbs that describe this type of individuals movements.

The difference between a plodder and an artist may be the inherent motivation that drives the individual. If you consider practicing a martial art as another form of a gym workout then it is obvious that this particular person’s development will be quite limited. For complete development in a martial art there needs to be a mental, emotional and physical dedication that is with you on and off the mat. This means that even if you are not actively practicing you should have the spirit of budo with you at all times.

It is a lifestyle that you should embrace if you are serious about your martial arts development. After a while you will find that it will be integrated in all facets of your life from the way you walk to your awareness of your surroundings. Only at this point can the term “martial artist” be remotely attributed to you and your abilities.

I would strongly suggest that you do not advertise the fact that you are a martial artist by your words or clothing. My feeling is that there are a lot of so called tough guys that see beating you as another notch on their belt so to speak. If you know who you are and what your skill level is then advertisements do mean a thing. In fact it may be considered bragging or boastful to some.

Remember, a sucker punch will take down any martial artist if the conditions are right and you will end up a loser or dead! Add to this equation a knife or stick and then the odds start adding up against you. Is it worth your health to feel the need to tell the whole world that you take this or that martial art and what particular belt you hold? I don’t think so but it’s up to you to tempt fate.

As an artist you need to keep developing internally and externally towards a goal that can never be totally attained because there is no perfection. If people ask about your training just say I take whatever martial art and leave it at that.

Keep in mind though many years ago a martial art equaled mortal combat where usually only one person survived in a two man contest. The techniques that worked were brought back to the ryu or school by the victor and incorporated into the fighting system and others that were found useless were discarded. The term martial artist I am sure did not exist back then but survivor was probably very popular as noun to describe the last person standing.

No, it’s not the Republicans vs. the Democrats battling each other for supremacy for over a hundred years or more. But in martial arts it is certainly more entertaining especially if you are on the sidelines.!

It seems that in just about every martial art whether it be a classical style or a modern hybrid the ridiculous nature of politics intrudes. If it’s not the senior student jocking for position & recognition then it is the head of the system fomenting dissension by practicing nepotism. Sure most systems back in the day passed from father to son and it was accepted as common practice even if the son was totally unqualified the lead the school.

But in recent times this has caused major disagreements within the ranks of  more qualified martial artists and sometimes results in a mass exodus. Whether the son leaves or the senior student leaves the outcome is the same which is a very splintered martial arts organization which further divides the rest of the students in terms of loyalties and preferences.

Most Karate styles and many Aikido schools have been the result of this splintering effect. Is it good? Who knows considering the fact that the roots are the same even though the new style takes on a different name and direction. What is different is the dominant personality of the new and improved martial arts schools that tend to flourish more so in America than other places in the world.

Possibly it’s the inherent personality of the Americans that fuels this trend and maybe the rest of the world is wrong in sticking to the same old martial art with the same old name. The fact of the matter is there are only so many ways to punch, kick and twist someone into a pretzel which makes the different martial arts schools less than the differences and more of what binds them together in a long historical tradition.

So whatever the name is there is a long history behind each technique and there should be the realization that there was someone a long time ago that did the technique first. Over the millennium the techniques were perfected based on the need at that particular time in history. Whether it’s Wushu, Jujitsu, Karate, Judo or Muy Thai just to name a few there are many similarities that can be observed by the trained eye.

Look closely at the body movements, length of stride, deflection techniques, hand & foot strikes, blocking movements and the similarities will far outweigh the differences. That is if you are honest with yourself and are not biased towards the particular martial art that you are practicing. The roots are there for everyone to see and observe.

In fact as a dedicated martial artist it is your duty to keep an open mind and learn from other martial arts and other martial arts teachers. This will improve your own training and understanding of the martial art that you have committed time, money and effort into. Don’t have a closed mind!

But let’s get back to good old fashioned politics which usually comes down to the statement that I am better than you and my martial art is also better. Take any martial art and you will find a mindset that dictates the understanding that it is the best one that you can train in. This comes from the top and works it’s way all the way down to the white belt student. The logic behind this might be that if you didn’t say this then the prospective student may look elsewhere. I don’t know but there is no best martial art just better martial artists that you will encounter.

This feature of “best” is quite evident in many styles where the head instructor is considered a living god by many of his acolytes and anything said to the contrary is considered sacrilegious. Now it might be nice to be a living god,grand master with a red belt or have some made up title and have people fawn over you and worship you & the ground that you walk on.

I think it is quite alluring to be treated in such a manner and may corrupt the person that is being worshiped. Adulation at it’s highest form should be reserved for only religious figures and even then with restraint. So you have these head instructors that have either been promoted to this exalted rank or broke off and started their own system and elevated themselves.  If I was a cynic then I would also consider the money aspect of this exalted rank which does make money for the head of the organization and sometimes a lot of it.

Consider a martial arts style that has 30,000 members worldwide and then multiply their yearly membership dues plus extras such as patches and you will realize that this  is big business. Which I believe also fuels the separation & animosity of senior students from the main organization. Money can cause jealousy and envy and even the martial arts are not immune.

Lest I be considered a total cynic there are organizations that seem to have bypassed this grab for glory and money. I commend them and the head instructors because I feel that this reflects the true spirit of budo. Once you pimp yourself out then you have strayed from the path and most definitely from the “way”. So all the money in the world and the best techniques that go along with your fancy world headquarters does not make you a true martial artist.

On the internal politics end of it there will also be the scorned student who feels slighted and left out. This is usually the most senior student who is passed up for some type of promotion or commendation that he or she feels was rightly deserved. It can also happen to lower ranked belts who usually leave the dojo and find another to take it’s place where hopefully they can obtain the coveted black belt.

Usually the high ranked scorned student will get angry and feel hurt but not necessarily in that order. The senior student being immature will not discuss the problem with the head instructor or founder of the martial arts system. This obviously causes more problems and then the situation escalates totally out of control whereby the senior student leaves and starts his own system. I have actually seen this three times in different martial arts that I trained under or had experience with and there was always the anger and hurt feelings that went with the departure.

Another aspect of politics will be the awarding of belts and high ranking in a particular martial arts organization. It should be noted that after a certain point the belts are given for time in, effort & contributions, who you know and age. Sounds just like the rest of the world and because it’s made up of people it is!

This being said, it does not diminish the the ability of the high ranked black belt and certainly if it is given it is rarely refused. But a 3rd degree black belt may not necessarily be less knowledgeable than a 8th degree black belt. After a certain level it does not mean anything more than an honorary recognition of the individual and his abilities as seen by his peers and the head instructor.

So for all those 15th degree and higher black belts out there in the world I commend you for attaining such a high rank in usually a relatively short period of time. Again I may be a bit skeptical but I feel that if there are more than eight to ten degrees of black belt in a martial arts system then  something is amiss. With every promotion there is usually a cash payment involved and if you add up a lot of black belts on your waist then you will realize that there is also a financial incentive to promote your senior students on a regular basis. Strange but true!

The other politics that you will always find in a martial arts school is the proverbial pecking order that separates the high ranking students from the lowly ones that wear white and other colored belts around their waists. I think this is unavoidable based on the classical martial arts tradition. The notion of the sempei which roughly translates as your senior in the class.

This is an age old tradition that still lingers today and in my opinion is not too bad even if you far surpass your fellow senior who may have started a day earlier than you.  Quaint may be the best description for this practice and in America it is not as widely recognized.

The belt differences initially do mean something in most martial arts schools since it is fair to reason that the black belt has many more years of experience than you. Until you are proficient in the martial art it is best that you listen and learn from the sensei and higher ranked students. Now you will find that not all higher ranked students are knowledgeable or even proficient in the martial art that you are both studying.

It may be disappointing but again the testing procedure may be lacking or even a bit lax. If this happens then the black belts in a particular school may be in reality no more than brown belts. But don’t tell that to the black belts because the reaction will probably not be pleasant. Case in point is my own experience.

Presently I am studying a classical jujitsu style and have been doing so for over seven years now. Based on my past knowledge and experience I am able to learn quite quickly even though old habits die hard. So it has been my choice to fore go promotions even as students who joined later on now are wearing black belts. Why you may ask don’t you just take the promotion tests and pick up another black belt?

That’s a great question and I wish I had the total answer. One, was when I was taking it with my son I didn’t want him to get into a competition with me over belts so I stalled the process. Then he left martial arts to take up track and I was left with a choice again. Go up the ranks or take it slow and easy and if I get another black belt so be it.

But I am absolutely sure that there are many fellow students that look at the color of the belt on my waist and feel a bit superior. Never judge a martial artist by the color of the belt because looks may be deceiving.  In fact I may want to teach one day and that black belt along with the others will be needed to establish credibility. Even I am susceptible to the allure of the black belt and I have consciously resisted it in favor of a purer sense of the martial arts.

Besides a black belt won’t help you too much if all you did is go through some forms and recite back the meanings of the techniques that are required for promotion. It don’t mean a thing if you can’t back up that belt when the shit hits the fan, amen. This sounds rather harsh but the reality is if it does not work when you need it then you have big problems even if you are a 10th degree black belt in whatever martial art that suits your fancy.

Politics won’t work against a 250 lb enraged animal that wants to rip your face off! There has been many a high ranked martial artist that has been hurt or even killed by someone with no specified martial arts experience unless of course you want to count the street as their school. In fact, last year a Tae Kwon Do instructor was killed in a Brooklyn street fight by an ex-con wielding a knife.

One last word about martial arts politics: It will exist in every organization, school and style and it is up to you to refrain from engaging in it. It takes up time, energy and in my opinion does little to advance your martial arts training & knowledge!

Let’s face it, as you get older your body does not act the same way that it did twenty or thirty years ago! I don’t care what shape you are in the fact of the matter is there are more limitations as to what you can still do and at what level.

Those break falls were a lot easier twenty five years ago and I am sure the strikes that land on your body felt softer too. Another thing that can be guaranteed is that old injuries will keep reoccurring reminding you of all the things that can go wrong on the mat. It could be calcification in your joints, chronic knee pain, arthritis or a stiff back.

There is a simple formula that says, the more you practice in a martial art the more injuries you will receive! Many a great martial artist has retired due to a chronic injury that has caused pain and discomfort on and off the mat.

I know a respected third degree Karate black belt that after twenty years hung up his belt and took up golf with the same passion that he had for full contact which occurred just after a couple of broken ribs in randori. The good news is that after two years of inactivity and twenty extra pounds he has returned to a new Karate style. Kudos to Kenny!

This may sound sacrilegious but if you see a very high ranking and older martial arts teacher demonstrating a technique in say Judo or Aikido very few will be doing any break falls. Another thing to look for is the cooperative senior students taking spectacular break falls which makes the teacher’s techniques appear fantastic.

A good uke or demonstration partner can make any technique look great which is not to say that the respected martial arts teacher does not know what he is doing. Quite the contrary I believe that the older teachers are a wealth of knowledge that should be treasured. But I do think that you must suspend your sense of belief in the demonstration’s viability for the most part.

A well respected martial arts teacher when he is in his 70′s or 80′s is not the same person with the same strength,flexibility and agility that he had twenty or thirty years ago. Except for rare cases it is impossible!

You will hear a lot of stories about the old martial arts masters doing fantastic things well into their 80′s such as defeating much younger black belts and these stories should be taken with a grain of salt. Most of these stories originate from the senior students of the elderly teacher so a sense of respect & awe prevents objectivity. This is especially true with randori where speed and strength  are very important assets.

I do believe that with Kendo and other weapon forms the old martial arts master has a better chance of defeating a much younger black belt due to the sense of timing and advanced awareness that comes from so many years of training.

When considering practicing & training in martial arts after the age of fifty certain things need to be looked at. What martial art are you practicing, how often are you going to the dojo, how hard or soft is the style and does the sensei understand the older students limitations and possible old injuries that exist? These questions can help prevent future injuries and make your martial arts experience much more enjoyable.

After a certain age which varies for different people many of the techniques are harder to do or have them done to you. Wrist twists, hard falls from heights, hard strikes and blocks are among the many different types of martial arts techniques that will be more difficult as you get older. Of course there will be the hard core martial arts animal that seems inhuman but this individual is the exception to the rule.

One thing I found is that the mat gets harder as you get older! It’s one of the unexplained mysteries of martial arts and is true for all mats in the world. But just being on the mat after the age of fifty is 75% of the battle and you should be commended for still training in a martial art. The majority of people in your immediate age group are overweight, out of shape and probably watching TV at the same time you are working out in the dojo of your choice.

So be proud of your accomplishments and stay as long as possible on the mat. It is the best therapy that you can get for the amount of money & time involved. Most people will go to some therapist to tell their problems to and maybe even get some prescription drugs to help alleviate all their internal problems. My feeling is that if many of these people took up a martial art their problems would lessen and their overall outlook would brighten.

This is not to say by any means that everyone can benefit from martial arts and that all their problems will go away. Obviously major mental illness will not be cured by martial arts but the majority of people that visit a therapist are not plagued by major mental illness issues but either are confused or unwilling to face reality.

If you find yourself on the mat after the age of fifty this does not mean that you should just be there. Slacking off can be easy if the sensei does not call you on it so take some responsibility and try as hard as you can which will be a great example for the younger students. Intense training and hard practice can be done but will require you to ease into it especially if its been a while since you have been on the mat. So pace yourself until you can build up your endurance, strength and refine your techniques.

This will be true for former martial artists that come back to the dojo and even more so if the older martial artist takes up a totally different martial art. Such as a Karate practitioner taking up Judo or visa versa which can give you a real boost in attitude. The newness of the different  martial art can serve to give you the sense of the beginners mind once again.

Whatever martial art you take up you should realize that time is passing each and every day so this means that you should take every opportunity to get on the mat. This is not to be taken lightly because one day all you may have is memories of your time in the dojo so value each moment you are there. Excuses to avoid going to the dojo are easy but having the discipline to go when you are tired, sore or unmotivated makes you special.

There will be a time in the future where the break falls will be impossible to do, the strikes and blocks will be too painful and other actions just won’t be safe especially when brittle bones come into play. So what do you do when this happens? Quit? No, there is another possibility to consider!

Take up a less contact oriented martial art such as classical weapons which can still be practiced just as long as you can move your legs and arms. In fact Iaido, Kendo, Jojitsu and countless other styles can still keep you in the game. Just because you can’t move as quickly as you used to does not mean that weapons can’t fill the void as you get older.

A slower pace is possible and with all your previous martial arts experience the foot work and body movements are easily adaptable to your weapons training. No need to hang up your martial arts uniform just because your receiving your social security check every month! The same diligence should be adhered to when choosing a weapons martial art, the particular dojo and the sensei. All the same rules apply so use your experience and common sense and you’ll be fine.

When you finally pick the martial arts weapons school invest in your own weapons whatever they may be. If you are using wood weapons then under no circumstances buy a cheap weapon. They will break, chip, splinter and split on contact with another weapon wielded by your fellow student. The other thing to consider is that a cheap weapon can hurt someone if it flies across the dojo or scrapes against someones skin and leaving splinters.

You get what you pay for and this is especially true with martial arts weapons which means you will end up investing more money on the replacement weapons. Don’t buy cheap stuff and this is true with uniforms too! I have gi’s that are over thirty years old and still in good condition.

If you are in Iaido or Kenjitsu then buy a good sword and I would recommend a Paul Chen or Cold Steel sword for the money value, quality and durability. With wood weapons a great product is made by Aznar in New York which makes fantastic weapons with an unconditional guarantee. You can’t go wrong with these companies!

Now the bad news. Weapons training is not without injuries and they will occur from time to time. A block may not be quick enough, a body may not move at the right time and an occasional toe caught on the mat will result in a sprain or slight break. It’s no big deal after all you have already gone through in your martial arts career so enjoy the experience. The weapons training can bring you a much deeper understanding of martial arts and total focus.

Just because there is less physical contact does not mean it is an inferior martial art. In fact, I truly believe that classical weapons training is one of the highest forms of martial arts that you can learn. The other benefit is that you can participate well into your 80′s instead of sitting on a bench in the sun waiting to die.

Most modern & even classical martial arts have some type of rank promotion whereby the students are able to progress in the class and in the martial arts system. This progression usually is accompanied by some new colored belt that will be worn until the next promotion.

In Aikido and other soft styles fighting is not a prerequisite for attaining your new higher ranking in the particular martial art that you are studying. Other fighting martial arts such as Judo, Karate and many styles of jujitsu require some type of competition to basically show that you can implement the techniques in a more active setting.

This does not mean that one form of promotion is better than the next but it is important if you are in a martial art that dictates fighting for your belt then that is what you should do. The reason I mention this is because many fighting styles will substitute time in and allow the student to fore go the fighting aspect of promotion.

Maybe I am a purist but if the black belt next to you fought for his belt like everyone else and you get one without fighting for it then it seems a little like cheating. I am more familiar with Judo promotions whereby you need to fight a certain amount of times against a certain amount of opponents to attain higher ranking.

This is how it was done since the beginning and to this day is the same method utilized in Japan for attaining a black belt. Many years ago the USJA was formed to create an organization that was not under the direct control of  Japan. With its development the USJA under Phil Parker also took over the belt rankings of Judo students in America.

It was now possible to attain a black belt under various circumstances which did not involve fighting for it! Well, I am sure there was a logic to the decision based on older students who could not fight or did not want to do so along with the money aspect.

Not to blow my own horn but I fought in promotion tournaments and did not attain enough points to get my black belt. Some of it was a size issue since I was fighting at the time in the 132 lb weight class and ended up fighting opponents over 200 lbs. Now despite what you have heard or read; if two equally matched Judo players are fighting and one is out weighed by a considerable amount then chances are that person that weighs the most will win most of the time.

This is not to say that my techniques back then were perfect or my ability to imbalance the other guy worked which in fact they did not accomplish that task which resulted in my losing the matches. After everything was said and done by the time I stopped competing I had a knee operation and numerous other chronic injuries so when I stopped doing Judo it meant that my ranking would stay at brown belt.

Not the end of the world but a little disappointing in terms of goals that I had set for myself. Now about the time I was winding down I did have an opportunity to apply for my black belt through the USJA based on the time put into the sport, all the tournaments I participated in and my overall knowledge of Judo. I took a pass because I figured if I didn’t earn it the old fashioned way then it was not going to mean the same. So many years later I still feel the same way.

Now there are people that will do anything to get a black belt which may result in switching schools until they find one that will give them their coveted prize. There will also be martial arts schools that will happily oblige this type of individual so they can expand there bank account.

For the purist the main thing is to know the martial art you are studying from the basic techniques, its history and up to & beyond all the advanced techniques & katas. Many martial arts require just knowledge and showing that you can perform the designated techniques. This is fine and may be even advisable in a martial art such as classical Jujitsu or Muy Thai where fighting for promotions in full contact can result in many types of injuries especially if more than one fight is required.

There will be students that will get upset or even quit if they are not promoted when they think they should. This is unfortunate but if the student does not know what is required for the next belt or has poor, sloppy techniques then it is up to the sensei to say no to the next belt. This should prompt the student to practice harder to perfect his or her techniques or katas so when the next promotion comes up they will be totally prepared.

Another thing that comes up in belt promotions is the choke! This is where a good student who has practiced diligently and knows all the techniques, the katas, names, etc gets up and forgets everything in front of the class. Embarrassing to say the least and it is just like a person freezing up when needing to speak in public or in front of a group.

This should not be considered a weakness and the student should be given time to compose themselves and try again. The sense of accomplishment will be much greater if the student is able to overcome their stage fright and complete their promotion test. Everyone should be supportive including the audience, the fellow students and especially the sensei.

If you are going for a promotion then make it your business to be prepared so you don’t waste the classes time, the sensei’s time and your time. It is better if you don’t even try for a promotion if you don’t know what is required or have poor technique & form which is inexcusable. Whether it is a month or six months later it is better to be as ready as possible for the promotion test then give a half assed effort.

As was indicated in part 1 martial arts injuries are numerous and can be serious in nature. Last year I broke my ankle by someones lack of awareness or more accurately someone broke my ankle for me. Mat awareness will be covered in another article but lack of awareness can cause injuries.

This awareness or lack of often results in many minor injuries such as hyper extended joints by students that do not realize the pressure they are applying to their fellow students elbows or wrists. This is especially troubling when this type of student is working with women who usually have thinner wrists and less pliable elbow joints.

The sensei is first & foremost responsible for overseeing the students and making sure that this type of reckless behavior is not an everyday occurrence. This is important so the martial arts school retains most of its students and as a rule of thumb students that are not hurt usually stay longer which is good for the overall financial health of the sensei & his or her school.

Most minor aches and pains can be taken care of with rest, ice, heat and possibly an anti-inflammatory drug such as aspirin. Sore muscles are normal if you are very active and this is true in a dojo because many of the warm ups and repetitive training techniques cause stretching of ligaments and different muscle groups.

This will be compounded if you attend many classes during the week which may result in a contact state of soreness. For minor aches and pains check out the all natural pain relief sports rub; Martial Arts Ultra Sports Balm. It’s better that Tiger Balm and unlike Tiger Balm it contains no petroleum byproducts and other synthetic compounds.

Anything more serious may need medical attention so if in doubt pay a visit to your medical doctor or the emergency room if it is after hours. You will find that the doctor that treats you will be less than enthusiastic about how you hurt yourself and the martial art that you are training in. Just part of package when you are involved in a martial art.

Once you step onto the mat to train in whatever martial art of your choosing the risk of injury is ever present. From the minor toe or finger sprain to the more painful serious injuries such as torn rotor cuffs, hyper extended elbows, twisted knees, torn ligaments and concussions are only a few of the injuries that can be sustained on the mat.

Most of the injuries you get will require some type of attention and some of the more serious types may even may require an emergency room visit. So the key point is to be able to treat the injury immediately so it does not become chronic in nature.

The reasons for injuries are as numerous as the martial arts that cause them. The thing to look out for is an excessive amount of injuries that are being experienced by the students in a martial arts class because this may be caused by the curriculum, school philosophy and even the sensei.

Of course there are martial arts that do experience more injuries due to the amount of physical contact that is a major part of the martial art in question. Some examples would be Karate, Jujitsu, Boxing, Muy Thai to name just a few.

Each particular martial art has it’s own type of injury or injuries that are indicative of the art itself. Judo players have knee, shoulder, broken fingers & toes and hyper extended elbows. Karate & Muy Thai practitioners suffer concussions, twisted knees, broken hands, ankle fractures and broken noses.

Jujitsu students tend to experience all of the above mentioned injuries due to the fact that it is a combination of throwing, striking, grappling, choking, kicking and punching.  I believe this is also true with Mixed Martial Arts since it also incorporates all types of martial arts in the daily training regime.

In juries are a fact of life and even more so when training in a martial art so you need to be prepared to accept the consequences. Most dojos will have a medical kit for minor scrapes, breaks and cuts that will suffice for the majority of injuries sustained during the class. The most important item in the medical kit will be a roll of tape which is extremely versatile in treating broken fingers and toes.

Basically the treatment consists of taping the broken toe or finger to the adjacent toe or finger for support. This can be done during the class so that you can continue training or fighting if your pain threshold is high. Sometimes just a scrape will prevent some students from continuing to train which is unfortunate because I believe you need to increase your pain tolerance for real life situations that may present themselves to you.

If you are attacked and possibly end up with a broken nose there is no timeout allowed on the street and you better be able to endure the pain and react accordingly as per your training because the consequences may be turn deadly if you don’t.

When I was doing Judo a jammed finger was treated by my sensei by just pulling it out and taping it up which is a bit hardcore but in Japan this was just the way it was done. Obviously if there is a bone showing or horrible swelling then a trip to the emergency room is advisable.

In all martial arts you will find students that get dizzy, have shortness of breath and nausea. This usually happens in the summertime due to the heat coupled with the fact that the student is sometimes out of shape or overweight. It can be very disruptive to the rest of the class especially when it occurs frequently. I may be a cynic but I do feel that many students use this as an excuse to get out of the warm ups or the more strenuous training.

The problem is that the sensei is ultimately responsible for the health of the students and if there is a hint of negligence the lawsuit can bankrupt the school. This is not to say that there are legitimate reasons for students to take a break during the class but if it becomes frequent then the sensei may need to address the issue with the student in private.

The other solution may be for the student to also supplement his martial arts training with aerobic and cardio exercises to build up his or her endurance. If this is not working or the student does not wish to do so then the solution may be another martial art that is slower and requires less motion such as Tai Chi.

The martial art should fit the student’s expectations, body type, endurance level and goals. If it honestly does not then it may be time to find a more suitable martial art!