What a True Martial Artist Is By:Joshua Peacock

What is a true martial artist? Here are a few of many things that defines one.

A true martial artist is, in essence, a warrior. Not necessarily an actual soldier, or person who wears armor and carries weapons, fighting wars as a profession. He/she may not be these things. What the are, however, are disciplined, sharp individuals that will persevere through rough spots in life. They are willing and able to adapt.

He/she is a person who respects both tradition and revolution. He/she will strive for more knowledge in all areas, constantly pushing towards another level of skill and understanding. He/she not only practices the physical aspect, but also respects and benefits from the mental aspects of the martial arts. They constantly strive to better themselves, upholding a moral code, both mentally and physically. They understand the wisdom is just as powerful as physical strength.

A true martial artist is confident but very humble. He/she restrains himself from drawing attention to his/herself through the showing of their skills. True martial skill is dangerous, and therefore it should not be displayed, nor should the fact that you have any martial knowledge. A martial artist values anonymity.

He/she is also open minded. He or she will always listen to someone else's opinion, and give a new concept a chance. He/she is courteous, polite, and respectful.

He/she has a high level of integrity and self discipline: a true martial artist does not need to word or eyes of another to do something, and to do it with a high level of quality. He/she is honest and trustworthy.

He or she accepts a high amount of responsibility when teaching in the martial word. He/she must always be honest about teaching legitimately, as well as if what they are teaching is authentic and effective. He/she also has the responsibility to always research and learn new methods, as well as continue to perfect the old.

He or she is dedicated to any cause they take up, and loyal to any person they become friends with. If someone is in need, a martial artist is obligated to help. If a fake martial artist is using his skills to hurt someone wrongfully, then it is the true martial artist's responsibility to stop it.

A true martial artist will never abuse his or her knowledge, and will only use it for the good of others (Teaching people to defend themselves, as well as defending people who are defenseless; or even using it to serve your country).

That's a lot, but its true. Meditate on it.

The Pros and Cons of Carrying the Best Self Defense Weapons By:Steve Gib

So what kind of implications are involved in carrying my list of the best self defense weapons? I will try to cover the pros and cons of carrying a concealed weapon for self defense purposes. I'm not a lawyer so if you want legal advice on weapons, talk to a pro.

Best self defense weapons pros #1 - When you use a weapon against someone physically attacking you, you will have the upper hand. Especially if you use the weapon with the element of surprise and maximum hostility. If you threaten an assailant with a weapon, chances are he will disarm you, then use it on you.

Best self defense weapons pros #2 - If your attacker pulls a weapon on you, you have the legal right in most places to use a weapon against him as well. However, it can also be ruled that both of you were in the wrong, so be aware of the implications of using a weapon. But if your attacker is threatening you with a weapon, take him down with yours first!

Best self defense weapons cons #1 - A problem with carrying a concealed weapon is that it is a crime in some areas. I have found that if you get a carrying holster or case that is visible you won't have the problem explaining to a police officer why you have a concealed knife in your back pocket.

Best self defense weapons cons #2 - Like I stated before, another problem concerning weapons is that a bigger or faster, or simply drugged up criminal could disarm you if you don't use force and power with your weapon. Carrying a weapon is only effective if you can deploy and use it.

When carrying self defense weapons always remember that acting first generally means a victory.

Street Fighting Techniques Every Martial Artist Should Know By:Steve Gib

A lot of mainstream dojos and training halls of the martial arts don't teach valid street fighting techniques or incorporate them into their style. Let's face it, if you are learning an outdated form of combat how will it apply to the streets? I'll share some ideas below:

Street fighting techniques #1 - Attacking the groin. You can never ever go wrong with attacking a male attackers groin. Use any way of attacking it you can. Punching, grabbing, twisting, smashing, kicking, you name it, it will work. Simply because it is a vital area to attack that causes intensive pain to any male.

Street fighting techniques #2 - Attacking the eyes. If you don't have the power for a one punch knockout, being able to just stab your fingers into a bad guys eye sockets can cause serious damage and pain to the bad guy. You can permanently injure and disable him by ripping out his eyes. Best of all you don't need to be big or powerful to make this martial arts move work.

Street fighting techniques #3 - Attacking the throat. You can actually kill someone if you punch them in the throat. It is much more deadly and effective then a punch to the jaw or eye or head in general. If you are being attacked and want to escape quickly, try this move!

Street fighting techniques #4 - Attacking the temples. The temples are on either side of the head about one inch infront of the ears, on either side of the head. Being able to attack them with an open palm slap, or even well placed punches, can destroy the bad guys equilibrium.

Try using those 4 street martial arts techniques and incorporate them into your arsenal of martial arts moves!

Street Fighting Moves Tips Revealed By:Steve Gib

I want offer you another handful of useful street fighting moves and tips that can take your martial arts training to a whole new level. You need to be able to tell the difference between training for tournaments and the dojo, and applicable street fighting techniques.

Street fighting tips #1 - Always be the first person to attack. When you use the advantage of surprise you can throw your attacker off his game plan. If he gets in your face and asks for your wallet, why not put your hands up, say, "Please dont hurt me" and smash him with a punch to the throat followed by other strikes? Striking first is a valid move!

Street fighting tips #2 - Attack the three regions of the body. This includes the head (Eyes, throat, nose, temples, chin, ears.) The mid section, (collar bone, ribs, kidneys, stomach, groin.) Last but not least the lower body (legs, shins, knee caps, feet, toes.) You want to have a wide range of areas to strike that cause instant damage and pain.

Street fighting tips #3 - Carry a self defense weapon. If you are naturally smaller, weaker, or uncapable of defending yourself due to a physical disability or age, try carrying a weapon. A weapon as simple and effective as pepper spray can really discourage a bad guy from furthering his attack when he can't breathe or see.

Improve your chances of survival by following these street fighting tips that you can apply to your knowledge of martial arts. Having different styles of combat memorized will make you a that much better fighter!

MMA Training Gear That You Should Have By:Naomi West

Mixed martial arts is a favorite new sport that numerous people are noticing paying attention to. This different way of fighting is enjoyable to observe and for many it is something that they can do on their own. Though they may not be able to do it for their career, people have discovered martial art schools that have the power to train them in this way of fighting.

This is a great work out for anybody who is trying to shed a few pounds and get into great shape. It is a mixture of cardio work outs with fighting techniques that will make sure you are sore and sweating after only ten minutes of it. In order to make sure that you are training safely and simply it is critical to have the needed equipment and gear.

Fighting Clothes
You will not see somebody training in sweat pants or a loose-fitting t-shirt that is almost falling off them. You likewise won't see them fighting in clothes that are skin tight. It is easiest to wear fighter shorts that fit perfectly - but are not falling off. Also don a t-shirt that fits well and maybe even one that has the ability to soak up all of the sweat. Wearing these clothes will serve to give you breathing room and give you the ability to move easily when kicking or punching.

Fight Gear
The kind of fight gear you have is important and will assist to protect you while training or fighting with other fighters. Many times you will be hitting pads or sparring with other adversaries during practice sessions. Because of this you will require to shield both your hands and feet. You will be able to purchase particular foot pads that you wear like slippers and that cover the tops of your feet.

For your hands you can purchase hand wraps and gloves. You will first have to wind the fabric around both hands before putting on your MMA gloves. This will give you extra protection and keep your hands and fingers safe from injury.

Learn Street Fighting That Will Save Your Butt in a Fight By:Steve Gib

You will need to learn street fighting at one point or another and incorporate it into your martial arts training you have already done for years, or maybe only a few months. Many of the main stream martial arts are outdated compared to today's violent encounters.

Learn street fighting #1 - The worst place you never want a fight to go is on the ground. If you are on the ground sure you could try an armbar and break his arm, but chances are he will have friends arriving to beat you senseless, landing on the concrete can break bones or knock you out, and grappling is deadly on the ground. Your attacker could pull out a blade and stab you while you have him in the guard.

Learn street fighting #2 - When you are committed into fighting, be the first to attack. Don't expect your first strike to be a knock out either. You will want to go full steam ahead with anger and rage while you rip apart your opponent. Use every nasty street fighting technique you know to cause the bad guy serious pain and to prevent the attack from getting worse.

Learn street fighting #3 - Many blackbelt martial artists have been beat down in nightclub and bar fights. Why is that? Because the techniques they learn in the dojo, don't apply the pressures and stress of real combat. You need to be mentally focused enough to react fast, conquer your fear of being hit or injured, and using as much violence necessary to win the battle.

If it's your goal to learn street fighting follow those 3 tips above to become a better fighter!

Filipino Martial Arts By:Damian Ross

The three major branches of Filipino martial arts are Arnis typically from the northern Luzon regions, Eskrima from the central Visayas regions, and Kali from the southern Mindanao regions. Within these branches dwell a long line of masters, families, systems and history. Most Filipino systems will associate with one of these terms and their respective regions of the Philippines.

As a guerilla combat art it has proved to be extremely effective. The local warriors would make use of whatever they had around them to use against many invading cultures. Today is it widely practiced as a exploration into the history of the Filipino culture.

The use of the stick and the dagger is most common in all of the Filipino martial arts, but like all traditional martial arts it has gotten away from simple and effective to complicated and useless.

At its core, the indigenous martial arts of the Philippines are based on the bolo, a machete like weapon used for everything from farm work to fighting. Born from guerilla combat, Filipino martial arts are not a systemized form of combat.

Traditions and teachings are transferred from father to son, master to student. Teaching methods vary and documentation of these methods only occurred over the last 2 decades.

Most traditional martial arts fall victim to this same problem. Instructors begin to make things complicated in order to fill up time and keep students occupied. Take a look at the Japanese during the Edo period. With no one to fight, the samurai warriors began to over analyze, write poetry and arrange flowers. The same is true with the Filipino martial arts, from the basic techniques of what actually worked, today we have a complicated and confusing symbolic representation of what happened in the jungle.

For effective fighting technique and real self defense it does not need to be complicated, just simple and adaptable to the today's modern world.