Layman's Dojo - Japanese Edition (Katana) II by Ryan Ford

Laymans Dojo Article II (Japanese)

We have so far covered the basics of a Japanese sword, getting to know the parts and what type of metal to look for in reference to your use of the weapon. Now we will delve further and take a look at the next step. Where do you find a weapon best suited for you and your needs. I will split this up into two parts, one for collectors and one for warriors or those who plan to train with their weapon.

Collectors:

Allright guys, here we go. There is a rather large variety of locations to scope out for some really top-notch, beautiful weaponry. Starting with the first and most obvious: the internet.

We are using it right now. Pretty easy, fast, and unparalleled in its range and versatility, the internet is a goldmine when looking for good weapons. You can find weapons on multiple sites. I usually do not reccomend Ebay. There is always a chance that you will end up with something less than what you want, and it all turns into a large hassle. However, if the user is reliable (Check their status and the comments other buyers have posted concerning them extensively) then you may have a green light. But mostly I prefer sites that feature weaponry exclusively. Just toss out a google search for swords and you will most likely come up with a few sites. Using the previous article, you know that Stainless is the steel for you, so keep an eye out for the material used in forging (Go 440-C if possible!).

The good thing about collecting: your price range is very flexible. If you have lots of money to pour into your collection, you can really go for gold and rock out some fine pieces. But on the flipside, if you are a collector just starting out, or one working on a budget you can really still find some fine pieces. Just have to dig deeper. Always keep an eye on swords that the maker is willing to give its history. When it was forged, where, how; the whole nine yards. These will more often prove to be a treasure amongst your collection rather than a piece you end up throwing in the miscellaneous pile.

Also, keep your eye out for Renaissance Fairs and functions. This is an amazing place that offers hands on buying and direct discussion with the artist that made the weapons.

Fighters and Martial Artists:

Now for you guys I have this to say: Be prepared to spend some money. You can use the same guidelines of where to buy as stated above in the Collector section, but you have to keep in mind that Stainless Steel is NOT for you. The metal is too brittle for the day to day wear and tear. You will need to scope out for Carbon or Damascus steels which are a much more valuable metal. If you are working on a budget I would recommend looking up Bokken, or wooden Katana. These are durable, afford a relatively good feel when compared with a real sword and are inexpensive. Come back to looking for a real battle-ready sword when you can afford it, and for now practice with a bokken until that time comes. These are a pretty acceptable substitute (Not to mention safer!). Now, when buying a sword geared for training or battle, keep an eye on the swords tang. It MUST be full tang. Anything less is going to fall apart on you! With the steel and tang in mind, you should be armed with the knowledge to get a decent weapon. Price ranges will vary from two hundred to thousands of dollars. Nothing wrong with a cheaper one. Get what you can afford, be proud of it and care for it diligently. This weapon is an extension of yourself, so find something you can bond with as a Martial Artist.

Fighting Multiple Opponents by Dean Walsh

It is all well and good learning specific martial arts and self defense techniques, such as blocks, strikes and restraining techniques, but you also need to learn how to deal with different kinds of situation. A large proportion of street fights are not fair one-on-one fights, but often involve groups of people. If you want to have confidence that you are capable of defending yourself against any violent confrontation that you might find yourself in then it is absolutely essential that you know a bit about fighting multiple opponents.

Just knowing the individual techniques is not enough, as some techniques are very effective in a one-on-one encounter, but are completely innapropriate for fighting against multiple opponents. It is also true that even using the same individual techniques, a different strategy is neccessary.

There are a few simple principles that can greatly increase your chances against more than one attacker, but before I describe them it is worth emphasizing the fact that no matter how skilled you are at martial arts fighting more than one person will always be highly dangerous, and you should do everything you possibly can to avoid violence being necessary in the first place.

First off, here is the most important thing not to do: grappling, such as joint locks or other restraining techniques or submission holds are almost always the wrong thing to do. The reason for this is because you are yourself stuck in one place, usually with both hands in use so that it is hard to defend yourself. etting caugght up like this with one person makes it very easy for someone else to come along and take you down.

Above all else you should try to keep moving at all times. Movement will always be important in any fight, but it is even more vital in this kind of situation. What you are trying to do with this movement is to make sure that you only have to take on your attackers one at a time. The perfect position is to have all your opponents lined up in front of you, and although this precise position is unlikely with more than 2 people (with 2 its actually not too hard) you should try to get as close to this as you can. What you must avoid at all costs is having them all in a circle surrounding you. By moving around all the time you also give yourself a better chance of finding an avenue for escape. Always try to 'hit and run', striking as hard as you can once or twice and then backing off and getting yourself back into as much space as you can and in the best position you can immediately.

The second most important thing is not to go down to the ground. If you go down then you are entirely at their mercy, and your attackers can simply surround you and all give you a kicking or worse. Of course you never want to get knocked down in a fight, but against mulitiple opponents you must be especially careful, and their are things you can do to help. Kicking, for example, can be very effective as an attack, but it is a high risk attack when it comes to throws and takedowns - as soon as you lift one leg off the ground you have a much less stable stance - and so it is best to avoid when fighting against multiple opponents. If you do go down then curl yourself into a ball and try to protect your head.

These things are all simple to implement, and although they obviously won't guarantee your safety, they will give you a substantially better chance of coming away from the fight without getting seriously hurt.

Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Exercises based on Muay Thai

There are infinite ways to train for an MMA fight. Clean Kill, the group that brings you mma fights like Call to Arms I, offers you suggestions on how to switch up your training schedule for maximum results using the ancient practice of Muay Thai.

Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand, is known in the Western fighting world as one of the "sprawl-and-brawl" disciplines of martial arts, focusing on striking the opponent more than grappling, clinching, or submission holds. Drenched in a long history as a royal art form of many traditions, this martial art also greatly accentuates the goals of conditioning and fitness in a fighter. Using Muay Thai techniques can greatly improve stamina for MMA fighters that practice in any area of martial arts.

Thai Pads: Training with Thai pads is a staple to any Muay Thai conditioning schedule. Proper work with these pads will help improve speed, power, timing, and conditioning. The key to getting a good workout is having a good trainer or training partner who knows how to hold the pads. Switching between the large foam pads and focus mitts help vary the workout between power and strength to speed and precision.

Shins: Shin conditioning is very specific to Muay Thai training. It is recommended to condition the shins by kicking a Thai pad or heavy bag for at least 100 times per day, but preferably closer to 500, depending on how vigorous of an exercise you're looking for. Kick lightly at first to warm up, and then start kicking at full strength around the 30th kick. If your shins become sore, rest and massage them to avoid injury. A useful trick is to place your shin in between your middle knuckles and rub along the length of your shin several times to restore blood flow.

Mental Training: Muay Thai fighters believe that mental toughness is just as important in the ring as physical condition or skills. Meditation and praying are staples of Buddhism and Thai culture, so it should come as no surprise that this transfers over to Muay Thai boxing. This mental training concerns both visualization and positive thinking. While not physically training, a Muay Thai boxer is constantly visualizing their fighting moves in their head like a movie. This will help with reflexes and natural reactions because you're practicing scenarios in your head all day and night. Positive thinking involves eating, breathing, and sleeping success and winning 24 hours a day. Negative thoughts must be neutralized by positive ones and a champion's mindset put in place.

Muay Thai fighting is a very popular sport worldwide and has infinite room for advancement of skills. Learning the fighting techniques, conditioning drills, and traditional formalities can all help in any area of martial arts. So next time you're training at the gym, don't forget your Thai Pads, shin exercises, and to mentally train as well. Happy training!. by abaddon