Category Archives: Arts

What are the Martial Arts Styles Used in MMA

The combat sport known as mixed martial arts or MMA employs many forms of fighting techniques. Consisting mostly of grappling and striking techniques, MMA borrows so much from different traditional forms of martial arts that have been in existence since the ancient times.

Some of the most commonly used martial arts in MMA include kickboxing, boxing, wrestling, jiu jitsu, and muay thai. Most professionals argue that jiu jitsu, particularly Brazilian jiu jitsu, is the spine of mixed martial arts. However, there are those who contend that each of the fighting styles contribute to the whole expertise of an MMA practitioner. To understand, listed below are some of the martial arts forms from which mixed martial arts often borrow.

Kickboxing

Gathering from its name, one will easily get that this martial arts form consists of various boxing and kicking techniques. Professional fighters say that this field is very much related to another martial arts form called Muay Thai. Kickboxing is well known in MMA. In fact, the audience can easily discern once a player starts to use kickboxing techniques. As most professionals say, it is said that kickboxing accounts for almost 90% of the striking techniques used in the field of mixed martial arts.

Muay Thai

Muay Thai is the national sport of the country Thailand. It is a martial arts form and at the same time combat sport that uses punches, kicks, as well as knee jerks. Techniques used in Muay Thai are considered as assets of every MMA fighter. Moves such as the flying knee and the superman punch are known for their effectiveness and brutality in every mixed martial arts match.

Wrestling

Another popular form used in the mixed martial arts arena is the sport known as wrestling. For those of you who are not yet familiar with the MMA industry, dominant fighters are those who are wrestlers by profession. Some of the great MMA fighters with background on wrestling include Brock Lesnar, Cain Vasquez, Matt Hughes, Sean Sherk, Josh Kosheck, Ryan Badder, Randy Couture, Mark Kerr, Kevin Randleman, Vladimir Matushenko, and Mark Coleman among many others. Indeed, wrestling, as a martial arts form, is the number one source of techniques used in grappling resulting to as many takedowns and submissions in every mixed martial art fight.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is very popular in mixed martial arts matches because practitioners of this style makes their opponents lose via submission. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is focused mostly on grappling and ground fighting techniques. It is in demand for players who want to learn proper submission methods.

Boxing

Last but not the least is boxing. Boxing is a very familiar sport to everyone but only a few people know of its contribution to the world of mixed martial arts. Boxing makes use of jabs, hooks, body blows, and uppercuts to strike an opponent. It is the ultimate source of hand strikes in MMA. Boxing techniques can bring about fatal hand strikes and knock outs in an MMA match.

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The 2012 National Black Arts Festival

The National Black Arts Festival is an Atlanta festival that celebrates the art, music, and culture of people of African descent. The family friendly festival is scheduled from July 6-15 and includes activities such as literary, musical, and theater performances, fine arts exhibits, and an international market. Although a few events are ticketed, many of the activities are free.

The main weekend of the festival is July 12-15, with many activities taking place at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta. Festival attendees can visit the International Marketplace, which will feature artisans from all over the world. Offerings will include paintings, sculpture, clothing, jewelry, and other items. In past years exhibitors have come from such diverse places as Jamaica, Haiti, South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Brazil, Canada, and India. The kids will be entertained at the Childrens Educational Village. This years theme will be Destination Africa and Beyond. There will be musical entertainment all weekend from the concert stage. Local and international chefs will be giving cooking demonstrations at the Publix Healthy Cooking Pavilion. Attendees can learn to prepare healthy and balanced foods as well as enjoy tasty samples. All of these activities are free to the public.

Several other free events are planned during the festival. City Gallery at Chastain will present JOuvert: At the Devils Playground, featuring the work of Jamaican born photographer Radcliffe Roye. The exhibition, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence, will run from June 14-July 28. An artist talk is planned for June 30 from 1-3pm. Pre-registration is required for the talk. Jah Music- A Celebration of Traditional Jamaican Music, featuring the Tallawah Mento Band, will take place on June 24 at the Auburn Avenue Research Library. The program is scheduled for 3-5pm, and pre-registration is required.

There will be two free screenings of A Raisin in the Sun at the Southwest Arts Center. This will be the original film version of Lorraine Hansberrys play starring Claudia McNeil, Sidney Poitier, and Ruby Dee. Screening dates are July 6, and a special screening for seniors and students on July 11.

The Hagedorn Foundation Gallery will host an exhibition of intimate photos of Michael Jackson by his personal photographer, Todd Gray. The Gray Room with Act 1 of the Performance Piece, Caliban in the Mirror is scheduled for July 6-August 31. The Coretta Scott King Book Fair will be held on July 11 at the Central Branch of the Atlanta Fulton Library. Attendees will meet award winning author Walter Dean Myers and award winning illustrator Michele Wood. The event is free, but pre-registration is required.

The festival also includes several ticketed events. Those events include a gala fundraiser and tribute to actress Ruby Dee on July 14. The play Guess Whos Coming to Dinner? will run July 10-29. There will be an exhibition of the art of Vivian Schuyler Key at the Hammonds House Museum and the exhibition Rise Up: Hale Woodruffs Murals from Talladega College at the High Museum of Art. A benefit event for the National Black Arts Festival, Slavery By Another Name: The Dialogue is planned for July 12.

Martial Arts Moves To Disable An Aggressor

Not everyone who studies martial arts moves does it because they’re interested in the discipline, philosophy, and grace of the arts themselves. Many people do it because they fear that one day, they will need to protect themselves from an attacker. Martial arts styles, histories, and traditions are irrelevant to this type of student, and it’s absolutely understandable. If you’re in that kind of situation, let me suggest a few martial arts moves that have saved lives in the past.

Oni Kudaki — Japanese for “Demon Crusher”, Oni Kudaki is a simple maneuver that will stop most drunken brawlers in their tracks. When the aggressor swings a fist in an even slightly circular fashion, perform a basic outer forearm block, but slide the back of your wrist up to the inside of your opponent’s elbow. Then rotate your hand palm-outward, and clasp your hands together around his elbow, with both of your wrists twisted. As you straighten out your wrists, his forearm will roll backwards and his elbow and shoulder will pull out-of-joint. He will either dislocate his shoulder or end up on the floor.

This technique is especially valuable because it can be done on any attacker that’s not two feet taller than you, and it works against a very common form of attack — a basic punch.

Nazad Pereryva — Russian for “Spine Breaker”, Nazan Pereryva is another nasty response to a basic punch, knife thrust, or other stabbing action to the face. When someone swings their fist or weapon at you, step past it to the outside, and sweep it further in the direction it’s already going with a basic outer forearm block. Step behind them with your outer foot, and slide your outer arm between their attacking arm and their head. Wrap it around their neck, bending them backward so that their head is in your armpit, and then drive your knee up into their spine until it breaks.

That trick of getting your arm around their neck can take some practice; it’s among the more difficult of Sambo’s martial arts moves. Still, if you can get it down in sparring, you can prove to any attacker that you are not to be trifled with.

Sahas-alis Sandata — Filipino for “snakebite disarm”, Sahas-alis Sandata is a technique that exists in several martial arts, but Escrima has its own beautiful variation. When someone attacks you with a club, knife, or other simple weapon, take a long step toward his chest but away from the path of the weapon — basically toward his opposite shoulder. At the same time, punch his bicep as hard as you can. Most martial arts stop here, but Escrima adds a graceful second step: a Batman-style backfist to the temple or nose, depending on which direction he’s facing. The weapon arm will be disabled for some time due to the bicep strike, and the blow to the skull will ring his bell for a few seconds as well — easily long enough for you to set up another of your close combat martial arts moves.

As you can see, martial arts styles from around the world have found very different and very effective responses to a pretty basic attack. Choose the one that fits best with your level of competence, aggression, and training. Part of the beauty of martial arts moves is that they come in such staggering variety.

Martial Arts Benefit – Self-discipline Improvement

Self-discipline is perhaps one of the most difficult traits to cultivate not just in others but especially in ones self. Children naturally find it harder to learn self-discipline because they lack the experience and maturity to fully understand its value. But if you enroll your child in a martial arts school, self-discipline and a lot more positive traits are his to conquer in no time!

Why Its Important for Kids to Learn Self-Discipline and Self-Control Early
While it is certainly your duty as a parent to teach your children how to differentiate right from wrong, its also important to train them early to make such decisions for themselves. If you allow your child to grow up depending on your authority and other external factors to determine the proper thing to do, he shall find himself helpless and incapable of doing whats right even as an adult, much less care about the consequences of his actions.

When you teach your child self-discipline early, they take their first steps to growing up and taking responsibility of their actions. They begin to understand about the things they have to do not just because theyre told but because its right. They will understand, for instance, that homework, house chores, and even eating broccoli, are things they have to do, even if its somewhat unpleasant.

Self-control is naturally intertwined with self-discipline. It is impossible for one to exist without the other. Whereas self-discipline governs ones ability to make decisions, self-control governs ones control over his mind and body.

With self-control, your child learns early that its not right to let their angers rule their thoughts. They also to learn to exercise their will and use mind over matter.

The Benefits of Having Self-Discipline
Once your child attains self-discipline through martial arts, youll be surprised at positive impact it can have in his life.

More Self-Confidence
Greater self-discipline is equivalent to greater progress in martial kids. And with kids, their self-confidence tends to grow every time they move another level and the color of their belt changes.

Better Health
Youll find self-disciplined kids easier to guide when it comes to proper nutrition, too. Your kids will be more willing to listen and obey once you explaining to them the benefits of eating lots of greens and avoiding too much junk food.

If they are struggling with weight problems, youll also find it easier to maintain the proper diet and exercise regime for them. Their martial arts sessions will naturally help in keeping them physically fit as well.

Improved Social Interaction Skills
Self-discipline also helps children develop positive social interaction traits. They become friendlier and although they may become more competitive, they also understand the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and equality. They also become more understanding of other childrens differences with them and avoid bullying or ostracizing other kids because of those differences.

Martial Arts Weapons

Martial arts weapons are necessary equipments that you cannot avoid for learning your art form in a planned manner. These weapons help you to learn your chosen art form in a better way. Also, they assist you while making the perfect move. You can plan your attacking skills by enhancing your skills of weapons that best suit your martial arts. Every art specialty has its own weapon that can be used while a close combat. You can enquire about your weapons and try hard to achieve your goals with your enemy. For mastering your art, you can get the much needed weapon and try practicing now.

Where to shop:
Thanks to internet technology and awareness about authentic and genuine weapons, you can get the necessary weapons that match your art form in the best possible manner. In addition, you can get weapons hat match with your personality and give you enough coverage to protect your body from potential injuries. Also, choose the perfect material for your weapons so that you can avoid any tough time handling such things while your practice combat.

For getting your perfect weapons, you can search online to get a list of websites dealing into such weapons. You can get weapons that match your skills, compare prices and check the quality marks as well. You can also enquire about the safety features and the process of handling to get its bets value.

Choose the right materials for your weapons to showcase your skills that give your more confidence and valor.