The Way on the True Path of the Martial Arts

By Al Case

I was in the army last century, stuck with drab duty and endless amounts of time in which to imagine. I was supposed to go to another country where I would be afforded the opportunity to kill people. This was not a task I was looking forward to.

One night I fell into a conversation with a young private, and he asked me if I have ever read Lao Tse. I told him I hadn't and asked him what it was. He told me that it was...The Way.

To be honest, I had come across the concept of The Way in my study of the martial arts. I had read of the concept, talked about it with fellow students, and considered it in light manner. Oddly, though I had studied the martial arts for a couple of years, I had no idea that there was a book written expressly about The Way.

I found a copy of the book and began to peruse it. I poured over the passages, translated the ancient Chinese concepts into modern English as best I was able. I was to find that the mere reading of the book, which is actually a short, little tome, was a journey in itself.

There is no high without low, there is no front without back, translated into the most marvelous dichotomy. Oddly, I found that these concepts, high and low, front and back, were usable in freestyle. Indeed, as the years passed I was to find that the mere conjecturing of these concepts in thought, even in the middle of chaotic freestyle, brought order and advantage of a sizable nature.

My favorite passage, Do nothing until nothing is left undone, positively enlightened me. I would trade the passage of years for the chance to implement this strategy. Eventually, the forms done ten thousand times, I would start to understand, and my art would actually engage in the effortless principles that make up the True Art.

Not every time would I be able to make the concepts of The Way manifest in my actions, but the contest was in The Way, and this contest brought me out of the box, undid the normal way of thinking, and enabled me to actually be a seeker in action, and the whims of my youthful desire began to manifest. Emotions became a joy, age became a relaxation, and and still The Way guides me. My form transmogrifies to the lilt of this ancient rhyme, and another world calls to me.

A perfect world, where the realization that The Way is merely the unceasing time before me has opened up before me. A world where those obsessed with such things as political intrigue and the power of the dollar fall sick by the wayside and envy me my youth and good health. A world where human beings exist, outside the range of transgressions and judgment, this is The Way that has opened up and accepted me. - 31373

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Awesome Protection With Wildfire Pepper Spray

By James Edwards

Do you remember when you could walk down the street in the middle of the night and not give a second thought about it? Those days are long gone and the days of arming ourselves is on the rise. One of the most common ways to protect your self is using Wildfire Pepper Spray. Using Wildfire Pepper Spray you can rest assure that if you were to come in contact with a attacker they just might thing again.

The main ingredient in pepper spray is Oleoresin Capsicum. This is what gives it the hot feeling. When you are faced with a attacker all you have to do it point aim and shoot. You want to try to get it in your assailants face. For a more affective way to enable them to get to you shoot for the eyes. This will cause them to have the most painful experience of there lives.

Scoville heat units are used to measure the wildfire pepper sprays hotness. A staggering 3 million Scoville heat units are measured by this particular pepper spray. This thing makes it one of the most effective and powerful sprays being sold. Other pepper sprays have 10% of OC pepper spray in them while this one has the 18%, which makes it very strong.

Being able to disable you attacker is the hole concept behind the invention of pepper sprays. There is also a special kind of dye used that will help law enforcement officers to determine who your attacker is after you have sprayed them. With one touch of the button you can disable your assailant for up to 45 minutes. Making is easier to get away safely.

It comes with five sizes, so you can take half ounce or full pound of spray with you. You can take it in the form of keychain wherever you go, or if you want to save the family then you can take it in the form of canister. You can choose the perfect size for yourself from this wide range of sizes.

Some large sized pepper sprays are specially made for police. They are provided with a big pistol like handles or the likes of a fire extinguisher. Some state and local laws restrict the use of wildfire pepper sprays so you should use them keeping these laws in the mind. Some states like Michigan restricted the concentration of pepper spray. This defensive weapon can really help you in an attack moment so that you can get a chance to run away. - 31373

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Kids And Airsoft Guns--A Safe Ordeal

By Anthony Carter

One of the most popular items amongst young boys and girls on a Christmas wish list includes airsoft guns. Airsoft guns are relatively inexpensive and can make an excellent tool for teaching a child responsibility. These guns are very good for training purposes, in order to prepare the kids to become excellent marksman for hunting or even the military or police academy.

Some people which reside in more rural areas, will use these types of guns to get rid of pests. Commonly, when a pest enters the boundaries of the yard, such as a stray cat, or when a rabbit enters the garden, these guns work well to eliminate these pests from destroying a homeowners plants or air conditioning units.

In most cases, when a gun like this is used for protection of the home, there is no fatalities as a result. The guns can be very powerful though, and are able to kill small animals and hurt people that are not intended to be on the property. The recommendation is not to shoot this type of gun at any person, unless harm is the intention of the invader. Then or course, aim for the body, these guns will take out an eye.

Cats, birds, groundhogs, and other small animals will leave the area, when shot by these types of guns. It is most likely these pests will not die, in turn will be startled or stung by the ammunition. When a gun is pumped to the maximum air hold, then shot at one of these pests, death is a factor. When pumped to the maximum, these bbs can penetrate the human skin.

Sometimes the adult will have to read the instruction manual in order to learn how to load the gun properly. All airsoft guns have different ways of loading ammunition, and the proper technique will need to be learned, in order to be instructed correctly. Sometimes there are extra ammunition clips that can be purchased. These can be loaded any time, but the gun must be in the safe mode to switch the ammunition clips.

When using the sights of a gun, the child needs to be observed rather closely, to ensure the correct eye dominance is being used. Sometimes, a child can be shooting right handed, but the left eye is dominant. This can be noticed when a child is looking completely over the gun, instead of straight down the barrel.

When a child enjoys the operation of the airsoft guns, chances are they will want to graduate into a real gun someday. These fundamentals of firearm handling will assist in forming the foundation for using safety at all times.

When the word gun is shouted by a pair of police officers, in order to protect themselves, in most cases they pull their trigger and later realize what type of gun was involved. Again, treat these guns like the real thing, and should be given the greatest amount of respect during use and ownership as possible. - 31373

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Use Airsoft Guns For Unlimited Fun

By Anthony Carter

Individuals having sufficient excellence in online shooting games can make use of the airsoft guns for attending events such as shooting competitions and games to have the required amount of fun. The main use of the airsoft guns is in shooting events where the shooting activity is done in a safe manner such that it avoids causing any sort of physical harm to others. The guns have a non-lethal nature and are very close in design to the original. The only difference is the size, as the airsoft guns are smaller than the original firearms.

These guns were used by the passionate gun lovers of Japan for the first time in the history of the airsoft guns. At that time, the bullets used in these guns were plastic pellets. During the starting days, the guns were powered by the spring energy but later shifted to other energy sources such as gas and electricity.

These guns might be non-lethal in nature but certain countries have framed laws for the possession and usage of these guns. However, such laws are restricted to very few countries. The possession and usage of these guns have certain safety norms that every individual using these guns need to follow. The guns can only be issued to individuals who are above a certain specified age. During the use of these guns, the individuals should treat them as toys and follow the set safety norms.

To have maximum fun during the usage of the airsoft guns, the accessories associated with these guns need to be used by the individuals. The addition of the accessories that provides the required amount of fun in the event can be done with the use of weapon enhancements, goggles, war uniforms, and other accessories.

These guns provide the users with the best shooting experience. The whole event comes alive when the individuals use the guns and the associated accessories for the event. Since the package for the gun contains everything, the individuals can fit the accessories quickly and go for the shooting session.

There are many different shooting sights to allow users to have fun using the airsoft guns. During the events, the individuals can plan strategy, hide, dodge bullets, run, and take part in the assault activities as well. The combination of team and individual events makes it a great proposition for everyone.

However, while using these airsoft guns there is a necessity to look at the safety aspect as well. It is important that the individuals using the loaded airsoft guns handle it with care. The aim should be taken only at the official targets. Using the gun to shoot other targets is not a safe practice. Accidental firing can damage the eye and the teeth of others.

The airsoft guns are so similar to the original firearms that they can create panic if brandished in the public places. Therefore, it is important to use these guns in a safe manner. Parents should prevent their children from using these guns. They can get suspended from school for using these guns. If the guns are used by the children without the right kind of adult supervision then there are chances of serious injuries for others. - 31373

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The Various Propellants For Gas Airsoft Guns

By Anthony Carter

Cost of operation, accuracy, and realism are among the countless reasons why gas airsoft guns are rapidly increasing in popularity across the country. Owning a gas airsoft gun involves selecting the appropriate propellant, whether it's 134A, green gas, or CO2 (which are the most frequently used). The correct use of propellant will ensure the best operation and maintenance of your gas airsoft gun.

The gas that should be used in any particular airsoft gun should be determined by more than one factor. First of all, the temperature in which the gun is being used can affect the gas pressure which in turn affects the gun's firing power. Since one propellant may be appropriate in one temperature may be also be harmful to use in, say, a temperature that is 30 degrees Fahrenheit warmer, the fact that most gas type guns are designed for only one type of propellant is indeed a common problem.

As hot weather can cause gas to become too powerful, cold weather can render an airsoft gun useless. This is because the cold temperature reduces the gas pressure, which in turn disables the firing action since there's no power behind the shot. Another problem that can occur in cold weather is the valve may remain open after taking a shot, which will let the rest of the gas seep.

Using a propellant in a temperature that is too hot or too cold can cause damage to your airsoft gun so be wary of the temperature. Also, avoid using a gas that is more powerful than the gas the manufacturer originally intended for that design.

The most commonly used gas for airsoft guns of Japanese origin (and other selected brands of different origin) is 134A. It can be used in practically any climate that is above forty degrees Fahrenheit, which is why it is such a popular gas to use. If you notice your airsoft gun is misfiring while using 134A, it could mean you need a more powerful gas like propane or green gas.

Just about every other non-Japanese airsoft gun on the market is made for (or at least can use) green gas, the most popular airsoft gun propellant. Green gas is more powerful than 134A, so you need to be cautious in hotter weather to avoid causing damage to your gun.

There is no specific temperature at which one should use a less powerful propellant than green gas. Instead, the general rule is not to use green gas in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit or to expose it to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. If you are shooting continuously in hot weather, the gas pressure doesn't get too high because of the constant release; therefore you can probably get away with green gas in this case.

CO2 has the best temperature range for gas airsoft guns, though there are a few disadvantages that make this propellant and its related guns the least popular within their category. For one, almost every single CO2 airsoft gun takes CO2 gas and nothing else; for two, these guns are much more complex to deal with than other models. On top of everything, the CO2 ones are also rather pricey. - 31373

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How Kung Fu was Murdered by the PRC

By Al Case

How would you like to learn Jujitsu from Barack Obama? Or maybe a good solid class in Shotokan Karate from William Jefferson Clinton? No...well, how about, I've got it...Kung Fu as taught by Nancy Pelosi!

You may think my humor is not quite there, but there is a dark underbelly to all this. When the government takes over private business, you see, it tends to destroy, corrupt and confound that business. And I am talking about any business run by any government.

Kung Fu, to name one example, been around for thousands of years, has been spreading long life, health, good physical conditioning, and some of the best darned self-defense imaginable. Then along came Chairman Mao, and Kung Fu was put to the torch. The method utilized for the destruction of the one of the greatest arts the world has ever known was called The Cultural Revolution.

During the Cultural Revolution Mao decided to purge society of elements that he deemed dangerous, or corruptive, or whatever. Thus, the population was carted off wholesale and killed, 70,000,000 of them. If you were intelligent, talented, or stood out in any manner, you were dead.

If you were a school teacher, hard of hearing, or had written a book, you were murdered. If you spoke contrary to communistic principles or played the violin, you were murdered. If you knew Kung Fu, you were murdered.

Once the Revolution was over, the country began to rebuild, in the image of Chairman Mao. Funny thing, as China tried to catch up with a world that was still possessed of talent and intelligence, it discovered that there was money to be made in this thing called Kung Fu. Unfortunately, they had murdered Kung Fu.

So, what does a government do when it has murdered an entire art, and then found that it needs it? Simple, you tell a few coaches to make up some Kung Fu. So they gathered a bunch of coaches, the ones who hadn't known enough Kung Fu to be murdered during the revolution, read any manuals that survived the book burnings, and made up some Kung Fu!

And they were intent on making sure that the Kung Fu didn't have anything harmful in it. You don't want people able to actually the thing for self defense. Heck, you don't want them having a real Great Revolution! - 31373

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Why Airsoft Guns Are The Best Choice

By Anthony Carter

If you like guns and enjoy shooting them, you may consider shooting games as a hobby. There are a few safe ways to simulate combat in controlled environments using such gun simulation weapons as paintball guns, laser tag guns, and airsoft guns.

While it remains true that what you are most interested is likely to have the strongest influence on which method you'll decide on, there are still some significant advantages to opting for shooting games that use airsoft guns.

These guns are known for looking like authentic guns, which makes airsoft games feel much more realistic than other shooting games. There is a very wide range of electric type guns on the market that are modeled on every style of gun. Among the best selling are replica AK47s and sniper rifles.

Guns that shoot paint and lasers don't create a realistic effect and are not anywhere as authentic looking as an airsoft gun. They also don't perform anything like real guns, so these shooting games can't compare to those using an airsoft gun. On top of it, laser tag guns can't even be purchased; you have to rent them from a laser tag establishment and use their facilities on their time.

The way the shooting game is played also depends on the type of gun used, so that will affect your decision as well. For instance, participating in airsoft matches involves shooting BBs at one another in a predetermined setting. Paintball gun matches work rather similarly; however, the ammo used in the former makes the experience rather different than when paint is used. Considering lasers don't actually physically hit people, the gear worn serves a completely different purpose from that worn in paintball and airsoft games, though the actual dynamic of laser tag games are rather alike.

Another factor to consider aside from your preferences would be how much it will cost to start up and then continue to participate in each of the available options. If you're on a budget, you'll be glad to know that the majority of airsoft guns are not as expensive as paintball guns. On top of that, BBs are much cheaper than paintballs.

You will spend approximately the same amount of money on 100 paintballs as you would on 1000 BBs, making paintball ammo roughly ten times more expensive than airsoft ammo. On the other hand, laser tag ammo doesn't cost anything at all, but it does get expensive when you can't buy the equipment and have to continuously rent it for one use at a time. In the end, you'll be making a much wiser investment by purchasing airsoft or paintball equipment.

As you can see, there are quite a few reasons why airsoft guns are more popular than paintball and laser tag guns. A significant number of people who have previously joined in airsoft gunfights will tell you that there is a good chance you will favour its qualities, though your personal preferences will of course prevail. - 31373

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How to Avoid Being a Crime Victim

By Teresa Bernard

One of the most common crimes in our society is personal assault. No matter what type of attack it may be, whether robbery, mugging, etc., it is can cause serious damage to our sense of personal security and well being. How does one avoid becoming the next victim of a violent crime? Why does an assailant look for when he chooses his next prey? Attackers can easily spot the signals of their next likely target. Knowing what they look for when they make their selection can help you steer clear of being that unlucky person.

An assailant is looking for an easy mark. One who appears powerless, meek and naive. A target not capable (or won't) fight back is someone who is easy to waylay. It's important to know that the your prospect of becoming a victim is predisposed by the signals you aren't even aware you are sending to an assailant. Our body language and non-verbal cues are the unconscious signals that make up 80-90% of our communication to others. Attackers, whether consciously or instinctively, will form an opinion about you. They determine how easy you will be to subdue and control from these signals.

Fortunately there are ways to reduce your chances of being an attack victim. If these creeps look for individuals who appear to be subdued, passive and distracted, then you must portray the opposite. One way is to convey an air of confidence. Confidence is a non-victim quality. The more confident or self-assured one appears, the less likely are the chances of becoming "the mark". An attacker will avoid a subject who appears capable of resistance and difficult to subdue. Any display of strength or defiance, whether blatant or implied, is often sufficient to cause a predator to seek out an easier target. One way to portray self-assurance would be to walk with your head held upright, at a brisk pace as if with a purpose and look alert.

Being strongly aware of your surroundings at all times is another way to lower the odds of becoming a victim. Being more aware allows you better opportunity of detecting a potential attacker and you also project an image of vigilance. Be conscious of who is around you and what activities or events are going on at all times. Make eye contact with everyone who is walking toward you. villains are looking for a target who isn't paying attention and are unaware of what's going on. So put away all of your "electronic gadgets!" Turn off your cell phone, iPod, PDA, laptop, etc. If you use devices like these in a public place, such as a parking garage, mall, or park, you run the risk of being distracted and could get caught off guard by an assailant before you realize what is happening.

In addition to depicting self-confidence and being keenly alert, it would be wise to protect yourself from harm by carrying a few standard self-defense devices such as a personal alarm, pepper spray and/or stun gun. A personal alarm is the perfect self-defense device for drawing attention to yourself when needed. These small, inexpensive items are easily carried and emit a loud and extremely obnoxious noise. Pepper spray is a non-lethal aerosol spray made with the pepper derivative oleoresin capsicum (OC). Sprayed in the face and/or eyes of a mugger, it will irritate the eyes, cause tears, pain, and even in some cases, momentary blindness. A stun gun is a self-defense weapon designed to temporarily disable an assailant by delivering a non-lethal, high-voltage electric shock. You must remember security devices will not keep you safe if you do not use them. - 31373

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Tai Chi Chuan Instructor has Not had a Lesson in Tai Chi!

By Al Case

This is going to be, for some, an upsetting article on tai chi chuan. I've never taken instruction in the art of Tai Chi Chuan, you see, but my tai chi is the best. I don't mean to be self serving, but let us see if you can find fault with me after you have read how I came up with my tai chi.

I began learning tai chi with a book, Modified Tai Chi for Health by Lee Ying Arng. Every night I spent hours memorizing the form, trying to figure out the applications, trying to figure out the meaning. And, tell the truth, it didn't mean much.

So I went through Chen Man Ching, and Chen and Yang and Wu and Sun, but they all spoke this gobbledegook that didn't make sense. So I began doing my Karate, I had near ten years experience in karate, and the thing started making sense. I was using karate power to wake up the form, and it worked, and then I was able to translate what was happening into Tai Chi power.

More important, I was throwing out all the mysticism and bushwah philosophy I read in the books and using something called physics. The martial arts, you see, as transmitted with eastern methodology, are taught through the memorization of random strings of data. In physics you look for a reason, and you find a logic, and you look for a concept.

Now, ancient stories claim tai chi was created in a dream by san feng after he watched a fight between a crane and a snake. Or, it was created by an old, retired general in a village who wanted to make up games for the children. Neither of these concepts can be proven, but we can't just discount them out of hand.

Maybe the general in Chen village was old, couldn't do the martial arts the way they should be done, careful not to hurt himself, and actually came up with something. And the vision of the snake and the crane, though I espouse physics I would not disclaim the value of visions, which are the dreams and inspiration of the human race. Still, whether rehabilitation of the aged and injured, or big dreams, tai chi does not make sense without the application of physics.

So this is what I want you to do, I want you to get a book on physics. Make it a simple kids book, simple pictures for illustrations, that sort of thing. It would really help if it was aimed at describing a motor.

Now, peruse that book, and start comparing terms are the same as in tai chi chuan. Rooting is grounding, where is the generator, what are these things called leads and so on. Do that, and when the depths of your tai chi chuan start to alter, do not come complaining to me. - 31373

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Keeping It Safe With Airsoft Guns

By Anthony Carter

Many people, role playing in combat situations, are familiar with airsoft guns. Such guns permit you to pretend being in the military without the seriousness of real guns. Just the same, there are rules to prevent injury that must be followed. In addition, an airsoft gun owner must take extreme care with the fact of simply owning one.

One of the responsibilities of an airsoft gun owner is to divulge its usage to others who do not know this type of gun. In general, there is strong disagreement about these role playing games and the types of guns employed. Perhaps the problem is precisely because there are still myriads of people who haven't the slightest clue of what is like to fire a gun or participate in a combat game. These people may tend to believe owners of such guns only want to seek attention, and this we know is not true.

Inform people by giving them your reasons for playing this type of game. Also, give them details on how the game is played. Make sure to emphasize the fact that combat play is a game that follows some very strict rules, also that no physical contact is allowed. When they will see just how great these games may be, they will end up also wanting to join the game.

Another important thing to point out is just how different an airsoft gun is when compared to a normal gun. Make-believe guns scare many people as these are believed to be dangerous. Surely, if not properly manipulated, these guns can cause harm but will never kill. In fact, airsoft guns can be compared to paintball guns or BB guns when properly manipulated.

Ammunition is what sets apart the airsoft gun from the normal gun. The ammunition of the airsoft gun is small pellets that are discharged at much slower speeds. Furthermore, participants are not allowed to combat play if not properly dressed with protective gear. It is important that you convince people that your gun will only be used when target shooting or combat playing in a secure environment.

Having esteem for your gun is another important obligation as an airsoft gun owner. This means you must take good care of it just as you would take care of a real gun. Although your airsoft gun does not have the power to kill someone, nevertheless it can harm a young child quite seriously if happens to land in his hands. Always properly store your gun when not using it, which means placing it unloaded in a case where children will not find it.

You should never forget that an airsoft gun resembles very much like a real gun from the exterior and merits to be treated like one. The police and people in general may think it is a real gun and this may get you in trouble. Hence, never flaunt your gun.

While the airsoft gun can easily pass for a standard gun, still it can just as easily be identified as a combat game gun. You can distinguish by looking at the tip of the gun and seeing its orange marker. This marker should not be removed, ever, or else you may be punished by law.

Thus, keep in mind that airsoft guns are solely for playing. Looking after your gun and watching out for others is the way to go. - 31373

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Airsoft Guns Make Great Presents

By Anthony Carter

If you've ever watched Christmas specials, you've probably seen "A Christmas Story." In that movie, the main character, Ralphie, longs for a Red Rider BB gun, only to be told by everyone that "You'll shoot your eye out, kid!" It turns out their warnings are well founded, but what if someone you know wants such a gun for Christmas? In that case, airsoft guns are a better option.

There are all sorts of BB guns and paint guns on the market, but you might not feel comfortable with these - for the mess, if not for the potential risk. Now, it is true that airsoft models have BBs in them as well, but as opposed to being small and hard, they are larger and made of soft plastic. They won't hurt even when shot head on, and so they are a great option for those concerned with safety.

Of course, all this doesn't make buying one any easier. If you don't know much about airsoft guns yourself, you're bound to feel confused about which is the best option. You don't want to get a bad deal, and you do want to get the best item possible for the money. Here are some tips that will help you ensure your gift will be very well received.

The most important thing you must do is keep your money safe. This means buying from a reputable company - one that has a confirmed business address. If there's a P. O. Box instead, don't give the person anything. They're probably scam artists whose main agenda is to take your money, not giving you anything in return after pulling you in with their own false ads.

That said, even if a company is not really after taking your money, they can still do other bad things against you, especially if they don't have a return policy. You might get something home only to find out it wasn't what you ordered, and be unable to get back what you paid or even a return privilege. A duly implemented return policy ensures you won't get stuck with anything faulty.

Of course, you want to avoid having to make any returns if possible, and so you should try to educate yourself a bit about what you're shopping for. The best place to do this is at the troubleshooting section of a company's website. The tips they provide can help you figure out what to expect and maybe which item will have the least chance of issues.

Online retailers have huge selections of airsoft guns themselves, but also provide everything you'll need to keep using them over time, including chargers and batteries, lubricants, and of course extra BBs. This saves more time because you'll know you can keep coming back to the same place to get products that will consistently be of a very high quality.

There are a lot of companies online and finding a good one can be a bit difficult. Once you do, however, it's easy to keep buying from them, and you'll want to show you're loyalty. You might be surprised by how often you return to them. Airsoft guns make a great gift for people of any age. You might even be tempted to buy one for yourself. - 31373

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The Secret of Knocking People Out in the Martial Arts!

By Al Case

Mixed Martial Arts gladiators circling the eight-sided ring, searching for the chance, and, WHAM, somebody is punched out. The roaring crowd, the price of the ticket, they are worth it if you can see a good knock out. What most people don't realize is that a good knock out, with the help of a little practice, can be done easily.

Forty years ago, in Kang Duk Won Karate my instructor told me that A tight fist is a heavy fist. Man, what good advice. Just make the fingers into steel bands, tie it together with a thumb, and, zingo bingo, you have yourself a brick busting fist.

The trick, of course, is to be relaxed before, and to be relaxed after. This is the concept of focus, and it is vital to a good, knock out punch. Hard to do it the way they wrap hands and put them in gloves these days, but there it is.

Think about it like this, a radar station is looking for planes, it is looking, and what would happen if the skies all filled up with static? The radar operator would be blind, he wouldn't be able to see the planes for the static. So when you relax, and make your fist loose, you are trying to get rid of the static, make it so you can perceive what is going on around you.

Then, your perceptions picking up the path of an incoming fist, the emotion, the very intention of the attacker, your fist will move faster because it is empty, and it will hit harder when it becomes tight. Muscular tension will not bind your motion and slow down your fist, and it will fly fast, your radar will better help it find the target. The moment of truth and your fist gets tight, and that increases the weight and mass of the fist, making it hard enough to knock somebody unconscious.

So there are two things a fighter, whether in the UFC or on the street, must do if he is going to get knock out power. The first, of course, is to be empty, loosey goosey, not tied in place by his own muscular tension. This frees the inner radar to pick up the attack, and enables the MMA fighter to move faster because he is not thinking of his body as weighty and heavy.

The second thing is to tighten the fist upon impact, and loosen it immediately afterwards. This is real microsecond stuff here, but it is guaranteed to work. The energy focuses, the power comes to bear, and that which was empty and quick suddenly becomes full and heavy.

If you are an MMA fighter in the UFC or strikeforce, or even a spectator, think about the physics I have described here, and figure out how to use them in your strikes. Empty/full is actually a classical concept from traditional Karate, and it is used extensively in the ancient Shaolin types of kung fu like Hung Gar or Choy Lee Fut. Emptiness and focus, these are the keys that will lay anybody out for the ten count! - 31373

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How to Make the Transition from Shaolin to Wudan

By Al Case

One of the oldest martial arts on the planet is Shaolin. It was brought from India by a fellow named Bodhidharma, and has been an inspiration to martial artists the world over. Interestingly, Shaolin evolved into an internal art atop Wudan Mountain.

I know there will be those who disagree with the concept I present here, but I hold to it, as I have watched students evolve, and the evolution of art from Shaolin to Wudan mirrors what I have seen students go through on a personal level. Indeed, as students peel layers off the art, so do they add layers of awareness within themselves, and attain the truly miraculous.

The beginning students learn to expend energy from the tan tan, to spread that energy throughout the body and make the body hard. Arms become like iron, stances become as if permanent fixtures to the planet. This, however, is all based on explosion, and outward expulsion of energy.

As a student explores the various martial arts he will come across the concept of drawing in energy. The act of guiding a punch, instead of just bashing a block into it, increases awareness of the concept of absorbing energy, instead of just putting it out. This progression of art often begins with Shaolin, begins the transition with a softer art like Wing Chun Kung Fu, and goes whole body with a Wudan art like Tai Chi Chuan.

If the student studies a hard art, and does so with intelligence, he will eventually evolve into the soft. The fact of growing older, of the body no longer being able to handle the hard arts, will draw the student onward into the softer arts. He will develop his punch so that he doesn't undergo neck injuries, he will learn to use his legs so his hips don'thave problems, and he will naturally evolve his art from hard to soft.

As these progressions of age and art occur, students learn to be softer, using their minds and their bodies to use less effort, and yet retain the abilities they have gained from the hard arts. Instead of violently thrusting energy through their bodies, they use the energy slowly, and focus it. Thus, the blinders slowly come off, and awareness seeps in.

Instead of exploding energy brutally through their bodies, the students learn to channel and guide energy through their bodies. They learn to manipulate energy easier as their awareness builds. They learn that the body energy they were so proud of when they were young and robust was a mere shadow of what they were capable.

Finally, they make the change from muscle to awareness, and the Shaolin adept becomes the Wudan sage. Instead of reacting with violence, the Wudan master observes, and moves with an opponent, drawing in the energy of the attack and transforming it to his needs. Yet, though there is wisdom in the Gung Fu of the Wudan variety, there is no disdain, for the true sage knows the need for his early Shaolin training, he knows the benefit of understanding energy on base levels if he is to transform it to the highest levels. - 31373

About the Author:

Kicking, the Secret of a very Lost Art!

By Al Case

I don't care if people take exception to what I say here, I'm going to say it anyway, the kicking I see in the UFC and MMA is not really kicking. Truth, it is leg swinging, without focus, and it is sport and not art. the purpose of this writing is to tell you why it doesn't work, and the simple things you can do to put art back into sport.

I had a friend, name of Ted, some forty years ago when I was doing Chinese Kenpo. He dressed like a hippie and had long hair, and he happened to have the most amazing kicks. One day he was driving through the rush hour traffic when a fellow cut in front of him, so Ted hit the horn.

The fellow stopped his car and walked back towards Ted, who got out of his car and backed away. The fellow was a monster, easily three hundred pounds, and he dwarfed Ted, and he said some unpleasant things. Ted held up his hands palm out, and said he didn't want to fight.

The fellow swung a massive fist, and Ted rocked back and planted a beautiful roundhouse kick in the center of the guys chest. The fellow sat down on the street, looked at his chest in surprise then stood up and rushed Ted again. Ted tried to back away again, and he told the fellow he didn't want to fight.

The brute threw a haymaker, and that was when Ted called on the true art of kicking. Ted sunk his weight, put his weight into the kick, and smacked the fellow on the chin. Bang and fellow laid down for a ten count snooze, and Ted went to his car and drove away.

So, putting your body into the kick, throwing the hips are important, even crucial, and some fellows don't it and some fellows do, but the ball of the foot, that was the heart of the matter. Look, when the MMA contestant bashes, he throws his leg like he is swinging a bat, and there is not enough weight behind it. When you use the ball of the foot, the energy goes back along the leg, through the hips, and down into the ground and there is lots of body behind the kick.

Yes, instep kicks are okay, but they spread the strike out over the ankle. The ball of the foot kick concentrates the mass into a smaller striking area. If you want to put a nice, precise hole in a plank of wood, are you going to bash it with a baseball bat, or use a balpeen hammer?

Kicking is an art, as is punching, and the UFC and MMA type of fighters are really doing boxing, not pure martial arts. To understand pure martial arts, one has to study pure physics, and then the answers will come, and then the art will be seen again. Art, not sport, and not in the ring, but in ones life, that is the answer and the solution and the way. - 31373

About the Author:

A Lost Art

By James Ramsey

Through the rigors of a higher dedication, Craftsmen labored strenuously over the heat of a forge creating things to expedite the dreams of courageous men. Helping them grasp their goals, and protect their freedoms, yet, unfortunately, the limelight only goes to those craftsmen that chose to walk the path of weaponry. Necessary as they are yes, but we lose sight of those who deserve an equal admiration. Those that poured their life and soul into the creation of armor, and tools of protection.

How can it be that those that bolster our defense have fallen out of glory? Who is it that decided tools of death deserve a higher place of honor than tools of preservation? It could be said that with the inclusion of firepower and projectile weaponry, armor became obsolete. Then again, did Kevlar and other forms of bulletproof gear not rise to the occasion? Even now we see the purchase of "old world" weaponry in masses. Sword collectors and warriors alike continue to respect the art of weaponry. Why have they forgotten armor? It was a source of honor and pride not long ago, displaying handsome filigree and splendor, and often a symbol of one's family or lord.

I feel that this craft deserves to rise yet again, feel the honor it once did. An appreciation should again be felt for hand crafted armors, created with care and skill. A fighter is incomplete without his full apparel. How can once face a sword without the mail to stop a killing blow, or defend against treacherous hammering strikes without a proper helm to guard himself?

Fighters aside, collectors, too have begun to neglect this imperative aspect of war. Leaving their collections sadly lacking, and not giving a full view of our history of war. The collection of weapons solely could be likened to buying a hat with no brim, a car with no wheels, or a house with no walls. Collectors are missing out on the full view, leaving part of our history behind in favor of more popular options.

One would hope that those dedicated to the art of war, now or then, to proudly don not only the weaponry necessary, but the protection necessary as well. Pride should be taken in one's full regalia, not simply in the tool used to finish a fight, but in the tools that allow you to survive a fight as well. As well should the Collector, fleshing out his collection to show the full story. - 31373

About the Author:

The Best Christmas Present to Yourself and Family is Crime Prevention

By Teresa Bernard

Christmastime is a busy season for everyone including criminals. Many are caught up in the particulars of their holiday preparations and shopping. Consumers are running from place to place with large amounts of cash in their wallets and loaded down with packages more so at this time of year than any other. Sorry to say crooks will also be out looking for their next victim. The holiday season is not the time to let your guard down. Being the unfortunate prey of crime can quickly wreck your holiday mood.

According to the FBI, crime incidents become more frequent during this particular time of the year. Burglaries, muggings, car thefts, robberies, pick pocketing, credit card scams and crimes at ATMs all increase during the month of December. Often the safety precautions we may normally take are forgotten as the anticipation and excitement of the Yuletide season causes us to let our guard down. Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, remember to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Criminals will often target those who are distracted and aren't paying attention.

The day after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the shopping season for the holidays. As you begin that holiday shopping, you might want some advice on how to avoid becoming an easy mark for criminals. Remember this advice is helpful year round as well.

SAFETY IN THE PARKING LOT

Trying to stay safe while you are shopping for Christmas can be a little difficult. Mainly because there are fewer daylight hours in the day at this season of the year. Often shoppers arrive at a mall when it is day and find that it has gotten dark outside by the time they are ready to leave. Anxious to get inside and make their purchases, many shoppers don't consider this when they park.

Parking lots fill up quickly this time of year which makes it harder to find a decent spot. Try to find one that is in a well-lit area with lots of foot traffic. Don't park in secluded areas if you can help it. When you leave your car be sure to lock it. Look around to familiarize yourself with the area. Note what row you parked in and the spot number too. This will make it easier to find your car when you return.

Try to shop with a buddy whenever you can. Doing so will reduce your chances of being attacked or mugged. If you have to shop alone, try walking near other pedestrians in the parking lot. Be sure to stay in well-lit areas as you walk and be alert to your surroundings at all time. It's best to steer clear of areas where you notice people are loitering. Walk quickly to the mall and don't meander.

SHOPPING MALL SAFETY TIPS

While shopping inside it is a good idea to avoid dark hallways and stockrooms, especially at closing time. Be sure to only use bathrooms that are located in high traffic areas of the mall such as the food court.

Be constantly guarded and vigilant as you move through crowds. Watch out for any unfamiliar person who bumps, pushes or gets too close. These may be a tactic designed to draw your attention away from pickpockets trying to take your wallet. Be sure to keep a close watch on your shopping bags and other personal effects as well. Always keep your purse close by. Never leave it unattended in the shopping cart. Don't carry your wallet, credit cards or cash in the back pocket of your pants or in your backpack. These are places pickpockets find it easy to get at without being noticed. Keep them in your front pockets instead.

Don't carry large amounts of cash with you. Try to make your purchases using a personal check, credit card, or ATM card if you can. At the times when you do pay using cash, pull out only what you need. Keep the rest of your cash hidden away so bystanders can see how much you are carrying. Regardless of the time of year, it is never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash with you. Try to save your most costly purchases for last, so you can head straight home afterward.

Try not to overload yourself with packages when it is time to return to your car. Combine smaller ones with one or two larger packages, or make several trips to your car. If you are overburdened, you won't be able to see who may be approaching and it could prevent you from quickly responding to a threat.

Always have your car keys ready to avert having to search for them in your purse or pocket when you reach your vehicle. Look over your shoulder periodically to make sure you are not being followed back to your car. As you draw near to your vehicle wait until you are almost upon it before using your fob to unlock it. Unlocking it too early could possibly inform a would-be assailant which car is yours. He could then hurry on ahead to reach your car before you and wait for your arrival. When you arrive at your vehicle be sure to look into the back seat before you get in to make sure no one is hiding inside.

Place your packages in the trunk out of sight. Do this when you first get to your car, rather than waiting until you park at your next stop. Gifts and other valuables should never be left in clear view this would provide thieves a reason to break into your vehicle while you are shopping.

When you get into your vehicle lock your doors immediately and drive off. Don't wait around sitting there to check off your shopping list, jot purchases down in your checkbook ledger or whatever it is that may cause you to delay your departure. This creates the perfect opportunity for an attacker to approach you and force his way into your car, especially if you didn't lock the doors.

Another precaution you may to consider using is to carry a personal alarm. This small device is perfect for drawing attention to yourself if you should ever need to. It is easily carried on your wrist or key chain. When activated it will emit a loud annoying sound designed to get noticed by others. An attacker won't this and will leave you alone.

Following the safety advice outlined above will help your holiday to be a merry one. - 31373

About the Author:

Kung Fu Master...and the Secret of Light Kung Fu!

By Al Case

One of the neatest things in all of TV history was when David Carradine in the old Kung Fu television show walked the kung fu walk on rice paper. Rice paper is extremely flimsy, and the bare moisture on the bottom of the foot, along with the weight of a persons body, is supposed to be sufficient to tear the stuff apart. The legend of the matter, of course, is that there is this martial discipline called Light Kung Fu, where one could actually make the body so light that they could maybe even levitate it!

Now, myself and all the guys in the neighborhood would watch David Carradine, Kwai Chang Caine as he was known on TV, and wish we had a kung fu master to teach us how to walk on rice paper. Why, there was no end to the things we could do if we only knew Light Kung Fu! The neighborhood bullies would be nothing if we had that awesome power!

So, a little thought about what Kawi Chang Caine was doing, a little western ingenuity, and we came up with a solution. Unroll a roll of toilet paper on a linoleum floor. Now, with a dropper, put a small drop of water in the middle of each square. Now, walk the walk.

Rice paper is like wet toilet paper, you see. So we walked, and...the thin stuff was ripped apart. Hmmm.

Try it again, placing the foot and not turning it at all. Squoosh, squoosh! Darn stuff just tore apart.

So we placed a long row of chairs next to the strip of tissue paper, and tried supporting ourselves as we walked the walk. Rip, squish, darn! This was tougher than we thought.

Now, to be truthful, we never did manage to walk the walk, and not tear the filmy stuff into shreds. And, to be truthful, I don't think it is possible, toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water, and rice paper is not. But something really neat did occur because of this intense interest in being able to do what the old masters did, even if they were only actors on TV.

In trying to walk on rice paper we ended up working out long and hard. While waiting for the floor to dry we ran through our kicking and blocking routines, we did our forms and worked on our balance and strength. In the end, though we never did manage to walk the light kung fu walk and not tear the living dickens out of that stupid toilet paper, we became masters by another means, we mastered kung fu through dedication and long hard work and by being inspired by our dreams! - 31373

About the Author:

Karate Masters, The Things They Did, and How You Can Become One!

By Al Case

Whap, bam and ka-zowie! We watch the silver screen, and we see kung fu flips in the Matrix movies and sword standing and eye gouging in Kill Bill and we know we have seen the real masters! Wake up, dude, that's a a bunch of actors, and what the real masters have done would put those cinema heroes to shame.

Gichin Funakoshi is considered to be one of the more significant of the karate masters. He brought karate to all Japan, and then spread it to the whole world. If that isn't considered enough to be considered a real, live master, why don't you go stand on a house during a typhoon and hold a 3 by 6 sheet of plywood?

That's right, to perfect his stance, he battled the elements, and word has it he never sailed off to Oz. And, if you want somebody a little more ancient, try Bushi Matsumuri, who made a bull run away just by glaring at the bull. The trick was that he went to the bull every night and glared at him, and stuck a pin in the bulls nose.

Of course you may not think the intelligence to figure out how to best a bull without bashing him is not much of a deal. So try something that doesn't take much intelligence, like grabbing the beams of a ceiling, not hooking the fingers over, but just grabbing them, and hand walking across the ceiling. This is something that people were doing in old Okinawa just for kicks!

One of the toughest of the old karate masters was Mas Oyama. Mas was famous for chopping the horns off of charging bulls, and he ended up killing three of the poor beasts. Now, cruelty to animals is not what we are about, and this was a while ago, but think about the muscle, the intelligence, the brute strength, and the sheer artism required to kill a bull with your bare hands. It's not something I would try if I were you.

Okay, you've heard my spiel on the old legends, so let me give you a simple trick to do, and you can start becoming a karate master all on your own. Learn one of the forms of Karate, maybe Bassai, or something like it, or maybe you might want to start off with a simpler form like Pinan One. Now, let the garden hose run for an hour on that bare patch of ground behind your house.

Now, the ground is wet and soft and mushy and messy. So it is time to practice that karate form you just learned, heh heh. Whap, bam and Yippee!

Your fanny flies over your face and you look like a plant hiding in the mud. Up on your feet you lazy wanna be karate master! Did you think the legends of old would whine just because they got a little muddy? - 31373

About the Author:

The Best Pepper Spray That Money Can Buy

By James Edwards

In this day and age it is vital that people protect themselves from predators. You do not need to go out and buy a gun or carry around a knife on you. All you need is half an ounce of pepper spray. Over the years pepper spray has been made available to anyone. There are so many choices that have come out for pepper spray it can make a person wonder, "Where does the best pepper spray that money can buy exist?"

You need to ensure that you will be able to hide the pepper spraying mechanism in some manner. Do not walk around with it out in your hand being paranoid. Just keep it somewhere with within reach in case you find yourself in a situation where it is needed. Keep it safe and secure someplace like your purse pocketbook as long as you are comfortable.

I discovered a site on line, number one defense, which lives up to its name. They have every kind of pepper spray to purchase for your self defense needs. There is a pen that is actually pepper spray. It looks exactly like a pen. All you need to do is take off the cap and spray. This would be very easy to conceal. The site sells a product that appears to be lipstick. In reality, it is very much a mechanism that when used will bring a mugger to their knees.

My husband works nights and I worry all the time for his safety. So, I decided that it was time to get him some pepper spray. This site has a product that fits easily on the visor of your car. I now am able to rest easier knowing that he has that in his car for an emergency.

Numerous varieties of pepper spray on this site can also be positioned on your key ring. The only issue with these that I have is the ones that have holsters you have to unbutton in order to use the pepper spray. There are some available that have a holster that takes on the shape of the spray. You do not need to remove it to use it. The holster does conceal it, too.

My personal favorite product this number one defense site sells is known as a stunring. It looks like a ring that you would wear on your finger. Then someone messes with you and the access could not be easier. The ring is actually elegant looking in appearance. You can get it in silver or gold.

The most effective pepper spray is named, quite appropriately, as wildfire. They are accessible on this site in many amounts from half an ounce to one and a half ounces. They say that it represents the most virile spray density for sale. You need to see this for yourself.

I think I am going to be buying one of these for every member of my family as part of their Christmas present. No one likes to think about bad things happening to those they care about, but the reality is it happens. It can happen to anyone. You want to be prepared.

For any product that you want to possess like this you need to do your research. You want to ascertain if pepper spray is lawfully okay for you to own in your state of residence. Treat this as you would any other weapon. Take measures to keep it safe and out of the reach of children. - 31373

About the Author:

Who was the Better Fighter, Bruce or Mohammad Ali?

By Al Case

Man, there's gonna be a fight in heaven! I can feel it in my soul! The question is, will Mohammad knock down Bruce, or will Bruce knock down Mohammad?

Okay, first factor to be considered, let's talk about the physical measurements of the combatants. Mohammad Ali was six foot three, and Bruce Lee was only five foot seven. The point goes to Mohammad on this one, though it is a weak point when one considers Bruces legs.

Now, weight is always a critical factor, so let us take a look. Bruce Lees weight went up and down, but at his ripping best he was probably about 160 pounds, Mohammad had his ups and downs in weight, also, but we can round it out to about 200 pounds. Mohammad gets the nod in this area, for 200 pounds of flesh is going to have a sizable boffaloonie behind it.

Speed is often decisive in a fight, and here the edge goes to Mr. Lee. Yes, Mohammad did deliver an invisible punch in one fight. Bruces speed, however, is always a constant blur.

All around martial ability considered, and Bruce takes another point. Yes, Mohammad was an amazing physical specimen, but he was limited to fighting with the arms. Honestly, though we can only award one point here, I would like give more to Bruce if I could, for you would have to tie one of Bruces legs behind his back to get an even fight.

One should never under estimate the importance of the mouth in a fight. Simply, if you talk the talk with sufficient prowess, you might not have to walk the walk. That said, in spite of Bruce having access to script writers, no one in the world could compete with the Louiseville Lip, why, you would have to tie one of Mohammads lips behind his back to get an even contest!

Mohammad has the edge thus far, but the contest is about to even up, for we are going to consider the most important question in the martial arts, pure martial knowledge. Mohammad knew a lot, but his was a natural talent, and, as we have discussed, he was limited to fists. Bruce, on the other hand, not only knew an amazing amount of hits, kicks, trips, throws, and so on, he used to watch movies of Mohammad just to study his techniques!

In conclusion, I am not going to give eitehr fighter a knock out, because these men were just too fast to be laid out. I am, however, going to give a decision to The Little Dragon, this because he not only watched movies of Mohammad Ali, he watched them in a mirror so he could understand the big Mohammad on either side! Now that is unbelievably creative and innovative, and I believe it is the deciding factor in awarding the decision to Bruce! - 31373

About the Author:

Self Defense Products - Which Ones Should You Choose?

By Teresa Bernard

Anyone can become a victim of crime. No one can predict when or where it will happen. As such it is wise to stay alert and be ready to take preventative action at all times. Most people don't think they'll ever become a victim of a crime. So they don't give it much thought. This is the type of person an attacker hopes to find to be his next victim.

FBI reports tell us that violent crime is everywhere in the U.S. At any given time an aggressive assault is happening somewhere. Crimes like murder, forcible rape, physical battering, etc. Unfortunately there is no 100 percent assurance you'll never be in circumstances where you have to defend yourself.

Reducing the risk of becoming the next victim is the definitive goal of preventing crime. This is easily achieved by making yourself less of a target. There are quite a few self-defense tactics you can choose to use for your own personal protection. Taking a self-defense class is one method you may want to consider, especially if you are a woman. Self-defense products are another method you may want to use.

Due to the rising crime rate, self-defense products are becoming more and more accepted these days. They are legal just about everywhere in the U.S. and are an affordable means of protection. In addition, police and military use them all around the world to enforce the law and control large gatherings of people.

Non-lethal in nature, self-defense products are effective tools meant to give you enough time to escape a dangerous situation. They are so easy to use, even the most inexperienced individuals can feel confident about defending themselves.

There are many options available when it comes to picking a self-defense product. Three of the most popular devices are personal alarms, pepper spray and stun guns. You can choose which one is the best product to use.

A personal alarm is perfect for drawing attention to yourself when you need to. The last thing an assailant wants is to attract attention. They are small, affordable devices that can be easily carried on your wrist or key chain. When activated they emit a very loud and annoying sound designed to get noticed by others. An attacker won't like this and will leave you alone.

Pepper spray is very effective and has a target range of up to' feet. The sprays cause a burning sensation and tearing of the eyes, shortness of breath and coughing. They can temporarily disable an attacker for up to half an hour.

Stun gun devices are powerful enough to immobilize most anyone. They work on the neurological system that controls the muscular movement. They are extremely effective and can considerably improve your chances of escape or minimize dangerous situations. Anyone who might tell you a stun gun won't work has never seen one in action. An attacker can be incapacitated in mere seconds as there is simply no way to override the effects of a million volt electrical charge surging through the body.

All of the self-defense products mentioned are effective devices and are surprisingly easy to use with little or no training. It is recommended that all three be kept with you and ready for use at all times. Which device you use would depend on the circumstances you find yourself in - 31373

About the Author:

Do You Does Your Dad Know How To Use Wildfire Pepper Spray

By James Edwards

Wildfire pepper spray is one way to protect yourself in these days of high crime. You will want to check on the acceptable laws within your jurisdiction before carrying pepper spray on your person. Most of us have seen pepper spray used by police departments on those cop television shows. The cop tells an aggressive subject he or she will be peppered sprayed if he or she does not cooperate and allow the cop to handcuff him.

The man pays no attention and keeps struggling. The cop pulls his pepper spray from his holster and sprays a stream at the suspects face. The man is incapacitated. After he is handcuffed he is begging for water to wash off his face. The cop tell him it was his fault for not cooperating.

The cop has of course been trained how to subdue suspects using pepper spray. He can use this when the suspect is merely try to avoid being handcuffed or when he is actually attacking the officer. In either situation the officer knows how to use the pepper spray. The officer knows that if he does not use it correctly he can spray his partner who is trying to help him or he might spray himself so he relies on his training to get it right.

Most people purchase and carry pepper spray because they want to stop someone who might attack them. Women have pepper spray thinking they can use it against a sexual predator. At the retail level some shop keepers carry it to try to stop a robber when they are behind the cash register or when they are transporting money from the store to the bank.

Using pepper spray the right way can prevent an attacker from getting the upper hand. But one has to know how to use the pepper spray in a attack situation.

Even if you carry it your hand you can be caught unaware if you are not trained to observe a threatening situation. If the attacker gets hold of your hand with the spray he can use it against you.

Wildfire spray is worth the money and then some when it works. And you have to know how to work it. You have to be ready to react to a life threatening situation. Call your local police agency to find out about classes on how to use the pepper spray that could save your life. - 31373

About the Author:

Use Pepper Spray Training For Effective Self Defense.

By James Edwards

More and more people are concerned about self defense. It has been estimated that some fifteen million Americans now carry a can of pepper spray to use for self defense. We hope that most of those purchased cans never have to be sprayed. One of the problems that many owners of pepper spray face is that they do not have proper pepper spray training to effectively use the weapon.

For a self defense weapon to be useful, the user must be trained to use the weapon. You need to know how to use the spray container before an emergency situation arises. When you are under attack is not the time to learn how to use the weapon. If it is not pointed in the correct direction, you can end up incapacitating yourself. For effective use, you need to have pepper spray training.

Some of the manufacturers of pepper spray offer a container of similar shape and size of the pepper spray that has been filled with water for training purposes. If you cannot find this training aid, it is suggested that you purchase two of the pepper spray containers, one for training and one for actual use.

Training with pepper spray should be out of doors. Attach a paper target to a tree and practice opening the safety cap and spraying your attacker. Your initial goal is not for speed but for accuracy. Pepper spray can be effective up to twenty feet away.

Hold the container firmly cupped in your fingers and use your thumb to flip the cap open. Use your thumb or your trigger finger to press the button to activate the spray that is aimed at the paper target. Continue doing this until you can accurately open the container and hit the target.

When you spray step aside and back. This will keep the spray out of your eyes and move you out of the way of the attacker. - 31373

About the Author:

How Can You Dare to Call Yourself a Master? (Part Two)

By Al Case

In part one we discussed that a person has to know something, and not just in the general monkey see monkey do attitude of the current crop of so called masters. This article has to do with the second and even more important lack upon the part of todays masters. This article has to do with the amount of knowledge a master has.

Yes, a fellow can study an art and say he has mastered that art. He can get so good at karate, for instance, that nobody can beat him. That, however, doesn't make him a master.

To be able to destroy somebody using a particular art is very limited. Destruction, you see, is very short sighted. While there is an art to destruction, the true art is in control.

How do you control somebody who is trying to attack you? You must learn more than one art, and this means you must learn both the arts that result in destruction, and the arts which espouse control. You've got to learn the difference between force and flow, which is another way of saying you must be able to bash something, or control it.

Destroy something and it is no longer around. This means that you have no more authority or power over that. True mastery is a perpetuating state whereby you can sustain your power and authority over your subject even into the future.

In the first article I said you had to know something about something. In this article I am telling you have to know everything, and one other thing. I am telling you that you must have power and authority even over those strange and unreasoning things called people.

Having power and authority over not just the technology of an art and all its moves is not enough to make somebody a master. You must be able to have power and authority over the people of the world. You must not just know the moves of an art, you must be able to apply them at any place and any time and over any person.

Now, having defined what a true master is, consider those individuals who lay claim to being a master. Can they just destroy and hurt people, and especially their students? Or have they studied and can apply a wide range of arts, without the necessity of hurting anyone, to anybody at any time? - 31373

About the Author:

Five Things that have Gone Totally Wrong with Freestyle!

By Al Case

The problem with freestyle is that it has devolved into fighting. Sounds contradictory, I know, but I began learning martial arts back in the sixties, and I have seen a different face of freestyle. This was a freestyle that was actually more effective, easier to learn, and tempers the personality to grow a better human being.

Now, I have nothing against mixed martial arts, or UFC, or learning ground and pound and all the other types of freestyle. Truth, I think some of this stuff would have been awfully useful back when I was first learning the arts. That said, consider the following objections that I have.

Controlled freestyle in the martial arts effectively died when people started putting on pads and gloves. Sure, we occasionally wore protective gear back then, but the purpose was to protect injuries that had already occurred. The breaking point, however, was when instructors realized how much money there was to be made in selling pads and gloves, they pandered to mothers fears, and this halted little Johnny from learning about true control, and effectively stopped the personal growth stage of the martial arts.

Bruce Lee really delivered a haymaker to freestyle by introducing bouncing. He watched Mohammad Ali, saw the float like a butterfly bit, and realized that bouncing disrupted timing, and he changed the world of freestyle. Unfortunately, the effect was also that people stopped learning how to observe their opponent and gauge his timing, and this stopped students from observing a whole fact of life, for time, as you may not have known, keeps this universe going.

With a lack of reality and a lack of timing eating at the innards of budding students, a loss of control was quick to follow. I remember seeing a fellow with three karate lessons under his belt taken to a tournament and encouraged to fight, not to get a point, but to fight. He fought, there were injuries, and nobody showed any control. And control, control through timing and reality, is what the martial arts evolution is really all about.

The final straw behind the downfall of the old way of doing freestyle had to do with respect. I was taught to bow when I entered the school, and to bow to my classmates and partners, and to bow before I stepped on the mat and fought somebody, and it all showed respect. Now there is an attitude of I'm tougher than you I spit on your school, and this utterly destroys the art of freestyle, and even the fact of human compassion.

I know there will be those who will not accept what I say, and, let's face it, my criticisms must be tempered by some of the marvelous things that are inherent in the arts that have developed, and this includes the mixed martial arts and the ultimate fighting championships styles. There are things to be learned in the martial arts that are popular today, and, I am not opposed to these new arts. When I see people showing a total lack of respect, fighting merely to beat each other up, I am on the other side, the old side, the side that shows compassion for their fellow man.

So, let me toss you a question, what can you do to create the old attitude of respect? Will telling people not to freestyle with gloves and pads enable people to feel the reality of what they are doing, and get rid of harmful attitudes? And, doing this, can you still make the art work? - 31373

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The Real and Mystical Truth About Why I Didn't choose Shaolin Kung Fu for Matrixing!

By Al Case

Matrixing, to put your fevered mind to rest, is the analysis and handling of force and direction. Everything in the universe has a direction, and everything in the universe has lots of potentials for collision. Thus, the study of Matrixing becomes crucial if one is going to understand things like Shaolin kung fu.

Now, to set this article up in the proper manner, let me say that the martial arts are taught through the memorizing of random strings of data. This is like somebody memorizing a dozen pieces on the piano, and thinking he is the next Mozart. Obviously, one has to break through the memorizing process and start finding the structure of his art, and how to arrange that art before he can lay claim to being a master artist.

So, let us consider this thing called Shaolin. Shaolin has a few thousand years of history, and every master and his sister has made their contributions, and thus the logic of the art has become mixed and impenetrable. There is a vast variety of these strings of random data, you see, and there single arrangement of principles with which to make sense out of it.

If one studies Shaolin kung fu like Choy Li Fut or Hung Gar, one thinks that kung fu is deep stance, windmilling arms, and a collidoscope of concepts which pop out at you. One thinks that one must beat up students right up to the head abbot to get promoted, and one must meditate and beat his fists into heated iron pellets to get the real kung fu. The sad fact is that this is a small subset of concepts, and while the true art is touched upon, it is not penetrated.

If one studies Wing Chun, one thinks that he has to stand squarely, achieve balance, and absorb attacks with the antennas of the forearms. Three forms, a wooden dummy, and never the idea that everything is just random strings of data, and not the whole. Thus, Wing Chun is phenomenal, yet it just touches upon the True Art, and never embraces it.

Then, of course, there is that insect called the Mantis, speaking of antenna arms, and circling motions that manipulate an opponent to his discomfort and destruction. But, if you look at it, it is almost like Hung Gar or Choy Li Fut and Wing Chun have been added together. Thus, the principles slosh and interchange and interbreed into fresh bastards, and the True Art is obscured in a dense fog of amazing ability and astounding art.

This all said, Matrixing could easily organize Shaolin, in the various forms of Hung Gar or Choy Li Fut or Wing Chun and come to the truth of the true art. But I chose Karate to present the principle of Matrixing, and to expose the world to the concept of logic through analysis and handling. Simply, the history was shorter, the mountain was smaller, the obscuring fog more transparent, and karate was easier to define.

There is a true blessing in my selectio of karate as a matrixng vehicle, however, for if youmatrix karate, you can use that matrixing as a template for Shaolin. All you have to do is plug the pieces of Shaolin into Matrix Karate, and, voila, you have instant true art. Doesn't matter how much fog, who cares how tall the mountain is, it can all be resolved into an easy to learn slices of True Art, and thus open the door to the whole of The True Art. - 31373

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Five Things I Should have Known About the Martial Arts!

By Al Case

Okay, I've been doing the martial arts since mid last century. I've lived through judo in the fifties, karate in the sixties, kung fu in the seventies, and stick fighting and shadow warriors and the UFC, and I've analyzed durn near every art there is. I've made up a list of things that I should have known before I started.

The point here is that classes were where you learned to sweat, and not where you learned to talk. However, the reason a lot of people didn't talk was because they didn't know anything. So are you ready to learn the things you should know before you start learning that system of karate or kung fu or Aikido?

I wish people would have told me how painful pain was, and if I had known the truth about why things hurt then they wouldn't have hurt so darn much. The pain of a block, for instance, can go either go into the block or into the strike, depending upon which person has more strength of will. It's not a matter of how tough somebody is, it is a matter of which way you want the energy to go. and being the stronger in intention.

I wish somebody would have sat down and told me what all the body parts are for. Why it matters how you turn the bones, and why it matters which side of the bone the muscle is on. It would have been great if somebody had just told me I had a head and I could think with it!

This matter of how a body works could have made the martial arts ten times easier if somebody had explained why and how all the parts had to work together. This is a thing called harmony, and when the body has harmony, then intention can flow through the body and make it ten times more efficient. How much does each part weigh, what is the ratio of muscle to body part, how far does each body part have to move to stay with the whole body, how much effort is required for each body part.

Speaking of harmony, if somebody had explained that it was not just harmony within your body, but harmony that was outside your body, then I would have had a ten times easier life. Heck, getting along with your fellow man takes all the tussle out of life. And the truth of love your enemy wold have made me a real martial artist of quality and magnitude.

Probably the most important thing somebody could have told me would have been to stop being lazy and get to work. Heck, if I had done a little more perspiring in the forms I would have gotten to the end of the martial arts path faster, maybe even gotten further along the path, maybe even learned something! The point here is that I could have learned all the things that I eventually figured out faster, and then I wouldn't be complaining about how stupid I was in an article like this!

Ah, the things I didn't know, they were so great, but, at last I know them. Even more important, you know them, so you don't have to be slow or stupid or lazy or things like that! Unless, of course, you want to pretend that I didn't say anything. - 31373

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The Secret of Matrixing Technology in the Martial Arts

By Al Case

There is a tremendous amount of fascination in the martial arts for this thing called Matrixing. It is pretty obvious that Matrixing is going to be the next significant breakthrough in the martial arts. It is pretty obvious that Matrixing is going to cover the globe and provide transformation in the martial arts.

To explain why this eventuality is going to occur, let me say a couple of things. The first is that Matrixing does not make any martial art less than it is, it makes every single art it touches into a grand and glorious success. The second is that the purpose of matrixing is to align data in the martial arts program, to make all martial arts logical and easier to learn.

Now the stated purpose of matrixing is to analyze and handle force and direction. To understand this is to understand that every object in the universe has a direction in which it is traveling. And, collision is the point at which trajectories intersect.

Thus, the point of matrixing is to control the paths of objects so that collision is avoided, or at least for one instead of against one. In the martial arts it is easy to see how this could be the heart of the matter. In fact, a little matrixing and you understand it is the underlying principle of martial arts, and life itself.

Joe Blow throws a fist at you, or an elbow or a spear or a foot or a body or whatever. You analyze the path that the weapon is taking accurately, and you can handle it. If you do not follow the path of the weapon accurately, poor you.

How do you ascertain that you have selected the correct trajectory? By knowing all the potential paths that could be taken. Only if you have analyzed the trajectory against all the potential trajectories can you determine that you have selected the correct trajectory to handle.

So matrixing is a method by which you can analyze all potentials of motion, and thus select the correct one to handle. And, by matrixing, you can analyze all of your potential responses, everything you could possibly do and be assured that the one you choose is the best one. And, here is the real key, matrixing enables to discover trajectories that you did not even know were there!

That's right, to discover what you don't know, and this makes you the ultimate pioneer, the ultimate explorer. With matrixing you have the key to discover all the dark, secret mysteries that are obscured and hidden, no matter if you are studying uechi ryu or parker kenpo or that esoteric form of silat. Beginners in Tae Kwon Do will learn faster, wudan tai chi chuan students will uncover the ancient mysteries, and even the bash and trash experts of the ground and pound arts in MMA and UFC will find themselves enlightened and uplifted. - 31373

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The Riddle of the Three Essential Ingredients of the Martial Arts

By Al Case

In the martial arts, I don't care if it is tae kwon do, fut ga, Shotokei, or whatever, there are three key ingredients. These three essentials are what makes an art an art, and they are why people become obsessed with the arts. Oddly, one of the ingredients is virtually unknown.

One of the ingredients is the pursuit of strength. Muscle mags are filled with strength advertisements, and everybody obsesses on strength. Oddly, strength is the least important of the three essential techniques of the martial arts.

Another ingredient is technique, and this is the most important of the three essentials. Technique is measured by how little effort you need to make a move work. If you need a lot of strength, then your technique is not very good.

The second most important essential to good martial arts, and the one most people are missing, deals with speed. Interestingly, at least in the beginning, speed is absolutely vital to make a technique work. Yet strength is what everybody obsesses about.

Yes, people try to get faster, but it is an individual effort, and usually put aside when they chase strength. People believe that having more strength is going to make them faster martial artists, you see. Well, it will, but there are flexibility problems with the concept, and the speed gained is not always enough.

Speed must be developed in a fashion which tailors it to the technique. As knowledge of technique rises, so should the escalation of speed. In my over 40 years of martial arts I have found only one technique which develops speed in the proper manner.

The Speed Drill is based on a simple slap and grab motion of the hands. It makes entering all techniques as easy as swatting a fly. And every technique can be immaculately set up using this slap and grab drill.

So practice the strength of weight lifting, and build the technique of tai chi chuan. Work the iron arms of kung fu and focus your concentration into a forever line with hsing i. But if you want sheer, raw, powerful speed...The Speed Drill is the tool for you. - 31373

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