My Girlfriend Winning Tournaments

I wanted to just post this for fun, especially seeing as I have a new girlfriend. Yes she trains in the martial arts too.

She has been winning some local tournaments. Go LISA!

Stretching To Help My Sparring

I have been working on my stretching and have even attended a few yoga classes to help with my hip flexor flexibility. I feel I have been getting better but wanted to help move everything along.

I am also considering buying some equipment to help with it too. One of then pieces I am ordering is the leg stretching machine: http://www.bestlegstretchers.com/shop-gear/pro-swift-stretcher/

They also have a video that shows other stretching equipment they carry but I think the pro stretcher is what I want. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFSSeYvVwqc

What do you think? The front handle is removable so you can stretch all the way to the front.

Ninja Tabi Shoes - Worth It?

I have been considering buying some tabi shoes for my apartment. They seem pretty cool and comfortable (according to my friend Lisa). But what I am unsure about is the split toe. I am not sure if having my big toe separate from my other toes will feel comfortable.

 Here is where I am considering buying my ninja tabi shoes  http://www.realninjagear.com/ninja-equipment/ninja-tabi/. They are not that expensive. But I still do not want to waste my money.

A closer look at them here in video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUkd5m49h-g

Or this picture:

Hard Sparring In Taekwondo

I have always loved to spar hard when I am getting ready for a tournament. And this year will be no different. I have started a new workout routine. I am jogging 3 miles in the mountains and adding some different types of weight training to regimen.

In addition I am trying out some new sparring gear: http://www.taekwondosupplies.org/category/tkd-foam-sparring-gear/ It seems pretty good and easy to clean so I am happy about that. Everyone knows how hard it can be to keep your gear from getting stinky.

Also I have some new training partners who are versatile in TKD who are training at a new school here in California. (If you are unsure how to choose a TKD school go here: http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Taekwondo-School.)

My new partners have been training for over 7 years so their experience in tournaments will help me with my sparring.


 

Basic Bokken In Aikido

This video is how to use the bokken. This style of use for the bokken comes from Aikido. Which itself is based on juijitsu which is the art that the samurai used.

http://www.youtube.com/v/0vIyzVUe0x8?autohide=1&version=3&showinfo=1&attribution_tag=iYojKLzh4NY7XsSbF3VCfA&autoplay=1&autohide=1&feature=share

Martial Arts Japanese and Chinese Uniforms Related?

This has been a heated debate for many years. Are the Japanese and Chinese martial arts related?

Seeing how the two nations are close geographiocally I would say yes they are related. Of course each country has its own unique way of doing the techniques based on its ancestors and culture.

The one thing I do find interesting is that Japanese Karate and Chinese Kung Fu both wear peasant uniforms to workout in. The Chinese wear a kung fu uniform (see it here at  www.classickungfuuniforms.com) and the Japanese wear a karate gi (see a video of it here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRHwJcInqck). I find that very interesting.

It seems that both cultures wore what was on hand. And that was the common clothing of the day.
To see more of the more elaborate clothing worn by these ancient Asian cultures check out this video I found:

Samurai Swords Basic Techniques

An awesome video that demonstrates some basic Samurai cutting techniques. If you are interested in the Samurai and how they used their swords in battle then check out this video. The basics are always the most important so do not let the name make you skip over watching.