Learn Martial Arts Moves To Win A Street Fight Easily!

Arts blogger

Want to learn some of the best kept secrets of martial arts moves that work great? I want to explore and share with you a collection of street self defense fighting techniques that will make you a better fighter. I have been a martial artist my whole life, and have fought in many dangerous situations outside of the dojo. From what I can tell you, these are the following best kept secrets of reality based self defense training:

Learn martial arts moves #1 – The kick to the groin. You can use the kick, or a knee strike to cause and inflict damage and mostly pain to a male opponent. This move is not just limited with kicks and knee strikes, you can elbow the groin, stomp, bite, squeeze, rip. It is a very painful and sensitive area on every male opponent and if you need to fight for your life everything is fair on the street. Remember that and use this move.

Learn martial arts moves #2 – Stab your fingers into their eyes. When I did years of training in Jeetkunedo Concepts I quickly learned that one of the best reality based self defense techniques I could ever use was none other then the eye gouge. It is a simple move and has devastating consequences to the person who is attacking you. It causes temporary or permanent blindness and extreme pain. If you need to protect yourself, try using this self defense move!

Learn martial arts moves #3 – Smash your attacker into his kneecaps. You can cause permanent damage or more specifically break his knee cap. It is an easy strike and what you want to do is smash through it with your foot and breaking his knee joint. If anything this will cause pain and hold back an attacker being able to chase you as fast and quickly as he could if not for you using this move.

Be sure that you memorize and use all these techniques and incorporate them into your street self defense and martial arts moves. They work in street based scenarios so be sure to practice and improve your training. Be sure to do daily physical activity and training to be prepared for violence! Continue improving your education and skill levels of martial arts. Be sure to eat properly and maintain your physical health. I hope you have learned something from this article.

The Two Most Powerful Weapons Of Martial Arts

Arts blogger

Nunchakus, the katana sword, double sticks, and others are among some of the weapons to be mastered through different styles of traditional martial arts. All of them have their own merits, but I believe the two most powerful weapons which can multiply the power of your techniques are the subconscious mind and Chi energy. Below I will explain in detail why.

All skills we have learned in any style, after hard and serious training, become natural reflexes. The reason for this is that there is a section of our mind that is in charge of memorizing all of our experiences from the moment we are born until the last breath we take. This part of our mind is in charge of vital functions of the body, such as breathing, defecating, regulation of bodily fluids and circulation as well as, other complicated processes. This part of our mind is working 24/7 without rest. Behold the subconscious mind!

What is the subconscious mind and how can it help you become a powerful martial artist? Sub means under and conscious means your everyday mind or the mind of everyday life. So subconscious means the part of your mind that is below your conscious awareness. In order words, you are not aware of it. The most important part for a martial artist to know and master about the subconscious mind is its inability to recognize physical limitations. Whatever skills regardless of the situation, you will be able to accomplish it if you impress or command the subconscious mind with an exact image of what you are trying to accomplish.

Let me use myself as an example. I do lots of visualization with my techniques and when I do them physically Ive noticed something very interesting. I feel like Ive been performing them for a long time physically. They feel crisp, with more strength, faster and alive. All the things Ive visualized give me a sense of connectedness to the techniques. In other words, my body, mind and emotions work together as one with the technique. This was an aha moment because I had heard the stories of visualization, but had never experienced them myself.

Another function under the control of the subconscious is the reflexes. When you react or attack your opponent, before all this happens, there is a signal sent from the brain to the body via the nervous system. The nervous system activates the muscle and then the muscles move the body. This happens in an instant, but you can lessen the time it takes for your muscles to receive the signal by training your subconscious and the body at the same time. This is accomplished using visualization as the above example proves.

Aside from the subconscious mind, there is another aspect to the training of martial arts call Chi training. Chi is not easy to explain, but let me give it my best shot. Chi is life itself and all things are made of it. It is internal and external energy. Planets and constellations are made of Chi. In the human body, Chi is regulated by the conscious mind and the amount is limited. Breathing exercises are one of the tools used to increase the amount of Chi in your body. I know, if all things are made of Chi how come it is limited in the body, thats your question. I dont know the answer to that question yet, but I have a theory and I will explain it later on.

Among the benefits of increasing your level of Chi is a stronger immune system, an increase of overall strength, faster reflexes, faster blood circulation, a strong sense of being grounded and a feeling of being in the present moment or in the Zone. If you practice martial arts, extra strength and total awareness and being in harmony with your opponent is a great skill to have, dont you think? Ask your teacher if he knows anything about Chi and ask him to teach you about it. If you are a practitioner keep reaping the rewards of your Chi.

Finally it may be possible that Chi is another expression of the subconscious mind. It is not a subjective experience, all youve got to do is practice and you will soon reap the benefits of Chi training, whether you practice the martial arts or not.

Is Martial Arts Equal Self-Defence

Arts blogger

The answer is no. No doubt what you learn from combative arts classes could be used for self-defence but they are just not self-defence. In reality, what you have learnt from the martial arts classes have nothing to do with the realities of protecting your personal safety. But again, we constantly attempt to find out what is the best combative arts for someone to learn about self-defence.

Realise this, if self-defence is what you are looking for, most of the martial arts school will not be able to offer you that, especially on staying safe in a modern urban environment. You may ask why do you say so?

1. Self-defence has something to do with “defusing violence”.

Violence can originate from an argument, physical contact, a date rape, a drunk friend, a fight, etc. They are all violence. Do you know that these pose different problems and there are different solutions?. How many martial arts school’s syllabus actually teach the students about how to response to such a situation? Do you think by breaking board will help you in “defusing violence”? Different violent situations will require different levels of response. You will learn such level of response in self-defense lessons but not combative arts.

2. Martial arts emphasis on fighting style.

As you know each violence situation differs, self-defense is the answer in dealing with it. Remember this, what works for one situation may not work for another. Martial arts emphasis on fighting style. Form is more important than substance. But for self-defence, your personal safety is the priority. You learn how to defuse violence or getting out of that situation. It encompasses common sense, habits, lifestyle, alertness etc.

3. Martial arts are training but not education on how to deal with violence.

Martial arts are training and sports. People constantly mistaken it for education. Self-defence by its very nature addresses specific conditions and problems. Do you think the SWAT officer’s high risk entry training is of good help in controlling a drunk in a bar? Of course not. The training that works for such an officer doesn’t work for you as well. Self defence requires education and training. In combative arts, you will learn very specific things, however, that surely doesn’t mean that you are prepared to handle all violence situations. You need to be educated about what martial art techniques can be used for self-defence in each and every different circumstances.

You must know that most martial arts have become sports regardless their combative history or self-defence use they claim. There’ is a huge difference between sport fighting and defensive movement. If you still think that any martial art could be used for self-defence then you are exposing yourself to the danger.

Making That Perfect Arts And Crafts Dream Catcher

Arts blogger

Being bothered by nightmares? Native Americans believe that bad dreams can become caught in the web of a dream catcher and destroyed in the morning light. Dream catchers are so beautiful and artistic that they have become one of the most popular mass marketed arts and crafts available. However, these lovely pieces can be made at home. In this article, we’ll demonstrate how to make a dream catcher yourself.

Dream catchers were originally made out of willow, sage and deer sinew. Modern dream catchers are made with wood or metal wrapped in leather strips and artificial sinew. The decoration of the web along with the shape, size and colors used is left to the artistic tastes of the individual.

Feathers attached to the dream catcher are meant to assist the flight of good dreams. Although selecting the materials is usually a matter of preference, typically to make a dream catcher you will need about 7 feet of thin suede, glue, a 6 inch metal or wooden ring, waxed nylon string, 12-16 pony beads, 12-16 feathers, scissors and a clothes pin. The colors of the beads and feathers can be any you choose.

The most difficult thing about the arts and crafts project of making dream catchers is making the web. Once you have covered the hoop with leather or suede and the glue has dried completely, tie a long strand of sinew or another piece of suede onto the hoop with a secure knot.

Carefully work your way around the hoop making a slip stitch at about every inch, or inch and a half. Ideally, the spaces should be uniform but don’t worry if they are not perfect. Once you get back to the top, slip stitch into the first loop that you made and repeat the process until you have just a small hole in the center. If you want to make your dream catcher more decorative, you can slip beads onto the web as you go. Tie a knot at the end and cut off any excess material.

To make the loop to hang your Dream Catcher, use a 12″ piece of suede lacing. Fold it in half and tie a knot in the open end. At the top of the ring, attach the lacing and slip the loop end through the ring and then around the ring and over the knot. Pull the lacing tight to secure it in place.

To make the hanging sections, cut three 8″ pieces of suede. Tie two 8″ pieces of suede lacing about one third of the way up each side of the ring using a double knot. Slip 3 colored pony beads onto each piece of lacing and secure with a knot. Tie the last 8″ piece of lacing to the top middle of the ring. Slip three pony beads onto each piece of lacing. Finally, push two feathers up inside the beads on each piece of lacing.

Arts and crafts make wonderful presents and a homemade dream catcher is an especially thoughtful present. It make take some practice to get the weaving right, but the effort is worth it.

As you get more experience with the craft of making dream catchers, you can experiment with different colors of suede and leather, beads, feathers and ring sizes. As with all of the artistic craft projects you may undertake, no two pieces need to look the same.

Eddie Izzard Force Majeure World Tour Comes To Dpac, Durham Performing Arts Center May 21,

Arts blogger

Durham, NC, January 30, 2014 – Eddie Izzard will bring his massive Force Majeure world tour to the U.S., visiting 32 cities through the spring with more dates to be announced later this year. The tour stops at DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, on May 21, 2014.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, February 4 at 10 a.m.:

Online at DPACnc.com

DPAC Ticket Center: 919.680.2787, 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC

Ticketmaster.com / Ticketmaster Charge by phone at 800.745.3000

Presented by WestBeth Entertainment, a full list of U.S. tour dates with links to tickets is available at http://www.EddieIzzard.com.

Force Majeure is the most extensive comedy tour ever; launched in March of 2013, the tour will take Izzard to 25 countries on five continents. From Cardiff to Kathmandu and Moscow to Mumbai, Force Majeure will play throughout Europe, Africa, Russia, the U.K., Canada, the U.S., India, Nepal, The Far East and Australia. Izzard recently completed runs in France performing entirely in French and in Berlin performing entirely in German.

One of the most acclaimed comedians of his generation, Izzard’s unique, tangential, absurd, and surreal comic narratives are lauded for their creativity and wit, earning him a New York Drama Desk Award and two Emmys for Dress to Kill, two British Comedy Awards for Top Stand-Up Comedian, and an Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement.

In the U.S., Izzard is the first solo stand-up comedian to perform at the Hollywood Bowl, has sold-out three consecutive nights at Radio City Music Hall and toured arenas throughout the U.S. including a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden.

On TV, Izzard most recently guest starred in the series, Hannibal, on NBC. He starred in and served as a producer on the critically acclaimed FX Network Show, The Riches, opposite Minnie Driver, guest starred in the final season of Showtime’s United States of Tara, and his 2010 documentary, Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story, received an Emmy nomination.

His long list of film and stage credits includes Valkyrie opposite Tom Cruise, Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Thirteen and Ocean’s Twelve opposite George Clooney and Brad Pitt, David Mamet’s Race and The Cryptogram, the title role in Marlowe’s Edward II, and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg in London and on Broadway which won him a handful of awards, including a Tony nomination for Best Actor.

WESTBETH ENTERTAINMENT is a producing organization that has successfully and consistently produced critically acclaimed, financially successful, groundbreaking entertainment for 30 years. WestBeth has produced, presented, and managed diverse productions and tours that have played such venues as Madison Square Garden, Broadway, Radio City Music Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Toronto’s Massey Hall, the San Francisco’s the Curran Theatre, Chicago’s United Center Arena and the Chicago Theatre, and many music and performing arts centers around North America.

WestBeth is currently producing La Soire in New York City and an upcoming Australian tour of Puppet Up! – Uncensored.

Recent productions include the Canadian tour of Eddie Izzard’s Force Majeure, and Dylan Moran’s Yeah, Yeah in cities across the US and Canada. WestBeth also produced the 6 week off-Broadway run of South African comedian Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime; Eric Idle’s What About Dick at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles; and the national tour, Off-Broadway, and 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs of Puppet Up! – Uncensored (aka Stuffed & Unstrung) with The Jim Henson Company.

Other notable productions include John Leguizamo’s Ghetto Klown on Broadway, the West End, and Colombia, South America; British comedian Simon Amstell’s one man show NUMB in New York and other cities around the county; Billy Connolly’s tour The Man Live in New York and San Francisco; Eddie Izzard’s Dress To Kill, Circle, Sexie, Stripped-a 35 city US tour and tour of Canada, Stripped Too: US Arena tour, Stripped to the Bowl, Stripped to the Shore; Billy Connolly’s Too Old To Die Young tour in America and Canada; Lewis Black’s Nothing Sacred show at New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, as well as Lewis’ Dual Citizenship Tour in Canada and ‘In God We Rust’ at City Center in New York.

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About DPAC Since its opening in 2008, DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, has become the center for live entertainment in the Triangle. Recognized for its contemporary design, DPAC features 2,700 seats, intimate sightlines and state-of-the art sound and video. Listed four times in the top 10 in Pollstar magazine’s annual worldwide theater attendance rankings, DPAC is currently the #4 ranked theater in the U.S.

What is up next at DPAC? Alternative rock’s hottest ticket PIXIES (January 31), an evening of mind-blowing music with GOV’T MULE (February 8), and back by popular demand “The Edible Inevitable Tour” with ALTON BROWN (February 27).

For more information, please go to http://www.DPACnc.com.

Press Contact:
Rachel Gragg
DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center
Durham, NC
+1 (919) 281-0476
http://www.dpacnc.com