Footwork is very important in the standup portion of any martial art. Standup fighting begins and ends with footwork. It basically determines how effective your strikes are.

Let’s start with the most basic part: the fighting stance. Depending on whether you are left handed or right handed, the positions of your lead leg and trail leg are crucial. The gap between your legs is also important depending on what martial arts you are training in. For example, if you are practicing mixed martial arts, your stance is much wider in order to deflect any kicks.

Generating power for your punches is dependent on footwork. Your feet should be firmly planted on the ground for maximum power. For example, if you are throwing a jab, you would step forward and move your body into it, so that you get all of your body weight behind the punch. Make sure your lead leg and trail leg are planted after you step in.

If your feet are tilting or if you are fighting on your toes, power becomes limited at best. You might even be off balance which will leave you susceptible to a counter or takedown.

It is important not to remain stationary when training. Constantly move around and stay alert. This is important so that you can control your surroundings and defend yourself in the event of an attack. For example, if you side step when someone throws a jab, you have negated not only their attack but their power as well. This leaves them vulnerable to a counter-attack while you have them at a great angle.

Footwork is detrimental in dictating the pace; moving around constantly will make you less predictable and offer you many opportunities to beat your opponent.

Martial arts training focuses on the mental aspect as much as the physical one, if not more. It is by no means a mindless activity. Performance depends very much on a student’s state of mind and his ability to block out any unrelated thoughts or emotions.

Just like any other activity, one must concentrate and be focused. If you are in another state of mind, be it upset, sad, or worried, it will reflect in your training.

Let’s use an example of a man who just underwent a breakup with his significant other. He goes to his weekly training session and his peers notice a change in his performance during the sparring sessions. The man is engulfed with rage and significantly more aggressive than usually. This may result in serious injury to his training partners.

More importantly, the expected self-discipline nurtured by any martial arts school is jeopardized and any techniques employed aren’t performed up to par. Certainly, there will be times when one will be able to perform a technique flawlessly; other times, they will have trouble. What could be the cause of this discrepancy in performance?

Without any doubt it is the state of mind. When you are at the dojo, you should clear your mind at the door. You are there to train and must display the same discipline and respect as your peers do. It is never acceptable to just show up and walk through a session. Be alert and be aware of everything around you. Soak up the martial art! When in doubt, ask your sensei about the correct attitude while practicing martial arts.

Kendo is a very physical sport and its practitioners need lots of protective equipment. The gear includes the kendo “bogu” (armor), the kendo uniform (worn under the bogu; consists of a hakama and G.I.), and the kendo stick/sword (also known as a shinai).

Bogu can be bought at specialized kendo stores, like E-Bogu. E-bogu is known to be one of the BEST sites to buy bogu and other kendo equipment from. The majority of kendoka buy their equipment from E-Bogu.

The bogu is comprised of the ”men” (helmet), “kote” (arm guard), “do” (chest protector), and “tare” (groin protector). The kendo shinai must be properly taken care of or else it will pose a danger to both you and your opponent. The shinai must be checked for splinters and oiled regularly. This helps keep the shinai from breaking and sending razor sharp shrapnel into yours or your opponent’s faces.The shinai’s string must also be kept tight. This is to keep the top from slipping off and making the shinai go through your opponents “men.” If you think your shinai or bogu are damaged, or not safe, do NOT use it and tell your sensei. Help keep your dojo safe for everyone.

If you’re looking for a great Kendo dojo, look no further than the Toronto Kendo Club!

The Toronto Kendo Club is a non-profit club. The club is fully devoted to practicing Kendo. Their motto? Train hard and eat well!

Classes take place all year round with instructors from 4th Dan ranking all the way up to 7th Dan ranking. Membership fees vary, with yearly packages, 12 week packages, and family packages. New members can join in January, April, July or September.

Classes are taught 3 times a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Weekday classes are held in the evening, while weekend classes are held in the afternoon. Certain times are devoted to beginners, advanced practitioners, and all levels. Visitors are always welcome to watch practices.

Classes take place at the Joseph J. Piccininni Centre, located on 1369 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

For more information, visit the Toronto Kendo Club homepage!

There are at least five good reasons why every child should be enrolled in a martial arts school–no matter what type of martial arts.

1) To stay fit

Without a doubt any martial arts training will keep a kid fit. Everything from drills to sparring burns a lot of calories. In fact, practicing strikes on a heavy punching bag burns a lot more calories than running on a treadmill! Moreover, the child’s flexibility, speed, and stamina will improve greatly as well.

2) To create a balance in life

Even children suffer from stress, very much like everyone else. After spending a major part of the day at school, they have to complete their homework assignments at home in the evening. In order to balance it out they need a stress-relieving activity. Needless to say, there is nothing better than martial arts! Chops, punches, and kicks help children release tension. It is healthy for their mind and body.

3) To teach the importance of responsibility

Martial arts are known for being structured and rigid. Teachers (senseis) expect students to bring clean uniforms to class, be on time, and learn all techniques flawlessly. This teaches a child responsibility for many aspects of life. Moreover, the martial arts’ skills learned should not be used to start fights. The greatest responsibility instilled by any martial arts is handling a problem in a peaceful manner while resorting to fighting only as last resort and self-defense. Like Spiderman’s uncle said: “With great power comes great responsibility!”

4) To obtain qualities and character traits that are seldom developed elsewhere

Respect for others, self-discipline and self-confidence are only a few of the qualities a child develops through martial arts training. No doubt, your child will be a better person because of them.

5) To have more time for yourself

Sending your child to a martial arts school for a couple of days a week will benefit you as well. You deserve a couple hours to yourself! Go and do some of the things you love. Having a well-balanced parent is always better for a child because stress is passed on by the people we are close to.

The trinity of martial arts is made up of three elements: body, mind, and spirit. Each element is dependent on one another and cannot reach its full potential by itself.

The first step towards mastering the trinity is training your body by doing kicks, blocks and punches while controlling your breathing and balance. The goal of these exercises and techniques is to improve your physical condition.

Secondly, you have to feed your mind. The mind controls the body. Every student has to understand the limitations and capabilities of the human body in order to effectively increase speed and perform sophisticated techniques. Moreover, self-discipline and integrity are vital in becoming a martial arts master.

Last but not least, you have to tune in to your spirit. True harmony of body and mind allow a martial arts student to tune in to his spirit and acquire a vision. No matter if the vision consists of an idea, a person, or God, himself—it only comes to fruition when the student is at peace.

At this point the essence of martial arts turns into a central aspect of the student’s life while he applies its philosophy to all situations. Integrity, perseverance, self-control become the student’s second nature.

The trinity is symbolized by the positioning of the hands when performing Kwang-Gae and the correctly tied knot of the martial arts belt.

By mastering the trinity of body, mind and spirit students not only become well-rounded martial artists but true masters.

Learning martial arts is very much like going to school. You have to study the subject and pass exams in order to advance to the next level. Passing a martial arts exam, however, often requires a written test as well as a physical performance. The major challenge is without doubt the physical test, in which the student has to demonstrate how well he masters the learned techniques.

While this exam is certainly a major milestone in the student’s development, it also sets a standard within the dojo and serves as motivation, as well as visual training for his peers. Moreover, the sensei (coach) has the opportunity to evaluate his training approach and the effectiveness of his composed tests. Needless to say, he also takes pride in watching his students advance in ranks.

Every student eventually has to undergo testing. Watching a peer taking the exam first can be a great advantage and help in preparation of your own test. You learn by watching others perform a technique as well as performing it yourself with a partner. No one can practice martial arts alone. All students depend on each other.

As an added bonus, the students learn new skills through testing. One of these is the ability to remain calm under pressure—the key to passing the exam. Your sensei evaluates how well you perform under stress.

Above all else, the rank exams preserve the history and prestige of martial arts. Not only would the credibility of the martial arts be compromised, but more importantly, the techniques and martial arts’ moves might be corrupted if there was no consistent testing. So rise to the challenge and get ready for your next test.

Before stepping inside a kendo store, you should get permission from your sensei. Do notbuy anything unless your sensei allows you too. Not only is it disrespectful, but you may not be advanced enough to buy anything.

If you are buying your first bogu or first hakama and kendogi it is recommended that you not buy online. Instead, you should go to an actual store and get measured. Nothing is worse than accidentally buying a hakama that ends at your feet, or a bogu that you can’t fit into.

If you are still in the process of growing you should get measured each time you buy a bogu or hakama. You shouldn’t spend too much money on a hakama, since you will most likely grow out of it in a short while.

With bogu you have a bit more latitude with sizes. However, it is suggested that you not spend too much money on your bogu either.

If you are an active participant in tournaments, you should buy two pairs of bogu; one for practice and one for tournaments. The one used for tournaments should be kept clean and attractive as it is a common belief that the better you look, the more chance you have of being awarded a point.

http://www.international-kendo.com is an up and coming kendo site with a wealth of information.

By International-kendo.comKendo, like most other martial arts, can only be learned with the help of a qualified sensei (teacher). There are many companies that sell kendo videos and kendo pictures, saying that it will teach a person how to be a samurai. This is completely false; a sensei will point out what is wrong with your technique and kata.

In order to learn kendo properly, you need to go to a kendo dojo (kendo school) where you can have lessons with someone who has been doing kendo for many years. Sensei aren’t the only people who can help you learn, most classes have many other students who can also help point out what you are doing wrong.

Why would a company blatantly lie to you? A simple answer: they want money. Most of those companies that make the kendo videos don’t really care about you or kendo. However, dojo are only paid enough to keep running and the sensei are normally volunteers. Why would a sensei be a volunteer? Because he loves kendo; that is how you know you will be learning: if a teacher loves his subject, that love will pass on to his student.Before joining a dojo, make sure you like it. Do not base your choice on things like distance from your house or price of membership. If you do not like your dojo, it will show in your kendo. Go visit five or ten kendo dojo and pick one that meets your needs the best. Some things to consider are the physical dojo, the sensei, the other students, the teaching style, and the ambience.About the author: http://www.international-kendo.com is an up and coming kendo site with a wealth of information.

Martial arts training focuses on the mental aspect as much as the physical one, if not more. It is by no means a mindless activity. Performance depends very much on a student’s state of mind and his ability to block out any unrelated thoughts or emotions.

Just like any other activity, one must concentrate and be focused. If you are in another state of mind, be it upset, sad, or worried, it will reflect in your training.

Let’s use an example of a man who just underwent a breakup with his significant other. He goes to his weekly training session and his peers notice a change in his performance during the sparring sessions. The man is engulfed with rage and significantly more aggressive than usually. This may result in serious injury to his training partners.

More importantly, the expected self-discipline nurtured by any martial arts school is jeopardized and any techniques employed aren’t performed up to par. Certainly, there will be times when one will be able to perform a technique flawlessly; other times, they will have trouble. What could be the cause of this discrepancy in performance?

Without any doubt it is the state of mind. When you are at the dojo, you should clear your mind at the door. You are there to train and must display the same discipline and respect as your peers do. It is never acceptable to just show up and walk through a session. Be alert and be aware of everything around you. Soak up the martial art! When in doubt, ask your sensei about the correct attitude while practicing martial arts.