Martial Arts 101.

Martial arts is a popular type of self defense that emphasizes discipline and focus. Today, it's taught primarily as a tool for physical fitness, sports, confidence and mental discipline, but it originated as a method of self defense that was taught to soldiers and used in combat.

Bruce Lee.

What is Martial Arts?
The term “martial arts” includes various types of fighting techniques that are used primarily for self defense. Martial arts originated thousands of years ago within the cultures of China, Japan and India. China is home to one of the oldest types of martial arts, called Oigong, thought to have been practiced as long as 5,000 years ago. Qigong, which means "energy cultivation," is a martial arts technique that was developed to increase the flow of energy in the body. According to Chinese philosophy, a person's life energy is responsible for strength and health throughout their lifetime.

What are the Types of Martial Arts?
Some types of martial arts are practiced without self defense weapons, while others include weapons like swords, knives and daggers. Whether armed or unarmed, the desired result of all types of martial arts is to achieve physical power over an opponent. The different types of martial arts fall into categories that include striking arts, joint lock arts and throwing arts.

Lyoto Machida, Shotokan Karate black belter.

Striking Arts
The striking arts method of martial arts is one of the oldest techniques. Striking arts techniques focus on striking the opponent in vulnerable body parts in order to defeat him. Striking arts include Karate, Tae Kwon Do and boxing. While Karate and Tae Kwon Do employ various punches and kicks to the body, boxing focuses on hitting the opponent in the upper torso using boxing gloves.

Photo credit: Aikido Auckland.

Joint Lock Arts
In joint lock arts, you must learn how to push and manipulate your opponent's joints past their normal comfort zone. This self defense technique is especially helpful when a small person is pitted against a larger person. Aikido, a disciplined type of martial arts, uses joint lock techniques, but these techniques require years of study and are extremely hard to master.

Roger Gracie, grandson of Carlos Gracie - creator of Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

Throwing Arts
Throwing arts, practiced in Judo and wrestling, focus on knocking your opponent off their feet. Hapkido and Braazilian Jiu-Jitsu use a combination of striking, joint lock and throwing arts performed with fluid movements that are meant to take an opponent quickly to the ground.

Wordless Wednesday #137 | Training the Dragon.

The little man enjoyed karate so much that he decided this is going to be a long-time thing and not just a summer activity. Which is good, since I want my son to be completely bully-proof.

Learning side kicks...

So now, our Saturday mornings are spent at K2LC, where the boy (still) trains with Sensei Danny and Senpai Louie.

And finally, a roundhouse!

The kids are now learning the ropes of front kicks, side kicks, and roundhouse kicks. I can't wait to see my little dragon do a proper spinning roundhouse in the future! :)

Senpai Louie, the Little Dragon, and Sensei Danny.

Karate teaches that the real enemy lies within. Get interested in the pursuit, not just the possession. The race, not just the goal. Effort is everything. - Chotoku Kyan

Tales from the Dojo | How Martial Arts Can Help My Child.

Last Saturday, my son officially started his martial arts training. I signed him up for a two-month Karatedo Clinic at my friend's learning center, where he will learn basic karate and coordination drills as well as self-defense skills.

Following Senpai Louie's moves.

The latter is actually the main reason why my husband and I wanted Yue to practice martial arts (aside from the fact that we're a family of mixed martial arts fans). There have been quite a few instances when Yue would get hit by a classmate and he would do nothing but cry and tell the teacher what had happened. Not that I want my son to hit back, I just want him to be able to defend himself properly and be completely bully-proof.

A friend of mine once told me that getting Yue started into martial arts is one of the best gifts I could ever give him. I agree. Because aside from the self-defense aspect, martial arts can help my son (or any kid, for that matter) in so many ways. I've listed some of them below:

1. Encouraging Physical Activity.
Kids can stay on the couch watching TV or playing with tablets, and my son is no exception! Enrolling kids in a physically-demanding activity will encourage them to be more active and eventually give up on the sedentary lifestyle that they have been accustomed to.

Stretching with Sensei.

2. Promoting Self-discipline.
One of the main principles of all forms of the martial arts is self-discipline. Today’s kids are so pampered and highly accustomed to receiving instant gratification that lessons in self-restraint and discipline aren’t always easy to come by. However, kids with martial arts backgrounds are continually reminded of how important self-discipline is.

3. Instilling Respect.
Learning any martial arts style will require your child to show his/her instructor unflinching respect. Today’s kid culture doesn’t always include respect for adults and teachers, and even those in authority. But with martial arts, your child will learn to bow to the masters, and to their senpai who came before them. They will also learn to treat other students as they wish to be treated.

Learning the stances.

4. Increased Self-Esteem.
Confidence comes with achievement, so your child’s self-esteem level will get a boost with every new move he masters and every belt he earns. The sense of accomplishment a child feels by mastering a new technique or graduating to a new belt follows him everywhere he goes.

Working it!

5. Learning to Focus, Set, and Achieve Goals.
Almost all forms of martial arts are based around an accomplishment system of colored belts that signify the wearer’s degree of skill. When your child strives toward each new belt, he’s learning valuable lessons about focusing on a goal, and setting ways to achieve it.

Cool-down huddle.

6. Learning Conflict Resolution.
No, no, no, martial arts does not promote violence! Thinking that martial arts promotes violent behavior is justified if your only experience with the activity comes from the stuff you watch on TV. In fact, many defensive styles teach kids peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution skills and emphasize the importance of avoiding a physical altercation.

Playtime with Jared after karate training.

7. Improving Socialization Skills.
Kids who usually feel awkward in highly social environments may find it easier to get to know people and make new friends when they’re in a room filled with peers who share a common interest. Aside from that, kids will also learn to treat their dojo classmates and teachers with utmost respect and courtesy.

As the great Bruce Lee would say, "The martial arts are ultimately self-knowledge. A punch or a kick is not to knock the hell out of the guy in front, but to knock the hell out of your ego, your fear, or your hang-ups."

How about you, have you considered getting your child into martial arts?

Yue trains with Sensei Danny at the Kaleidoscope Kids Learning Center.

Wordless Wednesday #123 | Bruce vs. Brandon.

Wordless Wednesday #80 | Bruce Lee, baby!

Bruce Lee UFC shirt, check.

(Bruce Lee) Onitsuka Tiger Tai Chi shoes, check.

I'm a happy fangirl. :)

Wordless Wednesday #69 | The Perfect Pullip.

Pullip x The Bride.

#Wonderful2014 | Looking Back and Moving Forward.

So, I have been challenged to do a blog post about the 'what ifs' and 'could have beens' from 2013. I could devote an entire day just writing about all sorts of trials and tribulations, but I'll spare you all from the drama. I don't want to spoil the festive mood of New Year's Eve. Haha!

Instead, let me share with you some nuggets of wisdom from my hero and icon - Bruce Lee. This pretty much sums up the story of my life this 2013.

I hope the past year had been good to all of you. Let's all welcome the New Year with a bang (not literally though), and look forward to an even more #Wonderful2014! Cheers! :)