When dealing with modern day altercations, gun and knife threats are a high possibility. Knowing techniques to deal with such situation can be life saving knowledge. Many martial arts disciplines have added knife and gun defense moves to deal with such situations.
One of the most popular martial arts that incorporate knife and gun defense techniques is Krav Maga. This Israeli martial art is known for its aggressive moves and weapons defense.
Check out the above video to learn a few techniques when dealing with an armed opponent.
Stretching and warming up before training and high intensity activity is highly important to prevent injuries. Performing a basic warm up routine helps to loosen the muscles and joints, get your blood flowing, and prepares you for the upcoming activity.
Every style of martial arts have their own method to warm up before training. In this video, you will see a great warm up and stretch routine used in Shaolin kung fu. Enjoy!
Meditation has been used by many cultures around the world for centuries to improve mental fitness. Meditation can be seen as a form of prayer or mindfulness, where the mind is cleared and thoughts are either limited to goals or mantras.
In this video, Tibetan Buddhist master Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche guides you through a body, space and awareness meditation. This meditation will help you be fully present in the moment and increase mindfulness.
Qi Gong has been used for centuries in the orient to increase health and longevity. Qi Gong is translated to mean “Life Energy Cultivation.”
The slow but intentional movements performed during a qi gong sessions help with the posture of the body, breathing, mindfulness, spirituality and also martial arts training.
Qi gong can be thought of as a combination of martial arts moves, stretches and meditation synchronized to breathing.
Check out the above video to see an excellent beginner warm up and qi gong routine.
One of the most important aspects of martial arts that many people overlook is having a proper fight stance. Having a good stance allows you to stay balanced and deliver perfectly executed techniques.
There are many downfalls to not having a balanced and well developed fighting stance. An improper stance makes you become off balanced which can cause you to fall while while performing techniques and leave you open to counter attacks.
Movement in the correct stance is also vital. While moving, it is important to have the correct footwork. Improper footwork can also lead to you becoming off balance while attacking or dodging.
Check out this video to get some great tips on Muay Thai stance and movement.
The front choke is a technique used often during altercations. However, with a few moves and a little self defense knowledge, the front choke can be easily defended.
In order to do a front choke, both hands are required. This means that the hands of the attacker are occupied, while your hands are free to do some damage!
Not only are your hands free to throw various combinations of punches and elbows, but also your legs in case you decide to dish out a few kicks or knees to your opponent.
Check out the above video to find out a few Krav Maga defense tips for the front choke.
This video provides a great example of how to escape from the back choke hold, also known as a rear naked choke.
As soon as you feel the arm coming around from behind you, it is very important to close your chin. Do not let this hand get around your neck by bypassing the chin.
After your chin is down and neck protected, step to the side and grab their wrist at the same time.
Now you can strike to the groin to distract your opponent and loosen the choke grip. So, step to the side, grabbing the wrist, and hitting to the groin. Now as the opponent leans down, throw a sharp elbow up to the opponents head.
In the second scenario, it explains what to do if someone attempts to lift you off the ground with the back choke.
This makes it difficult to move to the side, so we take an alternative approach. First, as always, close your chin by leaning your head forward and using your chin to protect the neck. Grab your opponents arm with both hands. Now move one leg as if you where stepping, and with this same leg your going to kick to the opponents groin.
And those are two ways to escape from a back choke hold.
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