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Martial Arts Business Leader Profile National Promoters League Senior Consultant Fred Parks is recognized as one of the leading martial arts business experts in the country.

Master Parks is the host of “Action Martial Arts Magazine Show” on the Action Radio Network and World Martial Arts Magazine business columnist. He is also a Master Instructor at the American Dragon Martial Arts Academies headquarters school in Florida. The only school in the world to earn the prestigious “School of the Year” Award Three times from the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association www.kmaia.org .

Fred’s down to earth easy to understand teaching methods have helped countless instructors improve their martial arts business quickly and affordably. Tune in each week to hear Fred Parks on www.ActionRadio.Net .

Some words of advice from Master Parks for future fighting and business champions Your Habits Will Determine Your Future In The Ring And In The Office Find out how your habits will effect your chances of becoming a champion martial artists and a world class martial arts business owner. We all have dreams, desires, goals and its great to daydream about what it would be like holding that title belt high in the air feeling the energy of the crowd cheering you on. Or maybe your dream is to be on the mat leading a hundred black belt students as they train to become instructors some day. Back to reality now and here’s a question for you. How much time do you put into a day to make that dream come true? The time you spend training or doing something productive to get closer to your goal or dream, compared to sitting on your couch watching TV. Don’t get me wrong day dreaming can be productive if you know how to creatively visualize. Realize that your habits will determine your future.

Successful people have successful habits, unsuccessful people don’t. To get your dream to materialize you need a plan to structure your time into productive slots. All successful people have a plan, follow it, and gauge their progress by it. Work towards making the majority of your time being productive towards your goal, i.e. training and conditioning, read and view material that is going to help you become a better fighter such as viewing video of your fights and your opponents to see what you need to work on. Study marketing and leadership to become a champion school owner or instructor but above all DO something!

IT’S ALL ABOUT WERE YOU PUT YOUR FOCUS Ninety percent of your focus and energy should be directed at your fight plan and career if you want to succeed in the MMA world or in any goal in life. Instead of coming home from a long day at work kicking back with a beer and watching the game, put on an instructional dvd to help you learn new techniques or improve on your speed or power. Go to the gym lift weights, do cardio, strength train or work on techniques with your sparring partner. During work or on your way home visualize yourself in a match performing a technique you have recently learned, so it becomes ingrained in your subconscious and is in your arsenal. Build on your strengths, not on your weakness. Do the same for your business career. Join a professional association like the National Promoters League, find a mentor, network at martial arts conventions and seminars. The knowledge is available to you if you seek it out.

There are three kinds of people, people that make things happen, people that watch things happen and people who say what just happened. Which one are you? So if you keep asking yourself why your fight career isn’t happening or you can’t get your school to grow, take an honest inventory of yourself because it’s about where we put the focus in our life that determines were we are going. If you keep on doing what you always done you’ll keep getting what you always got. Making your dreams become reality is not about luck, or if it’s meant to be it will happen. It’s not hocus-pocus; it’s all about were you put your focus.

About the author: Master Fred Parks is the US Representative for the Korea TangSooDo MooDukKwan Society www.koreatangsoodo.org  and a senior consultant for the National Promoters League www.nationalpromotersleague.com. He can be reached through his school website site at www.americandragononline.com  . Add him to your friends at www.worldmartialartsnetwork.ning.com  or listen to him on the Action Martial Arts Magazine show at www.actionradio.net .

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DAN JUN

Hapkido- KI Breathing Exercise

Pakistan Hapkido Federation

Breathing is a sign of a living or indicating that a human being is alive and within. The breathing in martial arts acts as a core part of training. It has a very major importance to beginners as well as for trained Dan holders.

The Hapkido is one of the major Korean martial arts which have deep roots in breathing techniques. In Hapkido dojangs the instructors in Pakistan and around the world define KI-Breathing to the Hapkido beginners that it is the energy rooted in the breath. So we can say that deep breathing exercise is an essential part of Hapkido training. It makes you stronger in body and spirit, and helping to protect not only from attackers but from evil mindedness and act as a channel of energy, focusing the attention. In this way, HAPKIDO serves universal harmony.

There are many ways of performing breathing as explained by Korean Hapkido Grandmasters to there students and regardless of the Hapkido tradition each and every Hapkido art has a number of Breathing techniques. The most widely practiced breathing is identified as “DAN JUN Breathing” This exercises and couple diaphragmatic breathing is an effort to build a strong union between muscle skill and muscle recruitment.

The Dan Jun is believed by Hapkido practitioners to be the center of energy (KI) in the human body. Dan means red or fire and Jun means field, so Dan Jun can be interpreted as meaning the active source of power in the body. As the center of energy, it is the key to human vitality and strength.

As explained by our Hapkido Grandmasters, the Dan Jun is located about three inches below the navel. Through Dan Jun defining exercises, each individual can determine the location of their personal center.

Abdominal breathing is the diaphragmatic kind, where the air is being drawn into the lower lungs by strong use of the abdominal stomach muscles rather than shallowly into the upper lungs as is more normal.

Come in Jhoon Bee (ready) position and start performing Hapkido Dan Jun Ki Breathing.

1. Pushing front
2. Pushing Inwards (Horizontally – Left and Right)
3. Pushing outwards (Horizontally – Left and Right)
4. Pushing Upwards
5. Pushing Downwards

Pushing Front.

1. Stand in a middle level horse stance. Equal balance is to be on both feet which should feel as if they are gripping the floor. Straighten and align the hips and lower back by pulling the tailbone around and forward while pushing the bottom of the abdomen around and backwards. This also creates tension in the Dan Jun area just below the navel. Align the upper back, head and shoulders. Shoulders are held back in line with the hips while the head is pushed up and the chin pulled backwards. This also aligns the top part of the spine. The arms are held relaxed in the starting position for each exercise.
2. Once the basic body positions above are correct then only Dan Jun breathing can commence. Imagine that you are breathing through a hole in your lower abdomen. Inhale through the nose and not the mouth. This allows the diaphragm to drop to its lowest position thereby filling all of the lungs with a deep breath. As you inhale slowly, move your hands in a circular motion so you have open hands (palms facing outwards) at chest level. Imagine you have a big rock directly in front of you and you are getting ready to push it away.
3. Once the inhalation is completed and the abdomen is at its lowest point, most of the breath is exhaled softly leaving behind air only in the lower abdomen. This exhalation should also sink you into a lower stance. At this point the exercise should have been completed to a slow count of one.
4. It is important to curl your fingers back in a “claw” like position (as opposed to an open palm). This is good practice for the application of Dan Jun breathing techniques to a palm strike or strike-to-grab technique.
5. In the next part of the exercise the remaining breath held to a slow count of two and three. You should feel some tension, heat, whatever in the Dan Jun area below your navel which you then visualize being pushed up your torso, down each arm and out into your hands from your Dan Jun.
6. On the count four you expel the last of the breath forcibly, imagining that it is being pushed out along with the energy stored in your hands which may vibrate slightly. The tension in the hands is released explosively; the hands are snapped out fast and retracted just as fast. Exhale through the mouth as you push forwards concentrating on focusing the KI energy in the direction of movement.
7. You then repeat the process. As you progress through the grades, doing the exercise to a count of 6 and then 8 further develops your Dan Jun breathing.
8. At all times the entire body should be relaxed apart from the Dan Jun area and hands prior to the final exhalation. Often students misunderstand this and try to do the exercise by tensing up. Often they will grimace and go red in the face. This is incorrect and potentially dangerous if the student suffers from high blood pressure

Hapkido Dan Jun Ki breathing should be done as part of each Basic or Pattern. Once the student understands the breathing sequence it can then be applied to the patterns. All of the movements should be done while the breath is being circulated or exhaled and breathing in should only occur when the student is changing directions. This also applies to our basics, self defense and free sparring activities.

The writer Prof Dr. Rizwan Mustafa Zubairi is the Practitioner of Korean Martial Arts of Taekwondo and Hapkido. He is a writer/Lecturer on Korean martial Arts. He has done M.Sc (Applied Chemistry) M.B.A (Marketing) and is a qualified International Master Instructor. Achieved The 7 th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo and The 5 th Dan Black Belt in Hapkido. PhD in Martial Arts. Qualified Sports Administrator by Olympic Council of Asia (IOC) He is a proud member of the Korea Hapkido Federation HaeMuKwan www.haemukwan.com and is the official representative for the country of Pakistan. Read his articles at www.worldmartialartsmagazine.com and add him to your friends www.worldmartialartsnetwork.ning.com .

Three Techniques To Kick Like Chuck Norris

Former TangSooDo Karate Champion and action film star Chuck Norris is famous for his kicks.

There are three techniques that you can use to master those championship quality kicks yourself.

First: If you watch Chuck Norris kick you will notice a very clear chambering of the leg. Leg Chambering is a key tenant to a having fast powerful kicks. This means focusing on where your knee is prior to the position of the kick. In most Korean style kicks, your first move is to lift the knee straight up in front of the body with the bottom half of the leg cocked and ready to kick. Pulling the knees straight up to chamber allows your leg to move in a straight line, thus a shorter distance to hit the target and a faster kick.

The most important thing to remember is that the height of the kick is not a function of how much you lean back wards to lift the leg, but instead it is a function of how high you raise the knee in relation to the target. This is one of the trademarks of Chuck Norris’s dynamic kicks.

Whether he is portraying “Lone Wolf McQuad” or Walker “Texas Ranger” the Foot Position is always locked at the proper angle for the kick.

One of the most common mistakes people make is to not take into account the position of their feet before and during the execution of their kicks. Before the execution of a kick you should make sure that your feet are properly aligned for the stance that you are in. During the execution of a kick, make sure that you are not planting your feet in one static position, but are instead pivoting on the foot in accordance with the kick that is being executed. Most often beginners forget to pivot and find themselves loosing power and balance as they try and execute their kicks.

Want you kicks to hit like a sledge hammer? Do what Chuck Norris does and use proper foot position for the kick.

Those spinning back kicks and crescent kicks that Chuck Norris is famous for require proper Hip Rotation for Power. In kicking, power comes from the strongest part of the body, the legs and hips. Much like golf or baseball, if you do not engage the hips and rotate them into the kick that you are executing, then you will loose much of the power that is available to you. Just like Chuck Norris, your hip should lead the kick itself so that at the moment of contact the hip is just past the target.

About the author: Multi-arts Grand Master Richard Hackworth is the host of the “Martial Arts News & Entertainment” Radio Show at www.ActionRadio.net and the author of more than 100 books on health, wealth, and personal success. He is the International Director of the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association at www.kmaia.org and the Executive Director of the National Promoters League at www.nationalpromotersleague.com .

Richard Hackworth’s Personal Secrets of Success

Over the years as an author, lecturer, tv and radio show host I have learned that no matter what you do in life there are eight things that you can do to make sure you reach your full potential. These are things that will carry you to heights of achievement in every area of your life personal and professional.

1. Rid yourself of all guilt about being successful, about winning, about outshining others. There is no reason why you shouldn’t have success, health and wealth in abundance. It is unnatural to reject the good things in life – and as far as I’m concerned, a crime to not go for it all. It is far easier to achieve success by dumping negative go-nowhere beliefs – not to mention people who will try to make you feel bad for being “better off” than they are.
 
2. Forgive yourself for past mistakes, for not doing things correctly, for just plain doing dumb things. Start each day with a clean slate.
 
3. Forgive others. At the same time, don’t lay down the red carpet for those who have wronged you. Yes, they will stomp on you again. Let the past go and get on with your life but be wise enough to not invite trouble.
 
4. Express gratitude for wherever you are in life and for whatever you have. No matter where you are – things will get worse when gratitude is lacking. No matter where you are – things will improve if you show gratitude. Gratitude is the key that keeps you connected to all things good.
 
5. Go into the theatre of your mind and replay the best moments of your life. Bring them back and relive them. Why relive the bad things? That will do you no good at all. Reliving the best brings out more of the best.

6. Put up charts and graphs to help you focus on your goals and to help you stay on track in relation to them.

7. Obliterate fear from your life by doing that which you are afraid to do.

8. Don’t Moan and Groan. 80% of the people don’t care about your troubles and the other 20% are glad. Asking for help, however, is not Moaning & Groaning. There is a big difference in complaining about something and looking for ways to overcome it.

Best Regards,

Richard Hackworth

P.S. Hey, thanks to all of you who continue to send so many positive words about the newsletter. Although I’m unable to respond to each of you personally, I want you to know that I greatly appreciate all you do. Keep passing on the word to all you know. Tell them that the place to go for the very best in martial arts business training and information is www.nationalpromotersleague.com

www.actionradio.net   www.worldmartialartsmagazine.com   www.richardhackworth.com

The Ultimate Fighting Championship
provided by World Martial Arts Magazine at www.worldmartialartsmagazine.com

It’s no secret that martial arts has indeed come a long way over the years.  Many years ago, Bruce Lee helped the arts become even more famous, when he developed his style of Jeet Kune Do.  He participated in several movies, showing the world his speed and finesse.  Since then, movies have been a popular way to showcase martial arts skills.

Back in the early 1990s, something known as the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) came along to take things one step further.  Even though there have been other competitions similar to the UFC, none of them had the flair and the dedication as UFC did.  When it first began, the UFC paired different styles and different weight classes.

The result were exciting fights with varying results.  The first ever champion was a man from Brazil named Royce Gracie.  Gracie was the first to introduce Brazilian Jui-Jitsu in this way, opening up the eyes of everyone who witness him fight.  After the first UFC tournament, Brazilian Jui-Jitsu was instantly viewed as the best martial art. Royce weighed under 200 pounds, and he was completely dominating people nearly 3 times his size.

Gracie would go on to win UFC 2 and 4 as well.  He was the most dominating in the sport, and opened the eyes of everyone across the world.  In UFC 3, he didn’t lose, although he ran into a very tough fighter who nearly beat him.  Gracie came back in UFC 5 for a superfight match up with Ken Shamrock, which would go the distance and end in a draw.

Other fighters have done exceptionally well in the UFC, although none of them had the impact as Royce Gracie.  Fighters like Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Oleg Taktarov, Matt Hughes, and Matt Sylivia have also done very well.  Matt Hughes is also regarded as one of the best, as he fights in the Welterweight class and is considered pound for pound to be the best fighter in the world.

In the world of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), the UFC has made a big impact.  In the beginning, there were no rules and no judges, just one on one fights until someone either tapped out, got knocked out, or the ref through in the towel.  Fighters also fought in a tournament style as well, which took 3 fights to win the championship.

Over the years, there were several changes.  The UFC would start with judges after a few years, along with eliminating the tournaments.  The fights would eventually go to one on one, which was great for the fans.  Although the fights didn’t have time limits in the beginning, they do now.  The non title fights are three 5 minute rounds, while the title fights are five 5 minute rounds.

If a fight goes to the judges, the judges decide the winner.  There are three judges, which normally change with each different UFC.  Judges are there do determine the winner if there is no knockout or submission, while the ref is there to protect the fighters.  The referee can stop a fight as well, if a fighter is unable to defend themselves.

With all the changes in the rules of the UFC, it’s only a matter of time before the UFC gains a lot more popularity.  It is more popular today than it ever has been, which tells you that martial arts have come a long way.  Martial arts is very popular these days, with competitions such as the UFC being one of the most popular sports in the world. For more information visit www.mixedmartialartstv.com

About the Author: Kevin Huston Rhodes is a TV and Radio personality in Orlando, Florida who holds black belts in Hapkido, KyukTookKi, and Mixed Martial Arts. He is the co-host of the “Action Martial Arts Magazine Show” on the Action Radio Network at www.actionradio.net and performer on the “Turning Up The Heat!” TV Show on Brighthouse Networks. He can be reach via his website at www.legacybelts.com . Add him to your World Martial Arts Network friends at www.worldmartialartsnetwork.ning.com .

The Techniques Of Muay Thai
provided by World Martial Arts Magazine at www.worldmartialartsmagazine.com

A majority of the offensive techniques that are used in Muay Thai utilize a students hands, feet, elbows, and knees to strike an opponent.  In order to bind the opponent for both defensive and offensive reasons, there is a small amount of grappling on the feet that is used – the clinch. 

The clinch occurs when someone gets in your circle of radius, inside of your comfort zone. 

To execute knees and short kicks from the inside, the clinch can be very useful.  The Thai fighter makes great use of the clinch, tying up on opponent on the feet then pounding his stomach, ribs, knees, and legs with brutal knees. Knees are very popular techniques with Muay Thai, as Thai fighters spend a lot of time training their strikes – especially knees and elbows.

Although high kicks to the opponents head looks amazing during the fights, experienced Thai fighters always say that knees and elbows have a lot more impact, and they do the most damage to the body.  If a Thai fighter is very experienced and has enough power in his strikes, he can quickly and easily kill someone with his techniques.

In all Muay Thai techniques, two in particular have become very popular with other styles of martial arts.

The roundhouse kick
The roundhouse Thai kick is a very useful technique for both self defense and competitions, proving to be very efficient when it is executed properly.  Thai stylists execute the roundhouse kick by a straight leg and the entire body rotating out from the hip.  The hip is locked shortly before the thrown leg makes impact with the opponent.  If executed properly, the roundhouse kick can easily render someone unconscious.

The low kick
The low kick is a common Muay Thai attack, that involves a circular movement from the stylist’s body to kick the opponent in his upper shin area.  If the low kick isn’t blocked or defended, it can quickly lead to fight being ended.  After a few well placed low kicks, the opponent will be unable to put pressure on his legs due to the bruising, and will eventually crumble.

With other martial arts styles, such as Tae Kwon Do, stylists use snapping kicks that are indeed faster to execute, although they have less power. Muay Thai on the other hand, teaches stylists to follow through with kicks, using the shin instead of the foot.  Nearly all of the techniques involved with Muay Thai emphasis movement with the entire body, which means rotating the hip each time the stylist kicks, punches, or blocks.  The techniques are slower, although they are far more powerful that techniques found in Karate.

As a lot of people already know, the training and conditioning training found in Muay Thai is nothing short of legendary for the intensity and rigorous training.  The training in Muay Thai aims to harden the weapons used in the martial art to a high degree.  Students who have been training in Muay Thai for many years can absorb a beating, yet if they land a shin kick it will feel as if you have just been hit with a sledgehammer.

All in all, Muay Thai is a very dangerous martial art that teaches punishing blows with very little grappling.  Thai stylists are physical strong, capable of taking an opponent out with just one well placed strike.  Muay Thai is also one of the most well known and most popular styles in the world today – which is why you shouldn’t hesitate to study.
 
About the Author: Kevin Huston Rhodes is a TV and Radio personality in Orlando, Florida who holds black belts in Hapkido, KyukTookKi, and Mixed Martial Arts. He is the co-host of the “Action Martial Arts Magazine Show” on the Action Radio Network at www.actionradio.net and performer on the “Turning Up The Heat!” TV Show on Brighthouse Networks. He can be reach via his website at www.legacybelts.com . Add him to your World Martial Arts Network friends at www.worldmartialartsnetwork.ning.com .

The Speed Of Kempo
provided by World Martial Arts Magazine at www.worldmartialartsmagazine.com

Throughout the world of martial arts, the style known as Kempo is one of the best. Kempo uses extremely fast strikes, which is the area it is most known for.  Kempo has been around for many years, originating from Japan.  It was tested on the ancient battlegrounds, using

punches, kicks, and very little grappling.  Kempo employs weapons as well, including disarming techniques against opponents who are using weapons.

What many don’t realize, is that Kempo is actually an older form of Karate.  To be more specific, Kempo mainly uses the forbidden techniques of sport karate and kickboxing to create a devastating means of self defense.  Throughout this deadly martial art, stylists will be taught that every block is a counter, and ever counter is a block.  Instead of simply blocking an attack, stylists will learn how to block in a way that executes a strike.

The most well known aspect of Kempo is speed.  If you’ve ever seen it in action by someone who has been studying for many years, the hand speed of the stylist is simply amazing. 

Those that have been practicing for many years, including black belts, are able to execute techniques with blinding speed.  Often times, a Kempo stylist can land many strikes before you can even get the chance to counter – or block.

The hand speed in Kempo comes from something known as “speed striking”.  Although Kempo uses weapons and weapons training, it is more an unarmed martial art that teaches students how to defend themselves in any situation.  This style isn’t about just going around and hurting people though, as stylists learn a lot in terms of self control, and only to react when they are given no other option.

The speed striking in Kempo takes many years to master.  Students of the art will practice forms on a daily basis, which helps with the speed.  By practicing a certain movement over and over again, students will get faster and faster.  They will practice with other students, the instructors, and also with equipment such as punching bags.  Over time, students will get amazingly quick and able to execute strikes with amazing speed and precision.

Shadow boxing is also essential to developing speed with Kempo.  Students will spend quite a bit of time shadow boxing, learning their own movements.  As a result of shadow boxing, students will learn physical resistance as well as improve their levels of fitness.  This also helps with technique as well, as students will be engaging in practice with themselves.

The main exercise where speed striking will really come into play is with sparring.  When sparring, students will test their knowledge and skills against other students.  The instructors will pay close attention during this exercise, to see just how well the students are learning.  Sparring can be very fun to watch, especially when there are two black belts squaring off.  The more time a student spends sparring, the faster he will develop in the art of speed striking.

Throughout the years, Kempo has proved to be a martial art with very fast strikes.  It is one of the fastest striking martial arts in existence, although it teaches students self control and how to avoid confrontations.  Kempo is taught all around the world, making it an excellent martial art for children as well.  From adults to children, the martial art known as Kempo can teach self defense, harmony, self control, self confidence – and how students can help others in the world live a better life.

About the Author: Kevin Huston Rhodes is a TV and Radio personality in Orlando, Florida who holds black belts in Hapkido, KyukTookKi, and Mixed Martial Arts. He is the co-host of the “Action Martial Arts Magazine Show” on the Action Radio Network at www.actionradio.net and performer on the “Turning Up The Heat!” TV Show on Brighthouse Networks. He can be reach via his website at www.legacybelts.com . Add him to your World Martial Arts Network friends at www.worldmartialartsnetwork.ning.com .

The Many Styles Of Kung Fu
provided by World Martial Arts Magazine at www.worldmartialartsmagazine.com

The martial art known as Kung Fu is very old, yet very powerful.  There are several different forms involved with Kung Fu, that only add to the power and mystique.  Below, we will go over a majority of the different styles and forms that make up Kung Fu.

White Crane style
The spirit of the White Crane has led to what many martial artists consider to be the most graceful system of Kung Fu.  The pattern for the White Crane style was patterned after a crane bird often found in marshes and open plains.  The White Crane defense forms and attacks are nothing short of amazing, often known as “deadly beauty”.

Although the techniques within the White Crane style can take years to properly master, they simple and to the point.  White Crane stylists are masters of self defense, although they are taught to avoid confrontations.  Even though a stylist can handle himself in any situation, he will avoid a fight at all costs and only react with physical action when he is left with no choice.

Wing Chun
From a Chinese standpoint, Wing Chun is the essence that the opponent will attack, absorb, and then neutralize the attack.  Then, the opponent or attacker will back off, pursue, then counter – disengage his restriction from arms, and then retaliate with a deadly and penetrating force.

This philosophy will take years to fully understand, and years of practice to master. 

Technically speaking, Wing Chun uses a steady and never ending forward flow of energy that’s based on the principle that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points.

Offensively, Wing Chun is all about a combination of intercepting and straight lines with deflecting arcs.  In general, it is an aggressive close quarter style that pushes offensive attacks and takes the fight right to the attacker.  In other words – Wing Chun doesn’t care nor does it put a lot of time towards the more traditional block and counter routines.

Hung Gar
Hung Gar is more or less an adaptation of the Tiger system of Shaolin that emphasizes close quarter techniques.  Hung Gar isn’t much on distance fighting, although it is very effective in close quarter situations, such as alleys and in small rooms.  It is a very strong system, teaching stylists to handle themselves properly in areas where other martial arts seem to fail.

Praying Mantis
Nearly 400 years ago, a man named Wang had a vision.  Using a praying mantis that he was able to capture, Wang studied it’s movements.  By using what he saw, he created and founded the style of Praying Mantis.  Wang perfected his own martial art style by continuing to observe both the offensive and defensive movements of the praying mantis, and using them with his style.

The Monkey style
Even though it is thought of a comical approach to martial arts, the Monkey style is actually one of the deadliest martial arts systems in the world.  This style dates back to the 1840s, when missionaries were first allowed passage into China.

The Monkey style all began when a peaceful maned named See resisted arrested after accidentally killing an officer of the law.  See was sentenced to prison for his crime, where he spent all of his time watching the prison apes.  He found them amazing, and would watch them from his cell, which his also helped to pass the time.

Over his ten year prison sentence, he studied the way the apes moved, paying very close attention to how they defended themselves and fought each other.  Then, when he was released from prison, he adapted his style, becoming known as the Monkey Master.  A lot of people joined him along the way, and began to learn his Monkey system which is still very effective today.

About the Author: Kevin Huston Rhodes is a TV and Radio personality in Orlando, Florida who holds black belts in Hapkido, KyukTookKi, and Mixed Martial Arts. He is the co-host of the “Action Martial Arts Magazine Show” on the Action Radio Network at www.actionradio.net and performer on the “Turning Up The Heat!” TV Show on Brighthouse Networks. He can be reach via his website at www.legacybelts.com . Add him to your World Martial Arts Network friends at www.worldmartialartsnetwork.ning.com .

The Belt Colors Of Taekwondo
provided by World Martial Arts Magazine at www.worldmartialartsmagazine.com

The belts and their colors that are used with Taekwondo aren’t just a random assortment of colors that are used to separate the ranks in the martial art.  In Taekwondo, each belt color has a meaning that lets fighters known about their advancement and increasing knowledge.  Belts are also great for the stylist, as they let the stylist know just how far they have progressed.

The colors of the belts found in Taekwondo vary, as they represent the advancement of rank, as well as the growth of the student.  It can take a long time for students to move up the ranks, all depending on their knowledge and how quite they adapt to the techniques and forms of the art.

Below, are the colors and belts of Taekwondo, along with their meaning.

White belt
A white belt is the symbol of birth, or the beginning for the stylist.  Students that wear white belts are just starting out, searching for the knowledge to continue Taekwondo.

Yellow belt
A yellow belt is the first ray of light that shines on the student, giving them new strength to the Taekwondo martial art.  Students that have yellow belts have taken a great step in learning, and have opened their mind to new techniques.

Green belt
A green belt is the symbol of growth, or a seed as it sprouts from the ground and begins to grow into a plant.  Students with green belts are continuing along the path of Taekwondo, learning to develop further and redefine every technique they have been taught.

Blue belt
A blue belt represents a blue sky, with the plant continuing to grow upwards, heading for the sky.  Students with blue belts continue to move higher in ranks, as the plant continues to grow taller.  Students at this stage will also be given additional knowledge of Taekwondo so that their mind and body can continue to grow and develop.

Red belt
The red belt is the heat of the sun, with the plant continuing the path upwards toward the sun.  Students that possess red belts are higher in rank, as they have acquired a lot of the knowledge in the art of Taekwondo.  Red belts also tell the students to be cautious, as they gain more knowledge and their physical techniques increase.

Black belt
A black belt is the best of the best.  It symbolizes the darkness that is out there beyond the light of the sun.  Once the student is given a black belt and begins to train other students, he will teach all that has been taught to him.  Black belts recognize the best students, as they continue to teach others the art of Taekwondo, and continue the never ending cycle of training. For more information on Taekwondo visit www.usnta.net

About the Author: Kevin Huston Rhodes is a TV and Radio personality in Orlando, Florida who holds black belts in Hapkido, KyukTookKi, and Mixed Martial Arts. He is the co-host of the “Action Martial Arts Magazine Show” on the Action Radio Network at www.actionradio.net and performer on the “Turning Up The Heat!” TV Show on Brighthouse Networks. He can be reach via his website at www.legacybelts.com . Add him to your World Martial Arts Network friends at www.worldmartialartsnetwork.ning.com .

The Basics Of Tae Kwon Do
provided by World Martial Arts Magazine at www.worldmartialartsmagazine.com

Tae Kwon Do is a modern martial art, well known all around the world for it’s lightning fast, often high, spectacular spin kicks.  Tae Kwon Do has been around for many years, originally founded in Korea.  It translates to “the are of punching and kicking”, or the “art of unarmed combat”. 

The martial art Tae Kwon Do has four disciplines – patters, self defense, break test, and sparring.  It isn’t just one of these disciplines that make up the art, but a combination of them.  All 4 of them are important, especially for those looking to advance in belt ranking.

 To advance in a belt, there are certain tests that students need to pass.

One of the great things about Tae Kwon Do is the fact that there are no age limits, and it can easily be learned by young children.  Children of all ages will quickly learn fast reactions playing games, learn respect, and they will also learn their abilities as well as their disabilities. 

The competitions however, are a bit different for children than they are for the adults. 

Even though the participants will wear full body protection, children can only kick and punch to the body, as no shots to the head are allowed.  The competitions in Tae Kwon Do is what makes the art so very dominating.  A majority of students that practice this martial art do so because of the competitions.

The competitions can be very exciting to watch, as they can get very competitive.  Contrary to what many may think, the competitions aren’t deadly, nor are they anywhere close to being as dangerous as Muay Thai fights.  Competitors will wear full protection, including head gear.  For adults, kicks to the head are allowed, although a majority of stylists can block them before they make impact.

In order to participate in the competitions, stylists will need to have a certain level of experience.  It can take years to become good enough, especially for those who win. 

Competitions are a great way to learn, especially if there are participating fighters from other areas of the world.  The skill of a stylist is a very important factor with the competitions and tournaments.  If you have a black belt fighter going against a white belt – the results will normally be quite obvious.

All things aside, the art of Tae Kwon Do is a great martial art.  Stylists can learn kicking, punching, blocking, and the spectacular movements the art is known for.  Tae KwonDo is practiced all around the world, meaning that there are just as many places to learn this art as there are Karate.  For an art that won’t disappoint – Tae Kwon Do teaches self defense and a whole lot more. For more information on Taekwondo visit www.usnta.net

About the Author: Kevin Huston Rhodes is a TV and Radio personality in Orlando, Florida who holds black belts in Hapkido, KyukTookKi, and Mixed Martial Arts. He is the co-host of the “Action Martial Arts Magazine Show” on the Action Radio Network at www.actionradio.net and performer on the “Turning Up The Heat!” TV Show on Brighthouse Networks. He can be reach via his website at www.legacybelts.com . Add him to your World Martial Arts Network friends at www.worldmartialartsnetwork.ning.com .