Consider this...

CHRISTIAN SLATER "TRIES" COMBO 10 ON CONAN

2009-10-09T20:25:00Z

I thought that you might enjoy seeing Christian Slater on the Conan O'Brian show last night. He has a new TV series called "The Forgotten," and he uses some Martial Arts in the fight scenes. Here, he is trying to show Conan Combo #10!!!!

You will hear the term "Defensive Maneuver" as opposed to "Combination" because the West Coast schools are a later offshoot of our style of Martial Arts. They changed some of the terminology!

http://blog.pmaoakridge.com/2009/10/09/christian-slater-tries-combo-10-on-conan.aspx

Mixed Up Martial Arts

2009-09-30T13:18:00Z

Here is a great article I read recently. Keep in mind, I am not an opponent to MMA,
I just think it has a proper place; and that place is very far from ther personal
development that the Martial Arts has always developed!

I just returned from Washington, DC. While there I attended
a NASKA World Tour tournament (The U.S. Capital Classics)
met with about 25 school owners representing around 5,000
students, and then met several times with my instructor
Grand Master Jhoon Rhee.

Meeting with Jhoon Rhee and my other events during my quick
trip reminds me of several important aspects of martial arts
instruction in 2009 and beyond.

One of my favorite Jhoon Rhee quotes is "Martial Arts without
Philosophy is Just Street Fighting." Now, he's obviously a visionary
and at times out of sync with where things exist currently in the
martial arts community due to focusing on where how he sees
the future unfolding.

We discussed his development of Musical Forms (Martial Ballet.)
He explained that in the 1960's he foresaw that martial arts "fighting"
would no longer be necessary in the future but rather to preserve
martial arts the "art" must be preserved over the "martial." He then
explained that his concept was 100% congruent with our American
Founding fathers and with the true purpose of human evolution.
Quickly as he saw my skepticism he pulled out a manuscript of
his soon to be published biography and pointed out this quote:

"I must study politics and war, that my sons may have the
liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, natural history
and naval architecture, in order to give their children a
right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, tapestry,
and porcelain."

John Adams quotes (American 2nd US President (1797-1801), 1735-1826)

Now, that's really interesting.

To me it seems that in the 1970's and 1980's most martial arts
instructors had come around to Grand Master Rhee's way of thinking.
We practiced the "DO" arts to facilitate personal development.
The movie "The Karate Kid" shared principles and values that were
clear about developing discipline and confidence and avoiding
violence.

To my great disappointment it seems that many practitioners and
instructors have lost sight of what Grand Master Rhee keeps clearly
in focus. Martial Arts Practice today for the vast majority should be
purely about personal development. Clearly our armed forces and
police need effective fighting technique, but frankly that's more often
about modern weapons not about unarmed combat (hopefully.)

And, if you don't want to take Jhoon Rhee's word for it (or
even John Adams) how about another kick-boxing and point-fighting
legend Joe Lewis? He's perhaps the ultimate "old-school" tough guy
still training students throughout the world. What's he have to say?

In one aspect of what is called "martial arts," the MMA stuff, many
black belts come across as heavily tattooed, cartoon looking hoodlums,
who respect violence and feel free to curse and to exercise degradation
against others on national TV. The media has gone from completely
ignoring us in the early sixties to seemingly only granting visibility to
those who believe that it's in vogue to condone violence, and/or that it is
okay to send kids the message that adults accept the use of violence as
a means to resolve problems. This is not the message that parents in
martial arts wish to have their kids taught to value or with which to have
them exposed. Just as "Pro Wrestling" is not real wrestling, in a way,
perhaps MMA is not real martial arts.

Violence by definition is a "loss of self-control." Martial arts teaches
self-control; therefore martial arts is not violent-people are. Guns
(for the gun control freaks) do not kill others-bullets do.

We need to wake up-black belts are leaving the martial arts in droves.
We need to revalidate and grant dignity to the meaning of the old definition
of what is a black belt. Either it does not mean anything any longer (in this
fanatical M.A. marketing atmosphere) or it has become the finish line
which determines at what point in ones journey does he call it quits. SAD!

Joe Lewis

It's vital to recognize that Martial Arts Training is always about
developing high quality physical skills. It's about fitness and self-defense.
However, those mostly arise from the mental and emotional development
that goes with rigorous practice of martial arts.

And, to add another point that Joe Lewis makes. The first, second, or third
degree Black Belt must be a starting point for personal development. Just
as a high school diploma should be a start to one's learning through life.
For a beginning student achieving Black Belt is an appropriate early
"bench-mark" to beginning quality personal development for life. It's
not an end in itself.

Quality schools will (and, do) constantly expand and enhance the
definition of what a Black Belt (and, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Degree Black Belt) is
and must attain. Marketing for Martial Arts schools should be about
attracting quality students - never about watering down the achievement
and recognition of students and never about lowering standards of excellence.

Stephen Oliver, MBA
8th Degree Black Belt

CEO NAPMA (National Association of Professional Martial Artists)
Publisher - Martial Arts Professional Magazine
Founder/CEO - Mile High Karate.

REALITY SELF DEFENSE

2009-09-28T14:59:00Z

The next time you hear someone debate about what is the most effective Martial Arts, or method of training Martial Arts – take a look at this film. It shows Derrion Albert; who was trying to help another student and got swept into a fight. As a result, he was punched, hit with boards, ended up on the ground, and was then beaten by several attackers – he was BEAT TO DEATH. So, consider the following

So, should you train to “stun and run?” YES
Train to defend weapons? YES
Train with rules considered? NO
Depend entirely on training that advocates going to the ground? NO
Depend on training that is entirely based on stand up technique? NO
Should you learn how to use weapons? ABSOLUTELY

By the way - make sure everyone in your family knows self defense!

Progressive Martial Arts Academy
WWW.PMAOAKRIDGE.COM
Kenpo Karate Jiu Jitsu Weapons
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Kali Self Defense

Does Trapping Work

2009-08-23T23:53:00Z

I recently had one of my former students tell me that he watched a video on the subject that TRAPPING was essentially useless, and not functional in a real fight.

My first comment is that: Whoever wrote that probably was never in a real fight! Trapping is all about clearing, stopping, and deflecting, and if that doesn't happen in a real fight --- I'm not sure what else does!!! The minute you block someone's punch or kick, you are pretty much trapping.

Granted, the way that you practice trapping doesn't really resemble a "real" fight, probably analogous to the "horse stance." But, practice is just that...practice. We have to start somewhere.

It's funny, because the same people that scoff at trapping, also teach parries, slips, bobs weaves, stops, etc, and these are all somewhat forms of trapping. Even many of the sweeps of Jiu Jitsu employ the concept of trapping.

So, what is the bottom line? Easy, practice what makes Y-O-U better, not what everyone feels is right for them. As for me, I'll be working my "traps" tomorrow!

What Kind of Academy is PMA?

2009-08-16T14:42:00Z

Simple answer; it is a Kenpo Academy. This might seem like an odd answer considering all that we teach. After all, you can train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Filipino Kali, Judo, Jeet Kune Do, and Kickboxing at the academy. Even better, the instructors at PMA hold Black Belts or equivalent level in each of these arts. This also makes PMA one of the “truest” Mixed Martial Arts academies in the world. So why do we teach all of these and still call ourselves a Kenpo Academy ? You see, I consider the techniques of Kenpo to be my base in the Martial Arts. However, I took the values, tradition, and sound technique given to me by my Kenpo instructors, and built upon it. Professor Nick Cerio used to tell me frequently that; if we don’t evolve, it is just like fighting a present day war with the weapons from World War One!

With that advice, I trained Kali with Carlito Lanada, Kickboxing with BlackHawk Walters, JKD and Kali with Paul Vunak, and Jiu Jitsu with Rorion Gracie, Helio Soneca, Pedro Brandao and Felipe Costa. I even trained in the Spanish art of Juego del Palo – a form of long stick fighting! All the while, continuing my training in Kenpo, but incorporating new ideas.

I never set out to be a Black Belt in any other art – all I wanted was to improve “my” Kenpo, and the Kenpo that I could offer my students. Furthermore, I never set out to be the “best” at any of these. Rather, I wanted to be the best at what would work in the moment. Against a better grappler, I wanted to be a good grappler and a better kickboxer. Against a better kickboxer, I wanted to be a good kickboxer and a better grappler. Against any of these, I wanted to be better utilizing weapons.

Today, I am still looking and training. While some strive to be the best at the newest thing, I continue to look for the “best fit.” I really don’t care what it is! You see, a true Martial Artist always evolves, but also always remains loyal to their family. For me the family is Kenpo, and the evolution is everything else that we do to make our Kenpo better. And…just like my family name – my Martial Art will always be the same; KENPO! So don’t abandon your base art for the newest thing that everyone says is more effective

The bottom line is PMA doesn’t teach Kenpo along with the technique of other arts – we teach a revised Kenpo open to improvement and continually evolving to become better.

For more on Progressive Martial Arts - the area's Original MMA Academy - go to WWW.PMAOakridge.COM

Serving the Tennessee cities of: Oak Ridge Knoxville Clinton Oliver Springs Powell Karns Solway.

PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gracie Jiu Jitsu Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu Kenpo Kenpo Karate Kempo Kempo Karate Shaolin Kempo KAJUKENBO Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Karate for Adults Karate for Kids Yoga

WE ARE ALSO KNOW AS: Jiu Jitsu Knoxville Jiu Jitsu Oak Ridge Gracie Barra Knoxville Gracie Barra Oak Ridge Gracie Barra Tennessee Kenpo Oak Ridge Kenpo Knoxville Tennessee Karate Lessons Tennessee Karate School for Adults Tennessee Karate School for Kids Oak Ridge Child Karate Oak Ridge Martial Arts for Children Tennessee Karate Oak Ridge Kid's Karate Tennessee Karate for Child Self Defense for Women Martial Arts Oak Ridge Martial Arts Tennessee Cardio Kick Boxing Class Kick Boxing Knoxville Kick Boxing Tennessee Tae Kwon Do Oak Ridge Karate Knoxville kids children families Tennessee Self Defense

In the state of Tennessee we teach: Taekwondo Karate Ju-jitsu / Jiu-jitsu Weapons Grappling Kickboxing Hapkido Kung Fu Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do Escrima Kali Arnis Wushu Aikido Judo Kempo / Kenpo Yoga TaiChi Self Defense Training Practical Street Defense Women's Self Defense Stranger Danger Bully Busting Police Law Enforcement Security Military Hand to hand combat Gun Knife Club Escape School Workplace violence School violence Personal Training Executive Self Defense Bodyguard Boxing

THE COMPLETE MARTIAL ARTIST

2009-02-16T20:48:00Z

These days there’s a trend sweeping the martial arts community…the ability to become an all-around “complete” Martial Artist – some might call it MMA. Although this notion may be new to some, it has actually been around since as far back as the ‘60’s. Back then people used to say, “To become a complete Martial Artist, one must be able to punch and kick.” Throughout the late sixties into the seventies, we saw karate people augmenting their particular style with boxing. That was the original impetus in the development of PKA (Professional Karate Association), of which Bill Wallace was clearly the king. PKA fighters were very exciting to watch – their hands looked like boxers’; plus they possessed (and effectively used) high kicks.

Back then they believed that kicking below the waist was far too dangerous to the legs. Then, some years later, Thai boxing started to become popular; and people slowly began to develop an appreciation for leg kicks. At this point, the new and improved definition of the “complete Martial Artist” was someone who could box well and who also studied muay Thai, thereby possessing powerful leg kicks. For several years, the boxer/Thai boxer was the gold standard for the “complete” Martial Artist…that is, until the Gracies came to town.

The Gracie Brothers first came to America in the mid-1980’s and slowly started to develop a reputation. In the early 90’s, the Ultimate Fighting Championship came along; shortly thereafter, Gracie Jiu-jitsu became a household word. By the time the UFC II and III came around, the running debate was over who was better, the standup fighters or the ground fighters. As the years went by, more and more no-holds-barred tournaments started cropping up, and eventually the definition of a “complete” Martial Artist began to evolve. This new standard was a hybrid form of Martial Arts known as MMA where the student learned the standup and ground fight. Although I agree that the definition of the “complete” fighter, or the “complete” Martial Artist has evolved; there is still something important that is missing…weapons training!

According to the most recent government study of violent attacks, around 80% of street altercations involve weapons of some type (this statistic does not include guns). The very second a fight breaks out, it is a visceral response to grab something – including pool balls, beer bottles, ashtrays, cue sticks, etc. Anyone who lives in Los Angeles or on the East Coast knows that every gang kid alive carries some kind of makeshift weapon. You can’t go anywhere in the Midwest and not see some good old boy with a buck knife. How many times have we heard of someone in a fender bender, and the first thing the guy does on the side of the road is get out of the car, go to the trunk and pull out a flash light or tire iron. With this in mind, please allow me to me illustrate my definition of the complete Martial Artist: Someone who can kick and box, and is also proficient in trapping (i.e. head butts, knees, and elbows); this person must be able to ground fight as well; they should be well-versed in all weapons; and must be well trained in two-on-one, three-on-one, four-on-one, biting, eye gouging, etc. These are the principles that Bruce Lee espoused in the Tao of Jeet Kune Do; in fact this has been our precise curriculum at Progressive Martial Arts and our preceding academies, going back as far as 1986. In conclusion, I believe adding the use of weapons to one’s existing game will not only make you a better all-around Martial Artist, but will also improve whatever your empty hand game is.

YOGA FOR WARRIORS

2008-09-07T21:28:00Z

It takes a courageous person to be open to a novel idea and eventually champion it. Anyone can follow the path that has already been laid, but not everyone has the bravery necessary to be a pioneer. Take Christopher Columbus for example. When everyone else said he and his boat would fall off the edge of the earth, he took the risk and proved everyone wrong. Imagine how we would all think today if he didn’t have the nerve to stick to what his instincts told him was right.

Where would you be right now if Gastão Gracie’s sons had refused to accept the martial arts information delivered to them by Mitsuyo Maeda. Not only would there probably be a big hole in your life, you wouldn’t even have this magazine in your hands to ask such a question! In both of the above examples, the authority of common thought was questioned, an evaluation took place, and the people added their own ideals to it and grew themselves and their legacy. How often, however, do you just blindly go with the flow and believe what someone else told you just because that is the way things have always been done? I would like to say that I never do this, but the following example showed me again that Ralph Waldo Emerson was right: “Every man in some way is your superior.”

Every week after working on my standup in judo, I would always be one of the last athletes to leave. I would finish training hard, lie on the floor and then change to get ready to leave. When I would be heading out, I would see a past nationally ranked judoka named Barry Friedberg doing stretches on a funny block in silence in the back corner of the dojo.

After over a year and a half of training and getting to know Barry, I finally asked him what he was doing each week while everyone else had left. He stated that when he was young, he heard Muhammad Ali state that stretching after every workout was a key to his longevity. Barry took this to heart and concocted a routine to perform after every judo session. I asked to watch him and perform it with him, and he obliged. After I finished, I was more relaxed and felt looser. It was then that I was shocked to be told by Barry, “Welcome to yoga.”

Yoga? I don’t do yoga!” Instantly I had thoughts of women stretching themselves into horrific positions, men performing crazy breathing activities and a room full of weirdoes chanting “Om”! At first, I rejected the thought that I was doing yoga. After challenging myself to find out more about it before I jumped to any other conclusions, I found not only would this research changed how I thought, it would help me to grow my training.

Yoga is a practice that is said to have existed anywhere from 2500 to 5000 years. Today, with the popularization of yoga, there are many different styles, but on deeper study, I found that they are founded in the same poses and concepts. Yoga, to the practitioner is not just stretching out for a workout or after exercise, it is the connection of the mind and body through exercise, meditation and breathing techniques. I thought that yoga was only for the flexible or the weak, but I have found neither to be true.

I used to think that the workout was over after the training was done. Now if I were in a spelling bee, I might spell the word recovery wrong because I now believe it has many more than 2 R’s in it. To me the 5 R’s are Review, Relax, Realign, Rehydrate and Replentish. With the use of the modified yoga vinyasa (sequence of postures) above, you can achieve most of the R’s above (hydrating and getting proper nutrients can be performed quickly before the sequence to hit them all).

My version is similar to the Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskara with some exercises omitted and others added. The key is to perform the drills with the following 5 rules:

1 Monitor your breathing to reoxygenate your system. Inhale with deep breathing to a full pause, and then exhale smoothly to a full pause. Learning to control your breathing is a key concept in yoga called Pranayama.

2 Each posture or asana below should be performed for 3-5 full breaths.

3 Follow the poses in order below and perform each to the best of your ability, but never into a range of pain. Perform equally on each side. The key is to relax and slowly build up your flexibility.

4 Focus your mind on the position and how it is helping your body to realign the tightened tissues that have been affected by the previous training session.

5 Use this time to mentally review the previous training session and what new movements you have learned and what progress or lack thereof you have made.

The warrior sequence

I took the following 8 poses that I felt would best counteract the tightening that takes place with combat arts like Jiu-Jitsu, judo, wrestling, and boxing. Since the head, chest, forearms, abdominals and hips are constantly flexed during training, I chose the following exercises to rebalance the body. Follow the pictures above, with Vinicius Draculino, and you should be able to complete the poses. There are other yoga positions that work other areas as well as more challenging exercises for balance and strength. Although I did not include them here, they could be something else for you to pioneer your own path.

As I said in the introduction of this article, a pioneer courageously takes information, evaluates it and adapts it to fit his or her own needs. I hope you take this information, evaluate it, absorb what is useful and blaze your own path toward what you think is right. You may not be proving something like the earth is not flat, but you will be taking your game to the next level. It may be hard at first to stay disciplined, but remember, there is never a traffic jam on the extra mile. Now get to work!

1 Mountain pose - Tadasana

2 Sky reach - Urdhva Hastasana

3 Cobra - Bhujangasana

4 Boat - Navasana

5 Lunge - Ardha Mandalasana

6 Prayer twist - Namaskar Parsvakonasana

7 Revolving warrior - Parivrtta Virabhadra Konasana

8 Warrior I - Virabhadrasana

* Martin Rooney is director of the Parisi Speed School and conditioning coach for Team Renzo Gracie. He has trained fighters for the ADCC, UFC, and Pride. His “Training for Warriors” book and DVD are at www.parisischool.com . Also check out the Training for warriors website.

Serving the Tennessee cities of: Oak Ridge Knoxville Clinton Oliver Springs Powell Karns Solway.
PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gracie Jiu Jitsu Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu Kenpo Kenpo Karate Kempo Kempo Karate Shaolin Kempo KAJUKENBO Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Karate for Adults Karate for Kids Yoga
WE ARE ALSO KNOW AS: Tennessee Karate Lessons Tennessee Karate School for Adults Tennessee Karate School for Kids Oak Ridge Child Karate Oak Ridge Martial Arts for Children Tennessee Karate Oak Ridge Kid,s Karate Tennessee Karate for Child Self Defense for Women Martial Arts Oak Ridge Martial Arts Tennessee Cardio Kick Boxing Class Kick Boxing Knoxville Kick Boxing Tennessee Tae Kwon Do Oak Ridge Karate Knoxville kids children families Tennessee Self Defense In the state of Tennessee we teach: Taekwondo Karate Ju-jitsu / Jiu-jitsu Weapons Grappling Kickboxing Hapkido Kung Fu Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do Escrima Kali Arnis Wushu Aikido Judo Kempo / Kenpo Yoga TaiChi Self Defense Training Practical Street Defense Women's Self Defense Stranger Danger Bully Busting Police Law Enforcement Security Military Hand to hand combat Gun Knife Club Escape School Workplace violence School violence Personal Training Executive Self Defense Bodyguard Boxing

Some of SiFu Bruce's more notable full time, part time, and seminar students have included: Barry VanOver - 6th degree Black Belt & VP of United Professionals, Senior Instructor Premier Martial Arts Patrick Cummiskey - Chief Instructor for Krav Maga - Country of Ireland Todd Renigar - 8th Degree Black Belt, and President of South East Karate Instructors of Chinese Kempo Roland Costanzo - 5th Degree Black Belt & VP of SATORI Academies of Martial Arts Mike Rash - 9th Degree Black Belt & President Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Lou Faralan - 6th Degree Black Belt - Senior Instructor of Kalahi Martial Arts Dennis Ocampo - Founder - STATS Defense System Mark Sheeley - 8th Degree Black Belt & Founder Kensho Ryu Kenpo Nick Chamberlain - 8th Degree Black Belt, and Chief Instructor Dallas Kenpo Tony DeLalla - 5th Degree Black Belt and Senior Instructor Elite Martial Arts Academy (Please note: Mr. DeLalla was awarded an honorary promotion recognizing his previous rank in martial arts. However, he never successfully completed the Black Belt Exam) Keith Gordon - 5th Degree Black Belt and Chief Instructor SD Kenpo

A FASHION STATEMENT

2008-08-01T16:39:00Z

I went to Blockbuster to rent a video, and take some time off. As I was looking through the mass amounts of possibilities, I looked up to see a fully grown adult, dressed in a complete Tae Kwon Do Dobak (Gi) complete with a black belt bearing three stripes!

In my world, this is considered disrespectful, dumb, and yes – stupid!

Okay, some of you might ask why? So, here are some things to think about:

Cleanliness – you train close to people when you are practicing.
Knowledge of martial arts is like a”treasure in the pocket” keeps it to yourself and don’t advertise like a billboard. If you want others to learn about martial arts – set an example, and then tell them about training
Wearing your “colors” outside is just an invitation for …….
We are adults, therefore we don’t wear our sports clothes out to shop
It is traditional NOT to wear your Gi outside the dojo for everyday business

That said; I guess it is just a case of how much something means to you. I also have to ask you: Don’t you think that wearing your Gi, complete with belt, etc to the video renatl store is just plain stupid?

Serving the Tennessee cities of: Oak Ridge Knoxville Clinton Oliver Springs Powell Karns Solway.

PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gracie Jiu Jitsu Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu Kenpo Kenpo Karate Kempo Kempo Karate Shaolin Kempo KAJUKENBO Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Karate for Adults Karate for Kids Yoga

WE ARE ALSO KNOW AS: Tennessee Karate Lessons Tennessee Karate School for Adults Tennessee Karate School for Kids Oak Ridge Child Karate Oak Ridge Martial Arts for Children Tennessee Karate Oak Ridge Kid,s Karate Tennessee Karate for Child Self Defense for Women Martial Arts Oak Ridge Martial Arts Tennessee Cardio Kick Boxing Class Kick Boxing Knoxville Kick Boxing Tennessee Tae Kwon Do Oak Ridge Karate Knoxville kids children families Tennessee Self Defense In the state of Tennessee we teach: Taekwondo Karate Ju-jitsu / Jiu-jitsu Weapons Grappling Kickboxing Hapkido Kung Fu Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do Escrima Kali Arnis Wushu Aikido Judo Kempo / Kenpo Yoga TaiChi Self Defense Training Practical Street Defense Women's Self Defense Stranger Danger Bully Busting Police Law Enforcement Security Military Hand to hand combat Gun Knife Club Escape School Workplace violence School violence Personal Training Executive Self Defense Bodyguard Boxing

A LEOPARD NEVER CHANGES IT'S SPOTS!

2008-07-15T01:24:00Z

I came across this site on the INTERNET. Funny, it even talks about a name change at this particular establishment. It is a shame that this type of reputation relative to the martial arts is projected by certain "businesses. Oh, by the way, there is only ONE trademarked "PMA" in the world - we are it - just take a look at the U.S. Trademark DataBase. Everyone else is simply a knock off!

Bottom line - Do your research! Here is the link for the actual page on the INTERNET for a better look http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/169/RipOff0169286.htm

I hate to be identified with this type of person!

Serving the Tennessee cities of: Oak Ridge Knoxville Clinton Oliver Springs Powell Karns Solway.
PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gracie Jiu Jitsu Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu Kenpo Kenpo Karate Kempo Kempo Karate Shaolin Kempo KAJUKENBO Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Karate for Adults Karate for Kids Yoga
WE ARE ALSO KNOW AS: Tennessee Karate Lessons Tennessee Karate School for Adults Tennessee Karate School for Kids Oak Ridge Child Karate Oak Ridge Martial Arts for Children Tennessee Karate Oak Ridge Kid,s Karate Tennessee Karate for Child Self Defense for Women Martial Arts Oak Ridge Martial Arts Tennessee Cardio Kick Boxing Class Kick Boxing Knoxville Kick Boxing Tennessee Tae Kwon Do Oak Ridge Karate Knoxville kids children families Tennessee Self Defense In the state of Tennessee we teach: Taekwondo Karate Ju-jitsu / Jiu-jitsu Weapons Grappling Kickboxing Hapkido Kung Fu Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do Escrima Kali Arnis Wushu Aikido Judo Kempo / Kenpo Yoga TaiChi Self Defense Training Practical Street Defense Women's Self Defense Stranger Danger Bully Busting Police Law Enforcement Security Military Hand to hand combat Gun Knife Club Escape School Workplace violence School violence Personal Training Executive Self Defense Bodyguard Boxing

Some of SiFu Bruce's more notable full time, part time, and seminar students have included: Barry VanOver - 6th degree Black Belt & VP of United Professionals, Senior Instructor Premier Martial Arts Patrick Cummiskey - Chief Instructor for Krav Maga - Country of Ireland Todd Renigar - 8th Degree Black Belt, and President of South East Karate Instructors of Chinese Kempo Roland Costanzo - 5th Degree Black Belt & VP of SATORI Academies of Martial Arts Mike Rash - 9th Degree Black Belt & President Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Lou Faralan - 6th Degree Black Belt - Senior Instructor of Kalahi Martial Arts Dennis Ocampo - Founder - STATS Defense System Mark Sheeley - 8th Degree Black Belt & Founder Kensho Ryu Kenpo Nick Chamberlain - 8th Degree Black Belt, and Chief Instructor Dallas Kenpo Tony DeLalla - 5th Degree Black Belt and Senior Instructor Elite Martial Arts Academy (Please note: Mr. DeLalla was awarded an honorary promotion recognizing his previous rank in martial arts. However, he never successfully completed the Black Belt Exam) Keith Gordon - 5th Degree Black Belt and Chief Instructor SD Kenpo

United States Martial Arts Hall Of Fame

2008-07-03T20:28:00Z

I was recently notified that I was being inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hal of Fame! THE UNITED STATES MARTIAL ARTS HALL OF FAME. Wow, what does it really mean?

One of the first things is that the recognition by the USMAHOF is for my family, not just me. This part of it is a big thing for me, since all of my family are Martial Artists, and that makes us somewhat unusual – in a good way! My wife is a martial artist, my kids have all trained martial arts, and most of my cousins, some uncles, and many more in the family. In addition to what most people recognize as Martial Arts, we also come from an uncountable number of generations of military members. My grandfathers and their fathers served, I spent 22 years in the military, my wife served 6, and 2 of my sons also served

I recently put an old picture of my grandmother sitting in the bleachers with Grandmaster Ed Parker of Kenpo on our academy website. This photo was taken over 25 years ago. The fact that he is visiting with my grandmother pretty much shows the total involvement that my family has had in the martial arts for longer than I can remember. We (the family) have fought full contact in just about anything imaginable, including kickboxing, MMA, boxing, and stick-fighting; as well as competed in Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and Karate. One of my cousins was a major fight promoter, and some have been designated trainers for official agencies. My oldest son was a great kickboxer, one of my sons was an outstanding wrestler, and one is amazing on the ground. All are excellent in many other areas. The best part of this, is that now, we can train each other – and I never get old!

Many times, when people come into my academy; the first person they meet is one of my sons. Sometimes the new potential student will want to know who will teach their classes. They assume that the two young guys (ages 18 and 21) might not be experienced. However what they don’t realize is that my kids have no idea what it is like not to train! When other kids were playing with toddler toys, mine were playing martial arts on the mat.

So, I have to say thanks to The United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame on behalf of my family, and I’m happy to see that the family is now “officially” recognized as an American Family of Martial Artists!

WWW.PMAOAKRIDGE.COM

Serving the Tennessee cities of: Oak Ridge Knoxville Clinton Oliver Springs Powell Karns Solway.

PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gracie Jiu Jitsu Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu Kenpo Kenpo Karate Kempo Kempo Karate Shaolin Kempo KAJUKENBO Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Karate for Adults Karate for Kids Yoga

WE ARE ALSO KNOW AS: Tennessee Karate Lessons Tennessee Karate School for Adults Tennessee Karate School for Kids Oak Ridge Child Karate Oak Ridge Martial Arts for Children Tennessee Karate Oak Ridge Kid,s Karate Tennessee Karate for Child Self Defense for Women Martial Arts Oak Ridge Martial Arts Tennessee Cardio Kick Boxing Class Kick Boxing Knoxville Kick Boxing Tennessee Tae Kwon Do Oak Ridge Karate Knoxville kids children families Tennessee Self Defense

In the state of Tennessee we teach: Taekwondo Karate Ju-jitsu / Jiu-jitsu Weapons Grappling Kickboxing Hapkido Kung Fu Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do Escrima Kali Arnis Wushu Aikido Judo Kempo / Kenpo Yoga TaiChi Self Defense Training Practical Street Defense Women's Self Defense Stranger Danger Bully Busting Police Law Enforcement Security Military Hand to hand combat Gun Knife Club Escape School Workplace violence School violence Personal Training Executive Self Defense Bodyguard Boxing

Who Should Train Martial Arts

2008-06-29T13:59:00Z

Everyone! Martial Arts were created for everyone, the weak, the smaller person, men, women, Kids......everyone. You shold be able to train and study in a safe, and friendly environment - one that has cooperative students, passionate instructors, and one that keeps your safety always as the top priority.

If you are going to work and people are asking you about your black eye or bandaged hands; you are training at the wrong place. You don't need to get hurt to learn self defense or get in shape. Soreness is one thing, injury due to stupid training is another. If you are attending an academy where it seems people take pride in always beating you, whether is sparring, Jiu Jitsu randori, etc..... you need to leave.

Remember, the quality of your training shouldn't be on whether you can beat your fellow studet, but whether you have personally improved from the day you began. In my academy, I wnat to feel that my least talented student is capable of defending themself. I don't care whether they win tournaments, beat students from another academy, or even those in their own academy. That simply doesn't matter. What does matter is retention, the fact that a student feels comfortable enough to continue training forever.

WWW.PMAOAKRIDGE.COM

Serving the Tennessee cities of: Oak Ridge Knoxville Clinton Oliver Springs Powell Karns Solway.

Tough Guys

2008-06-29T13:36:00Z

I can't help but see on a day to day basis, how many pseudo tough guys the MMA craze has created. It seems that if you begin training somewhere, start wearing MMA style clothing, and shave your head - you are now someone who counts for something.

When I began training in the 1970s, you were not allowed to wear any part of your Gi (uniform) outside the training facility, and most patches did not say the name of the academy, or any words pertaining to martial arts. Instead, a symbol or logo was used that could also be used on T shirts without proclaiming anything offensive to another. My teacher used to paraphrase a quote that said "the fist is like a treasure in the pocket," which simply means that it is hidden.

Jiu Jitsu has probably seen the most proliferation of pseudo toughs. This is very funny (sadly so), because Jiu Jitsu is the gentle art, one that bases it's technique on not permanently injuring an attacker. Yet, today. it seems a lot of Jiu Jitsu schools not only brag about how tough they are, but also practice the art of talking about everyone else, anywhere they can. Unfortunately, the World Wide Web has assisted them in this endeavor.

Martial arts, of any type - should be for ordinary people - from all walks of life, all sizes, and regardless if one is athletic or weak. What better purpose is there for Martial arts than to teach the weak to defend against the oppressive strong. To teach smaller people to defend themselves. To teach women and children to survive an attack from someone stronger.

Is there any greater slap in the face of Martial Arts than to view all other people training in Martial Arts as your opponent, or enemy? Is there anything worse than walking around, bragging by appearance or attitude that you train.

Some days, I feel like I am training my students to defend themselves against other Martial Artists rather than against the possibility of a criminal attack. Its too bad the criminals don't walk around bragging in advance!

YOGA and JIU JITSU

2008-04-14T02:19:00Z

All I have to say is amazing. I spent the weekend learning a few Yoga poses to help my Jiu Jitsu - it helped. A lot of people at PMA don't know that Brittany is also a Yoga instructor with a lot of knowledge. Since she is a Jiu Jitsu practitioner - the yoga fits what I needed to get that 1 inch of extra flexibilty. My spider guard, X guard and Butterfly is better than when I first learned it!!!

No here's the deal - I am 52 years old, and need what ever edge I can get in "the game." This helps the "edge. " 52 or 32, this stuff will help. More to come!

WHAT IS A TOUGH GUY?

2008-01-20T23:07:00Z

We can debate all day long about what constitutes a tough guy, or what characteristics a tough guy (or tough woman if you like) displays. Today however, I would like to take a little time to recognize one of the toughest guys that ever lived – Dr. Martin Luther King.

I know a lot of my students don’t remember, or weren’t even alive when the Reverend King was around, but let me tell you a little of what I remember. I remember watching Dr. King on the news, and seeing him face the adversity of attack dogs, fire hoses, and blows to the head….and this was from the police! He also faced the death threats and violence of several organizations that opposed his teachings, and what his life stood for. He never stopped, no matter what faced him. He was in the lead position taking his people through a time of violence, murder and discrimination. He was a man respected by presidents, but who at times could not eat in the same place as the average citizen because of the color of his skin.

Today, we think of those entering the arena of competition as tough guys, but what about Dr. King who marched through a world where death faced him every day, and finally caught up with him. He is an example to everyone – a man of peace and gentleness, an honest man of integrity, but a man who despite any fear, displayed courage.
Let us remember today, that no matter how many titles one receives, or how many victories in competition one achieves – only “tough guys” like Dr. Martin Luther King change the world.

VETERAN'S DAY

2007-11-12T15:55:00Z

Today is Veteran's day 2007. Those who know me, also know that I spent 22 years in the military serving with some of the finest, smartest, and most loyal people on the planet. The "family" that you become within the military is something that is hard to understand unless you were part of it - especially in periods of stress. I knew more about a person, and trusted them above any doubt within just a month of knowing them. Most remarkably, the trust was never misplaced. The petty way that people treat each other, combined with the dog-eat-dog mentality in the world today is disgusting after serving for so long with those who live each day with the assumption that they might have had to sacrafice their life to save me.

I don't know what kind of magic occurs when someone goes in the service, but it is something remarkable. I guess the effectiveness of throwing a group of strangers together, dressing them the same, paying them the same, and maintaining a strict set of rules somehow works. I can hardly believe my memories of 18 year old sailors on the bridge of massive warships and responsible for some particular aspect of these warship's safe journey through danger. As you read this, there is some 18 year old with an M-16, locked and loaded, going door to door in the city of a hostile country trying to make sure his partners aren't killed.

To this day, I can spot a veteran within seconds of talking to them. It is like a sixth sense! Now don't misunderstand this. You don't have to have ever served in the military to be like them - you just have to care a little more about your fellow man's survival rather than your own ego!

What is Reality?

2007-11-09T16:56:00Z

I recently visited the local library to find a book. While I was there, I happened to walk by a collection of old phone books that the library oviously archives. Curiosoity got the best of me, so I decided to look at the Martial Arts listings over the past several years. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! Let me give you a little insight into what I saw by using an example of one particular Karate School. I will call the school North South Karate, but if you want to go to the library yourself, you can look up the real name!

8 Years ago - North South Karate had a differnt name, and it taught a form of Kung Fu and Karate. The "Grandmaster," although not actually teaching there, had an Asian name.

6 Years ago - North South Karate taught a form of Kenpo Karate. The Asian Grandmaster was gone, but an offsite master instructor with an American name was overseeing the system.

4 Years ago - North South now taught an Israeli martial art. It was listed as the most effective system in the world.

Presently - North South has a new name (AGAIN!) and it teaches Mixed Martial Arts!

Unfortunatly, this is the situation with a lot of Karate and Tae Kwon Do schools today - they have instantly become Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) schools. So.... BUYER BEWARE!

Here is my opinion: Choose an academy where all of the instructors were trained at that particular academy, and personally trained by whoever the Chief Instructor is. Pick a school that has taught the same basic curriculum since they came into existence. Although they may have added new courses, they should at leat have consistency! Otherwise, look elsewhere.

NO EGO HERE!

2007-09-12T16:31:00Z

The picture below is the classic picture of an American warrior, and a hero - his name is John Gebhardt.

He is what I hope I raised my sons and daughters to be like. To possess the ability to be ferocious, but always to be compassionate to others, regardless of their origin.

John Gebhardt's wife, Mindy, said that this little girl's entire family was executed. The insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head...but they failed to kill her. She was cared for in John's hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan. The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.

He is a real Star of the war, and represents what America is trying to do. This, my friends, is worth sharing with the WORLD! You'll never see things like this in the news.

AMERICAN ATTITUDE IN BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU

2007-09-06T21:49:00Z

This one is easy! I am not a fan of INTERNET forums, mostly because any idiot can write things that may or may not be true - but once written, they seem to become gospel. Of course, newspapers are just about as guilty, but they have to answer to the public for mis-information.

That said, one of my students sent me a link to a forum that had a GREAT topic - and... a very corrrect one. So, here it is:

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From: AmericanJJ Date: 09/06/07 12:23 PM	Member Since: 11/30/2005 405 Total Posts	Ignore User
Last edited:06-Sep-07 12:35 PM

In Brazil does it matter who taps who in training? I have heard of blue belts tapping black belts regularly while training. Have they totally removed ego?

I have tried to explain it to my students that getting tapped is like getting hit when boxing/sparring. It is the nature of the sport. It is what is supposed to happen.

In the US if a blue taps a black it is front page interweb news! Are our egos limiting our progress? If you are always fearfull of getting tapped how do you incorporate new things into your game?


From: Raspado Date: 09/06/07 01:08 PM	Member Since: 10/29/2004 2124 Total Posts	Ignore User

I've heard that as well. Unfortunately the lesson doesn't apply here. Quite frankly- I think it's the black belts fault.

ADMIN:
From: andre Date: 09/06/07 01:30 PM	Member Since: 01/01/2001 31141 Total Posts	Ignore User

I wouldnt say that NO ONE cares about tapping down there. Some people get frustrated when they tap to a lower belt, but I havent noticed people really gossiping about it like they do here.


From: AmericanJJ Date: 09/06/07 02:47 PM	Member Since: 11/30/2005 406 Total Posts	Ignore User

You're right Andre. I would get upset if I got tapped by a lower belt as well, but I'm sure they don't look at it like it is the end of the world like here.

I think it is a general respect thing. Guys in the US, especially lower belts, don't really respect the technique. If they tap someone they thing they must be better. This is not always the case! They maye be stronger, more flexible, their opponent may be working on a technique that is light years ahead of them and they made a mistake, they may weigh more or just catch someone on an off day. I think that this is the one thing that will keep American's from rising above the Brazilians. We are to rigid in our training and do not train just to train. I think in American culture there always has to be a winner and a loser. I try to explain to people that sometimes in training just train for the sake of training. Go for stuff, tap eachother. Get submitted. Who cares. I get a lot of blank stares. It doesn't compute.

In the US there is also this weird deal with how trainers are viewed by students. In the US when a student gets to a point where their trainer/instructor no longer can kick their ass they leave them or dont see the value in them. In Brazil I don't see this happening as much. Look at how Marcelo has stayed with Fabio. Their instructors are respected and their value is now as a coach and advisor. It isn't always about "kicking ass".

What do you think?


From: Sir Lawrence Date: 09/06/07 03:52 PM	Member Since: 12/21/2006 996 Total Posts	Ignore User

The first guy I ever met who had gone to Brazil and train told me the same thing. He said he would see blues tapping purples and browns and ocassionally blacks and it was like whatever its just training.

He also said we have to much of the wrestling and football aggressive mentality here. And although that might help us in some regards that type of attitude will not help us acheive their (Brazilians) level of technique.

Choosing Your Martial Arts Academy

2007-09-05T15:43:00Z

If you are reading this then you are either a martial arts student, or someone who is very interested in martial arts for some other reason. Now, let me ask you a few questions:

If you had a physical ailment or disease, would you call several doctors with the goal of finding the one that charges the cheapest price....or....would you look for the best doctor who is a specialist in the area concerning your illness, - a physician that would assuredly treat your illness correctly and make you better? Most would answer - "I want the best, I want a specialist that will cure me!"

Okay, here is another question; If you had to have new plumbing installed in your home and the plumber charged $1,000. However, you could hire an electrician to put in the plumbing for $100, who would you hire? After all, they both have the capability to do contracting work, there is electricity in most bathrooms, and around sinks, they both work on houses! So, would your logic be that the electrician might be able to do plumbing, or the plumber could install wiring - one is as good as another - therefore go with the cheapest price! Sounds absurd? It should; and most would concur that it is bad logic and reasoning!

If you agree with my conclusions , then ask yourself - why do people do the absurd when they search for training in martial arts?

Price - I have been teaching martial arts for decades, and I am always amazed at the price sensitivity of people. Now, I realize that price is a factor in most purchases, otherwise we would all be driving BMWs. However, although I couldn't afford the BMW, I would not pay the price of a Chevy and take the chance on receiving a motor scooter! OK, what is my point? Simple, you get what you pay for - cheap means exactly that! If you choose to go to a martial arts academy based on the low cost - you will get what you pay for!

I am amazed at this, especially when it comes to kids. Parents wouldn't want second rate teachers staffing their local public schools, then why would they send their kids to second rate martial arts instructors because of cost? All I have to say is that it is probably better NOT to learn second rate material, than to spend any money at all!

Quality - All I can say, is do your research. Beware of schools that have changed what they teach every other year. Find me one Black Belt certified in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Heck, even general contractors have to go through a certification and licensing procedure. ANYONE, and I mean ANYONE can train for even 2 months, then open an MMA academy. If you want to learn martial arts, then go to a certified, well trained martial artist who has put in the Y E A R S of training......AND....has learned to TEACH!!!!!

Is Mixed Martial Arts New?

2007-09-03T22:23:00Z

Let me start by saying that the concept of Mixed Martial Arts is not new. We could debate all day about when the "mixing" of styles or concepts began, but I would like to offer three good examples of MMA from the past:

1. Adriano Emperado and KAJUKENBO - Adriano Emperado is a native of Hawaii, and a first generation Filipino American. He was a student of Kempo under Professor William K.S. Chow, and later became the senior student instructor under Professor Chow. Emperado, along with some of his friends from other systems of martial arts created the system now known as KAJUKENBO, or KArate, JUdo/JU Jitsu, Kenpo, and Chinese BOxing (also known as Kung Fu). This system was formally established in 1947. If you would like to learn more about KAJUKENBO, you can click here.

2. Ed Parker Kenpo - GrandMaster Ed Parker established the first Kenpo academy on the mainland United States in the early 1950s. As the number of students grew in his schools, he began to revise his original system to include concepts from several styles of Kung Fu, and to also increase the variety of kicking methods. In the early years, Master Parker's academies taught detailed aspects of throwing, and ground work. Much of this aspect was later removed for safety reasons, and to promote student retention. You can read more about Ed Parker by clicking here.

3. Finally, and without a doubt the greatest of all innovators - Bruce Lee. No person in their right mind can ever doubt the fact that Bruce was a Mixed Martial Artist. He was an advocate of obtaining detailed knowledge, the revising what he learned to adapt to "common sense" use. Styles that many are just now learning of such as Silat, Kali, Savate, Dumog, etc, etc, etc.... He had already studied and used as far back as the late 1960s. You can read more about Bruce Lee by clicking here.

So, what is different today? Well today, anyone can open an academy and call their curriculum Mixed Martial Arts. Since martial arts is poorly regulated, then all someone has to do is mix some aspects together, and now teach! The frenzy for MMA has also caused a very "buyer beware" market to also occur. Here is an example of one school that I know of; this particular martial arts school previously advertised itself as a school of the Shaolin Do system. A few years later, it then became a Shaolin Kenpo academy, then about two years after that it was listed as a Universal Kenpo martial arts school. When the Krav Maga system took off, of course this same academy became the official school of Krav Maga. Now, guess what? Of course, it is a Mixed Martial Arts Academy!!!

So, here is my advice - when you think about training, think of the following before you choose:

- Research the history of the instructors, not just locally but everywhere.Research what they teach, and how long they have consistently taught these arts or systems.
- Are all of the instructors from the academy from the same lineage of training? If not, then there will be no consistency.
- If the school is a franchise or chain operation, then there will be critical differences from academy to academy, and instructor to instructor.
- Don't go with the latest fad, it will disappear eventually. Instead look for something that has a history.
- Remember, the level at which you become proficient and skilled will begin with a good teacher, but be completed by you. You never need to stop learning, and should always seek to add to your level of knowledge, both in range and depth.
- Go to an academy that is safe. Martial arts does you no good if the learning causes you debilitating injuries, or injuries that last for life.
- The training is for you - not for the instructor. BEWARE of academies that are all about the instructor. I find it disturbing and puzzling why students are so impressed with an instructor that can consistently overwhelm them, even when they get to the advanced level. I read statements from students all the time literally bragging that their instructor can "tap" them, or beat them sparring all the time. My advice to these people is to find an instructor that will teach you to be better, rather than less skilled than the instructor. Could you imagine if your academic teachers had the same attitude?
- Finally, the best martial art to train in is the one that will inspire you to continue training.