Wen Hsiu Quan

The Founder at his happiest- training! Introduction: This blog was probably supposed to start with a post about the history of what is my very own fighting style. Fact is, though- I actually thought about doing it now. I have only realised now that the process of learning, training and modifying which felt up to this point to have been so recent and so fast actually happened over more than a decade now... It is also because I realised that I have not yet really had the chance to teach this art to anyone yet. Right now I am actually worried that this art- this system of techniques, tactics and beliefs will follow me to the grave. On the one hand I can leave as much as I can on this blog, but what I'd really appreciate is the opportunity to see the art itself blossom and grow within someone right here with me. One of the main reasons why Wen Hsiu Quan got developed is simply that it suited me- as a person. In karate students are known to have their " tokuiwa...

I have enjoyed Black Belt TV's Move of the Day inserts since the channel came to South Africa. The inserts show some martial arts movie legends demonstrating the most basic of moves. This is actually a nice way of interacting with the viewers to get them interested in martial arts. The back fist demonstration, however, was not on. I recognised the type of back fist as the one I used to perform when doing the Shotokan kata, Tekki Shodan. Let's just say that I have found no use for that technique in actual combat and when I began developing my own style- that technique was gone before even the first unwanted techniques got thrown out. If I could re-write that kata- I would have put a descending hammer fist there! In the video I demonstrate and discuss the proper technique when performing the back fist strike. I have left out some of my favorite methods to perform the strike and used only the most common and basic examples. If you want to know more about the versatility of...

Depending on which style you practice or which technique you prefer- this kick could either be your weakest or your strongest kick. This video is especially a must-see for any karateka who wants to test himself in the MMA arena. Feel free to comment or to email me at boshoffm3@gmail.com.

I'll admit that I don't practice with this weapon much. Recently I decided to make the chain longer for extra reach. For those who do not know this weapon it is a chain with an iron weight at each end. The weights are flung at the opponent to stun him/her while the chain itself is used to ensnare or as a garrot. This particular weapon is associated with Ninjutsu, but Chinese martial arts have similar weapons using blades or weights at the end of ropes or chains. As you can see from the video I have some trouble controlling this weapon. If anyone has a better video to post- you can email it to me at boshoffm3@gmail.com.

Most of us who have actually joined a dojo for martial arts like karate or judo know that running does not feature as one of the techniques taught. Fact is, however, that the running technique worth mentioning is not taught- it is developed. In an age where martial arts were actually used in warfare and not just as a sport- exponents of some known martial arts relied not only on attacks, but also on ways to move oneself as efficiently as possible by climbing, running and jumping. Shaolin has a known skill called "Running on Grass". The translation from Chinese makes very little sense to me, but it's supposed to mean that the exponent can run really fast... A known technique which most of you will probably have heard about a couple of years too late is the straw hat- sprints used by the Ninja. Young students from the age of about 8 and up are given a straw hat. they are then made to run fast enough, without holding the hat in their hands, for the hat to be pressed...

Finally! I got ankle weights, wrist weights and power bands. This is THE way to train for karate or kickboxing! If you have been practicing martial arts for at least a year I am sure you don't need a DVD to tell you how to execute your techniques. With the resisitance from these training aids your workout should be a lot more fun!  

I have combined the PT247 with ankle weights and wrist weights to give me a great workout. Following the example of Goku and Rock Lee, I can testify that this workout works wonders!

Rugby is definitely close enough to a fighting sport as it is. It is a tough contact sport that requires physical strength as well as psychological toughness. The most successful team in this sport is undoubtedly the All Blacks. No doubt that the warrior spirit displayed by the Haka plays a crucial part in their success. Their passion and skill are world renowned and they are known as a force to be reckoned with throughout the rugby community. I have stated in an earlier post that the martial arts are comprised of 3 elements- power, technique and tactics. This post briefly evaluates the All Blacks in these 3 respects. 1. Power: Whether it is the front row taking and dishing out punishment in the scrums and the rucks or Dagg that can kick a ball hard enough to drop a sturdy built front row player to his knees- the All Blacks have shown us that their players have all the physical strength they need. Being elbowed in the face, stepped on and knocked really hard ...

Having researched knockout techniques I have found that apart from the holds and grabs that constrict major arteries to the brain, the type of blow most likely to cause a knockout is a sharp, explosive blow of which the force is channeled into the opponent's body, causing sudden trauma to the brain or heart. To develop such a blow takes the right kind of practice. It already takes a lot of concentration to execute such a technique from a grounded position, like one would do during form practice. So- it will take even more practice and clarity of mind to execute such a technique in a real fight. To give you an idea of the blow you are looking for, take a bucket of water. Then punch into the water with the intent to have as much of that water splash out with one blow. Keep punching until the bucket is almost empty. :)

My mother recently gave me these rubber bands with gloves and straps in a box with a DVD, a nutrition guide and an exercise program. Having enough exercise equipment and an exercise program that utilises the limited time I put aside for it I did not expect much from this gift to be honest. Having watched the first DVD I strapped on the bands- out of curiosity- and I can say that I was pleasantly surprised! One of the first positive changes I have noticed was that I was able to pick my side kick up properly and keep it all together in a way that would have made my first sensei proud. :) Another positive change was that I realised that it was not age that has slowed me down, but a bunch of bad habits in posture that I have developed since I had left the dojo. These bands recitified it all and made me feel 18 again! Billy Blanks, creator of Taebo, came up with these bands as a training method to tone and strengthen muscles while enhancing the Taebo routine....

Projectile weapons may include weapons such as bows and slingshots, but this article focusses mainly on sharp weapons which are thrown by hand. To outline the differences in technique I will differentiate between straight projectile weapons, which include the Chinese throwing knife, needles, quills, the Japanese kunai and the bo shuriken on the one hand- and on the other- spinning weapons, which mainly consist of the Japanese shaken or throwing star, but it van also include playing cards and coins. Straight throwing weapons: Incidentally, many of these weapons make good stabbing weapons as well. Because the sharp tip is the only point of contact the aim of the throwing technique is to have the tip penetrate into the target.  The most effective way to accomplish that is to keep the grip on the weapon very loose during the throwing movement and to guide the weapon by supporting it with the thumb or index finger of the throwing hand.  The weapon is then propelled by ...

It is very easy for caution to turn into a hindrance, preventing us from acting. While it is important to keep one's guard up, to be aware of risks and dangers, one should not be pre-occupied with that. The best way to avoid getting hit is to keep your opponent on the defensive. You will also realise that you have an unhealthy pre-occupation with negative aspects if your fears and concerns prevent you from having a happy and fulfilling life and career.

I have bought these new tonfas today. The tonfa is one of those weapons originally used on the Ryukyu Islands (of which Okinawa is one) in the martial arts known to us as Kobudo and Kobujutsu. To me, these weapons are synonym with traditional Karate, which I regard as an unarmed form of  Kobudo. If you really want to know why I say this you can email me at boshoffm3@gmail.com for the explanation. This double weapon makes an effective shield with blocking techniques that can be taken directly from karate. Its attacks include thrusts and swinging slashes when the handles are used as pivots. Pommels on the handle and short end allow for even more short range attacks (not seen in the video). Tonfas today, unlike the traditional version, are made in the fashion of the modern night stick, meaning that the extra handle allows it to be used as a baton. Police training handbooks usually contain arresting and immobilising techniques that can be executed with the night stic...

When I saw Hinata's ordeal in Naruto I was reminded of a student in our dojo. The Sensei told him to be more aggressive and not to duck or turn his back on his opponent. After a while of quitting our club he went on to study Jeet Kune Do and when he sparred again he actually surprised his former classmates with spinning techniques and slipping and ducking techniques. Being overly timid is as much a problem as being over aggressive in martial arts. A lot of fighting sports coaches urge their students to be pumped up with aggression. That mental attitude may come in handy if your sole occupation in life is going to be cage fighting. True Martial Arts strive to cultivate a state of mindless awareness and being able to act without hesitation when needed to. An aggressive fighter will always lose against a fighter like that.