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Learning good sportsmanship is just as important to someone’s training as learning different martial arts moves and techniques. The practice of martial arts involves both mental and physical training, with an emphasis put on meditation, self-reflection, and breathwork, as these can be used to help students better understand themselves and their emotions. In fact, martial arts can help individuals harness their natural strength by harnessing and controlling the power within their spirit an …

Although martial arts have been around for thousands of years, there are a few key figures who helped establish many of its disciplines. This year for Father’s Day we are taking a look at some men whom we are referring to as the ‘father’s’ of martial arts due to their impact on the spread and development of the disciplines they followed. Read all about them below, and if you think we missed someone go ahead and let us know! Karate – Gichin Funakoshi …

When we think of the sounds often heard in martial arts the kiai is what initially comes to mind. However, one overlooked sound comes from the practitioner’s uniform, and is most often seen in Taekwondo and karate katas when practitioners attempt to create a snapping sound with them. The sound itself is made by executing individual techniques at a very high speed, and ending them with an immediate, abrupt stop. This results in an audible “snap” sound made f …

Different martial arts practices have different ways of promoting students’ ranks. Although the colored belts are most often associated with karate, they are also present in Judo, Brazlian Jiu Jitsu,  and Taekwondo (to name a few). In this post, we are going to dive into how BJJ belt rankings work, as there are two different belt ranking systems in place for children and adults. All information has been provided by the SJJIF, Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation, which …

China’s long and rich history has been responsible for many innovations, and their weapons are no exception. The relationship between the dao and jian is one example, as each went through many updates and changes in use over the course of China’s history. Referred to as “The General of All Weapons”, the dao is a short-to-moderate sized, single-edged sword that is known for its slight curve. Most commonly compared to the English broadsword, the dao was …

Martial arts is more than just a type of physical exercise. It is a practice that involves ones’ emotions and self-discipline while testing your physical strength, endurance, and control. The practice is just as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and this is best shown in the sounds that are used in martial arts.   Kiai is the Japanese term that describes the short yell, or shouts, that competitors make when performing an attack move. It can be used to startle …

While the term mixed martial arts is a more recent invention, multiple forms of mixed martial art have been around for thousands of years. Over 6,000 years ago in ancient China, soldiers invented an ancient style of wrestling and kung-fu that used a lot of the same grappling techniques that are used in modern mixed martial art. This ancient style of wrestling was called Shuai jiao. Another fighting technique that shared many similarities to modern mixed martial arts was the sport pankration in …

Does Mexico have a martial art? What is the history of Lucha Libre, a form of professional wrestling developed in Mexico? In honor of Cinco de Mayo, a celebration that commemorates the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, we will be answering those questions. Mexico has a rich and abundant history full of fierce Aztec warriors, but little is known about their combat training. There are records of specific battles, but none holding information on thei …

When you look back at the last 35 years, Macho has been working hard to provide martial artists with the gear they need to stay safe and train effectively. Macho Martial Arts is proud of its legacy and to be founded and based in the USA. It all began in 1980 on Florida’s East Coast when 8th degree Tae Kwon Do black belt Grandmaster Soo Se Cho recognized a need for greater safety in martial arts training and competition. He designed and made the first Macho Gear in …