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What is 'Traditional Karate'? |
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What is 'Modern Karate'? |
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What is the difference between 'Jujitsu' and
'Jiu Jitsu'? |
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What is Kata? |
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What is Acupuncture? |
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How is a pressure point used in
Martial Arts? |
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How is a
pressure point strike different from a blunt trauma
strike? |
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Is it dangerous to work Pressure
Points? |
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How does self defense and the law
work together? |
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Will it hurt?
'Hurt' v/s 'Harm' |
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What is the difference between simple self defense and
other martial art classes? |
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How does this compare to other
styles? |
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What is Dim Mac? |
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Can you really hit a pressure
point in a real fight? |
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What happens if you miss the
pressure point? |
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Is it true not everyone feels a pressure points? |
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Do I need to be in shape to do
Martial Arts? |
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Do you participate in tournaments? |
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What is the difference between
sport and combative Martial Arts? |
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How do I pay for classes at
Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu? |
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I want to watch
or sit in on a class, what do I bring? |
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Do you
accept anyone as a student? |
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How do
I sign up? |
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What is
'Traditional Karate'? |
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| When people speak of
traditional martial arts there are often two different
definitions that people are referring to: |
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| 1) A never changing art:
Some believe that art or style should never change and
be exactly as the original founder intended.
Hence, you will perform the art like your instructor, as
his instructor did, as his instructor did, and so on.
This is inefficient in that information will be lost
over time and not everyone will be able to do a
technique exactly as their instructor does. 2) An
ever evolving art: Know that a martial art 'style'
in an opinion. Someone took what they knew and
somehow adapted it to their needs or what they see as
more effective. Or, someone took their influences
and combined them into a style of their own. Every
good martial artist eventually develops their own way
(style) of doing things, whatever they call it is
irrelevant. It's the concepts and willing to adapt
and evolve that matters. |
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What is the difference Jujitsu and Jiu Jitsu? |
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| Both Jujitsu and Jiu Jitsu
can simply be defined as grappling arts. Jujitsu
is originally a Japanese terminology. It includes
many locks and throws from standing or ground positions
more so commonly used for self-defense and combative
purposes. Jiu Jitsu is the Brazilian style version
on Jujitsu. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the sport based
system that deals mainly with ground fighting. |
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What is 'Modern Karate'? |
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| The history of martial
arts (and even specifically Karate) is a long one. This
is a quick summary of how it became what it is today.
To understand what "Modern Karate" is, you should first
understand what what it was. Before it was 'karate' it
was 'te', or 'china hand'. Different styles originally
in Okinawa were brought from Chinese culture and
practiced in the different cities of Naha, Shuri,
Tomari. These styles were separated by Kata, but joined
by the applications of RyuKyu Kempo. Unlike today, not
everyone could be taught martial arts in a local dojo.
These applications and techniques were secrets shared by
family and friends.
Modern Karate is often the term used for when martial
arts was brought from Okinawa (Te) to Japan (Karate)
then to the US. What is known as "kara te" (open
hand) is the term it was given in the early 20th
century. This was when an Okinawian teacher name Gichin
Funakoshi first introduced it to Japan. Kata was brought
into the island's school system as a part of a physical
education class. School children being children as they
are were not taught the applications Kata was originally
intended for; striking movements and explanations became
watered down versions. Thus, the first introduction of
Karate to the Japanese.
During World War 2, US solders learned Karate while
stations in Japan and Okinawia islands. This
information was brought back to the US and introduced
for the first in the mid to late 1940's. |
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| What is Kata? |
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| One way to define Kata on
the surface level is simply 'a set combination of
positions and movements performed as an exercise'. Kata
can also be compared to a song or a poem. We see the
words, but what are the meanings? What did the
originally maker of that Kata intend for each particular
move? The truth is, most of the originally meanings have
been lost over time; thus it has been up to later
practitioners to interpret what these movements' mean
and pass on that information. As a song or poem, many
things can be left open to interpretation; one movement
can have many applications. |
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| There are many different
styles around the world. Most styles work very different
Kata and some work very similar Kata. One Kata is not
necessarily better than another; the effectiveness lies
the interpretation. Just because it looks like a 'low
block' doesn't mean you're blocking a kick; in fact,
THERE ARE NO BLOCKS IN KATA. Learning the techniques of
RyuKyu Kempo gives the Martial Artist the tools and
knowledge to interpret any style's Kata for 'real'
application. |
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What is Acupuncture? |
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A simple dictionary term
for Acupuncture:
'A procedure used
in or adapted from Chinese medical practice in
which specific body areas are pierced with
fine needles for therapeutic purposes or to
relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia.'
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Acupuncture, A
Brief Introduction
by Jeffrey A.
Singer |
" Today in most
western cultures it is considered a "new
alternative" medicine. In reality Acupuncture
is practiced medical treatments that are over
5,000 years old. Very basically, Acupuncture
is the insertion of very fine needles,
(sometimes in conjunction with electrical
stimulus), on the body's surface, in order to
influence physiological functioning of the
body.
The first record of Acupuncture is found in
the 4,700 year old Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow
Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine). This
is said to be the oldest medical textbook in
the world. It is said to have been written
down from even earlier theories by Shen Nung,
the father of Chinese Medicine. Shen Nung
documented theories about circulation, pulse,
and the heart over 4,000 years before European
medicine had any concept about them.
As the basis of Acupuncture, Shen Nung
theorized that the body had an energy force
running throughout it. This energy force is
known as Qi (roughly pronounced Chee). The Qi
consists of all essential life activities
which include the spiritual, emotional, mental
and the physical aspects of life. A person's
health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the
body, in combination with the universal forces
of Yin and Yang . (I will discuss Yin and Yang
a little later). If the flow of Qi is
insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, Yin
and Yang become unbalanced, and illness may
occur. Qi travels throughout the body along
"Meridians" or special pathways. The
Meridians, (or Channels), are the same on both
sides of the body (paired). There are fourteen
main meridians running vertically up and down
the surface of the body. Out of these, there
are twelve organ Meridians in each half of the
body (remember they are in pairs). There are
also two unpaired midline Meridians. The
acupuncture points are specific locations
where the Meridians come to the surface of the
skin, and are easily accessible by "needling,"
Moxibustion, and Acupressure. The connections
between them ensure that there is an even
circulation of Qi, a balance between Yin and
Yang.
Energy constantly flows up and down these
pathways. When pathways become obstructed,
deficient, excessive, or just unbalanced, Yin
and Yang are said to be thrown out of balance.
This causes illness. Acupuncture is said to
restore the balance.
The question arises, how does Acupuncture
work? Scientists have no real answer to this;
as you know many of the workings of the body
are still a mystery. There are a few
prevailing theories:
- By some
unknown process, Acupuncture raises levels
of triglycerides, specific hormones,
prostaglandins, white blood counts, gamma
globulins, opsonins, and overall anti-body
levels. This is called the "Augmentation of
Immunity" Theory.
- The
"Endorphin" Theory states that Acupuncture
stimulates the secretions of endorphins in
the body (specifically Enkaphalins).
- The
"Neurotransmitter" Theory states that
certain neurotransmitter levels (such as
Seratonin and Noradrenaline) are affected by
Acupuncture.
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"Circulatory" Theory: this states that
Acupuncture has the effect of constricting
or dilating blood vessels. This may be
caused by the body's release of Vasodilaters
(such as Histamine), in response to
Acupuncture.
- One of
the most popular theories is the "Gate
Control" Theory. According to this theory,
the perception of pain is controlled by a
part of the nervous system which regulates
the impulse, which will later be interpreted
as pain. This part of the nervous system is
called the "Gate." If the gate is hit with
too many impulses, it becomes overwhelmed,
and it closes. This prevents some of the
impulses from getting through. The first
gates to close would be the ones that are
the smallest. The nerve fibers that carry
the impulses of pain are rather small nerve
fibers called "C" fibers. These are the
gates that close during Acupuncture.
In the
related "Motor Gate" Theory, some forms of
paralysis can be overcome by Acupuncture.
This is done by reopening a "stuck" gate,
which is connected to an Anterior Horn cell.
The gate, when closed by a disease, stops
motor impulses from reaching muscles. This
theory was first stated by Professor
Jayasuriya in 1977. In it he goes on to say:
"...one of
the factors contributing to motor recovery
is almost certainly the activation of
spindle cells. They are stimulated by Gamma
motor neurons. If Acupuncture stimulates the
Gamma motor neurons, the discharge causes
the contraction of Intrafusal Muscle fibers.
This activates the Spindle cells, in the
same way as muscle stretching. This will
bring about muscle contraction." "
Acupuncture,
A Brief Introduction by Jeffrey A. Singer
excerpt sited from
http://www.acupuncture.com/
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How is a
pressure point used in Martial Arts? |
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Pressure points are the vital areas of the body
where nerves and/or arteries cross. There are
over 300 pressure points in the body. The key
is know how to activate them and the angle of which
to do so. There are 3 main ways of activation:
touch, strike, and rub. When used one at a
time they can be used for pain compliance (putting
someone in pain so they will do what you want), body
response (i.e. buckling of knees, or brining head
forward), or releasing of the joints (i.e. arm bar
or should dislocation). When you understand more
how the points interact with each other, you learn
to use them in striking and locking combinations to
incapacitate the attacker faster and more
efficiently than simply continue punching/kicking to
where ever you may hit. |
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<back to
the top> |
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How is a pressure point strike
different from a blunt trauma strike? |
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Pressure points are vital areas on the body.
Every human's body basically works the same so we
break down and understand how the vial areas work.
Striking these with the proper knowledge does not
take nearly as much force as a random strike would.
For example, many fighters 'head hunt', thus
constantly swing at the opponent's head and may land
many hits before the opponent's brain is hit against
the skill enough to cause a ko. When you
target areas and know how to use the combinations,
one can end the fight much faster and w/out as much
strength b/c of the vital area.
Also see,
How is a
pressure point used in Martial Arts? |
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Is
it dangerous to work Pressure Points? |
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| When you start hitting
pressure points you are disrupting the body's
natural energy (chi or Bio-electric energy). We work
everything in a controlled manner where to not harm
each other. All students much learning healing
techniques as well; to restore energy flow where
they just hit. Is it dangerous? If someone isn't
properly trained and starts hitting the wrong spots,
yes, it can be dangerous. But again, so can playing
baseball or any physical activity at that manner. Do
we at Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu take precautions,
YES. Safety for each other and ourselves is
1st. |
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How does self defense and the law work together? |
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| Every state has their
own law on what is and what isn't self defense and
when is it taken too far. This information
sited from
http://law.onecle.com/georgia/16/index.html |
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| Georgia Code - Crimes
and Offenses - Title 16, Section 16-3-21
(a) A person is justified in threatening or using
force against another when and to the extent that he
or she reasonably believes that such threat or force
is necessary to defend himself or herself or a third
person against such other´s imminent use of unlawful
force; however, except as provided in Code Section
16-3-23, a person is justified in using force which
is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily
harm only if he or she reasonably believes that such
force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily
injury to himself or herself or a third person or to
prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
(b) A person is not justified in using force under
the circumstances specified in subsection (a) of
this Code section if he:
(1) Initially provokes the use of force against
himself with the intent to use such force as an
excuse to inflict bodily harm upon the assailant;
(2) Is attempting to commit, committing, or fleeing
after the commission or attempted commission of a
felony; or
(3) Was the aggressor or was engaged in a combat by
agreement unless he withdraws from the encounter and
effectively communicates to such other person his
intent to do so and the other, notwithstanding,
continues or threatens to continue the use of
unlawful force.
(c) Any rule, regulation, or policy of any agency of
the state or any ordinance, resolution, rule,
regulation, or policy of any county, municipality,
or other political subdivision of the state which is
in conflict with this Code section shall be null,
void, and of no force and effect.
(d) In a prosecution for murder or manslaughter, if
a defendant raises as a defense a justification
provided by subsection (a) of this Code section, the
defendant, in order to establish the defendant's
reasonable belief that the use of force or deadly
force was immediately necessary, may be permitted to
offer:
(1) Relevant evidence that the defendant had been
the victim of acts of family violence or child abuse
committed by the deceased, as such acts are
described in Code Sections 19-13-1 and 19-15-1,
respectively; and
(2) Relevant expert testimony regarding the
condition of the mind of the defendant at the time
of the offense, including those relevant facts and
circumstances relating to the family violence or
child abuse that are the bases of the expert's
opinion.
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| There is much
information that goes from Title 16, Section 16-3-21
to Title 16, Section 16-3-26. To sum it up
(note that no one at Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu is a
lawyer), you can defend yourself if threatened or
assaulted to a reasonable degree. You
also also allowed to use deadly force if reasonably
justified and your feel your life in in danger or at
serious bodily rick. Of course, 'reasonably'
is the key work in all of this. For more
information, please see
http://law.onecle.com/georgia/16/index.html. |
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Will it hurt? 'Hurt' v/s 'Harm' |
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Pain is the best
instructor, but no one wants to go to his class."
- Choi, Hong Hi |
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| The best ways to learn
in martial arts are to HEAR IT, SEE IT, DO IT, and
have it done TO YOU. If you are to learn, for
example, a finger lock, you will have it explained
to you, showed to you, and have it done to you
before you can can practice it on anyone else.
Though as a student you will feel some pain now and
again, SAFETY is our number 1 concern.
Understand the difference in pain (discomfort) and
harm (putting someone's health or body at serious
risk). Control not to injure is a major
key in martial arts; especially when working with
your fellow students so that no one gets hurt.
More skill is shown in controlling how hard you can
hit as opposed to someone who can just hit hard.
'Hurt' v/s 'Harm' is a
conversation that comes up often. The
differences are simple. To hurt someone is to
cause them non-damaging pain. For example, you
squeeze some pressure points to cause pain. To
harm someone is to cause damaging effects to their
body. For example, using a pressure point to
release a joint and breaking it. |
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the top> |
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What is the difference
between simple self defense and other martial art
classes? |
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| Simple self defense (in
the women's class) works scenario self defense: i.e.
someone grabs your hair, you do <this move>.
It's simple defense learning different moves.
In the Ryukyu Kempo and Jodoryu Jujitsu training, a
students learns more than just moves. A
students will learn breakdowns of the body, not only
how but WHY techniques work, also work and
understand concepts. With concepts and
understanding of the body, a martial artist can
adapt themselves into any situation and beyond only
what moves they know. |
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How
does this compare to other styles? |
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What is 'best' can be described only by oneself.
A person may start a martial art dojo for a myriad
of purposes: learn self defense, win trophies, get a
workout, gain confidence...the reasons are endless.
One art may focus more on hands where as another may
focus more on legs. What is the best for Jim may not
be the best for Jack.
Note that a school is not just a reflection of
the it's primary style, but also of the Instructor's
influences. For example, not at Ryukyu Kempo
school are alike.
Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu is geared toward REAL
(combative) self defense and not sport martial arts.
Also see
What is the difference between sport and combative
Martial Arts? |
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the top> |
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What is Dim Mac? |
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| Dim Mak is commonly
translated as 'Death Touch'. Kyusho Jitsu in it's
advanced levels is Dim Mac. Though killing moves do
not come for some time, a student studying at
Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu will understand how to
utilize pressure points in the earlier stages for
pain compliance, body response, and knock outs. |
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the top> |
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Can you really hit a pressure point in a real fight? |
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| Every pressure point
has an activation size of a quarter. There are over
300 pressure points on the body. Imagine taking 300
quarters and placing them on someone's body. The
answer is yes, no matter how you are positioned, you
will have a target. With a little time and
practice, a student will easily see where these
targets become available. |
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| See also,
What happens if you miss the pressure point? |
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the top> |
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What happens if you miss the pressure point? |
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| Do something else. Once
you learn how the body works and the locations/uses
of the points, you'll realize how to easily adapt by
hitting another point, go into a grappling
technique, throw, or other. |
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the top> |
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Is it true not everyone feels a pressure points? |
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| Yes, it is true that
not everyone responds to the pain of a pressure
point attack. If you were to take 10 subjects
and work 1 point on every 10, you would possibly get
3 different responses. Most would feel
the pain and immediately react by falling; some
might feel the pain but able to endure it, and some
may not feel any pain at all and thus no reaction.
We often call these 'non-responders'. A few
reasons for this have been site to either smaller
pain receptors or even chi blockages w/in the body.
Whatever the reason may be, we work multiple attacks
so that even if they don't feel a point, we
continue with the striking and possible move to
another technique. Also see
What happens if you miss the pressure point? |
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the top> |
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Do I need to be in shape to do Martial Arts? |
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| Although strength, speed, and agility are not
necessary needed to be proficient in martial arts, it
can certainly enhance one's ability.
Speed is a factor that is key, and with training will
come with practice. "Be slow to be fast"
Even if you have extra pounds, you can be proficient
in the knowledge and even use the weight to your
advantage.
One of the focuses of Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu
is fitness. So while in class while learning
self defense you'll have the opportunity to get in
better shape! |
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the top> |
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Do you
participate in tournaments? |
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| No. The primary
goal of Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu is self defense
and knowledge of the human body.
Point sparring/fighting is not self defense. See
also,
What is the difference between sport and combative
Martial Arts? |
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| <back to
the top> |
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What is the difference between sport and combative
Martial Arts? |
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| Many people start a
martial arts school with the insinuation they are
learning self defense when they may only be learning
sport fighting. Sport martial arts deals with
gaining points in ruled fighting. Those rules
(depending on the organization hosting the event)
may include: no pressure points, no punching to the
face, no kicking below the waist, no small joint
compression/locking, no eye gouging, and so on.
These rules are to protect the contestants as well
as to, sometimes, prevent the fight from being over
so quickly (no one wants a PaperView fight to be
over in 5 seconds). If you focus is sports,
your thought process will be the rules you've
confined yourself to. Thus, in a real fight
you will have trouble taking it up to the higher
levels b/c you've trained with the rules and have
had those ingrained in your mind.
Combative martial arts addresses that there are NO
rules. When someone attacks you, you must put
them down as quickly as possible before they harm
you or your loved ones. Atlanta Kyusho and
Jujitsu addresses these techniques and concepts in a
controlled atmosphere. We learn how to
incapacitate our opponent by pain compliance,
pressure point knock outs, hyper-extension or break,
or taking it to the higher levels if necessary.
Also see, How is a pressure point
strike
different from a blunt trauma strike? |
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the top> |
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How do I pay for classes at Atlanta Kyusho and
Jujitsu? |
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| Dues for the school are
based on rather a student has a 3-month agreement,
monthly to month, or per class arrangement. The
monthly options are more
cost efficient and allows you to come to as
many classes as you would like in that month.
Knowing that some students travel out of town for
weeks at a time for their work, perhaps a per class
would be more viable in some cases.
Payments for being a school member can be made
with Cash, Check, or Card via Paypal. Students
may also be setup automatic monthly payments through
paypal. |
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| For costs of classes,
please contact the instructor. |
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Do you
accept anyone as a student? |
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| No. These classes
are only for Adults (18+) with a small exception for
some 14 to 17 year olds. Atlanta Kyusho and
Jujitsu will never turn anyone away on the basis of
anything prejudice. However, if you have a bad
attitude or are just interested in hurting people or
starting fights, you will not be accepted as a
student.
If you approach the school and instructors with a
good attitude and are ready and willing to learn
with an open mind, we welcome you to to join class! |
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I want to watch or sit in on a
class, what do I bring? |
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Yourself, a good attitude, and some some comfortable
clothes as if you were going to gym or taking a run.
There will be water for sell, but you might wish to
bring your own bottle as well. |
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top> |
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How do I sign up? |
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| We encourage any interested
student to come sit in on a class or even participate in
at least two classes before he/she makes a decision.
By two classes you will have a good feel of what we do.
Then we can decided if we are right for you, AND if you
are right for us. Also see, I want
to watch or sit in on a class, what do I bring? |
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