Whether you’re looking for self-defense classes or just a great way to keep in shape, martial arts are both educational and physically demanding.

Martial arts are as much a study in mental mastery as they are physical exercise. And very traditional schools sometimes also incorporate spiritual teachings into the training as well.

The first step to finding a martial arts program and instructor to try out a lot of styles and do some research.

Look all over the internet and try classes at different schools. Many offer a free or introductory priced trail class. These are great to make use of.

While it may take several tries to find the perfect chemistry, trust your instinct and you’ll know when you’ve found the right dojo and instructor.

There are many, many styles and it can get VERY overwhelming. In addition there are teachers and masters coming out with their own styles as well that are new or incorporate teachings of many styles they have learned.

While each discipline can be sub-divided into specific categories and techniques, the main thing to look for is wether it is a kicking and/or boxing style, grappling style such as wrestling, weapons teachings, or a mix of all the above.

Here is a list of some of the most popular styles.

Aikido. The Japanese art of unarmed self-defense, Aikido encourages discipline and is comprised of moves made of joint twisting, grabbing and bending.

Judo. Meaning ‘The Gentle Way,’ Judo is a method of turning an opponent’s strength against him or her through a series of throwing and flipping techniques.

Karate. An offensive and defensive art form that contains both hand strikes and kicking techniques, Karate includes a variety of blocks and powerful blows.

Kung Fu. A Chinese art form, Kung Fu is divided into several different styles, and is made up of balance and combination techniques. It also incorporates an arsenal of unique weapons.

Tae Kwon Do. Perhaps the most popular martial art among American children, Tae Kwon Do is a native Korean art form comprised of mostly kicking.

Once you’ve found a discipline that’s right for you, it’s time to look for a studio, often called a dojo, and an instructor, called a sifu or sensei. There are different terminologies and language used depending on where the style origionated from.

Unlike most traditional exercise classes, the relationship between sensei and student is more involved. The teacher is more aware of what each student is doing and corrects technique, and if it is a traditional style studio the teacher also teaches spritual teachings as well as mental and emotional techniques.

The relationship is grounded in tradition and should be one built on mutual respect and positive reinforcement. A good instructor is demanding, but never demeaning. Never train with anyone who treats you like a jerk.

Colored belts show your progress in most styles, but some do not use this system.

The colored belts worn by students in martial arts classes indicate levels of progression.

The sequence of colors differs with each style, but one example is white, yellow, orange, green, blue, red, brown and ultimately, the black belt, and from there there are additional levels which are master levels.

Each belt requires examinations (sometimes both physical and written) for advancement; and each student moves at a different pace. Some schools only have specific times they test, so if you want to move ahead quicker you must find a studio that has that built in or train in personal one on one lessons.

While the cost may vary from school to school, your cost will average approximately $100 per month for beginner classes that meet twice a week.

If you take private lessons the cost will be dramatically different, and if your teacher is world famous that will also increase costs; expect these to be at least $120-$180 a lesson.

I purchased a Walther’s P99 9mm.

I’m pretty jazzed!

I can’t wait to shoot it, and I think I might have convinced someone who knows a LOT about guns to do an interview with me that I thought might be very helpful to anyone who is a first time gun buyer.

It will be an interview on what to look for when inspecting your fire arm to make sure you are getting a good purchase and don’t get ripped off.

I figure that would be handy information.

I also now know a bit more about various laws that are involved as well.

For example: I never knew (yes, all you gun fanatics already knew this and none of you gun control fanatics new this) that it is illegal to transfer guns across state lines unless it is to a licensed firearms dealer.

You must then go that local dealer and proceed to get your background checked and all that. Then the compliance with the federal laws can still be enforced. (P.S. this is also true for gun shows — you must still go through the background checks and everything)

This is of course a measure to prevent black market distribution of guns. It is a very logical seeming step. How effective it is, I’m not sure.

Perhaps I can find some FBI statistics that can be helpful in finding that out.

So if you don’t choose to use a gun to protect yourself don’t worry. I’m not pushing that particular style of protecting oneself on anyone.

In fact there are plenty of times where a gun is useless or a hinderance!

And then there are times where one is logical.

But ALL the time, it is a personal decision.

Take care, and I’ll let you know how I like the new gun.

Eldra McCracken

http://www.beautifulwarriorwomen.com

© BeautifulWarriorWomen.com  All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of Eldra McCracken.

Fencing! I LOVE it.

It’s absolutely addicting to spar with someone way better than me and finally being able to score a point.

It’s a challenge both physically and mentally. It gets my blood rushing and pumping and requires such cool calculation at the same time. And I’m good at it!

I always hated competition as a kid and never felt confident when it came to anything athletic, but somehow with fencing it’s all a blast!

Perhaps because there is no running involved.

I’ll update with an article in a little bit about some details on the sport, so anyone who is interested can have an idea of what it’s like.

I would love to hear what your favorite way to express your inner warrior is.

Do you enjoy boxing, fencing, martial arts, or something else? Perhaps you have more than one favorite…

What is it you enjoy most about it?

I can’t wait to see what you write!

Eldra

(C)Beautifulwarriorwomen.com

Crazy? No. There are a few contortionists in this world who combined
their inner warrior with their skills to come up with something
unique in their line of work!

To check out these amazing archers, click this link!

Enjoy!

Eldra

(C)BeautifulWarriorWomen.com

Women martial artists that don’t waste time on extra fancy crap.

There is definatly some stuff in these videos you won’t expect!

Have fun watching them.

http://www.beautifulwarriorwomen.com/warriorwomanmartartvideos.html

If you want to see the video of a cool “old” lady, go to the link below!

This is a fun video made by this womans son.

http://www.beautifulwarriorwomen.com/

Have fun watching!

Eldra

The following is a guest article we hope you enjoy.

(C) BeautifulWarriorWomen.com - All Rights reserved
http://www.BeautifulWarriorWomen.com

All Rights Reserved. If you wish to use the following article,
refer to the intsructions below the article. Thanks!

————–

Being a Woman who knows how to fight:
by Rosa Smith
(c)www.beautifulwarriorwomen.com

Being a woman who knows how to fight is a wonderful thing; even if you are the only one who knows you can do it. 

Six years ago I started learning Kung Fu.  I first started training because a friend invited me to come see what it was all about. 

He made it sound exciting and fun – and like hard work. 

I was all for it, I had grown up more of a tomboy and was aggressive in general and was prideful enough to think that I wasn’t afraid of  ‘a little’ hard work. 

I had been looking for a way to get into better shape, but dreaded walking around in circles at a track or around the neighborhood – it was boring. 

My first day of class I had a blast – since I wasn’t afraid to be hit or take a hit, I was able to learn quite a lot that day. 

Throughout the last six years I have learned that truly being committed to learning martial art is not ‘a little’ hard work – it is A LOT of hard work and some days it feels like you won’t make it. 

As the years have continued, I have been able to learn more than just fighting – although that is a huge part of any martial art. 

I have gained better health because of my training, but that has become more of a side benefit rather than the reason why I still attend my classes. 

Training in a martial art has tested my physical, mental, and emotional state.  Every time I go to class I learn something new, even if I am working on the same movement I have done for three weeks or going over a form I learned the first month I was in class. 

It has opened my mind to a whole different way of thinking and allowed me to be creative in all aspects of my life and see that there is never an end to learning because each time you re-visit something you ‘know’ there can be a different facet of it you have missed before. 

I have been able to apply the principles I have learned in Kung Fu to my job and my family relationships. 

As I continue to grow in knowledge and understanding of the art I am learning I am filled more and more with a sense of empowerment.

 It is not always like that – there are doubts that still try to crowd into my mind saying that I am not good enough and that I wouldn’t be able to win in a fight against someone bigger than me, but I have to have faith that my hard work and training in class will be there for me in if I am ever put in a dangerous situation.

————–
**Attn Ezine editors / Site owners**
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety
in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave
all links in place, do not modify the content and
include our resource box as listed above.

(BeautifulWarriorWomen.com Affiliates may insert their affiliate link in place of the BeautifulWarriorWomen.com URL link. )

If you do use the material send us a note
so we can take a look. Thanks.

**If you need to get a message to Eldra, please
go to http://www.beautifulwarriorwomen.com

What do I do?
Current mood: amused

Some of you have asked what style or fighting technique I actually know.

Well, my favorite is fencing!!!! I love the feeling of scoring a point! Especially when it’s someone who is really good at it! (I actually do a historical style of fencing.)

I love archery, and shooting (yes, guns! Did you know it has been discovered that women are better shots than men naturally?).

I have studied the following martial arts, Jui Jitsu (the most street accurate martial art I’ve experienced.), and Shorie Kempo.

They both have limitations, but as I’ve researched styles I realized they are like medicine — not every style works for every body.

I want to try kick boxing, and horseback archery. And learn how to fight with other styles of swords too!

There is no way anyone could learn every style and perfect it! There are just too many. It would take many life times!

It sure is fun to try my hand at many things though. It’s part of my personality to want to experience everything fun or interesting in life!

So there you have it, the fun warrior woman style stuff  I enjoy.

Eldra

(C) BeautifulWarriorWomen.com - All Rights reserved
http://www.BeautifulWarriorWomen.com

Do you think you would like archery, but aren’t sure
where to start?

Well here are some tips for you.

————–

(C) BeautifulWarriorWomen.com - All Rights reserved
http://www.BeautifulWarriorWomen.com

All Rights Reserved. If you wish to use the following article,
refer to the intsructions below the article. Thanks!

————

Archery… Bows and Arrows…. Robin Hood….

Indians….

There is a lot that comes to mind when we think about archery.

There is definatly a romance to being able to say, “Yes, I’m an archer!”

It’s not a skill that’s as commonly practiced these days as in the days of old!

But how can you get started in this fabulous sport?

Well, I’ll give you some tips.

Usually there is some sort of archery club in the major cities.

Just look it up in the yellow pages, call to see when their open and if they allow non members to come and visit! That’s your first step.

Usually they will have some sort of range — indoor or out, where you can try your hand at it.

Sometimes you can rent gear just to try it out, and sort of get the feel for it.

This is a great way to test the waters if you don’t already know someone who can show you the ropes.

(The above is all applicable to trying out shooting guns as well.)

Then if you decide you are interested in archery, you will probably want to look at getting your own equipment.

There are a few different kinds of bows you can use and or buy.

There are compound bows. They have lots of strings, and pullies, and seem very complicated to use. It’s not too bad though once you get the hang of it.

And then there are recurve bows. They are the bows that look like they’re bent backwards at the ends.

These bows are supposed to make it easier to pull a stonger weight.

How much force is behind the arrow is measured by the weight of the draw.

For example I use a long bow with a 44 pound draw.

A long bow is the classic bow used in Europe for hundreds of years. By the military, the gentry (the rich people), and the commoner, woman and man.

It was truely a skill accessable for all.

It is the simple, classic long bow with a bend in the middle. It is the type of bow most commonly seen in movies and cartoons.

It’s my favorite, but I also shoot a 50 pound draw recurve bow that I really enjoy shooting.

What kind of bow you decide you like to shoot the best is really just a matter of different tastes.

Some people get all up in arms about which is best, but the truth is that the bow is not the most important part anyway. This is something I learned from an old Indian man from California.

He said that the most important part of the equipment is the arrow actually.

Any bow will do just fine, but if the arrow is not straight and made well, then you will not have a good shot.

But don’t stress about it all too much at the begining. Just get a hold of a bow and some arrows and start shooting.

See if it’s something you really enjoy, and then learn from there.

Because another very good, long time archer told me that to get really good at archery — I mean REALLY good — it will take at least two years of consistant practice.

So make sure that it’s something you really love! (Also ’cause the equipment is not all that cheap either!

Take care,
Eldra

—————
**Attn Ezine editors / Site owners**
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety
in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave
all links in place, do not modify the content and
include our resource box as listed above.

(BeautifulWarriorWomen.com Affiliates may insert their
affiliate link in place of the BeautifulWarriorWomen.com
URL link. )

If you do use the material send us a note
so we can take a look. Thanks.

**If you need to get a message to Eldra, please
go to http://www.beautifulwarriorwomen.com

(c) www.beautifulwarriorwomen.com