I think we have all been there. You are staring down a long par 4 from the tee box. The fairway is lined with trees on both sides. The landing area is “tight” and hitting 3 wood or iron is not an option, the hole is too long.
You pull out driver and tee up the ball, knowing to win the skin with your buddy you have to land this tee shot in the fairway. You take a few practice swings, address the ball, look down the fairway (it looks a little tighter than before), begin your backswing, and bang!
Your body tightens up. You hold onto the club and hook it into the tress. You think to yourself that bogey will now be a good score. You are upset at yourself and watch as your playing partner swings a smooth driver that lands the ball on the left side of the fairway.
You begin to grudgingly walk towards your ball, hoping you will find it, saying a few things under your breath, and questioning your swing mechanics.
What just happened? A situation that most of us have encountered at some time in our golfing career. We take some smooth practice swings, but when the ball is before us and we have to execute the shot we “tighten up” and hit a chunky, thin, or fat shot. We have allowed tension to seep into our golf swing. We all know that the swing is a free-flowing movement that requires your body to be loose.
Dean Reinmuth, one of Golf Digest’s top instructors, speaks extensively about this term in his book. He discusses how a swing needs to be free and flowing. This allows for the club to travel on the correct swing path and develop club head speed. Muscle tension will impede and ruin your swing.
If your muscles are tight, how will you be able to swing a club in a free-flowing manner? You will not be able to do so. If you are gripping the club with a Hulk Hogan “sleeper hold,” how are you going to swing the club freely? You can’t. If you are unable to “feel” the club head, how are you going to swing the club freely? Again, the answer is you will be unable to do so.
If you have your doubts, give it a try. Head out to the range, purchase a bucket of balls and go at it! Warm up with a few wedges and then grab your 7-iron. Hit a few half shots and let’s begin the experiment. First off, take the club and grip it as hard as you can. Now, attempt to hit the ball. What happened? I am guessing not a good outcome. One more time with our experiment, grab the 7-iron and address the ball. Now, when hitting the ball your thought should be: “I am going to hit this ball as hard as I possibly can.” Go ahead, try to hit the ball. What happened? Again, I am guessing the outcome was not good. What happened in both of these situations? You developed “tension” in your swing, and it impeded your hitting the ball solidly.
Next question: how do you develop a smooth, free-flowing
swing that is tension-free? Quite a few aspects are part of this equation. Developing proper swing mechanics is part of the answer. The swing is an intricate movement that is the “blending” of a series of movements into one free-flowing movement. In order to develop a “tension-free swing” you must develop your swing. This is a process that takes time, proper instruction, and practice.
Additionally, you must develop the proper mental confidence in your game. The example in the beginning of this article is a prime example. If you are not mentally confident in your swing, what do you think is going to happen on the tee box? Your body reacts to your mind and “tightens up,” resulting in a poor swing.
How do you develop the mental side of the game? This is again done through the development of your swing, practice, and playing. As your game develops, confidence in your swing will develop. It is a give and take, so to speak. As your golf swing improves, so will the mental aspect of your game.
Finally, we must discuss the body. Yes, the body has an effect on a “tension-free” swing as well. Follow the logic, for muscles to be loose and free-flowing, they must be flexible. Being “tight” and not flexible puts you in a state of tension even before you get to the first tee! If you do not believe me, go to the gym and do 10 sets of heavy bench presses and then go to the range. See how well or poorly you hit that bucket of balls!
If your body is not flexible, you will not be able to perform the free-flowing movements of the swing. The body needs to be flexible for a tension-free swing. If you are inflexible, the ability to even develop your swing mechanics to a point where they are free-flowing will be impossible.
Bottom line is you need to develop your flexibility around your swing.
How do you go about doing this? The implementation of golf-specific flexibility exercises into a training program will do the trick.
The swing and the mind work together to develop a tension-free swing. You cannot develop one without the other. A comprehensive approach is required when developing a tension-free swing. Working only on your swing mechanics will not work if your body is inflexible. Doing only flexibility exercises will not do the trick if your swing mechanics are incorrect. And focusing only on the mental side of the game will not work if your swing is a mess, and your body is as well.
A tension-free swing allows for great shots from all over the course. Developing this type of swing takes time and effort. You must train the body, the swing, and the mind. This is the ticket to your “tension-free swing”.
About the AuthorSean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly with 2005 PGA & 2004 Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. He has made many of his golf tips, golf instruction and golf swing improvement techniques available to amateur golfers on the website http://www.bioforcegolf.com. To contact Sean, you can email him at support@bioforcegolf.com.
IL Fitness Tips – diet plan, exercises, weight loss and gain muscles latest information.
“I keep my eyes clear and I hit ‘em where they ain’t.” This was baseball’s Willie Keeler’s famous explanation for his .432 average in 1897. This applies well for baseball, but not fishing. To be successful, you need to be able to get where the fish are, not be “where they ain’t” and a great way to accomplish this to use a kayak.
As a child, I sat on the bank of many a river and many a small lake with my grandpa trying to catch fish. While I cherished the time we spent together, we did not catch as many fish as I would have liked. In fact, I know that I would have enjoyed these trips more if we would have had more action. Now that I have my kayak, I am mobile. If I spot feeding fish I can get to them with just a few short strokes, make a cast, and BINGO “Fish On!” This makes for a much more exciting day.
My favorite lake to fish is Lake Angelus in Michigan. This is a private lake; I am fortunate that my sister has a house on the lake and allows me access. Anyway, my point is that I have discovered where the fish are and now I can get to them. The lake has a “flats” area that cannot be reached by heaving bait as a landlubber. Also complicating things is that the fish are easily spooked from the sounds of boat engines. Consequently, the kayak is the ultimate tool for achieving success. I have literally “snuck up” on 5-pound small mouth bass, seen the lunker lying on the bed, worked my “Texas” rig, through the shallows, and then had the fight of a lifetime. At times, the fish have towed the kayak quite some distance before being landed.
Serenity Now!
For those of you familiar with the comedian Jerry Seinfeld, you may remember the famous episode when one of the characters thought they could obtain peaceful bliss by screaming “SERENITY NOW!” Of course, this did not work, and the character ended up being institutionalized. However, I know how you can obtain bliss, simply take the kayak to a secluded place and enjoy nature.
I am a good angler, but I am sure there are many other fishermen who have developed more skills at this sport than I have. Consequently, I do not have a fish on constantly (nor do I want to have a fish on constantly). When things slow down on my quests for fish, I can obtain Serenity by paddling around the lake and observing nature.
I also am a birder and like to identify the different species that gather around the wetlands. My kayaking trips have allowed me to observe birds and other wildlife that could not be seen in suburbia, where I live. Some examples are a bald eagle in Upper Michigan, an elk on the Two-Hearted River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, some loons also in the U.P., and moose and Grizzly bear in Alaska.
Okay, let’s say you don’t like fishing, and birding isn’t your bag either. How about surfing? Or riding the rapids? Or sailing? The kayak can be used in all of these sports. No kidding, I have surfed in the Atlantic Ocean with a kayak. I paddled out to the breakers, timed the wave, and rode it to shore. This was very exciting! I have also taken my kayak through white water on a river, an adrenaline rush. Before you try this, you must make sure you are properly equipped and have the skill to make it through safely.
Sailing is something I have yet to try, but I’ve seen it and want to give it a go. The kayaks really move out on a windy day!
Lastly, I am 5’7” tall and weight 200 pounds (sometimes more). The reason I bring this up is to let you know that I need exercise. Sadly, I do not have the svelte physique I used to have back in the day. The kayak provides me with an aerobic workout opportunity. It helps me keep my weight down and to keep my muscles toned.
The above reasons are why I have the passion for kayaking. Dollar for dollar, the kayak is the best investment you can make if you share the same interests that I do.
Scott Hamilton, Kayak fisherman http://www.kayakquest.com
Golf club selection can be difficult for seasoned players, and even more so for beginners. There are so many variables in this difficult choice different club types, designs, and features, not to mention your own skills, swing and needs. To help you make a choice, or at least narrow the field, the following information on golf clubs is an overview designed to help you make the right golf club selection for you.
Cast Iron Golf Club
With cast iron golf clubs the majority of the weight in the golf club is around the perimeter of the club head. This feature makes the sweet spot larger, which is great for both beginners and those who encounter difficulty making full contact.
Forged Iron Golf Club
The choice of professionals due to design and function, the forged iron golf club has a slightly heavier toe, with the center of the gravity for the golf club at the center of the club head. Forged iron golf clubs are an alternative as your experience and skill increases.
Club sizes
Golf clubs are available
in a range of sizes to suit the player, from standard to midsize, and even oversized.
Standard clubs have a smaller head, meaning a smaller sweet spot as well, and are the usual choice for advanced players and professionals.
The beauty of a midsize golf club is the larger sweet spot for better ball contact. The head size is a little larger than the standard golf club, and these clubs are the best choice for players with average skill as they are easy to control.
If you have a hard time hitting the ball straight, oversized golf clubs are for you. They have a huge sweet spot, and some control is sacrificed because of it, but this doesn’t stop this being the choice of many seniors as the huge sweet spot gives you much longer distance!
Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.golfclubsreviews.info a website specialized on Golf Club, resources and articles. This site provides updated information on Golf Club. For more info visit his site: Golf Club
This is such a powerful tool that it should leave no question unanswered for you and allow you to create an infinite number of techniques and drills. As this is a principle rather than a technique based system, here are the principles:
PRINCIPLE1: you get what you train for
PRINCIPLE2: if you want a specific answer, ask a specific question
What’s the problem with martial arts and artists? Why do they argue so much? Why cant we find one style that is the best? After all we all only have two eyes, two arms, two legs and one head. (Except if your from a “close community”). Never mind Dragon style, Tiger style, Twisted Badger, Irrational Donkey style… what about “human style”?
The problem is this:
you can’t just fight. It hurts. Bits of you will break. That’s why its called “fighting” not “hugging” or “tickling”. You’re trying to hurt each other. The only way to learn it is to do something dangerous and painful- its a double bind.
That is why one of streetfightsecrets.com ‘s prime objectives is to get as close to reality as possible as safely as possible.How do you do that?
Flying a plane is dangerous and potentially very expensive. Solution: Flight Simulators.
You must have a certain number of hours virtual “flight time” before you can competently do it for real.
We haven’t yet got the technology to create a virtual reality simulator for hand to hand combat. Though we do have them for firearms training. Hand to hand is such an involved, complex, multi-sensory experience it could be many years yet before we do develop the technology to accomplish this objective satisfactorily.
Until then we must do the best we can. It is this aspect of out training that is the MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR in determining how proficient we are in reality (in the “street”!).
That is why the main focus of this manual is principles and drills. There are pictures and descriptions in the manual of techniques and options, but you should by now have seen all these before.
What would you have a hi-tech virtual reality fight simulator do? What scenarios would you focus on? What ranges?
Imagine that. You could practise for anything. What would it be?Can you get close to that in real life? In my experience the answer to that nine times out of ten would be: yes.
Game Theory
Imagine we had that kind of technology. What kind of games could we develop to teach kids (and adults) how to fight? I had an idea for a DOOM type game. In DOOM your first level attackers are really slow and use one attack over and over again, but your options are also crappy because you haven’t picked up many weapons yet. Could we adapt that for street fighting? Yes. Is there a way of simulating it in the real world? Yes. But you need good training partners.
Here are a couple of ideas for games you could play for beginners learning to cope with multiple opponents.
level1. person who is “on” stands in middle of 5 opponents, she has to break out of the circle, opponents must keep her in without using their arms. (principle being developed is breaking the circle)
level2. person who is “on” wears gum shield. 5 opponents wear heavy gloves. They may attack her only with big, slow haymakers. They may hit her in the back of head. She must stay in arena without being hit for 45 seconds. (principle being developed is positioning so multiple attackers get in each others way and spatial, peripheral and rear awareness.)
level3. person who is “on” wears a gi top. All 5 attackers wear belly shields. The attackers objective is to drag her to the floor using gi. She may only defend with front kick strikes to belly shields. (develops use of front push kick to defend, coping with being pushed and pulled, maintaining balance under duress etc)
These are just some ideas for games or drills. You get what you train for. You are only ever as good as the games you play. My advise would be to keep these drills specific. Drill for a particular principle or technique.top of
pageOr…
You can use the FIGHT SIMULATOR as a means to answer questions. A really fun, creative thing to do that always creates a buzz with students is to present them with a problem and let them find their own solutions.
If a student has been attacked in a certain way or is worried about being attacked in a certain way or by a certain type of person work to create those circumstances and find a solution.
eg: one of my female students had been thrown up against a wall and pinned with a one handed lapel grab whilst being threatened with a glass in the assailants other hand. I got everyone in the class to do it with a partner and a water bottle as a prop. They came up with as many solutions and escapes and counterattacks as possible, we analysed some of the best ones and everyone experimented with them.
This works well because it causes the mind to think in a proactive, creative, solution finding way as in a real scenario. You must be able to think for yourself and think on your feet.From the best solutions we took from the class we then did a live drill. A live drill is like engaging in a section of a fight. Just for a few frames of the film. It should be very intense, but short lived (no more than 10 seconds, this is not sparring, unless you compare to three step sparring).
One of the counterattacks was as follows:
1. A slams D into wall. Left hand at lapel, right hand brandishing water bottle.
2. D drops weight and hips down and into wall, goes into an ambush response position: bends knees, curves spine, hunches shoulders, tucks in chin whilst simultaneously, raising both hands and setting her right foot against crease of where wall meets floor. right hand swings loose from outside in and up in anticlockwise direction (wouldn’t break grip of larger stronger attacker but brings right arm back into play.)
3. Left hand reaches for attackers elbow crease to cover weapon wielding arm, right hand hooks attackers left collarbone. Springing off from wall with right foot, stamping down with left foot, straightening her spine, pushing her hips forward to drive a big knee into the groin whilst simultaneously yanking collarbone down and in towards her and clawing the forearm muscle points and pulling attackers right arm in and down. Depending on attackers position she gives a stun strike with her forearm, or head butt or a simple shove and then makes her escape or repositions herself to continue assaulting attacker.
Whole drill is less than 5 seconds when done at full speed.Run it slow first. Attacker should wear a groin guard and defender should not strike at full power.
Defender should wear a gi so attacker can really grab at full force.The most important thing again is the principle. The defender is growing accustomed to being grabbed and shoved violently, going with that force and responding immediately and viciously.Try it.
And work through all the “what ifs”. What if attacker immediately tries to use the bottle as a weapon? Can you cover it, work your counterattack and still escape or does something else present itself? Try it and find out!
What if he jerks his hips back to avoid the knee to his groin? Well, you have still caused a reaction which can be capitalised on, so what is the next best step? Would it be to pull his head down and into the wall?
…Whatever- if you are doing this as a teacher with your students avoid the temptation to always provide solutions. Let them find them…
*Excerpt of a chapter from my manual FROM THE CAGE TO THE STREET
Training provided by Richard Grannon. Martial Arts Instructor to Doormen and Bodyguards for over 7 years. NLP Master Practitioner, Consultant Psychologist and Author. Over 15 years of study in martial arts and five years of active work as a bouncer, bodyguard and security consultant. This E-manual represents a distillation of years of study of many styles, technique, experience and quality online coaching. You cannot get this information anywhere else.
Method 2
The second method that works really well for me is drift fishing. Lets start by explaining how drifting works. It’s really pretty simple: you cast out bait and drag it behind or from the side of your boat while the wind pushes you along.
Where to Fish
The majority of Cat-men that I know all use the same rig, although their tackle will differ from one guy to the next. Whatever tackle they use, they are all dragging some kind of bait on the bottom. The big difference between most drifters and myself, however, is that I usually do not drift in water any shallower than 30 feet deep while most others like to fish much shallower, such as 10-20 feet deep.
The shallow waters of most lakes contain a few big fish and lots of little ones resulting in lots of action, but not too many that will test your string. I have said before that Blue Cats can and will live and feed in deep water. My best day of drifting, as far as numbers of fish weighing between 3-20 lbs. goes, occurred last December. In one drift I caught and released 47 Blue Cats. These fish all came off of a huge flat that runs parallel to the main river channel with an average depth of 45 ft. Its surface has a few small humps and a couple of old ditches running across it. People drive by me and look in disbelief when they see me drifting in 30 to 50 ft of water, but when that fish locator shows big fish marks on the bottom at those kind of depths I have a pretty good idea of what’s down there.
Not all lakes are as easy to drift: some have gobs of timber and some have tons of rock on the bottom. The best lakes I have found have had some silting or massive mud flats that were old fields at one time. Simple structures like old ditches that carve across mud flats give Blue Cats a place to ambush their prey and might give them a little relief in the water column when the water is at its coldest or warmest. Look at these flats from different angles and ask yourself, “How does the bank look?” Could the surface under the water look similar to the structures above the water? Chances are that it will be pretty close.
These ideas are not really new. Bass and Walleye fishermen all over the U.S. use land structures to locate their fish and when it comes to locating these structures, fish locators are very valuable tools. My opinion is that you get what you pay for with electronics, but if you can find shad or baitfish with your locator as well as see the big fish marks, that’s all you need.
Catchin’ the Big Cats
The speed of your drift makes a huge difference. A good rule to follow is ‘the colder the water, the slower you should go.’ A big Blue Cat will not want to chase bait that’s traveling fast in cold water, so when you
are dragging bait on the bottom you should use some kind of drift sock or sea anchor. You might have to experiment with different sizes until you figure out what size slows your boat down. Manufacturers of drift socks will usually give you an estimate of the size of sock compared to the size of the boat you are using.
Furthermore, just because you are a Cat-fisherman, it doesn’t mean you can’t use the tools other fishermen use. Experiment with different hooks, weights, line, rods and reels, but my advice would be to eventually work your way into having an exactly matched set of at least 4 rods and reels. When you learn what works for you, you will be much happier with a matching set of gear. Having your gear match might not sound like much, but when you start catching Blue Cats over 20 lbs you’ll know the limitations of your tackle. Furthermore, you wont have to worry every time you set a hook about which rod the fish hit because they will all perform the same.
Closing
Get some good gear capable of handling big fish. Get your tools so you can go out and learn your lake. Spend time learning your water before you start to fish. If you can’t or don’t want to spend the amount of money necessary to purchase all the equipment and cover all the various expenses, don’t be afraid to take guided trips. You’ll have good company from someone who knows the lake well and can teach you a great deal, plus it takes A LOT of guided trips to add up to the cost of equipping yourself.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with new tactics after you start fishing. Always remember: Blue Cats are Blue Cats, they don’t know what lake they’re in or where they live. They will behave the same where I fish or where you fish. If you’d like, I can actually travel to your lake to prove it, as well as show you what a professional guide would do on your lake or river. Always keep your eyes on your fish finder, and get out there and try some non-typical Catfishing!
If you missed either of the first 2 parts of this article, head to this URL for the complete article: http://www.ozark-lodges-fishing-trips.com/nontypical-catfishing.htm
Copyright © 2002-2005 Jeff Williams
You have permission to publish this article free of charge as long as you are not selling it and that you include the author bylines immediately visible with the article and, if published in an electronic medium such as on a web site, you provide a link back to www.ozark-lodges-fishing-trips.com in the author bylines, both where the web address is listed as well as well as with the text “Lake of the Ozarks Catfish Fishing Guide Service”…
Jeff Williams runs a Truman Lake Hybrid Bass and Lake of the Ozarks Catfish Fishing Guide Service offering lodging and guided trips in Missouri. To book a trip, learn more tips, or find out how Capt. Jeff would fish your own local waters, call 1-866-HOOKSET or visit http://www.ozark-lodges-fishing-trips.com today!
Gichin Funakoshi was an Okinawan native who taught at the school “Shoto Gakko”, which prepared Okinawans for Japanese civil service. His life’s passion, however, was karate. Because of the respect he commanded from Japanese gentlemen, and his skill in karate, he was selected to represent Okinawa’s martial art.
He defeated every opponent he faced at the demonstration, and won great respect. Because of this and his love of Japanese culture, he stayed on the mainland to further propagate karate. As a result of the first and further exhibitions, he gained many followers and ultimately began teaching out of a Kendo dojo.
At first, there were cultural barriers and traditions that slowed the progress of karate across the mainland. As a result of Funakoshi’s excellence in teaching, however, he broke through the prejudices against karate. Eventually, he was able to open his own dojo, which was the first formalized karate dojo. Also during this time, karate as a whole came to be formalized and “Japanized” (although divisions among separate karate styles have not, to this day, been resolved).
Such formalization included acceptance of the kyu/dan (class/grade) system as devised by Jigoro Kano (founder of judo). Also, it became important that all teachers were
qualified and knowledgeable. Finally, it was necessary to institute a standard curriculum, uniform, and competitive format.
Nationalism and anti-Chinese sentiment made the karate-jutsu movement consider a more appropriate ideogram to represent their art. The original “kara” ideogram of karate meant China, as did the “tou” of toudi (Chinese hand, and a reference to the Tang dynasty). The replacement ideogram means “empty”, and takes on not just a physical but a spiritual meaning. “Kara” may represent the “void”, and freedom from worldly desire.
Also changed was the suffix for karate. Instead of jutsu (art/science), do (way/path/totality, pronounced “dao” in Mandarin) came to be used. In this sense, as a result of the efforts of such masters as Itosu, karate-do joined kendo, jiu jitsu, aikido, and judo as a modern budo, in which not only combat is practiced, but also a cultural discipline for the pursuit of harmony.
Owen Johnston lives and teaches Wado ryu Karate in Lake City, South Carolina. He enjoys reading, writing, video games & movies, and spending time with his fiance. For more information on classes in the Florence and greater Pee Dee area, as well as martial arts supplies, please visit Johnston Wado ryu Karate.
“HONE O ORERU” is a Japanese term that translates literally as “BREAK THE BONES”. It is an essential concept of true SHUGYO and a central theme of a true Budo Dojo. What this term means at it’s essence has EVERYTHING to do with the forging of an iron will and a determined resolute SPIRIT. Hone O Oreru epitomizes the nature and purpose of true Budo as expressed in physical “keiko” or training.
Hone O Oreru is an admonishment to constantly strive to TRAIN HARDER. To train until “ONE’S BONES ARE BROKEN”! What does this truly mean? And what does this “teach us”? On the foundational level it forces us to endeavor fully with all our physical powers to “go the extra mile”. To squeeze every last drop of blood, sweat and tears from our training, to fulfill a mandate of absolute accomplishment! To train with such dedication and single minded purpose that we are assured of having given our all. To train HARDER and then HARDER again and again until OUR BONES HAVE BROKEN! This is of course a metaphor, but its central message is clear, do NOT accept anything less than a fully honest, totally dedicated striving for accomplishment. More often than not, excuses are simply lies that we tell to ourselves to abate the sharp sting of acknowledging our OWN shortcomings.
On a different level we can apply HONE O ORERU to virtually any aspect of human endeavor. From pursuing an education, to raising and fully providing for our family and loved ones, from being a true, honest and abiding friend through both good times and bad, to comforting, caring for and loving an aged and dying parent, from writing the “great American” novel to seeking a cure for cancer, ALL these require a dedication and single-mindedness of PURPOSE that exemplify HONE O ORERU.
To give ones ALL, and NOT to half-step, backslide, regret or give in to fear, failure or excuse is the ONE lesson that lies as the cornerstone of ALL great accomplishment and human achievement. To do a “thing”, anything, with all of one’s heart and soul is to touch, even briefly, the essence of our creation, the core of our humanity.
ANY undertaking only becomes worthwhile and POSSIBLE when we are willing to accept “Hone O Oreru” as our chosen path for achieving
our goals and ideals.
Another important thing to consider when understanding Hone O Oreru is the inherent aspect of “RISK”. To strive for a goal, either in life or in training, with such ferocity of determination that we are willing to “break our bones” in the process is to FULLY accept and FACE the RISK of truly fighting to attain our goal. In this ever increasing climate of politically correct namby-pamby “feel good” mediocrity (aka “steaming pile of bullsh#$”) the central message of Hone O Oreru is that GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS entail by their very NATURE, GREAT RISK!
We all have a limited amount of time as we pass from cradle to grave. We can easily harbor or rut ourselves in that which is safe, content, familiar, and mediocre OR we can live FULLY and ROBUSTLY! Actively embracing and even openly welcoming HONE O ORERU as OUR STANDARD in the pursuit of GREAT ACHIEVEMENT.
NONE of us have any choice in the FACT that one day we will ALL be, as Willy the Shakes so eloquently put it, ….. FOOD FOR THE WORMS. BUT we DO have a choice as to how we walk our walk until that fateful day when Mr. Reaper does knock soundly at our door. And THAT does, dear ones, make ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
HONE – O – ORERU may very well be the key!
©2005 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com
Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors:
Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson
http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com
For those who are interested in speckled trout, you will be happy to know that these fish are some great catches. One of the most interesting features of this fish is the actual speckled trout fishing you will get to do. And, when you do hook the speckled trout, you will be surprised with the trout’s ability to thrash and fight you on the way out. For many, a speckled trout fishing trip may be something that you are interested in doing as well.
Speckled trout are also called by other names including the spotted sea trout, specks, yellow-mouths, and paper mouths. They are usually about 14-18 inches long and weigh between one and three pounds. The speckled trout can be found in shallow but muddy bottoms, mostly coastal areas as well. They can be found though out the entire gulf coast in the United States. They are silver with olive green on the back and many small black dots throughout the body.
The lower jaw is larger then the upper.
So, if you are interested in finding the speckled trout, what are you going to do? You want to take a speckled trout fishing trip as well as enjoy some beautiful scenery. It doesn’t have to be too close to home either. You can go speckled trout fishing near the Gulf of Mexico. One of the best locations is Louisiana, although there are several areas along the coast that will provide for you as well. The area is abundant with the speckled trout. To make your trip enjoyable, you may want to book a retreat or guided tour of the area. That way, you will learn where the speckled trout are and what to use to lure them in from experts who have fished the area for years. Regardless, you will get to enjoy a great fishing trip catching a tasty speckled trout!
Ken Austin
All About Trout and Trout Fishing
A Golf specific workout designed specifically for your physical limitations will give you the greatest results in the quickest amount of time. You may not be interested in this approach, but I can tell you quite confidently, this is the missing link to your golf swing improvement. Your current physical capabilities dictate your golf swing. There is no other way to put it.
There are certain physical requirements that must be met to make an optimal golf swing with maximum power and efficiency. Have you tried to make a full backswing only to feel tight, restricted and tense doing so? Do you think the answer is hitting more balls or taking more lessons?
The answer is a golf specific workout designed to eliminate your swing faults and poor golf swing mechanics. The minute you improve these physical limitations, your golf swing will transform right in front of your eyes.
This may sound dramatic, but it’s true. When you’re able to make a full backswing (90 degree shoulder turn, with a 45 degree hip turn) with no muscular tension or restrictions, you will be able to generate maximum clubhead speed and power into the golf ball.
You will also be able to repeat this for 18 holes. This will result in less mishits, more fairways hit and scores that will drop quickly. Doesn’t that sound like the outcome you have been hoping for, for a long time?
One of the most important components of a golf specific workout is core rotational strength and flexibility. The golf swing is a rotate back and a rotate through. This entails your core to have optimal strength and flexibility from a rotational standpoint. All other exercises should be a secondary priority when designing a golf specific workout.
The beauty of a golf
specific workout is it can be done in your home with minimal equipment. For less than $80, you can have a complete golf specific workout gym in your home, saving you hundreds of dollars a year in gym memberships, and also giving you back more time to play golf due to the convenience of doing it in your home with no travel time involved.
Knowing you’re doing a golf specific workout that will enhance your golf game will motivate you to stick with it. Adherence is key to your success. So many people start fitness programs, only to quit before they saw any results. Don’t fall into the same trap.
Understanding it will take a little time for your body to respond to your golf specific workout will allow you to have realistic expectations. But I can tell you, the results may show up very quickly if your current physical conditioning is below par.
It’s never too late to embark on a golf specific workout program. I have seen golfers in their 80’s, who have increased their driving distance by up to 60 yards! They were not able to get the ball air born, and now can make a bigger turn hitting the ball more solid and much further.
This is something you can’t ignore!
Your golf improvement program should definitely incorporate practice, a few lessons to get a basic understanding of golf swing mechanics and most importantly a golf specific workout.
About The Author: Mike Pedersen is one of the top golf performance experts in the country. He is Golf Magazines golf performance expert; author, and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance membership sites. Take a look at his just released golf dvds and manual at his golf swing improvement site – Perform Better Golf.
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Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we’ve all plopped the kids in front of the television and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, we can get started on dinner, maybe check email or sort that massive pile of laundry.
But when your five-year old yells at you “Mom, Kids Rule!” or your ten-year old horrifies you with language that would make a sailor blush, you realize there must be something amiss with what these “family programs” really teach our kids. And sadly, its happening all over the media today, from sports to cartoons, and our children are learning things that we, as parents, vowed we would never teach them. Old fashioned values like respect and self-discipline, seems to have been forgotten, replaced by the dreaded “bling bling” pop culture of today.
Just the thought of your angelic three-year old morphing into a designer-clad, smart-mouthed, money-worshipping, me-obsessed, lay-about is enough to make any parent consider that threatening military school brochure, but there is a solution out there to consider.
Martial Arts training.
From Ninja Turtles to The Karate Kid
You and your kids have all seen the flying kicks, battle cries and mighty chops of their favorite TV characters, as they beat the bad guys to submission – but, you may ask, how on earth can these acts of violence teach my child anything worthwhile?
First, know that what you see on television (save perhaps the Karate Kid) is a far cry from what real martial arts are all about. The fact is, martial arts training is based on non-violence.
Originating in Asia (mainly Japan, China and Korea, although Thailand and Vietnam have their own practices as well), martial arts range from a variety of types and styles, all of which are based on well-rounded, moral teachings. The beauty of learning martial arts is that it encompasses not just the physical aspect of the “sport”, but mental and emotional lessons as well.
Comparing that to other kid’s activities and sports, where fierce competitiveness and “winning at all costs” seems to be the order of the day, it’s not surprising that many children grapple with issues of self-esteem and misplaced aggression.
Now imagine your child actually learning valuable life lessons, skills that he will take throughout life, laying the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted and fulfilled adult life. If only karate for kids was popular in the 70’s, when I was growing up!
The Advantages
• Karate, and other martial arts for kids, builds confidence and self-esteem as well as self-discipline, respect, concentration and courtesy.
• Many martial arts schools also offer leadership courses for kids, in conjunction with their karate for kids programs, or similar lessons.
• Martial Arts is ideal for children who do not do well in team sports, giving them the ability to flourish this activity, while combining physical and mental practices.
• Many do not realize this, but it is a fact that martial arts training are safer than most school sports.
• Children with special needs, such as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), learning difficulties and hyperactivity are often recommended to participate in martial arts for kids because of the clear benefits in its structured training techniques.
Kung-Fu Master or Ninja Warrior?
Before you sign up Junior for the first martial arts class you see, take some time to check out the different methods available, and match it with what you know would suit your child best. This is a good way to avoid any problems that may sprout from a conflict of your child’s personality and the training techniques.
Is your little Zach a sensitive soul? Then maybe a class that doesn’t center on sparring (full-on kicks and punches training) but rather, slower, defensive maneuvers
would fare better for him. Kids with an aggressive streak, however, may prefer the more forceful moves and thrive in competitive sparring.
Here’s a quick primer on the kid-friendly martial arts training you’re likely to find:
Martial Arts From Japan
Karate
• Uses defensive and aggressive moves
• Centers on building strength and endurance
• Involves chops, punches, kicks, strikes, blocking and sparring
• May use weapons
Jujitsu
• Uses defensive and aggressive moves
• Involves lots of sparring
• Teaches a fair amount of weapons training
Aikido
• Uses a more “spiritual” and harmonious style in redirecting the aggression of the attacker as the form of defense, using throws, pins, rolls etc.
• Taught on the premise of disabling an aggressor without attacking, through your individual inner energy
• Does not involve sparring or competitions
Judo
• Uses gentle, “wrestling-like” movements
• Considered one of the safest methods of martial arts
• Emphasizes physical control as well as mental development
• Engages in competitions
Martial Arts From China
Kung-Fu
• The generic term referring to Chinese martial arts with a variety of styles
• Involves attack movements as well as defensive techniques
• Teaches kicks, punches, chops, throws, falls, grappling, katas, leg sweeps and blows among others.
• Engages in sparring competitions
Martial Arts From Korea
Taekwondo
• Competitive in nature, involves techniques using elaborate footwork and unique high kicks.
• Emphasizes strength, force and attack methods.
• Engages in lots of sparring and competitions.
Choosing The Right Instruction
If you have an idea of the type of martial arts class you’d like your child to participate in, the next step would be to find the right school. Finding the right class that not only matches your child’s and your needs, in terms of teachers you feel comfortable with, the price, facilities and so on, are all important factors.
Say you’ve found a local place that specializes in Karate for Kids. What are the things you should look for?
1. Good Instructors
Check out their qualifications, teaching methods and watch carefully how they interact with the other children. It should be a fun learning experience!
2. Space and Safety
Obviously you would want to entrust your child in as establishment that is safe, well-maintained, and clean with ample space as well as decent facilities and equipment.
3. School Values
Different martial arts schools inevitably go by different values, for instance, one kid’s karate class may handle aggression in one way, while a judo class would have a different approach. Take some time to observe which school’s ideals match your family’s principles.
4. Prices and Schedules
Prices for martial arts training can vary according to school and location, so make sure you the instruction you choose represents fair value. Finding the most effective way to fit martial arts training into your family’s lifestyle is also essential, knowing what works best with your schedule and other activities.
Baby Blackbelts
Starting your child young in karate training is ideal (children as young as the age of four are usually accepted, as it is also a good way to hone fine motor skills), and lots of parents have found that in as little as a year, their children who were involved in martial arts had noticeably gained positive traits such as increased self-esteem, respect and overall physical fitness.
Many parents also opt to join a martial arts training program themselves, making it a great bonding experience for the entire family.
About the author:
Laura Saunders is a successful freelance writer, mother of two, and a martial arts practitioner who has written articles for http://www.best-karate-equipment.com, your online guide to karate uniforms and karate training equipment.
Copyright 2005 Best-Karate-Equipment.com
Permission is granted to publish this article on your site if the author’s byline is included and all 3 links are hyperlinked
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