The Two Most Powerful Weapons Of Martial Arts

Nunchakus, the katana sword, double sticks, and others are among some of the weapons to be mastered through different styles of traditional martial arts. All of them have their own merits, but I believe the two most powerful weapons which can multiply the power of your techniques are the subconscious mind and Chi energy. Below I will explain in detail why.

All skills we have learned in any style, after hard and serious training, become natural reflexes. The reason for this is that there is a section of our mind that is in charge of memorizing all of our experiences from the moment we are born until the last breath we take. This part of our mind is in charge of vital functions of the body, such as breathing, defecating, regulation of bodily fluids and circulation as well as, other complicated processes. This part of our mind is working 24/7 without rest. Behold the subconscious mind!

What is the subconscious mind and how can it help you become a powerful martial artist? Sub means under and conscious means your everyday mind or the mind of everyday life. So subconscious means the part of your mind that is below your conscious awareness. In order words, you are not aware of it. The most important part for a martial artist to know and master about the subconscious mind is its inability to recognize physical limitations. Whatever skills regardless of the situation, you will be able to accomplish it if you impress or command the subconscious mind with an exact image of what you are trying to accomplish.

Let me use myself as an example. I do lots of visualization with my techniques and when I do them physically Ive noticed something very interesting. I feel like Ive been performing them for a long time physically. They feel crisp, with more strength, faster and alive. All the things Ive visualized give me a sense of connectedness to the techniques. In other words, my body, mind and emotions work together as one with the technique. This was an aha moment because I had heard the stories of visualization, but had never experienced them myself.

Another function under the control of the subconscious is the reflexes. When you react or attack your opponent, before all this happens, there is a signal sent from the brain to the body via the nervous system. The nervous system activates the muscle and then the muscles move the body. This happens in an instant, but you can lessen the time it takes for your muscles to receive the signal by training your subconscious and the body at the same time. This is accomplished using visualization as the above example proves.

Aside from the subconscious mind, there is another aspect to the training of martial arts call Chi training. Chi is not easy to explain, but let me give it my best shot. Chi is life itself and all things are made of it. It is internal and external energy. Planets and constellations are made of Chi. In the human body, Chi is regulated by the conscious mind and the amount is limited. Breathing exercises are one of the tools used to increase the amount of Chi in your body. I know, if all things are made of Chi how come it is limited in the body, thats your question. I dont know the answer to that question yet, but I have a theory and I will explain it later on.

Among the benefits of increasing your level of Chi is a stronger immune system, an increase of overall strength, faster reflexes, faster blood circulation, a strong sense of being grounded and a feeling of being in the present moment or in the Zone. If you practice martial arts, extra strength and total awareness and being in harmony with your opponent is a great skill to have, dont you think? Ask your teacher if he knows anything about Chi and ask him to teach you about it. If you are a practitioner keep reaping the rewards of your Chi.

Finally it may be possible that Chi is another expression of the subconscious mind. It is not a subjective experience, all youve got to do is practice and you will soon reap the benefits of Chi training, whether you practice the martial arts or not.

How To Create Unique Wall Arts

Wall arts are not strange to the interior design world. The practice of using wall arts has been around us for quite a long period of time. Through all these years, wall arts have received huge popularity and there have been various developments in the manufacturing technology of the wall arts. Unlike the olden days when the wall arts have been traditionally painted on the walls, today, the advancements in technology has made it possible to print the wall arts on any medium.

With this advancement in printing technology, the wall arts are now printed on canvas which is a very durable material. Unlike the conventional wall arts, these canvas arts do not fade with time. In fact the maintenance of these canvas arts are very easy when compared to the traditional wall arts. However, the unique canvas arts often come with very high price tags. Most of the unique wall arts are out of reach for the people out there. Thankfully you can create your own wall art for decorating your home. Just keep on reading the simple steps mentioned below for creating unique wall arts for your home.

Step 1 Getting The Images

It is a well known fact that not all of us are born artists. People have a misconception that unique wall arts can be created only by great artists. It is true that great artists can produce very unique wall arts, creating a wall art for your home can be something different. This is where a good digital camera comes in handy. Todays digital cameras are very easy to use and you can shoot the picture of your liking (say) a great scenery or any other great spot. This image will serve as the wall art. You should make sure to shoot the pictures with high resolution settings.

Step 2 Transferring The Image To The Canvas

Once the picture is shot, you have to take it to a canvas art manufacturer. With the advancements in printing technology, any image can be printed to the canvas. All you have to do here is to deliver the HQ image to the wall art store and the canvas art will be ready. To the added advantage, you can get the canvas art installed with fixtures that will let you place the wall art in your home with ease.

Step 3 Installing The Wall Art

This is the easiest step in installing a wall art. These canvas arts can be made to be hung in a room or just pasted on the wall. Installation of the wall arts can be done on your own. If the wall arts are large, it is always good to get some professional assistance.

This is one of the ways to create cheap, unique wall arts for decorating your home.

How To Spin And Throw Martial Arts Sai

A Sai is a weapon which is used in Martial Arts in pairs. This is the only weapon in martial arts which originally was not a farming tool but used for defending against the swords or to break them.

In this article we will learn how to spin and throw a Sai.

1- Choose a Sai of right size. Make sure that the dagger doesn’t extend beyond the elbow whilst holding.

2- In order to spin a Sai, you need to hold it in the right position.

3- Hold the Sai in your hands such that the blade is placed between the middle and index finger.

4- Close palm such that it is facing towards you.

5- Hold your arm outward with your shoulder at 45 degrees, elbow bent at right angle and Sai pointing towards ceiling.

6- Now open your hand and let the Sai drops outwards, towards the floor.

7- Wrist should be rotated outward and stop before the Sai hits the elbow. Also, slightly bend your wrist in downward direction, at the same time rotate palm outwards away from the face.

8- By closing your hand and lifting the wrist, lift Sai back up and pull back the blade towards the ceiling.
9- Turn the palm towards yourself by rotation at 180 degree of wrist.

10- This is how you can spin. After repeating over and over, you can easily master spinning.

11- Next is throwing. In order to through a Sai successfully towards your opponent, you should bring it above the shoulder. Make sure the dagger is pointing towards the backside and your palm is facing towards the side of your head. After this, let go of the Sai very quickly by riffling your wrist towards the opponent.

Please note, when learning the Sai, you will probably be dropping it a lot. Wear something to protect your feet. Dropping a Sai on your foot does not feel good.

Initially you will find it quite difficult to spin or throw a Sai but with a lot of practice you can master this skill.

Martial Arts Management And The Dojo Store

If you aren’t selling equipment, supplies, and apparel at your martial arts school, you are definitely missing out on a significant source of revenue. As a practitioner of good martial arts management, a dojo master should always be looking for ways to further serve the students and sustain the school. The sale of services and products in addition to the core school lessons is an important aspect of any successful school. The dojo store can become a very active and profitable part of your school.

Additional Sources of Revenue

In most businesses, it is important to have a few different revenue streams. This way, if the sales of the main product or service falter in any way and for any reason, the other revenue sources can carry the business, at least for a while. Having a peripheral sales generator for your school is a good insurance policy.

It may seem to you as if setting up the dojo store is a big investment of time and money up front, and it can be if it is done too quickly or too expansively. But having the basic equipment on hand, in popular sizes, can be a quick sale to new or advancing students. You may want to display some of the most popular items, but most items for sale can simply be listed on an order form.

What You Should Stock From the Beginning

Here is some of the equipment you might want to have on hand to sell to your students:

Sparring Gear – depending on the particular martial art you are teaching, this can include head protection, mouth guards, hand and foot pads, and chest and groin protectors. Shin and arm protectors are common as well.

Uniforms – especially if you are teaching children, new uniforms will be in constant demand as they grow. Children can grow into a new uniform size every year.

Dojo Logo Equipment – offer a selection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball hats, bandanas, and equipment bags, all displaying the name and logo of your school. Remember that anyone wearing your logo is advertising your school.

Training Gear – you can offer the basic training gear, such as paddles or even punching bags, along with printed training cards and educational information such as books or DVDs. You should use caution with the quantity of some of these as they can be expensive to stock up front.

Keep the Stream Flowing

You should remind your students regularly about the equipment and supplies you offer for sale. Remind them with a statement in class, post flyers at your school about the sale of equipment, send email notices once in a while to all of your students, and offer periodic sales and discounts. You could even offer coupons for a certain percentage off merchandise as a birthday present and encourage people to purchase gift certificates.

If you advertise your sale of martial arts equipment in the local media, such as the yellow pages, it may even result in an increase in enrollments by getting the name of your school in front of people.

Your students will need to purchase their martial arts equipment from someone; some company down the street or on the Internet. Why shouldn’t it be you? Your dojo store can provide the equipment and supplies that your students need, and provide you with a new and profitable source of revenue, an important part of your martial arts management plan.

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Buffets, Infusions Restaurant And The Okanagan College Culinary Arts Buffet, A Gourmet Dining Experience

In eighteenth century France the modern day buffet was developed which soon spread across Europe. Serving a meal to oneself has a long and interesting history, and eventually this style of eating was converted to modern day buffets.

The second half of the nineteenth century, especially in the English speaking world, buffets became extremely popular for meals. Buffets are very popular with people today, because, it offers plenty of food variety at a reasonable price. People can create their own dishes with more meat, less vegetables and fewer side dishes, plus creating salads with appealing ingredients that they enjoy. Buffets offer people the opportunity to try new types of food that they would not order off a menu in a restaurant.
Infusions Restaurant at the Okanagan College hosts many buffets every year, and the last “buffet” was held a week after their Okanagan Wine Festival Gourmet Dinner which attracted a sellout crowd of over 80 dining guests. Guests were treated to a “Five Course” gourmet dinner with special Okanagan Valley wines to accompany each course.

The Okanagan College Culinary Arts Buffet will be prepared with the special talents of the new, up and coming future chefs of your favorite restaurants, cruise ships, hotels, ski and golf resorts, all directed and instructed by World Class Chefs. The buffet will include fresh meats, poultry, seafood of all types, and of course Okanagan Valley fresh vegetables and fruits.

Infusions Restaurant and the Okanagan College Culinary Arts Bakery will have a spectacular dessert buffet for this special night with freshly made gourmet desserts, and with a delicious assortment of as many freshly made Pastries, Tortes, Cakes and Chocolate Confections as a person could possibly eat after the meal.

The Culinary Arts buffet will offer a HUGH selection of seafood and seafood platters, from Sushi Rolls, Dim Sum, Salmon, Halibut to Shark and Lobster. Dishes containing Gratin of Potatoes & Yams, many types of Pasta with Grilled and Glazed Vegetables, and of course the Roast Beef and Beef Tenderloin, and ALL for $15.95!

For people in Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley who want a “Spectacular Feast”, this buffet will take place on December 12, 2008 at Okanagan College’s Infusions Restaurant. Infusions Restaurant at the Okanagan College and the Okanagan College Culinary Arts program hosts many private gourmet dinners, private functions and private buffets every year for people, companies and organizations in all parts of the Okanagan Valley and beyond.

Join them on Friday at Okanagan College’s Infusions Restaurant for their Spectacular Friday Night Seafood & Prime Rib Buffet! The Chefs and Culinary Arts Student chefs will create special tantalizing items for this special December Buffet Extravaganza! Come in on Friday, December 12, 2008 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and enjoy a fine gourmet meal of your choice. Infusions Restaurant is located at 1000 KLO Road, in Kelowna. Fine Dining At Kelowna’s Best Kept Secret!

A very reasonable price for this gourmet buffet at $15.95. Call for reservations at Infusions Restaurant: 250-762-5445 ext. 4426.