The Martial Arts Journal

Issue 7, February 2008

Soma Noma Oi The Soma Wild Horse Chase Part 1 by Michael Jay FREE ARTICLE

If you travel north from Tokyo, along the Pacific coast, you leave the great sprawl of the city for the rich, bright green of the rice fields and the misty blue mountains of the Tohoku area. This is the least developed part of the mainland, Honshu, with a character similar to that of Hokkaido, although less volcanic, and with fewer spectacular lakes. ...more

Karate Kata by Allan Gill FREE ARTICLE

In this article I am looking to explain some applications for the opening movement of the Kata Heian Nidan. I chose this Kata as I felt that it was one that most Karate-ka would know at least one version of. I have also found that many Karate-ka focus on the more senior Kata when it comes to applications. ...more

Fitness for the Martial Arts. Part 2 by Doctor Matthew Mills

Fighting performance, the root and ultimate objective of the martial arts, is determined by a combination of conditioning, competence and confidence. While a specific Martial Art may emphasise one attribute over the other, all must be present to some degree. ... more

The Realities of Violence and How to Combat It by Jeff Nash

In recent weeks I have discussed in detail the pro’s and con’s of various styles of fighting arts with instructors of differing disciplines in martial arts. The aim of the discussions has been to try and establish the most effective style of fighting so that we may incorporate this into our training and be more effective at self-protection.... more

Confused About Tai Chi? by Jon Alexander

>There is much confusion among martial artists and mediators as well as students of Taoism about this term CH’I. Hundreds of books and articles claim to teach about CH’I. ...more