Training Articles

Training Articles are articles about training in the martial arts found on USAdojo.com

The Sparring Dilemma

The Sparring Dilemma

While sparring is absolutely essential for any martial artist, the real issue is how to develop a safe, effective approach. In my last article, Earning...
The Illustrated Canon of Chen Family Taijiquan

The Torso Method Exercises Transform One’s Taiji

The last of a series of exercises developed by Jou Tsung Hwa at the Taiji Farm, the aim of these subtle, precise, and intensive...
The Dao

Formlessness And The Dao Of Movement

The Dao of movement may imply different things to different people, ease of movement, many different stances, continuity, the art of improvised movement, etc. All...
Donald Miskel

Breathing is Fundamental

Of all of the natural body functions breathing is probably the most fundamental. It isn’t something that we do consciously. Breathing has more to...
Vladimir Vasiliev Russian Martial Arts

How Hard Should Your Systema Training Be?

Your Goal The goal of Systema training is to accumulate power and not tension. I believe that with each training session, while doing the same...
Stripes and Bars by Amaury Murgado

Stripes and Bars: Maintaining Focus

IF YOU ARE A STAR WARS FAN, you might remember that in Episode I, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn tells young Anakin Skywalker, "Always remember,...
Vladimir Vasiliev Russian Martial Arts

Tense Shoulders – The Bigger Picture

When I observe students in class, at seminars, or when I evaluate instructors through the Systema Video Program (SVP), I see one most common...
Stripes and Bars by Amaury Murgado

Stripes and Bars: Don’t Be An Idea Person

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF IDEAS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. However, there is a shortage of people who will actually implement them. In today's world,...
Willie Lim Classical Dimension

Tai Chi Master Willie Lim Takes Tai Chi to the Next Level

Tai Chi Master Wille Lim has taken Tai Chi to the next level. As a practitioner of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan from Chen...
Donald Miskel

Martial Art Subtleties: The Lessons Kata Teach

The kata were created in such a way that they required careful learning, training and much repetition to acquire the skill and learn the...
Willie Lim Classical Dimension

Returning To Classical Kata With Willie Lim

A true understanding of karate is to found by returning to classical kata. Unlike modern karate, it is forms which hold the key to ancient...
Donald Miskel

Stand and Deliver: The Dynamics of a Real Street Fight

A little plagiarism on my part but I would like to discuss the dynamics of a real street fight. So, let’s talk fighting. I don’t...
Willie Lim Classical Dimension

Does Tae Kwon Do Have Locking and Trapping

Have you heard that someone is taking Aikido or Jujitsu to learn locks and traps as there is not much locking and trapping in...
Stripes and Bars by Amaury Murgado

Stripes and Bars: Lead, Don’t Blame

WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG at an agency, administrators go into self-preservation mode. This, in turn, has a cascading effect all the way down to...

The AR-15 is Not an Assault Weapon

I would like to offer some education to my fellow Americans. This has nothing to do with political views, or recent events. I am...
Willie Lim Classical Dimension

Tai Chi Chuan’s Powerful Self Defense

Tai Chi Chuan's powerful self defense movements are so well hidden or disguised that by the time one's enemies see it or realize it, they...