Weapons training is one of the most exciting parts of learning a martial art. All systems have their choice of weapons, but the bottom line is that any weapon you use becomes an extension of your body (increases distance) and brings you closer to an opponent (decreases distance). Anything can be used as a weapon, but traditional weapons can be classified in four general categories, which often overlap.

The first, and most basic, type of weapon is a stick. Sticks are weapons like staffs, spears, Escrima sticks, etc.

The second basic type of weapon is a blade. Blades can be knives, double-edged swords, broadswords, etc.

The third basic type of weapon is a projectile. Projectiles can be things like throwing stars, arrows, darts, etc.

The fourth basic type of weapon is a combination. Combinations can be the nine-section whip, rope dart, three-section staff, etc.

Each weapon falls into another category based on its length, which is either short or long. Staffs and spears are sticks that would be long, but Escrima sticks would be considered short within the same category of sticks. Swords are considered short weapons, but a rope dart, which is a knife on the end of a rope, is a long weapon.

Each weapon has its place within the hands of a skilled fighter despite its length. The principle is the same with all weapons: They are an extension of the body. Some weapons, like a knife or Eskrima sticks, are an extension within the in-fighting range – in other words, you can still extend an empty hand and reach an opponent.

Other weapons, like a spear or nine-section whip, extend when opponents are just beyond your reach with an empty hand or kick. Projectiles extend your reach to opponents that are a greater distance away by throwing a star or shooting an arrow.

Of course, each weapon has its unique methods and purposes, like cutting or hitting, but ultimately, the common denominator is that they alter the space between you and your opponent. The weapon extends the distance of your body, so that the distance between you and the opponent is decreased. On another level, using weapons also increases the distance that you can project your own personal energy.

Training with weapons takes the martial artist’s skill to another level by increasing distance.

Rejoice in the freedom that you possess because liberty is an extremely valuable treasure. Many times throughout history countries and their citizens have been captured and enslaved by foreign invaders. Over time, people in those enslaved lands devised plans to gain their independence in order to regain their freedom. We are often the beneficiaries of the precious freedom they obtained when they escaped from tyranny.

The idea of escaping from enslavement to gain freedom is similar to escaping an attack on a personal level. When someone grabs you, he is literally denying you your freedom to move. Self-defense techniques help you regain your freedom from people who take it away by violating your rights.

The basic principle in escaping tyranny is to use your strong points against the attacker’s weak points. We can simply and easily understand this principle when escaping a wrist grab. If you take a brief moment to examine the grasp of a human hand, you can see that there are four fingers on one side of the hand, and one thumb on the other side. Pulling to escape through the middle allows your attacker to utilize the strength of all five fingers to keep you a captive. If you were to try to escape by moving toward the four fingers, you are playing right into your attacker’s strength. However, if you were to try to escape by moving toward the attacker’s thumb, that is the weakest point of his grasp. The strength of your entire arm should be greater than the strength of his thumb, and you should be able to escape successfully.

You can use the same principle when escaping from any grab by a human hand. If your attacker grabs your arm instead of your wrist, simply move your arm toward the thumb to escape. If your attacker doubles his efforts by grabbing you with both hands, simply escape toward both thumbs, which is usually the middle area between the hands. Even a choke can be escaped by moving toward the thumb (or thumbs for a two hand choke).

Throughout history oppressed people have used their strong points against their oppressor’s weak points to escape slavery. In the American Revolutionary War, the American soldiers used their knowledge of the forests against the powerful British army, whose battle plans were extremely effective in open fields. Had they met the British army in an open battlefield, the Americans would surely have been defeated. By fighting in the woods, the Americans used their strong point against their oppressor’s weak point to win.

People with a negative self image typically will lack true confidence. This manifests itself either in extreme introversion or overcompensation through arrogance. Everyone knows people like this, and it is no secret that they simply feel unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives.
A person with a positive self image is able to assert themselves with a sense of quiet confidence. They feel no need to use other people as stepping stones in order to elevate themselves. Looking at yourself positively is a necessity for those wishing to have a true sense of happiness in their life.

By appearance, no one would ever think Master Fung was an expert in martial arts. He was short, slender in build, and was very humble in his manner. Outside of his five pupils, no one in the town he lived in knew of his skill.

Your Daily Food Plan helps you manage your daily intake by recommending the amount of food you need from each food group. Your portions at each meal do not need to be any specific amount-but to stay within your energy needs, the total amount you eat each day should match the total amount recommended for each group. For example, 1 regular slice of bread counts as 1 ounce of grains. This doesn’t mean that you have to eat a sandwich with one piece of bread. It just means that if you eat two slices, you should count them both toward your total grain intake for the day.

Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered sedan chair, feared and hated by the people all around. It was a hot summer day, so the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky sedan chair. He looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his presence. “How powerful the sun is!” he thought. “I wish that I could be the sun!”

Preparation is a key to success. In order to achieve your goals, you must write down a clear and specific plan. A clear and specific plan is like a blueprint for a house or a map for finding a location. If you don’t write out your plans, they will become easy to forget.

You eliminate fear, anxiety and stress. You can’t be happy and depressed at the same time. It is impossible. When you decide to be positive within yourself the negative has to leave. It is just like walking into a dark room, you don’t yell and scream at the darkness and tell it to get out. You don’t try to grab it and physically remove it from the room so the light can get in. No!

A young man kneeled outside the gates of Shaolin, motivated by the desire for vengeance. His goal was to learn Kung Fu in order to take vengeance for the murder of his father at the hands of an oppressive foreign officer. His motivation was so strong that he endured the patience test just to enter the gates.

Be in control and set out to accomplish the goals that you have given yourself. And remember, you have the right to take care of yourself.

Wishing you a Happy New Year with the hope that you will have many blessings in the year to come.

"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man."
- Benjamin Franklin