So what exactly “is” KFM?
KFM or “Keysi Fighting Method” is causing quite the stir in Hollywood with both Batman Films (Batman Begins & The Dark Knight) to their credit as well as the upcoming James Bond film, “Quantum of Solace.” But what is the buzz all about?
KFM: The Buzz and the Bat
No doubt, “The Dark Knight” opening this summer will rival if not exceed box office sales as well as the “buzz” of the first film, given the success of “Batman Begins.” This film introduced many, myself included, to a new fighting system known as KFM or Keysi Fighting Method. But what about this system caught the attention of Hollywood and why is it seen as such a great compliment to the Batman character and franchise?
KFM was founded by Justo Dieguez and Andy Norman and is the result of their own personal journeys and investigation over 20 years. While www.keysikfm.com carries a great deal of information as to the method and philosophy of KFM, here are some points of “uniqueness” I personally found when coming into KFM from a traditional martial arts mindset.
First, KFM readily admits it is not a “Martial Art” in the traditional sense of the word. KFM is utilized in health clubs, on university campuses and by (health) personal trainers throughout Europe just as much as by martial arts schools and martial arts instructors. It sees itself as a “curriculum,” not necessarily a “school” in and unto itself. Therefore anyone, martial artists or non-martial artist, can learn KFM and teach the curriculum however they wish in whatever environment they wish. It is simply a street defense system designed to give those who are looking for more “practical” solutions to their concerns regarding personal safety and survival versus extended years of training with belts, tournaments, etc as part of the experience package.
So You Want to be a Ninja…
Probably no martial arts personna has captured the fascination and imagination of so many as the mysterious “ninja.” But what makes someone a “ninja?” Is it their martial arts ability or something else?
Say the word “Ninja” to any American and images of silent assassins, clad in black, come to mind with ominous overtones. While that image can intimidate, more often it fascinates and entertains– thanks to Hollywood. But have we really been given the right impression of these ancient warriors? What was it about their particular brand of martial art that has so endured time to provide such a lasting impression in the minds and psyches of so many? What does it really take to be a Ninja?
First, the number one thing that embodies Ninjutsu is “deception.” This is the root of Ninjutsu as well as the chief tool of the Ninja. How is this achieved? It can be done through disguise, distraction and misrepresentation, all of which the Ninja were quite familiar with as part of their early training.
Tae kwon do is an Art
Wikipedia defines art this way: “Art refers to a diverse range of human activities, creations, and expressions that are appealing to the senses or emotions of a human individual.” This is absolutely true when defining Tae kwon do.
Art
When you think of mortal combat, does the word art come to mind?
Of course not.
Martial arts are not only hard. They have an internal part, the softer part that develops roots in philosophical ideals often unknown to non martial artists. The fact that martial arts have two sides is an important reason why instructing children in the martial arts is a great idea.
Sometimes parents are mistaken and believe that allowing their kids to study martial arts will cause them to become aggressive, picking fights. In actuality, just the opposite is true. Fundamental martial arts training has a core that has a very different outcome than a parent might suspect.
All martial arts have an external component and an internal component. Think of the Chinese yin-yang symbol which literally indicates that everything has an opposite. The earth has sky, fire has water, and good has evil.
What is referred to as external martial arts is what most people are familiar with. This is the action you enjoy on the movie screen and on television. It’s the sometimes violent or even deadly, hard hitting power that one can learn to use to overcome an opponent. But remember, that what you see on the screen is only what Hollywood deems glamorous.
ADHD and Tae kwon do – A Parent’s Strategy for Success
As the parent of an ADHD child, I understand the challenges involved in raising a happy, well adjusted child. It’s not easy and it is frustrating. I’ve found a tool that has helped my family deal with ADHD, Martial Arts training.
The child with ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is gifted. This special child is creative and spontaneous with the ability to hyper-focus on any interesting task.
Conversely, this same child is a challenge to his parents because he can often be aggressive, hyper, distractible and impulsive. The world views him as “hard to handle” which can permanently harm self-esteem.
All children are impulsive, inattentive and easily distracted from time to time, but the ADHD child lives with these attributes frequently. You can aid your ADHD child by showing her how these character traits are an advantage, not a disadvantage.
Notwithstanding, ADHD is not just a shortness of capacity to remain attentive, but also the skill to focus intently on the subject matter of choice. Kids with ADHD don’t actually lack focus but have the tendency to focus unsuitably and are quick to become bored with a task.
A sport can be either a positive or nonconstructive experience for all children, but for the ADHD child even more so. Spending excess energy is always good for the ADHD child; however, playing on a team can be difficult for her if she can’t learn the rules of play or fulfill the role the team needs.
Stances: Top Five Reasons for Training them
Stance training is something overlooked in modern martial arts curriculum.
But this is a shame, because stance training can benefit a student greatly. Here are the top reasons to train your stances:
1.) Stance training will improve your balance and stability.
2.) Stance training will help you to become more rooted, which is also part of balance
3.) It will strengthen your legs greatly, and allow them to be conditioned for rigorous use
4.) Stance Training helps you to train how you use your body correctly in order to maximize power in your strikes. In other words: stance training will help you to learn to draw power from your legs.
5.) Stance training helps you get a bearing on your center of gravity. Once you find your “center” you will be able to do many things much easier.
The best way to train your stances is to settle into one for an extended period of time, often practicing breathing, striking, meditation, or a combination of the three. Another great exercise is to practice transitioning from one stance to another, spending long periods of time in each stance. The two best stances to train are the Horse Stance (also known as middle stance) and the bow stance (also known as the front stance, or front bent-knee stance). The most important of all of these, though, is the Horse stance, which will increase rootedness and strength considerably. Make sure you train stances as deep as you can, but check with your instructor to make sure you are doing them correctly, as to avoid injuring yourself.
Above all, stance training can be a great work out!
For more info on selfdefense and the martial arts, or the author, visit, http://www.yieldingbamboo.webs.com