Arrowhead Martial Arts Studio Blog

Martial Arts Training Tips, Ideas, and Random Thoughts

About the Author: Ryan Wheaton has been teaching American Kenpo since 1991 and is the chief instructor at Arrowhead Martial Arts Studio in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is an internationally certified 6th degree black belt and personal student of 10th degree black belt Paul Mills. Ryan sits on the Board of Directors for the American Kenpo Karate International (AKKI) and is also a regular seminar presenter at AKKI National & International events.

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10/24/2006

Stabilize Yourself with Kenpo’s Bracing Angles

Filed under: Martial Arts Training — Ryan Wheaton

WELCOME TO MY MARTIAL ARTS BLOG! Keep up to date on all the latest news, tips and ideas from Arrowhead Martial Arts Studio by subscribing to my RSS feed or you can receive email updates right to your inbox. Thanks for visiting! -- Ryan Wheaton

When executing any sequence, whether it be offensive or defensive, it is important to have a bracing angle. According to Master Ed Parker, here is the definition of a Bracing Angle:

The positioning of the body to strengthen and support the execution of a defensive or offensive move in anticipation of impact upon contact.

A simple example of a bracing angle is in the American Kenpo self defense techinque “Attacking Mace” where you’re driving off the rear foot as you execute a pivot punch to your opponents ribs after executing a left inward block to the outside of a right straight punch. Without this bracing angle, your strike wouldn’t have near the desired effect and would create a “disharmony of force” where your body and strike are going one way and your stance another.

Be sure to plant your foot and that it is in alignment with your body and strike for maximum effect. Remember, this applies to more than just your strikes so look for other areas where this can be applied.

10/13/2006

Colored Belt Promotions

Filed under: Studio News — Ryan Wheaton

I just wanted to say congratulations to the following individuals on their promotions last night:

ORANGE BELT

  • Chris S.
  • Travis A.

PURPLE BELT

  • Steve S.
  • Joel W.
  • Rob R.

You are all doing an outstanding job of learning and internalizing our curriculum. As I said last night to each of you, I wish I was moving Kenpo like that when I was going for those belts. I can tell you’re all very much into this art and you all work extremely hard so testing you was an easy decision. Keep doing what you’re doing because it’s working!

10/6/2006

How To Avoid Choosing the Wrong Martial Arts Studio

Filed under: How To Choose A Studio — Ryan Wheaton

NOTE: These are experts from my free guide “How to Avoid Choosing the Wrong Martial Arts Studio. Get the inside scoop so you don’t make the wrong choice.” The full unabridged martial arts guide is available upon request.

Making the decision to start taking martial arts is easy.However, finding the best place for you isn’t always as easy.

Following are some recommended questions I have compiled over the years you can use to help choose the best martial arts studio for you.

Simply highlight the questions most important to you as you evaluate each studio. This will help you make sure you’re matching your needs to what the studios have to offer.

Head Instructor
DO THEY SPECIALIZE IN TEACHING ADULTS OR CHILDREN? Does the head instructor teach in all classes? What is their background? How long have they taught martial arts? How do they treat their students? How do they answer student questions? Are they approachable?

Assistant Instructors
HOW ARE ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS USED? Do any junior instructors or kids teach in the adult classes? Do they teach in place of the head instructor? How long have they taught martial arts? How do they treat the students?

Monthly Fees
ARE THERE ANY CONTRACTS? What happens if you have to stop taking lessons? Are there cancellation costs? Can you pay month to month? Are there any membership fees or association fees? Do they charge for belt tests? Do they use electronic funds transfer (EFT) for monthly lesson payments?

Classes
WHAT IS THE INSTRUCTOR TO STUDENT RATIO? Do they limit class sizes? Are kids and adults taught in the same class? Are private lessons available? Do they seem organized? What safety precautions are in place? What is their policy for heavy-handed students? How much contact is involved? Can your friends or family come by and watch a class?

Training
WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE STUDIO: SELF-DEFENSE? Fitness? Tradition? Sport? Is it a progressive or traditional martial art? Do they teach linear or circular moves? What ranges do they teach: Kicking? Punching? Trapping? Grappling? Is it considered a hard or a soft style? Are there clearly defined requirements? Where did the curriculum originate? Do they train with partners? On a bag? In the air? What is their contact scale? None? Light? Medium? Full contact?

Use these tips to find the perfect martial arts studio for you in Salt Lake City so that you never make the wrong the choice in where you train.

The full unabridged martial arts guide is available upon request.

10/1/2006

Vegas Camp Photos

Filed under: Martial Arts Events, Studio News — Ryan Wheaton

I just uploaded some new photos of our group that went to September 2006 Paul Mills Las Vegas International Kenpo Karate Camp. You can order prints of any or all of the photos. Thank you Jess Leonard Photography for taking and providing the photos!

Flikr Photos

Salt Lake City Utah Martial Arts Squidoo Lens

Filed under: Studio News — Ryan Wheaton

I just started a new lens on Squidoo.com that provides additional information about our Salt Lake City, Utah based martial arts studio. Please feel free to check it out at:

Salt Lake City Utah Martial Arts

I will be adding more martial arts information to it as time goes on but I wanted to at least make you aware that it is out there.

There are a lot of links to videos of Ed Parker on there, photos from the September camp, and more.

Be sure to register and vote for our site!