Interesting video for those who like to see how Shaolin monks train from a young age.

Watch video: click here

Karate is VERY different in Japan and Okinawa.

In this video you'll learn 10 reasons - including Kobudo, bunkai, hojo undo (strength training) and self-defense. These are things I discovered at the birthplace of Karate.

Regardless of your style, it's important to know the history and evolution of martial arts. Especially Karate, which came from China and made it all the way to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

"Those who don't learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it..."

Watch Jesse's video: click here

Live from Lakeland, Florida, USA, bare knuckle boxing (BKFC 47) at 9:00 pm Eastern Time USA available on Pay Per View from FITE TV.

To watch the fight or more information please click here

Do you agree that martial arts should be in films or TV or like many traditional practitioners, instructors and master do you believe martial arts should be reserved for being taught in schools privately. And what do you think how martial arts in films differ from real life?

We have a list of some of the more famous classic films with martial arts from the old days, including descriptions and most also have trailers to view.

Check out the list here

Let us know your favorite classic martial arts film and add them here.

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As well as increasing physical fitness and mental health, martial arts can boost brain cognition too! It has been suggested that martial arts is a form of AST (attention state training), and supporting this, recent research has shown a link between practice and improved alertness. Backing this idea up further, another study showed that martial arts practice – specifically karate – is linked with better performance on a divided attention task.

This is an assignment in which the person has to keep two rules in mind and respond to signals based on whether they are auditory or visual. The researchers found that the martial arts training reduced the level of aggressive behaviour in boys, and found that they were more likely to step in and help someone who was being bullied than before they took part in the training. Interestingly, this anti-aggression effect is not limited to young children. A different piece of research found reduced physical and verbal aggression, as well as hostility, in adolescents who practised martial arts too.

Some forms of martial arts, such as tai chi, place great emphasis on controlled breathing and meditation. These were strongly linked in one study with reduced feelings of stress, as well as being better able to manage stress when it is present in young to middle-aged adults.

This effect has also been found in older adults – the 330 participants in this research had a mean age of 73 – too. And the softer, flowing movements make it an ideal, low-impact exercise for older people.

As several scientists are now looking into the links between emotional wellbeing and physical health, it's vital to note that martial arts has been show to improve a person's emotional wellbeing too.

In the study linked above, 45 older adults (aged 67-93) were asked to take part in karate training, cognitive training, or non-martial arts physical training for three to six months.

The older adults in the karate training showed lower levels of depression after the training period than both other groups, perhaps due to its meditative aspect. It was also reported that these adults showed a greater level of self-esteem after the training too.

Self defense training is actually mostly recommended for women as they are more commonly target for predators and attackers. Women generally physically smaller and not as strong as men therefore criminals often chose women as their target because they are easier to over power and control. Today, unfortunately women are still far less likely to take self defense or martial arts classes than men do. We recommend and encourage women to sign up and take self defense classes to be able to defend themselves and be easier victims. Physical fitness is also good for the health and increases confidence not just in dangerous situations but in everyday life.

An interesting video from women's self defense demo from 1947: view here