Elements of Warrior Leaders

Muay Thai Kickboxing

Muay Thai, also known as Thai Boxing or Thai Kickboxing, has a long history in the Thailand area as a martial art used by the military. The military style of Muay Thai is called Lerdrit, while today's sport Muay Thai varies and is performed one-on-one in a ring with either wrapped hands or gloves similar to those used in Western boxing.

Muay Thai is also known as the science of eight limbs as the hands, feet, elbows and knees are all used extensively. To set up an opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling called the clinch are employed. Defensively, Muay Thai uses the concept of a wall of defense in which shoulders, arms and legs are used to hinder the attacker.

Almost all techniques in Muay Thai use the entire body movement, rotating the hip with each kick, punch and block. The result is the ability to generate maximum power in comparison with most Asian martial arts styles.

Muay Thai is great for conditioning, sport competition and self-defense. It has also been rigorously tested and proven to be the king of striking arts for Mixed Martial Arts competition.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts in that it is primarily a system of grappling/fighting that uses superior positioning and leverage to choke an opponent or damage their joints. Jiu-Jitsu is called the gentle art because a practitioner can defeat an opponent without harming him. The origins of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu begin with Count Koma, a Japanese Judo and Jiu-Jitsu master who immigrated to Brazil in the early 1900s and taught the arts to Carlos Gracie. Gracie proceeded to teach the art to his brothers, including the legendary Helio Gracie who, because of his frail physique, revolutionized the techniques of Jiu-Jitsu making it possible for him to defeat much larger opponents. His improvements were so effective that the style became known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, now known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In the early 1990s the Gracie family was instrumental in the development of Mixed Martial Arts competition and its newfound presence on the world stage. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective ground fighting art in the world and is currently used as a basis for hand-to-hand combat training in U. S. military and law enforcement agencies.

Boxing

Some see boxing as a sport in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with fists in a series of timed intervals. On one hand is a glove, on the other hand, another glove, and in front of you an opponent. Though it may appear a simple contest, there is quite a bit of practice required to master the techniques of this, the “sweet science” known as boxing. Boxing has been found throughout history the world over in various forms. Archaeological evidence suggests boxing existed in the Mediterranean since 1,500 BC. The boxing of today has evolved into a highly organized sport, with widely accepted rules originating in England and dating back to the mid 1700’s.

Today many martial artists study boxing as a method to perfect their hand striking game. After all, no one knows how to hit better, quicker and with more power than a boxer. Whether you’ve boxed before or are new to it you are certain to improve your skill and get a superb work out.

Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a two-person combat sport in which a wide variety of techniques are used. It is synonymous with ultimate fighting, cage fighting, hybrid martial arts and no holds barred, and has been especially popularized by televised competitions. Many view the style as a conglomeration of other styles, principally of those which address stand up striking and those which deal with grappling. This is understandable since its public debut began by pitting experts of one particular style against those of another, such as a grappler versus a striker.

At IMS however MMA is seen as a seamless, holistic way to win given any set of circumstances. IMS participants become well versed not only in stand up and ground technique but in the ability to simultaneously transition between the two. With this view, MMA becomes one style, adapted to the individual, with other styles focusing on pieces of the whole.

Though it is taught in the context of competition, one need not be interested in pursuing an MMA match to learn these universal principles of martial arts. If you are up to a challenge and not afraid to do it all, this is where it’s at.

Meditation

Exercise for the muscles, yoga for the joints, qigong for the nerves, relationships for the emotions, study for the intellect . . . . . . . yet meditation allows the spirit to be fed . . . . . . .

Meditation in its various forms is a mental discipline by which one moves beyond the superficial thinking mind into a more relaxed state of awareness and understanding. It is a component of many religions and has been practiced by martial artists since antiquity.

Meditation practiced at IMS includes forms found throughout history and from all over the world, with the last portion of practice used for a spiritual (but not religious) discussion.

Meditation (from Latin meditatio) has the same root as mete, modest, moderate, and medicine. It originally indicated any type of physical or intellectual exercise and then later evolved into the more specific meaning of contemplation. The benefits of structured meditation are broad--those who take it report gaining more sensitivity, increased self-esteem, lower anxiety and a greater capacity to deal with life.

Systema

Systema, unlike the name implies, is not a collection of techniques or a mechanized philosophy. Quite the opposite, Systema could best be described as principles discovered as being more effective in all situations of combat. Though training exercises exist the objective for a practitioner is to have these principles incorporated into his or her automatic responses.

After WWII distrust between the US and Russia prompted an escalation of military prowess on both sides. During this Cold War period the Russian government was open to the idea that their combatives training may have room for improvement, and commissioned an extensive review of combative approaches the world over. Drawing from all known styles, Systema became the philosophy by which elite KGB and Spetsnoz (Russian Special Forces) were trained.

At IMS, Systema philosophy is most influenced by instruction found outside Russia as this publicly available training is not particularly accessible within the country. Focusing on four primary values of posture, breath, movement and relaxation, practitioners are taught principles of controlling the six body levers (elbows, neck, knees, waist, ankles, and shoulders) through pressure point application, striking and weapon applications.

There should be no situations in which the principles of Systema would not enhance a successful outcome.

Yoga

Yoga is a practice of uniting body and mind, and is right inline with the objective of IMS.

Originating in India prehistorically (more than four thousand years ago) numerous philosophies and varied approaches exist today. The stereotypical image of yoga consists of thin superbodies clad in tight stretch wear wrapping themselves into pretzels on a hygienically ergonomic mat in a posh, sweet smelling sterile environment. Though this could be considered yoga, at IMS practitioners are real people in a real environment.

We humans possess amazing joints that help define our place among mammals. Though we do not have the strength or speed to repel most predators (maybe a cat; maybe), we can climb and have good tool making dexterity.

Unfortunately much of the reduction in physical capacity during aging is due to that which is commonly ignored—the joints! The stretching and internal massage afforded by yoga not only brings calm relaxation but can keep us flexible and agile at any stage of life.

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