Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Taekwondo Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Basic Taekwondo Kicks You Need to Know About - Healthy Mens
Image credit: https://www.healthy-mens.com

Hello, 2024! Are you wanting to try a new martial art this year? Try taekwondo! Tired of hearing me rave about taekwondo without knowing the details of how it actually works? Guest writer Michael, whose work has been featured on several martial arts and sports sites, breaks down taekwondo techniques for beginners in this comprehensive post. 

If you would like to be a guest writer for Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines here.

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Melanie Gibson Injury and Recovery, Mental Health, Training Tips

Revisiting Body Combat with a Different Body

8 Benefits of Kickboxing Fitness Classes - Elite Sports Clubs
Photo courtesy of eliteclubs.com. You can find me at the club, preferably near the back.

Earlier this year, I rejoined taekwondo classes as a “regular” (i.e., not private lesson) student. Prior to that I’d been taking private lessons for over a year and had added back in yoga classes, weight lifting, and occasionally swimming to round out my exercise routine.

More recently, I’ve gone back to Body Combat classes at the gym, a kickboxing aerobics class that derives inspiration from various martial arts. I needed more cardio and wanted something that didn’t have the pressures and nuances that taekwondo class does. As a bonus, one of the Body Combat teachers happens to be a black belt trained by my former grandmaster, so at least one person is in the know when they’re leading the class. 

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Mental Health, Training Tips

Guest Post: Essential Guide to Balancing Wellness and Self-Care as a Martial Artist

This post comes from Emma Grace Brown, a frequent contributor to Little Black Belt. If you would like to submit a martial arts-related article, please review the guest writer guidelines.

Image via Freepik

In the demanding world of martial arts, well-being serves as a foundational element for achieving excellence. Balancing wellness and self-care is pivotal for martial artists striving for optimal performance in both their sports and personal lives.

This article, courtesy of Little Black Belt, delves into seven crucial strategies designed specifically for this unique group of athletes. Each method is geared toward helping you maintain and enhance your wellness routine, so consider this your comprehensive guide for excelling in every aspect of your martial arts journey!

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Post: How Relaxation Improves Self-Defense

It’s summer! It’s time to chill and relaaaaaax. Relaxation is not only good for our minds, it’s good for our bodies as martial artists. Sifu Kyle Ritter and Sifu Ted Ritter (the Wing Chun Twins) share six reasons why relaxation is vital to practicing self-defense.

There are several reasons why relaxation plays a crucial role in self-defense:

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: The benefits of training in a traditional martial arts style versus a modern hybrid style

Article by Darie Raclau | karatemartialart.net Founder

Martial arts training can offer a wide range of benefits, including improved physical fitness, mental discipline, and self-defense skills. When choosing a martial arts style to practice, many people are faced with the decision of whether to train in a traditional style or a modern hybrid style. While both types of training can provide benefits, there are some key differences that may influence a person’s decision.

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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: The Role of Martial Arts in Modern Day Fitness

Article by Darie Raclau | karatemartialart.net Founder

Martial arts have been around for centuries, and while they were originally developed as a way to defend oneself or engage in combat, they have evolved over time to become a popular form of exercise and a means of improving physical fitness. In modern day society, martial arts can play a significant role in maintaining and improving physical health and overall well-being.
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Melanie Gibson Guest Writers, Training Tips

Guest Writer: First Strike – Introducing Exercise into Your Routine

Image by Pexels

One of the many things the 2020 pandemic disrupted was our ability to exercise–gyms shut down, we were stuck at home, people faced financial hardships, and people dealt with anxiety and depression that inhibited their ability to keep up a regular exercise routine.

Here at Little Black Belt, we believe fitness should be a priority and, with the right methods, exercise can empower other areas of life. Using martial arts, yoga, and other physical activities, you can introduce fun workouts into your and your family’s routine.

Guest writer Emma Grace Brown, who wrote a post in 2020 about creating a martial arts studio at home, returns with suggestions on making exercise a fun and regular part of your routine.

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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, My Guest Posts, Training Tips

My Guest Post: Too Many Taekwondo Techniques? Integrate Them

Taekwondo has been accused of being disjointed–poomsae here, breaking there, gyrogi over there. Taekwondo is meant to be studied as a comprehensive whole. It’s up to instructors to make the connections, and it’s something you can do as a student as well. Check out my article in Martial Journal on how to fill your comprehensive training toolbox.

Too Many Taekwondo Techniques? Integrate Them!

Melanie Gibson Mental Health, Self-Development and Leadership, Training Tips

Developing Mental Agility as a Martial Artist

An orange sticky note has been sitting on my desk for the past few weeks. It reads: “Agility is best learned through challenging experiences.”

This quote was said in passing by a vendor with whom my day job team has been working on a leadership program for up-and-coming executives.

I wrote it down to share with the people I was coaching, but I also wrote it down for myself.
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Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, My Guest Posts, Training Tips

Reducing Martial Arts-Related Stress

Stress in martial arts? No way! Relieving stress is why we started training!

…and yes, sometimes even the thing we love can bring some unexpected and unwanted stress. It happens to the best of us, and the best of the best of us, ha ha.

Check out my article in this month’s Martial Journal for ways to reduce martial arts-related stress: https://www.martialjournal.com/reducing-martial-arts-related-stress/