The Secret to Being a Survivor on the Street: How to Develop a Combatives Mindset

Fitness is one of two essential prerequisites for self-defense performance. The other is mindset. What a shame it would be to develop your fitness and master the techniques necessary to prevail in a violent street attack only to fail because you were mentally unprepared!

It’s important to become intimately familiar with the conditions present in a street fight so you’re not surprised when you experience them firsthand. Too often, people form opinions about what constitutes a violent attack based on anecdotal information or cinematic representations. That’s a dangerous, ill-informed way to develop a self-defense foundation.

There’s no shortage of attack videos online. Repugnant as it may be, sort through the contrived footage and — believe it or not — the recreational street-fight videos, and you’ll discover actual surveillance-camera clips of attacks, as well as fight footage captured by eyewitnesses.

Evaluate a representative sampling to fully understand the speed with which attacks occur, the setups used to initiate assaults (which reveal pre-incident indicators), common striking techniques thugs rely on, patterns of vulnerability you can exploit, and lastly, the raw viciousness and ruthlessness of these animals.

You’ll find yourself growing increasingly pissed off as you watch kids get bullied, innocent people get beaten, and senseless violence, humiliation and injury being unleashed. Even worse, you’ll hear morons laughing at the victims or urging the attackers on.

Now visualize yourself, your spouse, your children or anyone you care for being victimized this way. It just may be that the most important element of a combative mindset is indignation — after all, you should be indignant and angry that these scumbags subject innocent people to serious physical and emotional trauma. It’s these visceral feelings that provide the foundation for your mindset. The emotions enable you to tap into your dark side on demand when you have to fight back against an unprovoked attack.

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The rest of the requirement for viciously, yet lawfully, unloading on an attacker is that you characteristically seek to avoid confrontations, don’t smart-mouth (even when you think you’re justified) and routinely let the small stuff roll off.

Maintaining a demeanor that enables you to virtually disappear into the backdrop of societal “white noise” is an art. This mindset is so passive that it’s actually aggressive. When you’re facing an imminent attack, it will be immediately and exceptionally clear. You’ll be unencumbered by doubt or uncertainty and can resolutely rely on violence of action to defend yourself.

Developing the “switch” that allows you to go from zero to 100 mph is simply a matter of accepting the fact you could be attacked, internalizing the consequences of that and resolving to prevail if it happens. No victim of terrible violence ever wakes up thinking it could happen to him or her, but it can and does — frequently. Once you’ve embraced this, an inevitable sense of resentment follows. That’s a useful sentiment, one that can make you exponentially more dangerous when you fight an attacker.

Being situationally aware for pre-incident indicators reduces your chance of being surprised and rendered unable to flip your switch quickly. But even if you’re caught flat-footed, having spent some time visualizing yourself being attacked and successfully responding prepares you more completely than if the thought never occurred to you.

Learn how to neutralize gun, knife, stick and empty-hand attacks in Kelly McCann’s new 5-Volume Combatives Self-Defense Course.

Couple this mental preparedness with your underlying rage and indignation — aimed squarely at anyone who commits these heinous crimes — and you’ll find you can instantly tap into ferocity, resulting in explosive and effective responses.

You shouldn’t get paranoid and walk around ready to “go off” at any moment or be twitchy. That would make you just plain uncomfortable to be around. There aren’t potential bad guys around every corner. Just live your life guided by rational caution, be situationally aware and take action early to prevent having to deal with trouble. Well, actually you are dealing with it — appropriately.

By the way, don’t ever question what you feel. In other words, don’t talk yourself out of your own attack. Don’t think out loud, expressing your uneasiness over what you feel is happening. It’s likely someone will try to assuage your concerns — don’t let that happen.

If you suddenly find yourself in that sickening “oh shit” moment, blow through the surreal feeling and the denial, and act immediately. The only way to take control of a situation that’s ambiguously threatening (or outright threatening) is to act. Left unchecked, threats evolve into attacks. You have to break the chain of events before the attack fully manifests.

That doesn’t necessarily mean using force. It may mean crossing the street to remove yourself from immediate danger. It may mean verbally warning off a potential attacker. If you’re unable to escape, it could mean assuming a harmless-appearing index position that prepares you to pre-emptively strike. It all depends on what you see during your moment.

Bottom line: You want to achieve an empowering mindset that supports taking action based on a reasonable assessment of the threat and your right of self-defense. Maximize your ferocity by channeling your outrage right back to the attacker. Rage is powerful, so remember to “rage with reason.” Don’t go too far and belly-flop into the gratuitous-violence quagmire. Use only the force necessary to stop the threat; any additional use of force is malicious and criminal. Don’t act tenuously. To the contrary, if you’re attacked, go off like a hand grenade and ruthlessly turn predator into prey.

Honestly, it sucks having to even discuss this stuff, but feeling that way doesn’t diminish the need to be able to protect yourself. Every day, law-abiding people are attacked. Maintaining the physical and mental fitness to deal with that is simply the responsible thing to do.

(Photos by Robert Reiff)

About the author: A former officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and a member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame, Kelly McCann has studied and taught combatives for more than 30 years. In an effort to make his material available to more people, he teamed up with Black Belt magazine to release Kelly McCann’s 5-Volume Combatives Self-Defense Course. Sign up and you can stream the lessons to your smartphone, tablet or computer as many times as you like.

How to Stay Safe in the Age of the Lone Wolf Terrorist, Part Two

QUESTION 4: As high-profile targets get extra security, is there an increased likelihood that soft targets — and civilians — will be attacked by lone-wolf terrorists?

John Riddle: Our military and government agencies have beefed up security on installations and embassies around the world, making them harder to attack. Due to this, we have seen a trend of softer targets being hit around the world — hotels, schools and marketplaces, to name a few. This is usually due to the fact that they are frequented by foreign tourists, journalists, military officials, and government and business leaders.

Photo courtesy of John Riddle

Mike Gillette: Soft targets have historically been the target of choice for terrorists and will continue to be. They are easy to get into, get around in and get out of. And they also provide the potential body count that yields the maximum psychological effect. As an example, in 1920 a horse-drawn wagon filled with explosives was detonated in front of the J.P. Morgan Bank on Wall Street. The blast killed 38 and injured 143. Attacking soft targets is nothing new.

Michael Janich: One of the most basic rules of nature is that predators seek prey.

Tom Gresham: Soft targets are always the priority, but what is or isn’t targeted should have no bearing on how individuals prepare. To change your preparedness or your behavior based on news reports means only that you were not paying attention and were not doing what was necessary. The risk of being attacked by terrorists is incredibly small, but it’s not zero. It’s worth a couple of minutes to think about and come up with an action plan to escape should you be caught in a public place when there is an attack. Other than that, your commitment to safety does not change.

Photo courtesy of Tom Gresham

QUESTION 5: In light of all this, what measures can people take to stay safe?

Gresham: First, understand that you cannot “be safe” or “stay safe.” You can only manage risks. Toward that end, be aware. Talk with your family. Have an action word for your family, and when you say that word, everyone does what you tell them — with no questions.

Kelly McCann: The most important thing most people can do is to stay situationally aware in their day-to-day lives. This will protect them against being co-located where a terrorist incident may occur and, more important, significantly reduce their chance of being victimized by crime.

Kelly McCann photo by Robert W. Young

Now you can stream a seminar by Kelly McCann, Black Belt’s 2008 Self-Defense Instructor of the Year, directly to your digital device! Click here to sign up for Kelly McCann’s 5-Volume Combatives Self-Defense Course.

Gillette: You need to understand the threat and that the threat is relative. Densely populated areas carry a certain amount of risk. Areas which bring in large groups of visitors such as the Mall of America, Universal Studios, Times Square or LAX carry a certain amount of risk. Symbolic locations such as the Washington Monument, the Las Vegas Strip or the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City carry a certain amount of risk. Wherever you go, be mindful of that location’s potential strategic significance and exercise the appropriate level of vigilance.

Janich: You need to realize that if something does happen, you will have to do something to save yourself and your loved ones before help arrives. Don’t be paranoid, but don’t bury your head in the sand, either. Once you treat something as real, you naturally change your behavior in appropriate ways and start learning the skills necessary to fend for yourself.

Michael Janich photo by Rick Hustead

Riddle: Basically, have a plan. If traveling outside the United States, check with the State Department website. Don’t travel alone or go into areas that are unknown to you or on the warning list. Be knowledgeable of the customs and culture of the area you will be visiting. Be careful about whom you speak with and how much information you give about why you are there and where you are staying.

QUESTION 6: Is increasing one’s awareness the most important precaution a person can take?

Janich: The first line of defense is awareness. Although that term is often interpreted as being actively conscious of your immediate surroundings, it goes much deeper. Awareness should also mean developing a clear understanding of the nature of potential threats and the ability of the authorities to protect you from them. You may be aware that a person is behaving suspiciously and see the telltale signs that he is about to draw a gun. However, if you are aware of the difference between cover and concealment and make a habit of referencing available cover — something substantial enough to actually stop bullets — in your environment, you will have a real survival option.

Gillette: While it can sound trite, being aware is your most critical survival skill. It’s as true when you’re scuba diving as it is when you’re walking in downtown Newark. Nobody survives an attack they don’t see coming. You need to adopt the attitude that nothing takes you by surprise. Your life is important, and it’s equally important to pay attention to what’s going on around you. The easiest way to do this is to ask yourself questions that begin with the word “why” — as in “Why is this nervous-looking person walking up to me so quickly?” or “Why would someone leave their backpack next to the bus stop?” Asking the right questions could save your life.

Photo courtesy of Mike Gillette

Gresham: [There are] actions which should be part of everyday behavior. Awareness is key. Look. See. Listen. Think about what you are seeing. Learn to stop in traffic far enough behind the car ahead of you so you can see where that car’s rear tires contact the pavement. This gives you room to drive around that car, if necessary. Know where the exits are in any restaurant you are in. Understand that in a mall, you can exit any store to the rear, which is the preferred way to go if there is an attack in the common area.

(To be continued.)

Read Part One of this article here.

Mulan: The Real Lady General, the Live-Action Film Character and the Disney Cartoon Hero

Most Westerners — martial artists and non-martial artists alike — know the name Hua Mulan because of a hit Disney film from 1998, which was titled, appropriately enough, Mulan.

Few know that the animated feature was based on a real historical figure and that she had been depicted on film a number of times.

The Real Hua Mulan

Mulan is believed to have been born in Henan province during the Wei dynasty (386-534 A.D.). She was reportedly an excellent seamstress and a skilled martial artist who was renowned for her archery expertise. At one point in her life, her infirm father was called to duty to help fight invaders from the Mongol Empire, and Mulan, fearing for her dad’s safety, donned men’s clothing and joined the army in his place.

(Photo Courtesy of National Taiwan Museum)

The defining moment in her military career came one night when she was on guard duty. Mulan observed crows flying at night and noted that the birds should be resting at that hour. She immediately suspected an ambush and alerted her superior. Then she devised a plan and proposed it to him.

When the Mongols attacked, Mulan sustained an arrow wound to the shoulder, yet she was still able to defeat the leader of the invasion force in hand-to-hand combat. Afterward, she refused treatment out of fear her brothers-in-arms would discover that she was a woman.

Mulan on Film

A proud soldier is shown riding atop a spirited steed as it gallops across the misty moors in a bygone era. The mare skids to a halt and rockets its warrior master toward the heavens. Still in flight, the hero loads a body-length bow with three arrows. Landing in her patented si liu bu stance, Hua Mulan — played by Nancy Chan — uses her famous three-fingered arrow release to impale three charging Mongol warriors.

That scene comes from a black-and-white film called Mulan Joins the Army. Made in Shanghai and released in 1939, it was actually the third movie to focus on Mulan’s exploits. Directed by Bu Wancang, it came from the Orphan Island period. The name refers to film production that took place in Shanghai’s foreign concessions, which were not occupied by the Japanese.

Despite its historical connection — China really was threatened by the Mongols — Mulan Joins the Army was intended to rouse patriotic sentiments with respect to how modern China was being threatened by the Japanese. Those circumstances led to Nancy Chan becoming the first Hong Kong actress to be catapulted to fame by the Shanghai film industry.

A more famous film adaptation of Mulan’s life came in 1964. Released by the Shaw Brothers, it was an opera titled Lady General Hua Mulan or Woman General Hua Mulan. It starred Ivy Ling Po as the famed female fighter.

(Photo Courtesy of Celestial Pictures)

Mulan by Disney

When Disney announced that it was planning its own version of the Mulan story, the project bore the title The Legend of Fa Mulan. Note the spelling of the surname — Fa instead of Hua. Disney execs said they were under the impression that “Fa Mulan” was the Cantonese spelling of her name. I contacted the production office and advised them that Fa is Cantonese but Mulan is Mandarin. I then suggested that the filmmakers should render her name as either “Fa Moklan” (Cantonese) or “Hua Mulan” (Mandarin). In the end, they opted to change the movie’s title to Mulan.

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There were other major changes, as well, the most obvious being the addition of Mushu, the dragon spirit (voiced by Eddie Murphy), and the pet cricket. Sadly, the script eliminated all references to Mulan’s renowned archery ability.

The Next Mulan?

Disney appears to be on a roll with live-action versions of its classics. For example, we were given Alice in Wonderland in 2010, Maleficent (from Sleeping Beauty) in 2014 and Cinderella in 2015. Beauty and the Beast is next, with a release planned for 2017.

The rumor mill has it that a live-action version of Mulan may be in the works. Rila Fukushima, who co-starred in Wolverine (2013) and appears in the CW television series Arrow, is reportedly being considered to bring the title character to life.

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Contestant on the Hit CBS Reality-Series Survivor Is a Taekwondo Teacher!

On September 23, 2015, CBS premiered the 31st season of Survivor. Titled Survivor Cambodia: Second Chance, it brings back fan faves from past seasons so they can have another shot at the $1 million prize. One of the returning contestants is a taekwondo teacher named Yung “Woo” Hwang. This story, which we ran after his first appearance on Survivor, will explain why he’s being given a second chance.

— Editor

How much is your integrity worth? It’s a question few us will have to answer — and one even fewer will be forced to face in front of 10 million viewers. Martial arts instructor Yung “Woo” Hwang has a clue about his own price: One million dollars is not enough.

In the finale of Survivor: Cagayan, Woo became a guaranteed finalist when he won the last immunity challenge. That meant he could choose his opponent at the Final Tribal Council, where the winner would go home a millionaire. Woo selected ultra-aggressive New Jersey police officer Tony Vlachos over California attorney Kass McQuillen, who was universally considered an easier opponent. Vlachos went on to win and claim the seven-figure prize. At the Survivor reunion show, host Jeff Probst asked the contestants if they would have voted for Woo had he faced McQuillen. The majority said they would have given Woo the nod — and the money.

It can’t be easy to swallow a million-dollar pill of hindsight and second guesses, but Woo has accepted it like the weather. After all, in his mind, there was only one path to take.

“A lot of my decision was based on my way of living,” Woo said. “Growing up in taekwondo, my father always stressed that in order to be the best, you have to go up against the best.

“My decision to take Tony was in the same respect: He played a great game, and I thought I had a 50-50 shot at beating him even though he was one of the stronger players of the season. I thought, If I could take someone like Tony and manage to beat him, how wonderful that would be? If not, I can walk away with my head held high because I lost against the best.”

A sixth-degree black belt, Woo, 30, is the son of Chi Sung Hwang, a ninth-degree grandmaster and the owner of Hwang’s Martial Arts in Massillon, Ohio. Woo began lessons at age 3 and never stopped. Going into Survivor, he knew his years of training and superior balance, agility and coordination would allow him to surmount obstacles and win immunity challenges. The years on the mats paid off for the ultra-likable Woo, but not because of his wicked spinning crescent kick. His genuine people skills resonated with the audience, and he became one of the most well-liked competitors in the history of the show.

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“I have been training adults since I was 13, so my ability to interact and socialize with all age groups comes naturally,” Woo said. “A lot of my social skills came from emulating my father. When he would speak, people would listen. I loved how he was able to gain the respect and attention of whoever he was speaking to.”

Since returning home, Woo has focused on two things: building his business and rebuilding his body. The 5-foot-9-inch martial arts instructor and surfing coach entered Survivor at a lean 170 pounds, with etched abdominals. He finished the season at a gaunt 140 pounds. After the show wrapped, Woo immediately got back in the weight room and resumed surfing to reclaim his lost muscle tissue. It took two months for his body to get back to full strength and his digestion to return to normal — although he’s still 8 pounds lighter than when he began the show.

Promoting his athletic training facility and martial arts studio — HB Academy in Huntington Beach, California — has been a bit easier. After all, having 10 million people watch you give up $1 million in favor of your integrity is priceless in terms of marketing.

“The positive feedback I have received from social media and people on the streets has made me feel like a million bucks,” Woo said.

Find out “How Chuck Norris Films Seem to Bend the Course of History” by reading this insightful article!

Don’t be surprised if you see Woo on the screen again. Like many martial artists, he grew up idolizing Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme. Besides taekwondo, Woo has trained in wushu, capoeira, muay Thai and various weapon styles, and he believes his skill set would translate beautifully to the screen. He’s spent the past few years studying tricking, the hybrid form of martial arts and acrobatics popularized by Travis Wong. Tricking, Woo said, might be how he follows the path of another one of his heroes: prolific actor/stuntman and fellow taekwondo practitioner Simon Rhee.

“Simon works full time as a martial arts instructor and is a full-time stuntman and action actor,” Woo said. “He is living the life I aspire to have one day.”

Even if Woo breaks into show business, he’ll most likely continue to be hounded by the question he hears everywhere he goes: Does he wish he chose differently in the Survivor finale? In reality, his choice seems to bother his formidable fan base more than Woo himself, who genuinely has no regrets.

“After the show, my father and my senior instructors called and thanked me,” he said. “As a dedicated student of martial arts, you know that you don’t live for yourself. You represent a larger body. If you are affiliated with Hwang’s Martial Arts, you know that when you go out in public, your demeanor, etiquette and conduct reflect our school. Even though I knew Survivor was a game of lies and manipulations, I had to be a figure of inspiration. I was representing more than myself.”

(Photos Courtesy of Yung “Woo” Hwang)

How to Stay Safe in the Age of the Lone Wolf Terrorist, Part One

No matter how connected the Internet makes us think our planet is, human beings are still very much a tribal species. In part, that’s why we can watch a news report about a suicide bomber in the Middle East and think, “Yes, that’s terrible, but it’s happening on the other side of the world to people I don’t know.” When a terrorist attack happens close to home, however, everyone pays attention.

At that point, some people take action. The ones who haven’t been preparing often start, and the ones who regard themselves as always ready often turn up the intensity of their training. As a martial artist, you no doubt fit into that second category, and it is to assist you that Black Belt presents this article.

Before we begin, it’s worth noting that not every terrorist attack involves an improvised explosive device or an AK-47. As the events that unfolded on September 26, 2014, and October 24, 2014, prove, “lone wolf” terrorists are now using weapons that martial arts training enables us to defend against. On the first date, one woman was beheaded and another repeatedly stabbed by a man in Oklahoma. Afterward, Rep. Frank Wolf (Virginia) urged the Department of Justice to investigate the incident as an act of terrorism. On the second date, a man whom Reuters described as “self-radicalized” used a hatchet to critically wound two New York City police officers.

And lest you think only Americans face these threats, think back to March 1, 2014. On that day, eight terrorists armed with knives murdered 29 people and injured more than 140 at a train station in Kunming, China.

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Whether these acts were perpetrated by bona fide terrorists, by lone-wolf recruits or by mentally ill copycats doesn’t matter from the perspective of the martial artist. All present a threat and must be dealt with. To help you figure out the most productive way to proceed, Black Belt polled five subject-matter experts. They hail from different backgrounds, but they convey information that’s vital for all who train for self-defense.

Question 1: Should the average person be worried about lone-wolf terrorist attacks?

Photo courtesy of Mike Gillette

Mike Gillette (former counterterrorism consultant for the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration, tactical trainer, executive bodyguard): Worried? No. Mentally prepared? Yes. The way we mentally frame various circumstances plays a big part in how effectively we’ll respond should a response become necessary.

To put it in simple terms, the language we use when discussing or even thinking about dangerous situations can be positive or negative. If you default to always using negative terminology, your mind will store those negative attitudes accordingly. And those negative attitudes create a defeatist mentality [that] assumes the worst and is more prone to giving up when confronted with danger.

The key is to understand that while certain things such as terrorists are “scary,” you don’t have to be perpetually scared of them. Learn how they operate and what it takes to protect yourself, and then go on about your life.

Photo courtesy of John Riddle

John Riddle (law-enforcement officer for 28 years, SWAT defensive-tactics trainer, jeet kune do full instructor): Americans need to educate themselves on what’s going on in the world today. The better educated they are, the less they need to worry and the more prepared they will be.

Photo courtesy of Tom Gresham

Tom Gresham (firearms trainer, former editor of several firearms magazines, host of the Gun Talk syndicated radio show): People should not be “worried” about anything. Worrying does no good. They should, however, be aware of possible threats, and they should take appropriate steps. What’s appropriate will differ for various people. Mostly, however, it means being aware of your surroundings and thinking ahead of time of your options to get away with your family should there be an attack.

Question 2: Do you think the Internet is becoming the prime tool for terrorist organizations to recruit lone wolves in any part of the world?

Michael Janich photo by Rick Hustead

Michael Janich (former employee of the National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency, Filipino martial arts expert, edged-weapon instructor): The Internet has revolutionized communications and marketing. If you have a message, you can share it with millions of people worldwide at virtually no cost.

Kelly McCann photo by Robert W. Young

Kelly McCann (retired Marine Corps counterterrorist trainer, CNN consultant, weapons expert, combatives instructor): The Internet is being utilized by various terror groups to recruit disaffected youths globally to their causes. Cellphone technology has made information of all sorts much more available and negated the necessity to even own a computer. Add social media and you have incredible access to people who are searching for ways to be involved.

Question 3: Are there any parallels between how terrorists recruit lone wolves and how gangs recruit members?

McCann: There are direct correlations between how gangs and terrorist organizations recruit people. The single biggest difference is gangs don’t use the Internet, although they may use social media outlets, and there’s usually an in-person interaction that must occur with gang membership. The same is not true with terrorist recruitment.

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Janich: Both sell the concept that membership will allow you to be part of a community and be part of a “greater cause.” This concept can appeal to anyone but particularly to people who are not strong, independent thinkers.

Riddle: In the United States, we have young people who enter organized gangs. These people are down and out, have no home life, no job, no one leading them. They feel a connection to others who are like-minded and in the same down-and-out situation. A bond is made — this is their new family. On the other side, there are angry people around the world who dislike our government and what we stand for. These types can be found voicing their anger on the Internet. They are looking for a cause to be involved in, a cause to fight for.

(To be continued.)

A Strategic Plan to Sculpt and Stretch Your Biceps

Stretching is essential to avoid injury and the biceps are no exception to this rule.

Well-sculpted arms demonstrate a commitment to improving our fitness and strength. There are a multitude of different exercises one can do for larger and more defined arms.

To avoid injury during your daily exercise program, stretching is essential. This is another reason why I support and appreciate some forms of exercise like yoga, which can assist in strengthening posture, increasing flexibility, and giving a sense of internal peace and well-being.

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How Bruce Lee Taught Us to Transform the Human Body Into a Weapon

In all the Bruce Lee biographies that have been written, one theme stands out: He was ahead of his time in terms of both martial arts and physical training.

The list of professional athletes, media icons and everyday martial artists who have been inspired by his teachings is impressive — for good reason. When Lee moved, he embodied the perfect combination of efficiency, effectiveness and aesthetics. What made all that possible was his approach to physical development and health sustainment. With respect to that, a couple of aspects have always stood out.

The August/September 2015 issue of Black Belt, on sale until September 20.

First up is Bruce Lee’s scientific approach to martial arts training, which is well-documented in Tao of Jeet Kune Do, his comprehensive treatise on the art of fighting. By combining teachings from the East and the West, he laid the groundwork for a martial arts curriculum that addresses all aspects of the pursuit, including the spiritual/philosophical foundation, warm-up routine, psychology, and offense and defense.

Bruce Lee could do this because he was an academic at heart. He researched, analyzed, synthesized and documented his thought processes and findings. And he applied physics to his theories before he made them his conclusions. By being scientific, he was able to arrive at indisputable conclusions about what worked and what didn’t.

Bruce Lee: The Evolution of a Martial Artist, by Tommy Gong, is a bestseller with a 4.9-star rating on Amazon! Order your copy here.

Because of the growing popularity of the martial arts, more people are studying the arts’ effect on health, as well as the potential for injury. Their research is being conducted in the fields of sport science, physiology, medicine, nutrition and rehabilitation, among others. Once again, Bruce Lee was on the cutting edge. Why do I say this? Because his work is an important part of the academic lineage of the martial arts and because his ideas continue to be studied, discussed and, occasionally, refined.

In all that he did, Bruce Lee paid close attention to proper training and injury prevention. He knew that despite his incredible physique and physical abilities, he had to train consistently and properly to avoid injuries that might necessitate a break from training. Couple that with his hectic filmmaking schedule, and you’ll understand how much time management was required for him to maintain his skills at the highest level.

Example: Sports-medicine professionals always emphasize injury prevention. In the martial arts, practitioners are at great risk while landing after a jumping technique. Bruce Lee was well aware of such dangers.

In Tao of Jeet Kune Do (order here on Amazon), he articulates the importance of and strategies for minimizing injury. Specifically, he outlines warm-ups designed to “increase tissue elasticity, which lessens the liability to injury.” He also notes that different warm-ups are required for different activities and that routines need to be modified according to the practitioner’s age.

Download a free guide titled “Our Bruce Lee Movies List: Little-Known Trivia From Bruce Lee’s Pictures” here!

Another example of Bruce Lee’s forward-thinking methodologies comes from his weight-training advice: He implored martial artists to lift only an amount of weight they can handle without undue strain. This concept of training without exceeding one’s physiologic threshold is ideal in martial arts practice.

If you’re laid up because you lifted too much or used improper form, you’re unable to work on skill development. Even worse, the injury could become chronic or permanent, forever impairing your ability to improve in your art.

As stated in the introduction, Bruce Lee was ahead of his time. He put forth a comprehensive martial arts curriculum that incorporates awareness of one’s health and injury prevention. As I reflect on him, I continue to be impressed by his vast knowledge of and many contributions to the martial arts, which he viewed as both an art and a science.

To borrow a concept from politics: There’s hard power, there’s soft power and then there’s smart power, which combines the other two. By following Bruce Lee’s teachings, we can more efficiently develop smart power.

(“Bruce Lee” is a registered trademark of Bruce Lee Enterprises LLC. The Bruce Lee name, image and likeness are intellectual property of Bruce Lee Enterprises LLC.)

Robert Wang, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and a diplomat of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

3 Simple Exercises to Combat Slumped Shoulders

For those of you who sit for work or do a lot of driving, these exercises will settle your shoulders back where they need to be.

The purpose of this exercise is to correct scapular protraction. If that sounds unfamiliar, scapular protraction is the fancy term for slumped, rounded shoulders. This forward, strained position of desk-sitters can create a variety of shoulder and neck issues and these exercises will return the shoulders to a more neutral state.

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Is Arrow American Television’s Unwitting Take on the Kung Fu Underworld of Chinese Literature?

In April, I blogged about new TV shows that featured entertaining martial arts action but allowed their boldness to dwindle as seasons progressed. One of them was Arrow.

When it debuted on The CW, Arrow displayed impressive weapons choreography. However, during the fall 2014 season, the combat quality waned. It eventually culminated in a highly anticipated sword fight between Arrow, aka Oliver Queen (played by Stephan Amell), and the skilled-but-ruthless leader of the League of Assassins, aka Ra’s al Ghul (played by Matt Namble). It was a disappointing battle, to say the least.

Arrow’s expertise vanished — he seemed to forget how to move and wield a sword. Ra’s appeared less skilled than a quarterback averaging 10 interceptions per game. The episode caused me to stop watching the series, but my DVR kept recording it. That prompted me to give Arrow a second chance, and once I stopped scrutinizing the fights — wow!

Photo by Jordon Nuttall/2015 The CW Network

I’ve concluded that although Arrow is based on the superhero character Green Arrow, launched by DC Comics in 1941, the series comes across more like an old Chinese wuxia novel. I also noted a nod to World War I’s renowned Battle of Gallipoli (1915-16) — more on that later.

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Background: Jiang Hu is a staple of wuxia novels, a form of Chinese prose that gained repute during the Tang dynasty (618 – 907). The stories are romanticized tales of altruistic heroes with magical martial arts skills. Jiang Hu, meaning “rivers and lakes” in Chinese, is an alternative society composed of beggars and outcasts, as well as kung fu heroes and villains. They all coexist in communities that have their own laws and ethics.

The essence of wuxia can be seen in the Chinese characters that are used to write the word. Although wu means “martial,” the character’s components mean “to stop the fight.” Xia loosely translates as “chivalrous hero.” Anyone with virtue is described as xia. Thus, wuxia writings feature virtuous people who use martial arts skills and morality to do good deeds. This winds up being a perfect description for Arrow and his clan.

Photos by Cate Cameron/2015 The CW Network

Jiang Hu includes a sub-community called Wu Lin, in which inhabitants compete to be the head fighter, swordsman or clan leader. They strive to attain that position by adhering to the unwritten but respected ethical codes of loyalty and righteousness. Yet some avoid virtue and attain power via violence. This is reminiscent of Arrow’s Ra’s al Ghul, head of the League of Assassins.

In Chinese films, Jiang Hu is often called the Kung Fu Underworld. In it, clans frequently vie for a symbol of power — perhaps a secret martial arts book, a special weapon or an ancient emblem. Whoever possesses the symbol rules the underworld. The Arrow parallel: Whoever wears the full-finger golden ring becomes the Ra’s al Ghul.

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In 1915, when Mustafa Kamal of the Ottoman Turks arrived at the Battle of Gallipoli, the out-of-ammo Ottomans were retreating from the Allied forces. Kamal ordered them to fix bayonets, then famously said, “I don’t order you to fight; I order you to die.” The Ottomans won the battle, and Kamal became Turkey’s first president in 1923.

In an episode of Arrow titled “The Offer,” Ra’s paraphrases Kamal’s words to Oliver: “My men don’t have to kill for me; they have do die for me.” Then Ra’s explains that the League of Assassins has roots in the Koran and Muslim history.

Photos by Cate Cameron/2015 The CW Network

If Arrow consistently had good fights that didn’t tend to look alike, it could become a creative leader in the genre. It’s an ironic observation when you recall that in season 3, Malcolm teaches Thea how to fight, warning her to never use the same move twice. Unfortunately, that’s precisely what Arrow does: The action scenes have used the same techniques hundreds of times.

Nevertheless, I find Arrow intriguing because of its connection to Jiang Hu, Wu Lin and the wuxia genre. In fact, it’s that connection that makes me wonder how much of what comic-book creators have done since the 1930s stems from wuxia. It’s possible that they were so inspired by wuxia literature that they — knowingly or unknowingly — borrowed from them. Maybe that’s their “trade secret.” Just saying.

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Meet Cris Cyborg, the MMA Fighter With the Best Chance of Defeating Ronda Rousey

To her fans around the world, she’s a near-invincible fighter called “Cris Cyborg.” To her friends and family, she’s known as Cristiane Justino Venancio Santos. Either way, she’s an MMA killing machine with a professional record of 10-1-1.

Even while growing up in Curitiba, Brazil, she exhibited a love of competition. In high school, she built herself into a nationally ranked handball player. During a 2004 championship, she earned the attention of another competitor’s parent — that man turned out to be Rudimar Fedrigo, head instructor at the Chute Boxe Academy.

Chute Boxe is a renowned MMA gym in Brazil that started life as a muay Thai school. It’s cranked out some fearsome fighters, including Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Thiago Silva, Gabriel Gonzaga and Anderson Silva. Scoring an invite to train there, especially from the head instructor, was an honor Cyborg didn’t fully appreciate at the time.

In an interview, Fedrigo was asked why he invited the teenager to his academy. He said that while watching her play handball, he was struck by her athleticism — she appeared much stronger and better-conditioned than everyone else. All that potential was too much to resist, he said, so he invited her to take a free muay Thai class.

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Cyborg took him up on his offer, and four months later she found herself registered for her first MMA fight. She lost via a kneebar, then bounced right back and went the distance six months later against her next opponent, a far more experienced fighter, and wound up winning a unanimous decision.

The fighting phenom won her next three bouts, all via vicious KOs. It proved increasingly tough to find victims — rather, opponents — so Cyborg executed a course correction and began competing in muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling. In 2008 she signed with the EliteXC promotion and proceeded to defeat Shayna Baszler in her first bout.

Cyborg stayed with EliteXC for another fight, then signed with Strikeforce. Her first mission was to take on featherweight champion Gina Carano. The Brazilian knocked her out before the end of the first round.

Cyborg defended her title against three more opponents, winning with a knockout every time. After what would become her final title defense — a 16-second KO of Hiroko Yamanaka in December 2011 — Cyborg tested positive for a banned substance.

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Taking full responsibility for the infringement, she said it wasn’t intentional and apologized for not being more diligent in screening the supplements she took. The Yamanaka bout was changed to a no contest, and Cyborg was suspended for one year. That suspension ends in January 2013.

Because top-notch female fighters are still few and far between in the MMA world, the number of women in the 145-pound division ready to challenge Cyborg is precisely zero. That brings us to the present: MMA sensation and current Strikeforce bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey has called out Cyborg.

Ronda Rousey

If you think such a match would be easy to arrange, think again. Rousey insists that Cyborg drop to 135 pounds, while Cyborg maintains that medical experts have advised her against cutting that much weight because it would create a dangerously low level of body fat. Nevertheless, if fan interest stays high, the match could come about in 2013. If it does, it’ll certainly be one of the biggest MMA events of the year.

In the meantime, Cyborg keeps busy much the same way she did earlier in her MMA career when no one would fight her — by competing in other martial arts events. In 2011 and 2012 she placed first in the female purple-belt division at the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Obviously, her skills are still sharp and her drive is still there. Fans can be certain that once she’s free to fight again, sparks are going to fly.

Update: Since this article appeared in a 2013 special issue of Black Belt, Cyborg, now 30, has resumed her MMA career. Sherdog.com lists her record at 14-1-1. She continues to be considered the female fighter with the best chance of giving Ronda Rousey a run for her money. Noting that Cyborg has signed with the UFC, many MMA fans remain hopeful this will happen.

(Cris Cyborg Photos Courtesy of Stanley Day • Ronda Rousey Photo by Peter Lueders)

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