Choi Kwang Do

BJJ, CKD, and injuries

2012-01-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

Back again. Been out of intense training for a while. I had a broken rib moths back from jiu-jitsu training. I also had elbow surgery caused from other sports. I'm not at 100%, but getting better everyday. I've been back training jiu-jitsu 1 to 2 days per week--what a cardio workout! A little rough on my elbow at times though. Also I'm back to teaching and training as if this coming Tuesday Choi Kwang Do--looking forward to honing my techniques.

In addition Grand Master Choi is turning 70 years old. What awesome shape the man is in. I hope when I'm 70 I can still kick, stretch and move like him.

http://choikwangdo.com/2011/12/choi-kwang-do-25th-seminar-anniversary/

Another man who appeared to be in awesome shape was, Grand Master Helio Gracie. The guy was still training Jiu-Jitsu till he was 95 years old, if I'm correct in saying. Wow!!!

Have a blessed day and Happy New Year!!!

Optimum Health

2011-06-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to all you dads.

Here is an excerpt from the CKD website that speaks to the health benefits of Choi Kwang Do Martial Arts.

"Choi Kwang Do will not only add years onto your life, but also life onto your years! The system is designed to enhance health, prevent disease and stimulate positive changes in the body and brain.

Chronic disease prevention, treatment and healthcare help people to live longer, happier and more productive lives. Statistics show that just 1 in approximately 10,000 Americans will live to reach 100 years of age. However, demographers are now projecting that by the middle of this century, possibly 800,000 Americans could live to 100 by maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.

Choi Kwang Do is ideal, not just to improve lifespan, but also to improve health span. Health span could be described as the total number of years an individual remains in good health. There is little point in living longer if the added years are unhealthy, unproductive, unhappy and painful.

Successful aging requires ongoing physical exercise and maintenance. Research and statistics now view aging in general as lifestyle related. Physical and mental deterioration is dependent on lifestyle and environmental influences: primarily improper diet and lack of exercise. With better lifestyle habits, including exercise, people can avoid many health problems."

In addition, Grandmaster Choi held a seminar in Michigan back in May 2011. The guy is almost 70 years old and is very impressive. See the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ueZInukIZk

Does anyone have any comments they'd like to share?

Pilsung! Michael

Choi Kwang Do Association!!!

2011-02-01T09:12:00.001-08:00

Check out our new Choi kwang Do Association web site:

http://www.ckdassociation.com/

Let us know what you think!

Pil Sung! Michael

Some Choi Kwang Do history...

2010-12-24T12:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!!

Here's a little history taken from a Wikipedia quote:

"Choi Kwang Do was founded by Kwang Jo Choi, who was born in South Korea before emigrating to Canada in the early 1970s. Choi was a successful ITF Tae Kwon Do practitioner and trainer (serving as a chief instructor) before establishing his own style.

While teaching and demonstrating ITF Tae Kwon Do in South East Asia, Kwang Jo Choi became injured through his training and demonstrations to the point where he was unable to continue with the discipline. So he left Malaysia (where he was demonstrating at the time) for North America, in the hope of finding orthopedic surgeons who would be able to help with his injuries.

Determining that the injuries were caused by the way he was performing martial arts, Choi undertook rehabilitative exercises, attended various seminars and studied techniques for rehabilitation. Choi claims that he incorporated these techniques into his own fighting style, and from that he developed Choi Kwang Do.

Today, Choi Kwang-Do is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and is taught in numerous countries including the United Kingdom with schools in England, Scotland and Wales."

Here's a pretty cool documentary of Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi and how Choi Kwang Do was developed.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzeKN1D8LRo

Check out the five documentary videos on Youtube as noted above. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks! Michael

Benefits of Choi Kwang Do

2010-09-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Exercise and Your Brain

This information is cited from the Choi Kwang Do International website:

Exercise Increases Brain Growth Factor And Receptors, Prevents Stem Cell Drop In Middle AgeScienceDaily (Nov. 27, 2008) — A new study confirms that exercise can reverse the age-related decline in the production of neural stem cells in the hippocampus of the mouse brain, and suggests that this happens because exercise restores a brain chemical which promotes the production and maturation of new stem cells.Neural stem cells and progenitor cells differentiate into a variety of mature nerve cells which have different functions, a process called neurogenesis.

There is evidence that when fewer new stem or progenitor cells are produced in the hippocampus, it can result in impairment of the learning and memory functions. The hippocampus plays an important role in memory and learning. The study was carried out by researchers at the National Cheng Kung University Medical College in Taiwan.
Rise in corticosterone or fall in nerve growth factor?

The researchers built on earlier studies that found that the production of stem cells in the area of the hippocampus known as the dentate gyrus drops off dramatically by the time mice are middle age and that exercise can slow that trend. In the current study, the researchers wanted to track these changes in mice over time, and find out why they happen.One hypothesis the researchers investigated is that the age-related decline in neurogenesis is tied to a rise in corticosterone in middle age. Elevation of corticosterone has been associated with a drop in the production of new stem cells in the hippocampus.The second hypothesis is that nerve growth factors -- which encourage new neural cell growth but which decrease with age -- account for the drop in neurogenesis. Specifically, the study looked at whether a decrease in brain-derived neurotrophic growth factor leads to a decline in new neural stem cells.

Variables studied

The researchers trained young (3 months), adult (7 months), early middle-aged (9 months), middle-aged (13 months) and old (24 months) mice to run a treadmill for up to one hour a day.The study tracked neurogenesis, age, exercise, serum corticosterone levels and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB levels in the hippocampus. The researchers focused on middle age as a critical stage for the decline of neurogenesis in the mice.As expected, the study found that neurogenesis drops off sharply in middle-aged mice. For example, the number of neural progenitor and mitotic (dividing) cells in the hippocampus of middle-aged mice was only 5% of that observed in the young mice.The researchers also found that exercise significantly slows down the loss of new nerve cells in the middle-aged mice. They found that production of neural stem cells improved by approximately 200% compared to the middle-aged mice that did not exercise. In addition, the survival of new nerve cells increased by 170% and growth by 190% compared to the sedentary middle-aged mice. Exercise also significantly enhanced stem cell production and maturation in the young mice. In fact, exercise produced a stronger effect in younger mice compared to the older mice.

How does this happen?

Based on these results, it appears that nerve growth factor has more to do with these findings than the corticosterone:

The middle-aged exercisers had more brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its receptor, TrkB, compared to the middle-aged mice that did not exercise. This suggests that exercise promotes the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor which, in turn, promotes differentiation and survival of new brain cells in the hippocampus.
Exercise did not change the basal level of serum corticosterone in middle-aged mice. This suggests that the reduction of neurogenesis during aging is not due to the drop in corticosterone levels.

Journal reference:1. Wu et al. Exercise enhances the proliferation of neural stem cells and neurite growth and survival of neuronal progenitor cells in dentate gyrus of middle-aged mice. Journal of Applied Physiology, 2008; 105 (5): 1585 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.90775.2008

How can Choi Kwang Do Help?

According to Choi Kwang Do concepts and principles, which apply modern scientific principles , training Choi Kwang Do patterns sustained for 45 min to 1 hour, four to six times a week, may stimulate brain for production of neurotrophins (neurotrophins are a family of proteins that induce the survival and development and function of neurons) that promote the survival of neurons and will decrease drop off of production of new brain cells.

Patterns are performed to 75-85% of maximum target heart rate with proper abdominal breathing. Practitioner must focus and concentrate on each movement without the distraction of music or outside interference. Harnessing our thoughts on our movements and abdominal breathing will significantly increase the perfection of movement and stimulation of the brain.When performing Choi Kwang Do techniques wide range of motion is utilized. Using proper biomechanical movement will generate maximum power and prevent injury. Learning new movements through Choi Kwang Do patterns will help to promote creation of new brain cells and help to challenge the practitioner. Performing Choi Kwang Do patterns will help to prevent muscular imbalance and evenly condition the right and left side of the body. Each movement is performed evenly with both arms and legs. Using frontal, sedital and transverse motion will also help improve our balance and strengthen our core muscle group.

Thanks for reading! CKD is truly revolutionary!

Black Belt Testing Done!!!

2010-05-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

May 15th was the black belt test. This puts myself and some others at 1st degree. It was a grueling test in terms of stamina. The whole test was approximately 3 hours in length.

The first part we had to perform all patterns from white to brown senior, one after another, together with each other. Then we perform the same but on our own time.

From there, we demonstrated every kick and strike we've learned also in reps of 8 to 16, right and left side. Furthermore we demonstrated our speed drills for each belt level--I think that's about 18 in all. I was spent at this point, approximately 1-1/2 into the test.

The later half, we repeated our highest patterns, techniques, etc. We then went into defense drills on air shields and followed that up with sparring.

We concluded with board breaks. It was a tough day, but it was worth it!

PilSung!

Just finished color belts!

2010-04-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

There was a color belt test on 4/10/2010. My youngest son tested for his senior brown belt. At the end of the test there was board breaking. He needed to break two boards with a spinning side kick. The first kick he didn't break them--the look on his face, to me, was, "holy smokes, that's harder than I thought." The second kick, he broke both boards. That was a very good kick for a young person. I'm really proud of him.

Everybody who tested did really well.

There were some really young children also--I'd say as young as 6. It's a riot watching these kids. They did really well. It's a lot to remember all of those patterns. Regardless, they did a really great job.

Pil Sung!

Black belt testing is in MAY!

2009-12-31T16:31:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know what Choi Kwang Do is, please read on:

"Choi Kwang Do is a unique martial art based on scientific principles and developed to promote optimum health, fitness and self-defense, not winners in sports competitions.

Choi Kwang Do was developed by Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi between 1978 and 1987 and has proved to be the most effective martial arts system in the world.

Choi Kwang Do's natural, easy-to-learn, sequential movements maximize your body's force-producing capabilities, but more importantly, they increase opportunities to enhance your health. It's a unique program based on modern scientific principles from human anatomy, physiology (the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms), psychology (the science of mental life), kinesiology (the branch of physiology that studies mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement), neurophysiology (the branch of neuroscience that studies the physiology of the nervous system) and biomechanics (human movement science).

Choi Kwang Do is not designed for competition and does not have the intensity of sports training. The system is meant for the average individual who wants to learn real-life, practical self-defense skills and achieve a greater level of health and well-being, not people solely interested in winning trophies.

Because it's a noncontact, nonfighting, noncompetitive art that stresses mental, physical, emotional and social development, Choi Kwang Do promotes nonviolent resolutions to conflict, practical solutions to cardiovascular improvement, and enjoyable methods of exercise. In addition, with competition removed, students can continually develop-not against each other, but with each other.

With a progressive system from White belt to highest level of Black belt, Choi Kwang Do always offers you something new and challenging to learn, experience and enjoy.

Our training is based on individual needs, capabilities, skill levels and age. Our students range in years from 3 to 90+, and some of our instructors are over 70.

Since our primary goals are to prevent or reduce illness and disease and to promote optimum health and longevity by minimizing degeneration of body and mind, we also welcome those with limitations, such as individuals who use wheelchairs, who are amputees, who are blind, and who have maladies such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis.

Everyone is welcome at Choi Kwang Do".

Grand Master Kwang Jo Choi .

Belt Testing

2009-09-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

All Choi Kwang Do students--don't forget belt testing is at the Shelby Choi Kwang Do dojang on Saturday October 10th. Call for start times. Pil Sung!

2009-08-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

Check out Grand Master Choi last year at a Michigan conference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwHoi733KVk

He's 67 years old. He's very small, but packs a huge wallop!

2009-08-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

Choi Kwang Do is the type of martial art that can be practiced for life--virtually free from injury. It is extremely well rounded. It's great for cardio, muscle building, memory, self defense, etc. If anyone has any questions regarding the style, etc., Please let me know. I would love to explain! Michael

2009-08-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

In Choi Kwang Do, I believe one can generate the most powerful strike in comparison to any other martial art known...due to nature of body mechanics.

For instance, note the rear front punch: you may start in a slightly crouched, half front stance position, with fists up, elbows bent down like a boxer at 45 degrees. Then chamber your rear arm and fist back horizontally while simultaneously torquing/pivoting your body in the opposite direction creating an elastic, "rubber band" stretch of your (punching) shoulder and chest muscles. Allow the torque movement and stretch to whip your arm and fist forward while plantar flexing your back foot to drive your fist through and past the target. Keep in mind, do not allow the joint to lockout or this can cause damage and pain.

All of these motions are accelerating dynamically and in overlapping succession. It's difficult to articulate via written explanation without a physical demonstration. However I think you get the point.

It's like a pitcher throwing a baseball. The impact is unmatched with this technique as well as a pitcher's.

Michael

2009-08-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

I believe Choi Kwang Do is a very good martial art for most everyone. There is no competition (necessarily)--everyone advances at their own pace. The cardio portion of Choi Kwang Do is quite rounded. Also is utilizes strength training techniques through the use of punches, kicks, strikes, etc., against targets. Is there anyone out there that would agree or disagree? Any comments?

Michael