The Centurion

10/15/2019 7:00:00 AM

The Benefits of Martial Arts Training for Teens and Adults with Down Syndrome

By Guest Blogger: Dwight Trower

By Dwight Trower Originally published on the MAIA blog. In my many years as a martial artist and school owner, I have had the fortune of being able to instruct many students with Down Syndrome, as well as others on the autism spectrum and with various mental and physical disabilities. Given the inclusive nature of martial arts (no one sits on the bench!) I know that many of my fellow school owners have also had this experience. However, in 2010, thanks to Deidre Pujols and the Pujols Family Foundation, I was given the opportunity to do even more.

10/10/2019 7:00:00 AM

Bokator: The Martial Art Fighting its Way Back from the Dead

By Century Martial Arts

As mixed martial arts enjoy increasing popularity throughout the world, there is one martial art that is struggling to become known. Bokator is an ancient martial art from Cambodia that was all but extinguished during the reign of the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979.

10/8/2019 7:00:00 AM

Fighting Childhood Obesity with Martial Arts

By Century Martial Arts

Did you know that over 30% of children and adolescents in the US are overweight or obese? Fewer than a quarter of children get the recommended amount of physical activity a day: 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise. A child who is regularly physically active will be more likely to carry that habits into adulthood. On the flip side, a sedentary child will likely grow into a sedentary adult.

10/3/2019 7:00:00 AM

The Journey of Dan Kersten

By Sarah Lobban

It’s not uncommon for a person to get their start in martial arts because a parent pushed for them to take classes. In that way, Dan Kersten shares the beginning of his martial arts story with many others: he joined taekwondo in part because of his father. However, Kersten’s story diverges there.

10/1/2019 7:00:00 AM

The Rituals of Muay Thai

By Century Martial Arts

You’re probably already familiar with the brutality and beauty of muay thai. This ancient art of warriors and kings is heavily favored in modern MMA, and. However, muay thai tradition has a long history of rituals, superstitions and unique cultural views that are less common. Here is a brief history of the origin of muay thai and some of its more common rituals and meanings.

9/26/2019 7:00:00 AM

From East to West: A Quick History of the Nunchaku

By Century Martial Arts

If you’ve ever watched martial arts movies or cartoons, you’ve seen nunchaku in action. In the hands of experienced fighters and trained actors, they deliver movement that’s fluid, graceful, and even artistic. Bruce Lee popularized the weapon in America in the 1960s thanks to his famous films such as “Enter the Dragon.” Yet well before the master himself demonstrated its techniques on the silver screen, this legendary instrument had an awesome history that’s several centuries long.

9/24/2019 7:00:00 AM

Tahtib: A Living Artifact from Ancient Egypt

By Century Martial Arts

Tahtib is a little-known stick fighting discipline developed during Egypt’s pharaoh period. Its history has seen it used in combat, snubbed by its countrymen, and transformed into a type of folkloric dance, before its re-emergence as a martial art in recent years.

9/19/2019 7:00:00 AM

The High-Kicking King of Rock and Roll

By Century Martial Arts

Elvis Presley is an American icon for his love of both music and excess. When it came to enjoying himself, nothing could stop The King. However, there is a side to him that many people never realize existed.

9/17/2019 7:00:00 AM

The Way of the Knife: Self-Defense at Close Quarters

By Guest Blogger: William Tresten

The knife is as old as civilization itself, and still is the best tool for close-quarters self-defense. When I state this, I sometimes get some pushback from gun owners, usually along the lines of, “Well, if someone came at me with a knife I’d just shoot them,” or “Don’t you know what they say about bringing a knife to a gunfight?”

9/12/2019 7:00:00 AM

The Journey of Leo Howard

By Century Martial Arts

It takes discipline, focus and motivation to manage martial arts training, a hit TV show, and a budding film career. Leo Howard worked to master all three.