Martial Arts Articles by Dana Abbott

Shihan Dana Abbott born in San Francisco in 1956 has spent the last quarter century devoting his life to the study of martial arts in Japan and the USA. Prior to his Japanese experience he graduated from Arizona State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1978. He has taught and conducted seminars in over 30 countries. Dana Abbott's bladed weapon experience is extensive and well polished. He holds the esteemed rank of Kyoshi, in the sword art of Goshindo, obtained at the Hombu Dojo in Yokohama, Japan.
(Biography) (Martial Arts Books By Shihan Dana Abbott)

USADOJO.COM spent time with Shihan Dana Abbott discussing his unique training methods in the sword arts. We asked him about his training and the love he has for the sword and his goal to pass that love on to his students.
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It was about four in the afternoon and my flight was on its final approach.  As we broke through the clouds on this long 12 hour journey, I, again, was amazed at the vast differences between my country and the Land of the Rising Sun.

Early the next morning I dial Master Tanabe, who is and has been a prominent and respected figure in the Japanese martial arts community for close to a half Century.  (Read Article)

In the following few paragraphs I want to explain the “nuts and bolts” and the “hows and wherefores” for the usage of swords of Japanese origin. Learning how to understand the rudiments of each weapon is of the utmost importance if you are ever going to learn, teach or wield a sword. (Read Article)

Security and law enforcement personnel have long had numerous baton training programs befitting the times, culture, trends and the ever increasing human rights factor. These training programs and refresher courses are mandatory annually. In today’s global society with its humanitarian ways, law and security enforcement officers can not inflict cruel or unusual punishment on a citizen or suspect. The repercussions of doing so are inevitable and very costly to the agency when enforcing that country’s particular laws and interests.
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By Lin Conklin When we think about swords and the martial arts involving swords, we seldom think of children.  It seems that the cutting blade and young people don’t mix well….or at least that’s the belief in America, when in fact, I suggest  that there are ways to introduce the sword at early ages with extraordinary benefits without introducing major risk of injury. (Read Article)

Over the last 30 years there has been a lot of hoopla about all the different styles and facets of martial arts and the weaponry surrounding it, especially, when it comes to discussing “the way of the sword” by today’s generation. After World War II, the secrets of the Orient could be easily found in everyday reading materials hence the generation of the baby boomers became mesmerized with folklore from countries with eons of history.
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The best block is no block at all!! With that said, it is well known and documented that if you try to block an incoming weapon’s strike with your bare extremity, such as a forearm, it will definitely result in pain and more likely injury. Side stepping the strike and letting it safely pass you by is far more advantageous to you. (Read Article)

Picture this, the head master grasps the student's hand as if he were going to shake it in a greeting, but, in essence, he is starting the student's training. He explains that this is how you grasp a weapon as he withdraws his hand from the student's replacing it with a sword.  The student has just now discovered how warriors have been educated since the beginning of time and this small learning process is an excellent start on their way to mastery of the sword.  (Read Article)

by Dave Mc Neil I feel that my bona fides are in place when it comes to hard, hot workouts. So when Dana Abbott, the owner of ActionFlex, invited me to come to Phoenix, in August, for a weekend of intense Chanbara training, I was not intimidated. I did start to get a little nervous when Dana called back twice to remind me to bring plenty of water and bananas. (Read Article)

Over the last 30 years there has been a lot of hoopla about all the different styles and facets of martial arts and the weaponry surrounding it, especially, when it comes to discussing “the way of the sword” by today’s generation. After World War II, the secrets of the Orient could be easily found in everyday reading materials hence the generation of the baby boomers became mesmerized with folklore from countries with eons of history.
(Read Article)

The patterned sound of click clack, click clack, click clack is heard as the modern stick fighter's weapon goes through various blocking and striking motions.  These clicks and clacks resemble the orchestrated beats of music, starting out slowly and building speed.  Over time one will be able to execute numerous stick patterns creating a flurry of dust and wind as wood and rattan sticks clash.  With practice one could obtain a spot on the school band playing the sticks adjacent to the bell and the triangle players. (Read Article)

There is now a venue open to martial artists and combatants from around the world. Competing with no restrictions, at full speed and power, in the Ultimate Physical Game of Chess. Participants do not have to be 250-pound guys that beat on each other in cages nor have to train and study for years just to test their skill. Full-contact weapon sparring is thousands of years old, but in the year 2002 innovation allows fighting without the hindrance of pain and injury. (Read Article)

In the world of knife fighting there is an unspoken rule. Go in, cut and get out unscathed. It is that simple, but we often run into knife techniques that show excessive movements, grandiose flourishes and pomp. This does not imply that these techniques are weak; it merely suggests that many employ techniques that are more or less theatrical and impractical. (Read Article)