Master Michael Muleta recently ran a Seminar for the Kenryukan Karate Jutsu Dojo in Brisbane.
The seminar was organized and hosted by highly respected Australian martial artist, Shihan Nigel McReaddie.
Michael Muleta is an 8th Degree Black Belt (ITF) a master instructor, international coach and A-class referee.
The participants, made up of senior instructors from Shihan’s and Sensei’s, along with seasoned international competitors, enjoyed a ‘wheelbarrow’ full of technical tips and tricks on utilising both hand and foot technique for competition (contact) oriented sparring.
In a comprehensive high paced session, Master Muleta was able to provide value to the very experienced participants, adding to their existing knowledge and skills in sparring; feints, counters, reading your opponent, setting up, distancing, posture, balance, stability, timing, stretching, and so on.
Drawing upon his experience as a Senior Physical Education teacher, and CEO of Global Fitness Institute, Master Muleta also spent some of the time discussing physical preparation for training and sparring.
It was very much a mutually respectful ‘learning environment’ at the Kenryukan, with like-minded martial artists across multiple styles, sharing knowledge and commonality.
We would like to thank Shihan McReaddie and the crew at the Kenryukan for the unique opportunity, and the honour of being invited to share some training experiences together.
Master Michael Muleta is available to all schools and martial arts for seminars across a wide range of topics from technical training, competition training, self defense, umpiring, event organization, fitness, strength and conditioning, first aid, nutrition, sports psychology, and school promotions and management, and business.
The history of Korean martial arts, often referred to as “Muye” or “Muyedobotongji,” is rich and diverse, with a lineage that dates back thousands of years. They have been influenced by various factors, including indigenous Korean fighting systems, Chinese martial arts, Japanese martial arts, and more.
Here’s an overview of the history of Korean martial arts:
Ancient Korea:
Korea has a long history of indigenous martial arts, some of which were documented in ancient texts such as the “Samguk Sagi” and “Samguk Yusa.” These texts mention the use of martial arts in battles and competitions as far back as the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC – 668 AD).
Influence from China:
During the Three Kingdoms period, Korean warriors were exposed to Chinese martial arts techniques through cultural exchanges and conflicts with Chinese forces.
Silla Dynasty:
The Silla Kingdom (57 BC – 935 AD) is known for developing a unique martial art called “Hwa Rang Do.” The Hwa Rang were an elite group of young warriors who trained in various combat skills, ethics, and philosophy.
Goryeo Dynasty:
The Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) saw further development of Korean martial arts. The “Muyejebo,” an illustrated manual, documented various martial techniques, weapons, and training methods during this period.
Joseon Dynasty:
The Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) contributed significantly to the codification and organization of martial arts. The “Muyejebo Beonyeok” (1599) and “Muyedobotongji” (1790) are important texts that outlined the various martial techniques of the time.
Japanese Occupation:
During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), many aspects of Korean culture, including martial arts, were suppressed. Some Korean martial arts masters continued to practice in secret.
Post-World War II:
After World War II and the liberation of Korea from Japanese rule, martial arts experienced a revival. Various martial arts schools and organizations were established. Taekwondo, a Korean martial art known for its high kicks and dynamic movements, was officially recognized in 1955.
Taekwondo gained international recognition and was adopted as an official Olympic sport in 2000. It has since become one of the most widely practiced martial arts worldwide.
Other Korean Martial Arts:
Besides Taekwondo, there are many other Korean martial arts with distinct styles and techniques. Some of these include Hapkido, Tang Soo Do, Kuk Sool Won, and more.
Modern Developments:
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional Korean martial arts and their historical roots. Efforts to preserve and promote these arts continue.
Korean martial arts are diverse, encompassing striking techniques, grappling, self-defense, and traditional weapon forms. They emphasize not only physical prowess but also mental discipline and moral values.
Their history reflects the nation’s cultural heritage and its enduring commitment to preserving these ancient traditions.
What are some of the characteristics of the different martial arts of Korea ?
Taekwondo:
Kicks: Taekwondo is renowned for its high, fast, and powerful kicks, including the roundhouse/turning kick, sidekick, and axe/downward kick.
Emphasis on speed and agility: Taekwondo practitioners focus on quick and precise movements.
Forms or Patterns (Poomsae / Tul): Practitioners learn a series of choreographed movements to develop technique and discipline.
Competitive Sparring: Taekwondo features Olympic-style sparring (WT), with points awarded for controlled and accurate kicks or Traditional type sparring (ITF) which also features more emphasis on hand techniques as well as kicks.
Hapkido:
Joint locks and throws: Hapkido places a strong emphasis on joint manipulation, throws, and locks for self-defense.
Circular motions: Techniques often use circular movements to redirect an opponent’s force.
Pressure points: Hapkido practitioners may target specific pressure points for incapacitation.
Practical self-defense: Hapkido is known for its practical and versatile self-defense applications.
Tang Soo Do:
Hand and foot techniques: Tang Soo Do incorporates both hand and foot techniques, often focusing on powerful strikes.
Forms (Hyung): Forms help develop discipline, balance, and technique.
Traditional uniforms: Practitioners wear doboks with specific belt colors to denote rank.
Focus on discipline and respect: Tang Soo Do emphasizes the mental and spiritual aspects of martial arts.
Kuk Sool Won:
Comprehensive system: Kuk Sool Won encompasses a wide range of techniques, including strikes, joint locks, throws, and weapons.
Forms (Hyung): Practitioners learn forms that include various techniques and combinations.
Weapons training: Kuk Sool Won includes training with traditional Korean weapons like the staff, sword, and fan.
Healing techniques: It incorporates traditional Korean healing methods and acupressure.
Gumdo (Kumdo):
Swordsmanship: Gumdo focuses on the use of the Korean sword, known as the “katana.”
Forms (Hyung): Practitioners learn various forms that simulate combat scenarios with the sword.
Cutting practice: Students often practice precision cutting with a sharp blade on bamboo or straw targets.
Emphasis on discipline and etiquette: Gumdo places importance on the mental aspects of martial arts.
Sunmudo:
Meditation and breathing: Sunmudo combines martial arts with meditation and deep breathing exercises for physical and mental well-being.
Circular movements: Techniques involve circular motions and flowing forms.
Stress relief and relaxation: Sunmudo aims to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Minimal contact sparring: Sunmudo typically avoids heavy sparring, focusing more on meditation and energy cultivation.
These are just a few examples of Korean martial arts, each with its own unique characteristics, techniques, and philosophies. Additionally, there are many more traditional and modern variations within the Korean martial arts spectrum.
Congratulations to all the new black belts who were tested and successfully promoted over the past 2 weeks in both Newcastle and Rockhampton.
Master Michael Muleta, 8th Degree, travelled to Newcastle, NSW early June to conduct some Black Belt Examinations and an ITF Masterclass at the Titan Martial Arts school. Some black belts had also been promoted the week before, by Sabum Michael Omay.
Those promoted included:
Michael Omay 6th Degree
Scott Gannon, 5th Degree
Sam Wilson, 5th Degree
Alex Sorensen, 4th Degree
Simon Aliendi, 3rd Degree
James Magill, 3rd Degree
Chris Streets, 3rd Degree
Archer Woller, 2nd degree
Tim Kerkhoff, 2nd Degree
Maclean Davis, 1st Degree
Travis Charlton, 1st Degree
Sapphire Tabas, 1st Degree
Tiarne Sattler, 1st Degree
Kalleah Sattler, 1st Degree
Amy Burke, 1st Degree
Jerrome Teasdale, 1st Degree
The following week, Master Muleta travelled to Rockhampton for more Masterclasses and a Black Belt grading. The successful new Black belt promotion was:
Nikki Olzard, 3rd Degree
The next round of Black Belt exams and Masterclasses with Master Muleta will be held in Canberra, ACT over the weekend on 8-10th, July 2022.
Violence against women is a serious and widespread issue in Australia, as well as throughout the world. And while the long term goal is education to stop violence against women, there are actionable strategies women can employ, right now. Here are 7 very simple reasons you should consider taking a women’s self defense class.
1 – Don’t Become a Statistic
Frankly, the statistics in Australia alone are frightening. At least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner. One in three women have experienced physical violence. 300,000 women a year experience physical or sexual violence from a stranger.
Violence against women contributes to more death, disability and illness to women between 15 and 44 than any other preventable risk factor. Learning self-defense gives you the power to avoid becoming one of these statistics, now.
2 – Prevention and Awareness
As teens and adults we become increasingly fixated on the front and our devices, often being unaware of what’s around us. You work with an experienced instructor to develop strategies that work best for you against a variety of opponents, attacks and situations. Above all, women’s self defense teaches us awareness and prevention.
3 – Take Control for Yourself and Other Women
Women’s self defense is about taking safety into our own hands. Taking a Self defense class is our chance to take action in our own lives, to take control of our own present and future. The fact is, crimes against women happen and will continue to happen.
Women’s self defense classes can help prevent us becoming victims. Knowing how to defend ourselves gives us a better chance of stopping attacks and even lessening attacks against women in the future.
4 – Great Exercise!
Self defense classes, at the end of the day, can also be a great source of exercise, working a range of vital parts of your body. It not only exercises your body physically, it also exercises your mind, reactions and reflexes. It is also an incredible way of exercising your own power and confidence.
You do not have to be physically strong to be successful at self-defense. If you can learn to successfully escape or prevent a dangerous situation, then you are exercising good self-defense.
5 – Be Accountable
As women, we are constantly encouraged to be accountable for ourselves. We are told to be accountable for our finances. We are told to account for our stress and encouraged to be accountable for our health, weight and diet, along with our workouts and fitness.
It stands to reason that we should be accountable for our self defense. Is it really so hard to add a self defense class to our routine as we would add the latest yoga, pilates or work out fad? However, unlike a fad, this is something that will actually make a monumental, positive change to our lives.
6 – Be Feminine
There is a terrible misconception – unfortunately perpetuated by mass media – that self defense is unfeminine and unattractive. These dangerous articles claim that women who pursue self defense are masculine, “jacked up” and have a distasteful love for violence. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
In fact, many models, actresses and even pageant winners are devotees of women’s self defense. Women’s self defense is incredibly feminine because it is empowering. Encouraging women to take self defense is a beautiful, inspiring thing. So, ignore the dangerous misconceptions of mainstream media and enjoy learning self defense.
7 – Do Something Now
Of course we need better education to end violence against women and men. Violence of all kinds is unacceptable. Unfortunately, though, education is long term and may not be able to help you today, tomorrow or even next year. That is why women’s self defense education is important. This is something that can happen now. Women’s self defense provides functional strategies, techniques and training methods to stop an attacker intent on hurting you.
It gives you the security and confidence, right now, that you can protect yourself should the need arise. Unfortunately, no matter how well intended, ideologies can’t do that. So until education catches up with reality, keep yourselves safe. Invest in women’s self defense today.
With much of the country still in lockdown, and interstate borders closed, our executive committee have taken the decision to make our annual Australian Championships the2021 ITF Online Nationals.
The event is open to all ITF practitioners, regardless off age, rank or affiliation.
We ask all instructors to do their best to support this event with as many enthusiastic students as possible.
As it is now an online nationals, and after the wonderful support of our previous online events, we also welcome international participants to take part.
Personal Training is an option for those looking for 1-on-1 Self Defense sessions, under the expert tuition of Master Michael Muleta, 8th Degree Black Belt.
Similarly, if you wish to book a self defense course for your workplace, school or club Contact us .
Why women need to learn self defence ?
Violence against women is a serious and widespread issue in Australia, as well as throughout the world. While the long term goal is education to stop violence against women, there are strategies women can employ right now.
Here are our 7 very simple reasons you should consider taking a women’s self defense class.
This week sees us celebrate the 55 year anniversary of the formation of the International Taekwon-Do Federation.
On March 22nd, 1966, General Choi Hong Hi (dec) formed the International Taekwon-do Federation (I.T.F) in Seoul, Korea. At the time it had associations in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, America, Turkey, Italy, Egypt and Korea.
The years that followed saw Taekwon-Do spread like wildfire to become the most practiced martial art in the World.
The now iconic and coveted ITF badge and plaque were designed by Grandmaster Kim Jong Chan (JC) for the ITF. Grandmaster JC Kim was very instrumental in the formation of the ITF. He designed and taught the 1st International Instructor’s courses, ITF Umpires courses, and later hosted the 1st ITF World Championships.
In 1972, the International Taekwon-Do Federation headquarters moved from Seoul, Korea to Toronto, Canada.
The first ITF World championships was held in 1974, in Montreal, Canada.
Early pioneer demonstration teams included famous names such as Rhee Ki Ha, Choi Chang Keun, Park Jong Soo, Kong Yong Il, Han Cha Kyo, Kim Jong Chan, Choi Kwang Jo and others.
In 1985 the ITF headquarters moved to Vienna, Austria.
by 1993, the first ITF Junior World Championships was held in Moscow, Russia.
In 1997, GM Rhee Ki Ha was the first person promoted to the rank of 9th Degree, Grandmaster by General Choi Hong Hi and the International Taekwon-Do Federation. On the 55 year anniversary, today there are now many ITF Grandmasters.
By 2000, General Choi, the Founder of Taekwon-Do, was announced by Taekwon-Do Times magazine, as the most influential martial artist on the century.
General Choi sadly passed away on 15 June 2002 in Pyongyang, North Korea. Choi is listed in the Taekwondo Hall of Fame with various titles: “Father of Taekwon-Do,” “Founder and First President of the International Taekwon-Do Federation,” and “Founder of Oh Do Kwan.”
General Choi is survived by his wife, Choi Joon Hee; his son, Choi Jung Hwa; two daughters, Sunny and Meeyun; and several grandchildren.
We wish all of those persons who have been members and valuable contributors of the International Taekwon-Do Federation through its 55 year journey…. a very happy anniversary.
Thank you to General Choi Hong Hi and all the original pioneers of the ITF for their vision and dedication.
We are pleased to inform all our UITF supporters the the United ITF Australian National Championships has now become an International Championships.
Apart from our strong level of domestic support, we also have over 50 international entries. Competitors have signed up from Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Scotland, Wales and England so far.
You will film yourself, or be filmed at your club/class, performing you patterns or routines.
You will upload these performances to a designated folder online, and our panel of judges will watch them, judge them and score them.
On the weekend of 3rd October, all videos will be switched from ‘Private’ to ‘Public’ settings so you can watch every one in your category.
We will announce the results and promote the winning performances on our social media platforms, websites and other means.
You can view them, share them with family, friends and club mates.
Placegetters will have medals posted to their instructor (if classes in your area are still running), or directly to the address on your form, if you are in a lockdown area.
After a tremendous level of international support, all videos are now locked in and and panel of judges are going through each to determine the final placings.
Thank you to all participants from Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, Nepal, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Cook Islands, India and China.
With almost 170 videos submitted, covering Patterns, Team Patterns, SelfDefense and Multi-breaking, there are some great quality performances from young an old.
We are pleased to announce the release of the first volume of our Self Defense Manual.
The Self Defense Manual is in EBook format and includes 36 pages of easy to follow, but effective, sequences and video links.
The manual is intended to be a useful learning resource for instructors and students alike, to assist them in their own lessons, demonstrations or grading preparations.
The Manual includes step by step-by-step photos accompanied by corresponding step-by-step instructions.
Enjoy some samples below.
Contents include:
Self Defense against Single Lapel grab
Self Defense against Twin lapel grab
Self Defense against Rear Shoulder grab
Self Defense against a Front Choke
Self Defense against a Rear Choke
Self Defense against Side Headlock
Self Defense against Rear Bear Hug
Self Defense against a Charging Opponent
Self Defense against a Jab / Cross combination
Self Defense against a Front Kick
Self Defense after being Felled
Self Defense against Straight Knife Thrust
Self Defense against Punch / Front Kick combination
defense class is our chance to take action in our own lives, to take control of our own present and future. The fact is, crimes against women happen and will continue to happen.
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