Intro to Martial Arts DVD with Naoyuki Taira

Martial arts have evolved as techniques for self-defense amidst the exchange of life itself. Developed over a long history, these techniques possess extremely refined systems. Naoyuki Taira conceived of applying these techniques to combat sports by elucidating them through contemporary knowledge and concepts, replacing them with understandable language. Techniques that might appear similar exhibit transformative power when incorporating martial arts concepts. Naoyuki Taira, who has continued to serve as a guidepost in the combat sports world, has once again made a significant impact!

Contents:

Three Dimensions

• Moving with awareness of three dimensions
• Internal movements with awareness of three dimensions
• Tackling with awareness of three dimensions
• Controlling one's weight

Gravity

• Using the soles of the feet
• Striking effectively using gravity
• Joint techniques leveraging gravity
• Balancing muscular strength and gravity

Connections

• Points for transmitting force
• Utilizing human body characteristics

Yin and Yang

• Finding advantageous positions

Applying Martial Arts to Combat Sports

• Differences between martial arts and combat sports
• Advancing ahead: Crushing without striking
• Advancing behind: Striking and crushing
• Diagonal combination to finish
• Moving the opponent to attack
• Following up with joint techniques
• Continuous force
• Changes in force due to form
• Understanding distance through martial arts

Utilizing Martial Arts in Combat Sports

• Training methods in combat sports
• Striking from outside fear
• Sparring with purpose
• Ground sparring

Naoyuki Taira Born on December 15, 1963, in Miyagi Prefecture. He began studying karate during junior high school (Kudo, Daido Juku) and moved to Tokyo, where he joined Shooto and became an instructor. Later, he switched to Shootboxing, where he engaged in numerous memorable matches against top competitors from around the world. In 1992, he transitioned to mixed martial arts at the "Martial Arts Olympics" hosted by Shodokan. Recognizing the emergence of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with the UFC, he promptly learned Jiu-Jitsu at Carley Gracie's dojo in San Francisco. In October 1995, he competed and won at the Barreto Brazil Open, thereafter becoming a prominent figure in Japan's Rings MMA circuit. With experience in various martial arts disciplines, his achievements on many mats earned him widespread attention, even becoming the model for a martial arts manga protagonist. Since retiring in 2003, he has continued to contribute to martial arts as a referee, columnist for martial arts magazines, and as the head of Straiplu, coaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and karate. Additionally, he explored various health practices to care for his body after years as a professional fighter, leading to his involvement with Sotaiho and as the head of the Daisotaiho Research Institute and advisor to the Tokyo Sotai Forum. He studies Taiki Shisei Kenpo under Masaaki Shimada and Yagyu Shingan-ryu under Kanji Shimazu.