Joel Williams

I am a husband, father, and health science professor. I've had the honor of serving Global Martial Arts University as Content Director since 2019. GMAU is the industry leader in online martial arts training. Welcome to the family!

Military Combatives vs Civilian Self Defense

Krav Maga / By / / , , , , , , , ,

Combatives is a general term for hand-to-hand combat systems primarily used by members of the military. These systems focus on simple, proven, war zone survival and fighting techniques that can be learned in a short period of time. Some military combatives systems have been adapted for use by law enforcement, security professionals and civilians. This blog post provides an overview of military combatives and how they differ from civilian self-protection systems such as the GMAU Krav Maga course.

Hojo Undo: “Old School” Martial Arts Strength Training

Fitness / By / / , , , , , , , ,

Hojo undo is a term in martial arts, particularly associated with Okinawan styles like Karate. It refers to supplementary training exercises that help develop strength, conditioning, and techniques. Hojo undo aims to enhance a practitioner’s physical abilities and reinforce the principles of their martial art. Read on to learn more about these “old school” strength training methods.

Types of Nunchaku

Nunchaku / By / / , , , , , , , ,
Sensei Adam with Nunchuks

Nunchaku are made of different types of materials and come in a variety of shapes. The choice of nunchaku material and shape depends on personal preference and the intended use – whether it’s for traditional martial arts, training, self-defense, or performance. Read on to learn more about the different types of nunchaku!

Muay Thai in Media & Entertainment

Muay Thai / By / / , , , , , , , , , ,
Muay Thai

Muay Thai, a martial art from Thailand, is an exciting combative sport and self-defense system that is wildly popular. Also known as “The Art of 8 Limbs”, Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand, and its skills and strategies are often integrated into self-defense training programs. If you watch MMA fights or a new martial arts movie, you will likely see Muay Thai featured prominently. In this blog post, we highlight some of the areas of media where Muay Thai shines.

The Story of Shotokan

Uncategorized / By / / , , , , , , , , ,
Karatedo Shotokan Image Source: Adobe Stock by sergiolnqueiroz

Shotokan Karate is the most well-known style of karate worldwide. It is a uniquely Japanese art that has a very interesting story regarding its origins and what we know as the art today. Shotokan karate has become one of the most practiced styles of karate, with millions of practitioners around the world. Read on to learn more about the history of this amazing style.