This Martial Arts website uses body, spirit and mind to construct an excellent example of the quality and amount of information you can put on your website.
http://www.taichiacademy.com.au/default.htm
I am very interested in Martial Arts, as I've been training in Tai Chi on and off for ten years as well as an Internal Martial Art called Wu Dao Gong for a year and a half. I have searched many websites to find a good one to write about but none seem to compare to the site by the actual organization that I am fortunately part of. They are called the Tai Chi Academy and their online magazine can be found at a link from their homepage or at: http://www.taichiacademy.com.au/magazine/index.htm
What I find so remarkable about this site compared to other martial art sites is the variety and depth of information shared with visitors. These people really want to paint a true, honest picture about everything that they do and why they do it. 'Flow like a river, and be still like a mountain.' This famous Tai Chi quote epitomizes the flowing yet static style of this website. There must be at least a hundred pages about everything from basic school principles for prospective students to recipes for healthy vegetarian food recipes! Martial Arts are a lifestyle to this school and I believe they want to address all aspects of life in a truly holistic approach.
Integrated throughout the site are heaps of photos (most of which are in vibrant color) depicting the actual training as well as cool photos of their field trips to China etc. The magazine site itself is separated into main categories such as Archived Features, Testimonials, Archived Interviews, Suggested Reading, and Vegetarian Corner for Non-vegetarians as well as Links.
Under the 'Archived Features' section is a category entitled 'Training in Wu Dao Gong'. This couple of pages gives the visitor an excellent, detailed perspective on the philosophy behind this training. If you are then interested in finding out more you can click on the Tai Chi Academy actual Home Page and click on the subheading 'Courses'. There you can read several more in-depth explanations about all the aspects of the training from meditation to physical exercises and their effects. They emphasize that emotional and spiritual development are integral to moving forward down the path of happiness and peace. They are adamant that this is a course for the arts and is not religious in any way.
I found the 'Testimonials' section to be quite interesting as there are a variety of responses from students. They come across as being very authentic as there seems to be such a diverse reaction to the training. The Kung Fu seems to have helped so many people ranging from older women to teenage boys. One aspect that everyone comments on is the lack of ego and competitive nature of the instructors. Just like the website, the stigmatic qualities often associated with Martial Arts is not present here; no one is trying to look cool or be aggressive. This is very important to people whom just want to increase their health and self-defense capabilities like myself.
This website is a perfect example of the true function and intention of the Internet, to share positive information and knowledge around the world. Of course the Tai Chi Academy is a business, but the honest and open format of their website reflects the philosophy of their teachings and is appreciated by visitors. All products' costs are right there to be seen; as there is nothing to hide when monetary gain is not the sole imperative of an organization. A lot can be learned here by companies' and individuals' approaches to constructing an identity on the Internet.
Jesse S. Somer
http://www.m6.net
Jesse S. Somer is a bamboo tree bending in the strong wind, but rooted to the ground. He is learning and hoping to show others how to be more flexible and stable in our contemporary world.
In judo it is important to throw your opponent by... Read More
I received a returned video from a well meaning, but... Read More
Dermot O'Neill was born in 1905 in County Cork, Ireland.... Read More
One of the questions I get asked most frequently, in... Read More
This is our last installment on "defining" the parameters of... Read More
Pre-WWII Judo was a far different thing than what we... Read More
Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we've... Read More
I was talking to a parent recently and they told... Read More
The first prototype for Japanese samurai armor came about in... Read More
"Tokio Hirano (1922-1993) 8th Dan The Man Who Revolutionized Judo"... Read More
I was going to write about the BASICS of "practical... Read More
"Nicky Bats" was an "old school" kinda guy. He was... Read More
"HONE O ORERU" is a Japanese term that translates literally... Read More
We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There... Read More
Sensei Henry Ellis Co-Author of the new book Positive Aikido.-... Read More
The Myth perpetuated by Self Defense Oriented Martial ArtsI just... Read More
This is such a powerful tool that it should leave... Read More
"Fronting": The dodge to get in close to you. The... Read More
My father fed me this line every time I felt... Read More
Shigeru Kimura Sensei 9th Dan Tani-Ha Shitoryu Shukokai had a... Read More
Most people have only been exposed to John Styers work... Read More
How practical are throwing techniques (nagewaza) for self-defense or street-fighting?... Read More
1st Lady Assistant to Sensei Henry Ellis Ellis Schools... Read More
PrefaceThere are many different ways to understand Aikido philosophy and... Read More
Kuang Ping was the T'ai-chi set favored by Yang Lu-Chan,... Read More
After years of study, I have come to a small... Read More
I'm sure a lot of you remember the scene in... Read More
According to various sources on the internet, a 1996 article... Read More
How many times do you practice techniques with your training... Read More
Defences against Knife attacks, Firstly if at all possible get... Read More
Fundamental "Nuts & Bolts" training for close combat should be... Read More
Martial arts have become incredibly popular in the US. Drive... Read More
Custom build your own personal "system":Useful areas of training and... Read More
I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much... Read More
Something for our shooting "enthusiasts" -PRELIMINARY STATEMENTBackground:"Prior to my association... Read More
The Myth perpetuated by Self Defense Oriented Martial ArtsI just... Read More
Thanks to several centuries of enlightened teachings by extraordinary men... Read More
It's undeniable that a well placed and mounted samurai sword... Read More
Up until 30 years ago, JUDO was the martial art.... Read More
After years of study, I have come to a small... Read More
"HONE O ORERU" is a Japanese term that translates literally... Read More
"People here may belittle sports arts...."Who?Almost EVERY "combatives" man of... Read More
Kuang Ping was the T'ai-chi set favored by Yang Lu-Chan,... Read More
This is our last installment on "defining" the parameters of... Read More
"Daddy, I want to take Karate!""Mommy, Jimmy on the bus... Read More
We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There... Read More
So you are thinking of starting to train in okinawan... Read More
My father fed me this line every time I felt... Read More
Pre-WWII Judo was a far different thing than what we... Read More
For Easterners, particularly Chinese, this MAY not be an issue.... Read More
Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses"... Read More
"Will this work so that I can use it instinctively... Read More
According to various sources on the internet, a 1996 article... Read More
Most people have only been exposed to John Styers work... Read More
On the occasions you delivered the perfect strike; blocked without... Read More
Living in the Pacific Northwest is a challenge for any... Read More
It is a very difficult task to determine which martial... Read More
As a Christian and a martial arts student, I have... Read More
Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we've... Read More
How many times do you practice techniques with your training... Read More
In judo it is important to throw your opponent by... Read More
Defences against Knife attacks, Firstly if at all possible get... Read More
You may have the erroneous idea that force is not... Read More
I just received an Email from a woman who has... Read More
Just as an aside. For those who would "box" us... Read More
The time you will be attacked you will most likely... Read More
Martial Arts |