Let’s start with the context of the question: visitors considering joining the Dojo. Many of them have martial arts experience and would like to know if that experience, reflected as rank and/or belt color, can be transferred. A simple yes or no is not a sufficient answer. How about an analogy? Think about a heart […]
FAQ: Can I Keep My Current Rank? Read More »
You can cut the air with a knife because of the “tension” in the room. Everyone was working hard. Lessons being learned and absorbed. The “tention” was great.No, that was not a misspelling. An idea was being batted about as we discussed excess tension. We are trying to get away from the word “relax”. That
So much “tension” in the room Read More »
I see a six. You see a nine. We are looking at the same figure. A lot of our opinions depend on our frame of reference. Over the past few years I have had the pleasant opportunity to be both a teacher and a student. As a martial artist, I am having the time of my
Frame of Reference Read More »
This thought crept into my head this morning. Fear: why is it so debilitating? Why does it hold us back? We let it stop us from doing so many things. Unfortunately fear comes from our basic, primal instincts which makes it very powerful and hard to ignore. Why does fear exist? Perhaps if we can understand
Fear: Why does it hold us back? Read More »
Find the obvious. This has been my mode of operation for some time now. At one time I was hesitant with doing so. Someone would have difficulty with a technique. To me it was “obvious” they were stepping with the wrong foot or using the wrong part of their arm. I would let them struggle
This statement moved me the first time I heard it. Until recently I had forgotten where that line came from. Good old YouTube to the rescue!! (One of the rare times I can say that without being sarcastic) Jordan B. Peterson was being interviewed by John Stossel??? Here is the short video: You Learn to
To be Good Requires Strength Read More »
Ahhh…. The coveted Black Belt. Everyone says they want one. But few are willing to put in the work to earn one. Advancing in rank is a step by step process. One should come in the door the first day ready to make many small steps. It takes time. There is no magic. A question
KSKD Rank Advancement Read More »
The following information was copied from a news letter from Tozando , the martial arts equipment supplier in Japan. The Face of the Japanese Sword was sent in an email to me on August 23, 2024. I was unable to find a direct link to the article, so others could find it for themselves. The
The Face of the Japanese Sword Read More »
As the hot summer days are upon us, we stress even more than normal about the importance of “drinking water”. As I tell people to “drink more water”, what is enough? I know I wonder about this. The old wisdom was to drink eight glasses of water per day. That is 64 ounces or about
Hydration: how to and how much water to drink Read More »
My original thought/title for this blog was “Discipline Requires Sacrifice”. This thought caused me wonder if this is why people don’t have or exhibit discipline. In general, people don’t want to give up anything. We have been told we can have/do anything we want. Sacrifice isn’t mentioned. We aren’t always told we have to work
Discipline – A”D” word Read More »