Can I, Will I, Do I Want To are the questions everyone has before and during the Decision Making Process. Before we begin a new activity, those questions ALWAYS run through our minds. Some get stuck in a negative loop of “analysis paralysis”. Others seem to just jump right in without a thought. Let’s explore […]
Can I, Will I, Do I Want To: The Decision Making Process Read More »
What is Self-Defense: the defense of one’s person or interests, especially through the use of physical force, which is permitted in certain cases as an answer to a charge of violent crime. Self-Defense is a topic that should be covered in every MMA, Krav Maga, Jujitsu or Martial Arts class. It isn’t because most places focus on sport, “fighting” or looking like
What is Self-Defense? Read More »
I’ve met some great people in the realm of Karate. A lot of those people are the amazing women I train with. I have my own reasons for studying Karate as I’m sure everyone does. Some of those reasons transcend gender and are equally beneficial regardless of gender. Things like development of character, promotion of
Top 10 Reasons All Women Should Study Karate Read More »
I’m not doing karate for a black belt. Wait, what? Okay, okay, yes, I want to advance. Yes, I want to improve and become more skilled in my art. Yes, I want to learn. But I’m not doing karate for a black belt. I’m in my third year of karate, and what I’m discovering is
Pride in the Journey 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 »
Alright it’s not a blog but I’ve finally put together my reading list for koryu folks, or folks just interested in the koryu take on martial arts. What is koryu? In general, Koryu literally means “old flow” and is used in Japanese to refer to old styles, schools, or traditions (not necessarily only in the martial
Koryu Reading Lists 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 »
Everybody loves to say they “think outside the box.” Yeah, cool, but here’s the thing—they always forget you need to build a box to begin with. Trust me, after 15 years of getting punched and kicked (and, okay, doing some of the punching and kicking) in karate, you realize real quick: before you get creative,
This thought crept into my head this morning. Fear why is it so debilitating? Why does it hold is 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 »
Learning how to speak to people about being more productive at work—without making them feel defensive—can be challenging. I’ve found that speaking to adults in a visual way helps them better understand both their flaws and the bigger picture. Sometimes, using analogies that they can visualize allows them to pause and reflect—thinking, “Wait… is that
Don’t Be the Pink Tire Read More »
How Extraordinary People Become That Way “I am in the process of reading a book recommended by a friend: High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard. It is a meaningful look at what high performers do to achieve consistent results.“ By the time you are reading this in late January, New Year’s celebrations have come and
High Performance Habits Read More »