The Martial Arts Attitude

January 20, 2025 Nick Taber 0

One of my favorite things in my life is to have someone say to me that things cannot be done. For someone to underestimate me and my abilities and then count me out before I even tried or started. Over the years when I started to collaborate with other martial [Read More]

Man performing a side kick during a martial arts pattern at the world championships

Seven reasons to take up martial arts

January 17, 2025 Angela Belassie 0

New Year. New resolutions. For some people, January can be a time of reflection and an opportunity to set new goals. Many people look to address their health, fitness, and well-being. With this in mind, we look at seven ways in which martial arts can be beneficial all-round. Physical Health [Read More]

One word can make all the difference

January 4, 2025 April Pettengil 0

In the beginning, there was instant gratification. Today, the idea of getting something for nothing, or almost nothing is common and undermining the quality of martial artists. There are very few people who have natural ability and skill to master the art without putting in the time and effort.  Belt [Read More]

Keeping the Fire Burning After Black Belt

December 30, 2024 Aaron Cass 0

I’ve been training for nearly 30 years in the martial arts and spent the last 15 years as the chief instructor of an aikido dojo. In my time, I’ve noticed some things about the way people tend to progress through their practice—or not. I have personally lost my way and [Read More]

Martial Arts and Chess

December 22, 2024 Andries Pruim 0

Strategy and Tactics Using the military aspects of Chess to enhance your Martial Arts Chess and its Military Past I first started playing chess when I was 9 years old and by the time I was 13 years old, I had a chess coach, played in several tournaments a year, [Read More]

The Night Christmas Almost Died

December 21, 2024 Mark Warner 0

It was a bitterly cold night in the North Pole. The sky was a blanket of stars, shimmering above the snow-covered plains. Inside Santa’s grand workshop, the elves worked tirelessly. Laughter and the whirr of tools echoed through the cavernous halls as gifts were assembled with precision. Then came the [Read More]

The Zen Path of Intentional Transformation

December 18, 2024 Stephen Watson 1

  Few Fears this New Year’s Exploring New Year’s resolutions through a Zen perspective: The main thing is to have, develop, and nurture (or return to) a Discipline. Let’s walk this path in the healthiest manner, wherever it leads us. #GoallessPath     The Zen Path of Intentional Transformation As [Read More]

Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes – Worth the Watch?

December 17, 2024 Gary Padgett 0

Introduction Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes is a 2015 historical action film offering the backstory to one of my favorite characters from the original Marco Polo (2014-2016) series.  This film is written by John Fusco and directed by Alik Sakharov, both of whom were a part of the original Marco [Read More]

The effectiveness of the groin strike

December 6, 2024 Jim Pizii 0

Groin Striking Never underestimate the importance and effectiveness of a groin strike in the Okinawan martial arts. What many martial artists do not realize is that about every one of the traditional Okinawa Katas incorporates some kind of groin strike. From my early days in Karate and throughout the years, [Read More]

The Legends, History, and Lineage of Wing Chun Kung Fu

December 3, 2024 Mark Warner 0

  Wing Chun Kung Fu, a traditional Chinese martial art, is renowned for its practicality, efficiency, and elegance. Rooted in centuries-old traditions, its evolution is intertwined with legends, historical milestones, and the lives of those who carried its teachings forward. The following article explores the rich tapestry of Wing Chun [Read More]

Making Sense of Violence

November 23, 2024 Aaron Cass 5

Rough Night The night before my last day at the coffee shop, my coworkers and I headed out to celebrate. Soon I’d be leaving for Japan, and this would be my last hurrah. We ate and drank our way through the night, eventually ending up at the far end of [Read More]