Articles by Stephen Watson

the Art of Reading the “Shark Bump”     You’ve drilled the techniques. You’ve conditioned your body. So much so that your techniques are polished gold and your body black and blue. You can feel the 崩す, Kuzushi (Unbalancing) in a grapple and see the opening reveal itself as your [Read More]

Breathing is something we do automatically, yet ancient traditions have developed sophisticated methods to harness its power for bodily energy, emotional fortitude, mental clarity, overall health of the being, and spiritual growth. Two major approaches stand out in their widespread use and effectiveness: the Dàoist method of inhaling through the [Read More]

How to Self-Regulate(since no one ever teaches us this)   Hey there! Ever wonder why no one teaches us how to handle our emotions? Let’s talk about self-regulation – something we all need but rarely learn about…much less practice to the point of mastery.   Introduction In a world that [Read More]

From Stress to Strength: The Neuroscientific Journey of Guided Meditation In an era defined by constant connectivity and relentless demands, mental wellness has become more critical than ever. Guided meditation emerges as a scientifically validated, accessible pathway to managing stress, enhancing cognitive function, and promoting overall well-being. Far from merely [Read More]

How Martial Arts training can embody the Renaissance ideal of human potential for the contemporary world. The term “Renaissance Man” (sometimes, though rarely, “Renaissance Woman”) refers to someone who both excels in multiple fields of study and is able to reliably exhibit a wide range of both knowledge and skills. [Read More]

  This article is written to be a companion piece for: https://open.substack.com/pub/shhdragon/p/listening-to-the-knee-forces-flexibility Flowing Like River Water: Dàoist Wisdom for Knee Health   In the Martial Arts, the knee represents far more than a mere mechanical joint – it embodies a meeting point between Earth and Heaven, structure and fluidity, intention [Read More]

State of the Martial Arts Transforming Martial Arts for Tomorrow’s Challenges   Changing Training In dojos and training halls across the globe, Martial Arts practitioners perfect techniques honed over many centuries. Yet beyond these walls, the world races forward at a dizzying pace, presenting challenges our Ancestors could never have [Read More]

    The journey of personal Practice – whether in Martial Arts, meditation, or any disciplined pursuit – can sometimes feel stagnant. Never fear! There’s a simple but powerful approach that can revolutionize your training: theming your Practice throughout the year.   Power of Themes Introducing themes to your Practice [Read More]

A roadmap for the new year: a Dàoist approach to beginning a Stretching and Breathing routine.

  The modern age has given rise to innumerable and intractable illnesses – the suffering of which is shared by the planet, its flora and fauna, and all humanity struggling to find meaning and growth upon her surface. The modern era also offers us the never-before-seen possibility of bringing myriad [Read More]

How a Dàoist would craft successful New Year’s Resolutions.

  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]

The true spirit of holiday traditions lives not in their familiar external forms but in the deeper intentions behind them. When our typical holiday events and machinations become sources of stress, it’s crucial to recognize that we can let go of those specific Practices while still honoring the season’s underlying [Read More]

  In our fast-paced, information-rich world, it seems that our attention spans are shrinking faster than my paycheck around these gift-giving holidays. Tick tock ticktock go our brains at the blinding and blurring speed of TikTok. And let me tell you, the consequences are quite severe. Let’s take a stroll [Read More]

Abolishing Barriers & Chasms Section 1 – Your Assertions. One:You have said that you value meditation. Two:You have told me that you don’t meditate.Or, at least, not regularly enough. So, there’s a thing that you value:A regular meditation Practice.But, you don’t do it.Thus, there’s a disconnect. I refer to that [Read More]