As we change our calendars, and celebrate an arbitrary day as the new year, we ask what the future holds for us. We make plans to change, we have high hopes, and some like to discuss the doom and gloom of the future. This is just being human. So, Happy [Read More]
Before entering the training area, our virtues begin before the physical training without even knowing it. Depending on style, it’s the training uniform, the belt, bowing, the fist/palm salute…. Then our physical training starts with the basics: stances, punches, and kicks. The physical training transforms into the internal virtues that [Read More]
Martial training is focused on the physical training emphasizing speed and power. This leads us to stretch, calisthenics or weight lifting, sparring…Yet, when it comes to the fuel that drives our training is overlooked while we punch and kick. The fuel we put into our bodies is essentially one of [Read More]
Big Heart An overlooked aspect in martial arts is to have a big heart. And nothing strengthens a big heart like giving without expectation of benefit in return. In martial culture, there are basic codes of ethics that we all live by, or at least need to in order to [Read More]
Life is constantly changing. Our virtues need to keep up. Traditional martial arts’ virtue is not about clinging to the past, but learning from the wisdom from the past and adapting it to the present. Our friend, Justin Ford, told me a great quote from Matsuo Basho: “Do not seek [Read More]
Title: Unleash the Dragon Within: Transform your Life with the Kung-Fu Animals of Ch’ien-Lung Author: Steven Macramalla, Ph.D Publisher: Blue Snake Books Published: Aug. 29, 2019 Pages: 317 (with lots of references for his research) Format and price: Paperback ($19.95) and E-Reader ($12.95) Where to get it: Amazon.com and Barnes [Read More]
Have you practiced qi as a part of your training yet? This is a short essay on a topic that deserves a few volumes of books, which would cover medicine, ecology, diet, exercise, social studies, and meditation, among many other subjects. I have oversimplified and skipped many elements to help [Read More]
Have you practiced today? Outside The Studio Or Dojo Martial art skills are taught in a dojo or studio and the lessons are integrated into our being every day by how we live our lives. Besides fighting skills and exercise, it forms our thoughts, teaches us morality, and gives us [Read More]
Have you practiced today? Breath work, mindfulness, and meditation are generally the same, but each has its own focus. Breath work concentrates specifically on learning how to maximize the strength and efficiency of lung capacity for physical endurance. Mindfulness is just being present in whatever you are doing. Examples of [Read More]
Traditional Chinese Culture Under Attack? This article is how I see it. I could be wrong, but from my 30 years of training, experience living in China, and education in Chinese culture and philosophy, I have some thoughts. The CMA (Chinese Martial Art) is being upended by MMA fighter and [Read More]
Benefits are everywhere when you look for them, even if you are not a fan of where the benefit comes from. Many TMA practitioners (Traditional Martial Arts) don’t like MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Many MMA fighters don’t like TMA. The reasons are everything from a lack of an open mind [Read More]
Welcome to Positive Psychology Since you reading Martial Journal, it is a safe assumption that you are very interested in martial arts. Regardless of style, the training is the same: you’re less terrible with more practice. If you’re a white belt, don’t give up because you see a black belt [Read More]
Health in the Martial Art World Martial arts, as a whole, is a very deep and amazing practice. For us to continue our beloved art to the next generation, we must know its past, present, and future. The past is full of war, philosophy, duels, religion, and spirituality. Current martial [Read More]
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