Commentary

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]

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]

  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]

  Dekiti Tirsia Siradas is part of the larger Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), community also known as Eskrima, Arnis, or Kali, Dekiti Tirsia Siradas is a centuries-old combat system from Negros Island, Philippines. Rooted in the practical need for survival, it is characterized by its versatility and adaptability. Traditionally practiced [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]

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]

Discovering the True Meaning of Stance In the past, I had come to understand that the wholeness of a stance included the position of one’s hands. In fact, as I recently helped my instructor put together a manual on stances, each “proper” stance came with instructions on where to position [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]

With a 50% year-over-year growth, the event continues to unite martial artists across the region. Boothwyn, PA – October 21, 2024 The second annual Free Training Day Mid-Atlantic (FTDMA) presented by whistlekick shattered attendance records, with a 50% increase in participants over last year’s event. Held on September 21, 2024, [Read More]

Hi All Yup that’s right, some of you know that Martial Journal is part of a larger, whistlekick, is the name, and they also happen to run the #1 martial arts podcast in the world. The great news is we are always looking for guests. Being interviewed on a podcast [Read More]

Moving On By the time I arrived in Japan, I had quit aikido. Back in the U.S. I was training nearly every day, but in the time it had taken me to secure a job and get on a plane I was disillusioned with the art. I had been training [Read More]

My First Naginata Encounter My Naginata Budo experience is a colorful and ongoing journey and while Naginata was a minor part of my martial arts training it had a huge impact on my Budo awareness. I was at the International Budo University when I first encountered Naginata and it immediately [Read More]

A martial arts school is a pillar for the community and a symbol of how people can be the best versions of themselves. Every organization has a pillar of beliefs that helps them govern themselves and show the outside world who they are deeper than the surface level. Martial Arts [Read More]

From friend to foe, jest to serious accountability, the semblance of humor can be a stark reality. It is a balancing act with all these variables: being self-aware, tackling imposter syndrome, and remaining in control of the environment you are creating. One must lead from the heart, in a sense, [Read More]

“People talk about perfect timing, but I think everything is perfect in its moment; you just want to capture that.”— Eddie Huang David Gilmour’s guitar solo in ’79 on Comfortably Numb was more about timing than anything else. It was a heavy song, and he had a story to tell. [Read More]

I got involved with Martial Arts at the ripe old age of 42. At the time I felt ten feet tall and bulletproof. Fast forward ten years and health issues came into play. Fast forward ten more years and aging came into play. Facing the reality that I could no [Read More]

In the ever-evolving world of self-defense, one tool has stood the test of time – the kubotan. This unassuming, yet powerful, weapon has been a staple in the arsenals of law enforcement, martial artists, and those seeking to protect themselves. The kubotan, often mistaken for a simple stick, is a [Read More]

Sport Karate Business Benefits I met with Jackson Rudolph to discuss sports karate in the Olympics as I had read his Black Belt Magazine article on the benefits of bringing sports karate into your martial arts business. We were able to collaborate on an excellent article on the merits of [Read More]

When I was a child, I had dreams and ideas, just like everyone else. I imagined who I would marry and hoped for a future with someone special. This individual had to be involved in the martial arts, for that was where my life was. Otherwise, they would not understand [Read More]