Commentary

Though many practitioners may not realize it, Daoist philosophy is present in all aspects of the martial arts. In fact, the very idea of the Way (Dao) inheres in all martial arts. Whether attacking or defending or simply sitting in meditation, one is lost without the Way. Yet, one of [Read More]

Introduction Wing Chun Kung Fu is a popular martial art from Southern China, although its renown is not based on flattery. Instead, it is based on the belief that it is ineffective and unrealistic. However, what most people don’t realize is that most of their criticisms can be torn apart [Read More]

“What I have in my heart and soul – must find a way out. That’s the reason for music.” ~ Ludwig van Beethoven Many years ago, a friend of mine told me that when someone asked Beethoven about the meaning of one of his Symphonies he said something to the [Read More]

Ever met the guy who decides, often unsolicited, to describe the many martial arts he has trained in? The person before you could be a human cornucopia of combat systems, information you would never have had if you hadn’t asked. But wait… you didn’t. You can’t stop and you won’t [Read More]

Disclaimer As is my custom, I will lay a caveat that these are my thoughts and opinions about ukemi. I have asked around for others’ input as I feel that this is a broad and complex area of inquiry, however it will have all been tied together by my brain [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]

Swimming Through Martial Arts Before the pandemic, I was attending Krav Maga five days a week for a total of twelve and a half hours of training. I was already behind the eight-ball in terms of disabilities, so I would do anything to catch up.  Then my overworking of my [Read More]

Even though it is mandatory, I was still proud to start my military service. I had been protected by soldiers since my birth. Everywhere I went, I could see a soldier dressed in their olive uniform and rifle. I knew that they kept my family and I safe. Now, it [Read More]

Introduction Wing Chun Kung Fu is a well-known southern Chinese martial arts style, although it’s not popular for the reasons its practitioners would like. Simply put: it’s known as being ineffective, impractical, unrealistic, useless, etc. Pull up any Wing Chun video on YouTube. You will find endless comments from “keyboard [Read More]

Part 1 Disclaimer As is my custom I will lay a caveat that these are my thoughts and opinions. I have asked around for others’ input as I feel that this is a broad and complex area of inquiry, however it will have all been tied together by my brain [Read More]

Can we talk for a minute about something that really bothers me in the martial arts? I’m going to come off super-judgy talking about this pet peeve, but that’s okay. Because this is important, or at least important to me. This is true of every self-protection concept I’ve ever come [Read More]

Introduction If you’re a martial arts nerd like me, who likes not only to train but to read about history and watch movies and all that you’ve at the very least heard about the Shaolin Monastery and the Wudang Mountains. Fiction portrays them as two distinct, opposite martial arts factions [Read More]

So, your kid wants to try martial arts! Sometimes, I wish I could give an interview to every parent that expresses interest in classes for their kids. I suppose this is because I am a martial arts instructor, and I am passionate about kids and working with them. My desire [Read More]

Last year, at the height of lockdowns, I was starved for martial arts training. Much of my time as a martial artist is already cerebral – podcast, business, etc. – but pre-pandemic, I still had physical outlets. Then… whoosh. Gone. And I was left only with the mental portion. Or, [Read More]

Discipline, hard work, integrity spring to mind when you think of martial arts. We have been inundated with images of karateka, judoka and juijiteiro fighting adversity with sweat dripping from their body, making their Gi wet from practice, diligent in their quest for perfection. I think of wrapped fingers, bloody [Read More]

As I mentioned in the introduction, before I was in Krav Maga, I started out as an athlete. Before I was a year old, I was already running, and by the age of thirteen, I was studying capoeira and playing soccer. I may have been smaller than the other kids, [Read More]

Learning to Live… Again When Steven Tyler yelled in 1976 that he was back in the proverbial saddle it was without any inclination what the year 2020 was going to have in store and how hard it would be to just jump back on in ‘21. I have heard the [Read More]

A 21st Century Instructor The world since the pandemic has changed. The very nature of martial arts instruction has changed in many aspects. When confronted with Covid-19 martial arts instructors all over the world were subjected to the ultimate test. Partner work was gone, in-person instruction was gone and that [Read More]

I’m a nerd. Jeremy’s a nerd. My favorite sparring partner is a nerd. There’s a lot of nerds in martial arts, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. I personally suspect that’s because of the following common process: Step 1: Nerdy kid gets bullied Step 2: Nerdy kid takes martial arts lessons [Read More]

Always respects others and their decisions   “What is this guy doing?” The words are said in the privacy of my car, and do not really reach the driver of the vehicle they are aimed at. I am on my way to my regular training session when I say these [Read More]