A Trip to Shaolin

July 10, 2023 Mark Warner 0

A Trip To Shaolin “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one’s lifetime.” Mark Twain I’ve been [Read More]

Why I’m In Love With Breakfalls

July 7, 2023 Jason Brick 1

Quick: what is the most important physical self-defense skill taught in martial arts? Kicking? Punching? Blocking? Is it takedown defense, now that all the wannabe tough guys watch too much UFC? Nope.  In case the title didn’t give it away, it’s breakfalls. I’m here today to make the case for [Read More]

moments before a karate competition

Spotlight on Men’s Mental Health

July 2, 2023 Melanie Gibson 1

June is Men’s Mental Health Month, at least according to some calendars (others say it’s November). Regardless, it’s always a good time to talk about mental health. I’ll save you the trouble of asking the question my partner asked when I told him what I was working on—what do I [Read More]

For Are We Only Human?

June 28, 2023 Barbara McCoy, MS 0

The Seed. There is a quote in Hamilton that Alexander Hamilton, in the scene where Burr shoots him, sings, “Legacy. What is a legacy? It is planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” Sometimes teaching and training feel like that. A garden that is yet to bloom [Read More]

Warrior to Sage

June 27, 2023 Tim Roettiger 1

The desire to become a “warrior” appears to have taken over the popular imagination. To the point that, today, it seems one can hardly open their eyes without seeing some form of media promoting a new way to become a warrior. Typically, the purveyor of such products touts their military [Read More]

martial artists can feel fear and jealously too!

Confessions of a Failed Martial Arts School Owner – Part 2

May 23, 2023 Jeff Curry 0

Confessions of a Failed Martial Arts School Owner – Part 2 The martial arts industry is a very interesting place to build a business. There is no shortage of “consultants” seeking your money in exchange for “programs” and “strategies” that “work.” They inundate you with free “trainings” of nebulous information, [Read More]

Perseverance and Indomitable Spirit

May 4, 2023 Jeff Curry 0

Perseverance and Indomitable Spirit Throughout my forty-two years on this planet, I have experienced many successes and even more failures than I would have ever thought possible. Having taken the time this year to reflect and take inventory on my past, in hopes to shape my present and future, I [Read More]

a group of white belts and other students

Five Ways Parents Can Make Time for Training

May 3, 2023 Jason Brick 0

“I don’t have time to train” is something parents end up saying at some point in their martial arts and parenting journey. They have a point. Parenthood drains almost all of our personal resources. It takes time. It takes energy. It takes money. It takes focus. It takes attention.  Since [Read More]

The Importance of Proper Maintenance and Care for Your Karate Uniform

The Importance of Proper Care for Karate Uniform

April 21, 2023 Vanessa Jacobs 0

Karate uniforms, also known as gi or do-gi, are an essential piece of equipment for any martial artist. The karate uniforms not only provides a sense of professionalism and respect but also serves as functional attire during training and competition. Like any article of clothing, proper maintenance and care are [Read More]

No Image

Building Resilience When You’re Feeling Stressed

March 29, 2023 Melanie Gibson 1

April is Stress Awareness Month. A way to combat stress is by developing resilience. For more resources on managing stress, visit the American Psychological Association’s resource page on resilience. John Coyle, Olympic medalist, author, and public speaker, has presented to leaders in my organization over the last year as part [Read More]

No Image

The Discipline of Two Worlds

March 22, 2023 Barbara McCoy, MS 0

Have you ever seen the movie Best in Show that came out in the early 2000s? Have you heard of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held in New York each year? If you have, you’ll understand that until 2019 that was my knowledge base for the world of dog [Read More]

Grace Under Pressure

March 17, 2023 Raz Chen 0

One of the most valuable lessons of martial arts is how to persevere when you make mistakes. Many feel like giving up. It is so easy for people to give up when they feel exhausted, and to refuse to push through. This is especially important in self-defense training. When someone [Read More]

Seeking Authenticity? Look to Martial Arts

February 9, 2023 Melanie Gibson 2

Do you ever feel like you’re wearing a mask or must put on an act in front of certain people? Do you feel like the world has impossible expectations for you to meet—or do you put impossible expectations on yourself? Do you feel like you can’t be honest about what [Read More]

The Three Keys of Dekiti Tirsia Siradas Kali

January 24, 2023 Mark Warner 1

All martial arts are a set of basic rules that the practitioner must learn and apply to progress in their style of martial arts. In this aspect of training, Dekiti Tirsia falls in line with all the rest. We have spoken of these three many times not being more insignificant, [Read More]