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]
A martial arts master is encouraging students to embrace failure as part of part of their journey. Master Vaughan Buxton, a 7th-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a British, European, and World title holder, said not succeeding the first time – or every time – was par for the course. [Read More]
The phrase “Time in the Garden” has always been something in my family’s way of reminding us to slow down and rest. Many generations were farmers, but as time moved on and life changed for all of us after the depression and we got jobs in factories and offices, the [Read More]
Martial arts offer a unique blend of physical, cognitive, and social benefits, making them an excellent medium for occupational therapy (OT). As an occupational therapist and martial arts instructor, I have witnessed firsthand how martial arts can positively impact individuals, particularly those with special needs. By integrating martial arts into [Read More]
One of my favorite things in my life is to have someone say to me that things cannot be done. For someone to underestimate me and my abilities and then count me out before I even tried or started. Over the years when I started to collaborate with other martial [Read More]
New Year. New resolutions. For some people, January can be a time of reflection and an opportunity to set new goals. Many people look to address their health, fitness, and well-being. With this in mind, we look at seven ways in which martial arts can be beneficial all-round. Physical Health [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]
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has grown exponentially over the past three decades, evolving from a niche sport into a global phenomenon. Its origins, often traced back to events like the early UFC tournaments, showcased a clash of martial arts disciplines, each vying for supremacy. While MMA has matured into its [Read More]
In the beginning, there was instant gratification. Today, the idea of getting something for nothing, or almost nothing is common and undermining the quality of martial artists. There are very few people who have natural ability and skill to master the art without putting in the time and effort. Belt [Read More]
A martial arts instructor is celebrating 35 years in Taekwondo – with honours including winning British, European and World titles. Master Vaughan Buxton, who started at the age of seven and earned his black belt by 10-years of age, has since gone on to train over a dozen champions. Vaughan, [Read More]
A roadmap for the new year: a Dàoist approach to beginning a Stretching and Breathing routine.
In my 30 years of training and 15 of running an aikido dojo, I’ve noticed some tendencies in the way people progress through their practice—or not. I have personally lost my way and found it again many times, and after years of practice I’ve found that the answer often lies [Read More]
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.
Strategy and Tactics Using the military aspects of Chess to enhance your Martial Arts Chess and its Military Past I first started playing chess when I was 9 years old and by the time I was 13 years old, I had a chess coach, played in several tournaments a year, [Read More]
It was a bitterly cold night in the North Pole. The sky was a blanket of stars, shimmering above the snow-covered plains. Inside Santa’s grand workshop, the elves worked tirelessly. Laughter and the whirr of tools echoed through the cavernous halls as gifts were assembled with precision. Then came the [Read More]
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]
Introduction Marco Polo: One Hundred Eyes is a 2015 historical action film offering the backstory to one of my favorite characters from the original Marco Polo (2014-2016) series. This film is written by John Fusco and directed by Alik Sakharov, both of whom were a part of the original Marco [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]
Copyright © 2026 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes