The whistlekick Never Settle Awards grew out of a combination of core concepts fundamental and foundational to the whistlekick brand. Ideas such as “everyone would benefit from six months of traditional martial art” and “you don’t stop being a martial artist when you walk out of the training hall” are [Read More]
I am someone who is focused on discipline, order, effectiveness and efficiency. I require my training spaces to be tidy and organized, I place discipline as one of the top priorities of training and I don’t tolerate sloppy work. I work to make the class fun, and I definitely [Read More]
In November of 2022, Whistlekick launched the first annual Never Settle Awards. We created these awards to be transparent and democratic in their nomination process and the recipient, where the recipients are voted on by their peers. The Flashlight Award is an award to put a “light” on those who [Read More]
One of the most fundamental aspects of martial arts training involves effective breathing. Proper breathing practice in the martial arts enhances speed, timing, energy generation, and Kime ([key-may], A Japanese term for Focus, envisioning the momentary tensing of every muscle at the same time to project energy force. Many traditional [Read More]
We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story -Simu Liu- I opened the Libby app and saw the icon for this book, and my interest peaked. Superhero. Dreamer. I recognized the man’s face slightly and knew I had enjoyed hearing others’ stories. I clicked download with no expectations. Everyone [Read More]
I have had a unique experience with academics and the interview process since grade school. I cherish these experiences and memories and can give full credit to the knowledge it is because I have trained in martial arts since 1989. I started training following a field day activity when my [Read More]
Editors note This Article was submitted to me By Pendekar Dedy Irwawan and the team Baringin Sakti Silat Indonesia. Birth of Ps Baringin Sakti Abu Zahar, a young man from the city of Padang, West Sumatra had much martial arts talent. Luckily when he was young, Abu Zahar [Read More]
Confessions of a Failed Martial Arts School Owner – Part 3 Echoes of kaiais bounced off the white walls of the fourteen-hundred square foot strip-mall box situated between a liquor store and a dry cleaner business. With every count I shouted in Hangul, the half-a-dozen tiny voices roared with [Read More]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Confessions of a Failed Martial Arts School Owner: Part One Lifting the red and black puzzle mats off the floor, revealing the empty and imperfect vinyl imitation hardwood floor is more painful the second time around. While they only had students on them for a total of eighteen months over [Read More]
Physical fitness plays a crucial role in martial arts training, directly affecting an individual’s performance and ability to execute techniques effectively. Martial arts require strength, flexibility, and injury prevention to perform at the highest level. Martial arts injury prevention exercises help martial artists maintain proper form and reduce the risk [Read More]
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]
“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 training methods of Dekiti Tirsia Siradas Kali are derived directly from its name. The language is of the Ilongo dialect of the Visayan region of the Philippines. The word Dekiti means close range, or tightly close, which is the combat range preferred by the DTS combatant. Tirsia is close [Read More]
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]
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