Now I’m not out here to say that any martial arts organization is better than another, or to judge those people that are no longer part of an organization they once were. I happen to be very happy and loyal to my organization, but I am not here to criticize Continue Reading
Take a Step Back, Adjust and Improve!
A few weeks ago, I was in Tang Soo Do class and we were doing speed breaks. For those who may be unfamiliar the goal of a speed break is to break a board by generating speed versus focusing on power. I am used to power breaks, I have a Continue Reading
Stop Expecting Yourself From Others: You Will Be Disappointed
For a while, I would be slightly offended if people didn’t make the effort to remember things I had already told them. Or if a friend wouldn’t check up on me after an injury, or ask about the outcome of a particular stressful event I was nervous for. I’d be Continue Reading
Pay Someone a Compliment: It Will Reward Them Dividends
We all like to hear good things about ourselves. That’s a fact. I was attending my martial arts organization’s world championship and while exiting the elevator, I walked past a gentleman from Great Britain that I had judged earlier in the day in the colored belt competition. I went past Continue Reading
Approaches to Training: Old School vs New School
There’s a common school of thought that old-school martial arts training was better because it was more rigorous; maybe you’ve heard (or seen videos) of shaolin monks training in kung fu monasteries in China. Punching and kicking trees or walls for conditioning, meditating outside in freezing temperatures with minimal clothing Continue Reading
Give it Your All, All The Time
Over the last few years when I was training I couldn’t give a 100% in my martial arts classes, barely even 80%. I had suffered from a lot of crazy injuries over time, from chest injuries to shoulder injuries to ankle injuries, I experienced a lot. Even after I recovered Continue Reading
Friction Makes the Wheel Roll: Differences are Beneficial and Cause Growth
When we look to grow as martial artists and as people really, we need to understand that it’s perfectly okay to disagree with others. In fact, people are less likely to trust and believe you if you agree with them on each and every little thing. People will believe that Continue Reading
Reconnecting with Nature: Respect the World Around You
We have our Tang Soo Do World Championships in North Carolina every other year, and I usually drive rather than fly for ease of transporting weapons and equipment. One thing that’s an added bonus is driving through the beautiful forests and mountains of West Virginia, with scenic views along the Continue Reading