Martial arts practice will allow you to deal with a spectrum of emotions. I love every chance I get to practice …if you couldn’t already tell. However, it’s also very challenging and full of difficult moments, both emotionally and physically. When I hear someone say, “it is hard,” I usually reply with something along the…
Author: Josh
"I don't wanna go!"
• Anticipate the “I don’t want to go” moments. Be ready to gently insist on their attendance and always check in post-class. They’ll likely admit to having fun. • Maintain a consistent schedule while avoiding burnout. Allow occasional breaks, but emphasize the importance of discipline in personal growth and skill enhancement. Parents, We all know that…
Why Kick High – When You Can Kick Low?
As I was watching my oldest daughter’s swim practice tonight, I saw two boys, maybe 11-12, show of their karate skills off in the corner of the pool grounds; just a little mock fight. Every kick they threw aimed for the head. I’ve only been training for about 10 years. But the older and more…
The Importance of Student Teachers
The road to black belt is a long journey. And 1st Dan (degree) Black Belt is even the start of a new journey! The title of Sensei is honored to those Black Belts who will also be teachers, this title is awarded by their instructor. However, not all Black Belts will be a Sensei. But…
Keep the 'Nasties' away!
Sweat, blood, and rock and roll! At least the first two are things you’ll find in most every Dojo. Some Dojos you can also find nasties that come with that, different types of fungus, ringworm, bacteria, blood pathogens, staff, and more. Yes, scary stuff! We are diligent about keep our Dojo mats clean by wiping them…
Intensity in Training
When is it ok to have 100% intensity in Kumite or Rolling? The answer is never. For the sake of this thread, I’ll use the term Kumite to cover kumite/sparring/randori/rolling. It seems almost necessary to see how far you can push yourself in Kumite. How do you know how you will perform in a ‘real’ fight…
The Choice of Learning and Failure
There is a stigma that not-winning is directly associated with failure. However, failure is a result of giving up, blaming someone else for our own shortcomings, giving into the adverse feeling of defeat, or the unwillingness to learn from the situation. Winning/Passing may be contingent upon other factors, but failure and learning are always a…
A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish
People with goals generally outperform those without goals. Setting your goals (life, martial arts, work, etc) make sure they are specific. “Doing your best” is nice but has no direction. Ambiguous goals will lead to dissatisfaction. Set your sites where you want to be. See where you are now and know what it will look…
"How Long Will It Take to See Progress?"
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SEE PROGRESS? Welcome to the path of martial arts mastery! You’re pondering a vital question: “How long will it take to see progress?” Remember, this is as much a mental journey as it is a physical one. Let’s dive into what it takes to excel, blending motivation with psychological…
12 Reasons why Martial Arts are better for kids than team sports
Article modified from original published at RA BJJ We believe there is no program out there that encompasses physical education and character development like Martial Arts does. Below are a few reasons to consider Martial Arts for your Child or Adolescent over or in addition to Team Sports: 1. Self-Defense This is the number one reason…