Martial Thoughts

Written by Sensei Mitch on February 25, 2014

A Little Crazy is a Lot Scary

I aways tell my students to do the unexpected in a dangerous situation, as surprise is your best ally. Sometimes you have to get s little crazy to gain the surprise advantage, plus it can help calm your panic through action. I saw this and thought (for men) it doesn’t get more scary than that! Read More

Written by Sensei Mitch on February 24, 2014

Tie that Belt like a Pro

Everyone seems to have trouble with this (except perhaps Boyscouts!) but it is really easy once you know how to do it (like everything!) Here is the step-by-step instructions: Read More

Written by Sensei Mitch on February 23, 2014

Can they disarm us?

History . News . Politics . Self-Defense

This the strongest 2nd amendment argument I have heard, that explains what is happening today… Ultimately, they can only disarm us if we let them… And if that doesn’t put things in perspective, try these “numbers” on for size: Read More

Written by Sensei Mitch on February 18, 2014

Keep your head in the game

A Zen Thing . State of Mind . Training notes

Your Legs are not giving out;Your Mind is giving up. Defeat is easy. There are always a million excuses lying around for you to grab onto. We typically defeat ourselves, but that moment before we allow defeat there is an opportunity to be better than you are. Face it your mind wants to give up Read More

Written by Sensei Mitch on February 17, 2014

Taikyoku Sono Ichi (1)

Karate . Styles . Technique . Training notes

Master Gichin Funakoshi (Shotokan) derived the three Taikyoku kata from northern Chinese kempo and Shorin Ryu, the Okinawan karate style based on Chinese Shaolin (i.e. “Shorin”) kempo. Mas Oyama in turn adapted these for Kyokushin as he trained under Master Funakoshi. The Taikyuko kata utilize long, powerful stances and strong blocks and strikes. The Taiyoku Read More

Written by Sensei Mitch on February 15, 2014

Why we practice

A Zen Thing . Karate . State of Mind . Training notes

Often we forget why we practice so much. When that happens we become complacent and that is when bad things happen. To often we think we can put off our training until tomorrow. We practice today so we are prepared today, not tomorrow when it might be to late. I am reminded of this truth Read More

Written by Sensei Mitch on January 13, 2014

Afraid of what?

A Zen Thing . Awareness . Quotes . State of Mind

You can do anything if you’re not afraid. – from the movie “Daredevil” (2003) Well almost anything. Let us remember this is a quote from a movie. And not a very good movie either starring Ben Affleck. Regardless the quote bares further contemplation. Everyone is afraid of something, unless they are insane. Some are afraid Read More

Written by Sensei Mitch on January 9, 2014

Consequences

Awareness . Video

Our actions have consequences and those consequences impact lives. I have seen families destroyed, friends dead, and crippled. Recently a friend was seriously injured as the result of someone else’s actions. Recovering from surgery his life may never be the way it was. Fortunately in this case no children were involved. Consequences impact lives, sometime Read More

Written by Sensei Mitch on January 8, 2014

All’s Fair…

Fun Stuff . Styles . Technique

There are no rules in a fight, we ask who won, not who fought the best…After all; all is fair in love and war. As most of my students know I rarely look at them when we are sparring. I look past them, to their sides, up or down, I have my reasons but initially Read More

Written by Sensei Mitch on January 7, 2014

Great Looking Effort, No Real Accomplishment