Empowering Context
Creating an empowering context is a crucial skill. Empowering context is basically shifting your mindset so that you get energy from a given situation and you can flow creatively to meet challenges. An example of an empowering context we talk about all the time in martial arts is to treat challenges like opportunities. When someone throws a punch in kung fu or tries to sweep you in BJJ, this is
Baby Zen
Aside from the moments where I am avoiding punches in Kung Fu or getting tapped in BJJ, I can’t recall being as present as I have been since baby Alora was born. For one, I basically have nothing to do except help take care of her. Aside from some grocery shopping, writing this blog is one of the few things I’ve had to do. I don’t generally have worries or
Asking for Help
The theme for this year's Kung Fu retreat was “asking for help”. The idea came to me as we were talking about using the jo (a 4 ft staff) for a few drills. It's basically the same size as a walking stick. Using a walking stick is kind of like asking for help. Really, any time you use a weapon in Martial Arts is like asking for help. It doesn't
Stillness within Motion
This Tuesday was the Dojo’s twelfth anniversary. As I reflect on all the wonderful students that have come through these doors and the amazing experiences we’ve shared, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. There’s nothing I’d rather do with my life. It is a true joy and honor to share the mats with each of you. When we first opened the Dojo we had one kid in each of the first classes and
Our Defining Moments
Nobody likes being defined in a limiting way by other people. If someone looked at me and says, “that’s a white man”. While of course that’s true it also misses a lot about me. One Saturday morning a Chinese man brought his young boy in for his first class that I was teaching. After I introduced myself as the teacher he looked at me, paused, then said, “I want my
