Blog: Mindfulness and the Red Spot, Part 3
In my own Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practice I’ve noticed over the last few years a similar transformation to what I experienced in my Kung Fu and Tai Chi practice earlier on. In the beginning stages, frustration is evident. Grappling with
Blog: Mindfulness and the Red Spot, Part 2
So I helped everyone out with a bit of advice on strategy. “Instead of randomly looking around,” I said, “choose a specific part of the dojo each day and focus your attention there.” Just like in our martial arts practice,
Blog: Mindfulness and the Red Spot, Part 1
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"] About one month ago I invited the students in the dojo to take on a mindfulness challenge. While
Martial Arts for Kids, Part 3
Our Creed “Martial arts is a discipline Of my body and mind. I will be disciplined, Have self-control, Confidence, Concentration, Patience, And try as hard as I can At everything I do Both in and outside the dojo” We say these words at the beginning and end of every Wushu and
Martial Arts for Kids, Part 2
The Truth Martial arts has long been touted as a powerful tool for teaching kids all kinds of skills and traits, from discipline and confidence to partner skills and self defense. Some martial arts teachers with less experience have a difficult
Martial Arts for Kids, Part 1
Every student has their 1st day. I started Martial Arts at the ripe old age of 8. By today’s standards, I was downright geriatric. There are many schools that begin teaching kids at 4, 3 and 2 years old. Some
What is Tai Chi?
What is Tai Chi? In this article we will break down Tai Chi (T’ai Chi, T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Taiji) into three main areas, each a vital part of the whole: Physical (stretching, strengthening, improving chronic health conditions) Mental (stress relief, moving meditation) Spiritual (dealing
Pain vs. Suffering
Pain vs Suffering About a year ago, one of the kids in our Wushu class was practicing sidestepping and hitting focus mitts. She got hit in the nose and it began bleeding. Her partner (her brother) immediately felt terrible. Even I
Why Meditate?
Why Meditate? About 15 years ago I sat down for the first time to meditate at Sifu Brown’s School of Martial Arts in Berkley, MI. It was a free meditation class, just like the one we give here, teaching a sitting
What is Self Defense?
Let’s start with what is not self defense. Self defense is not kick box aerobics, Tae Bo, or Crossfit, where the idea is to move for workout’s sake with no internal understanding of why you’re doing what you’re doing. Sure, you
