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A Martial Artist’s Approach to Excuses

The Question of the Week is "What excuses am I making?". Just asking this question on a regular basis is huge. An honest approach to discovering where we can make improvements is crucial to our Martial Arts practice. As soon as we think we have mastered a technique, we stop learning and getting better. Rather [...]

By |2023-12-20T13:53:32-08:00May 4th, 2023|Master the Moment|0 Comments

Use it or Lose it

This week was a lesson in use it or lose it. As most of you know, I had Covid last week. I finally tested negative on Monday, but seeing that sweet single line show up wasn’t the end of it. I’ve felt great for the last few days, have had basically no symptoms and good [...]

By |2023-12-20T13:44:00-08:00March 7th, 2023|Master the Moment|3 Comments

Testing

We have a few tests coming up soon in the dojo, including our first ever black sash test at the end of March. I’ve been thinking a lot about testing lately, and I’ve gotten a few questions about the process. Some people wonder about the logistics (when do I test, what’s on the test), while [...]

By |2023-12-20T13:29:32-08:00February 1st, 2023|Master the Moment|0 Comments

The Power of Breathing

This week at the dojo we are focusing on breathing. I first wrote this article several years ago but have updated it with some specifics about this week’s specific breathing exercise.   The breath seems like a silly thing to think about if you haven’t done it before in martial arts, Tai Chi, meditation or [...]

By |2022-12-06T11:22:34-08:00December 6th, 2022|Master the Moment|1 Comment

My Story About Me

When I was a child I was given a book with the title My Book About Me. It was a Dr. Seuss book with illustrations. There was a picture of me looking funny with an oversized baseball hat that my parents helped me tape to the front. I filled out a series of superficial items [...]

By |2022-11-03T10:33:21-07:00November 2nd, 2022|Master the Moment|1 Comment

Lessons from Internal Retreat

Last weekend we had our annual Internal Retreat at Mt. Baldy Zen Center. We had an amazing time practicing Tai Chi and meditating in nature. Here are some of the lessons form Internal Retreat that stand out for me. Silence at the Internal Retreat This year at out Internal Retreat we did 24 hours of [...]

By |2023-12-20T12:40:22-08:00October 7th, 2022|Master the Moment|0 Comments

Whirling Dervish

While having a spiritual ritual or martial arts class helps us get past our small self, it is possible to experience higher states of consciousness in everyday life. Take a lesson from the whirling dervish; dance wherever you are and listen to the divine in the flow that ensues. 

By |2022-09-06T20:40:42-07:00September 6th, 2022|Master the Moment|2 Comments

Integrity

This week’s question is about integrity: What part of my life doesn't reflect who I am or want to be? Reflection Some of us may feel personally attacked by this question. We don’t like thinking of how we may be falling short of our goals, nor do we like facing how we aren’t being true [...]

By |2022-08-04T12:44:35-07:00August 2nd, 2022|Master the Moment|1 Comment
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