I get a lot of questions about balance. Mostly from people having a hard time throwing high kicks. But don’t give up yet! The fact is that developing your balance is important for every martial artist, whether you throw high kicks or not. So, let me give you one simple exercise to help improve your…
Author: Ando Mierzwa
Ando Mierzwa is a martial arts teacher living in Los Angeles, CA.
Sucker Punch Self-Defense Tips
Want to know how to stop a sucker punch? Trick question! You can’t stop a sucker punch. A sucker punch is a sneak attack. A surprise. That means you won’t see it coming. Which can happen to anyone! Heck, I’ve been sucker punched, sucker grabbed, sucker shoved, and sucker choked. So, forget about stopping a…
#45: Self-Doubt in the Martial Arts [Podcast]
Welcome to Episode #45 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Self-Doubt in the Martial Arts.” Do you suck at martial arts? Do you ever feel like you’re wasting your time practicing all those fancy moves? Be warned! When it comes to success in self-defense or any part of life, doubting yourself won’t just…
Chamber Exercises for More Kicking Power and Accuracy
If you want to learn how to kick with more power and accuracy, try these simple chamber exercises. After all, if your chambers are floppy and sloppy, your kicks will be floppy and sloppy, too! Watch the video or read the summary below. Then get up and give them a try! I mean, if your…
Hook Kick and Round Kick: Chamber Tip
Do you struggle to throw an effective hook kick or round kick? Don’t worry. They’re not as tricky as you might think. The secret to letting your foot fly lies in how you set up your chamber. And in this video, I’ll show you how. As always, if the video doesn’t load, you can find…
Dirty Fighting Tips for Self-Defense
What exactly is dirty fighting? More importantly, how do you make dirty fighting moves work in a real-life self-defense situation? I answer both of those questions in the video below. If it doesn’t play, you can check out the written summary below. Stay safe, my friend! Dirty Fighting for Self-Defense First question: What is dirty…
Kung Fu Armbar Escape with Sifu TW Smith
Most people watching a Tai Chi student swaying in the park have no idea that those flowing movements contain martial arts techniques like a sweep, break, or armbar escape. But you’re not most people! And either is Sifu TW Smith. Already a fan of his Kung Fu Podcast, I was even more impressed when I…