Welcome to Episode #39 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “The Crazy Critic.” Advice is cheap. We all get it, we all give it. But let me ask you something… Are you a smart critic or a crazy critic? Seriously—do you give good advice that improves people’s lives or bad advice that just…
Author: Ando Mierzwa
Ando Mierzwa is a martial arts teacher living in Los Angeles, CA.
Punching Drill for Better Timing in Martial Arts
Want a simple punching drill to help you master timing? You got it! In this video, I share one of my favorite punching drills. You can apply it to sparring, self-defense, and even practicing kata or forms. If the video doesn’t play, there’s a summary below. The time is now… try it! A Punching Drill…
Forward Rolls for Self-Defense
Forward rolls in the martial arts are taught a lot of different ways… You might see the lead hand cutting across the hip or through the legs, for example. You might also see the back hand cutting across the hip or through the legs. Or maybe both arms are extended. Which is right? For me,…
Who Is the Perfect Sparring Partner?
If you want to be a great martial artist, you can’t just practice alone. That’s because the martial arts is ultimately about managing relationships. Developing yourself by yourself is a path to confusion and delusion. But what type of person is best for developing yourself? Who is the perfect sparring partner? Consider this… I was…
#38: The Perfect Sparring Partner [Podcast]
Welcome to Episode #38 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “The Perfect Sparring Partner.” Let’s face it—if you want to be a great martial artist, you can’t train alone… you need training partners. The more, the better! But what kind of person will make you the best you can be? Hint—it may not…
How to Hook Punch with Power!
Do you know how to hook punch with power… and not injure your shoulder? I didn’t! I admit it… I once tore my shoulder throwing wild hooks—too wide, too hard. During rehab, I swore I’d never throw a hook again. But over time, I realized the problem wasn’t the hook punch, it was my lousy…
One Drill for a Better Straight Punch
Time for a little straight talk about straight punches. Whether you’re throwing a traditional reverse punch, a boxer’s 1-2, or an old fashioned palm heel, there is one big mistake you want to avoid… letting your elbow flare out. Why is flaring your elbow a problem? First, flaring your elbow gives away power because you’re…