Most people think of Mister Rogers as being a kind and gentle soul. But to my mind, he was also a warrior. When Fred Rogers first saw television, he hated it. “I got into television because I saw people throwing pies at each other’s faces. And if there’s anything that bothers me, it’s one person…
Category: SELF EMPOWERMENT
Ideas for fitness of mind, body, and spirit.
Make Yourself Comfortable–It’s a Matter of Life and Death!
Stop! Before you read this, make yourself comfortable. Straighten your back. Relax your shoulders. Take a deep breath. Here’s why– When you make yourself comfortable, you’re smarter, safer, happier, and more efficient. As an animal, it’s natural to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Yet, how often do we find ourselves, or put ourselves, into situations…
Finish Strong: How To Get Things Done
I admit it–martial artists can be a wacky bunch. Allow me to share an example… One night, during an Aikido class, my teacher demonstrated how to defend against a knife attack. She called up a student and handed him a wooden knife, then gave the cue to attack… The student stuck out his arm, thrusting…
Be You…If You Dare!
Be you. Sounds simple enough. Yet it’s probably the greatest challenge of your life. Sure, it was easy to be you when you were a child. You could scream and cry. You could run around without your pants. You could lie down on the floor at the mall. You could grab a crayon and draw…
Don’t Talk to Tigers: The Worst Mistake in Martial Arts
Imagine you’re at the zoo. AGHHH! You hear a scream. You spin around and see the door to the tiger cage thrown open… A tiger is sitting on your friend’s chest, biting his head off. You’re horrified because your friend not only owed you money, but was also your ride home. Uh oh. The tiger…
Thank You, Pain: Why Injuries Are Good for You
If you train in the martial arts, you’re going to suffer injuries. How much you suffer is up to you. It all depends on your attitude about pain. Why Injuries Are Good for You The first time I got hurt was during college. I met a girl—a pretty girl!—who had never done martial arts. Being…
The Heart and Soul of Karate | The Purpose of Training in the Martial Arts
There are many good reasons to practice Karate and the martial arts… but what would you say is the heart and soul of your training? Here’s my answer. Let me know yours! The Heart and Soul of Karate The heart of the martial arts is self-defense. Your training should strengthen your commitment and capability to…