In response to the people up in arms for gun control after the tragedy in Connecticut

I got an abundance of emails after the conn. shooting from petition websites about gun control. 

Why can't anyone see the bigger picture? 
Why aren't people at all concerned about psychological health in this country?

Yes every fire arm has the potential to cause death. And yes i do believe an intelligent addition to our gun policy could help prevent people who do things like this from killing in the future.

However when will someone stand up and demand personal responsibility! The recent escalation of tragedies like this one should be taken on by the worlds best psychologist and criminologist. Not by people who see an inanimate object as the culprit. 

This young man is a monster he did not deserve to live after what he did.
But he took the cowards way out and now we have no one left to answer for his crimes. So everyones is directing their anguish toward firearms themselves. 

We live in a time and society where people are becoming more and more detached from each other. And becoming less and less able to deal with harassment and strife in a day to day capacity. Something was wrong with this guy (and we may never know what) and something has been wrong with every other person like him in the past. 

Get the nations best criminologist and psychologist to really exam each one of the perpetrators individually and maybe we can find out what sickness is creating these monsters. There is so much more to this issue than people are considering. 

We need to strengthen our youth and prepare them for life so that no matter what kind of world we live in, they will be prepared. My heart goes out to the families effected by this atrocity. We as a nation need to do more to understand this problem; rather than just lashing out in pain to who and whatever we can.

If i offended anyone with this post i apologize... that you're dumb.

Personal Entry

I haven't touched this blog in a while and although I know no one reads it, I thought it would be nice to give the world a status update.

While returning from some time of in California I was side swiped and ran off the 8 freeway by a semi truck. I was banged up pretty bad and have been in physical therapy and doctors offices since then. I took very little time off work against doctors orders because i can't afford not to work.

I have been trying to stay in good spirits, however over the past few days the first thing out of peoples mouths when they see me is, "are you alright?" Even from people who don't know about the accident. So i must look like shit. I haven't been able to keep up with my medications because I worry they will impair my ability to work safely. And I am consistantly losing focus because of the pain and addition of  these doctors appointments and physical therapy. I want to feel better and stop hurting, but more than anything i just want to be able to put all of this behind me.

I work for a small company and have no health and medical benefits, the property i manage only has four employees so I am needed there. I know I will make it through this, but this whole experience and the accident itself has really made me contemplate life and the direction mine is going in. I could have died that day, and all i can think about is how regretful i would be if i had. All the things i haven't done yet, all the things I could be doing now but still am not. Life is precious, and you may not live to the day you have everything planned for.

I miss training with my group back home in Cali. Sure I am financially more secure here in AZ but i am more and more often noticing how the more financially secure I become, the farther away from happiness and enlightenment i am. There has to be a balance, and right now, i don't have it. A couple years back i was a believer in existentialism, and now I am more of a helpless observer waiting for my moment to escape what my life has become. Wether i stay because i feel i need to fulfill an obligation, or i stay because I fear losing all the material possessions I owe money on like my car, it just isn't right and it just isn't me. Although i know i have done some growing since i came out here, I feel as though i am growing farther away from the person i want to be, and closer to the person I am expected to become in this culture.

Martial arts has taught me that there is a way to succeed and turn around every situation to your advantage, however life is a skilled adversary that outmatches me in wisdom and complexity. I don't know wether to fight or flow in my current situation. what i do know is that right now i feel as though i am a child again flailing in the pool as i learn to swim. And all i can do is try my damndest to keep my head above water.

From Ring to Screen

Martial Arts movies are now more popular than ever. The American movie goer has been fortunate enough to grow past the days of only having a single Bruce Lee to emulate. Today we have more great martial arts action stars than we know what to do with. From Jackie Chan and his years of Hollywood success to Tony Jaa's recent explosion of films in the past few years, audiences are beginning to look deeper into the action on screen.

Bruce Lee behind the scenes

MMA and sport fighting on television has sparked curiosity in many about how much of Hollywood actually parallels real full contact fighting. As a martial arts instructor I can tell you, the answer to how much is simply, A LOT!
Everyone seems to know what a Mixed Martial Artist is now-a-days. A hard training athlete and practitioner who spend years of his life learning techniques, and spends hours upon hours every week to stay in peak condition. However many people do not know what a Movie Martial Artist is. Most martial artist working in film started as children in a dojo, competing at amateur tournaments, than over time worked their way into film.
     The bottom line is that a martial arts movie star is a martial artist first and an actor second. Doing your own stunts, practicing choreographed fights, all the while missing sleep due to a brutal shooting schedule comes with risk. If anything goes wrong you rely on your conditioning to protect you, just like an MMA fighter relys on his conditioning for protection in the ring.
     Along with the risk of mistakes, the chinese method of shooting for realism is to use real contact, which hightens the requirements placed on the actors. Take for example Chinese action star Donny Yen. In one of his recent films Flashpoint (2007). There are techniques and stunts in this film where there is just no avoiding a few bumps and bruises, but it is necessary to make real contact at times if you want it to look real on the screen.
     So wether we are talking about Mixed Martial Artists or Martial Arts Movie Stars, remember to look for the common denomenator here. They are both martial artists, and if you really want to know from an average persons perspective how alike the two are, go find a Tony Jaa or Donny Yen and ask to challenge them. I can assure you the only difference between having your your ass handed to you by a Donny Yen or Bruce Lee rather than a Urijah Faber or Mirko Crocop is how nice they will look before you hit the ground.

Entertainers or Athletes

     The UFC is becoming more and more popular with every televised match. People are tuning in for pay per views by the millions and many more jump on their favorite website to watch the same fights being web casted. An amazing accomplishment given the simplicity of sport fighting. Those who train a discipline of martial arts know why they watch, athletes and sports fans know why they watch it. But what draws in the average Joe? What is it about the UFC and its analogs that is getting them those great ratings... Where are the showmen?

    One Jason "Mayhem" Miller answered that call. While working his way through the Japanese circuit, he established himself with his entrances. A moment of pure spectacle, the showman presents himself. Now i know that cage fighting is very serious because quite frankly if you aren't focused... you are gonna pay for it. But i still appreciate seeing some character. "Mayhem" may not have had the most stellar record in cage fighting with no wins in the UFC, however he was fearless. An athlete and a showman. "Mayhem" recently was released from his contract over an unknown incident behind the scenes at a weigh in. But regardless, thanks for the show, and with all due respect, it was much more fun watching you bleed in the ring than it has been with anyone else.  So farewell "Mayhem", and don't piss anyone else off or else no one will get to see you fight anymore.

Jason "Mayhem" Miller is released from the UFC

I Can Relate

Any traditional instructor will tell his students that the belt has significance. It represents your time in the system and how much you have learned. However, to make sure students don't get a big head. Their instructor may remind you that beyond showing rank a belt is just there to keep your Gi closed.
    A title belt however is more like a trophy or an accolade. Something to display and be proud of. Recently one Vinny Magalhaes decided that his title belt was nothing he wanted to display and remember and put it on e-bay at a starting bid of 0.09 cents. BRILLIANT!
 The article states that he was having conflict of interests with the organization who awarded him the belt and found a very direct way to let them know he was cutting ties for good. I personally have destroyed a 1st prize trophy awarded to me. It was liberating. I felt the organization running the competition was barely organized and I hated the hierarchy there. I ended up having to fight only my own classmates for the trophy. So when we got home we took turns kicking and chopping this 4 foot trophy into bits. In any case I feel Vinny Magalhaes selling his belt was a right proper F.U. It was his belt and he can do what wants with it. But what do you think. read the article and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments.
Cage Fighter Sells Title belt on E-Bay

The Spirit

 Often times in society dealing with everyday stress, causes us to develop defense mechanisms. These mechanisms come in all forms and are necessary to make sure we don't lose composure and lash out a those around us. Which is one of the biggest responsibilities of a martial artist.

Keeping a work out routine and allowing yourself to clear your mind is a paramount skill to create. However even the strongest of us can create mechanisms that, although prevent us from opening the emotional flood gates on someone, can also be self destructive. Recently I have made the mistake of displacing my spiritual or emotional body from my physical body, which destroys your mental balance.

This can cause depression, detachment from others and make you more easily distracted. So in a martial sense, no matter what you have planned for the day and no matter what your stressors are, these two parts of yourself (emotional and physical) are meant to balance each other. To allow one or the other to wain will decrease your power and your ability to adapt to any new issues that might arise. Without control over your spiritual, or in a more terrestrial sense, your emotional body you are weak.

Remember that we all get upset and want to drag someone outside and thrash them every now and again. And this is natural, but to stifle your natural feelings completely only makes them stronger. Instead embrace your feelings, as long as you can maintain your composure and not act on these feelings you will be stronger for it. The peaks and valleys of emotion are an important part of life and without them life becomes robotic and dull.

This is Awesome

For any of you out there preparing for the return of the living dead, here is the product for you.  Zombie (just in case.. MAX) Available at Precision Arms in Escondido, CA.

Be a Bargain Shopper

If you have ever enrolled in a martial arts class than you know it is expensive. If you are considering signing up with a school, a quick word of advice, treat this expense a lot like your other purchases. Martial Arts gyms wether traditional or modern MMA range from $89 to $300 per month, so it is important to shop around. Use tools like Google Maps and other search engines to your advantage. Some schools use sites like Groupon and Living Social to give discounts for walk in classes or annual tuition fees. My method has always been to take advantage of free classes or free weeks that schools offer. It may be frowned upon by the schools but if they open the door for you, than you have no reason not to accept their offer.
    Make sure to try schools of different styles than what you have had your eye on, you are guaranteed to learn something new. Even if all you learn is that, this particular style is not for you. If you have your heart set on a specific school however, do not hesitate to ask them for introductory offers or specials. There are so many schools now-a-days that they are hungry for your business, and there for, almost always have an incentive to join. However remember that a legitimate knowledge of self defense is invaluable, so although we want to save money, Sifu or Sensei has to eat too. I was lucky enough to find an instructor who taught a much smaller group in public parks and out of his house which in turn kept the cost down for me. Never assume that the facility makes the teachers better. I trained for six years on grass, dirt and asphalt and came out stronger and more skillful for it. So with that advice Good Luck on your search and i hope you find what you are looking for.

A Great Tool

While thumbing through a gun supply magazine i came across a tool i hadn't thought much about at first glance.  The Stinger is a self defense tool marketed mainly to women and said to give you the punching power "of a martial arts master". The tool is basically a hard piece of plastic modeled after a punch knife and shaped to fit into your hand. It is considered a non lethal self defense tool, likened to pepper spray or a Kubaton. The stinger is a wonderful idea for anyone, because it can be taken anywhere, used by anyone with little or no training and they are 100% legal. Plus it has the advantage over a Kubaton because of its ergonomic design.
    I would highly recommend The Stinger, because of its intelligent design, 100% legality and ease of concealment. I give this product 4 out of 5 stars in my book. Check it out for yourself in the link above.

Tai Chi Is Cool Again

Today i have a video for you guys to check out. This is a Tai Chi master who does a great job of taking Tai Chi back from senior citizens. Tai Chi Combat does a great job of showing the practical application of these traditional moves.
       Most often when we think of Tai Chi we think of slow meditative movements. It is not often that people think past the peaceful air of Tai Chi's appearance and look to see what is being acted out. Take for an example, Parting the Wild Horses Mane, which enacts a trapping and twisting motion that is used to bend or break the arm, leg and or neck if caught in the middle. Beyond the grace of Tai Chi it is still a killing art and T'ai Chi Ch'aun roughly (poorly) translated means "Grand Ultimate Fist"
      There is certainly beauty in Tai Chi but no martial art is worth something if it does not help protect you from attacks. So lets take a moment to thank Master Wong for sharing his knowledge. Master Wong has several more videos on youtube about Tai Chi and some on Wing Chun. (if you couldn't already tell from his hand speed.)

Tai Chi Combat

Weapons Retention

There is a split down the middle of our society on how people feel about fire arms in the United States. Some people feel that all problems can be solved without fire arms, which in most cases is true. Yet others hold up the argument that a gun for self defense could prevent you from being jumped and having your head kicked in by 6 people, should you find yourself in such a situation. Both arguments hold some ground. However, what will always stay true is the fact that your weapon is only good to you when you are the one holding it.

Wether you have a gun, a knife, a stick, or a hand grenade the only way to use it safely is to make sure it does not get used against you. The term for keeping your weapon as taught by police and military is called Weapons Retention. There are many techniques for this, one or more for every way someone can try to strip your weapon. The police practice what is called pin and spin, which is almost as simple as it sounds. Simply pin your hand to your holster, preventing another hand from pulling your pistol away and spin on your front foot, turning your hip and holster out of reach. The moves brilliance is its simplicity. However the technique itself, in my mind, is only a reaction to the flaw of open carry. 

By having your weapon in plain sight, yes it implies that you have nothing to hide, however it leaves your weapon exposed for a criminal to capitalize upon. To conceal your weapon as a law abiding citizen, allows you to appear less threatening to a bad guy in a crisis. Leaving you the opportunity to use or not Use your weapon as the situation allows. Even if some criminals see an armed populous as a deterrent; a easily reached weapon is an opportunity for some very bad things.

People who choose to carry firearms who do not understand the  principle of Weapons Retention, may find themselves on the wrong end of the barrel. If you are willing to take on the responsibility of your second amendment right, practice gun safety, take a few classes, protect and educate your family and children, and for everyone's sake be in control of your weapon at all times!

The muscle tendon changing classic

Here is a Shaolin exercise you can practice very easily in your own home. Much like Yoga this exercise is more of collection of postures rather than a combination of techniques. The stretches worked in this series of movements combined with slow, deep and controlled breathing opens up energy paths in the body, strengthens your muscles, and tendons and works to repair damage you may have caused from poor lifestyle or injury. Please watch. This "muscle tendon changing classic" can take a long time to preform properly but even doing a little bit of this exercise every day will improve your posture, and mood.

The Muscle Tendon Changing Classic

An Awesome Spinning Back Fist

MMA is seeing an evolution of techniques with every match. The sport has gone from the traditional face to face punchfest, to bouts with cartwheel kicks and people jumping of the cage like spider monkeys. One unorthodox technique has been shining through for years however, and it is due to many factors. The spinning back fist has racked up several famous knock outs and i believe although its a wild move it deserves some recognition. Here is a clip showing how a fighter (Yahir Reyes) went from being pushed back by someone he didn't want to go to to toe with, to winning the fight.

Yahir Reyes turns it around.

Rules to live by

Here is a link to a code of moral conduct written by Ip Man A master of wing chun. He is the man responsible for bringing the art to the worlds stage. Today wing chun is respected by schools and military around the world as one of the most effective and deadly martial arts. It is due to the power of this discipline that these words were penned. However if you read them you might realize that the majority of it goes beyond martial arts and should be adopted by all people. It is a moral code and a very easy one to follow. Please Read.  Rules to live by

Keeping Killing Fun

There are endless amounts of people out there with humorous martial arts video podcasts. But to this day Ask A Ninja is still my favorite. I don't keep up with him anymore but what i can tell you is that if you look up Ask a Ninja or visit his website you will be sure to have a few serious laughs. But be careful, he is a Ninja and he will kill you.

here is one of my favorite posts of his for your viewing pleasure.

Ninja Omnibus

The Best Intro in any tutorial ever!

I stumbled upon this video a few months ago. Although it is a great tutorial from someone who deserves much respect, i can't shake the feeling that this is something you could see on Tosh.0. If you don't laugh just a little bit during the intro Im sorry but you are clinically depressed and should really just go back to bed.

No Handed Cartwheel Guy

Sweet Justice

Here is a story to refute those out there who feel that a gun is the end all beat all of a fight. More evidence that a person with a cool head and the right training can defend his life no matter what the circumstance. Please do not take this article as proof that you personally can defend yourself from a gunman. This story happened in very specific circumstances, and if you read the article through, the martial artist in question handed over his valuables without resistance. 


Fatty Fat Gunman Gets beaten and shoots himself trying to rob an Ultimate Fighter

Somebody had to say it.

Here is a great guy helping us all out with his public service, making us all a little more aware of some truly STUPID martial arts techniques. Watch and enjoy.

Don't these techniques ANYWHERE!

Conditioning for Pain Tolerance

     Most all Martial Artist exercise conditioning of their bodies for specific usages. For example Mauy Thai and Karate practitioners often harden their shins because the round house kick is integral to their strategy. On the other hand many different styles of Kung Fu train to harden their hands and fingers because these small bones are often their main striking surfaces. Any of these exercises condition the bones using what is called Wolf's Law. However the training also has an additional benefit of improving your pain tolerance. Pain Tolerance put simply is the amount of pain a person can withstand before reacting, submitting, or passing out.
      Mind over matter does have a lot to do with a persons pain tolerance however every person has their breaking point. So the question is what can we do to our most vulnerable parts such as pressure points and  other parts of us, that we can't simply bang against trees and rocks and metal? What has worked for me is gradual self infliction of pain and or pressure to my pressure points. The beauty of this is that it is something that can be practiced little by little in your day to day life. Here is one simple exercise you can try for yourself.

Apply pressure to your nail bed just in front of your cuticle. This pressure point is used often to teach women's self defense because it takes little to no strength to inflict pain to this area. Continue to apply pressure until you feel it is to much for you to handle, than stop. Bare in mind this is not your actual pain tolerance, but more so the amount your mind will allow you to apply pain to yourself, before your mind says "HEY MAN! what are freaking retarded?" So now once you find that point continually apply pressure till the pain is to much, hold for a moment, and release. Over time your mind will allow you to experience this for longer periods of time as the nerves get used to it. Do this on all our you digits in rotation and i guarantee you will learn more about yourself and improve your pain tolerance in the process.

    

One thing leads to another

People have been practicing Martial Arts since prehistory, and through the years literally thousands of different styles or disciplines have been formed. Many of these styles were formulated based on family traditions and reenactments of animals in the wild. Whatever their base of idea we now have thousands of different styles and millions of different schools. However there is one common denominator, all these styles were used against each other, and there for helped each other evolve. The northern styles such as Wushu with their Long fist techniques were tested against southern styles like praying mantis kung fu in times of war and civil unrest. Over the years as these arts grew more acute and finite and as politics took place over war, we begin to see a boiling over effect in Martial Arts. An effervescent act of progression where arts not only begin to reflect one another, but also begin to spontaneously create entirely new disciplines of practice. Take for instance Jiu jitsu. Jiu Jitsu began in japan (believe it or not MMA Crowd) and was a very hard style the tournaments and practice often left practitioners injured. Over time a prominent Jiu Jitsu Practitioner, Jigoro Kano, eventually restructured the art in a way where people could train and compete while sustaining much less injury. And thus Judo or the "gentle way" was born, it is now practiced world wide. Just another example in Martial Arts of how one thing leads to another.