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