BrianBrief #11 (What Are You Training For?)
It seems many are not sure why they are training or shift their thinking about training. Some examples: Many can’t decide whether they are training for martial arts or for self-defence. My opinion is that martial arts is very different from training for self-defence. While…
BrianBrief #10 (Back Off Or Power Through?)
Students often struggle during a private lesson. Whether to back off and take a 30-second mental break or encourage them to power through is a judgment call. For example, I taught a client Flow Drill 9 (changing hands) yesterday. He caught on to it quickly….
BrianBrief #9 (Aging to Perfection)
As we age, some of us realize we need to change our training methods to accommodate our aging bodies. Not all realize this. Some do, but they’re so attached to their lifelong routine that they stick with it even if it does lasting damage to…
BrianBrief #8 (Setbacks)
Setbacks can clarify and, in bold relief, point out your weaknesses. Was it your preparation? Or did you ignore potential weaknesses? Or did the setback/loss expose unknown weaknesses? For example, several things became glaringly obvious during Notre Dame’s loss to BYU last Saturday. CJ Carr…
BrianBrief #7 (A Wise Doctor)
As it turns out, I wrote yesterday’s BrianBrief at the ophthalmologist’s office for my regular checkup. Long story short, my eyes are stable glaucoma-wise. My only complaint was cloudiness in my left eye’s visual field. It turns out to be a common byproduct of cataracts…
BrianBrief #6 (Why?)
Why have I decided to do BrianBriefs? Three reasons: I will still write long-form posts when the time permits. I’m writing this in a doctor’s office waiting room. Just an illustration of what I can do when out and about! Stay tuned for more!
BrianBrief #5 (Reality vs Fantasy)
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates Let’s apply Socrates to our martial arts lives. Early in my martial arts career, I attended a Modern Arnis seminar. I wasn’t a black belt yet. After Professor Presas demonstrated a technique, I approached a black…
BrianBrief #4 (Foreseeable Crap)
“Self defense” often denotes an immediate situation confronting you. A stranger accosts you in an elevator or at a parking lot. Or a loved one throws a violent temper tantrum to the point where you fear for your safety. But what about life style choices…
BrianBrief #3 (Miracle Exercise)
Two years ago I suffered a severe case of tendonitis in my right shoulder as a result of my push-up training leading up to my 60th birthday. Long story short: I went through physical therapy located a short walk from my house. It helped a…
BrianBrief #2
In one sense, I have two different kinds of private clients. Both concern the willingness to slow down their training sequences. The first kind consciously slows down their technique (often prompted by me) to smooth things out. For example, I have a brother-sister duo who…
