Back in Action!
Man, am I happy or what? I am back in action by teaching private lessons for the first time since December! As soon as Ontario entered Step One of its re-opening plan, I emailed my clients, offering them the opportunity to start training again. Several…
It’s On Like Donkey Kong!
Ontario announced today that they would start re-opening the economy on Friday, June 11th. Based on my reading of the provincial guidelines, I can teach private lessons. IT’S ON LIKE DONKEY KONG! LET’S GO! Because the province is beginning to distribute 2nd doses, last fall’s…
4 Ways To Set Up Your Opponent
How do you set up an opponent? There are several methods of setting up your opponent for a finishing shot. In the video below, I demonstrate four ways of setting up your opponent. If you are not able to view this video, click here. In…
Pandemic Solo Training
Pandemic Solo Training? Hell, yes, it can be done! While it is true that FMAs are geared toward partner training, there are also tons of solo training possibilities during this pandemic. Forms and stick shadowboxing (carenza) come to mind. However, I have more than those…
Just Do Your Freaking Thing
I’ve been pondering the importance of ignoring what Professor Presas once called “the barking dogs.” He often said, “Ignore the barking dogs and do your thing.” There are many naysayers out there who espouse absolutism. They fail to recognize what is true for themselves, and…
Friday Recommendation #7 – Maija Soderholm Interview
This is a fantastic interview between Dean France and Maija Soderholm. If you are not able to view this video, click here. I am usually reluctant to recommend lengthy podcasts. Between family and work, most readers won’t have time to digest a 2-hour podcast. I…
The Third Lockdown
Due to a massive surge in cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and ventilator numbers, Ontario tightened the COVID-related restrictions three weeks ago. This is an extension of varying degrees of a lockdown since December. Despite that, the trend did not change. The province then imposed a…
Countering the Punyo Feed
If you are not able to view this video, click here. A YouTube viewer asked, “How do you counter a punyo feed?” In this video, I responded to this query and demonstrated three examples of countering a punyo feed. Firstly, I instruct beginner students to…
FMA Translations
One of the keys to mastery of FMAs is knowing how to translate a movement across different platforms. A good example of this is “gunting.” This is a scissors-like movement, characterized by the left hand parrying an attack while the right hand defangs or cuts…
YouTube, Zoom, and Cross-Training
Intro The martial arts industry has been upended as we have gone through this pandemic. Several martial arts schools in the vicinity of where I live have closed. One school was in its location for 30 years only to be brought down by the pandemic…
