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…
Friday Recommendation #6
If you are not able to view this video, click here. This terrific podcast interview with Rickson Gracie is revealing. He speaks of his life philosophy that stems from his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career. At one point in the podcast, he expounded on the meaning of…
Friday Recommendation #5
If you are not able to view this video, click here. Sensei Jesse Enkamp and MMA Coach Ramsey Dewey pack quite a bit into this 10-minute discussion. The exchange between the two veers away from the video’s title. For this post, I’d like to focus…
Friday Recommendation #4
If you are not able to view this video, click here. While this podcast is three years old, it’s terrific. A little background on the interviewer. His name is Rokas, and he lives in Lithuania. He taught Aikido for several years and became disenchanted with…
Friday Recommendation #3
Before you delve into Sensei Ando’s 25-minute podcast about Bruce Lee’s famous quote, let’s refresh your memory first by watching this clip. If you are not able to view this video, click here. I have to admit that I have always been a big fan…
Get Out of the Comfort Zone!
Often, martial artists stay in their comfort zone and practice the same form or workout routine daily. They perform their favourite kata the same way several times a week. As a result, some get stuck in a rut. Why not challenge yourself? Why not get…
Taking The Leap
Recently, I came across this video on Facebook, and it stood out to me. Take 10 minutes of your time and watch the whole thing. Some saw it as a metaphor for death regarding confronting the fear of the unknown. Some saw it in more…
Stop Judging Yourself!
I often see students judge themselves harshly after they have messed up a technique or cannot instantly master a new technique. Their facial expressions often betray their internal thinking process. “God, I’m so stuuuupid!” When this happens, I tell them “stop judging yourself!” If you…
The Most Important Person?
I am pleased to present a guest post from my good friend, RoseAnne Mussar. She hails from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and trains in Modern Arnis at the 6Tigers Academy in Barrhaven (Ottawa) under Renshi Janet Heffernan. She also trains in the American Cane System, often traveling to…
