RGI and Judo: Self Development for the Martial Artist
I attended the very first Resolution Group International conflict resolution course back in September 2010. Being the first group to be trained in the then new course, we are the “plank owners”, an unofficial naval term referring to crew members of a newly commissioned ship. As such, I found it took me some time to process the powerful training, and to understand what it can do for a martial artist. I have come to see that RGI training makes available to the student many of the same principles and ideas that were espoused by the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano. Judo ...
Eric Lee – The Man With Deep Thoughts
In a crowded field of martial arts legends and legendary wannabees, Eric Lee is a standout in two regards. First, no one has anything bad to say about the man. He is universally loved and respected. His ‘style’ is to teach by example. Secondly, he has nothing bad to say about anyone else. If someone he knows is at odds with another of his many friends, he simply will not engage in any discouraging talk or controversy. Deflecting negativity and redirecting it to a positive and healthful direction is the ‘art’ that Grand Master Eric Lee cherishes the most among ...
No Holds Barred
I just finished watching an excellent documentary about mixed martial arts. Like many lifelong martial arts I've watched it grow from its infancy to where it is now and like most of my peers I have mixed feelings about it. It is probably the fastest growing sport in the world today. It is definitely a lucrative business and a serious money maker. Promoters and some fighters have made a fortune in the business. Say what you want about it, it is successful beyond anything most martial artists would have ever expected. Like it or not, for better or worse, it ...
What is Traditional Karate?
The title of this article is "What is Traditional Karate?" And that may seem like a strange question for a traditional karateka to ask! But it is my view that we often do not think what "traditional" actually means, and how that impacts upon the art we practice. The dictionary definition of "traditional" is, "adhering to a long established procedure." To play devil's advocate for a moment, I'd suggest that the majority of karate practiced in this country today is not traditional! My reasoning is that much of today's karate is not "adhering to a long established procedure" but is in fact ...
Returning to Our Roots – The 1st World Tang Soo Do Seoul Forum – Seoul Korea 2012
I like to travel and when that travel includes meeting and working out with other martial artists, I am ecstatic. This November, 2012 I traveled to Seoul Korea to attend the 1st World Tang Soo Do Seoul Forum put on by the World Moo Duk Kwan General Federation (World Tang Soo Do General Federation: Moo Duk Kwon). As a journalist, I was honored to be asked to speak at this momentous event along with Tang Soo Do Grandmasters representing countries from around the world. There were practitioners from Korea, The United States, Mexico, Canada, Holland, Ireland, India, Brazil and more. (Read ...
Ridge Hand Strike
There is one common techniques that I personally feel has been left out of our current training in traditional Karate Do and that is the unused Haito Uechi or Ridge Hand strike. The use of this technique, although powerful and incredibly lethal, has waned in traditional karate schools training curriculum. The Ridge hand or (Haito) was orginally developed as an outside strike or circular attack. The object lesson in this movement is to penatrate through an opponents defenses with one single motion. Over the years I seen this technique used in open point tournaments to offset an attack from the ...
Forging the Sword
Shuto Uchi, the notorious karate chop is known alternately as the knife hand, sword hand and ax hand. However you call it is karate’s sword. Each of the hand forms in karate mimic a weapon. The nukite is karate’s spear. The tsatui is karate’s battle hammer. I could go on but I think you get the point. These hand forms can be honed into lethal weapons. In the past this was accomplished on the makiwari or striking pad. The makiwari conditioned the weapons and developed kime or focus. It is debatable how much can be accomplished without makiwari training. It is ...
An Introduction to Ninjutsu
With this article, the Historical Ninjutsu Research Team aim to provide a brief introduction to the fascinating story of the Japanese ninja, giving the reader an insight into the world of the Japanese spy and their abilities. The ninja or shinobi as they were known are not only little-understood but are also misunderstood with many misnomers proliferating their story, this introductory guide will help you establish the facts about the arts of the ninja and show you the reality of the fascinating world in which they lived. WHAT IS A NINJA? The first element in the search for the ninja is to ...
Satsuninken and Katsuninto
Sometimes the movies get it right! "Go seek balance Daniel-san," these were the words Miyagi Sensei spoke to his pupil at a time in Daniel's life when he needed help. All of us face challenging times in our lives. Those times require fortitude, discipline, persistence, bravery, and a balanced approach in order to properly address our difficulties. The swords of life and death are a metaphor regarding balance, center, and free will. In the old film The Karate Kid this idea was exemplified and ultimately proven in Daniel's personal realization, "that you train so you do not have to fight." It ...
How Tae-Kwon-Do Won the West Part 2
From 1970 to date, Tae Kwon Do experienced its most explosive growth in the Western world. It became arguably the most popular martial art practiced in the U.S. and an Olympic demonstration sport. Here's how it happened. The Second Generation It's been estimated that just over 25 Korean TKD masters had settled in the United States by the mid 1960s. By the late 1960s, a span of only four or five years, that number increased to over 800. Reputedly, more than 1,200 Korean TKD instructors had emigrated to the United States by the early 1970s. At the same time, Americans trained in TKD ...
Legends & Legacies
Eric Lee – The Man With Deep Thoughts
In a crowded field of martial arts legends and legendary wannabees, Eric Lee is a...
Emil Farkas: The Man, The Magician, The Martial Artist
At the surface, Emil Farkas’ profile is similar to many other Sensei’s...
Ernie Reyes Sr. – Leading By Example
Raised by Filipino immigrant parents, the infectiously optimistic Ernie Reyes Sr....
Jhoon Rhee – Changing The World
“We must strive to achieve human perfection. I define human perfection as...
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Who's Who
Abernethy, Iain
Iain Abernethy began his training in karate under Doug James 7th Dan; who was in...
Stutely, Russell
Qualifications: OCFM International Coach PPDT International Instructor Cop Tactics...
Day, Lawrence
USMA Hall of Fame member Grandmaster Dr. Lawrence Day began his Martial Arts journey...
Johnston, Barry
Acknowledged as a leader and authority in sports and martial arts education, Mr Barry...
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Articles
“Fathers Day Thought (Tales From The Hood) by Don Miskel II with comments by ‘The Old Man’
My father, Donald Miskel, is crazy. That has its down side but it DEFINITELY served a purpose! How did being crazy pay off? - My father feared NOTHING. I remember us coming home and found our apartment had been broken into. My dad, who is a martial artist, kept weapons stashed around the house. He took off his shirt, grabbed a sword from behind the... Read more of this article
RGI and Judo: Self Development for the Martial Artist
I attended the very first Resolution Group International conflict resolution course back in September 2010. Being the first group to be trained in the then new course, we are the “plank owners”, an unofficial naval term referring to crew members of a newly commissioned ship. As such, I found it took me some time to process the powerful training,... Read more of this article
New Births and Fresh Perspectives
As most of you know by now I don’t buy into the traditional ranking system. In a sense I’m a nontraditional traditionalist. Like many western martial artists I have created my own system. Actually I didn’t create anything. The techniques I use have been used since the martial arts were created in antiquity. Mine is just a difference of application... Read more of this article
Weeding Out the Weeds
Oh really? One man’s weed is another man’s cuisine. Take the lowly dandelion. Weed? Flower? Pest or foodstuff? Dandelions are used for food in some cultures. Dandelion greens are nourishing and rich in vitamin C. Wine is made of the flowers and textiles can be woven from the strands of the stalks. So taking that into consideration is a dandelion... Read more of this article
Commonly asked questions about Pressure Points. Chapter 11
They are only the size of a pen nib ~ How can you hit them for real? The point itself is only that size, however the area of activation is about the size of your fist! There are 360+ places on the body to hit as well! Just imagine now 360 fist size dots on your body ~ do you think you could hit one in a fight? In fact it is almost impossible not to... Read more of this article
No Holds Barred
I just finished watching an excellent documentary about mixed martial arts. Like many lifelong martial arts I’ve watched it grow from its infancy to where it is now and like most of my peers I have mixed feelings about it. It is probably the fastest growing sport in the world today. It is definitely a lucrative business and a serious money maker.... Read more of this article
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