Blog Feed: Sun In, Sun Ka

A healthy respect for weaponry.

Published on 2012-03-29 12:42:00

Hey, we're all adults.  We know that knives are pointy, swords are sharp, and sticks can crush.  Most of us have had a few cuts and contusions to hammer the point home.  Oddly enough, for most beginners, I feel that while they are inherently aware of these facts, it doesn't register in a martial context. I will have an adult student who does food prep on a regular basis, chopping vegetables, > read more

The Meihua Saga Continues - DIY Plum Blossom Poles

Published on 2012-03-25 21:33:00

I have posted a few times about Meihua or "Plum Blossom" poles in the last year.  Traditionally planted into the ground at varying heights and distances, these poles are great for building strength in stances, building endurance, balance and maintaining proper weight distribution and alignment. Planted into the ground, they are a great permanent addition to your yard or training area.  Not > read more

Meihua Followup

Published on 2012-03-21 09:36:00

In a few previous posts, I've talked about my Meihua pole project.  Over the winter, I was able to procure all the materials and put them together with a little trial and error to make everything match up. This weekend, I was able to glue everything together (I needed a high enough temperature in a well-ventilated area.) and I'm happy to say that it is ALIVE! Pics to come soon.  After > read more

Hyung in a Minor Key

Published on 2012-02-14 15:10:00

As we are on our path to 10,000 repetitions, we will most likely find some ways to mix them up a little bit. Hyung practice is no different. As adult students, many of us can recall training sessions where we repeated the same hyung over and over again, no rest, no instruction, just doing. This in itself is a great practice, especially if we get our brain to shut off and just perform the hyung > read more

Give that Tiny Tiger a Black Belt!!!

Published on 2012-02-10 09:49:00

File under: Kids Say The Darndest Things, Part 2.Watching our Tiny Tigers class the other day, the instructor asked the kids "What do we protect when we do Low Block?"One little girl, no more than 4 years old, raised her hand, did the chambering motion for low block and said "your face!"In retrospect, I should have taken my belt off right then and there, and tied it around her waist. Smart, > read more

Meihua Follow-up (Or, I actually follow up on a project.)

Published on 2012-02-10 06:58:00

Last year, I came wrote a short article on Meihua Post training. My dear readers may recall that I toyed with the idea of planting posts in the backyard. In the end, I decided my neighbors already think I'm crazy, and may not need any further evidence. Not to mention the gas and electric companies have used the best parts of my backyard for underground lines, and digging through them is not > read more

You're doing it wrong.

Published on 2012-02-08 12:27:00

I've often heard the benefits of martial training. Supposedly, it's great for the body. Indeed, if it wasn't for my training, I'd probably look more or less like these guys. I know lots of folks who have injured themselves needlessly over the years, and as a result are no longer able to enjoy training in the same way. Oddly enough, I also know a lot of people who pride themselves on their > read more

getting to 1000.

Published on 2012-02-01 14:40:00

"There's nothing wrong with your kicks that ten thousand repetitions won't fix."Catchy little rhyme, right? I have used the oft-repeated axiom that a technique needs 10,000 repetitions to work towards mastery. I doubt that this nice, round number is the exact number for every person and every technique, but it gives one a sense of scale as to the lifetime pursuit of martial arts mastery.I joke > read more

One Steps

Published on 2011-07-11 09:49:00

If you're studying a relative of Karate, then you understand the concept of a "one-step" defense. Attacker steps back into a front stance with their punch chambered, and awaits your permission to attack. You indicate that they are allowed to attack - usually in the form of a kihap, nod, grunt, what-have-you -- and they step forward into a front stance while executing a center punch. You > read more

Bong Hits

Published on 2011-04-26 08:21:00

Ok, the Koreans use the word bong to describe the staff. Let's get all of the jokes out of the way now. I'll be honest, I've been teaching bong at clinics, and I've always wanted to tell the host that the name of my session was "bong hits.&quo > read more

Meihua Poles

Published on 2011-04-21 08:55:00

A few years ago, when I had the time and an available instructor, I practiced Tai Chi. One of our fundamental warmup exercises was a posture. Now before I even tell you the name of that posture, let's just let that thought marinate in our head: we > read more

Shim Sa

Published on 2011-04-19 07:07:00

Note: I think I've deleted this post about 6 7 times before posting it. Originally, I was going to complain about unmotivated testing candidates, but then - as usual -- I overthought the entire process.Testing for a new rank. To the prospective can > read more

nak bop sul

Published on 2011-04-07 10:04:00

nak bop sul are simply Falling Techniques. I just sounded so much smarter and fancier by using the Korean term. Put the term in your deck of terminology flash cards and sound smart like me! ;)Falling is one of my favorite niche topics to work on. > read more

Tan Tui Lessons

Published on 2011-03-23 09:15:00

On the left column is a list of the martial arts blogs that I read on a semi-regular basis. Among them is Kaimen, which is written by Ted Mancuso at Plum Publications.Aside from being a great resource for Chinese martial arts books and videos, Mr. M > read more

Too easy...

Published on 2011-03-21 09:33:00

This is a bit of an old story, but just another reminder as to why you shouldn't underestimate your youth students.About six months ago, one of my 11 year students proudly told me in between drills that his parents bought him a cellphone. A little t > read more

the evil san-setsu-kon

Published on 2011-03-08 07:34:00

A few years ago, I was really, utterly, and intently into nunchaku. I was Bruce Lee and Michelangelo rolled into one. I absorbed almost every resource I could find on the subject. I have a duffle bag full of different styles of nunchaku: foam, alu > read more

Hagakure Quote

Published on 2011-03-07 08:30:00

"There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved fr > read more

There's a little Master Wong in all of us

Published on 2011-03-03 08:37:00

Depending on how conservative your workplace is, you may not want to watch this clip at work, especially with the sound on...The first time I watched this clip, I watched it with the sound off, which is something akin to watching The Wall with your e > read more

Youtube Treasures

Published on 2011-03-02 07:22:00

I recently read a post out on the tubes which talked about using Youtube to further your martial arts training. And I completely agree. Once Youtube hit the scene, I knew that martial artists would take this medium to heart. There are lots of GREA > read more

WHAT did you say?!?!?

Published on 2011-03-01 08:50:00

Remember that Bill Cosby show "Kids Say the Darndest Things?" If I recall, it was supposed to be about the cute things that kids say. Turns out, kids say some pretty nasty things. Sometimes intentional, and sometimes without realizing th > read more

Bo Makiwara: Spring Fun Project

Published on 2011-01-13 09:13:00

Once spring rolls around, and my backyard comes back to life, I have a project. Well, two projects, because I also want to make a fire pit. The second will be equally as cool if you are into these sorts of things. :)A Bo Makiwara. I'm thinking a 6 > read more

fun in class last night

Published on 2010-11-16 10:40:00

One of my favorite things to do with kids is give them a seemingly challenging physical task, watch their jaws drop open with amazement, listen to them protest loudly that they couldn't POSSIBLY replicate what I just did, and then watch them do it.Ca > read more

Time in Training

Published on 2010-11-15 14:54:00

Today I came across a quote that made me stop and think:"Training in Karate for 30 years is very different than training in Karate for 1 year 30 times."Think it over in your head a little. How many of us need to heed this advice in the doj > read more

Pool Noodles

Published on 2010-06-22 09:44:00

A few weeks ago, as it started getting warmer, I noticed that the grocery store had pool noodles in their display. I was reminded of a clinic I attended where a Master had used them during sparring drills. I bought out the store's stock and took th > read more

Using Google Local Business

Published on 2010-02-10 08:54:00

You may have noticed that when searching Google for a local business (because, who keeps that giant book of phone numbers handy anymore) that a local map pops up with nearby businesses that might fit the bill.What you may not be aware of is that Goog > read more

Split Teaching Personalities

Published on 2009-12-15 14:49:00

Over the last year, I've started teaching far more youth classes than in the past. As I've gotten a little more comfortable with the format and expectations of younger students, my attitude has relaxed significantly and I find myself far more at eas > read more

So Rim Jang Kwon out in the wild?

Published on 2009-10-12 11:20:00

So Rim Jang Kwon (Shaolin Long Fist) is an oft-referred to form in the history of Tang Soo Do. It's name is listed in many manuals as an advanced Dan form, and it is alluded to in Hwang Kee's Soo Bahk Do text. So Rim Jang Kwon is a very generic nam > read more

Cub Scouts: Masters of Arms in Disguise

Published on 2009-09-09 10:01:00

I recently read, with some dismay, that there was talk of taking away pocket knives from Scouts in the UK. I will avoid getting on my soapbox except to say I earned my "Totin' Chip" when I was a Boy Scout and never felt compelled to stab a > read more

Bringing the dojang online attracts parents.

Published on 2009-09-01 13:43:00

Facebook has been a great tool for use within my school at the Y, even though I've spent a significant amount of time creating a website. Facebook, along with other social media have managed to clear a lot of hurdles for users who were intimidated b > read more

Black Belt Magazine

Published on 2009-03-06 20:05:00

When I was a kid, long before I had the opportunity to study the martial arts, I loved Black Belt magazine. The pictures seemed like such a wealth of information, and look at all the cool stuff that was for sale back in the day. With the help of th > read more