12.31.08

The Secret Martial Arts “Moves” You Can Only Find At Your Local Library

Posted in The Online Dojo at 1:56 am by admin

You might find this hard to believe but, if you want to learn how to fight fast — and give yourself an enormous advantage over any attacker — you should head down to your local library before going to the corner dojo.

Why?

Well, I spent several years training in psychology. I have my Masters Degree in the subject. And one of the most important things I learned (as far as fighting is concerned) was if you want to learn about a particular fighting style, system or even move…it’s always best to educate yourself just a little bit on it first.

For example:

If you want to quickly excel at ground fighting…study the history, teachers and applications of ground fighting at your local library. This will accelerate the learning process for you and give you a much deeper understanding on what works and what doesn’t.

Or, if you want to get better at boxing, study the history and biographies of the best boxers. Learn how they trained, what mistakes they made, how they won certain bouts, all of it.

I know reading about martial arts and fighting isn’t as exciting as actually doing it. But trust me, doing just a little bit of research on that which you wish to learn about first costs little or no money and it will supercharge your progress.

It doesn’t matter if you are learning about grappling, street-fighting, weapons fighting,
boxing or anything else you want to excel at. On your way to the dojo, stop at the library. I promise it will make you a better fighter.

Permalink Comments off

12.06.08

ENGAGEMENT: Recognizing the Value of Training - The Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #6

Posted in The Online Dojo at 11:18 pm by admin

Remember when you first started training? For some, it was just a few days or weeks ago, for others, years have gone by since we took our first step on the Path of Warrior Mastery. But, can you remember?

Even more importantly, can you remember what brought you to the program? What was going on in your life at the time. How long had you been thinking about taking martial arts classes and why then, at that moment, did you decide to take action?

Remember what you told us you wanted to get from the program? Remember the personal interview during your first visit as-well-as the chats since then? What is it that the martial arts gives you or helps you with that keeps you coming to class?
What?

And, more importantly than “why” you began training is “how do you know it’s working in your life? How have you been tracking your results? Aside from new belts and tips and all the trappings’ that say you’ve done a lot, how has your training been helping with those areas of your life you said you wanted to fix?
You see, it’s one thing to say that you want to learn martial arts or to become a warrior and it’s quite another matter to be doing what is necessary to become the new you in your dreams. As one of my teachers says…

…”everybody wants to progress

…everyone is into personal development, but…

…very few are willing to look in the mirror to see where he or she is, right now. Very few are willing to ask the really hard questions like “why do I do things the way I do,” or, “what habits do I have that are getting in my way?”

“Unfortunately, on the road to anywhere…

…you can’t get there from not-here.”

One of the best signs that your teachers have to see who is, and who is not fully engaged in the program is that questing, seeking attitude. The students and members (yes, parents are learning too) who ask the most questions, or more specifically the right questions, are the ones who are both 1) progressing faster than average and 2) less likely to see that progress because their eyes are constantly on the road in front of them. For these students, the questions are not, “when do I test for my next belt or get my next tip,” but, “how does this ABC relate to XYZ part of my life?

Everyone of us has the capacity to engage in what we are doing at the 100% level. No one can give 110% and giving less is under achievement. But, many students, both academic and within the martial arts, shoot themselves in the foot without even knowing it. It’s almost as, without consciously knowing the damage they are causing, set themselves up for failure before ever taking the first step towards achieving their goal.

One way this is done is in not being able to clearly see or focus on what’s important as discussed above. The other is in being willing to accept less than best at the outset.

While we may be Okay with getting less because we know we gave it our all, many have the habit of setting a goal like, “I want to lose 20 pounds,” and then, in the very next breath, expressing, “but I’d be Okay with losing 5.”

How destructive our speech can be to our own subconscious focus - don’t you think?

So, as we enter the next quarter of this year, let’s focus on the original goals, with any modifications since beginning. And, with an eye on results, lets be here (or anywhere you find yourself for that matter), fully engaged 100%. Let’s ask the questions that will allow growth to be almost automatic and, if we find something that isn’t serving us - if we cannot fully engage - recognize it as a distraction and let it go.

The goal of the Warrior Mastery & Leadership Program is to produce, what in Japanese is called, the Tatsujin - the human being developed to his or her fullest potential.

Not a karate master.

Not a good martial artist.

Not a Black Belt.

The goal is to become a Tatsujin…

…a master of life!

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. He specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. To learn more about ninjutsu and authentic warriorship training and other subjects related to the martial arts, self-defense, personal development & self-improvement, visit his website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com To subscribe to his online newsletter, go to http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html

Permalink Comments off

09.22.08

“Mickey Mouse” Martial Arts Technique Gives You An Enormous Advantage During Knife Fights

Posted in The Online Dojo at 8:24 pm by admin

Want to know a quick and easy way to fight with a knife (or similar weapon) that gives you an almost immediate advantage over almost anyone you fight — even if you have no idea what you’re doing?

Just use what I like to call the “flashlight” technique.

And that means, when you’re fighting with a knife or similar object, you pretend the knife is a flashlight and you follow your opponent with it just as if you were constantly shining a light on him.

In other words, when your opponent moves, you keep the “light” on him.

If he goes left, you point your weapon at him as he moves left. If he goes right, you point your weapon at him as he moves right. Just like if you were holding a flashlight and were keeping the light on him.

I realize this may sound like kind of a “Mickey Mouse” fighting strategy, but I assure you it’s not.

By keeping your “light” on your attacker, you keep him within range and you prevent him from pulling any surprise moves on you. And as an extra “bonus” you will probably frustrate the guy at the same time and cause him to make mistakes.

Anyway, this is very easy to practice on your own.

Just find someone to train with for five or ten minutes with this (I recommend using black magic markers, whoever gets marked up three times loses) and you will be giving yourself an enormous advantage over other people who do not know about this simple technique.

Permalink Comments off