All Blog Posts (273)

Saturday, at open mat for BJJ, we were visited by a two stripe blue belt that had some serious skills, which he displayed on most everyone. Finally our instructor, a brown belt, rolled with the visitor and the skill level differences were telling. The visitor was tapped out in about 15 seconds the first time, 30 seconds the second time and about a minute the…

What is your favorite escape from a headlock?

Video it and post it here, or write a description of the escape and post it here.

No judgements, just sharing.

This is what I think I look like when using kettlebells.

And this is what I really look like when using kettlebells.

The same is true for the martial arts. Many students (and I count myself as a student…

Kumu (teacher) Narte is one of those people that I deeply love, respect and trust. We met years ago in 

connection with the martial arts and now Kumu spends the majority of this time healing people rather than breaking them. His martial skills were at the highest level, but his healing skills are off the charts.

In 2004 he worked on me before I left to Nashville…

Hickory cane and the tools used to make it.…

Signed, hand crafted, walnut cane I call the Wasp has sharp 'stingers' everywhere except the gripping areas which are somewhat softened.…

This technique demonstrates the flow we keep stressing.

Well done, as always, Master Larry and Sensei…

One of the top 5 (in his weight division) power lifters (he bench presses 425 pounds) in Nevada will only come to Mary Ann McNeill for treatment of sore muscles, joints and connective tissue. It's not that she is so strong, but she uses pure technique to relieve Martin Azzam of his pain and allows him to continue to train and compete.

Correct technique,…

Two newly promoted Yellow Belts in Goju-Shorei Karate.

Cesar Schinzing (left) was a Black Belt in Hwa Rang Do (2nd Black in Goju-Shorei Weapons) and John Mayes (middle) was a Black Belt in Goju Ryu and a Brown Belt in Shito Ryu, and they've started learning Goju-Shorei Karate from the beginning.

Starting at white belt in a different style/system is not…

After reaching a certain age you find that you have attended a lot of funerals and memorial services and so you tend to compare one to another. On Saturday the bar was set extremely high. 

The memorial service for Sifu Mark Lord (58) was to put it mildly, powerful, amazing and healing. The church was packed with standing room only. Mark’s wife, Jackie,…

Sifu Mark Lord and his wife Jackie.

It is with deep, deep regret and sadness that I report on the death of my Tai Chi instructor, Mark Lord. He died March 19th of a heart attack while teaching a class.

Mark was remarkable person: a professional trumpet player and teacher; a kind, thoughtful and giving Tai Chi instructor. He spoke Chinese…

In past blogs I've touched on eliminating or reducing your opponents structural ability to move, or "Kazushi"; and how to maximize your movement by constantly changing your distance, angle and elevation. So, in essence, both sides of the coin; what to do TO his body, and what to do WITH yours. In this edition, we'll talk about how to bridge the gap between yourself…

Just wanted to give a heads up to anyone who is in the Beaverton, Oregon area. I am doing a sparring seminar this Saturday for the great students and instructors of Aim High. Here is the flier.

A detailed breakdown of this technique by Master Kooyman with the help of Sensei…