Dave McNeill's Blog (221)

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…

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

Some years ago I started a tradition of doing 1,000 pushups on January 1st. Martial artists, being who they are, added in 1,000 squats, crunches, punches, kicks and what ever else they could think of.

Injuries, travel and distractions were worked around and the specific exercises were modified as needed.

My simple challenge has morphed into quite an event for schools across the nation. Group messages of encouragement and monitoring are flying through the either on the first day…

"Most people take their greatness, their ideas, to the graveyard with…

Josiah David Kooyman was born 12/11/13 to Master Larry Kooyman (Goju-Shorei Karate Director) and his beautiful wife Sensei Dani Carroll-Kooyman. 21.5 inches and 9lbs 9ozs. He will be testing for Yellow Belt very soon and the 49ers have him on their watch list.

As one of his Grandfathers I am proud beyond description.

Congratulations to the new…

A film by Hailey Bartholomew.

Video from KarmaTube

   The recent tragedy at Sparks Middle School could not have been prevented even if all the staff had been armed and uniformed armed guards were posted at every door. It happened in seconds and outside of…

Left to right: Former student of mine, Mark Shuey Sr.; Mark Shuey Jr. who has a TKD school in Incline Village, NV; and Lonnie Walker, from Las Vegas, who I competed against in the 70s.…