Category: Philosophy

What Martial Arts Really Teaches (It’s Not Just Self-Defense)

Posted on by Willem van Zanten

Most people come to martial arts seeking self-defense, fitness, or confidence. Those benefits are real, but they’re not the heart of practice—they’re by-products. For me, martial arts has always been a spiritual journey: a way to connect more deeply with myself, with others, and with the world.

My Martial Arts Journey

I began my Martial Arts journey at six years of age in the Netherlands, and have tried many artforms throughout the years. But my journey really took a turn when I moved to Australia, where I focused on the internal aspects of Martial Arts, rather than the external aspects.

Over the years, I explored many arts:

  • Judo for ten years and competition for 6. Finishing on a brown belt with a submission certificate
  • Sanda (Chinese Kickboxing) for six years, later teaching basic kickboxing.
  • Military service, where self-defense was part of my training.
  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which I’ve practiced for more than five years in Australia.
  • Systema (Russian martial art).
  • Muay Thai, both through Eltham Martial Arts Academy and with personal training under Nivo.
  • Aikido, which I continue to study at Aikido Shudokan.
  • Running self-defense sessions, covering wrestling, grappling, striking, and weaponry.
  • A combative course with KEF, and seminars with Paul Cale on knife defense and wrist locks.

This mix of styles shaped my philosophy and revealed a set of core principles. These aren’t “absolute truths”—just insights gained through years on the mat.

For me, martial arts has always been a spiritual journey: a way to connect more deeply with myself, with others, and with the world.
- Willem

Principles of Martial Arts

Move Yourself, Not Your Opponent

The key is not forcing your opponent but moving yourself into the right position. In Aikido, this means shifting your center of gravity. In Jiu-Jitsu, it’s using your body—not just your arms—for submissions. Mastering this principle is less about mechanics and more about self-awareness.

Be Formless, Until It’s Too Late

Tension signals intent. Stay relaxed and move fluidly until the moment comes to strike or apply force. Like a snake, remain soft and unnoticed until you’re in range—then attack with total commitment.

Use Rhythm Against Your Opponent

Every fighter has rhythms: breathing, heartbeat, and nervous system cycles. By tuning into these, you can time sweeps, submissions, or counters with uncanny precision.

Balance Sturdiness and Fluidity

Knowing when to be soft and when to be immovable is an art. Stay relaxed and let your opponent burn energy, but when the moment is right, use angles and tension to close doors and guide them where you want.

Web Your Techniques

Rather than chasing a single move, connect techniques in a web. Flow from one option to the next based on what your opponent gives you. This adaptability makes you dangerous.

Use Fear to Force a Response

Underestimation is a weapon. In Judo competition, I would appear docile at first, then explode with intensity. This not only won matches but created fear in the minds of other competitors before we even faced each other.

The Way of the Normal Mind

Borrowing from Miyamoto Musashi: don’t cling to expectations. A calm, “normal” mind is free of attachment and distraction.

Blend With Your Opponent

Attack speed should match your opponent’s intent and movement. This principle, sharpened through Aikido, allows you to mirror, redirect, and finish with minimal effort and maximum control.

Apply Pain to Override the Rational Mind

Pain short-circuits logic. Used responsibly, it can create submissions or compliance without escalation.

Lock Spine and Joints to Inhibit Ranges

Control the body by locking key structures: wrists, neck, hips, knees. Once immobilized, resistance becomes futile.

Know When You’re Winning or Losing

Awareness of position and energy expenditure matters. Sometimes, letting an opponent attack—burning out their muscles while you conserve energy—is the path to victory.

Control Critical Points of Contact

Whether clinching, grappling, or striking, certain grips or holds make all the difference. Always transition from one control point to another—never leave gaps.

Accept your experience

Unless you've been trained in getting punched, kicked, thrown, choked etc., individuals tend to resist their present experience and try to run away, overpower the opponent, and generally stress out more than is necessary. The aim is to accept the pain and discomfort you feel, and respond appropriately by disengaging if possible, or increase aggression based on the threat level.

Use Violence Wisely

Violence carries consequences, both legal and social. In the military, we spoke of “rules of engagement”: respond proportionally. In civilian life, this means avoiding escalation and ensuring you are not seen as the aggressor.

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Closing Thoughts

Martial arts isn’t about techniques alone. It’s about principles that carry into every corner of life: balance, rhythm, presence, adaptability. Each art I’ve studied has deepened my understanding, but the real journey is inward.

The dojo is where we train, but the lessons extend far beyond it.

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More Than Just Classes: Celebrating Community at Musubi Dojo

Posted on by Willem van Zanten

The word ‘community’ is a great marketing buzzword, because we’re in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, and when I first heard about the community at Musubi Dojo (before I got into a serious relationship with Kiley) I thought to myself, ‘yeah whatever, they all say that’.

Now, take what I say with a grain of salt, as I run Musubi Dojo together with Kiley, so there is a conflict of interest. But I am absolutely amazed at how warm our place is, and you have to experience this for yourself to truly get an idea. In fact, I am writing this article, and slaving away for the dojo because I’ve seen what our community can provide to families and/or individuals.

So, Why IS Our Community So Special?

You might be wondering what makes the Musubi Dojo community stand out. For starters, having Sensei Kiley leading the pack immediately instils a sense of trust and belonging. Kiley is not only an incredibly accomplished Martial Artist (a Three-time Victorian Kyokushin Full Contact Champion and Two-time World Ring Karate Australia (WRKA) Champion, among other achievements); she has also shown incredible resilience, having raised three kids largely by herself while running a full-time business, without a close family network to rely on.

Beyond her martial arts prowess, I believe the world needs more powerful female role models who lead through their actions, not just words – and Kiley is exactly that. She's a fantastic example for all our students. I'm blown away by what girls at our dojo like Caitlyn, Macy, Ellyn, Georgia, and other girls can do. Also, seeing how many teenage girls brave the mats puts a smile on my face. To me, this speaks volumes about the empowering and safe environment Kiley has cultivated.

Martial Arts is already a great way to instil a sense of community, because of the physical touch and intense emotions you go through as a group, but Musubi Dojo takes it a step further. We’ve run several Martial Arts camps and awards nights through the years – fantastic events to see a different side of the people in our community.

And to truly bring my point across, the amount of volunteers freely giving us their time, to me, is absolutely mind-boggling. For instance, Nathan and Nick help us with the handiwork. Mark, Yu-Jing, Alan, Scott, Jonathan, Ziggy, among others, assist or even coach classes for free. Members give us a hand during clean-up days. Veronica mans the desk and helps with events — we would not be able to run Musubi Dojo without all the help we're getting on a regular basis.

What "Community" Truly Means to Us at Musubi Dojo

For us here in Research, "community" isn't just a nice word to use – it's the foundation of our dojo. At Musubi Dojo, our community spirit is built on:

  • Unwavering Support: We're a team. We cheer for each other's triumphs, offer a helping hand through challenges, and celebrate every single milestone, no matter how big or small. And yes, we go beyond the 'hey, how you going, mate?'.
  • Mutual Respect: Every individual is valued. We foster an environment where everyone feels safe, heard, and respected. Color of skin, financial status, and gender are arbitrary to us — you gain respect through action (grading, supporting, and consistency).
  • Lasting Friendships: The bonds forged through shared effort, sweat, and common goals often extend far beyond our training sessions, turning into genuine, lifelong friendships.
  • Shared Growth: We are all on a journey of learning and self-improvement, not just as martial artists, but as individuals contributing to a positive and encouraging atmosphere.
  • True Inclusivity: We stand firmly by our principle that martial arts is for everyone. Musubi Dojo proudly welcomes people from all walks of life to find their place with us.
  • Professional Opportunities: Because everyone is equal on the mats, you get to see the real person, and without even trying, you will often get business opportunities. And, you get access to a professional network.

In my opinion, operating through a community is the ONLY way forward, as kids need to feel safe in order to grow, and we as humans are designed to be a part of a tribe. The beauty of our place, from what I've seen, is that we're not striving to be a community. We strive to be better people, through Martial Arts and other means, and from this springs this safe and supportive environment.

Bringing Our Community Together: Spotlight on Musubi Dojo Events

While our daily classes naturally foster connection, we believe in creating dedicated moments to celebrate, bond, and grow together. At Musubi Dojo, we host a variety of events throughout the year designed to strengthen our community, acknowledge achievements, and create those unforgettable memories.

Awards Nights: Celebrating Milestones and Dedication

One of the most anticipated events on our calendar is the Musubi Dojo Awards Night. These evenings are far more than just a formality; they are a celebration of the hard work, dedication, and spirit within our dojo. It's a chance for us to publicly recognize and applaud:

  • Belt Promotions: Celebrating the dedication and learning required to advance in rank.
  • Effort & Improvement: Celebrating personal growth and perseverance at every level.
  • Sportsmanship & Dojo Spirit: Highlighting members who truly embody our core values of respect, discipline, and unwavering support for others.
  • Assistance & Support: Putting all the members who truly took supporting us to the next level in the spotlight.

The atmosphere is always electric. It’s a powerful reminder that every individual's achievement is a shared victory for the entire Musubi Dojo community.

Kids training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kyokushin Karate, and engaging in fun fitness activities at Eltham Martial Arts Academy - Musubi Dojo.

Martial Arts Camps: Deepening Skills and Building Unbreakable Bonds

For a truly immersive and often transformative experience, our Martial Arts Camps are a highlight for many. These camps offer a unique blend of focused training and community building, providing opportunities for:

  • Intensive Training Sessions: Dedicated time to dive deep into techniques, explore new aspects of your art, and sometimes learn from special guest instructors or senior members — it's also the opportunity to try a new Martial Art.
  • Team-Building Activities: Fun, engaging, and sometimes challenging activities designed to foster teamwork, communication, and camaraderie outside the usual class structure.
  • Creating Lasting Memories: From shared meals and hard training to social events (like the Sayonara party), camps are the perfect opportunity to really feel the community spirit.

The benefits extend far beyond just technical improvement. Our camps are where friendships are solidified, confidence soars, and the spirit of the dojo truly shines. The vibe in our dojo is noticeably different after camp.

Group photo of Kyokushin Karate students and instructors celebrating their achievements at Eltham Martial Arts Academy - Musubi Dojo.

...And All the Moments In Between!

Our community spirit isn't just reserved for these flagship events. We believe in fostering connection through many avenues, including regular social gatherings like dojo BBQs, end-of-year celebrations, supporting local events in Research and Eltham, and hosting special workshops. These varied interactions, big and small, ensure that the feeling of belonging is a constant and cherished part of the Musubi Dojo experience.

The Ripple Effect: How Our Community Strengthens Our Martial Arts (and Vice Versa)

There's a powerful synergy between a strong, supportive community and effective martial arts training. A thriving community provides reliable training partners, essential for growth and consistent practice. It offers encouragement during challenging times, helping you push through plateaus and stay committed to your goals. Furthermore, shared learning, diverse perspectives, and collective experiences enrich everyone's understanding and appreciation of the arts we practice.

Conversely, the shared journey of martial arts itself – with its inherent discipline, mutual respect, and the process of overcoming personal challenges – naturally forges deep and meaningful bonds between people. It's a shared path that builds character and camaraderie simultaneously.

Graphic testimonial for Musubi Dojo, Research: James Read gives 5 stars, stating 'Kylie, Willem and Team are fantastic! Our 5 year old comes 3 times a week... building his social, physical and mental skills... I can see all our kids being involved with the Musubi community for years to come! Thanks Team'

So What’s Next? Give our second family a shot, for free

At Musubi Dojo in Research, Victoria, we offer the full spectrum of Martial Arts training: Kyokushin Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, Muay Thai, and our specialized kids', teens', and women-only programs.

If you're looking for more than just a gym or a place to learn techniques – if you're searching for a place where you can learn, grow, get fit, and truly belong – then we invite you to discover the Musubi Dojo difference. Experience firsthand how our community can enrich your martial arts journey and your life.

Book Your Free Trial Class!

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The Power of Humility in Martial Arts

Posted on by Willem van Zanten

The beauty of doing anything for long enough is that you start to notice different layers, and martial arts is no exception. I personally started my martial arts journey when I was six years old. At that time, it was all about beating my opponent. Yes, I practiced a traditional martial art that involved formalities like bowing before your opponent and addressing your instructor respectfully, but those rituals held little meaning for me back then.

Jumping forward to age 26, when I resumed martial arts training in Australia, my perspective had already deepened. However, the focus was still outward—on controlling my emotions and overcoming my opponent.

Nowadays, my focus has shifted to the art of being. My class and training partner are now tools for introspection. It's no longer about defeating someone or even improving my technique. To me, martial arts has become a way to teach myself how to behave and how to live with intention. This practice starts as soon as I put on my uniform and continues until I leave the dojo.

What Does 'Dojo' Actually Mean?

The word dojo translates from Japanese as "place of the way." But what does "the way" mean? It’s something open to interpretation—an evolving concept that changes as you practice martial arts over time.

In Kyokushin Karate, the term Kyokushin stands for "the ultimate truth." Like "the way," this truth can only be discovered through hard training and experience, not through words. It’s a philosophy that teaches us how to live life with purpose.

Learn more about Kyokushin Karate here.

Respecting the Dojo Space

Why is cleaning such an important part of dojo life for me? Because the first challenge you must overcome in your martial arts journey is the ego. Ironically, this becomes harder as you improve and receive more recognition.

Cleaning the dojo—whether it's the mats, toilets, or mirrors—is my way of putting the community above myself. It's a practice that reaffirms what is truly important. It reminds me that I am in service to others, not the other way around.

Leading by Example

All parents instinctively understand that life is about paying it forward. It's about supporting the next generation. True bliss, I believe, comes from living for the greater good.

Children, however, learn differently. Words often mean little to them; instead, they read intentions and emotions. They instinctively know when someone is authentic. If you truly want to impact children, you must lead by example with the right intentions.

At our dojo, parents bring their children not just to learn martial arts techniques like striking or grappling but to expose them to hardship, build confidence, and integrate them into a supportive community. This also serves as a way to reinforce the lessons parents are teaching at home, as children naturally seek out role models beyond their parents.

Check out our kids' martial arts programs.

The Discipline of Small Actions

Success, however you define it, is always about growth. And growth starts with small, consistent actions—the unglamorous habits that often go unseen.

I've learned that no matter how great our classes are or how new our equipment is, we cannot move forward if our dojo isn’t clean and tidy. When you walk into a space, you can unconsciously sense whether it is loved and looked after. This care invites you to challenge yourself and move forward in your journey.

Discover how martial arts builds confidence and discipline.

Staying Grounded in Growth

As mentioned earlier, the more success you achieve, the harder it is to stay grounded. My aim will always be to connect with everyone—regardless of their age, background, or achievements. To do this, I must continuously confront my own ego.

Cleaning the dojo, from toilets to trash, is my way of reminding myself: I am in service of the people I lead, not the other way around.

Building Community and Connection

Growth also involves understanding the roles we play. When you fully engage with a role—whether as a student, teacher, or competitor—you learn not to take it too seriously.

When I train in Aikido or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I become the student, listening to my Sensei. In those moments, my focus is on behaving appropriately and confronting my insecurities.

After class, we clean the mats together as a symbolic way of letting go of our roles and submitting to the greater good: the dojo and the community it nurtures.

Explore our Aikido classes here.

Read about the benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Conclusion

You don’t have to do Martial Arts to learn these lessons. The same as that you don’t have to sit in lotus position and close your eyes in order to meditate. This can be done anywhere and anytime. The keyword is intention; living in the present moment and learning how to be.

Having certain routines that remind of this will surely help you move forward, and keep you grounded as you grow. A great place to start would be to clean your own room on a weekly basis, and perhaps go for a walk at the end of the day (barefoot ofcourse😉)

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How to choose the Martial Art that is right for you

Posted on by Willem van Zanten


Martial Arts can completely revolutionize your life as it forces you to deal with yourself, by finding out who you are when faced with a 'crisis' situation. Obviously there is no actual crisis, but to people who have just started, or to those that are tired, It can feel like that.

Now we over at Eltham Martial Arts Academy recommend a soft entry for those that want to start their journey, because there is no point to breaking yourself mentally if not physically. This means that you'll have to look into who you are as a person, the phase of life you're in, and which Martial Art best suits you in this regard.

This article is not written for just those who want to start Martial Arts. If you're already a practitioner, read on, as I might be able to convince you to try another Art form. I will dive into my own personal experience of each artform, and supposed benefits of engaging in multiple at a time.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): Strategy and Confidence

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is mainly a grappling ground-based Martial Art. It is a Martial Art that is best suited for social individuals as there is a lot of physical contact, and it requires you to feel, as the tactile information (touch) acts as the feedback in regards to your technique.

Physically BJJ can be quite demanding at first (lower back, hips, neck etc.), but this is mainly because most beginners have a hard time slowing down and relaxing. There is a risk of injury (ribs, knees, wrists) but if you're sensible, do a bit of weightlifting, and communicate properly with your training partner the risk is fairly low. This being said, BJJ can greatly enhance your grip, core strength and ability move fluently.

Personally what I like about BJJ is the strategic aspect. You start off learning the positions (closed guard, mount etc.), followed by transitions (going from A to B) and as you improve you will learn how to counter moves, trap your training partner and plan ahead.

  • Initial Challenges: Going to fast, not tapping to a submission and having the body adapt
  • General benefits: Great way to make friends & be more social, fantastic for general fitness and okay for self-defence.
  • How to prepare: Load-bearing exercises like carrying, moving sleds and swinging hammers are fantastic.
Two Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in blue gis engaged in ground grappling at Eltham Martial Arts Academy, demonstrating a submission technique.

Kyokushin Karate: Discipline and Strength

Before I go into details, I personally have next to no experience in Karate, so I will have to let Sensei Kiley vet this sub article.

Kyokushin Karate is a striking (punching and kicking) Martial Art with a few basic takedowns. It is an artform better suited for those that like structure and order, as Kyokushin is considered a traditional Martial Art. Traditional in this case means, properly entering the mat, calling your instructor by the right rank, bowing, and reciting the dojo Kun (ethics & morals)

Physically Karate is very demanding, especially Kyokushin. Every class consists of some form of strength & conditioning (running, squats, pushups etc) and sparring.

The class consists of a few components: the start (kneeling), Kata (walking techniques), general fitness (as mentioned before) Striking & Sparring (no head punches) followed by the end (dojo kun, breathing, and shaking everyone's hand)

From what I've been told, the main benefits practitioners derive from Karate is a state of flow; feeling the movement (kata) and slowly progress over time, discipline; consistently show-up and improve and tenacity as training and especially grading can be quite demanding, forcing you to show-up

  • Initial challenges: Not knowing any techniques, getting hit and adjusting to the condioning.
  • General benefits: Good fitness, fluent standing-based movement and decent self-defence
  • How to prepare: Feet, feet, feet. Splay-em, strengthen em and learn how to balance.
A Kyokushin Karate student in a white gi with a green belt performs a high front kick during a board-breaking demonstration at Eltham Martial Arts Academy.

Muay Thai Kickboxing: Power and Energy

Muay Thai Kickboxing is a striking Art that beyond Kicking and Punching, also involves knees, elbows and a fair few takedowns. It is the perfect Martial Art for those that need a release as the classes are energetic, fast paced and metabolically demanding.

A kickboxing class always starts with jump rope (or a warm-up of your own choosing if dealing with injury), stretching with the whole group, basic drills, padwork and bagwork. The class has no sparring as the art-form includes head strikes which means that the risk-to-reward ratio just isn't there.

The challenges of Kickboxing often come in the form of frustration as you have to learn the footwork, breathing & striking, which can take a while. Knowing hold pads can be difficult, and the getting hit is something people will have to get used to.

The benefits of Muay-thai are: working memory, thinking and remember in the moment, explosive power, short-term conditioning and good footwork.

My personal experience with Kickboxing has been that the striking sequences are hard to remember, especially when you have 5 or more sequent moves to perform (under pressure). But, it is oh so satisfying when things start to click. Nowadays I do personal training with Mark Niven once a week, and I promise you, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

  • Initial challenges: Getting hit, mental focus during combinations and conditioning
  • General benefits: Great working memory, solid cardio and explosive power
  • How to prepare: Train your balance, strengthen your calves, and learn to relax your midsection. I personally recommend pushing and dragging sleds, basic balance drills and throwing heavy balls.
Muay Thai Kickboxing at Eltham Martial Arts Academy A dynamic Muay Thai training session with students practicing striking techniques using focus mitts in a bright dojo setting

Aikido: Grace and Flow

Aikido, provided for by Aikido Shudokan is a traditional Martial Art (like Karate) that teaches joint locks, throws and weaponry. It is the perfect class for those that haven't done a Martial Art before, and/or want to improve all of their other Martial Art styles.

Aikido most-always starts with a warm-up, followed by kneeling and formally starting the class, Kata (like Karate), often weaponry (katana (sword), Joe (stick) or knife), a self-defence technique, some type of general fitness followed by kneeling and finishing off the class.

The challenges of Aikido I've found to be quite unexpected. Because Aikido is all about projecting yourself forward, and thus needing to have control of your centre of gravity, you need to learn to move slowly and in a smooth manner. Which is why it is such a complementary artform. Second, and this one will surprise you, the eye contact. I've personally been a Martial Art practitioner for 19 years, having tried over seven Art form, and eye contact has not been mentioned once. Needless to say, this was very uncomfortable at first, but it's also brought many many benefits with it.

My personal experience, training under Shusheki Shihan Joe Thambu, has been more than amazing. Having practiced the Art for about a year now, I've noticed a steep improvement in all of my art forms, as well as a greater comfort looking people in the eye. I've also come to realize how much I missed the traditional aspect in my life.

  • Initial challenges: Eye contact, no control of your center of gravity and sore wrists.
  • General benefits: Coherent movement, awareness of the body and efficient use of strength
  • How to prepare: Learn how to fall, strengthen your wrists and coiling with a hammer.
Aikido instructor demonstrating traditional weapon techniques at Eltham Martial Arts Academy.

Self-Defence Classes: Practical Skills for Real-Life Situations

The self-defence class I teach myself every Thursday at 6 AM, and it involves all the basic Martial Art moves like striking, throwing, grappling and submissions. The class is best suited for those that have limited time and want to be confident walking the streets. The class is open to both men and women, but is more suitable for the former.

I start the class in front of the whiteboard, where I highlight what we'll do during the hour. Then we start with a form of standing striking, which in volves throat strikes, shoves, pushes, punches and kicks. Next we do standing wrestling, which involves standing chokes, wrist locks, positions & transitions and throws. Afterwards we do grappling, which involves positions, transitions, chokes and locks. (we keep grappling short as being on the floor during an altercation, is a bad idea). And second-to-last we do sparring. Sparring without protection, at a lower intensity. (striking, wrestling and/or grappling) The class finishes off with a meditation and an opportunity for members to talk.

  • Initial challenges: Getting hit, getting choked, getting thrown and eye contact
  • General benefits: Fantastic for self-defence
  • How to prepare: Basic strength & conditioning
Self-defense training for men in Eltham

What are the general benefits of doing multiple Art-forms

I'll start by talking about my own journey. I started doing Judo at the age of six, Sanda (chinese kickboxing) at the age of 21. I've done Systema (russian combat system) for about a year, Kickboxing for about five years, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for five years, Aikido for a year and Self-defence for three years.

Over time I've come to realize that individuals tend to lean towards either standing fighting, wrestling (including Aikido) or grappling. Whether this is nature or nurture, I don't know (probably both) but you'll notice how certain Martial Arts come easier, and some will be more challenging -- I'm a grappler by nature.

I'll start-off with the main benefit of practicing multiple artforms, and that is deep knowledge. There is layers to this benefit, and I'll try to unpack these as best as I can. Deep knowledge pertains more to the person rather than how to perform a technique.

You can imagine that if your social skills are not up to scratch, that being near and around people leaves you slightly uncomfortable, thus hindering your abilities. I'm sure you can also imagine that having a low pain tolerance reduced your skills -- this is what I'm trying to get at; skills that impact everything.

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Watching Martial Arts and reading about it are very different from actually getting on the mats, and experiencing fighting for yourself. Intimidating? Sure. But you'll be a different person on the other side
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Aikido & Judo has taught me how to control someone's centre of gravity, Kickboxing & Sanda has taught me how to relax and tense up at the right time, as well as footwork. Jiu-Jitsu has taught me how to feel, plan and slow things down. Self-defence has taught me how to control someone's emotions and get in their head by reading their expressions. Systema has taught me to assess what degree of pain & discomfort to apply, based on the person & situation. Aikido has taught me how to look someone in the eyes without emotion and maintain a peripheral view. Judo has taught me how to apply pressure (ribs, diaphragm etc.) to force someone to surrender. Self-defence has taught me how to handle pain, and maintain awareness throughout. Jiu-Jitsu has taught me how to stay calm and plan when put under intense duress (getting choked etc.)

Lastly, the benefit of doing multiple artforms is greatly reduced the risk of injury as often overuse of areas causes pain and breakages, whereas lots of variety can act protective.

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I don’t like running !

Posted on by Kiley Baker


 have to admit it – I don’t like running. I do however like what running provides in terms of training both on a physical and mental platform. So ….I decided to run to the dojo this Saturday morning. I haven’t being doing a heap of running lately, and this particular run I have only undertaken twice previously. Both times, this run had taken me approx 20 mins. However, this time, I was behind schedule (I was going to say running late…but the pun was too corny) and now I only had x 15 mins to get to the dojo to open up for first class of the day. Yay !

Not making excuses, but no warm up, no breakfast apart from a piece of toast and a glass of coffee was not a good way to set up. Normally I would take my time in the morning knowing I had three and a half hours of teaching coming up to have a good meal and proper fluid intake. But not this day. No time. So off I set. I began the run on a bit of a downhill so the pace was quick at the get go. I would say about 2 mins in …my lungs hadn’t caught up with my legs and I felt like i wanted to gasp a bit for air. But….reminding myself this is a normal response….I pushed on. Next call out was from my legs still sore from the squats and lunges the day before. Again, reminding myself that once they warmed up and got into the swing of things, they would feel better I pushed on.

Knowing I was going to struggle to make it on time, before I left I had sent a student a text message who I knew would drive past me on the way to class, and told him to pick me up on the way if he saw me. My pace was fast and i think in my mind I thought I could push it pretty hard as I would soon be collected by car . It’s funny what goes on in our minds if we listen.

I would imagine about 7 mins in (not sure of exact times) I really wanted to stop and walk. So I did. Then I thought….what if (student) drives past and sees me walking !  That would look so bad….so with that thought In mind I picked up my feet and began running again. I would say that scenario took about 30 secs to unfold. And there in lies a motivational tool……imagining what others will think and say, and how I feel about that.

Now I’m still setting a pace which is fast for me. It’s hurting and I’m digging deep and then I’m starting to wonder if and when (student) is going to come past and put me out of my misery. My mind is wandering and now I think……am I going to make it on time. I think about my students waiting at the door….wondering where i am ….and convince myself to keep going. Now that I have decided to keep on pushing…..and with time my motivation I start to get into a bit of a groove. Breathing has settled and I have a bit of a rhythm going. Feeling more comfortable now……………And then comes the hill.

Coincidence or not just as the hill starts, the Eminem song ‘Till I Collapse’ comes on my playlist and the words in that drive me to really work up that hill. I stop thinking about walking this part of the run, and find something which I had in reserve. And now my mind really starts going. See that’s what I do love about running. Once you get going……there is really nothing to think of in terms of technique. Sure….if you are trying to correct posture or stride etc you could concentrate on that, but otherwise you can just really find the zone and go. In this place…your mind is free to wander. To sort out the events of the day…to completely drift off and just be…..or like me, to play mental challenge games with yourself because you suck at running. It’s during one of those mental moments when my mind ticks over to this :

If you are training hard enough, there will always come a time when you will reach a point where it will be so tough and demanding that the thought of quitting enters your mind. It’s at this time that the real training begins. The type that changes and grows you. It’s always at this point where success lies. Out of your comfort zone. And it’s amazing….at that point when you make the choice to not quit, to persevere and win, it gets easier. You get your second wind and things start to work and your energy returns. You run not on adrenaline…but something else. Something in your spirit urges you on and success breeds more success. Winning makes you want to win more and you go until you reach that quitting point again. This time though…..because you’ve been there before and tasted success….it’s easier to push past that point. Not easy…..but easi-er.

It’s also worth noting that I do believe that with all training (martial arts, weight lifting, and all other sports that push us) these lessons and attitudes transfer over to our everyday lives. Sometimes life can get really tough. We might struggle financially, lose our job, get sick or injured, have issues with our children, we might be lied to or cheated on, we might lose a loved one or see our dreams seemingly get further and further away from us. But here is that point again. Here is our choice to dig down deep…..to get out of our comfort zone….trust in our self and push to the point of victory. And then…..hopefully….we just keep on winning.

And all that…..from one run !     Maybe I do like running after all !

And for those that want to know…Yes :- I made it in time. Shaved 5 mins off my previous run time.

Osu. KB

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You Have to Want it Bad Enough

Posted on by Kiley Baker


It’s interesting sometimes to stop and think about conversations you have had through the day and reflect on them. I notice (and am guilty of posting ) many motivational posters on Facebook and popular clothing brands etc these days, and for the most part – I think we read them – like them – and then forget them. It’s a shame really as a majority of them should be our ‘bible’ or our guide and for those that practice Kyokushin….many of these could be added to our Dojo Kun and recited each day.

One that sticks in my head at present though is this and I mentioned it to my Junior class this week during training :

” Before you can achieve , First you must believe’.

So Important. At a seminar i went to once, the speaker (Paul Blackburn) said that if you couldn’t actually visualize yourself having made this achievement or having won – you must try to believe in the possibility.  And if we really consider it – the possibilities are endless.

One of the conversations I had recently was with some work colleagues in the office lunchroom. We were discussing the damaging effects of Aspartame in Coke Zero. And…..despite hearing all the negative side effects, and the fact that this person really wanted to lose weight- they said they would love to give up drinking soft drink , but that they couldn’t fit it into their lifestyle ! WTF !!!!!   I guess this reminds me of some scary truths – most of the general population are uneducated or don’t care about real health. And….the scarier fact is that in essence – true health is actually very simple to obtain. But……you have to want it – and believe you can have it.

It also reminded me that in terms of our own goals…..we have to want it bad enough.

We have to want that thing, that outcome, that body, that house, that car, that partner, that job, that family, that holiday that anything…..so bad…..that the pain of change, the pain of work, the pain of sacrifice, the fear of failure is far outweighed by the desire to have it. That desire too is fueled by our level of belief that we can and deserve to have it !

In relation to our martial arts, wanting that black belt is a goal many have. But not everyone wants it enough to sacrifice the time, dedicate themselves to the training and go through the pain of grading’s and the 40 rounds of kumite to get it.

Maybe the student wants to fight – but aren’t willing to risk the fear of losing, or aren’t willing to put aside other social activities etc to put enough time into training and preparation.

I saw a post on Facebook recently which was a picture and a quote by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson which read :

” The fist step in achieving your goal, is to take a moment to respect your goal. know what it means to you to achieve it “.

So ….with that in mind….set pen to paper ……and get goal setting. Believe in the possibility ……and remind yourself as often as possible why this particular goal is important to you. Eyes forward……….focus on your dreams……and take one step at a time till you are running for the finish line. Remember too there will be tests along the way. The universe wants to know that you are serious. That you really want this ‘thing’.
There will be hurdles to jump, waves to ride and holes to fall in and stuff to trip over. However, know that each and every time that you get back up, your will is strengthened, your mind more resolute and your goal is ever closer.

Osu.

Kiley

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Pain and Gain

Posted on by Kiley Baker


It’s funny how you can ‘know’ something for so long, perhaps almost a whole life, but then one day you ‘live’ that thing and all of a sudden it all makes sense. The penny drops,cha-ching.
We have all heard the saying ” What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”. I like the sentiment and have been known to throw that one around at various times, but in reality, the saying has flaws.
You see…..every day things happen that don’t kill us….but neither do they change us.

The thing’s which DO change us, that really do make us stronger are those thing’s that push us beyond our normal limits,which force us to struggle. We must undergo difficulty in order to grow.

In nature, I guess this could be compared to the process of natural selection.Those of the species which best adapt to the environment, that overcome stresses and challenges survive. The strong which survive then breed and so hence the growth of a stronger and more resillient population, herd, tribe, community, ecosystem, whatever term best describes.

In the gym, referring to resistance based training, weight lifting, hypertrophy, Power Lifting, etc then perhaps this is the basis for the SAID principal. Specific Adaptation to Increased Demands. Our bodies are smart and they have a memory and we are programed to survive. Our very nature is to prevail. So…when our bodies undergo stress…certain processes occur to ensure that the next time this happens….we are better prepared. I guess another way to explain is that very simply put, when we lift weights and apply stress to the muscle, damage occurs. It is through the process of re-buliding this muscle that strength and size is gained.

As a person, Emotionally, when we go through hardships we tend to learn. We learn about how our mind reacts and we learn about our mental programming. We also learn that we can endure, and that all things pass eventually, and through this we understand that we are durable and changeable and can weather a storm or two. Next time, as we have been there before…..we understand that the pain of losing someone, having an argument, being betrayed, being misunderstood or perhaps being weak and hurting another person……that no matter how bad it is, we can make it like we did last time. We recognise a pattern, and being stronger 2nd time around, can make better choices this time.

The thing I love about Martial Arts is that it covers all the bases.
In one hard class alone we could touch on all areas. We can challenge our self beleifs (I can’t do another push up and then you do, or I’m awesome….only to get beaten that night) , our own inner deamons. We can challenge our fears (oh….i don’t want to sparr this person , they are better than me, or i’ll never be able to last that grading..then we do). We can push ourselves so hard physically that we are in pain. We can demand of our body thing’s we never thought we could do (like an 8 hour grading with 40 rounds of contact sparring) and when we make it out the other side our strength is resolved. Our mind is determined and our body is built that little bit better and is that little bit more prepared to fight.

Struggle is what makes us if it doesn’t break us.
But consider this – even if we are broken (just like our muscles after a heavy gym session) with the right amount of love, medicine (let your food be thy medicine and thy medicine your food),rest and recovery (meditation, sleep, time alone or with friends) and a small amount of Will and drive – we can and will be restored to something better than we were before.

Not that movies have anything to do with this…but every Movie Hero had a hardship.
It’s always the fall then the rise and we love those stories ! The loss made the win SO much more gratifying. We don’t respect people who had it handed to them and often they don’t respect themselves. So :-

Knowing all this, In the midst of your hardest training session,
when you find yourself being beaten in the ring,
when the odds are stacked against you,
When you feel like you have been left with nothing,
When you feel you can’t go on, or get up after being knocked down
smile….and remind yourself that it’s moments like these (no…you don’t need minties)
But you can and will survive and grow.

Osu.
Kiley

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Back to Basics

Posted on by Kiley Baker

Last night was our Eltham Martial Arts Academy Formal Awards Night. It was a really great night with a great ‘anti bullying’ demo by the juniors and of course Award presentations , a visit from Santa, and just a great night with everyone decked out in their finest, good food, wine , drinks , dancing and even better company. It always makes me happy and feel accomplished every year to stand up in front of everyone and make a speech. For those that were there last night…thanks for listening.

Here is a copy of my speech :

Let me officially say welcome to the Eltham Martial Arts Academy Formal Awards Night 2013.

Thanks Mark Niven for the introduction and words……and let me take a second to say….” You guys scrub up alright!”

In all seriousness though, Each time we have this event and I stand up here, it really makes me feel proud to be part of such a great group of people and I am so thankful for my circle of friends. Simply by being here you are showing your support for me and EMAA, and of course each other.

So now, that being said…..without further ado……let’s get my speech cracking…..as always…..I only have a couple of things to say   (winky face )

Somewhere in the world right now, there is a martial arts instructor standing in front of a class telling their students the importance of basics. Of why we must train them each and every class to establish not only technique, but an automatic action that we can rely on in times of stress. A programmed response that happens seemingly without conscious thought, much like the beating of our hearts, or our own respiration.

The fancy stuff is nice, (the back spinning kicks, the complicated joint manipulations, takedowns and the awesome jumping elbows etc) however they are what I like to consider as bonus extra’s. To the junior class, I explain this as sprinkles. It’s a simple analogy, but what is the point of sprinkles without the ice-cream to eat them with?

Nothing ends a fight quite like a simple well timed hard punch to the face – smack on the jaw, a decent kick to the groin , or a fantastic roundhouse to the head , so it makes sense to practice those and make sure the simple and effective stuff is well rehearsed and ready to go.

A famous quote by Aristotle states:

“We are that which we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”

And thus, it makes sense that if one wishes to Excell… to establish great habits. We must develop an attitude whereby we are prepared to continue to practice the same things over and over without thinking we have perfected something. We must remain humble and open minded and honour the training and our instructors. And It’s worthwile mentioning that ‘everyone’ is your teacher. There are lessons to be learnt from everyone and everything. If one was to consider….just for a moment ….that you could learn something even from and Ant !

What you ask….well how about the fact that many hands make light work. Or to not to judge a person’s strength through size alone. You know how strong an ant is right ?!  Yup….x 10 times their own body weight they can lift. Ever seen anyone do that in the gym?  

But I digress. Martial arts in it’s essence is simple. There is no “secret “except that which Sosai spoke of. If there was one….it was SWEAT.  Sweat and spirit. Morever I believe that on most occasions when people fall or people fail…it wasn’t their body or their technique, but their spirit. 

That’s why I love Kyokushin. It may have shortfalls as I believe all the arts do but wherever it lacks technically, it makes up for threefold in terms of it’s spirit. During my martial arts journey thus far, I’ve heard well established and senior martial artists in differing styles claim such thing’s such as that you needn’t be fit to win a real fight. That you needn’t have loads of techniques under your belt or that long and arduous grading’s are a waste of time and don’t really contribute to your ability.

All those things may in fact be true in the first sense, However………That physical and moreover the mental strength you develop through forcing your body and mind through an 8 hour grading, a punishing class, or the humility and respect for both the art and others you forge through tough competition……gives you something inside that not everyone is lucky to hold within. A never say die attitude and a self knowledge that no matter what…..thy will not quit. Not now. Not ever. Osu No Seishin.

The simplicity of martial arts can be echoed in everyday life.

It’s a shame then when we get caught up in the myriad of distractions available to us nowadays. We are essentially wired in (and of this I’m guilty as charged)  to our social devices and our work. We are contactable 24 /7 and we can and do work anywhere as we can access “information” at the slide of a finger or push of a button. Emails, Videos , games, music, and the money….oh the money. We can spend it on all those things we are convinced by media, companies and our peers that we apparently need…….without even leaving the house. In fact…..We can do it wherever there is online access ……and these days……you don’t even need to ‘have’ money to spend it !

But we don’t need this stuff.

We need sleep.

We need nutrition from whole food and clean fresh water

We need loving relationships

We need exercise

We need basic clothing and a place to call home that is safe.

Everything else is extra.

Everything else is sprinkles.

It’s managing what we need with what is nice to have that is our challenge.Knowing the difference is the first part. Keeping ourselves inline and in focus is the second and the difficult part.

And so…here we are again….at the pointy end of the circle.

That lesson from practicing and repeating basics so that they are automatic programmed responses. 

It’s then you start to realize that we do the same thing with our lives every day. In our dealings with others, relationships, our careers and then we pass those things on to our children through our interaction with them. And that’s A-OK if those responses are positive and enhance our martial arts or our dday to day lives, but what if they don’t ? 

People / or we , generally react the way we behaved last time….and we repeat those behavior’s even if they don’t produce a so called ‘desired response’.

It’s like When someone at work annoys you because every morning you walk in and the first thing they say is “ have you seen that email about whatever and it’s red hot urgent ! ” and immediately you get your back up. You are annoyed because You haven’t even sat down yet, settled in at your desk…and you are already being barked at. So then …your’e programmed response might be to get grumpy…heart rate increases….and then you start stammering some excuse why you haven’t read it yet…but will in a minute and ……oh…Ive got a headache already.

But to change that programmed response…you could simple smile at this person……throw them off guard and say “ Good Morning. How are you Today ?” And keep on smiling. Not sure why….but I think of Alan Shaw from Boston Legal when I do that. It’s so simple……but sometimes the power of distraction can change the whole mood. Try it next time.

Another example might be always picking the “ bad guy” or the “psycho girlfriend”………You need to stop and look at what attributes you are being attracted to here. That’s a hard one……..but if you look closely ….you’ll find the things to avoid next time. Pretty much….all the stuff that annoyed you is probably the thing’s you found cool at the start. And scary…

Maybe you always run out of petrol because you leave it till the light comes on……then you stress out as you run late for your next appointment because oh my gosh….you’ve run out of fuel and now you have to stop and you’ll be late and and and . If you do that….make yourself to promise to always fill up when the tank get’s down to ¼ no matter what.

There are hundreds of examples but when it all comes down to it……life is all about basics. About the thing’s we do every day, and how we do them.

I believe – To my Very Core- that Martial Arts can help you …if you let it.

See……training, can answer many things about us.

Do you quit , or do you do that one last push up ?

Do you talk positive to yourself ? like….I can’t do that or I will lose ?…….

Do you push yourself to go to class or do you find excuses not to ?……..

Are you a respectful person or do you push around the lower ranks ?…..

Sosai said that all questions can be answered through hard training. Allow yourself to hear the questions. And then honestly answer them. If you don’t like the answers –  change them. It’s basics . It might not be easy. But It’s worth it !

I am sure that most of you know some of the challenges that my life has been faced with this year. It’s no secret about the changes within my personal life although I do like to keep those things low key.

What I will say is that times like these allow you to re-assess what’s important in your life. But…you don’t have to wait till something major shifts around you to make changes.

This year more than ever…I have drawn strength from the dojo and Martial Arts. Sometimes it’s been hard to show up to the dojo and teach – and keep up appearances- but I know that once Im there….and I see you guys come to class for training…I remember why I teach and why I need to push on regardless. It’s a rare occasion that I don’t always feel better after a night/ day at the dojo.

So, again let me say thankyou for your support and help during this time. Some perhaps more than others, but in your own way…by continuing to be a part of the dojo you have all played a positive role.

Osu.

Kop Kun Kaa

Now….on to the awards ………….

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The Dojo is your temple

Posted on by Kiley Baker
Entrance Eltham Martial Arts Academy - Musubi dojo

The Dojo is your temple

In my opinion, the dojo should be thought of as akin to a temple. A place to hold sacred, to respect, to want to visit and a place to serve as much as it serves you and all others who enter it. A dojo is a place where you enter and offer yourself to the training, the master and teacher, your seniors and all those that have gone before. You must come not with your cup empty…..as you cannot (nor should you) put aside past knowledge, but your mind should always be open and thoughtful.

As you enter this temple, shoes should be removed and placed neatly out of others way. This is for cleanliness but also because the matted area should be thought of as sacred and you must not walk upon it with the rubbish on your shoes from the outside world. It is just not done.

Your mind should be focused on the present moment and bad feelings from the day left behind. Now is the time to focus on the moment. You are here . It is your place and you are amongst friends and training partners that support each other through tough training sessions and gradings, and help each other to learn.

In the dojo you should be safe to find out your truth. Be respectful to all people at all times and be a part of building and maintaining  that culture. Remember….there will be times when your guard will drop and you will be hit. Times when you won’t be ready and you will fall or buckle over from a good strike or kick, or be choked or submitted. Times when you just feel exhausted and want to quit. These should be considered your best times. The times when you learnt about yourself, your weaknesses and see a way to improve on them. Remember to support others through their times of weakness or finding their truth. You will know when you see it. As I said…one day it will be you.

Accept criticism with humility. You are not perfect. No one is. But you came to learn….so allow the learning to happen. Receive the lessons from all. The instructor. Your fellow students and especially the lower ranks. They have things to teach you too, even if it is just about yourself.

Always give your best at the dojo. Sometimes your best is just turning up. Whatever you have to give…..if it’s only 80% for any reason…then give 100% of that 80% . Doing this creates a mentality that shall serve you well both in and out of the dojo.

Most of all….look after your dojo. Wiping down the mats after class is a small part of this. If you see equipment left out….put it away. Even if you weren’t the one who left it. Someone has to do it. Why not you ? It’s not a big thing to help look after your training area. Behaving in this manner shows you care about the place in which you spend so much time, where you learn and creates a feeling of belonging and/or ownership. If you make a mess…clean it. Don’t leave training gear…or belongings behind. Take your stuff home and clean and air it out. Showing up to the dojo with a clean dogi and un-stinky gloves, shin pads etc is a direct reflection of the care and pride you feel towards your training and your own self respect also.

Enjoy your training and remember why you started. Constantly seek to review your goals. Honour your training commitment to yourself and your instructor and be a proud and respectful Representative of your club and your style.

Osu.

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The Easy Way Out

Posted on by Kiley Baker
Sparring Eltham Martial Arts Academy

The Easy Way Out

Lately……I keep getting hit in the face – and not just in class!
I mean by reality. By the harsh truth that I truly believe we have mostly become a world full of corner cutters. (that’s the nicest word I could think of. There were plenty of others in mind…but this is a family show)
To me it seems that a majority of the population wants a quick fix. An easy solution and nobody wants to go through discomfort or pain anymore. It’s illogical and stupid to think this way. I know it’s cliche’ but we all must experience pain to know joy. And we need pain to grow. Yep……in every way shape and form.

The evidence is all around us. Every day I get told….Oh I really want to get fit, and tone up (which is really not possible as toning isn’t real – it’s called losing fat and building muscle) But I don’t have time and your classes are too hard for me. So……what you are saying is that you don’t want it that bad? Yep….that’s why there is this magical pill hitting the market whereby the makers and the shareholders will make ridiculous amounts of money by people getting skinny but not healthy and forced to live on this medication forever. And….this is because nobody wants to go through the pain of exercise and eating healthy. And…Yes…..it can be uncomfortable at times, and it might feel painful, and yes you might get sore muscles….but you will get used to the feeling and possibly learn to love it. I don’t mean to say that every training session a person does needs to be drenched in sweat and vomit city and so hard you can’t walk the next day – but it would be close. You do have to work your body hard. You do have to make big changes to see big changes and that might mean sometimes it’s uncomfortable. But is uncomfortable that bad ? What’s the alternative? I’d rather have a sore back from training and be healthy knowing that my pain is temporary, than be overweight, have no cardiovascular health and be in pain because of that. Wouldn’t you ?

And what about peoples reaction to getting sick. Why is reaching for a bottle of this or a pill for this so many people’s first response? Given proper nutrition and rest, your body will heal most minor (and some major) ailments. Often…..the medication taken prohibits the bodies natural response to illness and circumvents it’s own efforts to eliminate the virus or dis-ease that has been allowed to manifest. People will say…oh it’s because I have to soldier on, go to work. This is a stupid mentality as now you are perhaps spreading your illness when you should keep it at home, plus you will most likely lengthen the duration of the illness you were trying to avoid in the first place. Maybe……we are supposed to get a cold every now and then. Maybe it’s our bodies way of de-toxifying ? I don’t know. But I do think that pill popping etc is another way for people to avoid being uncomfortable. I’m not saying we should want to be sick…..not at all. It’s horrible and I don’t like it…and even more so I really dislike seeing my kids sick as I am sure most parents do- but Let’s think about what Grandma would have done sometimes. Maybe even stop for a second and take a look around at your friends, your family and think….who are the ones who are sick most often ….and who are the one’s opting for the quick fixes. You might see a pattern.

My next rant is about kids and how it seems that schooling and some trendy parenting today is all about preventing everything. Is it really a horrible thing to lose? Why must everyone that goes in a race be a winner? It’s just not a real representation of life to think that there aren’t winners and losers. I’m happy that when I was at school …you had to work hard for a certificate. To earn a place or a ribbon was worth fighting for. Yeah sure…..there were plenty of thing’s I was terrible at, and this was uncomfortable to deal with, but you get over it. You learn to fight harder and try harder and you learn to brush thing’s off. You also learn that everyone is not good at everything…and you look harder to find what you ‘are’ good at.

Punishments for bad behavior seem to also be frowned upon and in place is adult conversation’s….about feelings and yada yada. Again…..I’m not saying bring back the strap, but consequence needs to be taught. You can’t have an adult conversation with a 5 year old. Simple things like having to clean up after class or stay inside at playtime or at home….things such as Ipods etc being confiscated help kids to learn about consequences of action. Then…later when the child begin’s to understand …then the conversation about feelings etc can happen. Lesson….then reflection. This however takes time to implement and are we too busy to do this? or is it we don’t like these uncomfortable and confrontational situations ? Is it easier to just let stuff slide? My main point here is that we want to protect our kids…but are we helping or hindering them by trying too hard to stop them from ever having a bad experience? Being picked on is awful…but with supportive parents and also teachers this experience can be a learning curve for kids that will serve them through to adulthood. We must learn to deal with confrontation and loss and bad experiences. It’s how we grow as people emotionally. Of course….this is merely scratching the surface in this area….and I don’t claim to be any kind of expert.

This is why I love martial arts. For adults and for kids. Because it’s difficult. Because often we are pushed to points of failure. These might on the surface seem like losses, but really they are lessons. Every class and each training session we are given the opportunity to test and improve ourselves. It’s about turning up when we don’t want to. When it’s too hard. It’s about making commitments and honoring them. It’s about getting hurt, and continuing anyway. It’s about finding out our weaknesses, but also that we are more powerful than we thought possible. It’s about being disciplined. In and out of the dojo. It’s about giving up a social life to train for an impending grading. About scheduling homework time after school so you can make it to class on time because a test or comp is coming up. Parents need to help kids with this one. Yep….parents need to be disciplined too. It’s about taking kids to training when you can’t be bothered – because they watch and imitate your behavior. All these things forge an attitude that serves both in and out of the dojo. How much better will a child perform at school with strength of character and a disciplined mind and life?
How much better will and adult handle life and work and stress with these qualities?

I personally know that Karate and Martial Arts has saved my life. Not on the street in combat fortunately, but there are times when I know that If i didn’t possess the ability to push beyond my toughest boundaries…I would have quit on a few occasions. I know the 7 times down 8 times up mentality that I have tattooed on my body is ingrained on my soul…and that has come not from avoiding being in pain or uncomfortable, but by not taking the easy way out. I’m no soldier. And I’m not the toughest or the greatest at anything. But I thank my lucky stars every day that I walked into a martial arts school back in 1994.

Osu No Seishin.

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