Martial Arts Education

Most of us know Joe Corley as the man who started the famous “Battle of Atlanta” martial arts tournament. He also runs several very successful martial arts schools, and shares his knowledge with other NAPMA members about how to “get there” and how to “do it.” When I talked with Mr. Corley recently, we didn’t ...

Let’s examine some of the key elements to Parts 1 and 2 of the original “prison bully” story:             Recall the prison bully’s remark “Hey, man, how come you keep taking my seat?” And recall that the other prisoner did not try to ignore or deny the bully’s true intent. He knew from the very ...

  As with many of you older martial artists, I trained intensely as a young man, and tested my skills and myself many times. I believe this to be a natural process for anyone wanting to be serious about martial arts. We all want to have knowledge, and we all want to know if this ...

I’ve recently been reflecting on the impact my programming has had on people and the difference between what I hear my students say today as opposed to when I taught only a traditional martial arts program. In the past, the compliments were mostly about how a child improved in school or how much more confident ...

Sometimes you learn things in the strangest places. Being a writer, I’m always looking for story angles and tidbits of information to pass onto MAPro readers. I recently ran across a fascinating article I believe relates directly to most of the instructors in this industry. The article was bout, of all things, fishing, and the ...

Un our journey through life, it may at times seem as though we’re passing through a great jungle, devoid of civilized comforts, safety nets and hospitality. Where huge trees of worry take root in the soil of aspiration and shed used leaves, which create a carpet of urgency, pushing us along. At some point in ...

It is not often that we take our RMCAT training on the road, but some time ago, Mr. Ernie Reyes asked us to bring our armored assailant, adrenal-stress-driven, scenario-based program to his school in California. Naturally, we were both pleased and proud to do so. To many of us Ernie Reyes is known for his ...

Although fitness enthusiasts, coaches and martial arts instructors have been doing their favorite exercises for years, the new science of sports medicine has begun to demonstrate that certain exercises are contraindicated (meaning they are counter productive). Admittedly, there is some dispute over these exercises, with many longtime practitioners saying they have done certain moves for ...

Last month, we discussed the three-minute step test to determine heart recovery rates. Remember that this test is to be used only as a screening device and not as an actual test for cardiovascular fitness.               If the subject cannot finish the three minutes stepping up and down on a small box or platform, ...

In last month’s column, I addressed the importance of teaching a kickboxing introductory class and why the introductory instructor should focus on three primary objectives: safety, building rapport and making sure students have fun. These three objectives are most important, but don’t treat your fitness kickboxing student like second-class martial arts students. Take the time ...