Martial Arts Education

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 ...

Staying focused on fitness for a long period of time is difficult. The fact is most people stop working out consistently because they are easily distracted or bored. Most people are drawn to fitness because they want to look better. Unfortunately, that kind of motivation is usually short-lived. It lasts long enough to convince people ...

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 start ...

Driving north along the coast of California to San Francisco is an experience rooted in Zen. There’s virtually no traffic, and the scenery is refreshingly bucolic, with a landscape so green it rivals bank vaults. I’m not a big fan of driving, especially after years of my nerves being worn to stubs in Los Angeles ...

Which do you think more adults are looking for, shedding unwanted pounds or after-school programming for their children? The fact that many adults don’t have after-school age children is one clue that fitness is a much bigger market. There has never been more interest in fitness and weight loss than there is today. Everybody wants ...