Starting a gratitude practice the same day the second COVID-19 Stay at Home order goes into effect is an interesting juxtaposition. I mean, I just had to cancel the Dome Asylum’s reservations for the next 3 weeks. Yet, I can find joy in supporting my local go-to spot for burgers, Up the Hill Grill, imagining […]
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Category: Martial Arts
Stay at Home, Day 23 – Discipline and Ci
It was my 27th or 28th birthday, and I was living in NYC and training at Grandmaster (GM) Kim’s school on 50th St. I was upset because I hadn’t heard from my parents yet for my birthday. When I complained to GM Kim, he told me that I should be calling them to thank them […]
There’s Still 100% Left
It’s February now and a full month of our new year has gone by. How did you use your January? Did you wrap up last year’s books? Ideally, it got started in December, but with holidays and schedules, maybe it didn’t get complete. Finish your year end Profit & Loss statements for each brand or […]
Teen Bullying and Suicide
I learned last week that one of my former students killed herself. She was 14. I’m shaken and very sad. Some people I share with are incredulous, thinking what could be so bad at 14? What could drive a young person to make such a finite decision? I can understand, because I was about that […]
Less is More
Ohashi first presents the idea of less is more (my words, not his) in reference to the physicality of giving shiatsu treatments. He, being small and weak, adopted the principle of non-resistance from his Aikido practice. I am familiar with the idea. The most effective Hapkido techniques I know work best when the practitioner relaxes […]
Laying a Fitness Foundation: Part 1
With the cooler temperatures already here and holiday feasts impending, I decided to focus on my health and wellbeing through the end of the year. The very next day, I got an email announcing that my teacher, Grandmaster Kim, will be coming to SoCal to do his Master’s’ Seminar in February. There are no coincidences. […]
Board Breaking and Believing
When people walked into our camp, I’d invite them to play with Karate Robot. They’d enthusiastically say yes and I’d lead them to where he stood. I explained, “This is Karate Robot and he will hold a board for you to break.” A couple of things happened at this point… First, as Wylie noticed, folks […]
Power of Perseverance
Recently I’ve been thinking about the power of perseverance. It’s quite remarkable what happens when you don’t give up. A good percentage of success is left to whoever can stick it out the longest. Now, that’s not to say that there’s not a time to call it. Like Willie Nelson says “You’ve got to know […]