Why 9 out of 10 Martial Artists Choose Team Jacob

Okay, okay, I admit it.  I read the Twilight books LONG before the movies came out and enjoyed them enough to put a set in my classroom....and replaced them twice after swarms of young ladies took them home, never to be seen again. :)

Taylor Lautner, plays the character of Jacob in the films, most noticably in New Moon where he's revealed the results of his new workout regimen.

Few people know that Taylor came up in the martial arts world, and it was his big break into Hollywood!  His skills won him the title role of Sharkboy in the 2005 Robert Rodriguez film, The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D, a film which showcased his skills!  When he was eleven, he was ranked number one in the world for NASKA's Black Belt Open Forms, Musical Weapons, Traditional Weapons and Traditional Forms and, at the age of twelve, he won the Junior World Championships.

Here's a clip of Taylor in the 2003 World Series of Martial Arts:



Awwwww, what a cutie.  He's quite good!  Imagine Jacob doing THAT.

Take that, Robert Pattinson.

Film to Watch: "The Sensei"

"The Sensei" is a martial arts film set to release on DVD in November 2009, starring some very dear friends in the martial arts world, in particular, Diana Lee Inosanto - daughter of Grandmaster Dan Inosanto, one of Bruce Lee's closest students.

But don't watch this purely for the lineage.  This is a completely new brand of self-defense that you NEED to be watching.

"The Sensei" is set in a rural town in Colorado, during the late 80's when the rise of HIV had many people in a panic about AIDS.  The film focuses on McClain Evans, a young gay teen who is the subject of bullying in his town.

Karen O'Neill (played by Inosanto) is returning home to family after a five-year absence and the loss of her fiance.  Initially, she is there to be close with her family, who owns a successful dojo and is very active in their town's church ministry.

When McClain is hospitalized after a brutal beating, his mother turns to Karen for help.  O'Neill begins training McClain secretly, and through learning the martial ways, he learns to rise above prejudice and intolerance.

This is a film which examines the kinds of prejudices which fuel hatred, and a group of people who are able to find humanity even in their darkest hour.  While most martial arts films contain poor scripts (and worse acting) which function merely as a  loose excuse to string action scenes together, I feel that this film's story carries a power greater than its content. 

Check it out online at:
http://www.thesenseimovie.com/

See the trailer at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAm_mZyYTlg

I hope you get an opportunity to watch this.  Practicing tolerance and open-mindedness IS self-defense against hatred and bigotry.  Rare is the film which makes this connection in the way that "The Sensei" does.

Why I will NEVER sign my child up at a martial arts school...

(at least not the way things are right now.)

Let's pretend for a moment that I'm not an instructor/former school operator, and that I don't have the martial arts background required to effectively teach my own children.  (Let's also pretend that I have children. haha) 

Let's also pretend that the friends I have in the martial arts world don't exist, because I'm not talking about them, and with respect to this discussion, they are a statistically insignificant minority.  Someday that will change, and I know that we will be a part of that movement, but that day is not today - at least not yet. 

Let's also pretend that I'm angry and frustrated instead of playfully twisting negativity to communicate a helpful message. :)

All that being said, right now, I wouldn't ever dream of "signing up" my hypothetical offspring at a studio, dojo, dojang, kwoon, academy, or any other martial arts school.  What they stand for offends me because it is a LIE.

The vast majority of martial arts schools today are run by someone who is/was either a great fighter/competitor, great teacher/motivator, great scholar/historian, great businessperson, great human being, or is/was trained or influenced by one of the above.  Very few (so statistically meaningless that it would almost be accurate to say 'none') are led by someone with more than one of those qualities.  Many more are led by someone with none of those qualities.  All of them are currently seeking to acquire more of these traits, and in the current economy, the trait most heavily desired amongst martial arts school operators is "great businessperson" because it keeps the doors open....while as a "parent", I'm seeking "great human being" and "great teacher" as the person that I'd entrust my imaginary children with first and foremost.

So as a pseudo-parent, I have this to say to you, Mr./Ms. Karate People Out There:

I don't care who trained you.  I care about how you will train my child.

I don't care how many people you've beaten in the ring.  I want to know if your training will protect my child if he/she ever needs it.

I don't care how many battles you've won.  I want to know how your training will help my child face the challenges in his/her life.

I don't care how many trophies you have.  I want my child to feel like a winner, not hold a sparkly plastic decoration - I can buy that for them myself.

I don't care about your prices, discounts, incentives, or sales packages.  I want to know that my child's training will be worth every penny before you will EVER see a single cent of mine.

I don't care about your mottos, creeds, and slogans.  I want to see you live the way you're asking my child to live.

I don't care about your long and proud history.  I care about how you will play a role in my child's long and proud life story. 

I don't care about how much you know.  I want to know how much you care. 

I don't care if your ad says that you teach respect, if the only thing you respect about me is my wallet.  Have we ever had a conversation without a sales pitch or an exchange of money? 

Don't tell me what I want to hear; show me what I want to see.  Only then will I entrust you with my child. 

Until I can see this from your school(s), then the person most qualified to teach my child how to protect themselves from the dangers of the world is ME.


I don't see that right now.  All I see is 'sign up for this karate birthday party' and 'buy that funny-named foam play weapon'.  You've become a part of my child's recreation (an expensive one at that) and not a part of my child's education.  This is why my friends are pulling their kids out - because in the process of trying to make a living doing what you love, you have constructed something which presents nothing more than unnecessary expenses for my family. 

I want no part of it.

If you claim to be different, show me.  Stand above the crowd high enough for me to see you, because in the blur of my fast-paced life, your uniform looks just like everybody else's.

The preceding message is a call for us to stand for integrity, my martial arts brothers and sisters.  If we cannot lead our lives as leaders in the truest sense, how can we expect anyone to support us?

My Life Is My Test

When I trained under Grand Master Ed Fong, I tested four times for my 2nd degree black belt, thrice for my 3rd degree, and twice for my 4th degree.  I didn't fail any of the tests; in fact, I rocked them.  I tested multiple times because it was expected that I complete my test in phases, divided somewhat evenly throughout my candidacy.  Because of this, I was constantly preparing to test.  I'd train, train harder, train insanely, peak, test, and then repeat.  (on top of school, family, etc.)

During the time that I served as his advisor, I strongly recommended that he eliminate this practice.  I felt like the constant pressure led people towards burnout.  He looked at me like I wasn't getting the real picture.  He was right.

Today, I do not test my black belts in phases; however, I've also realized GM Fong's real lesson and I fully intend to honor his teachings by passing this knowledge to you. 

The truth is: the test never ends.

In fact, your "test" (or more appropriately, OUR test) began the first day that we walked in the door.  When I use the word "test" in this fashion, I really mean "personal improvement", "mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional growth", "lifestyle of consciousness and awareness", and many more things!

Our "test" is most keenly felt when we come across something that is hard, and that moment is EXACTLY the time when your actions reveal your "skill" (my code for: "character").

We train because the very act of training is a transcendent action.  Every time we do it, we are trying to make ourselves better people - to transcend ourselves, in a manner of speaking.  Every time we make the effort to organize our lives so that we can train, we are trying to become more efficient at doing our homework, performing our job duties, managing our family's busy routines, etc....all so that we have time to grow.  Sometimes it's a pretty tough thing to do. 

Sometimes life can be a tough thing to handle. That's because our life IS our test. 

Train for it. 

As you grow in your mastery of the martial arts, it will be revealed in every minute of your day, in every aspect of your character, and in every action.

Up & Coming Talent

My friends, please allow me to introduce you to Pretty Boy Bam Bam, a young man who is about to set a brand new standard for punching in your respective schools.

This training video was taken when he was 5 years old:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEp9FpMQx40

He's seven now, and receiving quite a bit of media attention!  Here's an ESPN feature:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iovJXCXiriM

And again on the Ellen DeGeneres Show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9dAG1majss

Here's his website too:
http://www.prettyboybambam.com/

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I need to practice some more. :)

Impressive, Young Padawan

Young people never cease to amaze me.  It's one of the reasons why I choose to teach.  Seeing people actualize the infinite potential within themselves affirms my faith in humanity, and keeps me connected to my own humanity.  When I look for the goodness in things, I often find it - not necessarily by being all "sunshine and rainbows", but by empathizing with those whom I observe.

Today, I found inspiration in the form of a 5-year-old wushu stylist named Abigail Chu.  She is a martial artist of superior caliber - you can see it in her focus, balance, and expression!

Check it out:

I'm convinced that by the time she's 7, her skills will surpass mine.

Oh wait...those vids are from May 2006.  She's already 8.  Doh!

And her skills have grown...check out these vids from 2007 - only ONE year later:

I want to be like her when I grow up.

The Martial Artist's College/Job Interview

You are a unique brand of martial artist.  The way we approach our training makes us much more than most people could ever conceive.

In hard economic times, when students are trying to stand out above the crowd to be noticed by colleges, workers are interviewing like crazy in order to find a job that will make ends meet, and business owners are feeling the crunch and needing to "make the sale", you must DAZZLE people...and what we do dazzles people because they don't always see us in that regard!

Students: If you're looking for a 'unique selling proposition' for your UC personal statement (especially prompt #2 - hint hint!), take a good look in the mirror, martial artist!  Hasn't training awakened something within you that you didn't have before?  How has this changed your life?

Job-seekers: If you're trying to make a good impression with your interviewer, talk about the kind of training that we do, because virtually NO ONE else has that.  There is absolutely no one else who could be more qualified than an experienced, well-educated, and well-trained martial artist (except a higher-ranked one, perhaps).  You probably already have the first two, so your training would give you an extra edge!

Business owners: If you want to build your business, then market yourself with the same passion that you use when you focus hard on a training goal!  Connect with your customers like we connect to our training partners - not with a side kick and a bruise, but with a smile and unconditional respect.  They can't respect your business if they can't respect you as a human being.

Some schools of martial arts encourage their students to keep their training a secret.  For them, their art is purely for survival purposes, and therefore, you wouldn't want to tip your hand to a would-be attacker.  However, whether you align with this idea or not, I hope that you also understand: right now, I'm not talking about protecting yourselves from mass murderers, armed robbers, gangs, rapists, and kidnappers.

We're talking about all of the benefits that martial arts training provides - very few of which can be consistently matched by other activities.  We OWN the market on respect, discipline, social responsibility, healthy living, anger & stress management, conflict resolution, achieving serenity in the mind and heart....and so much more!

Live it, breathe it, be it.  Through your actions, show the best of our world to a college admissions director, employer, or prospective client, and you will dramatically increase your likelihood of success.

Be Prepared to Defeat the Vampires

For all of you who are partaking in this year's Halloween activities, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable time! However, whether you're part of the celebration or not, it's still a good idea to be mindful and use your self-defense training to remain aware, as you may still encounter situations even if you haven't planned to participate!

Because I care so very much about all of you, I want you to be aware of a deathly serious threat.

Thanks to modern media, vampirism is back into the mainstream. People all over the world are raving fanatics of The Lost Boys, Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Underworld, Blade, Twilight, Vampire Academy, and more! It's quite possible that thousands of people will embellish their bodies with sparkly glitter and other accessories in order to become whatever brand of vampire they please. It'll be a pretty popular costume selection - the perfect camoflauge for REAL VAMPIRES.

DO NOT BE FOOLED. THEY ARE OUT THERE AND THEY WANT YOUR BLOOD.

BUT DO NOT FEAR. ARM YOURSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE. IT IS FAR MORE POTENT THAN TYPING IN BOLDFACED BLOOD RED CAPITAL LETTERS LIKE THIS.

This link may make the difference in a confrontation against the lords of the undead world:
http://www.themartialist.com/1003/vampire.htm

I shall leave you now to peruse this valuable knowledge, but before I depart, I must rephrase the site's disclaimer in order to protect myself from another breed of bloodsuckers: LAWYERS.

WARNING! Vampires are inherently dangerous. Do not attempt to fight vampires unless you are trained in vampiric combat and work under the supervision of a qualified instructor or dedicated vampire hunter. The staff, writers, executive producers, janitorial services, and target dummies of Kickin' It (all the same guy) accept no responsibility for death, dismemberment, or conversion to vampire resulting from vampire fighting.

Vampires, beware. My people are armed with the knowledge to defeat you now. You have been warned.

P.S. IMPORTANT UPDATE:
http://www.fvza.org/zdefense.html

Don't let the zombies get you either.

Taekwondo Park

This year, South Korea is beginning construction of The Taekwondo Park, future home of the World Taekwondo Academy. It will become a pilgrimage site for martial artists from all over the world. Based on the concept art, it's going to be beautiful....an amazing tribute to the old traditions as well as the innovations which drive the 21st century!

Watch the video in this link, and explore the rest of the site too!
http://www.tpf.kr/eng/park/park01.asp

The park is scheduled to be completed in 2013. Perhaps someday you may go there!

MMA & 'Mixed Up' Martial Artists

For generations, the founders of new styles cross-trained in other styles and fused them into new systems of martial thought. This kind of thinking and innovation in the martial arts world predates Bruce Lee and his maxim of 'absorb what is useful'.

When I came up through the ranks, I studied a hybrid system which included elements of Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and Eskrima, along with some dabbling in numerous other styles. I've learned much since then, but even at my beginnings, I trained in unarmed striking, plus grappling, plus weapons....so I've been doing mixed martial arts since before it was cool.

In November 1993, the Ultimate Fighting Championship debuted on pay-per-view, challenging most martial artists' assumptions about the ring effectiveness of their respective styles. Most fighters at the time were specialists in a single discipline and it became a fascinating, albeit violent, experiment - one which intrigued thousands of people and upcoming fighters, while many others, including Senator John McCain, branded the sport as "human cockfighting".

It is undeniable that the UFC and the rise in popularity of MMA has infused the industry with a lot of new people.

It's also attracted the kind of people that are the complete antithesis of what we practice. Where many martial artists stood for honor, discipline, and respect....there are now beer ads, scantily-clad women, and testosterone-overdosed armchair tough guys. There are now people who would cast the 'old' martial arts industry as being fake, in light of their new tv-star gladiator overlords...almost as many as there are people who visualize brutality and barbarism when they hear the term "martial arts". (How coincidental that this change began shortly after the UFC was purchased by boxing promoters....hmmm.)

Despite this, I'm not going to stop practicing MMA, nor am I going to restrict myself to using the narrow view of it that is glorified in the media. To do so is a logical error known as the fallacy of composition: the part is not the whole, nor does it define the whole. For example, even though street racing exists and has an unpleasant element to it, I'm not going to stop driving my car in protest....and the existence of boring classes doesn't mean that college isn't worthwhile.

The hybridization of martial arts can be valuable and useful. The image which has grown up around it is not.

So, like the great Bruce Lee and the masters of old, we will learn what is useful and absorb it. Leave the rest alone. By doing this, we can be high-quality mixed martial artists, and not a bunch of mixed-up martial artists.

Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy

First of all, smile a little bit and watch this clip from the Conan O'Brien show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk

Next, take a deep breath, look around you, and check out all of the amazing stuff in your world right now.  Now the hard part: begin carefully evaluating your attitude before you make another complaint, and EVERY time you're about to complain. ;)

Today's lesson: sometimes, we must protect ourselves from ourselves!  Keeping a positive and constructive attitude IS self-defense.

All Frosting, No Cupcake

Guilty confession: as a child, I used to sneak spoonfuls of frosting right out of the container and eat it. Doing this gave me a sugar rush like no other, and it was always soooooo much sweeter than just eating the cake. In fact, I used to just lick the frosting off of my cupcakes and then leave them there, much to my family's disgust....since I'd usually wipe out the tray and leave them with a bunch of freshly-licked cupcakes.

In the 21st century, we live in a specialized world where we can have whatever we want, exactly how we want it. In fact, if you really like the frosting that much, you can walk down to the store, buy your own can, and have at it until your pants don't fit right and your head hurts. You're entitled to it, if that's what you really want.

Sadly, this is also how many people view the martial arts. Even within my own school, where I'm busily preparing for BJ Penn's Live Like a Champion Project and gathering my team, I have students who want pieces of the program, and are reluctant to sample anything other than the frosting. Even though I've reinforced that the FIRST stage of living like a champion is a physical transformation, and the prelude to something more, some are unwilling to reach beyond that. Physical training is all they want, and all they're willing to commit to.

That's no different that licking off the frosting. I'm used to this.

I get students who only want to fight...
...who only want to exercise.
...who want weapons training.
...who want self-defense training.
...who want to lose weight.
...who want to control their stress/anger.
...who want to feel more confident.
...who want better flexibility or strength or endurance, etc etc.
...who want to have something fun to do.
...who want to wrestle.
...who want to dance and trick and flip like the movie guys.
...who want (insert benefit here).

And I provide that and a thousand other things too. It's all part of the recipe.

Throw away your assumptions. Most people only catch a fleeting glimpse of what I really do, align it with their perceptions, and then use this sliver of information as the basis to make a decision....without actually looking.

All frosting, no cupcake.

(Perhaps this also explains a lot of other issues in the world and in our lives. Food for thought.)

I've learned a lot from the mistakes of my childhood. I've eaten more than my fair share of frosting, but I've also spent my life learning how to bake an amazing cupcake. I'm going to continue to find ways to make it better, and in the process, I will share all of this with you so you don't need to spend a lifetime retracing my steps. I provide this service for virtually nothing other than your commitment to "live like a champion", achieve "black belt excellence", strive to attain "mastery", create a meaningful life, or whatever metaphor drives you.

The cost: eat the whole cupcake.

Evan's Dream

This is a video made by a colleague of mine, Master Chan Lee, a heartwarming photo montage which helps to illustrate the power of martial arts.

The teacher depicted in the video is Master Chan's father, Grand Master J.K. Lee.

I believe that this video shows a little bit of all of us: how we all struggle, how we all have challenges, how we all have something beautiful to give, how our passion and efforts can change lives, and the importance of our role in the world. It highlights the core of our mission and purpose.

Time Travel

If I could travel through time (without any weird sci-fi loopholes, butterfly effects, intricate ethical dilemmas, fixed assumptions about determinism vs. free will, etc.), I'd love to be able to show my students where their lives are headed. In particular, I'd love them to meet the person that they could become after 5, 10, or 20 years of martial arts training.

If you could meet that version of your future self, even maybe just see them for a little bit...

You'd never miss a class.

You'd rock every belt test and be at every event.

Every training partner would become your best friend.

You'd reorganize your entire life to ensure that you made the time to train.

You'd begin to exhibit qualities of your future self right now.

Your spirit would enhance every relationship and connection in your life.

People would notice something different about you.

Many might see you as calm and kind, yet with a deep reservoir of inner strength.

Everything in your life would feel like a lesson worth noting.

You'd meditate daily and it would never seem like wasted time.

With your mastery, stress wouldn't phase you for long.

During the rare times that you feel anger, it'd slip away more quickly.

When challenges arise, you'd roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Even when injured or sick, you'd find a way to turn things around.

You'd shatter obstacles with determination and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Others admire your tenacity, your passion, and your sense of purpose.

You'd see it as just another day in your life.

And just as you were given this gift, you'd encourage them to train with you.

And like I once did with you, when they seem hesitant and unsure about committing,

You'd want to be able to time travel too.

What I see in you is only a possible future, one which I think you'd love to have. I can't choose for you though. The path, as always, is still yours to walk. My role is encourage and guide you to actualize what we visualize.

Lost Generation

This one's circulated around the net a few times, but I thought I'd share. Enjoy!

A Different Brand of Self-Defense

Yesterday, volunteers from LPS San Jose were out in full force contributing to the International Coastal Cleanup Day efforts! Several others also assisted with local cleanups in their area - thank you everyone for helping to protect our neighborhoods!

This article may be of interest to you. It contains a few familiar faces and some kind words of praise from a world-class teacher:

http://ubbt.squarespace.com/our-blog-read-it/2009/9/20/international-coastal-clean-up-day-ultimate-black-belt-test.html

And here's our video!

One Hundred Sixty-Eight...

...is the number of hours in one week. After you take away sleeping, eating, personal hygiene, home stuff, training, daily commutes, and work/school, however you choose to use the remaining time will play a critical role in your success.

As I speak to people, one common thread in our conversations is always how busy we are. I wonder: how effective is our usage of time? If we're all at our best at work, play, and rest, wouldn't we be much closer to being stress-free, happier, and in line with our goals?

I'm not perfect at this myself. In fact, part of why I'm writing this is because I'm still optimizing my use of time, and I think it'd be a healthy exercise for all of us to do. Can I save an extra half hour by hitting the gym on my way home, instead of going home and leaving again? Did I waste too much time on Facebook and not enough time grading? How can I best organize my time so that I'm not obsessed with 'things to do' when I go out with my beautiful, brilliant, caring girlfriend? (Yep, she's reading this. See what I did there? That's called multitasking. lol)

Let's talk in "karate language" for a sec: to win a sparring match, you can't just throw a bunch of techniques randomly and pray....at least not if you want to win consistently. Every strike and move is deliberately set up to capitalize on the previous one, and when a good combo lands, the effects sometimes last for many rounds...sometimes into the next few days!

With that in mind, we all get the same 168 hours each week, but are the moves of your life deliberately designed to help you, or is your routine only hurting you more?

G Begins to Answer "The Question"

When I first began this e-column, I opened with an article called "The Question". If you missed it, the full text is available here.

I'd like to offer the beginnings of my answer today.

In his article, Forgetting the 'Martial' in 'Martial Artist', Phil Elmore, editor of The Martialist, once wrote that "...for a martial art to be a martial art, its focus must remain on fighting. A true master may renounce violence, but only his mastery of violence makes this possible."

Elmore's article was a call to the martial arts world: stick to your roots. Defend yourselves and defend yourselves well. It was the launching point of his writings on assertive living, the right to bear arms, and the self-defense industry....along with lots of knife and gun product reviews.

I hold the belief that Elmore is pretty much right on....with regard to less than 1% of what self-defense and martial arts is.

My focus IS on fighting, but what matters most is what I fight, when I fight, why I fight, and how I fight it.

I would suggest that for a martial art to be a martial art, its focus must also remain on art.

What we practice is the art of protecting ourselves from ANY harm in our lives, extending to those in our care and the world around us. This involves FAR more than just practicing for demonstrations, board breaking, and point fighting...and it's far more artful and beautiful in practice.

I can side kick diabetes all I want, but it can't break its hold if it grabs me.
I can punch racists all I want and they will still hate me...more.
I can't make global climate change tap out.
However, our oil-driven world may someday tap out.
Negative feelings cannot be cut away.
Cruel thoughts cannot be shot.
Suffering cannot be ended with weapons, only transferred.

I am not training you for the proverbial "fight of your life".

I am training you for all of the fights of your life.

If you're reading this, you are (or can be) part of a revolution in the martial arts: a time where martial artists saying "Respect, Discipline, Honor - this stuff is useful in real life" is insufficient against the challenges of a 21st century world. I'm not saying that we stop practicing martial techniques or studying martial ways - they are the root of our practice, but it's time for that proverbial tree to grow and bear fruit. It's time for our training to transform our lifestyles in a manner which is consistent with our goals, beliefs, and practice...so that we produce good fighters (trained to handle every fight which matters, or at least as many as possible), and even better people.

Train hard. Train always. Life awaits you.

When September Ends

Sorry, I'm not going to talk about the Green Day song. I'm just looking forward to September.

Why? Well, because we miss you. Many of you have been gone for the summer, and for whatever reason, we've been apart. Whatever you've been up to, I hope it's been fun and interesting!

It's just that, for many of us, September is a month when our habits get a tune-up. We're returning to school, or maybe our kids are, or perhaps our clients are....whatever that is for you, this time of year is when virtually everyone is reorganizing themselves.

Perfect time for a reunion!

Our program will be back in full swing in early September. We'll be enrolling new members, welcoming returning ones, and expanding our program! It doesn't matter how long you've been gone, whether you forgot some moves, if you're nursing an injury, or if you've picked up a few pounds. We're just darn happy to see you when you come in - especially me. I'm just darn happy to see you when you're here. :)

I know that life pulls us in many directions, and training is a commitment of your time - which really means you're entrusting me with a piece of your life, a part which could have been set aside for something else. Your choice to share that time is an honor that I don't take for granted.

I hope that, as part of your new fall routines, you’ve saved at least 2 hours each week to invest in yourself and share some time with our martial arts family. If not, don't worry. We'll be here when you're ready. Drop by anytime and say hi!

Ed Fong, Master Teacher

Kwan Jang Nim Ed Fong was my first teacher in the arts, a guide who showed me my life's path before I knew where to step, a mentor whose advice I still seek out, and a man whom I will always honor as my master.

It is an unusual concept in the U.S. to refer to someone as master, but there is no other term which accurately describes the relationship that I have with Master Fong. In his presence, and among those who would know the reference, I often refer to him only by the Korean honorific, Kwan Jang Nim (Master, also abbreviated as 'KJN'). Even though there are thousands of KJNs in the world and I address all of them with the respect they are due, when *I* say the title 'kwan jang nim', I think of one man and only one man first.

KJN and I have been close for many years. He has been my mentor, guide, and friend; however, I have never addressed him by his first name. I know a lot of people named 'Ed', 'Eddie', 'Edward', etc. None of them are KJN. No other Ed can get me to do what Master Fong can get me to do. When my master speaks to me, my life's path is laid before my eyes clearly and his words stay with me long after our conversation fades into a dim memory. I don't mean this blindly - I'm perfectly aware of my master's humanity and his capacity for error, but even when I disagree with him, I still leave with an energy that few people can inspire within me. Regardless of whether I leave motivated, puzzled, honored, offended, supported, frustrated, and/or any other combination of feelings, I find myself drawn to return again and again, as if a piece of my heart and soul are forever rooted in our student-teacher connection. (That's because it's true.)

Often, when I visit, parts of our meeting remind me of the original 1977 Star Wars film, when Vader addresses his former master and friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi, arrogantly telling him: "The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but a learner. Now I am the master."

Despite having become a master within my own right, when I return to my master's side, I am reminded that the circle is far from complete. I am - and always will be - his apprentice, forever striving to be worthy of being considered one of his most trusted students. His insight borders on the extraordinary, far beyond mine on my best days. My master already knows where my life is headed before I've even begun to move in that direction. When I visit him, he is rarely surprised when I share what's been happening in my life. Instead, he is almost always ready with advice for me, whether or not he agrees with my choices, and whether or not I am prepared to hear his teachings. I find that his ability to know each of his students well enough to try and offer guidance on their individual paths has molded my own impression of how a master teacher relates and deals with each of their students. In both his shortcomings and his strengths, I find that there are still lessons for me to learn from him and apply within my life.

Every martial artist of note can (and should) be able to trace their lineage, and while you all know me, knowing who I trained with will help you further in establishing relationships with other martial artists around the world, because we're all one big family. Some of you have had the privilege of being one of KJN Fong's students, in one form or another; however, for many of you on this list, Kwan Jang Nim Fong is your grandmaster - your teacher's teacher. I hope that you can meet him someday and experience a glimpse of the man who helped me forge myself into the person that I am today.

Rare is the person who can impact lives in the way that he can.

A Living Legend Discusses Tradition

Today's somewhat-longer-than-usual blurb addresses the topic of tradition. Among many martial artists, what we practice is not considered traditional martial arts - and that label carries several connotations within the larger martial arts community, some positive, most not. In constructing the Anamika system, I saw myself as advocating a 'new tradition', one which honors the past (as stated in our student creed), yet is socially progressive and flexible in order to adapt to the needs of today's world and practitioners.

But enough about me...today's blurb comes from An-Shu Stephen Hayes, a 10th degree black belt, founder of the martial art of To-Shin Do (a traditional adaptation based on his experience in ninjutsu and other Japanese arts of the Bujinkan), founder-director of the Kasumi-An, and author of 19 books about the martial arts. An-Shu Hayes is a student of Masaaki Hatsumi (who founded the Bujinkan and is the lineage holder/grandmaster in all 9 styles taught by the organization).

All those credentials really just mean that Stephen Hayes is about as 'old school' as they come!

With the exception of his overly friendly and warm demeanor (hardly the image of a traditional grandmaster), Hayes is arguably one of the most traditional martial artists living today, so when I think about traditional martial arts, I often turn to his writings.

Here's what he had to say in a recent article (June 2009, Martial Arts Professional):

I want to start by asking: if yours [your style] is an ancient tradition, when did it "freeze" into its final form? When did your tradition stop growing, researching, and incorporating innovation?

If you are practicing with Eda era (late 1600s through mid-1800s) swords, then your system is an upgraded version of the techniques of the Sengoku Warring States period (1500s), during which a completely different style of sword was used. If you claim to practice the original tradition of Japanese sword, as applied in the Sengoku era, then your system is an upgraded version of the Muromachi era (1300s into the 1500s), with its distinct style of swords and techniques.

How do you decide just how traditional you want to be? If yours is an ancient tradition, how would the founder do things if he or she were to start today? What was the founder's motivating purpose to create what eventually became your tradition?

If it was self-protection, then what were the prevailing types of attack that he or she had to address? Do you think that those same attacks are in use today?

If the point was health cultivation, then do you believe that they knew more or different information about health then, as compared to today?

If the point was spiritual or character development, then what were the cultural conditions that the founder wanted your martial practice to counter? Do those same conditions apply to your culture today?

Today, when I watch martial artists hold their precious traditions close to them as they claim to train their students in modern self-defense, I see them as if they were overzealous Civil War enthusiasts who somehow claim to know how to defeat carjackers, gang violence, date rape, and angry soccer moms who are late for Zumba class. Don't get me wrong - I find military history (especially the Civil War) quite fascinating and worth studying, and the classic "shoot 'em with your musket" can be easily adapted to modern technology. It's just that some of the relics from that era are best left there, others can be modified, and whatever still rocks can be passed down - along with a thorough history lesson. Bayonet defense might still be useful today, to an extent, because people still get stabbed....but I'm not going to confuse the study of the bayonet with knife defense.

It's fine and dandy if you want to consider yourself a traditional martial artist (I *still* do), but be a traditionalist for the right reasons and with the right traditions. Just because something was traditional doesn't automatically make it right, useful, or valuable. If you're practicing it because it's beautiful and/or interesting, fine. Just don't confuse "useful at the time" with "useful right now", or toss out blanket judgments to anyone who's not doing it exactly like Master Oogway did it on top of the mountain thousands of years ago.

Now, if you don't mind, I must practice my trebuchet form with my phalanx. Grab a crossbow and cover me, else I shall split thee in twain. (j/k)

All That Spinny Flashy Stuff

...just might get someone knocked out in the ring, and on 4/4/09, it did!

(0:29-0:30, but the first 28 seconds is worth watching too)



Nice job, Maestro Aurelio! Everyone else: go practice today. :)

Island Living

When you live on an island, every interaction is precious. There's a finite limit on the number of people that you're going to be able to talk to. Since everyone knows everyone else, you always have to be on your best behavior.

On an island, you can't choose to ignore certain people, or make connections solely for personal gain at others' expense. You can't 'play the field' and live for one-night-flings and wild parties. In school, you can't write off certain teachers or students just because you're not compatible as BFFs. In general, you can't afford to mess up because island life isn't full of an endless supply of people for you to 'start over' with. You get one chance to make a first impression, and that impression matters.

In America, the place where the islands come together, the spirit of 'island life' is often lost in the crowd, in the busy-ness (or business?) of daily living, in just trying to scrape by. In hard times, we often focus on ourselves, and the notion of feeling any connection with others is reduced to whether or not "they were nice to me first". This is a betrayal of one of the most practical aspects of our ancestry…because we all came here from somewhere else. We’re all “island people”, in a manner of speaking.

Island life, community life, family life – call it whatever – relies on every individual participating as part of a larger whole. The whole nourishes the individual, and simultaneously, the individual nourishes the whole. Break this cycle and you break a community. Perhaps that’s what we’re seeing in our world right now.

It's time to stop voting people off of the island.

How would our lives change if we treated EVERYONE as someone important?

Made of Awesome

Sometimes it's best to let images do the talking.

With that in mind, enjoy 3.5 minutes' worth of AWESOME.

Two Monks and a Woman

Today's issue is a old short story, circulated often on the Internet, but still worth sharing:

Two monks were walking along a river when they came upon their usual crossing point. At the crossing was a woman in tears. The older monk asked her what the problem was, and she told him that she was deathly afraid of the water and could not swim.

So, the older monk suggested that she climb upon his back and he would carry her across. The younger monk followed them across, shaking his head the whole time. When they reached the other bank, the older monk put the woman down, acknowledged her thanks with a slight bow, and then the two monks resumed their path while the woman went her own way.

The younger monk was obviously agitated and continued shaking his head, muttering under his breath. After about 2 miles of this, the older monk finally asked him what was wrong.

The young monk said, "We are prohibited from any contact with women, yet you carried that woman across the river on your back. You let her crawl onto you and you held her! Terrible, just terrible. Wait until the abbot hears of this!"

The older monk gave a slight smile and said to his younger companion:

"I left her 2 miles back at the crossing. Why are you still carrying her?"

Perhaps many of us have also been carrying something far longer than necessary. Let it go. What's done is done. Leave it back at the river crossing and continue along your journey.

The Power of Decision

Today, I'd like to share a personal anecdote and connect it with our training:

One week before I tested for my 3rd Dan, I blew out my knee. I was performing a board break with a flying side kick, jumping over four students. As I leapt, my foot caught on the carpet. I felt a sickening twist in my knee. It broke my concentration and I missed the board. In one of my classic 'stupid' moments (a time when adrenaline overruled reasoning), I ran back, knee and all, repeated the jump, and was successful.

That night, my knee became a watermelon. I limped to my car and drove myself to the ER (another stupid idea). The doctor glanced at my leg and said I'd be out for at least 6 weeks, possibly up to 6 months.

My heart sank. Any chance of a second opinion? He didn't even do any tests! Grrr!!!

As I lay in bed later, I decided I would test. Even if I wasn't at 100%, and had to baby my leg, I would be there. I wouldn't quit. Somehow, I would find a way.

The next few days were powerful. By test day, I was 95% better, with a fancy "bionic knee brace" as backup. I didn't actually need the brace because of a near-miracle (that's another story), but I still wore it. I needed to be flawless to avoid further injury. One bad move, one slip beyond my brace's protective capacity, and it'd be over. I performed the best test of my life that night.

What's the point of this - that you can defy medical advice and duplicate my stupidity? No.

My decisions focused me on a certain set of options, and it changed my attitude, actions, and results.

Be mindful of your choices, young grasshoppers. They define you.

Take away the superficialities of circumstance, and what remains is always the same: choose, and act. It's easier said than done, but I hope that you always choose well, my friends.

Criticism and "Leading By Example"

Recently, I encountered harsh criticism from someone close to me. That's not uncommon, especially when you're moving in a new direction. In my case, it went like this (paraphrasing in 3rd person):

"Greg Garcia talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk. He has big dreams but tends to fall short of them. He's a nice guy, but underneath the surface, he isn't a model of discipline, fitness, or character. It would be unwise to follow someone who cannot be the example that he expects. He doesn't represent what a martial artist stands for anymore."

How hurtful those words are....not just to me, but to anyone who accepts that kind of ridiculous thinking!

Sure, there is merit to being a positive role model. It's a fundamental principle of leadership. When you set a good example through your words, thoughts, and actions, it helps people think, "Well, if they can do it, then I can too!" It inspires success, yet it's potentially limiting.

Limiting? How so, G?

Consider this: How different would the Chicago Bulls have been in the 90's if the team never listened to Coach Phil Jackson? Coach Jackson can't jump, run, or shoot, so was he a bad coach if he can't play as well as his players? Bull. (Not a basketball follower? Neither am I, but you should read up on their accomplishments in that decade. Truly amazing.)

I don't need to be the UFC champion to live like a true champion. Similarly, I don't need to be a bestselling author before sharing great stories with my students. I also don't need to be a monk in order to pursue a life of kindness and compassion. As a master teacher of the martial arts (the techniques, theories, culture, lifestyle, and everything inbetween), I aspire and commit to the kind of improvement that fuels success in training, thinking, and living - and on most days, I'm doing all 3. That, my friends, is the example to follow. As I pursue further growth in all aspects of my life, I expect to encounter setbacks. If I'm not failing occasionally, then I'm not setting my goals high enough.

If you want to double your success rate, be prepared to quadruple your failure rate. Life's rules, not mine.

It is part of living to try things (and fail at them as often as necessary) in order to succeed.

Go forth into the world and fail gloriously, in the spirit of finding lasting success.
(this from the guy who just failed at keeping this issue under 300 words, lol...next one will hit the target!)


Bonus food for thought:
"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career and lost more than 300 games. On 26 occasions, I've been entrusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed."
-Michael Jordan


P.S. On a side note, Brock Lesner's post-victory speech in the octagon (in the recent UFC 100) is living proof that winning a belt doesn't necessarily make you a champion. Epic fail.

Whatever It Takes

Here's a little martial arts story for you:

A master violinist once performed for a private party of wealthy socialites. His music was brilliant and stirred the emotions of more than a few audience members, save for one, who spent most of the evening talking about musical theory and the nuances of the songs. Following the concert, several of the guests flocked around him.

"Brilliant, my lad!" the talkative partygoer remarked. "I used to play the cello in school, but I could never play like that, so I gave it up. You MUST tell me your secret. I'd give anything to be able to play like you."

The violinist, possessed of uncommon arrogance (and not exactly known for his tact), retorted coldly, "Anything EXCEPT the years' worth of practicing for hours each and every day, endless afternoons and evenings listening and analyzing the works of the great masters in order to gain insights into their technique, reflecting on the brutal criticisms of my mentors, peers, and audiences so that I might glean a sliver of advice that I could improve upon, and then enduring empty conversations with rank amateurs at dinner parties in which I am asked to impart in moments what takes a lifetime to achieve. And this is merely the beginning! No, sir, what you would give is NOT anything, nor would it be sufficient to attain what you desire, because where you made excuses, and grew frustrated and quit, and the times afterward where you sought shortcuts to greatness, or stood and watched others struggle towards brilliance with your dim glimmer of proficiency, I did more than reminisce of days gone by and conjure empty dreams. I lived."

Ouch. As rude and unkind as the violinist may have been, his words are truthful.

"But Mr.G, I thought you were going to share a martial arts lesson?"

I did.

Beyond Your Front Door

Yesterday, advanced members of our club participated in a fun, sweaty workout at a West Coast World Martial Arts school in Hollister, owned by Master Mark Preader, an old friend of mine.

I like visiting my old martial arts buddies. Many of us trained at different schools and we were introduced to one another because of similar visits that our instructors did with us. It warms my heart to see them, to reconnect our schools and our students once again.

For a while, I lost sight of this. What used to be regular visits with my instructors slowly faded away. We missed out on the opportunities to connect with others. As my school became more successful, I believed that I didn't need to do it - that I was doing fine on my own, and others would just come to visit me.

How arrogant of myself to believe that I was worth visiting, and they weren't!

We need to reach out to others in our lives regularly. It inspires excellence by broadening our perceptions of how excellence manifests in people. It inspires compassion and understanding because we can see how other people experience their own challenges and still find success in their own way. It fosters innovation and new ideas through synergy and collaboration. Most importantly, it builds connections which are far more valuable in our lives than building walls.

Unless we make a conscious effort, our lives will often provide us with compelling reasons to stay home.

Why do homes have windows? So that we are reminded that there's a world outside of our "personal bubbles", one that we must be a part of by stepping beyond our front doors.

Who haven't you seen in a while? Maybe it's time to change that.

Thoughts of Mastery, Part 1

As I journey towards mastery, I find myself looking to masters of every art. Every field has its great masters, past and present. If I can tap into their mindset, then I may grow within my own. Certainly, I look to many role models within the martial arts, but as Funakoshi-sensei himself once wrote, "When you look at life, think in terms of karate, but remember that karate is not only karate - it is life."

With this in mind, I will occasionally bring you a few words of wisdom from a handful of the world's great masters and pepper your e-mail boxes with their thoughts:

"Self-discipline begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don't control what you think, you can't control what you do."

-Napoleon Hill, American author (early producer of personal success literature)

"Creating a new theory is not like destroying an old barn and erecting a skyscraper in its place. It is rather like climbing a mountain, gaining new and wider views, discovering unexpected connections between our starting points and its rich environment. But the point from which we started out still exists and can be seen, although it appears smaller and forms a tiny part of the broad view gained by our mastery of the obstacles on our adventurous way up."

-Albert Einstein, winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921

"All of your scholarship, all your study of Shakespeare and Woodworth would be vain if, at the same time, you did not build your character and attain mastery over your thoughts and actions."

-Mahatma Gandhi, internationally esteemed Indian philosopher

How interesting. An author, a physicist, and a political activist understood the arts without ever setting foot in a dojo. We would be wise to study them.

Thoughts of a New Teacher

Kristi W., a senior-ranked student (and new instructor) of Sensei Chris Feldt, recently posted this journal entry. Her words capture a journey that many teachers go through, and not only in the martial arts world. Enjoy.

I Am A Teacher

I am a teacher and I loathe it.
I lack confidence.
I can not find the words to express what little knowledge I have to pass along.
My hands sometimes shake.
I forget to explain steps I simply do out of habit.
I must revisit that tedious technique so that I can teach it.
Something always goes differently.
Things I have known for years suddenly become mysterious when, inevitably, the student asks me "why."
What is more inadequate for an answer than "because?"

I must explain my knowledge differently.
I have to find new words.
I have to find a different way to think things through.
Everyone learns differently after all.
I must adapt more quickly when things don't go as expected.
I must research that difficult question so I can give an accurate answer.
I must relearn what I know again and again.
I must have more confidence with that shaky technique next time.
My students always find a way to make me better.
I am a teacher and I love it.

Show compassion for the teachers in your life. Each is at a different stage of their journey, and will react to things differently, but all of them respond well to kindness. Part of that compassion stems from acknowledging that Kristi's feelings can be spoken from a student perspective just as easily. If we can all feel this way, then we have common ground to begin building something far better than any stereotypical teacher-student relationship.

The path of the teacher and student are one.

Metaphors, Slogans, and Catchphrases

Black Belt Excellence.
Strive for Mastery.
Live Like a Champion.
Warrior of the Light.
Jedi Master (lol)
Everyday Heroes.
Be a responsible adult.
Community leader
Become a Citizen of the World.
Good [insert social affiliation here, e.g. Catholic, student, athlete, friend, son, etc.]
Be an amazing human being.
Fulfill your potential.
Heal the world.
Be the change.
Make a difference.
Transform your life.
Believe in yourself.
Think positively.
Help others.
Get fired up.
Live with passion.
Reach for the stars.
Practice random acts of kindness.
Love thy neighbor.
Aim high.
Fulfill your destiny.
Choose well.
Dream big.
Now is the time.
No better time than the present.
Today is a gift.
The future begins now.
Seize the day.
No excuses.
Time to step up.
Do it now.
Just do it.

My favorite one comes from my mother, and it ties everything together:
"How many times do you have to hear it before you do something?"

I'm listening, Mom. Now look what I can do.

Cotton, Polyester, Silk, & Dye...

...are what a black belt is made of. Often, there are 10-12 lines of stitching to reinforce the long strip of cloth, which makes the belt somewhat thicker since most belts have 6-8 lines of stitching. Sometimes, a base layer of fabric is woven with an additional layer in order to make a longer-lasting belt. In a few cases, black belts contain a touch of silk for extra polish.

All of this signifies absolutely nothing.

Thousands of hours of training, hundreds of classes, countless bumps and bruises = one black belt. (That came from a t-shirt. $19.95 online, plus tax and S&H. Yay for Google!)

Whatever. Showing up to sweat and collect battle scars doesn't make a black belt. Bare-knuckle it, wrestle all you want, swing weapons and throw shuriken. Now you're an assassin...or a masochist.

Physical, mental, and spiritual growth? Mere snapshots in time. Strength and fitness can be lost, techniques and theories forgotten, character and integrity tarnished and thrown away. Now you're a has-been.

Years of study, self-reflection, and inner peace? Congratulations. Now you're a monk. It's not a guarantee that you're a black belt.

What makes a Black Belt is what is left after all of this has been taken away, all the way past the cotton, polyester, silk, & dye. Find what that is, and begin growing from there.

Now you're really training.

On Trust

Pictured:
GM Hyun K. Choi (left), GM Dan K. Choi (right)

In Korea, several decades ago, a young student stood before his master.

The master said, "Go to America and teach. Spread the art."

The student replied, "Yes sir."

Afterwards, the student packed his bags. He left his country, family, and friends to go to America. He settled in the South Bay, not too far from here, and washed dishes to help contribute towards the rent for a small room, which was shared with several others. It took months before he had saved enough to risk opening a tiny training center to begin teaching.

For this, I am forever grateful.

His name was Dan K. Choi, and he is my grandmaster - my teacher's teacher. Were it not for his trust in his master's vision, none of us would be training in the way that we train. From one man's act of faith blossomed dozens, if not hundreds of schools. Easily half of the schools in Santa Clara County are linked in some way to his instructional lineage, including ours.

My first master, Ed Fong, is truly his master's student. His methods are "old school", and his intentions are not entirely discernible at first glance. When I was his senior advisor, I often questioned his vision and his methods (it was my duty); however, I have never questioned his intentions.

Much of my own method is in the spirit of their teachings. I strive to be transparent with my motives when necessary; however, there are times when I am intentionally vague, or pursue directions which do not necessarily make sense right away. When this occurs, I must rely on your trust.

Trust is always an act of faith. It makes our progress together possible.

Thank you for believing in me.

The Cost of Training

Things that are free are often perceived to have low value. We take them for granted. Homecooked meals are amazing after you've been on your own with dorm food, Top Ramen, and JBox to live on.

I used to charge for my lessons. In any given month, I could expect to make anywhere from $125-750 from every student in my school, plus additional fees from outside students. As my students spent their years training diligently under me, I rewarded their loyalty with a bigger monthly bill. I tried to justify it by talking about things like added value, special training, and exclusive opportunities - all of which were true. It made my wallet heavy, but my conscience heavier - not because it's "bad business", not because it's terrible to demand increased dedication from committed students, but because I wasn't giving back the value I was asking for. I knew it, and I asked for it anyway. I abused the trust I had earned. This is my dishonor to bear.

Today, I train people for next to nothing, but regardless of whether I charge, or how much, I always insist on delivering maximum value. What you get here is special.

You have a unique and exclusive opportunity to participate in some of the most revolutionary and innovative training in the world, and while what we do may resemble "those guys in that other school", what goes into our training and what we produce from it are beyond anything that they are offering.

We offer a kind of value that cannot be bought with money.

It is earned through a conscious commitment to train and improve, to support others in their pursuit of excellence, and to ensure that you never take the benefits of our training for granted.

The Question

The Question: What is a 21^st century martial artist?

Forgive my brief lapse into cynicism.

From a certain point of view, the martial arts are obsolete: a bunch of people in pajamas, playing with techniques that appear lethal only when we close our eyes and dream.

In another's eyes, it is the glamour of movies and television, where green screens, wires, and CGI blend with stuntmen and horrible acting to entertain the masses.

To others, the arts evolved into a hybrid witnessed by millions on pay-per-view as modern gladiators battle in an explosion of testosterone, sweat, and blood. They treat their arts like a sport or game, the kind reserved for the UFC, the Olympics, tournaments, sports camps, exercise, and friendly horseplay.

Several envision themselves as modern warriors, a reborn samurai or ninja, or perhaps as a Rambo-Chuck Norris crossbreed.

It is a billion-dollar industry, with most of the money landing in the wallets of savvy businessmen who withhold their knowledge to “earn” next month's tuition and build their wealth, while honest teachers live in stoic poverty.

There are artists, historians, and philosophers who are enamored by pretty things, classic stories, and metaphysical ponderings; preachers who abuse the arts to profess their favorite prophet; bullies who like to hit people; bubbly aerobics teachers kicking to the beat; and children who view it as something to play with their friends.

Pardon me, but if that's what it means to be a martial artist, then I quit.

We are capable of far better than this. I have spent my life creating more than this, and I know that your experience is worth much more to you than the trivialities that I've described.

The way that you answer “The Question” affects the kind of martial artist you can AND will be.