Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Karate in MMA

Stephen Wonderboy Thompson came up doing Karate and American Kickboxing. Here has been working his way up the ranks in MMA. He brings a skillset that that is different than what most MMA fighters train with and for. Most train Muay Thai. When Lyoto Machida came on the scene, he brought a different rhythm to the fight that was difficult for guys to catch. Watching Edson Barbosa, you see a different style of kicking to. He has floored guys with spinning kicks. These guys have done it on more than one occassion and they are proving that they are effective. Thompson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS5cF_A91m4 Barbosa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jS-J9zceoD0

Monday, July 27, 2015

Overcoming Adversity

We talked about overcoming fears recently. Some of the students participated in a tournament this past weekend and demonstrated incredible spirit and showed us all what they are made up of on the inside. They showed us perserence and the will to win and not give up even when facing defeat. Miles Harris fought a bigger opponent. Both of these kids did a great job and showed skill and respect for each other. I want you to see how Miles pushed himself despite the size difference. In most combat sports there are weight classes. But, in Karate sometimes we have have to group by age and because of the number of participants, we put smaller with bigger, so that they get an opportunity to compete. But even through sport, one learns to deal with adversity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atZexMrCJVI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDXVfRLb3m0

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Overcoming Fear

What is the best way to overcome fear of doing something? Do it. If you are afraid of heights, climb something high. If you are afraid of water, jump in the pool. Since I coach competitors for combat sports, I've seen a lot of guys show fear and insecurity. I've seen guys show up at the weigh in for a fight early in the day and not show up come fight time. I've had guys leave me notes on the gym door right before a match and disappear. Some guys will talk and run their mouths to psyche themselves up for a match. The best way for you to conquer fear and uncertainty is to just do it. The more you do it the more comfortable you will become. When I started kickboxing, I trained at Asa's Gym. This was the place to train for boxing and kickboxing. I spent a good 1 to 1 1/2 getting my butt kicked. So, after feeling the worst that can happen (getting hit by every imaginable punch and kick) known to man, there was no need to fear. On top of that I was the youngest of 3 boys, so getting beat up was nothing new. So, once you no longer fear losing, pain, or fatigue (which you will experience in the process of learning), you will overcome you fears.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Martial Arts, The Perfect Workout

So, you want to develop strength, explosive power, flexibility, agility, focus, reflex, reaction, and focus. Some people will go to different classes during the week to get these. Weight room for strength, crossfit for explosive power, yoga and pilates for flexibility, spin for cardio and a slew of others. For me, I have the martial arts to get all of those areas. I hit things for explosivness, cardio, and power. I grapple for strength. Boxing and kickboxing develops agility, reflex, reaction, focus. So, when people ask me what I do for exercise, mine allow me to use my body and others in a way other types of training cannot. It's been working for 40 years.

Monday, July 6, 2015

What If You Lose?

The fear of losing is prevalent in most things the require people to compete. In sport some just won't play because they are afraid to lose. Well it's a 50/50 chance of winning and losing and somebody has to do one or the other. If you can win, why can't you lose? Or better yet, can't you lose even when you win or win when you lose? Believe it or not, a win can feel like a lose and vice versa. How about you train and prepare as best you can, go out and lay it on the line, and whatever happens, happens. We must rethink this thing called "losing" and understand that it's a label those who don't ever try and do anything like to call you if you don't win. Remember you compete in something because you enjoy it. Always go for the win of course and do your best and always believe that you are a winner. If you lose, dust yourself off and try it again.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Judo From European Games

Here's a great clip of judo showing some amazing throws. In watching this, you see the top judo players in the world. Throwing someone who doesn't want to be thrown and who knows you're trying to throw them is one of the most difficult things you can imagine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgDMBIKvrvY