Your Instructor teaches Self-defense, right?

In the United States there are thousands of martial arts schools currently teaching the martial arts. While it is easy to assume that the instructors are skilled at teaching self-defense are knowledgeable, it is sadly rarely ever the truth. Many instructors teach techniques that they say are designed to do, this or that to an attacker. The question is how do they know? Have they ever used the techniques themselves? Most likely they were told by their instructor what these techniques are supposed to do. In turn they were most likely told that same thing by their instructor as well. Bottom line is this. Many years ago I was reading some statistics about martial arts instructors in the U.S.A. According to the statistics, less than 1% of the professional martial arts instructors have ever had so much as a bloody nose confrontation, much less a real fight. Kinda makes you stop and think doesn't it? There are a lot of techniques that are taught that are questionable methods of self-defense. So when you are in class and the instructor is teaching a so-called deadly fighting technique, you might want to ask yourself a few questions. Is the technique practical? Is is easy to do? Would you be willing to bet your life on it? Can it be done in a small space? Do you need to be flexible, strong, or fast to do it? Depending on your answers to these questions, you may or may not want to practice this technique..... Remember, it is unlikely that your instructor has had much realistic fighting experience with what he is teaching.

The Martial Arts, exercise or Self-Defense?

You may like many others have started your study of the martial arts mainly because you were interested in learning self-defense. After you have been training a while you may have realized that much of the time you spend training in class is spent on conditioning. Only part of a typical class is spent learning and practicing realistic self-defense skills. While exercise and conditioning are important for overall health, it has very little to do with your ability to defend yourself. Over and over I have heard many instructors tell their students how important conditioning is. I must disagree with this idea. Real fights very seldom last more than a few seconds. The outcome of the confrontation is decided quickly. Flexibility, endurance, and strength have little if any bearing on the outcome. When attacked it is more important to have mastered a few practical self-defense techniques than it is to be able to go nine rounds with your attacker. When it gets down to it, I'd rather my students be skilled in practical self-defense skills than to be in great shape. If you are in great shape and get hurt or killed you will only leave a good looking corpse. Better to be out of shape and well trained to defend yourself. Please do not misunderstand what I'm saying here. I'm not advocating that you be out of shape. Being healthy and in shape is likely to help you live longer and be happier. All I'm saying is lets not forget what the martial arts were created for. They are primarily designed to be a practical method of self-defense. That should be every martial artists first goal. Then secondly being in good physical shape is a secondary goal. Lets keep it that way.

Seminars for the near future

It is my intention to make available seminars on various martial arts topics. For four decades, I have been a serious student of several martial arts. It has been my good fortune to have learned some things that are not commonly available to the martial arts community. I am available to teach seminars both locally as well as at other locations. My requirements are modest. Students from all styles are welcome. Many high ranked masters as well as beginners have attended my seminars in the past. Seminar topics range from karate, kempo, jujitsu, and kobudo, to counter locks, pressure point applications, pressure point theory, advanced kicking, kick defenses, ...etc. These topics can be taught on a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level. Although, my background is in combat arts, topics useful for competition are also available. Along that line are two main topics. Unconventional sparring techniques, and set-point fighting are available. For more information, or to get on my mailing list, contact me at: makotokendo@yahoo.com
Please place "seminar information" in the subject line of your email.

Okinawan Bo Seminar held

On Saturday March 24th, a Bo seminar was held at San Yama Combination Goju and Self Defense School, Inc., in Woodbridge, Virginia. I would like to thank everyone that attended. Your interest in Okinawan Bo techniques and attendance was much appreciated.