So many of us want to be where the action is, we want to be the one who saves the day. We want to be the hero. There is a certain rush in knowing who played a hand in something out of the ordinary and that who was me. It is commendable, it is admirable, … Continue reading When Does the Training End and The Reality Begin? By Michael Aloia
As the year winds down and the holidays are in full effect, I usually take some time to reflect on the past twelve months. Training is one of the many aspects that I ponder as I go about this exercise. As I dive deep into my training, I separate it into a few different categories; … Continue reading Yearly Training: Another Kind of Reflection
Skill is a combination of time, technique, and training of the basics. Most things we do in life are a series of procedures or methods. Even the simplest of tasks involves a procedure to activate an additional series of actions and achieve an end result. Those tasks that are involuntary or natural and those that … Continue reading Essentially the Basics by Michael Aloia
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Until they run out of gas. The old adage of perseverance, determination, and fortitude in the eye of overwhelming odds may have its place on the field of play, but when running the risk of burnout from overexposure and improper attention to personal wellness, it can … Continue reading The Critical Zone by Michael Aloia
The following editorial was submitted by George Kirby. It originally appeared in the August 2005 issue of his monthly newsletter, Kokoro. Finding and retaining uke can be a serious problem for everyone who really wants to learn a martial art. Regardless of art you ultimately need a workout partner. Getting an uke, especially on a … Continue reading Finding an Uke: It’s Not What You Do, But How You Do by It? by George Kirby
Time is a very valuable thing to most of us. One way that I use my time, when I am not working, training, researching, or writing, is to read. Recently, I grabbed one slim, white book that I know I read years prior: Joe Hyams’ Zen in the Martial Arts. I remember one of the … Continue reading Time and Training
I was recently left without the use of my eyes for a few days, and boy was it frustrating. I could not enjoy reading, watching television, or the multitude of activities that we use our eyes for. While I slowly moved around the home, trying to find the refrigerator for something to eat, or navigating … Continue reading Positioning: Between You and Your Partner
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 