Category Archives: Body

The fit Warrior requires a strong body to move freely in the world. Bodyweight conditioning, strength training, fat loss, flexibility, martial arts, yoga, and joint mobility are covered here.

A Glimpse Into Internal Power Training – The Push Test

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The push test is a very practical way of testing the quality of one’s solo training for internal power.  As explained in Weakest Direction Theory is BS, the body, when properly trained, acts as an omni-directional structure.  This allows the practitioner of internal power to neutralize any incoming force by diffusing it throughout the structure rather than having to surrender to it or resist against it.  Either you can do it or you can’t.  There’s no way to fake it. Continue reading →

25 Life Lessons from Martial Arts Practice

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At 41 years old, I have now been training in the martial arts for over 30 years.  It does not seem like it’s been that long!  Some days I look at the huge expanse of knowledge and history that is real budo and feel dwarfed by its enormity.  Other days I feel like I have a really solid grasp on it.  But that’s the nature of the training.  As Hatsumi Soke has said on many occasions, “If you think you have it, you don’t…”  This is one of the many lessons learned through martial arts training. Continue reading →

Imperfect Training for Injury Prevention

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“All-round sports training must include the capability of coping with unexpected and sub-optimal conditions”

– Mel Siff, PHD author of Supertraining

 

In a recent post, Are You Practicing Wrong, I covered why I think the idea of “perfect practice” is utter nonsense when it comes to training yourself how to improve at pretty much any skill.  In this post, I’d like to take it a step further and talk about how crucial Imperfect Training is to your overall development as a warrior. Continue reading →

7 Ways to Jump Start Your Fitness Routine

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You need to get back to the gym.  You know it.  I know it.  The question is, why aren’t you doing it?

You know you should workout.  You know you should upgrade your nutrition.  You know you should do more to support an active healthy lifestyle.  You know you should hire a trainer.  You know you should sign up for that yoga class.  But you don’t.  Why not?

You are, as Tony Robbins would say, should-ing all over yourself.

Here’s a list of 7 strategies to help you get it together and turn that should into a must! Continue reading →

Paleo Oatmeal Recipe

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Paleo Oatmeal

  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 Banana (mashed)
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Tsp Pure Maple Syrup (optional)
  • 1 Tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 Tbp Organic Shredded Coconut (I seem to put this on everything!)
  • Handful Crushed Almonds or Walnuts
  • Organic Raspberries, Blueberries, or Blackberries

Mix eggs, banana, vanilla, and maple syrup in a bowl.  Melt organic butter or coconut oil in skillet.  Add mixture to skillet and cook.  Pour “oatmeal” into a bowl and top with cinnamon, coconut, nuts, and berries(s) of your choice.  Enjoy!

You can find more awesome tasting, easy to prepare Paleo Recipes here <<===

Weakest Direction Theory is BS – Part 2

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Make sure you read the highly controversial Part 1,Weakest Direction Theory is BS, before moving on to part 2 below…

Preface

I love martial arts.  I love everything about it.  I love training martial arts, practicing martial arts, teaching martial arts.  I love reading martial arts history, philosophy, even martial arts fiction.  I love talking about martial arts.  I love writing about martial arts.  Are you getting the picture yet?  Have I pre-framed this well enough for you?   Continue reading →

Weakest Direction Theory is BS

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Warning: The following post is going to conflict with the most basic, fundamental principle you “know” to be true in martial arts.  Chances are you learned this principle on your first day of martial arts class.  Since that day you have repeated it almost every class.  You have taught it as truth to every new person you’ve ever trained with.  It’s so ingrained into your psyche that it’s practically dogma.  Most likely you will read this a instantly brand me a Budo Heretic.  Yup.  It’s that controversial…

Continue reading →

My Morning Routine

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For the past several weeks there has been a running theme interwoven throughout my blog posts.  That theme has been practice, Daily Personal Practice (DPP), to be precise.

I’ve gotten several questions about the details of my own DPP since I refer to it several times in my writing.  So I figured I would pull back the curtains and give you a more detailed glimpse into my Morning Routine of DPP in this post. Continue reading →

Best Way to Program Your Training

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One of the most oft asked questions I get from people, from both the online and offline worlds, is about their weekly workout schedule:

“How should I program my workouts?”

“How many days per week should I train?”

“Is it wrong or bad to train 2 days in a row?”

“How much rest should I have between workouts?”

“Is there one best way to program my training?” Continue reading →

Are You Practicing Wrong?

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Are you making progress in your practice, or do you feel like you’re running in circles, making lots of motion but essentially getting nowhere?

Maybe you’ve got this whole practice thing wrong…

We all know that practice is absolutely essential to the development of any skill.  But how should we practice?  What qualities should our practice have to make sure it is both effective (increasing skill) and efficient (making the best use of time)?  How long should we practice, how often? Continue reading →