Martial Arts Professional Magazine

There has been a long-running dispute among the “experts” about certain exercises used in many fitness workout routines. Some say that there are contraindicated exercises that should probably be eliminated from any program that targets a general audience.
Other experts want to see scientific evidence that certain exercises are harmful before they consider modifying their programs.
Health […]

People study martial arts for many worthwhile reasons, which is entirely separate from the desire to acquire self-defense skills. There’s a big difference between martial arts study and self-defense training. That difference is based on an individual’s motivation to pursue either of these goals. There is some overlap, but they are most certainly not the […]

The reason so many martial arts schools have trouble teaching effective fitness kickboxing is because conventional martial arts and fitness kickboxing are two completely different animals. Teaching conventional martial arts has very little to do with teaching martial arts fitness.
The elements of a good fitness kickboxing class are not the same as a conventional martial […]

Last month, I cited our need, as instructors, to help our students discover their weaknesses or failings that we can then help them eliminate. That makes what we do valuable-­and worth whatever we charge for it.
Allow me to relate an example, knowing that it might upset a few music fans, but I feel it is […]

Somewhere in the middle of rushing between activities, places and people, somewhere in the crevices of our wall-to-wall work schedules, there is the time we take for ourselves. This is when we do something a little extra for ourselves-perhaps a hobby or simply to relax and focus our minds to reorganize our thoughts. A little […]

Do you have what it takes to be a pro fighter?
Are you physically suited to be a profes­sional fighter? I’ve seen many careers end because of problems, such as asthma and high-blood pressure. I’ve seen people break their metacarpal bones in their fists repeatedly because of inadequate bone mineral density. I’ve seen people who were […]

Let the games begin. I’m not referring to a game of soccer or basketball, but of the game of running a martial arts school. Just as any other type of game, this game has players, rules, objectives and, of course, levels of dedication.
Whenever someone enters the game, his or her dedication will match one of […]

After launching Cardio Karate during 1996, I realized that it attracted students with completely different needs. They didn’t come to class to learn martial arts, but to lose weight and become healthier.
If those students continued to eat junk food, however, then they wouldn’t have received the results they wanted, regardless of how good the workout […]

Last month, I noted that our academic school systems operate on the premise that “nothing is worth fighting for.” This month, I want to bring this point directly home by reporting on a manifestation of this passive philosophy that shouldn’t be ignored-and that is rape.If you have a daughter in middle or high school or […]

I want to reiterate that most people can do these exercises with no problems. Since modern research has proven that there can be harmful effects for a minority of people, however; it is important that fitness professionals (and if you are a teaching Black Belt, then you qualify) take a conservative approach and utilize only […]

In the East, martial arts seemingly origi­nated from the need to advance military tactics, fight oppression and deal with the everyday criminal life in, at times, a very primitive class structure. My European ancestors came to America attempting to escape religious and political persecution. Class structure was very much in place in Europe, as it […]

We work in an industry that continues to change from year to year and decade to decade. Since we teach arts that are supposedly timeless, being ancient in origin, one would think that there would be less change.
Of course, the goals that we set for our schools and our­selves drive that change. Many older instructors […]

Someone recently asked me to cite the 12 points that I thought were most important to understand the correct mental attitude during a self-defense situation. Here’s my answer.1. “Trust your gut.” If you have any doubt, then there is no doubt-something ain’t right.
2. Perfect intention is more powerful than perfect technique. If you have the […]