Mixing Martial Arts & the Road to Chi-Do Combat Arts

I started my martial arts career with the most obvious one, of course, karate, when I was seven years old. After about three months, I wanted to quit because I hated it. I found it boring, and I felt uncomfortable with the way they asked me to force my body into movements and structures that …

Breathing Isn’t Just Breathing, And Here’s How To Optimise Your Lungs

Ordinary, shallow breathing is what we all do, all day, without even noticing it. But when you start breathing properly, there’s a whole range of health benefits to be gained. What does breathing techniques have to do with martial arts? Everything! Proper breathing form and technique during training is very important. Martial arts is aimed …

If You Can’t Stand The Heat…

Let’s talk about pain. Specifically, pain experienced during self-defense or martial arts training. More importantly, let’s talk about the importance of pain experienced during training. I teach – specifically – a unique system combining military close quarter combat (special forces training) and certain martial arts. This system is bloody painful. It’s also efficient and deadly …

Personal Safety Tips: Children & Teenagers

Always keep your eyes on your children. If you are too busy, have another family member, close friend or responsible person supervise your children. Advise your children that if they become lost to report quickly and safely to the nearest Police Department or largely populated area such as a department store and look for Security …

It Won’t Happen To Me

It’s bordering on cliché. Actually, I think it is a cliché. Every criminal procedural series on TV has, at some point, had a half-hysterical victim sitting at police station sobbing, “I didn’t think it would ever happen to me…” The thing is, it can happen to you. And in South Africa, it’s a statistical inevitability …

Common Sense: It’s Not A Perfect World

I’ve heard instructors telling their students that they’re so tough and good, they (women) can walk into the shadiest, seediest bar in a bikini and nothing will happen to them. I literally cannot roll my eyes hard enough. See, the thing is – this is the real world. In a perfect world, sure, you can …

Quitter Syndrome

We all know how it goes: you sign up for a new thing, whether it’s ukulele lessons, tap-dancing, martial arts or just a new gym membership. You’re super excited about it and you throw yourself into it for about two weeks…and then suddenly it’s no longer fun. It’s hard work, learning to tap dance. The …