Thursday, September 28, 2017

Ippon & Sanbon Kumite

As I get closer to completing my required training and preparing for my orange belt test, I am doing a lot of repetition, and practicing all of the lessons and classes. This week I have been working a lot with Ippon & Sanbon Kumite (1 step and 3 step sparring). The training for these kumite can be done at this level with or without a partner. So for those training solo like myself, training can be done as both the attacker and the defender, which I really enjoy. My entire workout last night was practicing these kumite from both sides of the fence. In doing so, it is easy to see how these moves would be applied in a real life situation. https://globalmartialarts.university

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Week 1 of the GMAU 90 Day Challenge

This weeks marks my first week as a participant in the Global Martial Arts University 90 Day Challenge! I'm a proud to be one of 35 participants taking part in the challenge. While I am close to my 100% completed goal in the orange belt kyu, I know that I have a lot more hard training to do before I test for my orange belt. The next 90 days will be great motivation for everyone competing, and when it's all said and done, we will all be better for it!

My training at this point in the orange belt kyu is basically a full scope of the lessons and classes in this level. I will continue training at least 4-5 days a week, and studying the lessons daily. I have also incorporated stretching and the 10 minute total body workout into my training. I am very proud of how far I've come in my journey so far, but it's only the beginning.

Friday, September 22, 2017

Leading By Example

Growing up, you don't understand the importance of leading by example. As a father, I now see how important it truly is. My son, who is 3 years old, follows me around when I get home from work, and if we're not playing together, he's watching my every move. This includes my karate training. He even performs some of the moves the best that he can while joining me for practice. I want to instill in him the importance of all doing your best, working hard, and never giving up. I work on this on a daily basis.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Practicing On Your Own

Something that I have found to be very important to me, even from my early training, is to incorporate practicing on my own, in addition to following the lessons and classes in my training. While not only helping to learn and practice the new forms, and prepare for testing, I find that practicing on my own also helps me to focus, relieve stress, and begin to build a foundation that will eventually help me to become a good teacher, when the time comes that I reach the level of black belt. My workout this morning was a self practicing workout incorporating what I have learned at the yellow belt, and orange belt levels.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Kicking Class

This past weekend's training went very well. The class I took Saturday morning focused on the different Geri of the orange belt kyu. Mae Geri Keage, Mae Geri Kekomi, Yoko Geri Keage and Yoko Geri Kekomi are all covered in great detail, which I found very helpful before the actual applications of the kicks. There were targeting drills for all forms of the kicks, as well as offensive drills for all of the kicks. This class can be done with a training partner holding kick pads to help learn the feeling of resistance with the kicks, or practiced on your own. This will definitely be a class that I revisit before testing for my orange belt, and also a class that provides a GREAT workout in itself.

Friday, September 15, 2017

A Much Better Week

This week was a much better week for me after dealing with the anxiety and panic disorder issues from last week. Although I was able to keep up with my training last week for the most part, dealing with my panic disorder, and the time spent at the Dr.'s and the hospital really takes a toll on you. For most of the week I felt tired and drained and even in physical pain. This week however has been a complete turn around. My training has been great, as I continue to work towards my orange belt test. I also began working on my new YouTube page "The Karate Dad", which will further document my Shotokan Karate training with GMAU, but also my life personally. I will post the link below for you to check out!

The Karate Dad

Thursday, September 14, 2017

My New YouTube Page "The Karate Dad"

Please check out my brand new YouTube channel, "The Karate Dad". Here I will be covering a lot of what I discuss as far as my karate training, here in the blog, but in video form. It will be a behind the scenes look at my training and my experiences as a karate dad!

The Karate Dad

Global Martial Arts University - 90 Day Challenge

This week, Sensei Michael announced that GMAU would be holding a 90 Day Challenge. The challenge is to train to test for your next belt level within the next 90 days in whatever class you belong to. This is for all students in Shotokan, Krav Maga, and Ultimate Bo. I am excited to have registered to accept the challenge, and train for my orange belt test, hopefully within the next month to month and a half. GMAU will be donating $10 for everyone that registers to assist in relief funds. There are also great prizes for the winner, who will be voted on by the students, as well as the runner up, and everyone who meets the challenge will receive a GMAU 90 Day Challenge t-shirt. Check out the link below for more info on becoming a student, and joining the 90 Day Challenge!

GMAU 90 Day Challenge

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

New YouTube Channel - "The Karate Dad"

My brand new YouTube channel "The Karate Dad" will be launching very soon. I plan to have a vlog type channel that will cover my training here with Global Martial Arts University, as well as my family life, and dealing with anxiety and panic disorder. I invite you to subscribe! Thanks!


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQqXN8dcBtloIogeVIB0CEA

Kata Classes & Follow Along

This weeks training for me has consisted of doing the follow along classes with Sensei Jon and Charles, as well as the kata classes in the 7th kyu orange belt level. Although I have passed my yellow belt exam, you can never practice enough, and I have found that following along with Charles in the class lessons from the beginning have been a great review. These classes also include different instructions and tips from Sensei Jon, which have been extremely helpful.
The 7th kyu orange belt training is of course even more intense, and I have really been enjoying the increased pace and intensity of the classes, as well as learning new techniques.
Sensei Jon has been extremely helpful along the way, which has made training a pleasure, and even driven me more, as I have had any and all questions answered by both Sensei Jon and Sensei Michael since the beginning. I look forward to today's class.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Working Through Panic Disorder

Both the second half of last week, and the beginning of this week have been especially hard for me. I have dealt with panic disorder since the age of 17, and the past couple of weeks have been rough ones. I even spent some time in the hospital last week because of it. Although I go for stretches of time where I am fine, when it hits me, it really gets me. Since starting my martial arts training, with the assistance of Sensei Jon, I have also incorporated Tai Chi breathing exercises to help with my anxiety issues, and it has been very helpful. I have not missed any of my training through all of the anxiety and pain that I have been dealing with, which I am very proud of. Today, I feel fantastic, and I know things will continue on this track. One thing that this has helped me to realize, is that you never know what others may be going through inside. Whether it be physically or emotionally, we all have our battles that we face everyday. I am glad to be able to have the martial arts to help me through my journey.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Heian Nidan Class

My training this week has been focusing mostly on Heian Nidan. Not only have I continued to train by practicing the lesson and follow along, but I really enjoyed the #5 class in the orange belt training level. I have repeated this class a few times, as aside from the great kihon style training for this kata, this class also includes a very intense warm up that really worked my legs a great deal. Front, back, and side kicks, as well as knee strikes and other moves that really provide a great warm up, as well as a stand alone workout on their own.

On a side note, I have also been really working with my Tai Chi breathing exercises to supplement my training, as well as help with anxiety relief. These exercises have been very helpful for me as well, and I look forward to continuing and adding to this form of training as well.

How It All Started

My passion for pro wrestling began at the age of 5. I can actually pinpoint it to the exact day. My 5th birthday. My dad gave me an LJN Hulk...