It's Louse Time! Feel your Life

If you're new to my list of focused, motivated, self- starters, Welcome. (if you're not new jump right away to today's lesson below)

Every day I communicate to you the best ways to train and the kind of mindset it takes to get results either in your physical fitness or martial art training.

Friday is always what I call: "Louse Time". Modeled after Bruce Lee's strategy in Enter the Dragon.

You know that part where he's having tea with the government agent but he's disturbed by one of his students and Bruce Lee tells the agent: It's Louse Time! The agent replies with his British accent: "yes of course".

Since I'm 6 years old that scene has always stuck with me and I'll be using that same strategy with YOU every week.

Friday is where I share with you Life Lessons and Direction given to me by my dad (and Sifu) every Friday.

Today's lesson is: Feel your Life

How many times a day do you take the time to bring your attention inside of you instead of focusing and reacting to distractions on the outside?

Martial Arts offers a way to FEEL better by first teaching you the 3 elements of Control.

Control over your breath.

Control over negative thoughts.

Control over your body through stretching, conditioning, muscle control exercises, and sensitivity drills which leads to a better flow of energy.

These 3 areas of development force you to turn inwards and listen.

Most students, when they start cannot take 5 deep breaths in a row, holding each breath 30 seconds, without being out of breath, distracted or dizzy. Controlling the breath is the first thing we get students to practice in our schools and with good reason, it makes the other 2 easier to master.

With practice, you realize the importance of each breath that comes into you, how lucky you are to be here and the way breathing deeply slows everything down, especially your mind to a state of total calmness and free of worry.

The last element ties in with really Feeling your Life. While Stretching or doing any kind of martial art related exercise, if one doesn't FEEL there is no chance for advancement.

By constantly turning your attention inside and being aware of your breath you really capture every moment that would of otherwise been lost, ignored or forgotten.

There are many things in this world competing for your attention, to pull you away from your center, do not let them.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

Kung-Fu Halloween Pictures

Kids at our Nepean Kung-Fu School on Merivale headed by my little brother Sifu Silvain dressed up for the occasion to train their Kung-Fu Skills while being dressed as their favorite character.

Seeing the big smiles on their faces proves the event was a hit with the kids.

Halloween is a special time to let kids dream and allow them to be whatever they want to be.

It's very important for their self-confidence and a perfect time to make them realize they really can become whatever they set their minds to.

Adults often lose that belief or desire to pursue their true calling in life.

Maintain child like optimism, be curious, follow your heart, take a chance and let no one steal your dream.


Happy Trick or Treating,

Sibok Martin

Never be a victim again

I couldn't help but to share this testimonial with you. It pretty much sums up everything I've been talking to you about and how training in a system like FSD which is focused on the student's personal development first and foremost will lead to more than just learning how to punch and kick like so many other martial art schools.

Caution reading this will make you get off your butt and take some serious action. If you've been hesitating and putting it off, you know what to do, Start training in one of schools NOW.
---

"I thought I was just going to learn how to defend myself! How wrong was I."

Where do I begin?

My life has done a complete 360 since joining Patenaude's Kung-Fu School.

It took me some time to muster up the courage to start the training because of big emotional baggages holding me back. I've been a single parent since 1997. I was in a bad relationship. Intimidated, insulted and threatened. My partner at the time tried to strangle me when I was only 5 mths pregnant. This abuse destroyed my confidence and self-esteem.

After having dealt with that situation and winning custody of my daughter I decided I was going to make a change and NEVER be a victim ever again. I flipped through the yellow pages and the ad that struck me the most was Patenaude's Kung-Fu School. I called, joined and started a journey of self-discovery and personal development that I wasn't expecting.

Physically I was a mess. I could only do 3 girl push-ups (on my knees) and struggled to do 10 sit-ups. Now I can do 72 real push-ups in 2 minutes and 95 Sit-Ups in 2 minutes and those numbers are constantly going up. My flexibility was non existent. While standing and reaching for my toes, I couldn't get past my knees, now I can lay my palms flat on the floor with locked legs.

The school taught me how to face every day challenges and find the good in any situation.
I had the opportunity to put those lessons to work when the unimaginable happened.

In 2004, I got diagnosed with a tumor in my Duodenum which I completely recovered from and suffered a detached retina in 2006, a genetic condition that runs in my family which I also recovered from and today enjoy the benefits of partner sparring drills without any fear.

It took a while for my emotional scars to disappear. Whenever a student or instructor would demonstrate a choke defense and used me as an example, flashbacks would immediately emerge and reveal just how fragile I still was. Today those associations are a thing of the past.
I feel confident in any hold or self-defense scenario and swear I will never let anyone take advantage of me or invade my private space ever again.

The biggest surprise was how my training affected my work. I was always very negative, shy and unable to voice my opinions. If there were more than 4 people in a room I would immediately close my shell and disconnected from the conversation.

That was before joining Fang Shen Do's Leadership and Masters Training.

Sophie Bisson

Today I enjoy being my company's project manager and in charge of support for our sales team which comprises over 80 people. I've enjoyed multiple salary increases and bonuses. I've been doing big presentations in front of groups and my peers can't help but notice how I've changed. Most hardly recognize me when they compare the new me to the old me.

My new passion is teaching and helping other people reach for their goals. Creating strong bonds with students and helping them work on their individual challenges.

I never finished what I started before. Now I'm proud to say I'm a black belt, reaching for excellence in all areas of my life and nothing can stop my determination, passion and commitment.

I will continue to enjoy my training along with my daughter who also trains with me.

Thank You to Sijo, all the Sifus for their support and making a positive difference in my life."

Thank You

Sophie Bisson
Administrative Assistant
Montreal, Qc
---

Thank You Sophie. There are many lessons to be learned from this e-mail. It should send a resounding message to you, "Take action, make no excuses, and the limitations you might face are entirely self-imposed, charge ahead and let nothing stand in your way".

Master Yourself,

Sifu Martin

The best feeling in the world

Yesterday I was thinking about what alot of people fail to do after a workout.

The single most important thing that can keep you motivated forever...FOREVER!

And most people don't do it.

This one thing will block out any procrastination, lazyness, negative thoughts, and your ability to control your heart rate and catch your breath almost effortlessly.

What you do AFTER your workout sets the stage for every subsequent workout.

I'm talking about a "Meditative Cool Down".

Immediately following your training, kneel or sit down and close your eyes.

Feel the vibration of your heart through your chest, at that moment you realize, just like breathing, how we don't pay enough attention to the heart and lungs.

When you bring all of your attention on your heart you realize the importance of your life, how your heart has been beating all of your life without a break, feeding all of your organs.

In that moment if anything was bothering you or stressing you out before starting your training, you find out it has quickly disappeared. Listen to your heartbeat, you feel alive and grateful to be able to be here and experience it.

This is just one element of the Meditative Cool Down, apply this one thing and during the hardest of times in your workouts you'll be looking forward to reaching the end of it so you can sit or kneel and just listen to best beat in the world, your heart.

For a more detailed list of other meditative cool down techniques and meditation principles be sure to check this link.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

Demoralize him from attacking again.

Which tool can you use to build super arm conditioning, close quarter striking power and clean, crisp fluidity?

Wooden Dummy Training

My very first Blog was on Wooden Dummy training and for good reason, it was one of my first great obsessions.

When I first started learning it I couldn't stop and proceeded to learn all 117 movements in one day.

You might be intimidated by that number, 117 movements, but I can assure you I've developed a very fast and unique way of learning the techniques over night.

Because the method I reveal to you is the very same method I used when I was just a little boy.

If you're training in FSD right now and learning the wooden dummy techniques are just around the corner, I would recommend you get a head start and pick up our 3 disc set and quickly master this tool and use what you learn from it and apply it to your close quarter entries, nerve destruction techniques, closing and trapping skills.

If you do not own a Wooden Dummy or if the school you train at doesn't have one, the techniques can still be applied in the air, against a heavy bag or on a partner's arms.

By clashing your arms strategically onto your opponent's arms (ex; radial nerve, biceps, etc...) it quickly demoralizes him from attacking again.

Since your hands and arms are your main striking tools it's a good idea to make them as strong and tough as you can get them.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

P.S. Arms are like guards to a castle (your body), they are there to protect and shield you from harm, make sure the guards, like your arms are tough as steel.

Learn how here.

I didn't know there were so many of you

Woah!

Sho Kosugi

I didn't expect to have so many mutual fans of Sho Kosugi.

Since my last e-mail yesterday I've been receiving lots of encouraging replies to it.

Many of you shared the same feelings about the movies I mentioned.

It's funny how those movies were made on a shoe string budget and still became classics compared to the movies these days with million dollar budgets, special effects, big name actors and most of them are forgotten a week later with no impact whatsoever.

Why is that?

Are there too many movies? Are people WATCHING too many movies? Bad directors? Who knows.

I do know one thing, the movies I mentioned helped me model what I was seeing. They actually got me motivated to train, practice, and sharpen my skills. Just like kids imitate what they see I picked up on their mannerisms and tried to move like they moved.

You also have a unique opportunity to model what we do through our DVDs.

It's a great medium to be exposed to top notch instruction and to see the essence and movement the way they're supposed to be done.

Becoming skilled and efficient starts with Modeling. Anyone of the DVDs we have in the product section will do the trick.

Get started today: Product Section

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

Bruce Lee and Sho Kosugi Memories

I've been writing about the importance of weapons training for a while now.

I remember a phase I had between 6 and 13 years old where weapons was all I would think about.

From Bruce Lee's Game of Death scene with Dan Inosanto, the dungeon scene in Enter the Dragon to all the Sho Kosugi movies.

I'm sure alot of you can relate to me and how movies seem so real and magical when you're a kid.

I had it all, the (self-made) ninja suit, the katana, the Tanto, the glow in the dark throwing stars, smoke bombs, the Chuks, you name it.

We'd also reproduce scenes like the "mirror scene" in Enter the Dragon and used my mother's lipstick to reproduce the claw marks on Bruce's body and face from the final fight scene with Han.

Just talking about this brings many more fond memories to mind and makes me want to go out and rent those old movies and do a Bruce/Kosugi movie marathon.

The one thing I remember the most is the special FEELING I had when I held a weapon in my hands back then and today that feeling hasn't changed.

One combination of weapons I especially like is the Stick and Dagger.

Stick and Dagger

It serves as a reminder of it's efficiency in past combat and teaches your body about working as one harmonious unit.

Both weapons make the best of team mates and guarantee that if one fails the other one is right there behind the other watching over its back.

It falls right in line with our hand to hand principles of overwhelming an opponent with an on-slaught of attacks which are transferred over from weapon training.

Click here to give this combination of weapons a try, you'll be glad you did.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

It's Louse Time! Be afraid only of standing still

If you're new to my list of focused, motivated, self- starters, Welcome.
(if you're not new jump right away to today's lesson below)

Every day I communicate to you the best ways to train and the kind of mindset it takes to get results either in your physical fitness or martial art training.

Friday is always what I call: "Louse Time". Modeled after Bruce Lee's strategy in Enter the Dragon.

You know that part where he's having tea with the government agent but he's disturbed by one of his students and Bruce Lee tells the agent: It's Louse Time! The agent replies with his British accent: "yes of course".

Since I'm 6 years old that scene has always stuck with me and I'll be using that same strategy with YOU every week.

Friday is where I share with you Life Lessons and Direction given to me by my dad (and Sifu) every Friday.

Today's lesson is: "Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still" ~ Chinese Proverb.

It boils down to: "Are you making consistent incremental improvements in all areas of your life?"

Some improvements are made without you even realizing it, considering you've been working diligently towards a goal you have.

If I were to film you early on in your martial art training and show it to you six months later, you might not realize you improved but the evidence on film would tell you otherwise.

If you're pushing yourself, you're improving.

The same holds true for pictures. That's why taking "before and after" pictures are crucial to track your progression.

And last, a personal journal. Reviewing past logs in your journal shows where you were, how you were thinking, what was important to you at that moment, personal stats, body measurements, and the mini successes you've had along the way.

Most often than not you won't identify with the old you. Although entertaining and nostalgic you could never go back to being that person again. You are indeed growing slowly even if you don't realize it.

I wish I could film all my students individually and show them where they started from and then 2-3 years later compare past and present footage, most wouldn't believe the transformation.

We tend to have short term memories, take the time to track your progression through video, pictures and a log book. You never know, the map you create might help your son or daughter find their path in life one day, or might just make yours clearer along the way.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

An equalizer, no matter your size or strength

During one of my last seminars there was alot of whining and screaming.

Sounds of people in pain.

Kubotan, small but big pain

Shrieks of "Stop, Stop, Stop!" echoing through the room.

It was like music to my ears.

We were in,
none other than, a Kubotan Seminar.

We've all heard the expression "Size doesn't matter" and it couldn't be more true with this small, innocent looking weapon.

Since it is so small it penetrates through the skin, muscle tissue and ligaments to get instant compliance from a would be attacker.

Voted # 1 weapon for it's versatility, easy concealment, simplicity, "strike anywhere" effectiveness, it's legality, easy attachment to car keys for quick access and most of all a sense of confidence in situations where you might feel intimidated.

Whenever you're in large crowds or walking after hours at night in an empty parking lot or deserted street knowing you have this little devil on you is very comforting.

It's the easiest weapon to learn and we've laid out the best strategies you can use to take control over an opponent on this exclusive DVD: Kubotan - "The Tiny Tool That Can Turn Anyone Into The World's Deadliest Streetfighter!"

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

P.S. Choose your training partners wisely, they might not be back for the second training session! Remember it's real and it works, train safely.

Follow Through No Matter What

Another great training today.

As you know Wednesday is my TWB Day: "Train With Brothers Day".

Training with Brothers and special guest Bob Wall

It should also be your goal to find some sort of support in your training.

Some say and I would have to agree, that this is the # 1 reason why so many people stop following their training programs.

There just wasn't any support when it was needed.

It starts by missing one day, then 2, next thing you know you haven't trained in 6 months.

I'm a strong believer in self-motivation, it really has to come from within you but in the beginning stages, having a friend or training partner will do wonders when it comes to developing the habit of training.

As I'm sure you already know, when you're in the middle of your workout you're happy, training feels good and there's no other place you would want to be.

You might find yourself having a moment of weakness BEFORE you start your training.

Learn to recognize that voice and ignore it. Just get started, get moving and everything should get real quiet.

If you've experienced this sudden negative self-talk before training, you're not alone.

We're all basically lazy. Remember that your body will do anything you ask of it, run a marathon, walk on fire, punch through bricks, jump out of a plane, etc.

The difference between someone who sticks with it compared to someone who doesn't just boils down to FOCUS.

Focus on where you want to be, accept what needs to be done, follow through no matter what, and make no excuses.

Master Yourself,

Sifu Martin

P.S. Through our martial art schools it becomes very easy for our students to find support when they most need it. If you aren't training yet you can get started here.

It's Louse Time! To be worn out is to be renewed.

If you're new to my list of focused, motivated, self- starters, Welcome.

(if you're not (new) jump right away to today's lesson
below)

Every day I communicate to you the best ways to train and the kind of mindset it takes to get results either in your physical fitness or martial art training.

Friday is always what I call: "Louse Time". Modeled after Bruce Lee's strategy in Enter the Dragon.

You know that part where he's having tea with the government agent but he's disturbed by one of his students and Bruce Lee tells the agent: It's Louse Time! The agent replies with his British accent: "yes of course".

Since I'm 6 years old that scene has always stuck with me and I'll be using that same strategy with YOU every week.

Friday is where I share with you Life Lessons and Direction given to me by my dad (and Sifu) every Friday.

Today's lesson is: "To be worn out is to be renewed"

Snakes shed skin 12 times a year

A great quote by Lao-tzu.

Sometimes we cling on to things for no reason and releasing ourselves of a bad habit would do us good just like a snake sheds its skin.

Some snakes shed their skin up to 12 times a year.

What if we did the same thing? Not shed our skin like snakes of course, that would be kinda gross!

I mean using the metaphor of shedding skin and applying it in your life in the form of shedding the old self. Taking time to look at yourself constructively and make improvements in areas of your life that you're not happy with.

It can also be, making what you're already good at, better.

It's you refusing to become complacent or not letting anything you do become "routine".

If you let your relationship with your spouse or partner become routine you can kiss it good bye.

Same thing goes for your physical conditioning.

Keep things fresh. That's why our Station Training program has millions of different combinations, one change in card placement brings about a whole new dimension to your training. Give it a shot.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

This could potentially drain you of your energy

Imagine being stressed out, angry, and frustrated and having no outlet to release it into?

Modern enemy, STRESS

What kind of damage does keeping your emotions bottled up inside cause?

What if YOU are that person?

Scientists recently studied the adverse effects of "being angry" on the body.

One of those tests was to measure the Ph level in your mouth once angry, and found it went through the roof during an outburst. High ph levels can damage your teeth, liver, even drain you of your energy, cause premature aging and the list goes on.

Martial Art Training for me is very therapeutic. Instead of keeping bad energy, stress and anger bottled up inside, you release it and use it constructively to positive ends by hitting Focus Gloves or Punching bags for example.

It also gives you a boost in your physical conditioning, you won't quit so easily when you think about what's bothering you and will give you extra fuel to burn.

What does this do?

Well, it leaves you feeling empty and full at the same time. Free from negative energies that drain you and filled with new positive energy which will leave you feeling relaxed, calm, and refreshed.

If you're not already training in one of our schools you can get started with our Basic Conditioning program. It will get you in the best shape of your life and will serve as an outlet for stress, something we all can't get away from these days.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

P.S. Some foods can also raise Ph levels (or acidity) in your body just like negative emotions can.

I'll cover that and other important training topics next time.

Why mastering your body weight leads to better Take Downs

How is one supposed to learn how to control and manipulate someone else's body when you don't have control over your own?

Throwing techniques

That's exactly what I told a student a few weeks ago when talking about Throwing and Body Manipulation.

A great deal of effort has to be put into mastering your own body weight. This is why Station Training is done on a consistent basis in all of our schools.

To purposely put yourself in as many different positions as possible to increase strength and body control no matter how awkward the position may be.

Station Training prepares you for Take Downs and Throws in the following ways:

1) Strengthens your back to avoid injuries when lifting an opponent.

2) Gives you the flexibility required to get into the right position to unbalance your opponent.

3) Builds power in your legs since most throws and lifts require leg strength to execute them.

4) Strengthens the core of your body, i.e the Abs, since it's the second most important body part used in Throws and Take Downs.

5) Builds an Iron Will, since your opponent won't let you just throw him around just to please you, persistence will be key when setting up your opponent.

Once you master your body weight and you can leverage yourself in a variety of positions only then can you start to learn to control someone else's body.

Make sure you're following an effective conditioning program as taught in our Strength Training Kits.

Then, once that is taken care of, learn some of the only Take Downs and Throws you'll ever really need in a real confrontation.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

What it feels like to be Fearless

I was going through some old pictures this morning and came across this one.

Full Contact Stick Fighting

One doesn't fully understand how lethal the stick can be until you've done full contact stick fighting.

It's something I enjoy very much.

You have to be totally fearless in your presentation of attack or else you run the risk of being overly defensive.

And when someone is swinging a stick at speeds of over 100 km/h, let's just say you don't want to stay there and absorb the hit!

I was about 9 years old when I was first exposed to full contact stick fighting at one of my dad's seminars in Casselman.

That's all it took.

The sooner you can engage in this form of constructive training the better but you won't do that overnight.

You need a base, a quick and easy way to learn the skills which will keep you safe during this advanced form of training.

I've laid it all out for you in a 3 disc set available here.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin

P.S. Full contact stick fighting can also be considered a form of deep meditation. Allowing the weapon to move where it wants to move, to quote Bruce Lee: "Respond like an echo, adapt like a shadow".

It will take your skills to a whole other level guaranteed.

The Art of Infiltration

Just completed my morning training, ah do I feel good right now.

It's weird, I get the most ideas and flashes of insight while training.

You want to know which range is most neglected by most martial artists?

No, it's not Grappling.

I'm talking about a range where we apply: Trapping Hands.

Learning to infiltrate the opponent's defenses

Boxers have somewhat of a trapping game which is mostly smothering and holding the opponent. Since it's a competition there are no headbutts or finger jabs allowed to the eyes.

Thai Fighters are a bit more sophisticated in their Trapping Game, where clinching is used to control and set-up elbows, knees, headbutts and hand strikes.

Again since there are rules there's no gouging, clawing, biting, finger jabbing, nerve destructions, throws and intricate hand infiltration techniques because of the "awkwardness" of having gloves on.

Fang Shen Do puts a strong emphasis on developing effective trapping hand skills to infiltrate the opponent's defense if obstruction is met. Since your opponent is also trying to hit you, you can be assured you WILL meet resistance.

By understanding Trapping Hands skills you can quickly beat a path to the opponent's head where you will inflict maximum damage. That is the only purpose of Trapping hands. Most people don't get it when it comes to this art of infiltration. Trapping hands happens fast & dirty and it's used only momentarily if you need it.

It's about having a plan B. Plan A is to finish the confrontation as fast as possible with effective Closing and Striking skills. Plan B steps in if Plan A fails.

Patterns need to be learned, drills need to be rehearsed but most people get stuck there. You need to make the jump to Slap Sparring and maintain your skill with aggressive Chi Sao. Something you can only learn from your Sifu.


I had a chance earlier this year to stick hands with Wing Chun Master Randy Williams, a name that doesn't need any introduction, a very nice man, down to earth and a pleasure to work with.

Randy Williams and Sibok Martin Patenaude doing Chi Sao

I should be hooking back up with Randy some time in the near future.

The bottom line is most confrontations end up, up close and "in your face". If you want to avoid going to the ground you should seriously consider mastering the art of trapping hands.

Get started today with our highly detailed instructional DVD called:

Trapping Hands "The Secret to Infiltrating Your Opponent's Defenses"

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin