What do we all want?

My dad always told me: "We don't want things, we want "States".

As in "Emotional States".

Take Cars for example. You might want to buy a Volvo, but in reality what you really want is SECURITY or if it's a BMW you might want a sense of CLASS or SOPHISTICATION.

Buying an expensive love seat isn't what you're after, you want COMFORT, somewhere you can plop to after a full days work and enjoy a riveting book.

I don't think the majority of women love to put on make-up in the morning, they do so to feel BEAUTIFUL and SEXY.

Most students don't go to school just so they can hang a school diploma on their wall once they graduate, they do so to get STATUS and RECOGNITION.

Which brings me to my point today.

What do Martial Artists want?

To argue and fight about which art is best?

To complain about why someone else has more speed, flexibility or power?

Some do.

But most mature martial artists just want more CONFIDENCE and RESPECT.

Show me someone with Confidence and that person has what it takes to accomplish anything their heart desires, to reach the state of their choosing.

To quote Arnold Palmer: "Concentration comes out of a combination of confidence and hunger"

Hunger comes from the desire to want more for yourself and your family, to decide you won't settle for "mediocre" or "like everybody else in my family or neighbourhood", to harvest a "never give up" kind of attitude.

If Hunger and Confidence are the keys to Concentration and you know staying focused isn't always easy, acquire both now so you can finally follow through on the goals you've set for yourself.

Martial Arts taught with these qualities in mind is a winning recipe and we have 35 years of proof to back it up, anyone of the products found on this page will improve your confidence and instill in you a never give up attitude we all could use more of.

Master Yourself,

Sifu Martin

P.S. This quote resumes today's post well: "I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time" ~ Anna Freud (1895 - 1982)

Fang Shen Do is used as a catalyst to awaken what's already there. Choose your catalyst here.

Increase Confidence, Respect and Discipline

Here are some more pics from our Fight for Fun Tournament back in February.

Students were offered a chance to compete in a safe and controlled environment.

With over 400 people in attendance some students were a bit "jittery" performing in front of that many people. Sometimes the best way to learn and grow is to take yourself out of your comfort zone.

Even the 5 & 6 year olds showed great maturity and confidence. To have that at such a young age will definitely give them an edge as their growing up.

If you're a parent looking to enroll your child in a confidence building program, look no further.

Our martial art programs for kids offer them the mentorship that is desperately needed today.

For more information on kids classes in Eastern Ontario, the Ottawa area as well as the Montreal Area browse our list of 25 locations to find one close to you.

Giving the kids a chance to also see older students train and compete gives them people to look up to. Setting the example for our young students is one of our top priorities.

Getting your body ready for Kung-fu Kickboxing (Sanshou in Chinese) consists of stretching, contractions, and isometric exercises which can be done anywhere, anytime.

In Fang Shen Do, we make a parallel between Sparring and Life.

You never know what to expect in both areas.

You must face the unknown and reach for your goals even when you sense fear.

You must know your strengths and weaknesses while being able to adapt to whatever comes at you.

In the end you always rely on your instincts.

If it FEELS right go for it!

Being part of a team offers tremendous support, especially when the team has a common goal: Self-Mastery.

With over 35 years of experience our team is strong and ready to help you get fit, flexible, focused and commited to reaching your goals.

Our next event is held in June,

See you there,

Sifu Martin

It's Louse Time!

Friday is now officially "Louse Time".

Many of you wrote in to let me know you liked that idea. So I'm going to do that from now on.

It will help you get a sneak peek at the kind of guidance I've been getting since I'm a little kid.

The lessons my father taught me have laid the foundation for what I have today and I'm just getting warmed up.

Some people question my father's expertise. I think he did a pretty good job with me.

How many people can look their father in the eyes and tell him: I Love You Dad or I appreciate you and Thank You for everything you've done for me.

Most people I know don't have a good father-son relationship. They either don't talk to each other or they hate each other. Same thing with siblings.

There is no family unity.

For us that's the total opposite. To have unity and respect as a family in today's world is quite a feat by itself. Even greater the challenge to build a business together, but we have.

I don't smoke. I don't do drugs. I'm in top physical shape. I own 6 businesses. I'm a father of three. My passion is helping people through martial arts and physical conditioning, and I set a strong example for my own kids to take care of their body and to have confidence in themselves.

This is what training in Fang Shen Do can do for you.

So is my Dad certified? I can bet my life on it.

If I can do just half of what my dad did for me with my kids I'll be very happy.

Every Friday will be Louse Time, and if you're a father like me I hope you can influence your kids to achieve great things, to teach them life lessons that will stay with them so they can eventually pass them down to their own children.

Remember that YOU are a role-model for someone.

If you're not become one.

If not to someone else, hold yourself up to the highest standards.

Intentio Superus,

Sifu Martin