What's NEW at Fang Shen Do

I don't know about you but it seems like this summer is going to be "hectic".

"Crazy" actually.

Which is how my week has been.

Therefore explaining my apparent e-mail absence.

There are lots of things brewing here at FSD Central. Things that you'll find most interesting.

The first is a 2 disc set (maybe 3) of Gokor Chivichyan's Grappling Seminar, filmed here at the Pagoda during our Fight Camp. This set is loaded with never before seen techniques and strategies used specifically for the ground game. Some of these techniques were kept only for Gokor's fighters in order for them to have an edge on their competitors and now they are available to you. Look for the release of these DVDs shortly.

The second is a total re-vamp of our website. I think you'll be pretty impressed with the new fonctionality and the on-line module where people from all over the world or existing students can go to brush up on their skills, learn the curriculum, test for rank, and become instructors in FSD. It will be one of a kind that's for sure and we can't wait to reveal it to you.

Third is a brand new 3000 + square foot new location for Ottawa area students. The headquarter school will have a new home by July 12th. The place will be state of the art and will be designed to reproduce the look and feel of our Private Training Pagoda in Casselman.
Look for details concerning the Grand-Opening shortly.

Fourth is the natural progression to Station Training. The "Advanced Kit".
This one has been a beast to pin down and complete because of the vast amount of exercises and cards contained within it. If you loved the Basic and Intermediate set or you feel like you're ready for a challenge you'll find that and more in the Advanced Kit.

Fifth. 45 NEW DVD titles coming your way. We've told you before we're crazy about the martial arts. We love every aspect of it and this passion needs to be released as well as shared with you.
Training in the martial arts definitely is a journey and there is no limit to what you can learn. Look for titles ranging from Energy Drills (Contact Drill 1 to 8), Chi Sao, Phon Sao Rotation, Sanshou Fighting Skills, Advanced Kubotan (you know there are 12 other types of Kubotans right?), Kettlebells, Warrior Fitness for Women (Mastery Level) and the list goes on and on. All filmed in HD with the same high quality you've come to expect from FSD Products.

These are just some of the things coming your way shortly.

One thing we've learned a long time ago is never rest on your laurels and we make sure to practice what we preach.

Have you been slacking off? Been swayed by procrastination? Basking in complacency? Disappointed by your results?

Make sure to use your training as a tool. Develop Intensity and Power so you can transfer it to every area of your life.

Not training yet or you've got off track and missed some classes? Get started and get back on track here.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

What's Important?

What you're doing right now.

All of us.

Wherever you are in the world.

And most are not even conscious of it.

BREATHING

What better way to instantly feel good than to take one long, deep conscious breath?

If ONE breath feels that good, imagine 10 in a row or better yet 10 deep breaths daily?

Deep breathing alone can help you lose weight.

Deep breathing coupled with walking can do wonders to elevate your mood.

Deep breathing mixed in with martial arts techniques?

Ah...there you have a recipe for power.

Understanding how to breathe while stretching will see your flexibility soar to new heights.

Taking care of your flexibility first, gives you an edge in every aspect of martial arts.

You'll have more speed.

Explosive Power.

Less Injuries.

You'll slowly increase your threshold for pain while strengthening your mind.

You'll quickly understand how to use self-talk and visualization to reach your desired goals.

In the end you'll be able to relax yourself quickly while possessing a ritual you can perform on your own which helps you feel good in your skin.

Isn't that the point of martial arts?

To feel good and to be pain free?

Start increasing your Flexibility today. Let me show you how.

Master Yourself,

Sibok M

Keeping the fire lit

I get flooded with training inquiries, requests and advice on different subjects. I don't always have time to answer all of them but I'm gonna answer one today. Here goes:
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Hi Sifu,

As you know I am a huge fan of your writtings. Here is a subject I would like addressed. I would like your insight on how to maintain the desire needed to be successful in Fang Shen Do. In other words, when someone is feeling like their passion for Kung Fu is "dwindling" and a person begins to second guess their decision about pursuing FSD to it's fullest....How do you keep the fire lit?

K
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Sifu M: It depends what's at stake. What kind of mental pact have you done with yourself?

If you haven't associated anything of value to fight for in moments of lack of motivation, quitting will be painless and common in other areas of your life.

I see it as a pattern that could potentially repeat itself in the future. Finish what you start. Do you usually finish what you start or do you constantly bounce from one undertaking to another?

Make a pact with yourself. Set the stakes high. For me martial arts is a wonderful vehicle to work on so many areas of my life. I don't know of any other physical activity that covers all the bases like FSD does.

Let me share what I use to stay motivated in moments of weakness. Well first of all I'm very stubborn and quitting something before its completion would be a direct hit to my ego, or the self-image I have of myself. It is an image of tenacity, determination, and success.

Quitting would be a direct hit to those core values.

Age motivates me. I don't want to be and look like all the other 70 or 80 year olds when I get to that level. I don't like what I see and training is my way to stay young and vibrant for as long as possible. Quitting for me is an attack on the quality and length of my life.

Where else is there a team of people behind you, supporting you, encouraging you to set new limits for yourself, a team that believes in you and wants you to succeed?

Find out what motivates you, what would really make you stick with your training?

Is it your ability to move?

Is it having vibrant health free of disease?

Is it the satisfaction of knowing you've spent years mastering your body and mind?

Is it to keep on learning new skills?

Is it having an un-breakable spirit?

Is it seeing your kids graduate?

Just find that one reason and keep that image in your mind, let it carry you through the ups and downs of martial art development.

No one ever said mastering yourself was easy. Everything in life is a test. Will you pass or fail?

I say Master Yourself,

Sifu Martin

Breaking the Habit - Part 2

Following up on my e-mail yesterday, when I answered J, I didn't get a response until almost one month later.

I was impatiently waiting for a response from him until finally I saw his name in my inbox.

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Sifu,

It's been almost 3 weeks since my last puff and the cravings are starting to go away.

I've been using vase meditation as a way to relax myself during cravings and I've told my friends that I no longer want to associate myself with smoking and don't want to be around it. They haven't even given me a call.

So it seems the smoke was their main priority in our friendship, too bad. I'm also starting to notice that my energy is coming back as well as my confidence. I've proved that I can do anything now.

Thanks for your help, I mean I'm not completely through this yet but I feel that the hardest part has past. So thank you very much, it was your words that stuck in the back of my mind when I denied countless opportunities to have a smoke.

Now the next step is starting back into training again. I know I will have trouble with breathing at first but in time I'm sure I'll be back where I left off.

Cheers,

J
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Hi J,

I was waiting for your reply.

I knew you could do it. Like you said there will always be that little craving but if you're training hard and giving it all you got, you'll squeeze out whatever is left of it.

Do you know how many people can't do what you did?

I'm proud of you.

Hope to see you soon at a seminar or training session so I can congratulate you in person.

Again, keep me posted on your progression.

Right now you need to use this momentum to set some high fitness goals.

Here's a list (these are just examples, I don't want to scare you!)

500 Rowing Squats
1 mile run under 6 minutes
120 push-ups in 2 minutes
Hold Bridge for 3 minutes
Handstand 3 minutes

Replace the old craving with the best craving of all: MASTERY!

Sifu

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This is why I love to do what I do. Helping people achieve their personal & fitness goals through our martial art system.

The whole purpose of this daily e-mail is to provide you with inspiration, training tips and to share stories that you might connect with. If you have any questions or testimonials about our training system send them my way.

Aim Higher,

Sifu Martin

Need to break a filthy habit?

A few weeks ago I got an interesting e-mail from an ex-student.

I'm sharing it because maybe there are others who are going through the same challenge. So here goes:

Sifu,

I used to go to Fang Shen Do Kung Fu, 3 times a week. I used to participate in seminars and extra training. I have not been back for over 3 years now.

Since then I took up smoking cigarettes and marijuana and have made friends with only people that do the same. I am realizing as the days go by that I was happier without the smoking lifestyle.

I was happier when I was fit, but I have made some really close friendships with some of these people. I have tried to break the habit more than twice now but because every time I'm around them, I see the smoking and crave it.

I really want to get back into Kung Fu but I need to break the habit first. Is there anything I can do in this situation to help myself back on the course of life I am searching for? As of today, I am one week sober from smoking but I feel like I'll crack any day now like I always do... Please help.

Thanks,

J
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Hi J,

Congratulations on your first week sober.

You are at a crossroad my friend.

You can't have both: Your smoking friends and Your health. You have to decide.

You have to associate so much pain to smoking that it will act as your main motivator when cravings hit.

I always tell this to my students or coaching clients.

Ask yourself:

What am I gonna look like in 30 years from now if I continue doing what I'm doing?

Offer to be a volunteer at a cancer ward, or visit the terminally ill (from smoking) wing.
Go take a stroll in the local cemetery.

Go in an old folks home and ask to interview one of the residents, one that has smoked for 30 + years, and just look at them and see if what you see adds to your craving or completely wipes it out?

One of my assistants' dad did smoke for that long and he's on his 5 th operation and he's only 63 years old.

Tell yourself you only want to breathe in fresh air.

Treat your body like a million dollar machine, because it is.

As for your friends, I know it sucks but you have to ask yourself or write down each person's name and list what that friend brings to you, how do they help you, what do they contribute to your life?

Is it just companionship and a few chuckles?

Remember often times friends love to see you down and out like they are, you're part of the pack, so don't expect any help from them. I have a hard time with that word FRIENDS. The only friend I trust, the only friend I can always count on is MYSELF.

First of all see the image of yourself not smoking, keep that image in your mind.

Then also see images of yourself training. Feel it. Change the craving of smoking to a craving of training.

When you have a craving go sprint. Or Do your isometric breathing (remember Lin Sil Die Dar Hard) exhale, maximum resistance, contraction. As you exhale visualize the poison coming out of your mouth and cleaning your insides. Tell yourself: "I am the master".

When you quit smoking did you know it takes over 7 years for your body to completely heal itself and clean itself out? Something to think about.

Tell your friends you'll be on Hiatus for awhile, That you have some issues you have to work out.
Give me a report every week.

Sifu
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I'll finish the rest tomorrow. If I can help just one person get back on the right track, I'll have done my job.

Until then,

Master Yourself,

Sifu Martin

The Power of Visualization

I know you take your health very seriously or else you wouldn't be on this page right now and maybe you're even like ME, a fitness fanatic.

I'm currently working on setting a Guinness World Record for One Arm, 2-finger Push-Ups.

It took me a long time to do them.

The best way to describe it, is like learning to ride a bicycle.

You only need to get the feeling once and you'll never forget it. It's a question of trust.

Once you know you can do it, you have confidence in yourself and you realize your body is able to withstand that kind of punishment.

Before ever doing them I SAW myself doing those push-ups.

One thing to remember when you're using visualization techniques is to make those images as real as possible. Visualize with as much detail what you want.

Visualize in full color.

Images are good but film is better.

This is what we call Movie Meditation, it's one of many meditation techniques outlined in our Book 10 secrets to a rock solid martial arts foundation.

See a film of yourself accomplishing what it is you want to accomplish. See it on the big screen. Like wearing 3D glasses, you're right there in the action.

Visualizing in detail will keep your goals real and motivate you to take action.

This is not a new concept, you know about it, you've read about it, but are you using it?

For us, everything we have today was once just a figment of our imagination. It all starts with a goal, an idea, a dream.

Hold that image in your mind of what you want, be relentless.

It doesn't take a special skill, only focus and persistence and you too can make any one of your goals a reality.

Aim Higher,

Sibok Martin

More benefits of martial art training

I love how martial arts training reveals one's character.

This quote sums it up pretty well:

"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all." ~ Sam Ewing

Everything from how you meditate to how you hit a focus mitt reveals a part of who you are. Whatever it reveals, it might be a strength you can expand on or a weakness that needs to be addressed.

When training, pay close attention to how you act, what you feel and what you think. If you don't like what you're thinking or feeling at the moment where you're doing a certain drill, make note of it and add it to your Strategic Outline so you can improve upon it.

You might have a hard time closing your eyes in meditation. You should find some time to meditate daily. Learn to center yourself, feel your breath and realize the safest place on earth is inside of you.

You might be very stiff and un-flexible. Stiffness is believed to be associated with "pent-up" emotions. Make sure to always express yourself, speak your mind and give your complete emotional maximum in your circuit training so that any anger, disappointment, or stress is completely squeezed out of you.

Some have a hard time counting in group stretching and conditioning. Counting is a quick way to get emotionnally involved, builds better cardio, makes you less timid and strengthens your diaphragm.

And last, holding back on striking drills. Do you just tap the focus glove? Do you think of your position before striking or do you strike with full commitment, confidence and power?
I like to think the way you HIT mirrors how you tackle everyday goals.

Careful and Analytical or Instinctive, Determined and Focused.

Just something to ponder about when you're training. Your character is always put to the test.
It will bring out the best in you.

That Strategic Outline I was talking about comes free when you order a copy of our FSD training guide.

Great tools to help BETTER yourself.

Sibok Martin

Use your Enemies

Some people are still having trouble sticking with the goals they've set.

So I'm going to show you some ways to help make it work for you since it's so critical to your success.

This information is very valuable considering the odds that are stacked up against you: The stats show that most will not follow through on their goals and resolutions this year.

Avoid being part of the statistics.

You've heard of the term "Use your Enemies"?

Here's a simple way to do that.

Start by "Thinking Back" or "Thinking Now" of people around you who are not supportive of your goals.

It could be a family member, co-worker, someone who bullied you in school, ex-boyfriend, or ex-wife.

Someone.

Make a mental picture of that person.

Whenever you find yourself deviating from your goals this year, that person should pop up in your head.

They say "Success is Revenge". Use that negative energy into a positive one to stay motivated.
If you catch yourself reaching for that bowl of ice cream or skipping out on one of your workouts, think of what that enemy would say: "See I told you so!", "I always knew you were a friggin' loser", "You're no good for nothing".

You know, things like that.

If you're like me, you'll never allow that enemy to get the best of you.

If I'm doing 500 Squats I'll do 520, just to show that enemy that I'm unbreakable. I'll add more weight, I'll add a minute, I'll do my "fasting" one day longer. This is a surefire way to stick with your goals.

We all want a sense of Pride and we won't let the enemy have his way with us.

For strategies like these and many others to stay on top of your game, Pick up the FSD Training Guide today and show that enemy what you're made of.

As I'm writing this, mine have just appeared in my mind, gotta go punch the bag now and show those bastards who's the boss around here.

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin