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