Aikido has the concept of “Beginner’s Mind”. Basically, it is the idea that everytime you go to train you do so with a completely open mind. This is meant to help the student “see” repeated material as if for the first time in order to learn something new (or additional) from it. A couple weeks […]

I got the chance to watch Kung Fu Panda, again, and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice last night. Its a nice little piece of brain candy to relax and just enjoy. However, it did get me thinking. (Kung Fu Panda) At the end, it was discovered that the secret Dragon scroll had no writing and there was no […]

So, yesterday when I had a new officer start her first day of work, she asked me who she would notify if she had an emergency. Now, my first thought went to the procedure listed in our post orders. I didn’t think that was what she was asking though. She expanded upon her question with “you know…if […]

This past Spring, I was trying to organize locations and events at which Haidong Gumdo – Minnesota could do demonstrations. I didn’t find any new events but was able to get return engagements at previous events. Now, I’ll agree that this isn’t very noteworthy but something I was told by a Parks & Recreation Director […]

This past weekend Haidong Gumdo – Minnesota did some demonstrations out at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. We did three demos on each Saturday and Sunday. They were in the middle of an open field with temperatures above 85 degrees. It could have easily been a lot more work than fun. I have always been impressed […]

Recently, I had the chance to connect as a student the U.S. Haidong Gumdo Association Senior Chief Master. During the introduction and “getting to know you” conversations leading up to the seminar, he commented that he prefer the title “Sabumnim” instead of “Master”. His position is based upon the idea that “Master” has a more (my […]

A story forwarded from a friend…—A lecturer teaching medicine was tutoring a class on observation. As part of of his lesson he took out a jar of yellow-colored liquid. “This”, he explained, “is urine. To be a doctor, you have to be observant to color, smell, sight, and taste.” Right after saying this, he dipped […]

While I bet the new Karate Kid movie is a good show, I’ll probably wait for the DVD. Mainly because I don’t have time to go to many movies. This notwithstanding, I am confused about the name of the movie. Right there, in main trailer, Jackie Chan say “…I’ll teach you real Wushu.” So, when did […]

Most of you who have known me for a while have heard several times my desire to move the martial arts into a more academic pursuit. Well, yesterday, I moved another step forward on this goal. After a couple conversations with Amerstate University (AU), I sent in my resume to be considered for a Commisioner position […]

First off, I’m not commenting about the quality of the instruction or students…only the “business” idea. So, driving home last week, I say the standard sign that’s out about every other month offering a “$29.95 for one month and a free uniform” Trial offer for “Karate Lessons”. I’ve never understood this. I can see the marketing/promotions […]

This past weekend during some after class socializing with students, I had a revelation that is LONG overdue. We were discussing anotehr martial arts teacher and his “life”. The schedule he keeps having a “day job” and teaching 5 days per week. The comment on his life was “He doesn’t have a life.” and one […]

I had a quick conversation with a student today when he saw that a local Taekwondo school also listed teaching Gumdo. He asked “How can they do that?” He meant just saying they teach a program without showing any credentials. All I said was that is was “business”. His next comment surprised me a bit. […]

There is often the complaint that the martial arts don’t teach self defense. About two months ago, the local Fox affiliate ran a segment on Krav Maga. It was promoted as “real” self defense. **Please note that I am not saying that is how the Krav Maga people presented it** I had the fortune to […]

I have had the honor and pleasure to have trained with several outstanding teachers in Taekwondo, Aikido and Gumdo. One of them, Sensei Frank Guldbrandsen (Northern Lights Aikido -UMD), had stated during a class that he felt people learned in three stages – physically, intellectually, spiritually. I lead with this because I think that people […]

I chatted with the television reporter, recently, who did a story on Krav Maga. I asked her what it was about the art that made it worthy of a story. The answer that I got was that it isn’t a martial art, its realistic self defense. She said that during her research, no other martial […]

So, my day job is doing security for the local Fox affiliate. It has given me the opportunity to “meet” several celebrities as they come in for Morning show segments. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet Terri & Bindi Irwin. While signing in, they started to chat with me. Nothing major, just the weather […]

***The following was found on Craig’s List (Minneapolis) under “lessons”*** Martial Artists Have Blackbelt and still losing fights? (Metro) Look most schools are only teaching you bits at at time so they can make more more money. Or you are studying a exotic martial art that does not work in real life because real fights […]

What does it take to become a Black Belt? How about a Master Black Belt? Of course, the answer is to “know” the curriculum required for your system. This leads to another question though…what did you learn? One day I hope the American desire for immediate gratification changes to fit the desire for personal growth […]

“If you have two fighters of equal skill, the one who knows his forms better will win.” – Master Tom Sullivan (Karate North). This was told to me about 20 years ago while I was still part of Master Sullivan’s Karate North organization. At the time, Master Sullivan had stopped actively competing after several years […]

Well, I had a short break in trying to write anyting due to not having a computer during the day for the past couple weeks and dealing with some political issues within the martial arts (Taekwondo side). Not having a computer during the daytime isn’t the best reason but timing is everything. Once I get […]