Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated. - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Teaching & Practicing

Oshieru [教える] & Renshū-chū [練習中]


Seldom does the modern karate sensei realizes there is a vast chasm between “teaching and practice” of karate, be it philosophical or defensive.


“To teach us to inspire those taught to think and absorb what is being provided.” - cejames


“To practice is to creatively apply that which has been taught.” - cejames


My thoughts 💭 on teaching: https://tinyurl.com/45u5cmpt


“A master of practice is not a trait of qualified teaching methodology.” - cejames


Outside the normal need for knowledge, experience, and proficiency the instructor who teaches karate must have a set of "interpersonal skills" so they may interact with practitioners in a manner that is beneficial to both parties; teacher/instructor and practitioner. They are:


- Use of technical skills: visual, tactile, auditory and kinetic, etc along with the psychological and physical and spiritual of the martial arts 🥋

- Active listening: a art and science all its own because it’s fundamental to the next, communicating to deshi or students.

- Communication Skills: clear, concise and and accurate that promotes thinking, curiosity and a stent inspired to learn through questions and research and actions.

- Effective Facial & Body Language: simply silent communication skills that are perceived in tandem with and in validation to other communications.

- Empathy: to understand where the student is to guide and direct so lessons fit the student.

- Positive Motivation: key is positivity and an ability to inspire changes as neede in lieu of criticality 

- Feedback: progress and lessons learned along with positive reinforcement.

- Silence: hold commenting to necessities and use tactility as a guide, not a corrective critique as a teacher guides and steers a student toward self discovery.

- Good sense of humor: environmental atmosphere is a big influence on receptivity.

- Be reflective: 

- Don't distort or filter what they hear and see: call this honest integrity and don’t let the business effect the quality.

- Ask open-ended questions: participation is key, to get them to apply lessons in their own words - encourage this.

- Understand and then be understood: 

- Self-disclosure: best example to disclose when you need to research answers to questions or queries 😇 

- Persuasive: applying the art of persuasion in ways that let the student want rather tan need and especially avoiding force lessons for a student who wants learns faster and retains longer. - Acknowledgment: creating a personal relationship, knowing the student and letting them know you and acknowledge their potential and abilities. 

- Personality and Character: a likable and charismatic person able to connect with others to create a bond (brotherhood/sisterhood). 

- Group Cohesion through group dynamics, to make individuals feel a connection with one another as a whole. 

- being aware: a good example is taking note of personality, i.e., is the student an extrovert or an introvert and to what degree for that fundamental personality principle can drive everything about that student.


———————- NOTES:


able to objectively look at each student to help them in whatever way they need. 


when you teach you need to remove anything that can make you see students in a less favorable light.


keep their cool in order to be good role models for their students.


be prepared for all kinds of situations that can arise. Make sure you can create a great learning environment no matter what comes.


need to be good communicator … need to be able to communicate with other teachers  … be focused on making sure students truly understand the material, rather than just lecturing and hoping it will compute. Great teachers are concerned with student retention, making sure they really know and can do the work 


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


It’s not enough to be a master of martial disciplines if you wish to teach, you must also be very proficient in the art and discipline of teaching!


No matter the subject; no matter teacher; it comes down to the interrelationships of dojo+dojo-mates+dojo-sensei/senpai that creates a teaching-learning environment. 


In the dojo: teaching is in the purview of the teacher; learning is in the purview of the student; it is in the collective that the environment is the learning purview of all the dojo members: the ACTIVE participation of learning is the purview of both teacher and student through a mutually active process.


A teacher who just teaches is not a teacher but an instructor.


Typically seniors tend to take on Tai Chi Chuan to:


  1. Improve balance,
  2. reduce risks and consequences of falling,
  3. engage in a revitalization program of exercise,
  4. boost energy,
  5. moderate and reduce physical and mental maladies of aging,
  6. enhance their spirit, well being.

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