WHERE IN THE WORLD
The Philippines, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines is a sovereign country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. Its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and its tropical climate make the Philippines prone to earthquakes and typhoons but have also endowed the country with natural resources and made it one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. An archipelago comprising 7,107 islands, the Philippines is categorized broadly into three main geographical divisions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Its capital city is Manila.
WHAT KIND OF KARATE? KALI/ESCRIMA
Kali/Escrima: Eskrima (also known as Arnis and in the West sometimes as Kali) is the umbrella term for the traditional martial arts of the Philippines, which emphasize weapon based fighting with sticks, knives and other bladed weapons, and various improvised weapons. It also includes hand-to-hand combat and weapon disarming techniques.
PASSPORT WORLD TOUR - Summer 2024 Thailand
Posted: July 09, 2024
This Summer we talk about and learn about the martial arts style of each of the countries listed below.
THAILAND
PHILLIPPINES
The Rising Tide Lifts All the Boats
Posted: June 14, 2024
There was a time when styles and martial arts schools were very divided. Each art professing its pride for being the most efficient and effective. As the tradition of learning was passed down from one generation to the next, with every passing year the newer generation felt a heavier responsibility to carry on the traditions of the techniques and the way they were taught. At times, instructors were even passing down techniques and traditions without even understanding the meaning of what they were doing, until someone realized this approach limited growth.
Then, what I would call “Enlightened Martial Arts Masters” came along and while honoring tradition in their hearts they expanded their circle of martial arts education. They challenged tradition and the idea of one style being the very best and started to create a new paradigm that looked at each martial art respectfully as having something good to offer. Instead of feeling threatened martial artists started to share with each other so they could become better. The phrase popularized by President Kennedy is absolutely true, “The rising tide lifts all the boats.”
Like in martial arts, as people who are trying to be the best version of themselves… their PERSONAL BEST, we must do the same. We all have fears and insecurities that cause us to shy away from, write off or minimize learning and giving respect and effort to relationships that could grow us to become more than we are. If we want to grow and realize our full potential, we have to do what martial arts masters had and continue to have to do to grow; admit they don’t have all the answers and be willing and ready to put on a physical, mental and emotional “white belt” and invest the time to stay a student. As the saying goes, “if you want to go fast, go on your own, if you want to go far, go together”.
Magnify the Positives - Shrink the Negatives!
Posted: May 13, 2024
Everyday we all deal with positive things and positive people. As well as negative things and negative people.
What you focus on, is a choice only you can make.
Some people choose to magnify negatives and get stressed out by their problems and challenges. If you allow this to happen, you will soon begin to attract more negatives.
Dedication does not have an off season!
Posted: May 09, 2024
The feeling of motivation is the willingness or desire to do something. I think everyone would say it’s a lot easier to accomplish a task when it feels like you have plenty of energy and time with the finish line of the project in sight. I love those days!!!! Take them when they come as a welcomed gift and be grateful.
The feeling of motivation will come and go, no one feels motivation 100% of the time. To continue to make progress we also need the ability to be able to “push through resistance” when things feel out of alignment. Resistance can come in many forms; it may be the resistance of needing to get something done despite not having the energy, it may be the resistance from a co-worker who doesn’t play their part in completing a project or it may be the feeling of doubt that will periodically occur as you pursue a worthy personal goal.
Motivation is fun to talk about, but if you are only able to workout, study, follow a nutritional plan etc. when you feel motivated you will be forever destined to put energy in when you feel good and lose all the gains you made when you don’t. A person who practices small, steady, daily sustainable action will beat those who waits to feel the motivation before they take action EVERY time. For those things that you are truly desiring to manifest in your life, dedication does not have an off season.