My Perspective

My Perspective shares the personal perspective of different martial  artists and others on martial thought, philosophy and more on USAdojo.com.

Donald Miskel

Father’s Day Thoughts: What He Taught Me Paid Off

I want to share with you my Father's Day thoughts. My father, Donald Miskel, is crazy, but what he taught me paid off. Crazy...
Donald Miskel

Mental Kung Fu: Use Your Mind

Use your mind as your first resource. Your first line of defense. Observe and always be aware of your surroundings and any possible impending...
Donald Miskel

Martial Arts Mastery Requires Time, Effort and Experience

I just got home from teaching my Saturday morning martial art class. Everything hurts. My orthopedic surgeon and my pain management doctor warn me...
Donald Miskel

Centering

Physically centering can save our lives in a confrontation. It can help us diffuse, deescalate, walk away from, or if necessary, physically deal with...
Donald Miskel

Martial Arts Mastery Resides in the Basics

It has been a lifelong endeavor for me to truly master the martial arts. I have dedicated nearly 55 years of my life to...
Donald Miskel

Facing the Challenge of Self

In this journey there are many roads that we walk at different junctures of our lives. If nothing else, we learn that in this...
Donald Miskel

Building on the Basics

The problem that I have with many of the martial arts that are being taught today, is that they are long on technique and...
Donald Miskel

You give your opponent an idea what to expect.

I tried some iron palm training back in the day with my praying mantis (kung fu) instructor at the time. He didn’t go in...

Dana White on Apolitical UFC: If you want politics, turn on any other channel

Watch as Dana White, UFC President, discusses how he keeps politics out of sports and how he kept going during the pandemic.
Key mind sets and attitudes found in advanced martial artists

Key mind sets and attitudes in advanced martial artists

What are some of the key mind sets and attitudes to be found in advanced martial artists? "What you do speaks so loudly that I...
Donald Miskel

Teaching Beginners . . .

A wonderful time in class this afternoon. Taught a beginner's class. I had almost forgotten the joy of taking the uninitiated and educating them in...
Donald Miskel

Lethal Weapon (The Deadliest Weapon in the Martial Arts)

I was sitting up this morning alternately doing hand techniques and watching martial arts bios of various masters, teachers and actors. I recently had...
Donald Miskel

Brother to Brother (or Sister)

Greetings to my fellow Dragons and my martial art brethren. This is a letter to our fraternity but also to any and all that...

The Privilege of Servitude

In this article I would like to explore two concepts about leadership. The first is the ability to follow. The second compares servitude to leadership.
Donald Miskel

Without Integrity We Have Nothing

As a pastor and martial artist I value integrity above most of other traits that are included in the lives of honorable men. Without integrity we have nothing.
Chess

The Sociology of Martial Themes

What if there was a way to describe martial arts in a whole new light? My perspective may change how think about styles and systems, irrespective of tradition.