Keyboard Kumite: The Act of Cyber Bullying
These days I am seeing a new type of bully. They're called cyber bullies. I consider them bullies of the first magnitude. Over the...
Eastern Martial Arts Study vs Western Religion
As a Christian and a martial artist, I am intimately familiar with the tension that exists between Eastern martial arts study and Western religion....
Martial Arts Training is a Practice in Balance
Training became a practice in balance, as I learned not just the techniques of martial arts but also how to live.
Martial arts training tests...
Kumite: A Learning Experience
From Time to time, BLACK BELT learns of unusual events or occurrences in the martial arts; events that-either because of their nature or because...
Veterans Seeking Psychiatric Help
Here is an excellent question I received about a recent tip, saying that, "A suck it up and drive on" ethos has great survival...
The Relationship Between Martial Arts And Religion
I saw a banner the other day proclaiming the existence of a Christian martial arts association and was reminded of the relationship between martial...
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...
Setting Goals: Begin With The End In Mind
Sun Tzu wrote, "If you know yourself and know your opponent you will be victorious 100 battles out of 100 encounters.' The civilian comes...
The Sensei
The relationship of a Sensei to the dojo is very difficult to define, as it encompasses many varying aspects of life. The Sensei must...
LOYALTY in Judo and in Life
Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable, than loyalty.
Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC)
After having lived in Japan for some time, one comes to...
Accepting Funakoshi’s Challenge
My favorite Gichin Funakoshi quote is: “Everything you encounter is an aspect of karate: find the marvelous truth there.”
By Thomas A. Newnam ~ Did...
Thou shall not kill . . .
You have heard the commandment, "Thou shall not kill." With few exceptions, however, most major modern translations, and all Jewish translations of the original...
Kung Fu of the Mind: The Mental Aspects of the Martial Arts
In our last discussion, I spoke on the subject of Spirit Boxing. In this article, I would like to discuss Kung Fu of the...
Training: Sport Martial Arts vs. Street Fighting
Most people think all martial arts training prepares you to be able to take on anyone in the real world. That kind of thinking...
Improvisational Movement
This article is dedicated to Ms. Michelle Wood, former editor of Yang-Sheng magazine.
True improvisational movement is a form or level of movement which expresses...
Mens Rea: Be Mindful of Your Intent
I recently read the following quotation from Edmund Burke, Irish orator, philosopher, and politician (1729-1797): “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil...
