Is There Life in the Martial Arts After Old Age?
I have been on this martial art journey for about sixty one years. Since I didn’t start at birth most of you would have...
Taijiquan Memories
These are my taijiquan memories from 2003, when I took my first, and probably best, trip to San Francisco. I was able to afford...
Mastery in the Martial Arts
Lately events have led me to reflect on the nature of mastery and what it means.
Life can be a humbling experience. I’ve been finding...
Women’s Judo
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu
When compared to the men’s events, the...
British Jujutsu Pioneers
Possession of profound knowledge is of great value.
Katsu Kaishu (1823-1899)
While researching the history of martial arts, I am often impressed by the sustained dedication...
HONOR in Judo and in Life
Virtue is the fount whence honor springs. ~ Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593)
A salient feature of the samurai’s code of conduct was honor. Usually regarded as...
Balance and Discipline
You can never be too rich or to thin.
We’ve all heard that old saying before. Of course, it’s a ridiculous thing to say. There’s...
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...
A Kaleidoscope of Movement and Feeling
Alan Sims performing the form from Chen Xin's book.
The late Bruce Lee was and still is admired by many for his martial arts ability...
Scott Miller
Scott Miller took up martial arts for the first time later in life, at the age of forty-six. His professional career prior to that...
Discipline in Martial Arts and in Life
As a parent, you cannot help but reflect upon the nature of discipline. There is one concept of discipline, entirely wrong-headed, that focuses on...
COURAGE in Judo and in Life
"Courage is the first of human virtues because it makes all others possible." ~ Aristotle (384-322 BC)
A courageous act can sometimes save a life....
INSTRUCTION in Judo and in Life
'Nothing under Heaven is more important than education. The teaching of one virtuous person can influence many. What has been well learned by one...
ETIQUETTE in Judo and in Life
‘Civility costs nothing, and buys everything.’ Mary Wortley Montagu (1689－1762)
In boyhood my grandfather once asked me what I wished to be when I grew...
Judo and Education
Over a century ago, Japanese jujutsu men from various ryu or schools, often competed against one another and sometimes fought boxers and wrestlers in...
Filial Piety
No one uses the phrase “filial piety” outside of a dojang. Why, then, do we? When I asked myself that question, I didn’t have...