A Tribute to My Brother – Alfred Sims Jr.
I, Alan Sims, am writing this as a tribute to my late brother Alfred Sims Jr., known affectionately as "Toby" to friends and acquaintances.
Our...
Your Knowledge Is Your Legacy – Pass It On
Where ever you may be in your life you have your knowledge, wisdom and past experience.
The word of God says that, “It’s better to...
Ushi Deshi: Students of the Heart
In my fifty five plus years of studying, researching and teaching the martial arts I have had only a few personal, closed door students....
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...
Leadership
According to Gordon Brown the world is ‘leaderless’. We hear statements such as: fake news, alternative facts, truth isn’t truth??? Is it any...
Us vs Them Mentality in Martial Arts
When I started training in the Pekiti-Tirsia system in 1975, I was 14 years old. It very quickly became a major part of my...
Forging the Sword – Body Mind Spirit
We are triune in our being. We are body mind spirit. The wise martial artist will be holistic in his approach, considering his whole...
Spirit Boxing
The line between a journeyman or practitioner and a master practitioner is a fine one. As one advances into the dan ranks he'll begin...
Still a Mother . . .
Still a Mother . . . okay, martial artists, I got your attention. The clean cut folks out there are probably envisioning an article...
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...
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....
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...
Don’t Overlook the Lowly Stick or Cane
Let me encourage you as you blaze your martial path to not overlook the lowly stick or cane. You’ll find that the stick or...
Learning Through Failure
In all honesty, I might not be the one to write this particular study. I actually feel hypocritical in doing so. I am not...
Seeking Improvement in Life and Martial Arts
Last night in our advanced class I told a story about Coach John Wooden. John Wooden was voted the greatest coach in the history...
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...