Learning Center

The USAdojo.com Learning Center shares information about studying martial arts, about systems and styles, about vocabulary used in martial arts and about martial arts books, magazines and APPS that help us learn.

Dave Kovar's Living Lessons

Create Positive Memories

As a martial arts teacher, I interact daily with lots of people. I’m acutely aware that as a teacher, I have a certain amount...
Living Lessons with Duke Tirschel

Home Safe

People who've played baseball, and who now walk up to the plate in life, know how hard it is to hit the ball and...
Dave Kovar's Living Lessons

When You Feel Like Giving Up Because Things Are Too Tough

This is for good a friend of mine who is going through a really hard time right now and can't seem to shake it. We...
The Panda Chronicles

The Panda Chronicles

The Panda Chronicles is fiction, based on unbelievable fact. Real life undercover narcotics Detective Rico Rose was known as the Panda on the streets....

Feeling a Little Lethargic?

Feeling a little lethargic? Feeling more refreshed could be as easy as One, Two, Goji! According to Marina Ustinova, a doctor under the American Academy...
Dave Kovar's Living Lessons

Running A Martial Arts School

A few things I have learned about running a martial arts school from my travels. Over the past few years I have the privilege of...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions P

Pachigi: A Korean martial art in which the head is used to butt an opponent. Pai shih: A ceremony for a kung fu novice denoting his acceptance...
Dave Kovar's Living Lessons

Sincere Public Praise

Sensei Bruce Juchnik was my first karate teacher. He is a good guy and I'm happy to say that, more than forty years later,...
Dave Kovar's Living Lessons

Casper Always Has To Be Right

I have an acquaintance of mine that is incredibly bright, very fit, extremely witty. I will refer to him as Casper. He has everything...
Donald Miskel

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...

In Search of the Ninja Review

Lost in modern myth, false history, and general misinterpretation, the Ninja have been misrepresented for many years, but recently, a desire for a more...
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions V

Vo phuc: A name for the uniform worn in the Vietnamese martial arts.
Martial Arts Definitions

Martial Arts Definitions N

Nagare: Flow. Nage: Throw. Nage Waza: Throwing techniques. Naginata: “Reaping sword.” A curved-blade spear, once used by Japanese monks and samurai. It is approximately seven feet in length including the blade....
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

Choices in a Dangerous Environment

The old have a tendency to do a lot of reminiscing. At sixty six I find myself looking back over my life. There are...
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...