Arrowhead Martial Arts Studio Blog

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I am happy to announce that the September 2007 Las Vegas International AKKI Kenpo camp dates have been announced!

September 20-22, 2007

Class schedules, times, instructors and room information will follow as soon as it is made available.

Don’t know what the Las Vegas AKKI Kenpo camp is all about? Read previous posts about the biannual camp.

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June officially marks the blogs two year birthday. Happy Anniversary, blog!

Blogging is a great experience as it has helped me put additional Kenpo ideas, thoughts, and information back out to students and potential students alike. There is always something to write about and I’m always thinking during class “this would make a great blog post…”

So, what have I learned about blogging in the last two years? Three main things:

1) Consistency and frequency matters. I’ve been posting a lot more frequently than when I started, trying to get six to eight posts in a month online. I used to write one or two posts a month. That wasn’t enough for me or my readers.

2) Write about stuff you care about. Seems simple enough but not always that easy. With that said, it’s far easier now than when I started coming up with topics to write about. I just look for things that held high meaning for me when I was going through the colored belt material. I also highlight things that I get a lot of comments about in class. Either way, I’m going to write about it.

3) Just sit down and start typing. Bottom line, you don’t always need a plan. Now, I’m always coming up with new things to write about and have many posts I partially write then come back to later. Others, I write in one sitting. I just never know until I sit down to write how it will all come together. I used to write only when I had that one good idea. Not anymore. I get far more out if I start an idea and just come back to it.

So here we are two years later. It’s been a great learning experience and I look forward to what the next two years of blogging brings. And, I feel extremely lucky to have the martial arts studio and students I have now and that I can share some of that excitement on my blog.

I sincerely hope you continue to come back from time to time to read a few posts and that it always gives you something to think about, consider, and that it also gives you some level of inspiration to keep going.

But before I go light the two candles on the cake, I have to ask, what would YOU like me to blog about? I’m always open to new ideas.

Leave a comment below!

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For those that missed last nights class, you missed one information packed evening!

We explored the connections and principles found within the the yellow belt curriculum and how the techniques, sets and drills are all related into one information packed - and interrelated - belt. Nothing in yellow is done without a reason and teaches the master key movements, patterns, and principles of motion. Hopefully it gave all in attendance greater insight into this fascinating art of AKKI KENPO and how useful and purposeful it really is.

And, thank you for all of the great feedback on the class and the material. However, it is Mr. Mills who gets ALL the credit. He’s the one who came up with such a well thought out martial arts system! I’m just fortunate enough to have learned it from him and am grateful I am able to share it with you.

My reminder to everyone at the end of class was simple: Don’t miss a class as you never know what you’ll miss. For those that were there, I’m sure they can attest to the what you missed. Frankly, I don’t know when I’ll cover all of that information again in that manner. You just had to be there to get it.

See you in class!

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If you think you don’t need a game plan before going into a confrontation, I urge you to reconsider.

While it’s true “every self defense situation is different,” that doesn’t mean you totally have to go in blind. Simple things can be done to help stack the deck in your favor.

Do you have your hands at your side or are you “talking” with them in a non threating (read: noticeable) manner? How are you standing? Are you flat on your feet or are your knees bent and feet slightly offset? Are you watching their hands, eyes or are you gazing “through” them ready to respond to any attack, high or low? What moves are you really, really good at? Are they power based or speed based? Which is more important to use in a self defense situation? How “universal” is the move or moves to be able to use against the widest variety of common (and not so common) situations or attacks? What other things can you do to help strengthen your game and have a plan in place?

… What is YOUR game plan?

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I had to make a decision this week that I have never had to make before.

Due to overwhelming demand, I had to make the decision to temporarily close enrollment at our studio and create a waiting list as we had so many students sign up in the last couple of weeks. On one hand, I’m delighted that so many adults have found Arrowhead Martial Arts Studio to be the best martial arts studio choice for them in salt Lake City Utah. On the other, I wish I could have thousands of students.

However, as I’ve said before, I’m not about having the most students. I’m about having the best students and you can’t do that with so many students in class. While we have eight instructors and assistant instructors, I don’t want to lose focus and will not compromise on this. So, to keep my promise, I have temporarily closed enrollment to focus my attention on my current students and help make them the best martial artists they can be.

For updates on class openings, please send me an email to get your name added to the waiting list. The only way this will open up is if people move or get promoted into the next class.

So, thanks for your interest in our martial arts program and I’ll let you know when we start accepting students again.

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Beginners often have a hard time knowing what to work on first. The short answer is, keep it simple. However, knowing what to practice is really only half the battle. The other major component is finding the time to practice.

If you’re only practicing during class twice a week, perhaps you should consider practicing more often. Practice should be on a regular and consistent basis. As we all know, you can’t wait for free time. It just doesn’t happen. You have to schedule it in if it’s important to you. I recommend practicing at least two additional times during the week for at least 15 minutes each time. If you can do twice a week for 30 minutes, even better.

As for what to practice, there are a lot of trains of thought. To keep it simple, pick one thing and work on it over and over until you can move with confidence with it. This could be a form, set, technique or what have you. Don’t get too crazy with too many things as you won’t be focusing your time (rifle vs. shotgun approaches). You can work on techniques from one belt level, going down the list and performing them in the air. Have a bag or a “Bob?” Work your techniques with full speed and power 10-15 time each within one belt level. You can also practice a form and do it as many times in a row (with or without stopping) in the time frame you’ve elected to practice. Practice it once slow, once for show, and once for the street.

Remember, you don’t need to practice with your gi on to practice the martial arts. All you have to do is make the time on a regular and consistent basis, focus your efforts, and stick to it.

Update June 19, 2007: Remember to read my post Quick tips for maximizing your martial arts training time.

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I was going through some boxes the other day and came across a small notepad I carried with me to classes and seminars with Mr. Mills. It was fun to flip through and see all of the things that he taught. One of the entries was for a seminar Mr. Mills gave in Jackson Hole, WY circa 1995. I had to laugh as the drills that Mr. Mills taught at this seminar, hosted by Mr. Herb Padigimus, were in fact foundation of many of our yellow belt techniques today in the AKKI. It was fun to review and think about how many seminars I’ve attended with Mr. Mills (I stopped counting at 50) and all of the information he’s given over the years.

Write thoughts, ideas, and even quotes down after class and any seminars you take. Keep track of your testing dates and who was in the test with you. Be sure to also write down your own thoughts as they will help you make stronger connections within the art, faster.

I personally have four large binders full of notes full of concepts, principles, and ideas I’ve learned over the years. To me, this information is priceless as I can refer to it for decades to come. It’s amazing to go back and read an idea that was taught 12 years ago and how relevant it still is today.

If you’re not documenting your martial arts journey already, I suggest you start!

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