The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step
Spread the wordWelcome to Still Mind Martial arts, our father and son martial arts blog. My son and I have over 30 years of combined martial arts experience to share. We started this martial arts blog during the COVID-19 pandemic … Read More
How to See the Path of Chi (Qi/Ki) 氣
Spread the wordThe above image is my artist representation of what it looks like to see the path of Chi (Qi/Ki) 氣. As your hand moves through your field of vision it looks like it creates a short trail of … Read More
How to Learn Sai Kihon (Basics) Drill, Sai Uke (Blocks), with Step by Step Breakdown
Spread the wordIn this post we’ll go through the step-by-step breakdown of the previous Sai Kihon (Basics) drill video, Sai Uke (Blocks). This breakdown uses a series of freeze-frames from the practice video to show each of the specific moves … Read More
Happy Independence Day America! Birthday of the Greatest Nation on Earth
Spread the wordWatch the above animation of the Betsy Ross flag proudly billowing in a glorious sunset as you listen to the USAF Band and Chorus play The Star Spangled Banner, our National Anthem. “O ! say does that star-spangled … Read More
釵受け Sai Uke (Blocks) Drill Practice Session Video
Spread the wordThe above video shows a practice session of a kobudo drill using the Sai (metal truncheon). This is the first of three Sai drills that we practice in the kobudo program I run at The Academy of Traditional … Read More
The Key & The Lock 鍵
Spread the wordThe idea for the following parable came to me while I was in Qigong meditation one early morning. As I stood silently outside in the warm sunshine and cool breeze holding a Zhan Zhuang position, the mental image … Read More
How to Learn Tonfa Kata Onami with Step by Step Breakdown
Spread the wordIn this post we’ll go through the step-by-step breakdown of the previous Tonfa kata video, Onami. This breakdown uses a series of freeze-frames from the practice video to show each of the specific moves in the Tonfa/Tuifa kata … Read More
大浪 Onami Tonfa (Tuifa) Kata Outdoor Practice Session Video
Spread the wordThe above video shows an outdoor practice session of a kobudo kata named Onami. Onami means Great Wave. I videoed this practice session in my backyard on 10/24/21. This was the first Tonfa (Tuifa) kata that I learned … Read More
Boards Don’t Hit Back, But Dummies Do!
Spread the wordThe below knock-out video that’s going around social media made me think of the famous Bruce Lee quote from Enter the Dragon. “Boards don’t hit back.” — Bruce Lee, But, apparently, dummies do! I hope that poor kid … Read More
World Taekwondo Organization Presents Honorary 9th Degree Black Belt to President Trump
Spread the wordMar-a-lago, Florida 11/22/21 — In the above video, John Bachman of Newsmax reports that President Trump was presented with an Honorary 9th Degree Black Belt over the weekend. The U.S.-based TaeKwonDo GrandMaster Eungil Choi (to left of Trump … Read More
How to Learn Tonfa no Ichi with Step by Step Breakdown
Spread the wordIn this post we’ll go through the step-by-step breakdown of the previous Tonfa kata video, Tonfa no Ichi. This breakdown uses a series of freeze-frames from the practice video to show each of the specific moves in the … Read More
Tonfa no Ichi Kata Kobudo First Tonfa Form Outdoor Practice Session Video
Spread the wordThe above video shows an outdoor practice session of a Matsubayashi kobudo kata named Tonfa no Ichi (or Tuifa no Ichi). Tonfa no Ichi kata simply means first tonfa form, though it is actually the second tonfa form … Read More
Tonfa no Ichi Kata Kobudo First Tonfa Form Promotional Performance Video
Spread the wordThe above video shows my performance of a Matsubayashi kobudo kata named Tonfa no Ichi (or Tuifa no Ichi) that I performed at my recent Nidan kobudo promotional. Tonfa no Ichi kata simply means first tonfa form, though … Read More
Father & Son Fuso Kumi Bo Promotional Performance Video
Spread the wordThe above video shows our promotional performance of the basic kobudo bo drill, Fuso Kumi Bo, that we performed at my recent kobudo promotional on 7/31/21. The drill helps train distance, timing and reactions for both defending and … Read More
Hanshi Richard Bernard: Tournament Kata Champion
Spread the wordStill Mind Martial Arts Masters Series (#3) Profile and Interview with Hanshi Richard Bernard We are honored to bring you the next installment of our Still Mind Martial Arts Masters Series (#3) Hanshi Richard Bernard: Tournament Kata Champion. … Read More
The Pure Art of Cabales Serrada Escrima by J.C. Cabiero Book Review
Spread the wordWhile we primarily practice Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu Karate-do and Kobudo which originate from Okinawa, we also practice some Filipino stick fighting Escrima. Escrima helps develop speed, flow and reactions which also help improve your Karate and Kobudo abilities. This … Read More
How to Learn Sai Kata Rokusai / Sai dai Ichi with Step by Step Breakdown
Spread the wordThis post shows the step-by-step breakdown of the previous Sai kata video, Rokusai/Sai dai Ichi. It uses a series of freeze-frames from the practice video to show each of the specific moves in the Sai kata (form) along … Read More
How to Practice the Sai Kata Rokusai / Sai dai Ichi on Video
Spread the wordThe above video shows a practice session of the basic kobudo sai kata, Rokusai. While we call this kata Rokusai in our dojo it is also known as Sai dai Ichi (first Sai form) in Matsubayashi-ryu. Rokusai or … Read More
O’Sensei Shoshin Nagamine Monument Construction & WMKA Worldwide Virtual Event and Memorial Tribute Video
Spread the wordThe WMKA (World Matsubayashi-ryu Karatedo Association) is scheduled to start construction of a memorial monument for O’Sensei Shoshin Nagamine, the founder of Matsubayashi-ryu, this September in Okinawa. The public unveiling of the monument was originally scheduled for November … Read More
Fuso Kumi Bo Demonstration Video from 2012
Spread the wordThe above video shows a demonstration of the basic kobudo bo drill, Fuso Kumi Bo that we performed in 2012. This video was shot when our dojo, The Academy of Traditional Karate, gave a karate and kobudo presentation … Read More
How to Learn Bo Drill Fuso Kumi Bo with Step by Step Breakdown
Spread the wordThis post shows the step-by-step breakdown of the previous bo drill video, Fuso Kumi Bo. It uses a series of freeze-frames from the practice video to show each of the specific moves in the two person drill along … Read More
How to Practice the Basic Bo Drill Fuso Kumi Bo on Video
Spread the wordThe above video shows a practice session of the basic kobudo bo drill, Fuso Kumi Bo. I shot the first portion of this video last fall with my son in our backyard. It is easiest and safest to … Read More
横蹴 Yoko Geri – Expert Tips for Devastating Side Kicks – Hanshi-sei Ron Martin
Hanshi-sei Ron Martin is a world renowned international kumite champion from the golden age of karate and kumite. He was the captain of the first US Karate Team under coach Chuck Merriman.… Read More
How to Learn Bo Kata Nagamine no Kon with Step by Step Breakdown
Spread the wordThis post details the step-by-step breakdown of the previous kata video I posted, Kata Nagamine no Kon. It uses a series of freeze-frames from the practice video to show each of the specific moves in the kata along … Read More
How to Practice the Advanced Bo Kata Nagamine no Kon on Video
Spread the wordLast fall I had videoed a series of sessions practicing additional kobudo kata and drills. As I get a chance over the next few months to review and edit them, I’ll post the videos along with step-by-step breakdowns … Read More