Spread the wordI have read a couple of books written by O-Sensei Shoshin Nagamine, the founder of our style of karate – Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu. So I know a little bit about him. After O-Sensei Shoshin Nagamine retired in 1991 … Read More

Spread the wordYakusoku Kumite VII shows how to control, block & counter strike a grab. It introduces the principle of checking the grabbing arm to monitor and control its position before simultaneously blocking and counter striking. This Yakusoku Kumite VII … Read More

Spread the wordYakusoku Kumite VI shows how to bait an attacker with a false target while introducing the principle of simultaneously blocking/grabbing and striking. It also introduces the principle of shifting and rotating your body to remove the target. This … Read More

Spread the wordA bit of sad news today for Matsubayashi karateka around the world. This month they tore down Shoshin Nagamine’s Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu dojo. Shoshin Nagamine’s Dojo is Demolished. This was the birthplace of Matsubayashi Ryu where Matsubayashi practitioners … Read More

Spread the wordYakusoku Kumite V shows how to defend against and use kicks while introducing the principle of simultaneously blocking/grabbing and reflexively kicking. It also introduces the principle of constantly changing angles and counter attacking from the sides. This Yakusoku … Read More

Spread the wordYakusoku Kumite IV introduces how to defend against an attack from behind using the principle of simultaneously blocking and counter striking. This is after first trapping the attacker’s grabbing hand while turning to face the attacker. This Yakusoku … Read More

Spread the wordYakusoku Kumite III shows how to immobilize an attacker’s arms and introduces the principle of simultaneously blocking and stuffing both of the attacker’s arms to temporarily immobilize them. It also demonstrates using the block to open a vulnerable … Read More

Spread the wordYakusoku Kumite II shows how to yield to set up attacker for counter strike and introduces the principle of conditioning or setting up the attacker by initially yielding to lure him in while recognizing a repetitive attack. Then … Read More

Spread the wordYakusoku Kumite I shows how to intercept an attack with a strike and introduces the principle of intercepting an attack with your own attack. This simple principle became well known as the foundation of Bruce Lee’s fighting style, … Read More

Spread the wordThis is a Yakusoku Kumite video breakdown of me and MJ practicing in our backyard during the COVID shutdown. It’s a followup to yesterday’s post, Yakusoku Kumite I-VII Video Research Study, to analyze a more current video of … Read More

Spread the wordThis is a research study of a wide variety of readily available online video examples of Yakusoku Kumite I-VII. When learning, studying, practicing and perfecting such material under the supervision of a qualified local instructor, be sure to … Read More

Spread the wordIn addition to the Baduanjin Qigong exercises mentioned in a previous post, I began practicing these Tai Chi Meditative Movements outside in the fresh air and sunshine during the Wuhan coronavirus shutdown. Fresh air and sunshine is great … Read More

Spread the wordThis Qigong Nourishing the Kidneys exercise is another that I added to my Baduanjin Qigong exercise routine. I started practicing these outside in the fresh air and sunshine for some stress reducing meditation during the Wuhan Coronavirus lock-down. … Read More

Spread the wordDuring the Wuhan Coronavirus lock-down I began practicing my Baduanjin Qigong exercises outside in the fresh air and sunshine for some stress reducing meditation and COVID stress relief. In these troubled times being stuck at home due to … Read More

Spread the wordCheck out the journey! This video shows the progression from the beginning of my training at 4 years old in 2004, to 16 years later in 2020. I cannot remember a time when I was not involved in … Read More

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