I taught in a Dojo for over 30 years. There was my first teacher who opened a location for me to teach in. And then I opened my own Dojo in 2000 and it all was an amazing experience. But making great students is hard work. And not because of physical demands either. Martial Art Training. What is the Depth of your Study?

Martial Art Training what is the Depth of your Study?

How do most students train in a martial art system? They learn something new to get past it, and learn something else. Look at Kata as an example. My system has way too may Kata. Why do i say this? Because the student does spend enough time beyond memorization of movement, and polishing it up to look good.

Do they understand what is happening? In Martial Art Training what is the Depth of your Study?

Some will interpret an Kata or movement in a Kata, and then this Waza, and it is a Waza become a doctrine. The problem is that is one seize fits all. No two attackers move exactly the same.  These interpretations, while good need, to be discarded as soon as they are learned. 

And martial arts Waza or Technique tends to be about what the student want to do, or what the teacher wants to teach, and not about what the attacker is GOING TO DO.

Martial Art Training what is the Depth of your Study? - Kumite?

Now many will not like this. Kumite is not an answer to anything. It is SPORT. And while is has its place it is not how real life is. To focus on this as anything other than a small part, maybe 10% of the total picture is a mistake.

And all Kumite, and there are many different kinds, are the child of Kata. And therefore inherently not the answer to any question. They are themselves a question. 

Why do people wish to focus on something and then make a God of it it? I recall many years ago being in New Brunswick to train with World Budo Alliance founder Dave Degrouchie.  He taught some brutal Waza at the seminar. But then told all in attendance, "now remember this is unless. You must create variations to be successful." And that is true learning! He understands the real essence of training!

Martial Art Training what is the Depth of your Study? - Kata

How often I have had students tell me "they know" the Kata. WOW, I do not know them. I have memorized them. But I still find new things locked inside! Martial Art Training what is the Depth of your Study?

Are you looking for a promotion or to actually learn and understand? So, what should the depth of study be? As deep as you can possible go, and then revisit the subject more.

There is ONLY ONE martial art. And that is the art of study. The style or signature is secondary.  All martial arts, systems have something of value to learn.

Martial Art Training what is the Depth of your Study in Conclusion

The object is to learn and train. And then train harder and learn more. Dedicate time to your training and stick to it.

The benefits are for a lifetime! Thank you for reading Martial Art Training what is the Depth of your Study?

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Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

Highest form of Martial Art

To my mind this is essentially calling me violent of nature, or a fraud for posting the information. But you see that kind of thing a lot in "society". People will read a few lines of text, or watch a 2 minute video and judge who you are.  I had a man on Facebook attack me over my cane teachings,

Now he apologies when he realized he was dead wrong. However you can perhaps see why i would love to see all Social Media go. It simply does not serve us, but like a drug destroys lives. 

Highest form of Martial Art

But this leads me to the question at hand. What is the primary focus of my teachings? The Art of Self Defense.  That is not beating someone up in a ring. I would like to see that go too. Nor it is about preemptively hurting someone you think might hurt you. When I was much younger I did think that way. 

I teach the Art of Escape first. It is not better to do no harm? To end the conflict without violence or harm to yourself or the other person? This to me is the Highest form of Martial Art. 

And then if this cannot be accomplished to only do what is necessary to end the conflict? As an example if some throws a punch at me, and I move, then taking control of the arm. Pressing hard at HT-02 and dropping the man to the ground, screaming in pain, have I done harm? Or taught a lesson? There would be no permanent damage from this pressure point activation example.

Could this be done? Possible, when you move correctly and on time. in other words the Highest form of Martial Art.

Do No Harm - Highest form of Martial Art

At its highest form the martial arts should be about escaping, doing no harm. The desire to harm another person without true just cause is a function of pure ego. It is time to become better than this. 

I truly believe in my student creed to "to only fight to protect my life and lives of others." I do not see winning a trophy or revenge in there do you? Many in this "modern" failed society will disagree with me. But karma will be there's. It was Jesus who said "to live by the sword is to die by the sword." That is a modern paraphrase of the quote, non the less true.  I teach a martial art of peace. And it is not about me, but the teachings. Only do harm if there is no other option available. And sometimes that is the case.

Highest form of Martial Art in Conclusion

As long as safety, honour, etiquette, and sportsmanship are a focus. But honestly I have not seen that in decades. 

Perhaps you consider what I am saying to be harsh? But do you think we are currently going in the correct direction? The issue we have worldwide with corruption is not solely the fault of the corrupt. But our fault for allowing it to happen in the first place. And for what end? Smartphones, another car? Allowing our children to be indoctrinated in an EVIL ideology.

Time for the martial arts to grow up, come of age and take it proper place in society. If you are interested in what I teach there is a free course below you can join.

Thank you for reading the Highest form of Martial Art.

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Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

Plus, I was right too. And I have never regretted that decision. 

But I continued to learn, real learning. Here are some of my studies aside from martial arts.

Be a Professional Martial Art Student:

1. World Religions and Philosophies
2. Auto Mechanics
3. Fitness industry
4. Marketing, business,etc
5. Languages
6. Computers, Hardware, operating systems like Linus, Cyber threats etc

Be a Professional Martial Art Student

This is not everything, but you get the point. Now martial arts is a study I have such a great passion for. And Kosho is truly a life long study because it is about nature. The natural laws that govern how the body works.

In other words it is also an extension of my Kyusho studies, but far beyond that! And how this can be applied to not just martial movement and training but also real street self defense. 

But to do this requires dedication to yourself, There are sacrifices to be made. Perhaps it means skipping that Starbucks coffee to purchase education material? Personally I made great financial sacrifices for my education. Or giving up the "programs" on TV that are polluting your mind. Do you really need to be entertained? 

Especially turning off those who lie endlessly like CNN. Liars lie, and can never be trusted again. Logging off Facebook and Instagram. And doing something positive for yourself, and therefore for your family and loved ones.

Be a Professional Martial Art Student in Conclusion

Yet people still spend hours per day there. They could be educating themselves.

There is one thing in life you have in great abundance, TIME. You have all there is, there is no way to get more. When someone says "i have no time" that means they do not want to do something.

I never bother with those people. Then there are others I call "time vampires" who want to waste your time "chatting" on some application. Sorry, NO I do not chat. 

Consider this please...

I hope you will join me on this journey. 

Thank you ofr reading Be a Professional Martial Art Student.

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I hope you enjoyed reading Be a Professional Martial Art Student And please visit our Preservation of Martial Art History page.

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!

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Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

Your Students Rank You

Now I will state I love the system!  And the reason is that it does inspire students to learn and train. But once again people take things too far!

I recall when my son got his 4th Dan in Hapkido. One gentleman I was associated with made the comment about "hating" seeing young people with high rank. This was the day I met Shidoshi Buchan actually.

I recall Shidoshi saying "I agree, you are 10th Dan and how old?" This man was about 45.  Then Shidoshi said, "go on the floor with him like I have and tell me he does not deserve it."

Once again too many people worrying about what others are doing, and not worried about what they are doing. 

So what is my point here? Your students rank you! If you suck, you have no students, or you cannot keep them because you have nothing to offer, the again you have no students. 

Your Students Rank You

What is my rank? Honestly what does it matter? You ether like what I have to offer as a teacher, or you do not. I had a man email me a while back asking "who I was to "give out" rank in Kyusho?"

First I do not "give out" anything. But second, who was he to ask? I replied and he was very nice in his response. Perhaps he did not want to ask my teach if I was qualified?

Personally I view rank as teaching credentials. This is based on how much I have learned and can offer to the student. If I am a 9th Degree but only have enough materials to teach to 2nd Degree then there is a problem. Right? Make sense?

I do not view this as an "worship me because I am..." You students rank you! They do not give you the certificate, but they decide how real you are!

Your Students Rank you

Years ago there was a rumor floating around my Dojo that I got all my rank from the internet and earned none of it. I knew who said it. So one night after class as he was getting dressed after a shower I walked in and said " i hear I got all my ran from paying people online?"

He said, "Yes so and so was saying this."  My reply was "well if I am fake, then so is he and you."  The response was "I never thought of that." And the reason for rumors? I kicked one of them out of the school for dating a student, who was underage. 2 Rules violated there. Actually 3 because when I confronted him he lied about it.

I am, as I said a big fan of the system. Most of all I am not pursuing anything at all for myself. I just do not find it motivating personally any longer. And I never talk about my rank. If you really want to know you can look at my bio page, which I am not linking.

Your Students Rank You

Most of all it is about learning

It is about learning. And I have the ability to learn, and to pass it on to others. If you want rank and deserve it I do not mind doing that. However I love it when someone only want to learn and train.

Perhaps that is why the majority of my audience is over 45, and as high as 87. Recently i had someone question me about my "right" to teach Kosho. "You have no experience." Funny how someone can, never have met me, know everything about me?? I wish I was that insightful.

Then he saw a video from 2004 with an Octagon on my Dojo floor, painted into the mats, and said "opps, sorry."

Do I have rank in Kosho? Yes, but i teach it because it is so important. Not for any other reason. 

Your Students Rank you in Conclusion

Not about "winning" and getting rich. Or about lying and backstabbing, virtual signalling which is what the failed western culture has become. 

We must be better then this. Your students rank you. Think about that.

Thank you for reading Your Students Rank You.

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Thank you for taking time to read this article called Your Students Rank You! Also please checkout our History of the Martial Arts page. 

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!

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Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

What is Subtle Martial Arts Movement? It comes from cloaking what you are doing in response to an attacker. And it comes from taking the BIG motions first learned in the martial arts and making them smaller movement.  Using the lower base of the body to move correctly and on time.

Subtle Martial Arts Movement

Today martial arts is about competition. And competition has nothing to do with life. I know so many great martial artists my age who stopped learning decades ago. Today these men and women remissness on Facebook about their glory days. 

And the saddest part is, they stopped learning. My biggest strong suit is I have a deep thirst to learn. And over the years in the arts I have come realization that when someone tells me they "have it' or "understand it' this means they DO NOT.

That is a pure function of ego talking. One of my favorite quotes of all time is "I am the wisest man in the world because I know I know nothing" from Socrates. And in today's culture of 'experts' you see this truth. I have never met an expert in my life. Many who "claim" to be, but really only egotists. I am nothing other than a student.

Martial Arts lost its BITE when people began to show off.

Subtle Martial Arts Movement - Social Media

Social Media like Facebook or Instagram are parasites. They build false egos in people because they can pretend to be something they are not. So tell me are all these pretty young females showing of kicks to teach people to kick? Or to simply attract comments about their bodies? Exploitation to build ego.

Why would ANYONE want to show off, and tell whom ever could be stalking you on these social media platforms what you can do? And yes stalking on social media is easy. Anyone can do it.

And then there are all the people who send me their "fight" videos. I do not care about this crap!  It is very sad that people now, think this is what martial arts stands for. Pathetic tough guy competitions that PROVE NOTHING!

Subtle Martial Arts Movement - Self Defense

Martial Arts should be SUBTLE. It is not bragging rights. Self Defense, TRUE self defense is FIRST to concur the self. Control the ego! Then to prepare for something you pray will never happen, the need to hurt another human being. You have NO RIGHT to do so, unless it is your life or someone else's life at stake because of anothers violence.

Yet today in the FAILED Western Culture violence is entertainment. And of course since everyone insists on showing off everything they can do there are no surprises for the attackers. They are prepared, you are not. 

What is the art of stealth? Cloaking your motion outside of the visual plane of an attacker.  Keeping quiet about your training. Never showing off or fighting for selfish reasons. You must learn about Subtle Martial Arts Movement.

Subtle Martial Arts Movement Conclusion

So when someone attacks you on the street and you get destroyed do not complain.  Because you need to show off this will be your Karma.

Back about 2 years ago I read where some big MMA star got destroyed in a bar by a civilian. It looks good on him, Obviously if you cannot control yourself in a bar you get what you have coming to you.  Today when someone asks me about martial arts it is always, "did you see that fight??" No longer "what are the arts about? How can I learn." 

Enough said.

Thank you for reading Subtle Martial Arts Movement.

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Recently I had someone come to me looking for high rank, a promotion, without proper substantiation of anything. Also not wanting to pay because of the "pandemic" BS. I think we have had enough of that CRIMINAL LIE for a lifetime.

But also pushing the work "humanitarian" reasons. I did not resurrect the WBA  for people who are corrupted to get rank. Sorry this is NOT a promotion site. It is here to spread the values and teachings of the martial arts for the world.

Not for fight clubs to promote themselves or for person gain.

I hope you enjoyed this article called Subtle Martial Arts Movement.

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!

Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!

Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

Why Kosho Ryu?

Most importantly we are seeing the results we see today.

Long time friendships and families destroyed over A LIE. You are a fool if you do not see this! And I mean this statement. These people only cared of the themselves to begin with. Now you see the real person. Most of all when you question these people they get angry! Should tell you something.

But that being said I believe that the values taught in some, but not all martial arts are a way back. And I believe in the teaching of Kosho, so Kosho Ryu is a way back because it is an Art of Peace. The art of escape, to do not harm unless there is NO other option. Sadly this is not main stream martial art thought.

Why Kosho Ryu? Why Now??

Second, people need effective self defense. The information out today is the usual one size fits all quick fix. Or the illusion that sport martial systems offer the solution. And again I say illusion. Most of all Kosho is no quick fix. However you can learn to escape effectively, quickly and in a short time.

This world somehow 'believes' in instant. I hear people every day with the "when is this going to happen" mantra. You must give time to time. I know of one man who is very concerned about self defense. He wants me to say something he will agree with and all will be well. Over 4 years ago I pushed him to train, but he has done almost nothing. Yet he wants results. 

There is nothing I can do to help this man. His ego is too big, even though he is a coward. Funny how that works.

Wolf's Den Dojo - Why Kosho Ryu?

And finally I am looking for people who may be interested in serious Kosho Ryu study. Beyond distance learning, at my Wolf Den Dojo over the years to come. Today I am thrilled to announce that Master Philip Welch, a long time student of mine is joining me in Romania for this project. This is very exciting.

He is a livelong martial arts student having experience in Aikido, Hapkido with me, Kosho Ryu and Kyusho Jitsu. Plus other attributes. 

The world will need dedicated martial art teachers in the future. We have enough coaches now. Sport is not the way. In truth I do not believe these barbaric, tough guy competitions will not be allowed to continue in the coming world. It is time to renounce violence as sport. I cannot believe people think watching someone beat someone's in the face is entertainment. This is a very sad reflection on what is left of society. So see why Kosho Ryu?

Why Kosho Ryu? in Conclusion

If you are totally new to Kosho Ryu, the Art of Escape, the art of Peace there is a free course below. So why Kosho Ryu? Why now? I think you can see my reasons.

Thank you for reading Why Kosho Ryu?

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I hope you enjoyed this article Why Kosho Ryu.  

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!

Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!

Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

 And even a few who can claim Bruce Lee.  

And those who can make these claims often fight among each other as to what these pioneers taught.

Aikido is divided by 2 main schools of taught on what Ueshiba taught. One focuses on his early teachings and the other on his later teachings. So which is correct? Who is the most important martial art teacher?

Most Important Martial Art Teacher?

I look at the James M Mitose linage and controversy. Thomas Mitose claiming the rights to the art of Kosho Ryu, yet everything I have seen him do, while a talented man, is not Kosho.  However Bruce Juchik can prove the linage with signed papers. Yet many try to refute this. 

Many try to tell you because they learned directly from this person or that person they are therefore GREAT martial arts masters.  Now I am not saying this is not important, only that is does not mean what people think it does.

Because I was taught pressure points, Kyusho Jitsu directly in person by Grand Master Steve Stewart does that make me great? Certainly NOT. I could spend 10 years with him and learn nothing! 

But egos keep getting in the way.

Egos - Most Important Martial Art Teacher

Look at the pathetic website "bullshido." Seriously? men and or women with such HUGE egos they feel the need to protect people from fraudulent martial arts and teachers. And how? Because they are so smart they can judge a teacher or style from a video or two? Ridiculous. 

And I am sure if I was to waste some of my life talking to these guys they would be the first to tell me of their credentials and who they learned from. I hope you do not follow this kind of tabloid crap.

Who is your Most Important Martial Art Teacher?

Most Important Martial Art Teacher in Conclusion

A martial arts teacher is a mentor, not a God. Only I can decide how much I can learn.  And open my mind to learn without for prejudices about what I like and do not like.

It is like in the movie Enter the Dragon when Bruce Lee points out to his student about his finger pointing to the moon.  Do not look at the teacher, but focus on the teaching. Do not seek to be like the master rather seek what the master sought. 

Thank you for reading Most Important Martial Art Teacher.

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Thank you for taking time to read this article called Most Important Martial Art Teacher. 

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!

Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!

Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

Only hurt people, hurt people. As we study the subject of self defense, we know that the mental aspects of self defense, are the most important, and most common.

Only hurt people, hurt people

Physical attacks are rare, and can mostly be avoided by being aware of how we act, where we are, etc. However, attacks on our mental well being, happen all the time, and attacks on our mental well being, come from many sources. For the purpose of today’s article, I’m going to focus on bullying.

Much is covered in today’s society on the subjects of bully prevention, and coping as a bullying victim. Two problems though:

1. Not enough focus on what drives a bully in the first place
2. Most of the focus, is on childhood bullies and their victims.

To me, focusing on children, is a great “bottom-to-top” approach. Teach kids when they are young, so that when they are adults, they behave towards others better, teach their children, etc. The turn around is decades away of course, as these children have to grow up, but there is good in it. I don’t think, we invest enough in the “top-to-bottom” approach however. Teach adults how to understand bullying, not let it affect them, and raise their kids in a world of confidence, and lead-by- example ability to love themselves without having to rip others apart. Kids mimic adults.

Bullying - Only hurt people, hurt people

Bullying education of children, is in vain, unless we have bullying education of adults. This is why the problem worsens over the years, never gets better. It’s human nature, to want to be liked, and treated well by others. Sadly, being an emotionally unstable animal, is also human nature.

 Someone will always want to hurt you in some way, some day. The first step in not being a victim, is not giving a shit. The first step in building the ability to not give a shit, is understanding what is behind the behavior. Next, are 6 behavioral drivers, of the common adult bully.

 Think of someone that has attacked you via social media, or treats you like shit at work, etc. See if you can bag them into one of the 6 behavioral drivers below. Bet you can, and maybe more than just one. Especially, if you know anything about their current life, or past:

Only hurt people, hurt people - Perceived threats: 

• The aggressor may see you as a threat to their business, ego, or persona they have built for themselves, due to dissatisfaction of their normal selves.
• Desire for Power: We live in a world where people are the most power hungry they have ever been. Silence is confidence.. Those that make noise, need those looking on to think they are the “one”.
• Revenge: Doesn’t matter if the bully is right or wrong in their perception. If they think you wronged them and they are already mentally weak, you will become the absolute focus of their attention.
• Cowardice: Gotta love the internet. A weak fool can attack you without really confronting you, get other jackasses to “like” what has been put out there, and the bully finds a few extra pounds of fake confidence each time. Then they get louder.
• Sadism: Sadly, some people just like to beat others down.
• Unsolved Past Trauma: If someone has been made to feel small, they may dedicate their being to making others feel small. These types, normally piggy back on the behavior of a stronger minded bully, and take things to a higher level. They take comfort in the original bully’s support, and use his/her back bone as their own.

In a nutshell, only hurt people, hurt people. If someone is mentally or emotionally attacking you, it’s because in their own diminished mind, that is the only way they know to feel better. To displace.

Only hurt people, hurt people

If we see any of the above behavioral drivers in ourselves, and we work to face the cause, we are then the ones who can actually stop bullying. That, is where the chain needs to be broken. Top-down.

In self defense, the only attack that successfully lands, is the one not seen coming. Never forget that. In a physical situation, it can be a punch to the side of the head, delivered from an angle you didn’t see. BANG! In an emotional or mental situation, it is the attack you don’t understand, that causes you to wonder, and dwell. From there, comes the weight, stress, and in truth, the delivery of the attack on you. BANG!

Only hurt people, hurt people

In a physical encounter, if you see the attack coming, you can deal with it. You will either stop it entirely, or move in a way to diminish it’s effect. So it won’t floor you, and you won’t pay attention to it past the conflict moment. In a mental, or emotional encounter, if you understand why the attack is happening, you will be able to brush it aside so it won’t floor you, and you won’t pay attention to it, past the conflict moment.

Bullying stops, when we stop doing it, and stop being victimized. First step, is understanding what makes the bully tick. Only hurt people, hurt people.

Grand Master Dave DeGrouchie

I hope you enjoyed the article called Only hurt people, hurt people! And checkout my latest eBook called Kosho Ryu the Awakened Mind. 

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!

Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!

Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

Stress and Self Defense

They live calm lives with very little conflict in them. We do not live in the middle ages where most men did not die of old age or illness, they died from violence of some type.  And while our streets are still relatively safe, back in the days of the masters of old they were far from it. Men like Morihei Ueshiba and his teacher Sokaku Takeda spent time in wars. And these are not like the wars today. 

Please note I have great respect for the military. And war is war. But today this is not a way of existence for most. Especially in the Western Cultures. 

Stress and Self Defense

I have taught countless seminars and self defense classes. And my approach is not the same as any I have seen aside from a few. And this is because I do understand that some are capable of defending themselves and other are NOT.

Some will never be! And the late 90's idea of adrenaline stress training, suiting someone up like the Michelin man, having them hurl obscenities and attack the student is a JOKE. It does more harm than good. MUCH more HARM. You cannot take the same approach with a civilian as a military person. 

Stress and Self Defense

Stress and Self Defense, teach the student to be a good coward first!  Then you can teach them to fight, once they are confident they can run first. 

If a man has a phobia, lets say getting on an elevator.How do you help him? Day by day you move him closer to the doors of the elevator. He will never become unafraid, that is a lie. But in time he will become braver. Then one day he can use the elevator.

But today people believe the idea that there is instant anything. And martial arts training is NOT about a trophy, winning a fight, or a belt rank. It is a study of the self, and become a better well rounded GOOD person. The ability to defend one's self is a byproduct.

And the martial arts are arts of peace. Some are from the military, but most come from Buddhism were "doing no harm" is the highest purpose. 

Old Man's Martial Art - Stress and Self Defense

How many belts you can collect. 

it is about continuous learning, and developing in a way you can still be effective well into your old age. I wrote an article some time back called An Old Man's Martial Art: The Ageless Path of Budo. Perhaps give it a read. 

Stress and self defense, how do you properly handle it? Teach your students to escape first. No matter who they think they are. Ego is a terrible thing. And pride always goes before the fall.  Learning the art of escape also instills the value of life in people. And that is lacking today. Today's world is about money and things. Nothing wrong with either until they become the reason you live.

Stress and Self Defense, learn to be a good coward first.

Stress and Self Defense in Conclusion

I know because after almost 40 years full time I am always learning. And I love to share what I learn. Young people will do as they always do. They will ignore those who have come before them, assuming they in their youth have all the answers, when they do not even know the question.

I was asked recently how I remain so clam.  I meditate, and I train. The mind and the body. But not in convention ways. And people do not like that answer because it means work, not instant guaranteed results. 

Your training should teach you something very important. The is to "live through humility, by example."  Please consider this, and learn to be a good coward and train in the art of escape until you become calmer inside. 

Thank you for reading Stress and Self Defense.

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I hope you enjoyed this article on Stress and Self Defense.

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!

Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!

Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason

I have coached with many other high level business people. And besides I have no issues, no wants. She should be picking my brain. 

But the same is true of the martial arts world, perhaps even more so. It is filled with experts who think they know everything. That is pretty impressive too! After almost 40 year I know how much I do not know, how much there is still to learn! 

Listen to your Elders!

Listen to your Elders

Our elders in the field have knowledge few ever tap into. My mother was the wisest person I ever knew and I would sit for hours listening to her. She passed in 2015 at 96. I still miss those talks.

And the masters of old in the martial arts are the same. They are a wealth of knowledge for us. But, do we really pay attention? When I watch the infighting within the different arts after the passing of the founder it becomes obvious little was learned by the student.

I know myself what I taught is the 80's is not what I taught in the 90's. And by the early 2000's it was different again!  Today in 2022 what I teach has evolved again. And what is the cause of the evolution? I listen to those who are my teachers who have more EXPERIENCE. 

Now this is not foolproof. I can think of many people older than me who are as dumb as a rock. But that does not mean I do not listen to them. Because I still may find some value within.  do you Listen to your Elders?

Listen to your Elders in Conclusion

Sharing my mothers final years with her, letting her pass at home rather than the jokes they call hospitals in the west was an experience I would never trade. 

And I learned from her till the moment she passed. And even today her words of wisdom are still with me. For those of you who studied with one of the these great masters of the arts.

Rather then bragging, boasting about it, perhaps reflect on what you learned?  Listen to your Elders, they are a wealth beyond measure to those who eyes and ears are open. 

Thank you for taking time to read Listen to your Elders.

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Thank you for taking time to read this article called Listen to your Elders. Also checkout our History of the Martial Arts page. Do you Listen to your Elders?

Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!

Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!

Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason