| You owe it to yourself to be the very best | | | | Training with a partner also helps with |
| you can be in everything you do - Why not in | | | | motivation. You don't feel like training, but |
| the martial arts as well? | | | | oops...your partner will be there, so you |
| | | | better not let them down. Just make sure your |
| These seven steps will help you along the | | | | training partner is a good one. I had to go |
| path to mastery in your martial arts training | | | | through eight before I found one that was |
| if you apply them. I can give them to you, | | | | good. |
| but if you don't take action it's just | | | | |
| another piece of knowledge that goes to | | | | Step 6: Clear Your Mind Before and After |
| waste. So start today and apply these seven | | | | Training- A busy mind can distract from your |
| simple steps and who knows you might be our | | | | discipline. Sit and just focus on your breath |
| next martial arts master... | | | | until your thoughts slow down. Start and end |
| | | | your training the same way. It will turn your |
| Step 1: Practice your martial arts throughout | | | | workout into a discipline and it does |
| the day - Here is the truth; you don't have | | | | something else... |
| to train hours a day. In fact, it's better to | | | | |
| take your training time and divide it into | | | | Step 7: Keep a Notebook of Your Training |
| two or three sections. Do a little in the | | | | Write in it everyday and use it. This is so |
| morning, a little in the afternoon, and a | | | | important. Ask any distance runner if they |
| little in the evening. Three 15 minute | | | | have a running log or weightlifter if they |
| sessions done everyday, or four times a week, | | | | keep records of their sessions. If you train |
| can revolutionize your skill level-and it's | | | | you need to keep notes. That is how you |
| easy. I could write a small book on this; its | | | | become a master. Read your journal or |
| number one for a reason. | | | | training log and keep track of what works. |
| | | | When you master the art, you will understand |
| Step 2: Have your goal in mind and train for | | | | this point. You must keep training notes if |
| it - You need to train the proper way or your | | | | you want to master your martial art. |
| wasting your time. For instance, if you want | | | | |
| to train your speed, don't waste your time on | | | | I actually have tons of tips, but I picked |
| exercises that aren't helping you progress | | | | the ones I use most. These seven are so |
| toward your goal. I see this a lot. During | | | | powerful that I really could write a whole |
| your workout always ask yourself, "Is what I | | | | book on them. Please do not underestimate |
| am doing right now getting me closer to or | | | | them because they seem easy and use common |
| farther from my goal. Don't underestimate | | | | sense. I have taught for over 21 years and |
| this. Wasted time is lost forever, and may | | | | the students that follow these tips are |
| actually hold you back. | | | | always the best ones. |
| | | | |
| Step 3: Pay attention to the beginning and | | | | A Final Thought |
| end of a motion, technique or exercise - You | | | | |
| must start and end right. Most people get | | | | In my martial arts school I teach that it's |
| sloppy on the end of the movement because | | | | the small things that make up the big things, |
| they think they have completed the motion and | | | | the whole is greater than the parts of the |
| are just returning to a starting position. | | | | sum. What I mean is that, each of the little |
| However, the end of a motion is just as | | | | things by themselves is just that, little |
| important because it is the beginning of your | | | | things, but put them together and you have a |
| next motion or next attacker. If you end | | | | very powerful approach! These seven tips are |
| wrong your next technique will start | | | | all good by themselves but together they can |
| wrong...that could cost you your life. | | | | really make the difference. So good luck and |
| | | | if there is anything myself or my staff can |
| Step 4: Let Your Body Tell You What Works For | | | | do to help you please give us a shout. |
| You - This takes faith in yourself and your | | | | |
| instructor. Do not let your mind get in the | | | | To Your Heath, |
| way by questioning everything you do. Let it | | | | |
| happen...it will. | | | | Robert Jones |
| | | | |
| Step 5: Find a Training Partner Train them | | | | The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts |
| and keep them. A training partner can make | | | | |
| the difference between failure and mastery. | | | | Bellevue, WA. |