Not everyone is built for this

Guys,

I am going to ask a question that may effect my bottom line one day. Has it ever occured to you that not everyone has what it takes to become a black belt? Becoming a legitimate black belt requires a serious commitment. Being a tough guy is NOT enough. It is about a lot more than just being able to physically perform. Not everyone has the patience, perseverance and drive to become a black belt, just like becoming a doctor or lawyer. It is for the determined and for the commited. So if you want to practice the martial arts, good for you. If you want to TRAIN to become a black belt even better.

How long does it take?

Folks,

I have to say that the MOST aggravating question about martial arts training, is usually one of the most common. When people find out that I am a martial artist they first ask " Are you a black belt?" After my reluctant answer in the affirmative, they usually tell me about their ten your old neice or nephew who also wears a black belt. Notice I said wear. They actually say "is" a black belt, but real martial artists KNOW that one cannot be a legitimate black belt at 10.

When I mention that I have been training for my entire life in the martial arts, they usually ask when I got my black belt. When I tell them at age "19" they usually trip out. They ask me why so long, and I tell them that there is more to black belt than physical skills and techniques. I tell them that I had NO control over my anger when I was younger, and that my father would not award me a black belt until I had more control.

They almost look relieved when I tell them that, like 16 years is FAR too long to achieve a goal worth achieving. Then, the question comes " Well how long does it usually take to get a black belt." Not earn, "get." Well, after I say my internal " dont get mad" mantra, I say "Well, it depends. On how long and how often you train." I say something like, " Well if you train 4 times a week or so, and about 75 minutes a class, I would say about 4 years or so." Then I wait for the shock.

"FOUR years?!!? Why so long?" Then they tell me again about the person they know who got theirs in 2 years at the ( Insert name here) "Kroddy" school. After I swallow the revulsion, I try to explain logically. Think of a black belt in terms of high school. It takes 4 years to get the basics down pat. A black belt is NOT the end, it is the beginning. It is like a high school diploma." Martial arts is a LONG path to mastery. To be competent is one thing. To absorb and ingest all of the benefits that martial arts has to offer, it takes a while. In four years of steady training, I can teach a person how to adequately utilize a functional comprehensive curiculuum. I can give a solid foundation on how to defend ones-self against MOST types of attack in that time.

Fact is folks, I am unapologetic about my time frame. I will NOT disrespect my teacher or my belief in martial arts value by giving any shortcuts. I have yet to award a black belt, but I do NOT feel like I HAVE to award one. I will NOT award one to anyone under 18. It is what I believe and I will not compromise principle for profit. Fact is that most of us could drive at age 15. The law says that you have to wait until you are 16. I will NOT award a black belt to a "child" in the eyes of the law.

For the folks who possess exceptional aptitude and a high learning curve, good for you, But if you really understand what the martial arts are all about, the wait should NOT worry you. All good things come to those who are diligent, not just patient. So dont focus on the belt, work hard and enjoy your training. It makes the path seem a LOT shorter. This is coming from your friend, Anthony Thomas, Kenpo iconoclast!

" That technique doesnt work"

Folks,

I remember when MMA was just catching on with the mainstream. Classes teaching "NHB" techniques were popping up all over. Their "instructors" were telling people with their chests all puffed out that traditonal styles were BS, and that they fought "the stuff that really works'" Traditional martial artists felt a bit of a sting, and some of them abandoned their traditional art to learn what "really worked." People with no martial arts training were pleased that they had not "wasted" all of their time of flowery stuff that had no real use "in the cage."

Jump to about 2006-ish and a funny thing started happening. That crap that didnt work started producing some stunning knockouts in MMA cages around the world. For those of you who did not start watching MMA until 2006 or so, watch David " The Crow" finish someone with a spinning back kick to the liver. What he said in his post fight interview gave traditional artists all kinds of internal happy. In the interview, Dave, who had been lauded for his Muay Thai gave a ringing traditional art endorsement. When asked about the spinning kick he said." I am a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do." The rumbling that you felt at that time was likely the collective hearts of us TMA guys thumping in unison.

Now these days, we have seen all of the crap that "doesnt work" used in MMA. Nevermind that MMA is NOT the ultimate proving ground for usefel technique. But we have seen Shonie Carter seperate Matt Serra from his senses. We have seen Mirko Cro-Cop land a vicious ax kick on Mark Hunt. We have seen Mauricio Rua separate Ricardo Arona and Forrest Griffin from their consciousness with hammer fists. We have seen Anderson Silva use a reverse elbow to poster-ize Tony Fryklund. We have seen a capoeirist land a tornado kick for a spectacular finish. And of course my personal favorite, Lyoto Machida sent Randy Cotoure to hang with the sandman by way of jumping switch front kick.

Now as 2012 slowly unravels, ask yourself, do you really believe that stuff doesnt work? As my fellow Kenpoist Ras Fletcher, head of the ATACX GYM says, " It is NOT what you know, but how you train." Wise words, and with that I bid you a fair adieu. My dog is giving me major sad eyes, and I have to go pet him.

Happy New Year, and all of that jazz.

Folks,

I am not big on resolutions. I feel that you should begin something once you feel that it will benefit you. Nobody would hesitate to cash a winning lottery ticket, so putting off something positive doesnt make much sense to me. So as someone who loves all of youse, keep an open mind, and train your mind body and spirit like never before in 2012.

Be well!

I know, just bear with me

Folks,

I know that I talk about kata a lot, and I apologize....Wait no I dont. Kata is important, and it needs to be spoken of. There are still a lot of people who claim that kata is useless. Well, you may not beat someone up with a kata, but that is not what they are for. Kata build explosive movement, flexibility and focus. Does that sound like something that you might use in a fight? Iin my mind, kata helps fighters in the same way that yoga does.

Sure, there are some nay-sayers who say that yoga is "New-Age crap." But most folks realize that flexibility and the ability to flow from one position to another is good thing. Lets take Rickson Gracie as an example. At 52 or 53 years old, he has not been tapped since he was 18. Since he learned the same Gracie Jiu-jitsu as everyone else, is it so unreasonable that his yoga is part of the difference between his success in GJJ and theirs? His videos on youtube of him practicing yoga are practically legendary in and of themselves. He has made yoga an integral part of his training. Do you think that it does not benefit him?

Yoga and kata build attributes, and fighters with excellent atributes win fights. Or maybe Brock Lesnar is just a fluke. Maybe GSP is also? I wouldnt count on it. Kata and yoga build attributes and body awareness. So how in the world can you say that kata doesnt work? Well, keep thinking it. Maybe I will keep all of the benefits for myself.









What is kata if not an alternate between flowing and powerful movements? I would love to preach more, but it is passed midnight and I am pooped. I have yoga class tomorrow.

So what exactly is Kenpo?

In my mind, Kenpo is easy to explain. It is the softest Karate, and the hardest Kung fu. That may sound a little vague but it isnt. Karate is known as a "hard" style. It has powerful linear striking, and short explosive movements. Kung Fu is known as a "soft" style. It has a lot of circular striking and evasive movement. Kenpo is a blend of both. I can use the Karate aspects on those who I can overpower, and I can use the Kung Fu aspects to flow around those who I cannot. It is the martial arts embodiment of the willow tree and the oak tree. I know, vague, go look it up :)

Bikram part trois

I have something to report: I still suck at yoga. BUT, I suck less than when I began. I have noticed 3 noticeable changes since I have began almost a month ago. If I may qoute Johnny Drama from Entourage "Victory!"

Results are the lubricant for motivation

Folks,

As you know I have been experimenting with Bikram Yoga. I stopped doing any form of exercises for the week that I started yoga. Result? 5 pounds lost with a smile. HAHA! I cant wait to see what happens when I combine it with my usual training. Onward to VICTORY!