Forging is a common metaphor when talking about training, whether it is in the martial arts, the military, or anywhere else that people lea...

So you do budo?  What exactly does that mean?   It’s some kind of moving zen right?   Or maybe Taoist philosophy?  After all, the character...

After hearing me comment about what a great day I’d had at Judo practice, a friend of mine lamented the fact that there is no one senior to...

The classical arts of Japan (pre-1868) have a very different structure from the modern arts. The classical arts are entirely defined by the...

Up until last February, I had what I found to be a fairly strong Hiki Otoshi Uchi strike in Shinto Muso Ryu. Then I had the chance to t...

There are no advanced techniques.  Really.  Early in my budo career, I was looking for the secret techniques and mysterious skills that wou...

Dr. Ann Maria Rousey, former World Judo Champion and champion budo mother of Ronda Rousey (yes, that Ronda Rousey) has her own blog.  The la...

My favorite Judo teacher, Hikkoshiso Sensei, was an impervious 55 year old 6dan when I met him. He loved randori, but most people in the la...

We study martial arts.  That should mean we’re here to learn.  How we approach learning, the attitude we carry with us in the dojo is criti...