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