Martial Arts - Where Can it Take you ?

There are many different reasons why people get involved with martial arts. Their health, a challenge, to meet new people, gain new skills and knowledge , to compete, to own their own school and of course a Black Belt.

Martial arts has changed in many ways since its warrior beginnings. From the day a student first begins their motivations and goals may change and in some cases change to something they never saw coming. This was the case for me.

When I first began training in martial arts in 1970 I was 15 years old and had dreams of gaining a skillset only seen in the movies. As time went on those initial reasons changed and with each change it seemed to mysteriously guide me to the instructor that would satisfy those reasons. By that time I understood martial arts in a far different way that changed it from an activity with a goal to a complete way of life that played itself out over the next 55 years. It became my life, my religion and my total focus and during those decades I trained 6 days a week 3 to 6 hours a day

When I first started I had no idea where it was going to take me, who would teach me and who I would eventually teach. I had no idea that I would have a famous teacher that was a pioneer of martial arts in America. I had no idea that I would land on his senior teaching staff where I would teach for many years. I had no idea I would co-found a new school with 2 partners that would have 3 locations that would continue in business for 26 years. I had no idea I would teach thousands of students including law enforcement, FBI Agents and military specialists. I had no idea that I would spend 36 years in the study of herbs, dit da jows and alternative medicine. I Had no idea that I would travel throughout many countries in Asia and teach in Vietnam and the Philippines. I had no idea that I would get married as a result of this travel and have a house in both Northern California and the Philippines. I had no idea that I would be inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. When I first started I was a kid with dreams of a skillset few had and a black belt...What followed was the life path that martial arts led me down.

So, where will your interest in martial arts take you ? Have your initial reasons for beginning changed yet ? Is it still an activity or is it a way of life ?

What it will take is discipline, devotion and consistency to find out.

But most of all Belief. Belief in your system of martial arts, belief in your teachers and most of all belief in yourself. In my martial art there are Seven Gates to Mastery;

Belief - Respect - Appreciation - Hope - Love - Humility - Mastery

Without Belief none of the rest are possible.