How To Be Successful

Martial Art instructors have to learn to prioritise. If they’re in the Martial Arts their own personal development has to come first. I see club after club fail because the instructors don’t get this. Their personal martial art standard is bad, their lack of coaching and interpersonal skills are bad, they go to the wrong people for advice, their social media posts and videos only show how bad they are, they continue to throw good money after bad in promotion without addressing the one fundamental issue that is as plain as the nose on their face. The problem is that … Continue reading How To Be Successful

2026 Shi Kon Tai Chi Coaching Programme

No Previous Experience Necessary.This one day a month for 10 months programme will be taught personally by Steve Rowe 9th Dan and his team of assistants, Steve is an internationally renowned Tai Chi teacher, Chairman and founder of Shi Kon Martial Arts International.  The programme has been running for 9 years and has qualified over a 100 coaches, it is designed to certificate and give Tai Chi Students the ability to teach Tai Chi and run and administer a club to a basic level standard. Participants will be registered with Shi Kon Martial Arts International Association and the British Council … Continue reading 2026 Shi Kon Tai Chi Coaching Programme

The Missing Leg

Sat in the consultants office.The leg is infected, hot, red and swollen. The metal prosthetic rod that ran through the entire leg had now broken through the shin bone. It was a mess. “Go home, dial 999, it has to be amputated within 24 hours or you will die. It was 2021 in the middle of Covid, I was blue lighted into a hospital in chaos. By that point I’d had over 20 surgeries on my legs, 3 sepsis infections, 3 knee replacements in that leg including an antibiotic spacer, lost all my quadricep muscles on both legs, eventually having … Continue reading The Missing Leg

Old Man On A Bench

Old Man On A Bench Made me jump. I thought he was a statue; Just sitting there staring into time; People reach that age where they become invisible; Not fitting into social norms…. He was bolt upright. Neck firmly against his collar; Back ramrod straight; Breathing imperceptibly; No wonder I thought he was made of stone.. I was transfixed. I wondered what his life had been; What had he done? What had bought him to here, now? What could he teach us? We used to revere age and experience; Now we worship youth and stupidity; Dignity is sadly a thing … Continue reading Old Man On A Bench

What’s In It For Me?

  I hate the ‘what’s in it for me’ people. I love the people that support their family, club, association, charities and community. I love the students and instructors that support seminars, tournaments and courses and enjoy both the learning and social aspects of the gatherings. I love the Instructors that take all the right qualifications and continue their professional development. Those that register, licence and insure their students and are confident enough and not afraid to let them attend association and other seminars to widen their perspective. So many are happy enough to take their student’s money but are too … Continue reading What’s In It For Me?

Teaching Older People

  Many of us these days teach people in their 70’s and above and it’s important for us to understand that even if their memory and body is breaking down, they are still a senior citizen and should command respect. Don’t talk to them like they are a child, don’t get frustrated with them, be courteous, polite and break technique down until you find that which they are comfortable with. They deserve dignity, they have often served their country, bought up families and paid their dues. Don’t put your ambitions and expectations on them, often they only want to stay … Continue reading Teaching Older People

The Learning Process

The Learning Process The learning process of the mind, Is a specific process, It is important to understand, To be able to learn effectively. Shi Kon use a mnemonic acronym, As this is the best way to remember, If you refine this process, All learning will be easier. The acronym we use is ATARC, This is a specific order, One cannot be done effectively, Without the preparation of the other. A is for attitude, This is the most important, Unless this is in the correct state, Everything else will be wrong. Attitude is emotional intelligence, Putting nothing in the way … Continue reading The Learning Process