There’s nothing more undignified than an old person trying to behave like a younger one.  If you train well over the years, it’s only natural that you lose the aggression and ignorance of youth and the bullishness gives way to wisdom, emotional intelligence, cunning and skill.  A problem only arises  if you don’t continue learning and hanker after that which is past, then it can become embarrassing if the OAP is trying to convince everyone that he still ‘has it’ – a bit like your Grandad trying to dance on a nightclub floor to the latest music. When someone has been … Continue reading Age With Dignity…

When I was in the Fire Brigade and worked in the Security Industry before the advent of mobile phones we used to use ‘RT’ (Radio Transmitters) where you would talk with the ‘transmit’ button pressed down and take your finger off the button to listen to what the other side of the conversation had to say.  This procedure has great relevance to learning and training in the Martial Arts today. Do you ever have that conversation with someone where you are acutely aware that they’re not listening to what you are saying but are only waiting to talk?  Or maybe … Continue reading The Art Of Listening

Be a saver not a spender. Every training session good or bad, Is a penny in the Training Bank. Day after day, Weeks after week, Year after year, The pennies accumulate; Until you have great martial arts wealth. Every seminar, course and lesson adds to the value. Every note you take, Every time you pay attention, Everything you contribute to your teacher and classmates, A penny drops in. Every meditation, Every time you stand straight, Every time you breathe deep, Every time you focus your mind, Another penny drops in. Bit by bit your power comes from within, And you’re … Continue reading The Training Bank