One of my best instructors, who taught brutal chokes, joint locks, and take downs, always emphasized the importance of safety and partner etiquette. He used to say, “We take good care of our toys.”
Today’s post by Jose Gilgado discusses how to design an environment that is safe, respectful, and supportive of proper training. See the end of the article for more information about the author.
Continue reading “Guest Writer: How to Design a Safe Environment in Martial Arts Academies”
Article by Tsahi Shemesh, Founder & CEO Krav Maga Experts
A father came into my school because he was worried about protecting his family.
He had children, a job, and the kind of schedule that makes it easy to put yourself somewhere near the bottom of your own list. He was about twenty pounds overweight. He wasn’t exercising regularly, and anxiety had become a bigger part of his life than he wanted. He wasn’t thinking about any of that when he contacted me. He was thinking about violence.
If someone tried to hurt his family, would he be able to do anything about it?
I understand that question because I’m a father too. Having children changes the way you calculate risk. Your physical ability is no longer relevant only to you. If something happens while your child is standing beside you, you may have to think, move and make decisions for more than one person.
So we started there.
Continue reading “Guest Writer: What Do You Owe the People Who Depend on You?”
Article by Matthew Olivar
As a short person in a kicking-heavy sport that favors people with long legs, I’ve always had to think carefully about range. This article offers tips, techniques, and concepts to be mindful of as you practice your combat sport, no matter your height. If you would like to contribute a guest article to Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines here. ~Melanie
Understanding the invisible skill that controls a fight.
A fighter can know how to throw a technically sound jab, round kick, double-leg takedown, elbow, or submission and still struggle to use any of them effectively.
The missing piece is often range.
Guest article by Yan Zhijun. For more information about the author and his website, see the bottom of the post.
I was not a good student. School bored me. I was restless, mischievous, and had no interest in sitting still long enough to learn anything. My parents looked at my grades, looked at my attitude, and worried — genuinely worried — about what kind of future I was heading toward.
One evening they sat me down and asked a question I was not expecting: Would you consider going to Shaolin?
The idea had come through a connection in our town. Someone my parents knew had a child already training at Tagou. We visited that family, heard their story, saw their photos. Something about it stuck. So in 1998, at the age of sixteen, I packed a bag and headed for Dengfeng.
Continue reading “Guest Writer: My Kung Fu Journey – My Shaolin Kung Fu Training Story at Tagou”
Article by Master Jaysen Ishida, taekwondo practitioner, dojang owner, and head instructor instructor of 9th Island Taekwondo. See bio at bottom of post.
The greatest benefits of martial arts are not always seen during class. Learning new skills helps children build confidence. Regular practice also teaches discipline and patience. These skills can positively influence how they approach everyday life.
Because every martial arts school has its own teaching style, instructors, and class environment, not every program will be the same. That is why parents should carefully consider these factors. It’s worth knowing what to look for before making a decision.
Here are the key things every parent should look for before enrolling their child.
Continue reading “Guest Writer: What Parents Should Look for When Choosing a Martial Arts School”
Guest post by Felix Mack at SelfDefenseList.com
Most serious martial artists already cross-train. Lifters add mobility work so old injuries don’t creep back. Sparring-heavy stylists add yoga or tai chi to manage recovery and stay loose between hard sessions. Nobody sees this as an admission that their main practice is failing them. It’s just what a well-rounded training life looks like once you’ve been at it long enough to know your own weak spots.
About this time six years ago at age 41, I tore my right ACL and ended up having two surgeries to correct it. Eventually I got back to taekwondo, but it took a lot of physical, mental, and emotional perseverance. Injuries, big or small, are a part of most athlete’s lives, especially as we age. To stay fit and strong and do the things we love, there are things we need to consider and be mindful of as we train or recover. This article from Emma Grace Brown includes mindset and practical tips for dealing with injuries in your 30s, 40s, or 50s.
Adult martial artists face a different reality than teenagers and young competitors. Whether you train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, karate, taekwondo, or another discipline, the way you manage injuries in your 30s, 40s, and 50s plays a major role in determining how long you’ll stay on the mat. A sore shoulder ignored today can become a chronic limitation years later, while a properly managed knee injury may eventually become little more than another chapter in your training journey.
Article by Emma Grace Brown. Website: https://emmagracebrown.com/
Adult martial artists juggle careers, families, social obligations, and physical fatigue while trying to stay sharp in their discipline. Unlike full-time competitors, most adults train around life—not instead of it. The real challenge isn’t how hard you train. It’s whether you keep showing up.
Consistency, not intensity, is what shapes skill over time. A steady rhythm of practice compounds quietly. Missed weeks, on the other hand, create friction that makes restarting harder than continuing.
Article by Dana Brown, Guest Writer
Martial arts practitioners who train hard while juggling work, family, and recovery often hit the same wall: more sessions don’t automatically bring better results. When soreness lingers, focus slips, and motivation dips, the issue is rarely a lack of grit, it’s usually head-to-toe health falling behind training demands. Small, consistent daily wellness routines create the foundation for training performance enhancement by supporting joints, energy, immunity, and mood. The goal is simple: practical holistic health strategies that protect physical and mental well-being every day.
Article by Will Newhall, Master Instructor and owner of Taekwondo Tutors
If you aren’t aware, the blog owner recently made a post talking about how she is stepping away from doing taekwondo. As a fellow taekwondo martial artist I will say…
I commend her courage, integrity, and self-respect in making this significant decision!
I read her post on the topic and wanted to write about my own experience with black belt burn out as well. While I am currently practicing, teaching, and writing, I too felt burn out. A couple of times actually! I thought I might throw my hat in the ring and talk about my own experience with black belt burn out.
Continue reading “Guest Writer: Another Case of Black Belt Burnout”