littleblackbelt Guest Writers, Taekwondo Training Tips

Guest Writer: High Intensity Training: The Martial Artist’s Answer to the Exercise Conundrum

weight rack

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, martial artists have not only had to adapt to a new way of living, but also a new way of training. Even as martial arts schools are beginning to re-open in some capacity, you may still want to diversify your training.

Guest writer Steve Grogan from Geek Wing Chun provides tips on using High Intensity Training to supplement your martial arts workouts. More information about Steve and his site is at the end of this article.

If you would like to be a guest writer for Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines here, and send me an email with your proposed ideas.
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littleblackbelt Class Diaries, Confidence, Inspiration, Taekwondo Training Tips

What Can You Do In Just Ten Minutes?

clock face

Although my dojang has officially opened, they’re still offering thirty minute virtual classes throughout the week. Saturday morning I did a virtual black belt class in my home. After some warm-ups and a few forms (although I had much less space, Keumgang felt better in bare feet than in those damn taekwondo shoes), my instructor said we were going to work on kicking. Okay cool.

Jump kicks.

Great, fine, I like jump kicks. I’ve done plenty of them.

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littleblackbelt Confidence, Self-Development, Taekwondo Training Tips, Work and Martial Arts

Finding Balance and Looking Forward

balancing rocks

First of all…hi. It’s been a month since I published anything here so welcome back and thank you for reading. For the past two months I’ve mostly been focused on getting through each day, just like everyone else has in the COVID-19 crisis. I’ve had ups, downs, and am finally starting to feel more leveled out and balanced.

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littleblackbelt Inspiration, Taekwondo Training Tips

Little Black Belt is Six!

Birthday cupcakes in rainbow colors

In the midst of…well…everything, my little blog turns six years old today! Thank you to everyone who has read, commented, and offered support. As usual on my blog’s birthday, I like to share my ten favorite posts from the past year. Enjoy, stay safe, and take care…

  1. Do You Speak Korean In Your Dojang?– I kick it old school.
  2. Someone Is Looking Up To You. Don’t Let Them Down. – A fortune cookie gives sage advice.
  3. Forty Lessons and Blessings Upon Turning Forty – I celebrate a milestone birthday with some reflections.
  4. I Want a Worn Out Black Belt – A black belt isn’t just a symbol of achievement. It’s the story of your journey.
  5. How Kickboxing Upped My Poomsae (Forms) Game– I love finding connections among different martial arts and training techniques. They all contribute to one black belt.
  6. When Being One Step Ahead Slows You Down – Surprise, surprise, I find out that rushing through everything isn’t always the best answer.
  7. You Guys! My Book Is Being Published!– My favorite post (and moment) from the last year!
  8. Taekwondo Is Who I Am– Taekwondo is what makes me feel most authentic, most secure, and most fulfilled.
  9. Fall Out of Your Comfort Zone (Literally) – Sometimes losing control is exactly what you need.
  10. When It’s Crunch Time, Be Agile, Be Ready…and Be Still– I didn’t know how prophetic that last part would be. And here we are, all being still.
    “And the moments of stillness can help us rise above the chaos and stay focused on what is most important and meaningful to us.”

 

Stay tuned for my upcoming book – “Kicking and Screaming: a Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts” published by She Writes Press. Coming to a bookseller near you April 20, 2021!

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littleblackbelt Challenges, Taekwondo Training Tips

Kicking It At Home in a COVID-19 World

quarantine

*Runs into the room panting*

Okay, hi everyone, I’m coming up for air. I thought I would be writing blog posts much more frequently than I have in the last two weeks. Turns out I’ve been just as busy as I was before COVID-19 shut down the world.

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littleblackbelt Challenges, Taekwondo Training Tips

How Has the Coronavirus Impacted Martial Arts?

face maks
Might not totally stop the coronavirus, but at least your teeth won’t get kicked in.

View at Medium.com

Please take time to read my friend Agam Shah’s article about the COVID-19 outbreak’s global impact on martial arts here. Agam Shah is a writer for the Wall Street Journal and also writes about martial arts. Share in the comments how your school or club is adapting to this new reality.

In my state local dojangs and dojos are temporarily closing or limiting access, and the Texas State tournament has been postponed (wouldn’t be surprised if it’s cancelled). My dojang will be releasing online workouts and tips for continuing training at home.

Stay tuned to my blog for posts on how to keep up your martial arts practice at home.

littleblackbelt Confidence, Guest Writers, Inspiration, Taekwondo Training Tips

Guest Writer: How to Get Better at Your Martial Art

Refining your martial arts skills takes dedication, determination, and commitment to long-term practice. Sometimes you need to shake up your training routine with something new and different. You can also learn a thing or two from a marital artist who trains in a different style or art than you. We’re all in this together.

Guest writer Nick Kovach from BJJmotivation.com shares some great tips for stepping up your game. Check out Nick’s site for more martial arts training tips and guides.

If you would like to be a guest contributor for Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines here.

Paris-Taekwondo-Poomsae

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littleblackbelt Class Diaries, Confidence, Taekwondo Training Tips

Fall Out of Your Comfort Zone (Literally)

woman falling

I want to fall in sparring class.

No, I mean really fall, crash to the ground with a spectacular splat that happens so fast I can do nothing but laugh.

I’ve fallen in sparring class before. I’ve been kicked to the ground by people a lot bigger than me, I’ve gotten my leg so tangled up on someone’s shoulder or chest gear that the easiest thing to do was to just tip backwards, and sometimes I’ve just mis-gauged my distance and fallen down.

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littleblackbelt Inspiration, Taekwondo Training Tips

2020 Taekwondo Goals

Happy New Year, my wonderful readers! If you don’t follow me on Instagram (please do @melaniegibsonauthor), you haven’t seen my taekwondo goals for 2020. I wrote these in my office one day in late December and have them posted above my desk.

These aspirations should keep me motivated when I’m getting too mired in conference calls or presentations (and inspire me to get off my ass and move around).

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