Frontline Martial Arts and Wellness

I remember being told by more than a few people "you should meditate, it will help". I would try it but found it ineffective. What I came to discover was that I had not learned how to meditate. I didn't understand what it meant to "focus on your breath". I had to learn what to do with the thoughts constantly bombarding my mind and distracting me from focusing on my breathing. When I think back to all those times that I sat and tried "focusing", I have to conclude that I did not understand what focus really was. At one of the scariest moments in my life a kind nurse whispered something in my ear that sparked my education in meditation. "Download Headspace, it's an app." Thankfully I took her advice. Headspace has become a major part of my meditative practice. It provided a step-by-step guide to meditation and provided a framework from which to experiment. Meditation is simply focusing on only one thing at a time. You exclude everything els...

Sensei Marcel once asked me "Do you want to be a warrior?", me being a young man with an enthusiasm for the martial arts I answered yes. He replied, "I would rather be the fool on the hill. A warrior must always be at war." For some background information 'The Fool on the Hill" is in reference to a Beatles song by that name. In this song a story is told of a man who is ridiculed by those around him for being strange or slow because he does not seem to understand or care for those things that are important to them. The chorus continues to tell the story from the man's perspective. He does not concern himself with what others say or do. In one part of the chorus we hear this quote, "And the fool on the hill sees the sun going down and the eyes in his head see the world spinning round". In this song I hear a story of a man who is at peace with himself. As front line service workers we experience difficulties and dangers on a daily basis. We ar...

There is a new video on my Youtube channel.  https://youtu.be/4uNr5O-YD4o In it I show you my karate basics workout. However, today I would like to talk about something fresh on my mind, lose. Specifically the lose of a loved one. Recently a good friend lost her father. Personally, I know the pain of this lose and how strong it can be, but, lose is a part of life. Small consolation, yes, for someone who has just experienced this particular type of pain. Although, learning to embrace this pain and moving on brings strength. Lose is a part of life whether we like it or not. My friend is in my prayers, however, asking for the strength to endure lose is as well. Stay happy and healthy.