Guide to Practicing Martial Arts at Home Alone or with your Child

Sometimes you miss your training at the dojo, gym or academy due to work, emergencies or a busy life. So what do you do on those days when you really want to get a workout in no matter what? Here is a short guide to training at home!

Suggested Equipment

Fortunately, you don't need much equipment to get a great workout at home. A couple of kicking pads or a heavy bag will do the trick. Then you just need a couple items like a jump rope, some dumbbell sets up to 30 pounds, maybe an AirFit, a BOSU ball, 10lbs medicine ball, stability ball and a long, thick resistance band. With just a great imagination you can literally have millions of combinations of workouts for any martial art or sport.

What to Train

When you are training at home the first thing to realize is that you want to train the techniques you actually know. It would be counterproductive to train a move on your 10,000 times just to find out it is completely wrong. Please don't spend hours on youtube trying to become a master. There are a lot of nuisances to training which an instructor can share with you in class, that they won't and usually can't through a video. Also, an instructor can make on the spot corrections to help you progress faster. As a teacher I encounter a lot of people who do improper home training, so they spend the a lot of time unlearning bad habits once they join our academy.

How Long to Train

One of the most common misconceptions about training time and frequency is that you have to train for a very long time... well that is correct. Actually the misonception is that you have to give 100% muscular and cardio effort to get a great workout. Well, let me tell you, not only do you not need to train all day 7 days a week, but you do not have to try to kill yourself every session.  I work out pretty hard, but I also take breaks in my routines, proportionate to that effort. Futhermore, the difference is training with 100% mental focus. There are so many skills, drills and techniques you can work on with a partner or by yourself. You have to make up in your mind that you want to get better no matter what and train with what equipment and surroundings you have available.


Don't Overdue It


The worst thing that pro athletes do is overtrain. The worst thing that those wishing to be a higher level athlete do is over train. Think of it like a train, since that is the root word for over training. You can load a train up and take it to a destination sure enough. However there will be times along a long voyage where the train worker may have to take a minute to grab more fuel from storage or maybe the Conductor will need to rest and let the Assistant Conductor take over the nexf shift. All I am alluding to is that we all need breaks to refuel and rest our bodies.

I hope I addressed some of the concerns you had about how to train when you absolutely can't make it to class. Remember as well, martial arts is about discipline and the most important part of this is being disciplined in showing up to class when at all possible.

vr/

Benjamin Moriniere "Sensei"
www.capoeira-okinawa.com
www.facebook.com/CapoeiraAcademyOkinawa

3 Reasons Women SHOULD Do MMA

Yudansha MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is comprised of training in Jiu-jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing and Arnis (Filipino Knife and Blade). It is a well-rounded approach to martial arts, a holistic view if you would. No one style do we call better, but we know that we should strive to become the best we can at each phase of martial combat, e.g. striking, clinching and grappling.

For women, MMA and Jiu-jitsu have not been very popular sports. While there are plenty of women doing the sports, there are far more who shy away from all the bodily contact, the machismo attitudes and the ruffians who don't know their own strength and beat all the would-be, dedicated female students to shreds.

The first thing that women should realize, and teachers for that matter, is that people train for different reasons. Most women train for self defense and only a few train for competition. Don't be afraid to voice your opinion to your instructor, and instructors don't hesitate to ask these important questions. Not everyone determines a great class by how many bruises they have on their body.

Most people want to learn in a safe, de-pressurized environment where they can excel at a steady pace without being thrown to the wolves in any aspect of their training.

So, now that we have prepared the foundation of information, here are the 3 Reasons Why Women SHOULD Do Yudansha MMA.

1. Practical Self Defense

People are crazy out there nowadays. You never know when an emergency might arise and what you will need to do in that situation. Survival mode will kick in and you just hope that all of your preparation will help you and your family members, friends or whomever is involved survive. Yudansha MMA will teach each women practical self defense movements for offense and defense to be used against smaller or larger opponents, and even how to properly wield and defend against weapons.

2. Confidence

Every single woman that I have trained has gotten stronger and stronger every week, every month. Looking back at videos of when they began is like night and day. Confidence and skill come through repetition and constant improvement. Most importantly though, students must have a focused resolve.

3. Stronger Body, Stronger Mind

Yudansha MMA will build supreme levels of muscular and cardiovascular endurance. Keeping your body in tip top shape not only means you may live a happier and healthier life, but your mind will become just as quick and sensitive to danger as your body.  Tough training mixed with a healthy diet and living can make you a well tuned, howbeit lady like,  machine.

Thank you for tuning in and if you have any questions about training, or if you are an instructor with any questions please leave a comment.

v/r
Benjamin Moriniere "Sensei"
www.capoeira-okinawa.com
www.facebook.com/CapoeiraAcademyOkinawa 
www.twitter.com/CapoeiraOkinawa

No Day Off from Leadership

Leadership is a way of life. Even though 97% of us are content to be followers, at some times in our lives we will take on leadership roles. Then others will continuously be business or community leaders their whole lives in one way or another.

The driving quality a leader will and must have is influence. As one of the greatest Leadership speakers put it, "Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less." - John C. Maxwell.   The influence that we have with our families, students, neighbors, friends and business partners comes through trust built over time.

Everyone is watching us, because they want to believe and hope in something positive and good that they can support. So, there is no Day Off from Leadership. Leadership is a constant state of leadING. We are not only leading on the mat but off the mat. We are leading when we are sitting at the diner having an ice cream cone. We are leading at a PTA meeting with our kids.

We are always leading, and we should always be growing and cognizant of the fact that whether you like it or not... people look up to you. Some will tell you they do, most will not, but many you will find out years from now when you need the encouragement the most.

v/r
Benjamin Moriniere "Sensei"
www.capoeira-okinawa.com
www.facebook.com/CapoeiraAcademyOkinawa

Surround Yourself with Amazing People

As sure as their are dreamers and visionary people in this world there are people who like to rain on your parade. Mentor relationships are almost a thing of the past when it comes to rearing us to a life of character and integrity, barely even occurring from father to son or mother to daughter in our post modern, technologically advanced world. Thus hardwork and perseverance are not something that many of the younger generation look to. The older generation understood and took joy in hardwork, because they knew that is the only way to become experience true success.

So, when you set out to doing something great or out of the ordinary, as the old proverb says, "Those who would be wise, should walk with the wise."  I have found that when I lose my way in the grand scheme of things, or find myself surrounded by obstacles and hardships in life or in business, I have to connect or reconnect with Amazing People.

Amazing people are those in your life who make the room brighter by walking in. They are successful in areas in many areas of life that you would like to be, and they always have words of encouragement. Amazing people have a way of walkin you back to your path to success with a new motivation. These are the type of people that you want to surround yourself with. Negative people are looking for any trashcan to throw their trash in, but as a leader, avoid getting caught in their web of destruction. You don't have time for people say it can't be done, when you are already doing it!

v/r

Benjamin Moriniere "Sensei"
www.capoeira-okinawa.com
www.facebook.com/CapoeiraAcademyOkinawa

Locked on Vale Tudo Fights, Feb 23, 2013 with Yudansha MMA at Capoeira Academy Okinawa in Japan

What and awesome time we had at Locked On: Vale Tudo and Kickboxing Fights. Nicholas Lipton, came out a like a Lion and destroyed the Japanese Judoka in a swift and fierce fashion. From the bell and the touching of the gloves, Nick swarmed him and destroyed him through shear strength of heart. Nick ended up  taking him out with a Read Naked Choke, as they guy tried to escape for dear life. What a well deserved victory! 

Benjamin "Foguete (The Rocket)" Moriniere, came out guns blazing with speed and accuracy delivering a flashy array of Capoeira style kicks. He kept his opponent at bay, a Japanese Judo and Jiu-jitsu expert, with his long reach and tricky bobbing and weaving. Sensei through in handful of Judo take downs as well. The fight went the distance and ended in a draw. Unfortunately  the promotion no longer gives points for take downs in a match, but only for striking and submission attempts. 

As always, we want to say THANK YOU to all of the parents and students who came out to support the event. We do it for you, and we could not do it without your support. We love you, God bless you and yours and see you in class!

Don't Set Out to Make Money, Set Out to Make a Difference

As a business entrepreneur you will be faced with many challenges, especially if teaching martial arts professionally is your calling. Just like any start up you will have to make many decisions, and some of those will require you to choose between a slow and steady path or a get rich quick mentality. When you are new in business you tend to think everyone will want to come to your school and you will have so many students right away. Sure that could happen, but the pace generally follows a steady growth rate through hard work. You will find that in any business your passion for what you do will draw the resources to you like a magnet. Here are some quick points.

Don't Focus on Money

Focus on Making a Difference. When you start to make a difference in people's lives and in the community that is when your students and community will rally to your business. As you help others reach their goals yours will come to fruition. As your business continues to build momentum many things will begin to seemingly fall into place with a lot less struggle. When you need something, or when you have a big project to tackle, visionary people and resources will find their way to you.

Don't Focus on Making a Bigger School

A giant school does not necessarily mean success, giant students do. In other words, don't worry about trying to get as many students as you can, but on building leadership and motivation throughout your team. If you have never heard of the 5 Levels of Leadership, I suggest doing a quick study. You will find that the higher level of leadership you develop in your staff and student body, the more exponential growth will occur. Futhermore, growing too fast could have a horrible effect on your ability to be a manager. You don't want your business to grow past your level of leadership. It is a terrible tragedy that happens to many business owners.

Don't Focus on a Bigger Curriculum

Curriculum programs are another classic mistake of martial arts business owners. What I mean is that you try to pack all the latest and greatest into your training trying to appease the MMA and Capoeira superstar, Gracie wannabees that watch too many Youtube videos but don't understand hard work and the process of time. You can teach a person a new move everyday, or some flashy sequence and guess what, it will never work when they need it. Don't focus on a bigger and "cooler" curriculum, but on the progression of your students. Steady growth is what you want to see, and you should share that with new students up front. Those who want to have a great martial journey will stay, those who are looking to be flashy superstars... well, the students that stay on board will tap them out or KO them at a future event. Martial arts is a lifelong journey, not a sprint.

So, as you continue to build your martial arts business. Focus on these three points. Do it because you believe in what you do, because you believe in helping other people and lastly because you are interested in seeing them progress through a quality program.


v/r

Benjamin Moriniere "Sensei"
Capoeira Academy Okinawa & Yudansha MMA Okinawa
www.capoeira-okinawa.com
www.facebook.com/CapoeiraAcademyOkinawa

Yudansha Fighting System MMA Rashguards

Yudansha Fighting System MMA, founded in 1988 by O Sensei Mike Veros, is a complete martial arts system with its roots in Danzan Ryu Jiu-jitsu. This awe inspiring system was modern MMA back in the old days. No forms or kata, just realistic training in Jiu-jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing and Arnis.

After months and months of work and redesign the Yudansha rashguard has finally arrived. Made by Tatami, the worldwide provider of jiu-jitsu training great and clothing, they are printed with the finest inks and completely sublimated. This means that it is not going to rub off like cheaper brands or Mom and Pop printers. We look forward to continously spreading the word about Yudansha (black belt or above) around the world through these beautifully designed rashguard. (More clothing to come).

We hope that you like the design and if you would like to get one they will be available on our website for purchase, while supplies last.  www.capoeira-okinawa.com

v/r

Benjamin Moiniere "Sensei"
www.capoeira-okinawa.com
www.facebook.com/CapoeiraAcademyOkinawa