Author Archives: Anthony Alessandro

Pain is the greatest teacher, but no one wants to go to his class. Topic What Can Injuries Teach Us? When an adult begins the study of martial arts, they have two primary questions. The first one is, “Can I … Read More

“To defend yourself properly you need the will and the means (proper conditioning, ability to relax under pressure, proper strategy and tactics.”   Preface: What are some of the ways of attack and reasons for attacking someone? a). Empty-handed, b). … Read More

You may begin the study of martial arts and you may quit the study of martial arts, but you can never complete the study of martial arts. Topic The Never-Ending Path of Martial Arts Our culture puts a great deal … Read More

Energy is neither positive nor negative; it is the mind that colors it according to our understanding.   Topic   Responding to Attacks Energy surrounds us. Whether we’re aware of it or not, all of life is energy, from the … Read More

At the most basic level of self-defense you do not care about the attacker, you do whatever you have to do to get away. At the highest level of self-defense, you take the situation completely under control without hurting the … Read More

Around eleven years ago my journey to becoming a black belt started when I took my first class. It was a little samurai class, I was five or six years old. There, the groundwork was laid for all the skills … Read More

If you face an opponent, you cannot be in mushin. There are no opponents where there are no thoughts.   Topic   Mushin Why do people practice martial arts? What do they want to achieve? What’s their goal? When they … Read More

       Relaxation frees the heart          Courage opens the heart      Compassion   fills the heart Topic Conscious Relaxation Relax, Focus, Relax Relaxation is a crucial component of practice. No matter what techniques we’re … Read More

What is a black belt? This question seems simple, but it is more than a just a belt. If it were as simple as wearing one, everyone would be one. What past leaders and masters of karate are really talking … Read More

I started taking karate when I was 3 and a half years old. At first, when I went to karate I would run around and have fun with my friends. Since I was so young, I wasn’t paying much attention … Read More