How Martial Arts Instructors Can Give More

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/how-martial-arts-instructors-can-give-more

Dealing with Less-than-Ideal Ukes

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/dealing-with-less-than-ideal-ukes

3 Different Takes on the Sensei-Student Relationship

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/3-different-takes-on-the-sensei-student-relationship

New Self-Defense Fitness Classes

At our Vancouver area martial arts school, we pride ourselves in offering a full schedule of adult Can-ryu Jiu-jitsu classes, which offer students a wide range of self-defense skills, including striking, throwing/takedowns, breakfalls, joint locks, sparring, ground techniques and more. Our standard classes start by introducing the most practical, easy-to-learn defensive skills with strong emphasis on gross motor skills while also providing foundations for higher level learning that is developed as a student progresses.

Having taught these types of classes for 5 years now, and we do our best to make these classes accessible to anyone and have people of all ages (even a 65-year-old!), fitness, levels and physical abilities. That being said, some people have different comfort levels in terms of what we do, or are not necessarily looking to learn a comprehensive martial art, but still want a place where they can develop and maintain their defensive skills as well as their fitness levels. It is for this reason that we developed our new Self-Defense Fitness classes.

Using the simplest, most effective self-defense techniques in Can-ryu Jiu-jitsu, we've created a program that improves students' cardio, strength, coordination, balance, flexibility, etc, AND teaches students how to apply them for personal protection should the need arise. Unlike our regular Jiu-jitsu classes, these one-hour classes leave out higher impact activities such as breakfalls, throws, joint locks and sparring making it accessible to everyone. It's designed to be a solution for people looking for a lower-impact martial arts fitness option. It also can appeal to people who don't like the idea of being thrown or having their joints locked up, whether they're getting over an injury or just a little intimidated at the prospect.

I never really liked the idea of cardio kickboxing or boxercise classes, finding that these types of classes were more about getting fit with only a minor association with the martial arts, and little to no application as to how to use the martial techniques taught. That's why I wanted to make this class different. Around 1/2-2/3 of the class would be spent on fitness and circuit training with practical striking drills with the remaining time spent on the practical applications of the techniques. This class will not require uniforms and will have no belt system. The only equipment required would be a groin protector.

I am hoping that this class will help broaden our reach by offering a more simplified training option that addresses different people's needs. It would also serve as an ongoing training option for women who do our 2-hour women's self defense class. Additionally, I hope it will also serve to attract curiosity in our regular Jiu-jitsu classes from people who develop a desire to progress further. At the same time, it would also serve our regular Jiu-jitsu students should they want a different format class to help improve fitness levels or give them a training option while recovering from injury.

What do you think?

Need for Speed: 3 Principles that Shouldn't Be Sacrificed to Go Faster

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/need-for-speed-3-principles-that-shouldnt-be-sacrificed-to-go-faster

How 'Will to Win' Affects Martial Artists

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/how-will-to-win-affects-martial-artists

Choking While Performing in the Martial Arts (Or Anything!)

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/choking-while-performing-in-the-martial-arts-or-anything

Encouraging Personal Development in the Dojo

This blog post has been moved to a new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/encouraging-personal-development-in-the-dojo

The Disadvantages of Having a Friendly Dojo

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/the-disadvantages-of-having-a-friendly-dojo

Understanding Physical Biases in the Martial Arts

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/understanding-physical-biases-in-the-martial-arts

One Way to Remove Strength from Takedowns/Throws

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/one-way-to-remove-strength-from-takedownsthrows

Muscle Memory & Confusion for Building Technique & Strength

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/muscle-memory-confusion-for-building-technique-strength

Muscle Memory & Its Role in Self-Defense

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/muscle-memory-its-role-in-self-defense

4 Factors that Affect Muscle Memory Development

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/4-factors-that-affect-muscle-memory-development

Why We Use the Coloured Belt (Kyu) System

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/why-we-use-the-coloured-belt-kyu-system

Leadership Training Courses Now at Our Dojo

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/leadership-training-courses-now-at-our-dojo

Most Embarassing Moments in the Dojo

Last weekend I was asked to teach a technique at a black belt course that was being hosted at my dojo. I confidently got up and demonstrated a particular wrist takedown to the group of 12 or so black belts who were in attendance. As I was stepping back into a stance having finished the technique, I heard a loud ripping noise coming from behind me.

"Hm. I think I just ripped a whole in my pants," I announced to the group.


As I moved, I couldn't help but noticed the increased breeze caressing my back-end. I covered it up with my hands then backed away toward the washroom in a decidedly undignified manner. The best part of it is that it was all being recorded on camera so that everyone could "review" what was taught as necessary. Needless to say, the incident elicited a lot of laughs.

Now that I've shared my most embarrassing dojo moment, I'd love to alleviate my embarrassment by hearing some of your most embarrassing stories. Please share in the comments! :)

What Gives You the Teaching Jitters?

I've been teaching martial arts for going on two decades now. I'm pretty comfortable in my skin when it comes to teaching, at my own dojo, at other people's dojos, even at major training events. There is, however, one thing that still gives me the teaching jitters after all these years: teaching in front of my Sensei.

Last Thursday I taught at my Sensei's dojo in Ottawa. I taught some of the ground defense concepts I've been working with and teaching my own students. Every time my Sensei would come onto the mats, I found that I would get nervous and wouldn't be my usual confident self. I've taught in front of other heads of styles before with no problems, but with Ed Hiscoe Sensei, it's different.

He remembers me from the time that I was only 16 and a lowly white belt trying Jiu-jitsu for the first time. He remembers all my awkward years as a teenager. He remembers the times when I was first learning to teach as a brand new Shodan. And it's not so much that he remembers all those things, it's that I remember all the nervousness and lack of sureness in myself associated with those times, and somehow it manages to creep in when he's on the mat while I'm teaching.

Hiscoe Sensei ended up watching most of the class I taught from the other room on his dojo video system, making the class go more smoothly for me (which I know he did on purpose). I'm sure that one day I'll get over it, but I have to say that his willingness to help me by doing that put me a few steps further in that direction because it demonstrated his empathy for my situation and that, on some level, says to me, "You see? It's only in your head." It was an effective way of conveying that message.

Are you a martial arts instructor? What gives YOU the teaching jitters? Please feel free to share in the comments section.

90 Years of Jiu-jitsu Experience in 3 Cool Instructors

Firstly, I want to apologize for the delay in my blog writing. Last weekend, attended a Jiu-jitsu seminar in Sicamous and was away for 4 days, so I had a few things to catch up on. Now, I'd like to do a little run-down on the seminar.

A lot of times when you go to these types of events, there is a weak link in the instruction. I'm happy to say, however, that all 3 of the weekend's instructors were just awesome. Collectively, Andie Dobie Sensei (Shorinji Kan Jiu-jitsu), Steve Hiscoe Shihan (Can-ryu Jiu-jitsu) and Michael Seamark Shihan (Kokodo Jiu-jitsu) have over 90 years of martial arts experience between them, and it showed in their instruction (left to right in the pic below). They were like 3 peas in a pod of pure pain.


The participants in the event thoroughly enjoyed being twisted up, punched, squeezed, and slammed. The instructors never seemed to be without a smile when teaching (unless demonstrating their "mean face"). I'm not sure I can say the same for their ukes.

Steve Hiscoe Shihan also introduced us to a fun new "game." He created some Can-ryu Challenge coins (see pic on left). The idea is that you carry this coin on your person and if you whip it out to someone and say "Challenge!" they have to produce their own coin (if they have one). If the challengee doesn't have one, they must buy the challenger a drink. If they do have one, then the challenger has to buy. I got the ball rolling with my own coin (Sorry Dobie Sensei!). It didn't take long before people started buying their own (thankfully!).

Anyway, we all really got our money's worth, having learned/refined techniques, made new friends and shared drinks (so to speak). It was very successful and expect that it will be even better attended next year (we're gonna need more mats!). I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to train under such fine martial artists.

5 Space Options for Running a Dojo

This blog post has been moved to our new address: http://pacificwavejiujitsu.com/blog/5-space-options-for-running-a-dojo