DanStryker.com

No Adult Class Tonight!

2012-02-29T10:46:00.002-08:00

The ADULT Class at 7:45PM tonight is CANCELLED due to potential inclement weather and specifically icing. The kid's class and the Family Class are on as scheduled.

2012-01-18T13:46:00.001-08:00

Great Martial Arts. Great People. That is what Stryker Martial Arts is all about.

Many people attempt to determine how much we charge "per class". This is a mistake. We don't sell martial arts classes. No. We sell much more than that.

Many people attempt to compare our program with others. This is another mistake. Our program is unique and why we have one of the longest standing martial arts schools is Fairfield - over 16 years.

What do we sell?

We sell a Superior Martial Arts EXPERIENCE. I don't know anyone who couldn't benefit from this experience. Do you? Now is a great time to invite the people you know to experience our program for themselves. You will be glad you did... and so will they.

Year End and some updates...

2011-12-21T14:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Students and Families,

I hope that you are enjoying this holiday season!

We are ready for an outstanding 2012 where Stryker Martial Arts will be making a bigger impact, teaching more students, and bringing the benefits of martial arts training to more families!

As we close out this year, I just wanted to remind you that there are no classes tomorrow as we have testing. (Remember, as usual, there are no unsupervised kids during the adult test)

Starting Friday, we will begin our winter break and will be closed until the new year (January 2nd, 2012).

It has been an interesting and challenging 2011 both personally and professionally for me and for SMA. I feel that both the students and the school have met these challenges and exceeded any "normal" expectation. I am extremely proud of all of us!

I am confident that SMA has stepped up the program and increased both the value and the benefits for its members. Our kids' program is strong and while my teaching style seemed a bit abrupt at first, many parents have expressed positive outcomes both on the mat and off. Ultimately, parents are noticing a difference in the behavior of their kids outside the karate school... not just the "fun" they are having on the mat. After all, this has always been the goal of professional martial arts instruction.

I want to thank all the parents for the positive feedback that we have received. It means a lot to us. Yet we are starting to receive an even bigger compliment. Many parents have begun referring their friends and family to the school. This is the biggest vote of confidence we can receive and I thank you for the trust you instill in us by having your friends and family try our program. We will do the best we can to meet their needs.

I am very excited for our Thai Kickboxing program heading into the new year. I have made some slight modifications over the last few months and I truly believe that these simple improvements are going to have a dramatic effect on the students' physical transformation. Not only that, but our renewed stand against violence towards women is what will propel this program beyond anything its seen before. Stryker Martial Arts is determined to teach women how to fight back.
Imagine a program where you can have the physical transformation you want PLUS the opportunity to be safer and more confident. Its the best of both worlds and no one is bringing this to you except Stryker Martial Arts.

Our goals for 2012 is to bring more families into our school and training together. I am not quite sure how this will look but it is something that I am very interested in. The parents who participate in the Thai Kickboxing and even the parents who have participated in our family class have a much different perspective regarding their kids’ participation in our program as well as the program itself. Therefore, I would like to see more families on the mat together.

Thank you to all the students and families for your support in 2011 and I look forward to an outstanding 2012!

Sincerely,

Dan Stryker
President
Stryker Martial Arts Inc.

Announcements

2011-10-18T12:37:00.001-07:00

A quick reminder that there are no classes this saturday. (October 22nd) I am in Boston at a seminar.

Testing is next Thursday (October 27). If you or your child are testing, be sure to check with Master Dan that you are on the list.

Remember that there are no classes on test day and as usual, there are no unsupervised kids during the
adult test.

Finally, October 31st - Halloween - there are no classes in the afternoon and evening. I am going to be
"trick-or-treating" with my son and I imagine you will be doing the same with your children.

Thanks to one of our students to passing this on!

2011-09-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: - Knowing when to come in out of the rain; - Why the early bird gets the worm; ... - Life isn't always fair; - And maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies, don't spend more than you can earn and adults, not children, are in charge. His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, do nothing...( taken from a friend of a friend)..

Another Great Day

2011-09-13T18:10:00.000-07:00

We had some awesome classes today! The Thai Kickboxers worked up a sweat while polishing a useful self-defense technique. The Black Belt Club Kids were amazing! They showed incredible focus and discipline. Many of them learned how to do a jumping roundhouse kick for the first time! (Watch out for those lamps!)

The 4 to 9 year olds did excellent. We had one of the Black Belt Kids working along side them and they stepped their game up and increased their intensity. We finished up with some flying sidekicks that ROCKED!

Great Job today! Keep it up!

Contest Continues...

2011-09-10T05:19:00.000-07:00

The Eskrima Contest continues! The SECRET PASSWORD for today is Crane Stance! Whisper that to Master Dan to get your FREE Eskrima stick!

Time Flies When You're Having FUN!

2011-09-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

What an amazing day at SMA! Intense Thai Kickboxing classes all around... The 4 to 9 year old Karate Kids are developing Black Belt Balance and a packed house with close to 40 kids for Black Belt Club. All focused and dedicated martial artists looking to take it to the next level. Absolutely Awesome.

Plus we gave away over 20 Eskrima Sticks for FREE! Keep those handy cause we are going to be using them in Black Belt Club soon!

You guys ROCK!

Quote of the Day:

2011-09-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." -Winston Churchill

The Contest Continues...

2011-09-08T06:52:00.000-07:00

This is what Eskrima can look like! Check it out...

The SECRET PASSWORD for today is Dragon! Remember to whisper it to Master Dan to get your Free Eskrima stick!

An Adult Conversation for Play...

2011-09-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

Researchers are making great strides in the study of play. Its much more important than you would think! Take a look...

Contest for our Black Belt Club Kids

2011-09-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

Eskrima training is going to be our next rotation for our padded weapons training in Black Belt Club. We came up with a fun little contest for the kids as a way for them to get an eskrima stick free. We will be running this contest for the next two weeks.

All they have to do is whisper to Master Dan the secret password for the day and they will receive one.

This contest is only for the kids on Black Belt Club... but don't worry, we have more contests to come!

The SECRET PASSWORD for today is TIGER.

Quote of the Day:

2011-09-05T08:10:00.001-07:00

"It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others and to forget his own." ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Quote of the Day:

2011-09-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do. ~ Benjamin Franklin

New Schedule

2011-09-02T10:58:00.001-07:00

Quick reminder that the new schedule starts THIS TUESDAY! Get it here...

http://strykermartialarts.com/schedule.htm

Quote of the Day:

2011-09-02T05:45:00.001-07:00

“When you respond to life, that's positive; when you react to life, that's negative.” ~ Zig Ziglar

Female Action Stars Have Gotten Too Skinny to Throw a Believable Punch

2011-09-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Check this interesting article out. It is interesting some of the stuff we are being fed.

Female Action Stars Have Gotten Too Skinny to Throw a Believable Punch

Quote of the Day:

2011-09-01T08:40:00.001-07:00

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without having to accept it." -Aristotle

Training Hard...

2011-08-31T15:20:00.000-07:00

Training with Shihan Manny and Guro Dong Cuesta down in Jersey City today. Practicing Doce Pares. Check out Guro Dong Cuesta with a stick. Amazing!

Quote of the Century:

2011-08-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Edison

Inspiration...

2011-08-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

It is difficult when you make something look easy. Most people don't realize the hard work that goes into your skill and talent. And then most people believe that you don't deserve the rewards.

Consider you might be wrong...

The Power of Registration!

2011-08-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I have a commitment to what Tony Robbins calls the CAN-I principle which refers to Constant And Neverending Improvement. I believe the real joy in life occurs in growth and development - both your own and others. It is part of the reason I love doing what I do. There is no doubt that at Stryker Martial Arts we create a possibility for personal growth and development on a daily basis.

Yet, I was reminded of something VERY cool yesterday. You see, I signed up for a 6 month course. It is a course dedicated to creating an adult conversation around fun and play.

The funny thing is, I have taken this course twice already. Strange, right?

I was talking to my wife last night and she was even asking me, "Why would you take that course AGAIN?"

Well, the last time I took it was about three years ago. Am I the same person I was three years ago?

Am I the same person I was two years ago? One? A week ago?

I promise you the answer is No. I have a sincere commitment to working on my growth and development and to work on it daily.

So in the last 3 years, I have learned some new things and "figured some things out" about myself.

Now a "New and Improved" Dan Stryker will be walking into that room to discuss some very cool topics.

Then...

I was talking with my wife and we have been debating going on vacation together just her and I. We have met some personal challenges over the last 3 years and if anyone has earned a week off on a beach it is her and I.

Great News! She booked our vacation yesterday!

So in one day, I signed up for an incredibly powerful experience through this course I registered for and my wife booked (registered) for our vacation! What a day!

Here is why yesterday was so exciting. When I registered for the course... when I signed up... I put my money down and said "YES! I'm in!" my life changed. I am now in the course. I am looking forward to it. I am talking about it with people I know. I am excited about it. The fact of the matter is that the course started the moment I put my money down.

The same is true for the vacation. We have already started talking about it and making plans both of logistics and enjoyment. "What are we going to do?" "I bet the beach is beautiful." "I heard the food is excellent." And so on. In essence we are on vacation, we just aren't at the location yet.

So what happened? I/We registered. Registration happens the moment you commit both verbally and financially.

Registration allowed me to create a NEW future for myself that wasn't already there. I will come out of this course with new understandings that will positively impact the lives of the people around me. I will be renewed and refreshed after spending a week on the beach and ready to come back and serve the school and my family with greater energy and vitality.

Where would I have been if I was still debating about taking a course? Talking about going on vacation?

That is the difference that registration makes. And what a cool difference!

So this is a powerful reminder that your REGISTRATION in our martial arts program is really a commitment to your personal growth and development which created a future that was never going to happen. It is an acknowledgement of the risk you took, the leap of faith... and ultimately, the decision you made to play full out in the game of your life.

You Rock!

Quote of the Day:

2011-08-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw

Nutrition: Huh?!

2011-08-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

I was at a martial arts seminar last Friday. It was incredibly motivational and inspirational. I got to hang out with some of the top professionals in my field who are also personal friends of mine. It was great to recharge and refresh!

While there, a gentleman who I had never met, did a presentation on nutrition attempting to sell his services. He boasted about having a Masters Degree in exercise physiology, 30+ years of martial arts experience and working with professional athletes and "knowing" nutrition "inside and out".

Wonderful.

Then he argued, "If you were coming out of the concentration camps in Germany, you wouldn't be fat."

Granted, this is a bit out of context (which I will fix in a sec) but what really struck me was that this was the SECOND time I had heard this argument. The first was shocking enough because it came from an MD. Yes a full fledged doctor. The second time was last Friday.

This picture is from the Truman library of two men in a concentration camp. Apparently, both the nutritional guys were correct. You wouldn't be fat... that is for sure.

And what a conversation for prosperity right?

Really?

These guys to the left not only look thrilled but they also look to be in top physical shape and ready to run a mile, deadlift 225lbs, or do a 45 minute Thai Kickboxing class, no?

Are these guys spouting nutritional advice really serious?

Now here was the context that the man on Friday was speaking in. He was referring to the genetic argument. Many people believe there is a "fat gene" and that they are built to store bodyfat.

Then he argued that no one in the camps was fat.

It was not only offensive but more than quite a stretch.

I do believe that some people are more prone to store bodyfat than others. I also believe that this tendency increases with age.

Yet, studies have shown that obesity is more environmental than genetic or a combination of both. The largest determinant of obesity right now is income level. Why? Because the poor are more likely to eat fast food and cheaper, less nutritious food since they can't afford higher quality food.

That and some families simply make poor decisions and have a lot of "junky" food around. These also include any type of frozen or highly processed meals, chips, pretzels, and so on.

There is another problem... we talked a few weeks ago about how there really isn't an accurate form of measure right now to determine if you are overweight or obese. So how do you know where you stand?

Therefore, the fat argument falls in on itself.

Here is what I think most people are interested in... Performance.

Most people want their body to perform at a high level. (And yes most also want it to look FANTASTIC!) But when you break it down, most people want to have a high level of energy, feel good (pain free), be comfortable with how they look all in order to go through their daily activities without energy crashes and lethargy.

So here is a very bad model... but it works (for me).

Over the last month, I have had to do a lot of manual labor. Fixing things, moving VERY heavy things, squatting to pick things up, and so on...

So heading into my day, I knew a couple of things. First, I wouldn't have my next meal for a long time and there was going to be A LOT of physical expenditure. So, I needed a high calorie meal that also contained a high amount of fat so I stayed satiated until late in the afternoon.

What was my meal?

Cheddar Omelet, Potatoes, Three Pancakes with butter and syrup, a large fruit smoothie, and hot tea. Then I added a ton of caffeine to avoid the inevitable energy drop from all the sugar.

Now this formula works for me. I have had similar situations where I have used pizza for the same outcome.

At the same time, it is an AWFUL long term option. I ONLY do this when I am doing a lot of physical labor (usually about 8 hours at a time with little or no break) and I know I won't be eating again for a long time.

By the way, 8 hours of physical labor does not equal a 45 or 90 minute workout. I DO NOT eat this way normally.

Why am I telling you this then?

Because I know my body and what works for it. I know when I am abusing it (like in the example above) and when I am taking care of it.

You want to know YOUR body. The fact of the matter is that right now, where the science of nutrition is concerned, the more they learn, the more they are exposed to what they don't know. Meaning, when they figure out the answer to 1 question, 20 new questions pop up.

Stop listening to idiots who say, "If you were in the concentration camps, you wouldn't be fat." and start learning about your own body and your own experience. You are always your best teacher in that way.

Train Hard!

Quote of the Day:

2011-08-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

"A legacy is planting a tree whose shade will be
for someone else." -Unknown

Can you fight your way out of a paper bag?

2011-08-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

Gyms and personal training studios (and even some martial arts schools unfortunately) are filled with people who LOOK LIKE they are throwing punches and kicks. They aren't. Looking like it and doing it are two completely different things. It is not enough to throw something that "looks" like a punch or kick.

To operate in this way is a complete waste of time and energy while also being potentially dangerous because you might start thinking that you can actually punch and kick.

Here is the main problem. In order to throw a strong and fast punch or kick, you need to recruit the right muscles and have them fire in the appropriate sequence to really develop any sort of real speed and power.

This is why "self defense" seminars, cardio-kickboxing programs, and foolish personal trainers don't work. The only thing that develops the appropriate recruitment of muscle chains is constant repetition over an extended period of time. All of these methods can recruit muscle fibers. But only educated training will get your body to fire these muscles in the appropriate sequence.

That is to say that the way you train has a severe impact on the outcome of your performance.

If, for some reason, you never attempt to throw a punch or kick with full power... your body will not know what its like to recruit that chain. As a matter of fact, it will not even know that it is POSSIBLE to throw a stronger punch or kick than you are currently attempting.

The ultimate problem is that if you don't throw that motion over and over again with full power, you will not have developed the habit of recruiting the chain of muscles required... and therefore you lack power.

The same can be said for speed. As they know, muscles are made up of different fibers which fire at different rates. One creates speed. The other power.

If you don't throw punches and kicks which are meant to be as fast as you can, those fibers will not be recruited and your body will not know that "faster" is even possible.

Finally, given these two realities... if you are not training both speed AND power, you will not develop the "holy grail" of martial arts which is to be able to achive BOTH at the same time.

Here is the up side: The major benefit that you receive from training in this way is NOT to be able to kick someone's butt. Obviously, we would like you to be able to do that but the reality is that you are most likely never going to be in a fist fight or have to defend yourself.

The real benefit to you is the increased level of confidence. When you hit the bag and you see the result of a fast, strong punch or kick, you smile inside and say "Yeah... that's it." That level of confidence is highly contagious and seeps into every facet of your life. You walk differently, carry yourself differently, apply yourself in stressful situations differently... everything changes when you ultimately become confident in what your body can do. This is the real benefit... Confidence!

This is why we constantly state that it is YOUR class and that you want to have a plan heading into your class. We obviously have an outline and you wouldn't want to go counter to that outline (sometimes we are working specifically on speed or power)... yet most of these ideas can be applied to 99% of our classes.

As you approach your classes over the next few weeks, figure out what it is that you want to develop. Remember that true martial arts skill is developed over years and not months. (The same can be said for true physical transformation.) You don't need to accomplish EVERYTHING now. You need to accomplish SOMETHING. Pick what it is before you bow in and then throw your heart into it.

See you in class!

An Adult Conversation for Fun...

2011-08-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

fun
– noun
1. something that provides mirth or amusement.
2. enjoyment or playfulness.
(according to Dictionary.com)

What if this definition was inadequate?

When most people think fun, they think something like kids at a playground or at a birthday party. In reality, what these activities look like is... Running and screaming, chaos and mayhem... complete disorder.

And then, that is what we are left with. We carry this definition of fun with us into adulthood. Is it any wonder why adults don't seem to be having much fun?

I wouldn't categorize Thai Kickboxing as "amusement". When I think amusement, I think the circus. The bearded lady is amusing (and disturbing).

I don't know if I would qualify Kickboxing as "enjoyment".

While both these attributes can be a part of the process and program, standing alone they are definitely incomplete.

Yet our program IS fun.

Lets look a little more.

Mirth is associated with laughter. Ok, now we are getting somewhere. For me, any sort of growth and development has been associated with laughter. Why? Because you move from what you didn't know to what you now know and a "Duh." experience happens. Like, "Why didn't I know that all along?" or "That should have been obvious." and then you laugh.

And, "playfulness". An entire book could be written on this subject and how somewhere along the line, adults lose the ability to be playful.

Now what are the normal associations with playful? Silly, giggly, giddy, and also, sarcasm that stings, mocking, foolishness, and quite often stupidity. Notice that none of these are very "adult". Most are childish, and adolescent at best. Watching an adult behave in this way (the kids version of playful) can be awkward and often annoying (especially when on the receiving end).

So what is an adult conversation for fun? There are probably a couple of requirements for fun to be available: Respect, Self-Control, Self-Discipline, Commitment, Perseverance, Hard Work, Intensity.

Before you tune out and say, "Here he goes again..." consider this...

To the left is a picture of Arnold Palmer. He is one of my personal heroes.

Why?

Because he epitomizes the definition of fun for an adult. He was asked, "How are you so good at golf?" He replied something like this, "For some reason I have the ability for an intense amount of focus for a short period of time." If you have every played golf, you know that this is one of the core necessities to become an accomplished golfer.

The thing I love about Arnold Palmer is that he is always smiling. I can picture him playing in a tournament at a highly competitive level in front of millions of viewers and then going home that afternoon and hopping on his tractor to mow the lawn. Something about him strikes me as very human.

If you watch him and Jack Nicholas, they were extremely competitive while at the same time, thoroughly enjoying each other's company. As they made their way around the course, they laughed and joked. Once they stood over the ball, they had an intense focus and determination - it was time to work. They had incredible self-control and self-discipline. They highly respected each other AND the game itself.

Arnold Palmer has met with setbacks as we all have but because of his commitment to his goals and his perseverance to overcome those obstacles, his is one of the most famous and well respected people on the planet.

I think if you were to ask him, "Are you having fun? He would say enthusiastically, "Absolutely!". But his version of fun looks nothing like we would think.

So I invite you to look at what you think is fun and playful. Is it really an adult conversation for fun? Or is it remeniscent of childhood and adolescence? Have you shut down when it comes to fun because you don't really know how to BE an ADULT and have FUN? Orare you resigned to fun being reserved for kids?

Consider that you may not know what fun as an adult is or what it looks like. And consider that even if you think you do, there is a chance that your definition could be upgraded.

I know that mine is completely inadequate and it is something that I am looking at daily.

There is one thing that is definately a requirement for upgrading the conversation for fun and that is a capacity to be vulnerable. But we will save that for another day....

Something to think about...

2011-08-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." -Theodore Roosevelt

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all." - Dale Carnegie

A conversation for prosperity...

2011-08-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

I was glancing at the cover of a newspaper yesterday that had the word

"PANIC!"

as its headline. It was the only word on the page. And then there was a picture like the one to the left.

I smiled to myself.

What is a newspapers main job? What is its bottom line purpose? To educate readers? To sell subscriptions?

In my experience, its neither. Newspapers, Cable TV, and Radio make the most money from advertising.

Now its a catch 22 because the way you attract advertisers is you have a large readership or a specific niche that advertisers are looking to get in front of. So round and round it goes...

Having said that, what do you think that headline was meant to do? Arguably, to catch someone's attention as they are walking by (as it did mine), peak their interest (again as it did mine), and get them to purchase the paper (never going to happen). Then they get to go back to the advertisers and say, "SEEEEEEE look how many great papers we sold. Look at what booming business we're doing! Advertise with us!"

I was going to place some charts on the site but I don't want to get in trouble with anyone so I will generalize and you can look it up to see if I am wrong. Media companies are BOOMIN'. One of them had a 46% Stock Price increase in the last 2 years just prior to this recent "downturn", "crash", "depression", "recession"... whatever. (This is not investing advice by the way.)

Clearly, they aren't "panicking".

Quite clearly, their business model is working.

They are getting people's attention.

Selling papers, getting people to tune in...

And attracting advertisers...

Now here is why I smiled...

Did seeing that headline improve the quality of my life at all? Did it make me MORE confident in the future? Or did it stress me out more? How many people saw that headline? That is a pretty large conversation isn't it? How many people are they going to talk to about it or the article it was refering too?

One headline... MASSIVE result.

The fact of the matter is that I would have been better off not seeing it at all.

So I invite you to turn off the TV, Radio, and Newspapers for a while (Trust me, all the problems of the world we be there to meet you should you turn it back on). Their job is not to provide you with accurate, up to date information. Their job is to create interest and get your attention by shocking you. I took this advise years ago and controlled the information which I let into my environment and the quality of my life increased dramatically.

(A typical arguement to this is: "You're sticking your head in the sand!" What is both interesting and disturbing is the amount that I still know about current events even though I am very good at filtering this information. I am probably not as educated as the person who has been watching CNN all day but I would bet I am pretty close.)

Remember this is only an invitation and to do so might drive some people CRAZY. If you are that person, completely ignore this fools advice... but do ask yourself one question...

What headline on the cover of tomorrow's newpaper would create a conversation for a future we would all like to see?

And then ask yourself, "Would they sell any papers using that?"

"You can't reset the winds. But you can adjust your sails!"
— German Proverb

"There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure."
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969)

Monday Morning Inspiration...

2011-08-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Critical Exercise done by clients

2011-08-06T13:35:00.000-07:00

You're Being Lied to...

2011-08-06T12:18:00.000-07:00

by your scale!

This is what the average person is supposed to weigh...

This is the Bodyfat % that is supposedly healthy...

This is the BMI index that most doctors follow to determine a portion of your state of health...

There you have it. Or do you? Well, let's take a look.

Although I am not the "norm", I will use myself as an example since it is the body I know best. Lets start with weight. I just weighed myself and I am 282.6lbs. I am 6'8" and they seem to be giving 5lbs per inch on the chart above so my healthy range would be 201lbs - 227lbs.

I am almost 60lbs OVERWEIGHT!

(I think I might cry)

Uh oh... first red flag. This is not looking good.

Lets move onto Bodyfat percentage shall we? Oh wait. We can't. I don't have an accurate number for you. Do you? You see, I have, sitting right here, a VERY expensive scale that measures bodyfat. BUT, I have messed with it enough that I think it measures hydration better than it does bodyfat. And my bodyfat according to this scale can fluctuate 2% to 3% in 24 hours. Hmmmm...

Ahhhh but wait! I also have sitting here Calipers! Success! But... oh man... no one here to help me pinch my oodles of fat! I know what I will do! I will go to the gym and have one of their "trainers" do it.

On second thought, I won't. You see, there is no training involved in using calipers and the user error is HUGE! One person will measure it one way and another will have a completely different number the next minute. Which one is right? Or better yet... you are inflating with pounds of giggle right there on the spot! Nice!

The fact of the matter is there are only 3 ways to get an accurate number. Water submersion, Bod Pod (which Sacred Heart University has if you're a die hard), and X-Ray.

I have been doing this stuff for a long time and have never done any of those. They are expensive and time consuming. So we can basically render bodyfat % useless.

Next!

Oh yes... the favorite! The BMI index which stands for Body Mass Index.

I did a separate calculation for this and found out that I am not only off the chart but OFF THE CHARTS!

I am obese!

My BMI is 31.0. Now I must go binge on chocolate!

Here is the bottom line...

I am not fat... I am not obese... I am a healthy, strong man.

There is no accurate form of measure. I just weighed myself again and in the process of writing this article, I gained nearly a pound. I am now 283.2lbs. Your scale is not accurate... ever.

Do an experiment. Limit your fluids for 24 hours. Then weigh yourself. Then consume a gallon of water in 24 hours. Then weigh yourself again. You just got FAT! Good work!

Did you know that a gallon of water weighs 8.34lbs? Add a little food and don't go to the bathroom and you will have probably fluctuated 10lbs in 48 hours.

Most weight fluctuations occur because of hydration and that's about it. If you drop 5lbs on the scale, you are more likely to be dehydrated than you are to have dropped 5lbs of bodyfat. If the scale went up 5lbs, you are probably retaining more water and have undigested food in your intestines rather than having gotten fatter.

So throw your scale in the garbage. Its broken and inaccurate anyway. If you must use it, then your range for concern MUST be over 10lbs. Not 3lbs. Not 5lbs. 10lbs! If it fluctuates more than that, then maybe you are doing something right or wrong - maybe.

BMI should stand for Bring More Intelligent Info. Its BS too. We are all different and have different bodies. Its what makes the world interesting. Just like you can't cookie-cutter a diet, you can't cookie-cutter forms of measure either.

So how do I measure? The best way that I have found is clothing. But again, that is not accurate either. If you are working out, you are changing the shape of your body. Things might be snug in different areas than they were before... that might not be a bad thing.

What I have found is that sometimes I wake up and I like what I see in the mirror. Other times I don't. Never has it been a product of the numbers above. How do I know? I went back and tracked them all. I think that my eyes simply play tricks on me from time to time.

Ultimately, if you are committed to changing your body composition, then change it. I think people have all these charts and fancy gadgets because they are more interested in talking about losing weight (or why they're not) than doing it. You'll know when you have lost weight or bodyfay. You just will.

Train Hard!

What did you get from your training this week?

2011-08-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

Your level of participation in life is a direct reflection of the potential difference you can make in someone else's.

Play Full Out and share your experience here:

Friday Morning Inspiration!

2011-08-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than anyone else's." -Abraham Lincoln

Beyond A Reasonable Doubt.

2011-08-04T15:11:00.000-07:00

This is a segment of a documentary done about steroids and the fitness industry overall called Bigger, Faster, Stronger. It is an EXCELLENT watch and I highly recommend it!

By the way... if you don't believe the previous post about the woman's figure... check this video out. Before and After pictures often get taken on the same day!

All those late night info-mercials you see and the magazine ads... all BS. Its time for something new.

Finally Revealed: 3 Secrets to Shedding 10lbs of Stubborn, Unsightly Bodyfat in just 3 Short Weeks!

2011-08-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

Secret #1: Eat the same amount of calories you normally do but spread it throughout the day. The days of "3 course meals" and large dinners are over. You should be eating around 5 smaller meals that amount to the same total amount of food.

If you do this and things still don't change, then you have a choice. Eat less or use secret #2.

Secret #2: Exercise more and at a higher intensity. Nothing beats hard work. Chances are that your body has acclimated to the weight it is currently at and doesn't want to change. In order to FORCE it to change, you have to push yourself harder.

I haven't found any other way to do it (and I have been looking for a long time. It would be much easier for me to advise you of a simpler way. I would make more money and wouldn't have to put up with as much nonsense. Unfortunately, hard work for a long period of time is the only way.)

The ONLY sustainable bodyfat loss that I have endured was from working out at an intensity where my lungs were constantly burning. And this was workout after workout for about 6 months.

Hard Work + Perseverance = Lower Bodyfat. Period.

Take 3 kickboxing classes a week minimum. Put everything you have into those classes. Spread your meals out. And PERSEVERE. You will run into obstacles and road blocks. You will fall down. It happens. Get over it and move on towards your goal.

Secret #3: STOP clicking on the link you just clicked on. If that was placed with Google, you would have just paid me about $1.50. If it was a magazine, you would have just paid me $3.00 to $5.00.

That is ALL those headlines are meant to do... attract your attention and remove money from your pocket. There are no quick fixes and there are no special gadgets that will get you there faster.

Here is what no one is telling you: The body above is malnourished and dehydrated. It was starved for days and most likely weeks. It is taking in the minimum amount of water so that it does not bloat. And I am certain that the person is light-headed or has a headache. Finally, while I hate to admit it because people use this as an excuse but chances are that genetics are playing a role as well.

Bonus Secret #4: Be kind to yourself!

Consider for a minute that you are whole, complete and perfect the way you are right now. Yes there are different things you "want" and "prefer" and by all means go at them. But in order to be unhappy with where you are now, you must be aiming for some point in the future or looking at what once was in the past. That point doesn't actually exist. It is something you created or are remembering. But it isn't actually there or happening.

Therefore, as you sit here with your phone or at your computer... you have wants, dreams, and desires. Everyone does. Here's the thing... those aren't in reality either. What is in reality is you sitting here at your computer... right now... as you are.

You may want to change your reality someday and that's great! Yet, the wanting... in and of itself... does not take away from you being whole and complete. It actually is yet more evidence as to why you are.

How do I know?

Name one person on the planet who doesn't "want" something. It is part of the human experience. And for you to share in the human experience makes you perfect - hence human. Imagine for a second that you are the one human being on the planet who is walking around without any desires... now that would be strange.

Don't believe me... try it on for a while. Try on that you are whole, complete and perfect right now. See what it feels like. And if you don't like it... simply go back to what you were doing before.

What you might find is that while this may sound like a cop-out or you are letting yourself off the hook in some way... you're not. Who ever said that you couldn't go after something with all your heart, strength and might... but you have to suffer along the way?

New sites make it easier to share the martial arts!

2011-08-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

Check out our new Thai Kickboxing site for adults and the new site for our kids karate program!

FairfieldKickboxing.com

FairfieldKarate.com

Please share these sites with anyone who you feel would benefit from our program. You could be a positive change in their life... forever.

"Tigers die and leave their skins, people die and leave their legacies. What will your's be?" -Samurai Saying.

Self Defense - Redefined

2011-08-02T07:22:00.000-07:00

Stryker Martial Arts doanted 5 registration fees to the Avon Walk For Breast Cancer last night!

Why?

First, Cancer is the #2 killer of people. Finding a cure is simply good SELF-defense as a community.

Second, 90% of our adult students are women. Another 90% of the decision makers in our kids program are women - mom's are the ones who decide whether or not their kids take karate.

So last night I was on Facebook and a link came up with a friend of mine who is a breast cancer survivor and is doing her 5th walk. It occurred to me... What better way to give back to the people who have given to me?
And then we donated 5 registration fees from July.

I think that is good SELF-defense. What do you think?

Click Here if you want to do your part. Every little bit helps!

Breast Cancer Information:

Remember, Early Detection Helps Save Lives
Be sure you and your loved ones follow the recommended guidelines from the American Cancer Society for early detection of breast cancer. If there is a history of breast cancer in your family consult your doctor on the need to begin these steps at an earlier age.

Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
Clinical breast exam (CBE) should be part of a periodic health exam, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.

Important U.S. Facts About Breast Cancer

Approximately 178,480 women and 2,030 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year
40,460 women and 450 men in the U.S. will die from the disease annually.
There are over 2 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. who have been treated for breast cancer
Every 3 minutes, there is a new diagnosis of invasive breast cancer
There are more than 250,000 women under the age of 40 in the U.S living with breast cancer, and over 11,000 will be diagnosed this year
A woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime
Every 13 minutes, a life is lost to breast cancer
White, non-Hispanic women are more likely to develop breast cancer but African-American women are more likely to die from it.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Hispanic women and is the leading cause of cancer deaths among this group.

From: http://www.avonwalk.org/cause/breast-cancer-information.html

One of the most Critcal exercises!

2011-08-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

This exercise is a must when it comes to LONG TERM health and physical function. I put my Dad (67 years old) on a routine including this exercise because he was getting back spasms when tying his shoes or doing everyday house hold chores. He felt better within WEEKS.

If you are not doing this then you are missing the boat!

Self Defense - Redefined

2011-08-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

Top 10 causes of death:

Heart disease: 616,067
Cancer: 562,875
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 135,952
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 127,924
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 123,706
Alzheimer's disease: 74,632
Diabetes: 71,382
Influenza and Pneumonia: 52,717
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 46,448
Septicemia: 34,828

Its funny... murder... gunfire... knife attacks... they're not on there. The burger above is more deadly. Consider that next time you sit down to order a meal.

There is no doubt that what we do is important. When people become more comfortable in their bodies... when they have a sense of confidence that they can handle themselves... when they earn their Black Belt...
ALL of that makes a difference.

Also, no one is arguing that bad things don't happen. They do.

But ask yourself this...

What is the context of your training? Meaning... why are you doing it? Is it because you are afraid you are going to get attacked? Is it because you are scared? If so, that's cool. To be honest, it was why I got involved in the Martial Arts. I was afraid.

As many of you have found out... this can be handled pretty quickly. Many of our students aren't afraid anymore.

Unfortunately, this doesn't solve the ongoing problem... you have a body and you have to take care of it. Wouldn't that be the ultimate definition of SELF-defense? This is why the martial arts LIFESTYLE is important. Long term point of view and long term training.

Think about the difference we are making in kids' lives. We are teaching them early that healthy choices and physical fitness are important. This is especially true for the families that train at SMA. Parents are getting on the mat and SHOWING their kids that a healthy lifestyle is important even for adults!

Those kids' lives will NEVER be the same!

Create the lifestyle that is truly self-defense. Eat healthy... train hard... and be around a group of people who will support you along the way!

See you in class!

Center For Disease Control

Quote of the day:

2011-08-01T06:24:00.001-07:00

"Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant." -Robert Louis Stevenson

Play Full Out!

2011-07-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

Consider that the amount of value you receive from your Thai Kickboxing or Karate program is a direct reflection of your participation. The more your particpate, the more value you receive! If you don't have a google account, set one up. It takes 2 seconds.

Come play with us!

Cheer people on... add your own content.

If you have something that you want to share, whether video, picture, or text... simply email it to us at strykermartialarts@gmail.com and we will get it up there!

Also, I will not be emailing out every update so if you want to be updated regularly and keep up with the happenings at the school... enter your info to the right!

See you next week!

Stryker Martial Arts - Personal Training Workout

2011-07-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Eric workin' hard after 45 minutes of Kickboxing. Working near his max on the clean and press. Way to power through!!

Stryker Martial Arts - Personal Training Workout

2011-07-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

Awesome workout by Lynn right after kickboxing. She sets a great example of dedication and hard work!

Quote of the day:

2011-07-29T12:16:00.001-07:00

"I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it had ceased to be one." -Mark Twain

Friday Morning Advanced Class

2011-07-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

Huge Kickboxing Test!

2011-07-28T19:21:00.000-07:00

Awesome kickboxing test tonight. Congratulations to everyone who made it to their next rank. Also, remember what we discussed... be sure to take a minute when you're getting frustrated or overwhelmed. Your ability to start anew quickly is extremely valuable.

Great job guys!

Kids' test was GREAT!

2011-07-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

That's focus right there! Great Job to all the kids who just tested! Keep up the good work. Black Belt will be here before you know it!

Stryker Martial Arts - Personal Training Workout

2011-07-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

The New Meeting Place for Stryker Martial Arts' Students!

2011-07-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

Welcome to DanStryker.com!

Why the new site?

Because StrykerMartialArts.com is a great site but I was trying to have it fulfill two purposes. First was to educate potential students, and second to serve current students. In attempting to serve both, I don't think I am serving any very well.

Therefore, I created this site specifically for you... the students of Stryker Martial Arts and their "sphere of influence"... simply meaning the people around them. My goal is to put content on here that you can turn to for inspiration and share with the people around you.

This site will serve two purposes:

As a place for me to lead by example and share my experiences of my Martial Arts training both on and off the mat with you.
A study of Mastery. What is it? What does it look like? What does it take to be Masterful? How can you take the lessons that you have learned from Martial Arts training and both influence and inspire the people around you?

While much of the content will be martial arts and fitness related, it will include other things like the video below:

The Ice Book (HD) from Davy and Kristin McGuire on Vimeo.

What does this video have to do with Mastery? These people created an amazing work of art with relatively no money. The philosophy is that creativity and vision beat budget everytime. It represents creative thinking at its best and it most certainly is Masterfully executed!

I hope that you will join me on this site often and interact with the posts here. Ultimately, I am building this site for you as a place to call home when you're on the internet. All you need is a google account and you are good to go!

See you soon!

Awesome Quote...

2011-06-27T08:51:00.001-07:00

"Everything happens for a reason. When you have a great reason, great things happen." -Anonymous

Did you know?

2011-06-14T09:07:00.001-07:00

Exercise Facts

Only about 1/3 of adults regularly work out, says the Centers for Disease Control. Everyone should exercise at a moderate level for 2 1/2 hours per week, or 1/2 hour per day, five days per week. If you can talk while exercising but can't sing, you can consider the activity moderate. If you find it hard to speak more than a few words while exercising, you are most likely exercising at a vigorous level and only require 1 1/4 hours weekly, or 15 minutes daily.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/330179-exercise-heart-disease-statistics/#ixzz1PGc55psj

Video 42

2011-06-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

The Human Weapon: Eskrima Pangilog

2011-05-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

Human Weapon, Savate, Jab/Kick Combo,

2011-05-23T08:56:00.000-07:00

Look Familiar?

Master Kru Phil Nurse's Muay Thai "Fight Highlights"

2011-05-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

Our Kids' Karate Program is definately headed in the right direction!

2011-05-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

I just had a very interesting thing happen...

I have been hanging out with my son all afternoon. He has been very well behaved yet I keep having to correct things like "yea." and turn them into "yes." or preferably "yes, Daddy."

This has been going on for hours as you can imagine...

I just now helped him change into his KARATE UNIFORM...

He insisted on tying his belt because that is what he wants to be able to do to earn his merit badge. After a little coaching from me he did it! I then said, "Awesome... good job buddy." and gave him a high five. For which he ENTHUSIASTICALLY replied, "Thank you, sir!"

I was shocked. It was a complete turn around from how he had been replying all afternoon.

What was the only difference?

The Karate Uniform...

Amazing.

Respectfully,

Master Dan

Weekly Wisdom

2011-05-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Truly Inspirational... Nothing bad ever came from hard work...

Announcements:

Testing - May 26th
No Classes this day and as usual, no unsupervised kids during testing. All students are welcome to come down and participate in class and cheer on their teammates afterwards!

FREE Kali Class this Wednesday at 8:30PM
Everyone is welcome to participate. Even bring your friends! We will be covering come basic self defense techniques using a stick! Check it out!

FREE Traditional Kempo Karate Class this Thursday at 8:30PM
Everyone is welcome to participate. Even bring your friends! You will walk away with a real appreciation for traditional martial arts as well as an understanding of a different type of workout! All are Welcome!

Bootcamps are coming! Keep your eyes peeled!

Great quote! Keep up the good work!

2011-05-06T08:44:00.001-07:00

"We can only cultivate a non-quitting spirit in the moments when we are tempted to quit. When we are doing things that we like to do, it is not discipline, it is enjoyment." -Anonymous

Great Quote!

2011-04-29T10:02:00.001-07:00

“You've got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. It's called perseverance.” - Lee Iacocca

Something to think about...

2011-04-19T06:36:00.001-07:00

"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare" ~ Japanese Proverb

Weekly Wisdom

2011-04-18T06:59:00.000-07:00

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."
                                                                 ~ Confucius

Wisdom has always been my goal... both physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. While I have more authority in certain areas over others, I am in a constant state of learning and growing.

I invite you to do the same.

I was at a seminar on Friday where I was reminded that Martial Arts is a lifestyle and something you carry with you both on and off the mat... not something you pick up or put down like a seasonal sport. Whether you have been training for years or you just started, you have the opportunity to take advantage of this lifestyle and the wisdom that comes with it. Therefore, we train year round.

Why?

Because growth and self-improvement don't have an off season and this is REALLY what we are working on with both the kids and adults.

I challenge you to take a look at your physical growth over the course of your training (even if you just started). While you may not have shed the pounds or bodyfat that you "wanted", aren't you much more "aware" of your body? The way it moves? The experience of both elation and fatigue during training? Perhaps you have become aware that you are much more capable of physical feats than you thought you were?

Our kids are experiencing these same things. They are becoming much more aware of a body that is changing all the time. Not only that, they are more aware of their ability to focus and pay attention. They are less distracted because of their martial arts training.

They learn one of the most important skills of being able to follow directions and pay attention to a teacher (authority figure).

They learn how to treat themselves, their parents, and their friends with respect and courtesy.

None of these benefits have an "off season". This is why I train year round and require all of our students to do the same. Is there ever a time where respect, self discipline, self-control, perseverance, commitment, integrity, honor, courtesy, physical fitness are not a required part of life? So why would you stunt your or your child's growth in that area?

Train Hard,

Master Dan

Announcements:

Easter Break - No classes Sunday April 24th and Monday April 25th.

Testing - April 28th
No Classes this day and as usual, no unsupervised kids during testing.

Nutritional Seminar with Jenn Spitzner - April 29th
Get nutritional advice from one of the best! Take the class at 7:15pm and stay for the seminar at 8:00. Sign up at the front desk.

Combination for Parents to work on with their kids

2011-04-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

What A WORKOUT!

2011-04-11T18:38:00.000-07:00

1200 CALORIES BURNED IN TONIGHT CLASS ACCORDING TO A STUDENT'S CALORIE COUNTER! I challenge any personal trainer or "fitness" program to match that number! Great job guys! Can't beat our Kickboxing Program!

Weekly Wisdom

2011-04-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

"What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do."       ~ John Ruskin

"Action is the real measure of intelligence." ~ Napoleon Hill

The weather is finally getting warmer! The jackets will soon disappear and the tank tops and bathing suits will be out! You will be in 1 of 2 places...

You will be saying, "I am glad I did" or "I wish I had". Which one would you prefer?

Many of you have been training in the school for a long time... this is both good news and bad. The good news is that you have shown tremendous dedication to self improvement and empowerment!  Good Work.

The bad news is that showing up to class is no longer enough. Your body has become accustomed to the movements and you no longer need to think about them. In essence, your body has become more efficient; therefore, it doesn't take you as many calories for the same amount of work. Chances are that if you have experienced a plateau, this is why.

What will it take for you to really change your body composition this year if you have been training for a while? What will be the thing to put you over the edge and break that plateau?

I say there are two...

The first is high intensity. Make the class your own. Its your class...  go full out and commit to yourself that you will take it to the next level.

And two is hard work. As much as I and many other people would like to lose 10 lbs in a week (like many of the magazines tout) it simply isn't realistic. What is? Hard work for a prolonged period of time. There are no shortcuts.

I invite you to take the next 6 weeks and play full out. Leave it all on the mat. When you are done, you could not have put any more effort into the class. And then see what happens.

For those of you just starting, I urge you to do the same. Make the class your own and play full out.

For those of you who have trained with us before... you know that there aren't many (if any) other programs that will get you in better shape. I personally invite you to come back. Whatever the reason for stopping before, lets both take a fresh look and recommit to your fitness goals. If Stryker Martial Arts has made a mistake in the past, let us make it up to you by showing you how we have improved our program.

If you left SMA on a sour note, water under the bridge. Lets move on and make this year your best yet!

Either way, call the school at (203) 319 - 9989 or emial Kailen at StrykerMartialArts@gmail.com to set up your first class. Lets get this spring started!

Respectfully,

Master Dan

Announcements:

April 17th - Instructor Bootcamp with Kyoshi Dave Kovar

If you want to get in on this event, please make sure to get on the list now. Space is extremely limited!

Easter Break - No classes Sunday April 24th and Monday April 25th.

Testing - April 28th
No Classes this day and as usual, no unsupervised kids during testing.

Nutritional Seminar with Jenn Spitzner - April 29th
Get nutritional advice from one of the best! Take the class at 7:15pm and stay for the seminar at 8:00. Sign up at the front desk.

A Big Thank You!

2011-04-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

"What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do." - John Ruskin

A Big Thank You to Shihan Manny from The Dojo in Stamford for participating in our classes this morning. It is great to see a professional and martial arts master leading by example and getting out on the mat! He is such a positive influence and always a pleasure to have around our school! Thanks Shihan! I am looking forward to seeing you next week.

Human Weapon - Muay Thai - Power Angle Kick

2011-04-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

Weekly Wisdom

2011-04-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

"Time cools, time clarifies; no mood can be maintained quite unaltered through the course of hours."
~ Mark Twain

Announcements:

April 17th - Instructor Bootcamp with Kyoshi Dave Kovar

If you want to get in on this event, please make sure to get on the list now. Space is extrememly limited!

Easter Break - No classes Sunday April 24th and Monday April 25th.

Testing - April 28th
No Classes this day and as usual, no unsupervised kids during testing.

MOTIVATION - "Be Great, Powerful Beyond Measure" - Best Inspirational Vi...

2011-03-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

Weekly Wisdom

2011-03-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

"Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success."
~ Brian Adams

Announcements:

Testing - March 31st
No Classes this day and as usual, no unsupervised kids during testing.
April 17th - Instructor Bootcamp with Kyoshi Dave Kovar

If you want to get in on this event, please make sure to get on the list now. Space is extrememly limited!

Weekly Wisdom

2011-03-14T05:27:00.000-07:00

"I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn."
~ Albert Einstein

As always, a great reminder... whose martial arts is it? The way we talk about it is simply showing you the door. It is up to you to provide the work, discipline and open mindedness to actually learn the martial arts for yourself.

Announcements:

Testing - March 31st
No Classes this day and as usual, no unsupervised kids during testing.

Top 5 Parent "Must Do's":

Do: Always, always compliment your child after each and every class. Find something that they did well and point it out to them. This is also a great time for a hug or kiss - they are FREE so be generous! High 5’s work great too! Kids should immediately associate Karate with a feeling of success and pride.

Do: Watch as many classes as possible. Get involved, be your child’s #1 fan and cheerleader.

Do: Get into a regular schedule as much as possible so children can mentally prepare for class early in the day. It is a good idea for you too so you can plan other chores around your trip. Pack your child’s uniform and gear the previous night so that it will be ready to go first thing in the morning. It is very easy if you have a specific bag designated for Karate.

Do: Keep the instructors informed. Let them know about your child's enthusiasm for the program and any problems you may be running into. We have been teaching the martial arts for a long time and chances are we have run into the problem before. We are here to help you so please do not hesitate to ask.

Do: Give your child the thing they want more than anything in the world, your time! Get involved and make earning a Black Belt a Team effort.

Stryker Martial Arts - Parent - Kid Tip 2

2011-03-11T14:30:00.000-08:00

Weekly Wisdom

2011-03-07T05:53:00.000-08:00

"However long the night, the dawn will eventually break."
~ African Proverb

Times get tough. Life gets hard. You wouldn't know that to be true unless things have also been good and will get better. There seems to be a collective agreement that things are hard right now. I believe that many people (including myself) thought we would have turned a corner by now and things would be looking brighter. Even so... this will pass. Things will get better. The dawn will eventually break.

I have seen many challenges over the course of my life... when things get hard, I train harder. As much as I want to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep, I know that it won't serve me in the long run. Being physically fit and strong will. Allowing life's lessons to be learned, practiced, and honed in the training environment will allow me to be more successful when the next challenge comes.

Remember that there is credit due just for showing up. The hardest part is getting to your class. From there, we will take care of the rest. As much as you might not want to... get yourself to class and then give yourself credit for showing up!

One day at a time... One class at a time... Train hard.

Respectfully,
Master Dan

Announcements:

Testing - March 31st
No Classes this day and as usual, no unsupervised kids during testing.

To the Bo-Blacks not interested in testing for Black Belt,

I reckognize that we have a problem. There needs to be some sort of acknowledgement and achievement other than Black Belt. I have not figured out what that will be yet but I am working on it. I have debated special uniforms for different amounts of years trained. Special gloves. Embriodered Bo-Black Belts after a certain amount of time trained. I just don't know yet.

I realize that with the increase in the standard for Black Belt, that some of you are now in limbo. I am sorry. I thought that our outstanding program would be enough to sustain people's interests. That achieving and maintaining your fitness goals in a class that is fun, inspirational and educational would be enough.

The difficult position that I am in is that the Martial Arts Equipment industry is not a very stable one. Meaning, manufacturers will introduce a uniform, have it for a couple of years, and then stop making it. The last thing I want to do is set up a long term perspective and reward that people can strive for only to find out that once they get there, I can no longer get the merchandise. (This has been the current problem with our kids BBC - They stopped making the uniform!)

So, I request your patiences. I am working on it. We still have the great program you signed up for. Just give me some time to figure out a structure that Bo-Blacks can work towards.

Here is a start though...

I was speaking with one of the Bo-Blacks and she brought up a good point about testing. She loves the testing environment and the energy. She expressed that some other Bo-Blacks felt the same way. Therefore, I want to open the testing up to the Bo-Blacks who meet the requirements (12 classes per month). If you make 12 classes per month, you are welcome to participate in testing. To be clear, you WILL NOT be getting a progress stripe because you are not working towards Black Belt. But you will have the expreience of supporting others who are both working towards your rank and others.

I thought it was a great idea and I look forward to seeing you all at testing!

Parent / Kid Tip of the week

2011-03-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

Welcome to SMA on YouTube

2011-03-01T14:45:00.000-08:00

Weekly Wisdom

2011-02-28T05:50:00.000-08:00

"A newborn is soft and tender,
A crone, hard and stiff.
Plants and animals, in life, are supple and succulent;
In death, withered and dry.
So softness and tenderness are attributes of life,
And hardness and stiffness, attributes of death.

Just as a sapless tree will split and decay
So an inflexible force will meet defeat;
The hard and mighty lie beneath the ground
While the tender and weak dance on the breeze above."

~ Tao Te Ching

Kickboxing Tip:

Where are your fitness goals achieved?

Most people would say on the mat. That by working out, they achieve their fitness goals.

I disagree.

I believe that the OPPORTUNITY for growth happens on the mat or in the gym or out on your run. Whatever stimulus you are providing your body gives it the potential to reach whatever goal you have set. But that's it.

So where does it happen?

My argument and the argument of people a lot smarter than me say that actual physical growth and physical potential are reached during rest and recovery. After providing your body with the correct amount of stimulus to promote the effect that you want - whether weight loss or lean muscle gain.

I invite you to evaluate what your rest and recovery look like. As the warm weather approaches, we all want to shed a few extra pounds and lean up a bit. If you are not being careful with your diet (getting enough protein for example) and you are not sleeping 8 hours a night, these may provide you with some pretty big obstacles when looking to achieve your fitness goals.

If you have any questions simply ask Master Dan next time you're in the school.

Kid's Karate Tip:

Dear Parents,

When was the last time your practiced martial arts with your child?

There is one thing that all our children want from us everyday and that is time. Most kids associate time and attention with love and what kid doesn't want to be loved? So I invite you to take just 3 minutes and practice some karate with your child. Here is a very simply drill...

Grab a piece of paper and draw a circle the size of your fist. Then place it in front of your child and start SLOWLY swinging it from right to left. They are not allow to move and have to throw a Jab and Cross in the circle as it moves by in front of them. All you have to do is keep swinging it back and forth. This is a great drill to build hand eye coordination and timing.

Some of the older kids might be reluctant at first... that's alright. They are scared of looking foolish as we all are. You know your child and what will motivate them to participate. For me, if I told any of my kids, "I have a challenging exercise for you BUT.... it might be too hard. Maybe we shouldn't do it." They would be begging to start.

Always make sure to praise and love on them when they are successful. That will never got old for your kids even though they might try to shrug it off.

This is also a great retention tool to keep them motivated and inspired about their martial arts training!

STRYKER Special!

All parents to kids participating in our program get a FREE QUICKSTART PACKAGE! This is a month of lessons, pants and shirt FREE! Just see one of the staff at the front desk and we will get you started!

And we are doing the same for kids of adults in our kickboxing program! See one of us at the front desk and we will set up their first class!

Weekly Wisdom

2011-02-21T06:24:00.000-08:00

"Success is what happens when hard work meets inspiration and perseverance."
~ Napoleon Hill

Announcements:

Regular classes this Thursday (February 24th)

Testing March 3 - No Regular Classes!

Weekly Wisdom

2011-02-14T06:06:00.000-08:00

"Where attention goes, energy flows and results soon show."
~ Anonymous

Announcements:

February Testing will be moved to March 3rd.

I didn't realized that when we put the schedule together for 2011 that testing fell during February Break. While many schools have taken away February Break because of the snow days, many people are still planning to travel. Therefore, testing on February 24th is creating some conflicts.

So the "Official" test will be one March 3rd. We will have normally scheduled classes on February 24th.

If this creates a problem for you, DON'T STRESS! We will work it out and get you tested. I apologize for any confusion and am doing this to satisfy the greatest number of people. EVERYONE will test though so if this is your rotation and you have a conflict, simply see one of the instructors.

Weekly Wisdom

2011-02-07T07:01:00.000-08:00

"No great dependence is to be placed on the eagerness of young soldiers for action, for the prospect of fighting is agreeable to those who are strangers to it."

~ Vegetius (Roman military writer - 4th Century A.D.)

I read this quote and immediately thought of the "Mixed Martial Arts" (MMA) fad/craze that is going on right now and that has been prompted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Many of these would-be UFC fighters are opening schools after realizing that

They can't cut it in the ring
That the shelf life of an MMA fighter can be measured in months so there is no future
There is a lot of money to be made off the craze that Dana White and the UFC have created (Just think back to when Tae Bo was big... the martial arts industry did the same thing then except less people got hurt).

If you are an 18 to 35 year old guy who wants to mix it up a little bit and "see what your made of" then these schools are perfect for you. If you are not afraid of getting hurt (like broken bones, torn shoulders, or head trauma) then by all means, go check it out.

But... if you are anyone else who falls outside of this category (18 - 35 year old males) then be wary. This includes most: Mom's, Dad's, and Children. My biggest fear is that someone who might benefit greatly from a well structured and professional martial arts program will walk into one of these schools and get turned off by the martial arts immediately - either by the way the classes are conducted or worse yet, by getting hurt.

When looking for a martial arts school be careful. They are not all created equal. For more information on what to look for when choosing a school, check out this article...

Top things to look for when choosing a Martial Arts school

Weekly Wisdom

2011-01-31T13:17:00.000-08:00

"It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not to deserve them."
~ Mark Twain

Here is to a former Martial Arts friend of mine. You get people in your life from time to time who teach you how NOT to act with people... how NOT to conduct business... how NOT to live life. I have never pretended to be perfect and I have made my fair share of mistakes in business, with people and in life. This guy just keeps reminding me time and time again of what not to do. For that, he is still one of my greatest teachers.

Everytime I come across this guy, I am thankful. I am thankful that he is no longer in my life... but more importantly, I am thankful for what IS in my life. I am thankful for the martial arts friends I do have...

I am thankful for my buddy Manny who runs a phenomenal martial arts school in Stamford Connecticut called The Dojo. We talk almost daily and share both the victories and challenges of owning martial arts schools. He constantly teaches me that my kids program is mediocre and shows me the ways that I can improve it. We are working diligently to implement his coaching in order to make our childrens' program better.

I am thankful for my friend Corey who runs Dynamic Martial Arts in Greenwich Connecticut. Although he and I fell out of touch for a few years, we recently got in contact again and his friendship has been a blessing. He is a constant reminder for me what a good man is and he is someone I can call if I ever need anything. He is also a testament and inspiration with his own martial arts and physical training!

Tom Clifford is a new friend who owns Tom Clifford's Martial Arts in Rockland New York. He and I have had very similar life experiences and he is one of those people that you meet and you feel like you have known him forever. Plus he has both a physical and an emotional resilience that I can learn a great deal from. I am thankful to have been fortunate enough to meet him.

Dave Kovar has become a friend and mentor to me recently. The wisdom he has shared with me over the past year has helped to dramatically improve the level of service we provide. His calming attitude has had a great influence on me when I have been ready to lose my patients. He owns 8 schools in Sacramento California called Satori Academy and is a mentor to literally thousands of martial artists across the country. AND he holds 10 separate Black Belts. He is truly an inspiration.

None of these men are perfect. But they do have one thing in common... They are men of honor. If they tell you they will do something... it is as good as done. It has been my experience that surrounding myself with men and women like this increases prosperity much more than the other. Thank you gentlemen for everything you have taught me and currently are teaching me. Your friendship is one of my most prized "possessions".

Weekly Wisdom

2011-01-24T05:11:00.000-08:00

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

Announcements:

Testing - January 27th

Be sure to invite people to support you during your test. Even if the person or people you want there are current students, do not assume that they will just show up. More importantly, don't "hope" they know how important they are to you. Communicate to them that it is important to you that they be there to support you in this important step in your martial arts journey! It will make a big difference for both / all of you.

Arguably, it is one of the biggest compliments you can give someone. Everyone wants to know that they make a difference in someone else's life. Don't rob the people in your life of this valuable experience. Invite them today!

Personal Training

Due to an increased interest in personal training, Master Dan has made more time slots available. If you are interested in taking your training to the next level... to increasing your functional strength... to look your best this summer... then it might be time to consider some Personal Training.

We now have times available in the mornings till 3:00pm. We are also offering the opportunity for you to train with another person to make it more affordable. If you are interested, simply let Master Dan know and we can set up a time for you to come in to discuss the possibility of getting into the best shape of your life!

If you have any questions about Master Dan's ability to dramatically modify people's body composition, simply let us know and we have a number of current clients you can speak with.

Be sure to set up a free consultation next time you're in class!

Weekly Wisdom

2011-01-17T07:05:00.000-08:00

"Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better." ~ King Whitney Jr.

Everyone has been doing a great job in class over the last two weeks. Lets keep up the good work.

Also, this is a great time to invite your friends and family to try our program. As you have found out, we are one of the few places where people can ACTUALLY modify their body composition and lose pounds of unsightly fat. If you know anyone who might be interested in simply coming down and trying our program for free please let us know. Or they can simply call the school and set up a time for their first class!
I look forward to seeing everyone on the mat!

Weekly Wisdom

2011-01-10T05:48:00.000-08:00

"Learning is the first step in making positive changes within yourself. Other factors are conviction, determination, action and effort. Learning and education help develop conviction about the need to change and increase your commitment. Conviction then develops into determination. Next, strong determination leads to ac...tion: a sustained effort to implement the changes. This final factor of effort is critical." ~ Dalai Lama

Weekly Wisdom

2011-01-03T05:54:00.000-08:00

"Keep five yards from a carriage, ten yards from a horse, and a hundred yards from an elephant; but the distance one should keep from a wicked man cannot be measured."
~ Indian Proverb

Announcements:

New Schedule for 2011 is up. You can find it here.

New Class Schedule starting January 3rd can be found here.

Testing in January will be on the 27th.

The hardest thing to do is start a thing. Whatever that thing is. It is easy to think about it... easy to talk about it... but to TAKE ACTION and start a thing is what is the most challenging.

Simply take a moment and figure out when your first class of the year will be. And then SHOW UP to that class. Let nothing stand in your way. The rest will take care of itself.

We look forward to a GREAT 2011! See you on the mat!

10 Ways To Make New Years Resolutions Stick

2011-01-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

10 Ways To Make New Years Resolutions Stick

New Schedule to 2011!

2010-12-31T07:12:00.000-08:00

Parents have asked for a more convenient schedule and SMA listened!

Check out our new schedule starting January 3rd 2011!

Click here to see the new schedule!

See you in class on Monday...

Weekly Wisdom

2010-12-20T05:39:00.000-08:00

These things from ancient times arise from one:
The sky is whole and clear.
The earth is whole and firm.
The spirit is whole and strong.
The valley is whole and full.
The ten thousand things are whole and alive.
Kings and lords are whole, and the country is upright.
All these are in virtue of wholeness.

The clarity of the sky prevents its falling.
The firmness of the earth prevents its splitting.
The strength of the spirit prevents its being used up.
The fullness of the valley prevents its running dry.
The growth of the ten thousand things prevents their dying out.
The leadership of kings and lords prevents the downfall
of the country.

Therefore the humble is the root of the noble.
The low is the foundation of the high.
Princes and lords consider themselves
"orphaned," "widowed," and "worthless."
Do they not depend on being humble?

Too much success is not an advantage.
Do not tinkle like jade
Or clatter like stone chimes.

~ Tao Te Ching

Announcements:

Testing This Thursday - NO CLASSES

We will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

We will have classes next week for the ADULT kickboxers. We will hold night classes only at the regularly scheduled times.

SMA will be closed Friday Evening and Saturday (December 31 and January 1st). We will reopen on January 3rd for classes.

Be sure to congratulate all the new Black Belts when you see them!

Weekly Wisdom

2010-12-13T05:35:00.000-08:00

"I believe that the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I don't mean by humility, doubt of his power. But really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not of them, but through them. And they see something divine in every other man and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful."
~ John Ruskin

Announcements:

Final Countdown to Black Belt Testing: December 18th

Black Belts here at 12:00pm
Bo Blacks here at 1:00pm

Feel free to come down and support your fellow students for this coveted rank.

*NOTE: There is NO JUNIORS CLASS this Saturday December 18th

December 23rd - Testing - NO CLASSES

GREAT NEWS for the adult kickboxing students! Master Dan will be running night classes between Monday December 27th and Thursday December 30th. We will also have our hardcore friday morning class for adults on New Years Eve!

Master Dan's goal is to help the adult students stay on track and MAINTAIN their momentum through this week so that we can start again January 3rd strong!

It will be the regular schedule at night at the same times. There are no classes in the morning and no kid's classes that week. If you have any questions, please see one of the staff. Thanks.

If you are a personal training client, please contact Master Dan to reschedule your sessions. If you are interested in Personal Training, this would be a great week to start. See Master Dan if you have any questions!

Train Hard!

Quick Reminder

2010-12-11T08:20:00.001-08:00

There is no Juniors class next Saturday due to Black Belt Testing. Please make up your class during the week. Thanks!

New Students for November!

2010-12-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

SMA welcomes its new students for the month of November!

New Students for November
Nancy A.
Charlie B.
Tanta B.
Matthew F.
Peter F.
Devin J.
Marcus J.
Joe J.
Jennifer K.
Melinda L.
Ashli L.
Aidan R.
Nicholas T.

The holiday season is in full swing, and I'm SUPER-happy to see many of you getting those classes in! Believe me, a little extra effort now will get you ahead of the curve once January begins (and since I heard it's against the rules to weight yourself or check in on your waistline between Halloween and the New Year - it's not a bad idea to set yourself up for a pleasant surprise on the scale for January 1st!).

As Master Dan previously mentioned, December is FREE to anyone who is interested in our program. If you're looking for a little extra motivation to get to class, this is the perfect opportunity to have a buddy try it out! Working out tends to be more fun when you have a friend sweating right beside you... despite how that sounds.

We also are hosting a "Drop and Shop" afternoon for the kids. On Sunday December 19th, from 1pm - 4pm we have activities planned in order to give parents a well-deserved break. If you're looking to get a few hours off in order to shop, gift wrap, or simply relax, be sure to speak to Mr. Oscar today! Space is limited.

~Kailen

Weekly Wisdom

2010-12-06T05:48:00.000-08:00

"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it. Plan more than you can do, then do it."
~ Anonymous

Saturday was GREAT! Thank you to all the Kickboxers who brought their friends and family. It was fun getting a chance to meet the people in your life. I know they probably found the class challenging but hopefully they had a good time too. It is always fun to share what you love with others.

Announcements:

December 18th is Black Belt testing. Be sure to come down and support your teammates who are going for this coveted rank!

Regular testing is December 23rd! My goal is to make this the biggest test of the year... so if this is your rotation make sure you get your stripes. Also, save the date to come down and cheer on the people testing. There will be refreshments for everyone!

Remember that December is FREE to anyone interested in our program! Please hand out our VIP guest passes to anyone you feel might benefit from our program (even if you think they will say "No.", they might surprise you).

See everyone on the mat... we have a great week planned for you!

All new special! Try it out today!

2010-12-02T06:58:00.001-08:00

Weekly Wisdom

2010-11-29T05:22:00.000-08:00

"Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea that life is serious."
~ Brendan Gill

Announcements:

Be sure to share our amazing referral program with your friends and family! They can train for the Month of December FREE! All they have to do is get a uniform.

Black Belt Test is December 18th - Be sure to check with Master Dan regarding your participation - especially the current Black Belts looking to earn progress stripes!
Testing is December 23rd - Lets finish the year strong with the highest level of participation by both students testing and friends and family there to cheer you on! Figure out now who you are going to invite!
Holiday break - Friday December 24th to Sunday January 2nd

Remember, the next 4 weeks are critical to your success. If you maintain your momentum and training during the next 4 weeks, you will start 2011 strong and ready to continue seeing amazing results!

Online Special - FREE Kickboxing and Karate for the Month of December!

2010-11-28T15:41:00.000-08:00

Want to get a jump start on that New Years Resolution and shed some weight? Has your child expressed an interest in karate (or you simply want them to have better self control)? That's Great! Let Stryker Martial Arts help by training you for FREE!

You read it right...

We are giving the Month of December away for FREE to any potential students who have been interested in training. All you have to do is purchase pants and T-Shirt for kickboxing or a Karate Uniform for kids (just so you don't feel out of place)...

Be sure to Call (203) 319 - 9989 to set up your first FREE LESSON now!

There is one catch... I have a feeling this is going to be very popular and I don't want to take away from my current students by flooding the mat with new students. Therefore, you must be one of the first 20 people to mention you saw this ad online when you call (203) 319 - 9989.

Simply Call (203) 319 - 9989 to be one of the first 20 to reserve your spot and set up your first free lesson - even if it is 2:00am - we will make sure you get on the list!

See you on the mat!

Weekly Wisdom

2010-11-22T05:39:00.000-08:00

"The scientific name for an animal that doesn't either run from or fight its enemies is lunch."
~Michael Friedman

Announcement:

Remember that there are no classes this Wednesday! Everyone have a GREAT Thanksgiving!

Weekly Wisdom

2010-11-18T09:53:00.001-08:00

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.
~ Harvey Fierstein

Self Preservation vs. Self Defense - Part 2

2010-11-18T09:32:00.000-08:00

Here is a case in point...

I called my Dad the other day to check in with him...

He recently started "lifting weights" after years of hounding from me (I also trained him for a couple of years where he admits to being in the best shape of his life). You see, he is losing muscle mass by the minute and I am getting worried.

Why would I be worried?

Well, his body is important. How many people have you known who have broken hips, knees, wrists, ankles from falling or trying to lift something only to drop it on their foot and so forth. My grandmother has had three hip replacements and two knee replacements.

My late mother-in-law broke both her leg and wrist from tripping and falling.

What does this have to do with Self Preservation? I will get to that in a sec...

But first, I think there is a MAJOR misconception of my fathers' and our generation for the use of FUNCTIONAL strength. Here are the facts... My dad will ALWAYS need to:

Lift a load (think box or firewood) off the ground
Lift a load above his head - like putting a piece of plywood on top of his car
Be able to do a squat (like tying his shoes) - how many people have you seen struggling to get out of a low chair?

Bottom line is he will always need to pull something, lift something, push something... etc.

Yet, somewhere the fitness industry got lost. Functionality has been replaced with "Bosu Balls" and "Core Training" and other fancy gadgets that have no relation to any sort of movement you would perform in real life. It is sissy training at best yet makes the trainer look REALLY smart because they have 20 different variations of a tricep extension.... nice!

Both will make you look good but the fancy stuff will create a "Paper Dragon" who will crumble under any substantial load. The fact of the matter is that "selectorized" equipment (equipment with the pins) like you see in many gyms create imbalances at best and potential injury at worst. Plus they can be complex and intimidating... you don't need it.

Nothing replaces putting load or weight on the body and having it move that weight. No machine. No new invention. Nothing you will see on a late night infomercial...

Nothing but good ole' fashion weight lifting.

So I asked him, "How are the weights going?"

"Great!", he said.

"OK, what type of things are you doing?"

"Well," he began "I got some fitness magazines and have been doing some exercises out of there." I started twitching but remained calm.

"Alright I said, how much weight are you using?"

"8 lb dumbbells!" he said happily. Then added, "I can REALLY feel it!"

I had my eyes closed for so long that I nearly drove off the road... Consider for a moment that the simple suitcase he will bring with him on his next trip will weigh considerable more than 16 total pounds. He will have to move that suitcase in a variety of different directions.

So I asked him 2 questions... First, "Are the dumbbells PINK?" And second, "If you squeezed your butt cheeks together for 30 seconds you would "REALLY feel it!" "How much closer would you be to getting in shape?!"

Now we had a good laugh and everything was in good fun BUT it represented a huge problem... The problem of education and myth... Are we working on form or function? Although the guys in the fitness magazines are very pretty, it is a known fact that they lack FUNCTIONAL strength. Simply put, being able to lift a weight off the ground and raise it over their head.

I get to see him next week... and that is where part 3 comes in.

He thinks that he needs to get in his car...

Go to some heated / air conditioned "fitness facility" to "workout"...

Work with fancy "fitness equipment"...

And look at guys in spandex... nasty. That is reason enough for me to cancel my membership...

We are going to get jeans on and some boots and WALK OUT HIS BACK DOOR...

Go out into the woods. THAT is where he will get the best workout he has had in years...

More to come... stay tuned.

New Students for October

2010-11-10T09:58:00.000-08:00

Hey, it's Kailen -

I'd like to send a warm welcome to our new Stryker Martial Arts Students from the month of October!

October New Students:
Susan V.
Nikki O.
Hank M.
Ian L.
Harrison B.
James K.
Yvonne D.
Athena B.
Jazmin A.
Aaron A.
Camrin D.
Joseph C.
Patrick C.

Welcome to the community!

As the colder weather approaches I know that I tend to turn to the primal instinct of gathering nuts and berries in order to have sufficient nutrients for my winter hibernation. Or rather, in real world terms, I tend to eat a lot of unnecessary calories in anticipation of a looming ice-age which never materializes.

This year I challenge you all to stick to your SMA workout schedule, be it twice or three times per week. I know that although I'll certainly strive for moderation with my empty calories throughout the gauntlet of holidays approaching, I'll likely slip up a bit here and there. My secret weapon to ensure that my slip ups don’t become massive landslides (been there, done that!) will be my commitment to showing up to class each week. Hope to see you there!

What it looks like...

2010-11-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

Self Preservation vs. Self Defense - Part 1

2010-11-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

I have been debating between these two lately... what do we teach?

Do we teach Self Defense? or Self Preservation?

I think that the term Self Defense is limiting. It is the gang of thugs sitting outside your house ready to attack you at any moment - which we all know is nonsense.

Yet, could Self Defense be having a strong body so that if you were to get into a car accident or take on some kind of impact, that it would do minimal damage to your body?

or is that Self Preservation?

After staring at a growling dog, you turn and have the FUNCTIONAL strength to pull yourself over the fence... Preservation or Defense?

Coming out of a bathroom only to see a guy standing there who will not let you pass... clinch knee and head takedown... Preservation or Defense?

I think that we have become a little disoriented in the martial arts. Half the industry sells "This could happen to you." stuff. The other half is heading towards the MMA nonsense as if that is the second coming and will solve all problems related to Self Defense. Neither of these is true.

In 14 years, none of my students have come back and said, "Wow, thank you for teaching me that super special technique... it saved my life over the weekend." Yet, I have had many students come up to me and say, "I need to stop training for six weeks. I fell and sprained my wrist (or twisted my ankle)."

So why do we train?

At Stryker Martial Arts, I think that we train for Self Preservation. I think that we are looking to live long, healthy lives where our bodies serve us and not the other way around. I think we value the idea that if we take care of our body, it will take care of us - for the long term. Meaning quite literally that we can enjoy retirement instead of survive retirement.

What does a successful training program look like?

One that provides a heart thumping, adrenaline pumping workout WITH resistance! Whether hitting a target or a bag, that resistance is vital. Hitting the air isn't going to cut it.

There is one element that is missing though and I will share it with you in part 2. Stay tuned!