Having a reliable and effective partner is crucial for honing your skills. Whether you’re practicing Arnis, Boxing, Tae Kwon Do, Kempo Karate, or even Tai […]
Author: Bryan Bagnas
Master and Founder of Golden Leopard Kempo Martial Arts School, teaching Philippine Combatives, Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu, Combat Kickboxing, Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo, and Self-Defense to San Diego students for over three decades.
The Practice Priority: Commitment to Practice Leads to Success
While learning and mastering any skill, the role of consistent practice should not be overstated. Many beginning students, especially in martial arts, believe attending classes […]
Body Contact Theory: How to Prepare For A Real Fight
I remember the first time I was punched. It was my teacher demonstrating a technique, and he punched hard. Years later, when I was in […]
The Grandma Rule: Situational Awareness Explained
It was a cool, dark November evening. I passed my Yellow Belt test a few weeks prior, and my whole family knew how much I […]
Kempo Marinate and Black Belt Stew: The Journey of Advanced Training
In martial arts, achieving a Black Belt is often seen as the pinnacle of one’s journey. However, many students are frustrated by the long periods […]
How Phases Work
Teaching a room full of students at different skill levels has vexed instructors for years. What is the best way to keep everyone progressing towards […]
The History of Karate and Martial Arts in Hawai‘i: A Cultural Crossroads of Combat Arts
Hawai‘i holds a unique place in the history of martial arts, acting as a vibrant crossroads where Eastern traditions met Western ideas, and new systems […]
Loyalty and Lineage
I become increasingly frustrated with the state of affairs in the Kempo community, in the world of karate, for that matter. Almost weekly, I learn […]
Lights, Camera, Kata! Performing Like a Champion in Competition
My first kata competition was a whirlwind of nervous energy, confusion, and noise. I wasn’t prepared for the cacophony of sounds and activity surrounding a […]
Musical Kata: The Dance Within the Fight
I was attending a multicultural event featuring Filipino folk dancers when something unexpected caught my eye. One particular dance involved performers holding sticks, swaying from […]