In the dark days of elementary school, I dreaded doing my daily homework. I had hours of assignments, and my grandmother was watching like a […]
Category: Leopard Pause
A regular newsletter about enhancing your martial art training with theory, concepts, training tips, and descriptions of Golden Leopard Kempo and martial arts in general.
My Neighbor the Grandmaster
The movie The Karate Kid tells the story of a young man named Daniel who moves from the East Coast to the West Coast. The […]
The Five Levels of Implementing Defense Techniques
In martial arts instruction, I’m often criticized for teaching in a simplified format—using a compliant attacker (uke) who throws a static punch while the defender […]
Complementary Actions: How A Strike Leads To The Next Strike
The notion of absolute opposites, such as “good vs. evil” or “light vs. dark,” is crude and unsophisticated. It’s too simplistic and doesn’t accurately reflect […]
Reaching for the Right Target: Adjusting Techniques for Real Situations
Winnie the Pooh was always getting stuck while reaching for honey pots. Po, from Kung Fu Panda, was known for finding creative ways to reach […]
Personal Space and Self-Defense: Why You Must Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Have you ever been in an overcrowded elevator, only to have more people squeeze in at the next floor? Do you remember that feeling—tightness in […]
The Bonsai and the Black Belt: Cultivating Mastery in Martial Arts
The bonsai tree was made famous in martial arts circles by the classic film The Karate Kid, where Mr. Miyagi carefully tended to a room […]
31 Flavors of Shaolin Kempo Karate
As a child, my parents would often take us to a local ice cream shop with an astounding 31 flavors. The challenge was always the […]
Half Knowing is Not Knowing: The Myth of Recognition vs. Mastery in Martial Arts
In high school, we were all issued lockers secured with combination locks. I remember the frustration during the first week of school—I couldn’t remember the […]
The Bad Guy Weapon: Surviving Multiple Attackers Without A Weapon
At secure locations such as courthouses and airports, security checkpoints scan your belongings for weapons. I’ve seen people attempt to pass through with knives, brass […]