1 My Mom and Dad

My Mom and Dad have been my biggest heroes ever. They adopted me when I needed a family and they were and are the perfect family. They are super supportive of my activities. I remember Dad asking me “What would you like to do?” and I said “karate”. He found me Mercer Island Martial Arts and my parents helped me get to where I am now. Testing for my black belt.

2 The Masters

When I first started I was a white belt of course and I was a rascally one. I have…

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My  Living Heroes.

1. My first living hero is KSN Ulityonok. He is my hero because he was and is a very respectful man. Another reason why he is my hero because he trained me harder than I imagine and many life skills.
2. One hero I’m also ever grateful for is Forest because I followed his leadership and gained access to many other skills. My second reason I…

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Dear Master Strongheart, Master Wells and the family/community of Mercer Island Martial Arts:…

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The following story, called "The Parable of the Black Belt," is excerpted from Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies, by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras.

Picture a martial artist kneeling before the master sensei in a ceremony to receive a hard-earned black belt. After years of relentless training, the student has finally reached a pinnacle of… Continue

One list cannot automatically tell you how to turn negative body thoughts into positive body image, but it can help you think about new ways of looking more healthfully and happily at yourself and your body. The more you do that, the more likely you are to feel good about who you are and the body you naturally have.



1. Appreciate all that your body can do. Every day… Continue

Sorting through all the health information available, and knowing the best actions to take can be challenging.  What we do know is the #1 Killer in the US is heart disease.  The self defense moves to protect oneself from this deadly threat?  Simply, exercise, and a healthy diet. 

This graphic made by GE is a great myth-buster.  What do you think?…

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This post is amazing.   I really love it, and have shared it here with permission.  Breathe, and enjoy.

Post written by Leo Babauta.

 

Breathe.

Breathing can transform your life.

If you feel stressed out and overwhelmed, breathe. It will calm you and release the tensions.

If you are…

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When was the last time you opened a phone book?   I know that I can’t remember the last time I didn’t look something up on line or on my phone and yet I keep getting piles of phone books delivered to my door step every year. 



City wide Seattle produces a total of 17,500 tons of phone books every year.  That is a lot of trees.  So today, I did my part and… Continue

It’s this simple:  Children defend themselves with their heads. It’s knowledge that protects children in today’s world. Knowledge about safety, about what to avoid, about what to do, where to go, and how to stay out of harm’s way.



We are a part of a remarkable association of martial arts teachers, really forward thinking and action-oriented instructors, who come…

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This week was a goo d one for me.  I feel that I am making progress toward being a teacher of martial arts and a leader. I still have a ways to go, but I am confident that I am on the path.

My fitness is still not where I would like. It is not horrible, but its in need of improvement, as well as my flexibility. I still long to do the splits, but not…

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