I think i didn't post properly. I apologize if this shows up twice. First question is about breathing. I know people say breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth but I find it more natural to breathe in and out through the nose. Is there a benefit of breathing one way over the other? I would love to hear from people in addition to Sensei, especially if your background is tai chi, yoga ect where breathing is a key component of training. Second question. What is literal translation of shi tachi and uchi tachi? I think of uchi tachi as attacker and shi tachi as receiver doing the technique. The literal interpretation might give me a different mindset when training. Third question regarding bowing in seiza. My understanding is we do not touch our head to our hands or floor because we need to keep our peripheral vision. Then I started to think that would that be disrespectful to my classmates because it would be like saying I don't trust them. So is how you bow in seiza situational?

New year, new chapter 🎉 Grateful to be stepping into this year surrounded by people who actually want to grow, learn, and build something real. Last year taught me a lot about consistency, patience, and showing up even when motivation isn’t perfect. This year is about leveling up those lessons and turning them into action. I’m coming into this year focused on progress over perfection, learning faster, helping others where I can, and staying disciplined even on the quiet days. Excited to keep sharing wins, struggles, and insights inside this community and to learn from everyone else doing the same. Wishing everyone here clarity on their goals, momentum in their work, and the discipline to stick with it when it counts. Let’s make this a year we look back on and say, Yeah, that’s when things really changed.

Hi everyone, I'm excited to have my son, Matthew, now assisting me with video editing and uploading. With his help, I've been able to upload over a dozen new videos for you today! If you have questions or if there's a particular video topic you'd like to see, be sure to leave a comment below. I keep a running list that I'll probably post here soon so you know what's on the way. New videos are now being uploaded to the Premium members area. Premium members have access to regular (complete movement, non-start/stop) and full-speed videos, as well as fundamentals of classical samurai jujutsu (Aiki-Jujutsu), tanto-jutsu, and jo-jutsu. VIP members (distance students) have access to everything in Premium, plus live classes, class recordings, and direct access so I can help you progress.

I hope everyone is able to enjoy time with family and friends today!

When you train in martial arts at some point you will hear the phrase "slow is smooth. Smooth is fast." When training in Taekwondo I would often practice my forms slowly to fine tune my technique and find those spots where my balance was off. In practicing kenjutsu kata we go slow so we can feel what is happening. When are we displacing our partner? Are we balanced throughout the technique? During sensitivity drills we go slow and soft so we can "feel into" our training partner. In time, this slow, smooth movement becomes fast because we learn to do less and be sensitive. But I think going slow isn't just physical technique. It is not wanting/trying to move up the ranks quickly or "getting " a technique quickly. This thought process can lead to rushing through techniques and frustration because you "can't make it work." Ultimately this attitude can impair our progress. I know i am guilty of this at times myself. I would love to hear other people's thoughts on the topic.