After I went off on a rant about something or other one evening, I told the martial arts training partner I was with that I was sorry if I went off for too long. I’m just a real hothead sometimes, I told them. “But you’re trying not to be,” this training partner said back. ItContinue reading “Hothead”
Category Archives: martial arts
Marching Band IS a Martial Art
And that is why my martial arts school: Portland Martial Arts & Crafts, has a house marching band: Madam Ant Band.
Shortcuts
This evening I was talking with my martial arts training partner on the subject of teaching internal arts to external stylists. “I believe there are shortcuts,” I said to him. “I don’t believe in shortcuts,” he ultimately said. “You have to put in the work.” I thought for a while. “But I still think shortcutsContinue reading “Shortcuts”
New Martial Arts Students
Today I taught a short martial arts class to my six-year-old daughter’s stuffed animals. She had set up a school for five of her favorite stuffies, who were seated dutifully in a line on the couch. “OK, mommy, it’s your turn to teach,” she said. “Ok, students!” I walked over to the carpet by theContinue reading “New Martial Arts Students”
Expansion of the Martial Arts
I no longer train in a traditional martial arts school. I no longer go to a place where I take my shoes off and line up with my classmates. I no longer take belt tests to advance my rank. Instead I have a teacher who lives a ten-hour drive away. She offers me and herContinue reading “Expansion of the Martial Arts”
Michelle Folk Johnson 