ENGAGEMENT: Recognizing the Value of Training - The Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #6
April 30, 2007
ENGAGEMENT: Recognizing the Value of Training - The Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #6
by: Jeffrey M. Miller
Remember when you first started training? For some, it was just a few days or weeks ago, for others, years have gone by since we took our first step on the Path of Warrior Mastery. But, can you remember?
Even more importantly, can you remember what brought you to the program? What was going on in your life at the time. How long had you been thinking about taking martial arts classes and why then, at that moment, did you decide to take action?
Remember what you told us you wanted to get from the program? Remember the personal interview during your first visit as-well-as the chats since then? What is it that the martial arts gives you or helps you with that keeps you coming to class?
What?
And, more importantly than “why” you began training is “how do you know it’s working in your life? How have you been tracking your results? Aside from new belts and tips and all the trappings’ that say you’ve done a lot, how has your training been helping with those areas of your life you said you wanted to fix?
Three Secrets of A Consistent Golf Stroke
April 30, 2007
What you are about to read… will change your golfing life forever! What are these three “secrets”? If you knew how would they effect your game?. These three “secrets” are what the worlds best players do. Every player MUST know these “secrets” if they are to have a powerful, repeating golf stroke.
The problem with the majority of golfers is that they don’t know what to do. Oh their friends, well wishers at best, tell them that they are “bending their left arm”, “raising up through the shot”, “coming over the top” and host of other swing faults. But these are the same people that shoot the same scores you do! What could they possibly tell you that would improve your game?
The information you are about to receive is not theory or conjecture but science. Ooooh, you say, this sounds complicated. Well it isn’t, it is simply the laws of force and motion that govern our entire lives and day to day living. Once you understand these simply laws your golf game will forever change…for the better!
Secret #1: A Flat Left Wrist
Golf Solitaire Strategy Guide
April 29, 2007
Golf Solitaire Strategy Guide
by: Dan Fletcher
Golf Solitaire (Sometimes also referred to as Forty Thieves) is a fun solitaire game, requiring great anticipation, and a good degree of luck. Whilst it is not possible to win every game, there are certain strategies you can use to greatly increase your chances of winning Golf Solitaire, and this article will go into some of them.
The more important thing to realize with Golf Solitaire is that Kings and Aces are special. Every other card in the deck can be removed onto cards ranked directly above or below the card. For example, a 5 can be removed onto a 4 or a 6.
But Aces and Kings are different.
An Ace can only be removed onto a Two, and a King can only be removed onto a Queen.
This means you have to be particularly careful when you use Queen’s and Two’s.
Because of this, the very first thing you should do when you start a game of Golf Solitaire is to count all the Kings and Aces.
DESHI-IRI - ‘Becoming a Student of an authentic Ninpo Warrior Martial Arts Teacher’
April 28, 2007
DESHI-IRI - ‘Becoming a Student of an authentic Ninpo Warrior Martial Arts Teacher’
by: Jeffrey M. Miller
In 1979, Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, grandmaster of the nine martial traditions that make up the core training of the Warrior Concepts Mastery Programs, wrote a book entitled Mono-no-Mikata, Kangae-Kata [”Ways of Seeing, Ways of Thinking.”] In it, he wrote a section called Deshi-iri which, translated from Japanese, means “Becoming a Student” or, more literally, “Entering an Apprenticeship.”
I’m sure that many of you have noticed that, in my articles, I write more about mental aspects than anything else. The purpose for this is that you should realize the importance of your attitude before you enter martial arts training, especially the kind of authentic warriorship training that I focus on in my programs, as opposed to the general or conventional kicking/punching sport-activity that so many get involved with these days.
Guide To Buy Used Golf Clubs For Beginner Golfer
April 27, 2007
If you are just starting out to play golf, you should never buy a new golf club set immediately as you may discover that this game is not for you later on. Furthermore, you are yet to find the type of golf clubs that fits you during the learning stage. The good choice is to start with cheap used golf clubs>. And here are some guidelines to help you to hunt down your first used golf club set: Golf Rental Clubs First, you may want to play with the rental clubs at a driving range. During this time, don’t be afraid to ask your friends or other golfers to try their clubs on the range. This is a good opportunity for you to judge which type of clubs is right for you. After hitting for a period of time at the driving range and you think it is time to buy your own clubs, then …. Rely on golf expert When you go out to buy used golf clubs, you should always rely on people who know golf equipment well. You can look for your local pro at your local municipal course as a source of information and advice. Or you can consult the experts at the golf shop or even your friend who plays well or who knows anything about golf clubs. Alternatively, you can search the Internet for used golf club reviews. You can always ask people for advice but keep in mind that what suits them may not necessary prove good in your hands. Therefore, it is more important to identify the golf club set that suitable to your ability yourself. Golf beginner’s half set As a novice golfer, you are advised to learn with a half set of clubs with all matching iron of the same model. The half-set could be made up from a few combinations of clubs. In general, the half set combination consists of five iron clubs, including 4, 6, 8, pitching wedge and sand iron, in addition to 3 and 5 woods plus a putter. The driver is not recommended in the beginner’s half set because it is the hardest club to control. Majority of beginners would achieve better results using a 3 wood on the tee box. Likewise, 1, 2 or 3 irons should be avoided at the early stages of the game, as each of these long irons requires an accurate strike from the middle of the clubface with plenty of club heads speed in order to achieve good results. In contrast, a 5 wood with distance almost equivalent of the 2 iron - the ball can still travel a fair distance despite being hit off-center. Besides, a lofted wood is more forgiving than the thin blade of an iron club heads. The half set combination not only sufficient for most novice golfers on the golf course for every situation but also makes club selection much easier. It is a good combination of clubs to help the novice to improve their swing technique until they are good enough before they advance to the full set golf clubs. Therefore, you have to make sure to select a golf model for your half set from a reputable manufacturer that can be added to at a later stage. Golf Feels The best way to purchase a used golf clubs is to actually hold them in your hand and swing them to get a feel for what you want. The feel of a golf club clearly seems to be all-important. But, what is ‘feel’? There is no scientific formula that defines it. In general, feel can be described as the way a golfer feels a club when he or she swings it depends on its swing weight and the flexibility of its shaft. Iron Club head Look for club head that made of stainless steel and avoid inexpensive alloy heads. For beginner, you should select the ‘heel-and-toe’ (or, perimeter-weighted) club head design, cavity backed (hollowed out in the back) and over-sized golf club. You should get bigger club heads because they are more forgiving with enlarges ’sweet spot’ that can produce maximum distance even with off-center contacts. Golf Shafts Graphite shafts is ideal for beginner even though it is more expensive that steel shafts. Its lighter overall weight allows beginner to swing the club faster even with enlarged clubhead. Golf Grips If you have purchased used golf clubs where the condition of the grips could be less than perfect or the grips don’t fit properly for you, then make sure you replace them. Grips are fairly easy and inexpensive to change by a pro or club repairman. Ensure all the grips are replaced with same size and design. Finally, if you are just starting out with golf, chances are your swing is more likely to let you down rather than the golf clubs itself. Having said that, it is still important to try out the golf clubs before buying them in order to find a golf club set that suits your swing, body and game. Most importantly, makes you feel confident when you use it.
Andrew Loh is the owner of Used Golf Clubs Guide, a website that provides complete guide to used golf clubs - where to buy/sell/trade in used golf clubs, what to check before buying a used golf clubs, how to choose a used golf clubs set… and more. You can visit his website at:http://www.used-golf-clubs-guide.com/
Flexibility, Adaptibility, and The Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #8
April 26, 2007
Flexibility, Adaptibility, and The Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #8
by: Jeffrey M. Miller
“Flexibility is the Key to Longevity.”
Think about that statement for a moment. Flexibility is the key to longevity.
I first encountered that statement almost over two decades ago while stationed with the US Army at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. The Operations Sergeant of my Military Police unit had it blown up to poster-size and hanging on the wall behind his desk.
As with all new members assigned to the 21st MP Company, I was asked, “Do you understand what that means?” And, like most I’m sure, my response to a senior was, “Yes, sergeant.” My affirmation was not at all related to what I think of that same phrase today.
To a disgruntled young soldier who had better things to do than put up with the “hurry-up and wait” organization that I perceived then, the phrase meant, “put up with all of the changes, and changes to the changes we throw at you and you’ll last much longer.”
No Martial Arts or Self-Defense Technique is Perfect
April 25, 2007
No Martial Arts or Self-Defense Technique is Perfect
by: Jeffrey M. Miller
Far too many people who are training in the martial arts or in a self-defense program - including police and security personnel by-the-way - take for granted that all they have to do is learn a few tricks and that’s it. When, according to the reality and nature of self-defense, no technique that you’ve learned in a martial arts or self-defense class is perfect in-and-of-itself for the unique situation and circumstances that you will find yourself in when you need it. And…
..that’s okay.
What’s important to learn is this…
..these techniques that everyone hold up as the “holy symbols of their style,”…
..were just passed down from past-generation masters as “examples” anyway!
After you’ve been training for a significant while with a focus on being able to handle a real-world self-defense situation, rather than merely memorizing a preset string of moves for your next belt, what you’ll find is that…
Essential Information on Choosing the Best Golf Clubs to Suit Your Game
April 25, 2007
Most golfers, whether a beginner or a pro, struggle when trying to decide which golf club to buy. The buying process becomes easier when the consumer has a good understanding of the types of golf clubs available and their specific use. Your playing (and thus your staying) power is greatly enhanced by choosing the proper golf clubs.
For the novice golfer, the basic set of golf clubs consists of drivers, wedges, putters and irons. Using the proper type of golf club will help the beginner learn quickly and achieve results. Each different type of club is designed to help with swing speed and to correct faults to improve your game ? and your score.
In addition to clubs, a wide variety of accessories are also available, many of which are necessities and others that are ?just for looks.? One absolute necessity is a golf bag to assist you or your caddy in moving from green to green, and of course, golf balls. Another must is a pair of golf shoes to help stabilize your body so you can achieve the perfect swing. Other accessories include golf gloves, a golf cap, clothing, and covers for your golf clubs to protect them from the elements or while stored.
ATTITUDE: “FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION! - Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #7
April 24, 2007
ATTITUDE: “FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION! - Keys to Martial Arts Mastery, Key #7
by: Jeffrey M. Miller
One of the most important traits of any successful person is one of total commitment and passion for what it is that they are doing. They see their goal; they devise a plan for reaching it; and, the set about doing what is necessary to attain that goal.
This is something that has been repeated in uncountable books on success and personal achievement as-well-as here in this newsletter. I have written and re-written about it - I have spoken and reiterated my points again and again in class. But still I see my students and others that I care about settling for average results and the unfortunate habit of excuse-making.
Why is this so?
I believe that it is due to our need to have a ‘back-up’ plan should we not succeed.
Not succeed?!
If we have set a realistic goal (growing gills and moving in with our goldfish is not a good example!), we have worked out a plan of action, and, we are prepared to do what’s necessary, why then would we need a plan of action should we not succeed?!
How To Keep Your Boat From Being Burglarized
April 23, 2007
How To Keep Your Boat From Being Burglarized
by: Robert Young
Thieves are always on the lookout for easy targets. Don’t make yourself an easy target. Always follow these simple steps.
- Never leave anything valuable on display, however small and insignificant it may seem. Thieves steal first and think about value later.
- Don’t leave anything loose in the cockpit or on deck.
- Don’t leave your engine key in the ignition - always take it with you.
- Keep your boat keys separate from your engine keys.
- Always keep your boat locked when no one is on board, even for a short time.
- Use strong padlocks or rim locks on all your hatches, entry points, and cockpit lockers.
- Constantly check and improve the security on your boat. It’s a good idea to fit an alarm and use a visible sticker to say that one is fitted.
- Make sure your cockpit lockers can be properly locked and check that your main hatch and fore-hatch are strong.
- Think about having a strong box down below. If you don’t think something is secure, get it fixed.
