Kombat Arts Blog

I really like the philosophy of the Straight Blast Gym. It’s refreshing to see instructors that teach functional training, without any ego or care for what the rest of the world is doing.  Frequently I come across many martial arts clubs that have that “cult like” attitude that I really find disturbing.  I love the fact that at the Kombat Arts I am surrounded by individuals that can think for themselves.  If you ever get a chance to go to a seminar taught by Matt Thorton, check it out for sure; these chances are rare.  Check his blog here for some pretty insightful training thoughts-Jd

Here is short vid clip on how to work the Thai bag.  A lot of guys come in to the gym and need a little direction on how to work the bags so hopefully this vid will help you guys out.  I’m using Dave Edwards as an assistant in this vid which was filmed by one of our students, Oliver Yi.  Thanks Oliver!  Jd

  On April 24, Eugene Shewchuk from Club Kozak came to the Kombat Arts to share his extensive knowledge on takedowns and throws from the clinch and sambo’s devastating leg locks.  In short it was an awesome workshop!  Eugene had some really good takedowns from various tie up positions from the clinch and he was very good at teaching the finer points of leg locks (my favorite!).  Eugene teaches in a very relaxed motivating manner and it was very easy to retain his instruction.  We look forward to his next appearance at our club-Jd

The day started at 0630 today and Linda was not admitted into surgery until 1600!  Throughout the whole day Linda was a trooper and I spent the day with her reading books and playing my PSP :) I went to the Kombat Arts to make sure it was not burned down and than came back to check on her around 2100 and though tired she was in great spirits.  The surgery has seemed to go well; time will tell.  I will bring Linda home from the hospital Tues morning.  She is very eager to jump on her blog and explain her day.  Thanks for all of your concern and she looks forward to seeing you guys soon this week, Jd

  Linda my partner in crime is really good at using visualization to achieve her goals.  This is a powerful tool to help achieve your goals.  One approach to visualization is to change your self-image.  This tactic comes from this guy Dr. Jerry Lynch and it can help you reach the next level in mental and physical performance: “you have to act as if you are already that person you wish to become.”  Below are some examples of the habit training attitude (which I believe is also useful) compared to the self image training method.

“Here are two examples I hope that will apply to you:

Nutrition: Making Better Food Choices

Habit training attitude: in order to lose body fat all have to do is make a “to do list” of the right foods to eat, when to eat them, and in what sequence.

Self image training: see yourself as someone who eats healthy foods and lives the lifestyle that creates a leaner physique.  Anything else outside of that self image will be rejected by your new self image and making proper food choices will be an easy decision.

Performance: Reaching a New Goal

Habit training attitude: if I follow the steps of my new training program I will automatically make progress.

Self image training: see yourself with the body and the mindset to reach that new goal.  If you want to squat 600 lbs. “see” yourself with increased mass on your legs to do it.  See the stronger core and intensity to make it happen.  Visualize the lifestyle that you have to lead in order to reach that goal.  Once you see yourself as someone who can lift 600 lbs. you readily accept all those habits to support that vision.  All other non-supporting habits will be rejected.  If you can not see yourselves squatting 600 lbs. it will not happen! “

Proper mindsetting.  I will post different mind setting stuff on this blog as we move along, but I wanted to talk about the V.P.I.C. Training Model that I came across from checking out Charles Staley’s stuff.  I think that this model is pretty interesting because I think that most athletes  have a good idea of how to train and eat properly, they’re just unorganized and have no direction!  At the Kombat Arts we really believe in goal setting so for those that are doing the 9 week challenge or are even trying to accomplish any goals, following the V.P.I.C. model may have some merits to establishing the proper mind set to achieving your goals.  Take some time out to write down your goals and make some actionable plans for yourself.  Losing weight, gaining muscle, adding 5 more pull ups to your record, getting in the ring…does not happen by accident.  Have a proper road map to help you achieve your goals!  Check it out and enjoy, if you need some help drop me a line at info@kombatarts.com, or just grab me at the gym, Jd

This is a short clip, compliments of one of our students, Oliver Yi of Big Head Productions.  He does really great work.  If you need any kind of video production please contact him at oliver@bigheadproductions.tv.  This clip shows how to do a basic dynamic warm up for our martial arts class.  Dynamic warm ups are key to our classes because they warm up the whole body and also “stretch” out the body, in preparation for the class.  There are many variations that we use at Kombat Arts, but this is our basic template.  It is demonstrated by Kru Joey and Dave in a slow controlled manner so that you can see the technique.  Keep in mind that once you have the technique you should be doing it at a fast pace, hence being called a dynamic warm up.  Enjoy!  Jd

I’m exhausted after a long day of teaching martial arts at the Kombat Arts and especially after Linda (my wife and the 1 person that almost whooped me in today’s workout)  and I completed our workout.  A lot of my research has shown me one thing; if you want to get better at pull ups and push ups, you gotta do them almost every day.  I know common sense, but you really got to get your body used to the exercises, yet you don’t want to go to complete fatigue.  If you are too burnt out, you won’t be able to train the next day.  Dale Tome, another of our Kombat students sells these really cool pull up bars that you can install in your doorway, wthout any extra attachments.  Some of our clients have bought one and are probably doing pull ups every day!  Reach him here for more info: kidmassive@hotmail.com. 

The 2nd important thing is that you have to monitor your nutrition.  I have always seen my students train their butt off in our academy, yet during the remaining 22 hrs away from the gym, there is a good chance that they may be ruining their progress by sabotaging their nutrition.  If you need some extra tips check out Tom Venuto’s Blog or the Kombat Challenge section if you have not been following along.  There are 7 weeks left in the challenge, don’t stop; keep grinding away at it, Jd

I think my wife is nuts.  Even though she is injured she is still home working her butt off to accomplish her goals for the 9 week challenge (now down to 7 1/2 weeks!).  Check out her blog here and follow her journal as she documents her challenges to get in shape.  I am taking her to the hospital today to see if they will operate on her foot, hopefully they will.  I am also going to secretly have her DNA checked to confirm if she is human…Jd

Starting on Tuesday, April 29, Kombat Arts will be holding daytime Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes at 12.00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We are going to try this out for 3 months to see what the response is like.  Hope to see you guys on the mat!  Jd