Hey guys, we are not closed for the Long Weekend!  Saturday will be regular classes (except the BJJ class will now be from 12-2 and will be a Mixed Level class).

Monday schedule will be different.  The gym will open around 9.00 and close around 2.00.  There will be a Konditioning Class 10.00-11.30, and Thai boxing class will be 11.30 to 1.00.  Three hours of trauma!  I am totally excited.  Evening classes will be cancelled.  Please see Hector and Greg regarding Mini Dragons and Wrestling schedule-Jd

I personally feel that most people know how to eat properly; if you need help with this topic check out these other posts here, here and over here.  However I don’t think that people consume enough calories and that their body is in some kind of starvation mode, especially our students who train like athletes.  I think that the solution is to snack here and there.  The guys at the gym have a chuckle at my expense because I am always eating!  In fact I usually set my alarm off at the club to go off every 2 hrs.  This prompts me to find food within 1 hr, making sure that I am always feeding my metabolism, or I’ll go nuts and everyone will have to suffer.  However most people have no idea what constitutes a snack.  If you need some help check out Jayson Hunter’s FREE 100 Calorie Snack Report.  Go to the link and download the report.  I think that if you learn to consume your calories throughout the day you will see some great results in your performance and your goal to lose weight-Jd

Hey guys, here is another vid of Mayhem Millar when he did a workshop at the Kombat Arts showing some wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for MMA, courtesy of the Fight Planet-Jd

  Hey guys I am working on some new articles and maybe an E-Book with other martial artists, sports psychs, nutritionists and strength and conditioning specialists and I was hoping that you guys would be kind enough to help me with a very simple survey.  The E-book and articles will be directed towards athletes (amateur, professional or just guys looking to improve their game), irregardless of their martial arts of preference (Thai boxing, BJJ, MMA, wrestling etc.) who want the knowledge to properly plan for a fight, or even improve their next sparring match.  Everyone’s input is valuable and you do not have to be a competitive Ninja to fill out the survey; anyone looking to improve their game will have valuable input.  Please go here to fill out this survey.  It will only take a little bit of time, and again guys thanks for your support-Jd

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