What does martial arts mean to you? Leave your thoughts in the comments.🙂

Hi Sensei, I just finished watching video on wearing hakama. Very helpful. I have been tying the front a bit differently ( shocker lol) so I will have to watch a few more times to get it down right. I really thought the hakama was supposed to start just below the obi. Is the reason it covers the obi completely etiquette, better for holding weapons or preference? Thanks!

The meaning of self defense has certainly changed for me. I first started training in Taekwondo when I was 18. Newly graduated from high school and going to college my thinking on self defense was pretty basic. If a bad guy tries to mug me I am going to learn how to fight back hard so I can survive. A fellow student in my class was in the military and earned his black belt while serving in Korea. He told me mindset in a threatening situation is incredibly important. His mindset was saying to the attacker ""I may die, you will die" After training with him for years, i can assure you this did not come from ego but more of a quiet certainty. I think that mentality is the same as the samurai. A willingness to accept death as one outcome helps take away fear of that outcome and actually increases your odds of survival. Eventually I came to realize self defense is as much about prevention and awareness as it is about a physical confrontation. Trust your instincts, avoid situations that don't seem right. Have constant situational awareness without being paranoid. What are your thoughts on self defense? I would love your tips on every day safety.

Does anyone have suggestions for good shoulder exercises and stretches? Thanks in advance!

So I was watching the video again on how to fold the hakama and noticed how you fold it in thirds (I was folding it in half twice) and you mentioned people often fold the straps in thirds. Just for the heck of it I looked online to see if there is symbolism to the number 3 in Japan. Apparently it relates to harmony, completeness and balance. That is so fitting for what we do! I find things like this so interesting! 🙂