New schedule starts on Monday 5/9/2011.

If you have questions please feel free to speak with Joe or Chris.

As a teacher I realize the importance of testing. It is important to make sure students are progressing through a program, it is important because we need to pass the art on to future teachers. I think testing accomplishes two things, one it insures todays students are going to have the material and it applications. Two, most students are not going to compete or fight so testing is a good way to check a student’s composure under pressure.

So whether to test or not is really based on what you want. Looking to become a fighter, then rank isn’t really that important. Looking to just work out, same thing, rank is really secondary. Looking to learn an art, then testing is something you want to consider. Looking to be an Instructor, then testing is really a requirement.

Good luck, keep training.

TTFN,

Joe

So coming out of this there is one thing that really rang home to me, the simpler the better. St. Pierre showed it against Koshcheck in the last UFC, Torres showed it tonight. A solid jab is still one of the most effective tools a fighter can have. And then Silvia showed that a simple front snap kick can have devastating effects on an opponent. Both of the techniques have been around forever, but todays mixed martial arts fighter has saw little use for them.

It will be interesting to see if there is going to be a new evolution of technique where front snap kicks, side kicks, etc. will start to take a more active role in the fighters toolbox. I think you will see that. During seminars with Erik Paulson we have done many standard karate techniques and I noticed some “fighters” would snicker and just sort of play along. I wonder if maybe that will change, hmm…

Anyways, the best thing to take from this is that every technique has value, but that the simplest most direct seem to have real value.

Sorry for the crappy blog this week but with Super Bowl and all it’s the best I could do

TTFN,

Joe

MAU has been around for more than 10 years in various forms and names and yet we have yet to get our name really out there. We started as more of an underground training gym back in the 90′s and then we have slowly been trying transform ourselves into a mainstream studio over the past 10 years. So what does this have to do with serendipity?

If I’ve heard it once I’ve heard it 100 times, “I didn’t know you guys were here”.

We have been running MAU out of the back room, on the second floor of a building for the last four years, cultivating a smallish group of students who have a passion for training. I’ve seen statements from people who train here about how this “place” has changed them as a person. I think we should define this a little; place=Chris!

I met Chris back in 1998 or 1999, hard to remember exactly when. A friend of mine (shout out to Derrick!) told me about this place he had just started training at and he knew I was interested in learning Filipino martial arts and wing chun, so he insisted I go with him on a Friday night and try a class. I remember walking in to this place in Madison Heights and wondering what kind of gym is this, I saw a young man, what were you Chris about 25 years old, teaching a class for an art I never saw or heard of before; it was a Mande Muda Pencak Silat class. I joined in with Derrick and took the Kali class, I was hooked.

I trained with Chris for a couple of years, sometimes staying at the gym more than at work Met some great people; Victor, Mike, Z, Doug (RIP), Lee, Danielle, Jalal and the list goes on and on. At some point I spoke with Chris becoming an owner and the rest is as they say history. I always thought that my value add would be to help organize and hopefully get Chris “out there” so that we could grow this thing. I would say that it was serendipitous that I found Chris and his gym, I don’t think I’m the only person who feels that way.

So this blog is really nothing more than a shout out to Chris to thank him for letting me be a part of this thing (whatever it is) I feel like I’m very fortunate to have met him and to have been able to spend the past 12 years or so playing around at this thing. No matter what happens know that I’ve always been and will always be here for you.

For everyone else who I’ve met, worked out with, had incredible adventures with (St. Louis + RV) thank you. I’m truly grateful for each and every one of you. This has been a great adventure, I look forward to many more years with all of you.

TTFN,

Joe

I’ve been practicing some type of martial art since I was 21 years old. That’s 27 years now (ugh). There was a time when I was a fighter, training and participating in WTF Taekwondo matches. I found the training and competition very satisfying, even though I never reached any level in particular. This was before MMA, so the point fighting and WTF style matches were all that were really available to people like me. I was an engineer, working a full time job and training at night 3 or 4 days a week. So to be truthful I did the best I could and trained as hard as I could to win, even at the level I participated at. I’m not sure what about this would be a trigger for some to call me a LARPer?

With the advent of MMA there has been a shift from traditional martial arts, to a more sport oriented martial arts. There is nothing wrong with this, it’s just part of the cycle I suppose. What I don’t like is when those that practice, or just “Like”, MMA start to think every other martial art is just a bunch of LARP. I would prefer that those who are out there judging other schools, instructors and arts just work to improve themselves. I suppose they would say they are offering a service calling out schools that don’t really practice martial arts, maybe. There are so many different types of people and everyone needs to find that school or instructor that fits with their personality and training style.

I would say that I’m typical of the majority of martial artists out there. I have a full time job, a full time family and train as much as I can depending on the challenges life is throwing at me. I love when I can do my class, I love when I can roll with someone and compete, I love when I win and I love when I lose. I’m not going to fight in a cage, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like to train in those arts. I’m not going to fight the hordes to protect my city and family, at least I hope I’m not but that doesn’t mean I don’t like what those arts have to offer even in today’s world. Martial arts provides people a way to stop wishing and start doing. That’s what it does for me at least.

Am I a LARPer? No. I’m many things, son, dad, husband, brother, friend, martial artist, but I’m not a LARPer. What about you? Think about it and be proud to do whatever you love to do. Don’t worry about what others say do the things that make you happy, that’s what’s important.

TTFN,
Joe

New schedule starts this Saturday 1/15/2011, with Taekwondo, Youth BJJ, Kali w/Chris and Aikido.

If you have questions please feel free to speak with Joe or Chris.

Many new students are young men, very athletic, very strong, many were wrestlers. These guys can perform at a high levels and are very competitive, they will be able to defeat students with equal experience, usually through strength, athleticism and determination. But when they roll with students that are more experienced in many cases they are frustrated that they aren’t winning or gaining submissions.

All too often I see students miss opportunities because they are in a hurry to get to the submission. They will jump through positions and ultimately not complete the submission. Then they start to doubt the school, the teacher, the techniques. I think that’s why you see guys jump from school to school, they are looking for the “secret technique”.

While teaching technique I will implore these students to take their time and work for the position, control and patience. But how do I convince a student that this is the right way? Usually this happens if I can keep the student engaged long enough to start to believe what I’m saying is true. It happens when other students take time to talk to him and work with him. It happens when he starts to really accomplish his goals. It happens when he let’s himself slow down.

So what is the secret technique, it’s not so secret: PATIENCE! It’s what we’ve been told since we were little kids, be patient, take your time, let things happen and good things will come to you. So you, new guy, be patient, slow down and watch how quickly you grow.

TTFN,
Joe

Tyler Auclair – White Belt II Stripe
Kyle Cowley – Blue Belt I Stripe
Peter Dyga – White Belt II Stripe
Chris Kunkle – Blue Belt

CJ Bautista
Tristin Canada
Jack Faulkner
Katie Kowalewicz
Charlotte Kramer
Patrick Kramer

The Anshinkan Dojo teaches classes in Aikido, Tai Chi and Kenpo Karate. They also offer Youth classes in Aikido.

Chief Instructor Marcus Schoon Sensei was awarded the teaching title of Renshi (Senior Instructor) in October 2002, in Yoshinkai Aikido from Kevin Blok Kyoshi, Chudokan Dojo, Windsor, Ontario and holds an international teaching license from Japan.

He is a Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt) in Yoshinkai Aikido.
A Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in American Kenpo Karate.
And holds a Level 4 (copper tiger) in Traditional Yang style Tai Chi Chuan. Awarded the title “Certified Instructor” by the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association.

Please feel free to call 248-636-4212 for more information. You can also visit his website at anshinkandojo.com