Gimme some Tips
That's the subject line in one of the e-mails I got recently. My answer back was: "Are you ready to use them?" That's the problem. Everyone wants tips but who's ready to implement them? Do you just read my stuff or do you put it in practice? If you've been following me, you know you're supposed to be stretching after every workout to help the body process lactic acid and avoid post workout soreness. You also know about Intense 1 minute workout circuits we're crazy about, where you have to maintain perfect form and give maximum output for the duration of the exercise. I've also shared with you my own private Neigong Training I follow. Where it's core focus is on un-blocking meridians and strengthening your Chi reservoir. I've mentioned on many occasions how I disconnect and reach a level of "No Self", relaxed and flowing freely with weapon work. You already know about the 5-20-10 breathing pattern you should be doing every day for extra energy and lending a helping hand to eliminate toxins from your body. Cut smoking, sugar, and processed food. Follow this tip alone and you'll add several quality years to your life. In my earlier posts and tips you might of heard me talk about firewalking and how the experience changes you forever, revealing a power you have inside that's always been there, unlocking your full potential. I also call upon every man, woman and child to start a martial art program. The constant improvement and invigorating workouts gives you a direction and energy boost like no crappy energy drink ever could. You've heard me promote the words: "Master Yourself". To fail to improve yourself and build upon your successes, to purposely stay stuck in your comfort zone is a great tragedy, it kills the mind, body and spirit. I'm not just talking about this stuff I actually live and breathe it. Become a master implementor, hell, if you're just okay at it that's fine too. As long as you take some sort of action every day, small steps in the right direction, I'll be proud of you. Look at yourself honestly in the mirror and stop B-S-ing yourself. Change what needs to be changed and stick with what's working. Take the first step on the journey of mastery, it starts with taking responsibility. Sifu Martin P.S. Tomorrow I'll talk about the second step to Mastery. Nothing gets done without it. Labels: Breathing, Fang Shen Do, Firewalking, Flexibility training, Martial Arts, Mastery, Stretching, Weapon Training
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I hope you take the time
"To go to that place where time stops, where the chatter inside my mind fades to a pleasant "hum", seeking no need to revisit choices from the past and worrying about the future, these ZEN moments are what I live for." That's an entry taken 5 years ago from my personal journal, I just happened to be reviewing it today. It's interesting to re-read some stuff you might of wrote years ago and see what was on your mind back then and also see what you were going through and compare it with today. Sometimes there are NO differences. I feel exactly the same when I wrote that 5 years ago as I do today. Do you also share this habit of recording your life experiences and feelings in a journal? I hope you take the time. You know the saying: "If your life is worth living it's worth recording" There are plenty of moments in your life where this happens, these "ZEN moments" where you are totally happy, blissed out and content. Quickly, what comes to mind is: The birth of a child. Alone time with the person you love. Completing an important project. Playing with your kids if you have some. Reaching the top of a mountain while hiking. Watching the sun set. Building or buying a dream house and painting and decorating it until the wee hours in the morning. But, nowhere do these Zen moments happen more frequently than in my FSD training. The tools I've been given (which are the same tools you're also acquiring in your FSD training, if you're a member), allow me to connect immediately to that place. Whether you're working with a partner or you're by yourself, practicing martial arts really does give you a secret weapon in your life. Take something basic like Stretching. It feels good to know you have total control over your body. To make it do what you want it to do. With the warm weather arriving shortly you can sit outside on your deck, take in some much needed vitamin D from the sun and stretch, strengthen and engage in a form of meditation in movement, just you and your body. I'm talking much more than reaching down and touching your toes. To really know how to maintain, align, heal, and increase flexibility throughout your body should be something that, at a strict minimum, everyone should know how to do. Here's one way you can experience ZEN moments using Stretching, I've been using this very same system since I'm 6 years old to get them. See what I mean here. Master Yourself, Sifu Martin Labels: Fang Shen Do, Personal Development, Personal Journal, Stretching, Zen
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Guaranteed consistency in your training
Do you like pain? For me, not really.
Although I do have a high threshold for pain I want to avoid as much of it as possible in my life.
But it is through pain that I get my inspiration.
It is our natural tendency to move away from pain.
By knowing this I use it to keep me motivated.
Here's how to do it.
Using mental images, I associate so much pain to not training or stretching that it eliminates any procrastination from coming to consciousness.
Is this what happens to you inside when you don't stretch and move regularly?
Is your body slowing "seizing up" from the inside because of lack of movement and exercise?
When I visualize this happening inside my body let's just say it gets me off my butt pretty quickly and it should for you too.
Your body like water needs to flow or else that stagnation leads to disease and toxin build-up.
What better way to get the body moving than through dynamic stretching.
Stretches designed for martial artists by martial artists.
In our flexibility training series we've compiled over 80 different stretches to get you limber, energized and on your way to mastering your body.
To have your body do, what you ask it to do at will.
This is the exact training program I've been following for over 20 years, I know it works. You have my personal guarantee.
Master Yourself,
Sifu Martin
Labels: Stretching, Visualization
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Massaging Reflex Points: An easy way to have more energy
 Did you ever wonder why the japanese arts always train bare feet and the chinese arts wear shoes? Pretty simple. The japanese trained inside on tatamis and the chinese trained outside on rugged terrain. That's it! I enjoy both. Try to train at least once a week bare feet. By doing so, you strengthen your foot and simultaneously massage the reflex points under your feet without having to ask your spouse for one. I agree getting one feels WAY better but if no one is around at least you know what to do. Massaging the reflex points can be done without the use of your hands. Just one round of shadow punching and kicking bare feet gives your feet enough stimulation. Stimulating these reflex points are good for: - Improving circulation
- Increasing energy
- Eliminating or reducing pain
- Deep relaxation
- Detoxification
- Improved glandular function
- Stress relief
- Ability to sustain a high level of productive activity and an overall sense of well being.
Also when you finish your Station Training workout and you're ready to do your cool down using your Stretching and Flexibility tools it's the perfect time to stimulate those reflex points.
Whether you're doing Forward Bends, Upper Thigh Stretch or Inner Thigh Stretch, take some time to dig into those points with your fingers, palms and knuckles. You can press into them, you can squeeze them or slap them. But do it!
Master Yourself,
Sifu Martin
P.S. The reflex points like Stretching needs to be part of your training routine to maintain optimal health and energy. Remember, pressing into the reflex points is your way of doing a "systems check" or body inspection. If there is pain, stay on that point, you've found a weak spot. Labels: Reflexology, Strength Training, Stretching
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How did the breathing go?
Wow! I'm getting alot of positive feedback from my tip on deep breathing on Monday. I asked you to try this breathing pattern 10 times in a row, a day. Today's Thursday how are you feeling? Most specifically how do you feel after having done the breathing pattern? Pretty darn good right. Make sure that when you inhale you do so slowly and gradually, stretching the breath as long as possible, in this case 5 seconds. If you can't do this, do 3 seconds or 2. If you can't inhale long and deep for 5 seconds you seriously need to start practicing more. Also, when inhaling, expand your belly fully, this way you enjoy the full benefits of deep abdominal breathing just like a little baby would. When holding your breath for 20 seconds visualize a domino effect, kinda like that scene in the movie V for Vendetta, seeing how one domino creates a wave of movement affecting one then the other. You see and feel the oxygen start from the abdomen move up your chest to the top of your head and out through your arms. While other dominoes run down your legs all the way to the soles of your feet. Last, when exhaling push out the air slowly through pursed lips and squeeze your abdomen to push all the residual air out. Think of the air as water being squeezed out of a sponge. Stretch the exhale for 10 seconds. With training you can bring those numbers up to 20-60-20 and beyond. When you understand how to breathe you can easily merge that ability to increase your stretching ability. When you're ready you can find our flexibility course right here. Master Yourself, Sifu Martin P.S Let me know how you're doing and feeling with the breathing exercise. You might be dizzy at first since your body is not accustomed to receiving such large doses of oxygen. Don't worry your body will come to crave it. Labels: Breathing, Stretching
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Stretch away nagging back pain
Ouch my back! Did you ever make that comment? Since we all sit more than we used to, back pain seems to be inevitable. Or is it? Only if you just sit there passively. One source of back pain can be linked to tight hamstring muscles that restrict movement in the pelvis. A stiff pelvis can cause considerable discomfort in the lower back area. As a rule, if you'll be sitting at the computer or driving for more than an hour make it a point to stop or stand and stretch. Today we'll focus on the general lower back area.  The stretches I prefer when I take a time-out are Reach Throughs, Pelvic Circles, R to L Overhead, and 4 to the Floor. When you wake up or when you're sitting at your desk focus on Reach Throughs. Sit on the edge of your chair or mattress and reach through your legs and try touching the floor. Hold for 30 seconds. Then stand up, feet shoulder width apart with hands on your hips and start making circles clock- wise then counter-clockwise with your hips. Do 30 each side. Next, keep your feet shoulder width apart and lift your left arm while touching your bicep to your ear, keep your right arm hanging on the side of your body. Reach to your right as far as you can while supporting yourself on your thigh with your right hand and reaching over with your left. Alternate from side to side. For a total of 30. Your last time out exercise is a 4 to the floor variation. Keep your feet as they were (shoulder width apart), with your hands on your hips, lean back as far as you can and hold for a count. (10, 15, 30 seconds), make sure you keep your hands on your hips for support. Then bow forward and reach for the floor. Hold the up and down position each 3 times. Now it's time to get back to work! This is a fraction of what you learn in our new flexibility course. Martial artists have been known to be some of the most flexible people on earth because we follow a proven system that's been tested for thousands of years and passed down from generation to generation. Say goodbye to stiffness and remember, pain is the bodies way of telling you, you need to move and do something. Flexibility awaits right here. Master Yourself, Sifu Martin Labels: Flexibility training, Stretching
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Flexibility is your no.1 assett
Your level of Flexibility is directly related to your level of health. How flexible are you? Can you touch your toes (with legs locked) ? Can you touch your head to your knees? Can you touch your knee to your chest? Can you hook your hands behind your back (one from the top, one from the bottom) ? Your body is not supposed to be stiff and in pain, it should be loose and pain-free. The first thing people do when they stretch is complain. It's almost as if they've given up even before they actually started. Are you that person? Hopefully you're not. A 52 point car inspection is what stretching is for the body. You make sure everything is in working order, aligned and balanced. Stretching makes you aware of any weakness you might have in any area of your body. What you'll especially enjoy (as I do) when you know exactly how to increase your joint mobility is the mental development that comes with it. There's so many things going on internally it would be too long for me to list here. Pictures and video is worth a thousand words. Why don't I just show you what I mean. Pick up the video here and if it doesn't double your flexibility like I say it will, just return it for a prompt refund. Say goodbye to stiffness, Sifu Martin Labels: Fitness Training, flexibility, Nutrition, Stretching
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How Feeling good leads to results
Here we are getting ready to eat at this steakhouse and as soon as I sit down, the seat sinks about 12 inches. There was something wrong with my seat. I think it was broken or something, it just didn't feel good being so low. So we asked to change places. A couple comes in and they sit where we were sitting. The guy sits in my spot, he's all smiles. He doesn't think anything of it. He actually seems to enjoy the feel of the seat. He seems happy as can be. It's funny how one man's junk is another man's treasure. Which is exactly why you need variety when training. You're all different, you feel differently, your treshold for pain is different, your goals are different. When you're strength training and especially stretching, you should be very aware of how something FEELS. You must develop body awareness. At first, do what feels good. That might not be much when you're starting. Almost everything is gonna feel tough. You're gonna feel more pain than pleasure. But that's ok. It's part of the process. You must first train your mind. And starting with Stretching is actually a very wise choice. By stretching you're gonna get to know yourself pretty quickly. Pay attention to your thoughts. If there are other people in the room you might catch yourself comparing yourself to others. Or you might quit very easily as soon as you feel some pain. You might even start complaining about how "you can't do this" or "this is too hard for me." The goal is to stick with it. Everything will get easier gradually. You didn't become good at eating or walking by doing it once a month, did ya? It takes repetition. Stretching is also a good time to think of goals, to breathe, to visualize and strengthen your mind. Stretching should become something you can't live without. It's your way of naturally re-aligning yourself, to release stiffness and stress, as well as increasing flexibility. Flexibility isn't just physical it's actually very mental. To have mental flexibility means that you BELIEVE you can touch your forehead to your knees or do a full split to the floor. You have to first visualize, then it'll manifest itself over time. If the first thing you say to yourself when you see someone do a split is: "I'll never be able to do that" then you're right it'll never happen. Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe he can achieve. Do you believe? Double your flexibility now, you too can reach a level of flexibility that leaves you feeling loose and relaxed, helps avoid injuries, and makes everything you do smoother, faster and more efficient. Aim Higher (litterally), Sifu Martin Labels: Body Awareness, flexibility, Stretching
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