Raven Spirit

Summer has arrived.
Eastside Combatives is looking at offering a Modern Combatives Class in the evenings this summer.

Modern Combatives is practical, usable personal protection and self defense.

We will focus on empty hand striking, kicks, escapes from grabs and holds, stick, knife and gun tactics.

It would likely be Monday or Tuesday evenings for 1.5 to 2 hours once a week.

Who is interested?

Duvall Martial Arts our Summer Program.

SUMMER will be a little different with our continued focus on Martial Arts combined with Fitness and Outdoor Activities such as animal tracking, building a fire, and other survival skills. We will be in the park, at the beach and on the trails.

Summer Program begins Tuesday, July 9th and runs through Thursday, August 22nd.

Our Summer schedule is as follows;
Tuesdays and Thursdays
530 pm Kids - ages 6 to 12
630 pm Teen and Adult Martial Arts - ages 13 and up

Summer Classes will be held outdoors so please dress for the weather, hot, cool, raining. NO UNIFORM will be required for the Summer Program. Outdoor clothing for outdoor activities is recommended, get dirty.

All Classes will meet at Depot Park next to the Train Station Building at McCormick Park.

For further information and to register visit,
www.duvallmartialarts.com

Duvall Martial Arts our Summer Program.

SPARTAN SUMMER will be a little different with our continued focus on Martial Arts combined with Fitness and Outdoor Activities such as animal tracking, building a fire, and other survival skills. We will be in the park, at the beach and on the trails.

Summer Program begins Tuesday, July 9th and runs through Thursday, August 22nd.

Our Summer schedule is as follows;
Tuesdays and Thursdays
530 pm Kids - ages 6 to 12
630 pm Teen and Adult Martial Arts - ages 13 and up

Summer Classes will be held outdoors so please dress for the weather, hot, cool, raining. NO UNIFORM will be required for the Summer Program. Outdoor clothing for outdoor activities is recommended, get dirty.

All Classes will meet at Depot Park next to the Train Station Building at McCormick Park.

For further information and to register visit, https://www.eastsidecombatives.com/duvallcarnationmartial...

REGISTRATION is open for our
SPARTAN SUMMER Martial Arts and training camp.

Ages 6 and up are welcome.

The KIDS program is 530 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays
TEENS and ADULTS are 630 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays

This will be a fun and challenging program with an emphasis on Martial Arts, Fitness and some outdoor survival skills.

Classes meet at McCormick Park next to the Depot Building.

For further information and to REGISTER please visit - www.duvallmartialarts.com

I realized today that I am just old.

I like things the way they are in most cases. I don't need a revolution to feel comfortable in my own body, I don't need to feel good all of the time and be surrounded by people who pretend they support everything I do, even when they do not.

I don't need a therapist to help me through every little traumatic event in my life. I don't need everyone to agree with me to be positive.

I don't need people I don't know commenting on facebook about how sorry they are that something bad happened. In fact I don't see those things as bad, just a life experiences.

I don't blame the government or my neighbors, or God when things are not how I wish they were, I just go about my day and do the best that I can.

I recognize things just go to s**t for no real reason and that the apocalypse and dimensional shift is not really happening, it's just a sucky day.

I like being old, it makes life more enjoyable and so much easier than for these young people who believe the Universe revolves around them and go into hyperventilation when their triple shot vanilla macchiato is not made right.

I'll just sip my regular black tea and enjoy the sounds of nature.

Have a wonderful day.

Duvall Martial Arts

SUMMER PROGRAM is now open for registration.

Martial Arts, Fitness, Survival and Outdoor Skills

Please join us Tuesday and Thursdays from July 9th to August 22nd for a fun and educational Summer experience.

Classes for KIDS, TEENS and ADULTS.

More information can be found at www.duvallmartialarts.com

Duvall Martial Arts our Summer Program.

SPARTAN SUMMER will be a little different with our continued focus on Martial Arts combined with Fitness and Outdoor Activities such as animal tracking, building a fire, and other survival skills. We will be in the park, at the beach and on the trails.

Summer Program begins Tuesday, July 9th and runs through Thursday, August 22nd.

Our Summer schedule is as follows;
Tuesdays and Thursdays
530 pm Kids - ages 6 to 12
630 pm Teen and Adult Martial Arts - ages 13 and up

Summer Classes will be held outdoors so please dress for the weather, hot, cool, raining. NO UNIFORM will be required for the Summer Program. Outdoor clothing for outdoor activities is recommended, get dirty.

All Classes will meet at Depot Park next to the Train Station Building at McCormick Park.

For further information and to register visit, https://www.eastsidecombatives.com/duvallcarnationmartialarts.html

I started to change my perception of reality and take personal responsibility for my life about 30 years ago.

I took responsibility for all of the good and the bad.
I accepted that I am the engineer of my life and that I get to choose what that life looks like.

I am also responsible for my own happiness, joy, bliss and sadness madness and irritability. No one and nothing outside of myself controls my experience of this life.

If you are sad, mad, depressed or just having a bad day you really need to take some time to watch this amazing talk.

It is a coming together of much wisdom and a way to live your life in a way that will bring wonderful and amazing joy to your life in every aspect of your existence.

I really can not express my appreciation enough for all of the people who have led, taught and encouraged me to be who I am and to live life like I am dying, because we all are.

Please, I invite you to watch, learn and enjoy.

Surfing the Waves of Life Layne Beachley & Sadhguru | Sadhguru In a captivating conversation with Sadhguru, seven-time World Champion in Surfing, Layne Beachley explored a variety of compelling topics, from navigating in...

This is so perfect. Imagine a world based on these simple teachings.

HUA HU CHING
LAO TSE
Dualistic thinking is a disease. Religion is a distortion. Materialism is cruel. Blind spirituality is unreal.
Singing is not more sacred than hearing the murmur of a stream, passing the beads of a rosary is not more sacred then simply breathing, religious habits are not more spiritual than work clothes.
If you desire to reach oneness with the Tao, don't get caught up in spiritual superficialities. On the contrary, live a quiet and simple life, free of ideas and concepts.
Find satisfaction in practicing virtue without making distinctions, which is the only true power.
Giving to others generously and anonymously, radiating light through the world and illuminating your own darkness, your virtue becomes a sanctuary for yourself and for all beings.
This is what I mean when I talk about embodying the Tao.

Understanding structure in blocking a high strike to the head. Supported triangle or outside of 90 degrees.
Take a look, let me know what you think.

Triangle and Supported Structure in Blocking Using geometry in your structure to create stable blocking platforms. Understanding the importance of supported positions inside 90 degrees and how to use o...

Raven symbolizes wisdom, magic and energy.
Wolf is strength, power and courage.
Together they are the Wise Warrior.
Smart, cunning, courageous and strong, able and willing to stand up for what is right and protect those who can not protect themselves.
Raven and Wolf have been my allies for many years. They symbolize the Warrior and the Sage on my Medicine Wheel.
We all have allies and helpers if we care to connect with them.
Who do you have walking beside you?

Morning Wisdom from Wise Warrior

What’s in your tool box?

There is a lot of talk about adding tools to your tool box. I hear and read comments about always being a white belt, always learning, always growing.

I think there is a point to continuing our learning journey but there is also a point where we stop putting more tools in the box and start learning how to be really good with the tools we have.

After a while the tool box gets so heavy we can’t pick it up. There is just too much stuff in there, getting old and rusty. We may have breadth in our studies but we lack depth in our knowledge.

At the beginning of our martial arts journey we need to learn more. There is a lot to understand and it takes several years to become proficient in a skill set. There comes a point though where it is beneficial to stop adding more and to start refining what we already have. I had a conversation a while back with a young guy who has a school and teaches Krav Maga, Sport fighting, Jiu Jitsu, Weapons and Fi****ms. I commented that I teach some skill sets very well in the combatives world but I recommend my students attend a good fi****ms training academy and a good Jiu Jitsu school for grappling. He asked why I didn’t offer those. I can offer those skills but there are far better teachers in those areas than I am. People have focused and developed their knowledge and skills in those particular areas that exceed mine. I do not have enough life times to become proficient in all of these areas so I refer to others who are better in them. My depth in my area of expertise however far exceeds their knowledge so they refer people to me for survival and combatives training in real world situations.

Let’s use the good old toolbox analogy here. Over the years I have collected lots of tools. My box is heavy with hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches of all sizes and shapes. I have electric ones too. Most of them sit in the box, unused for years. They collect dust and rust.

I see people offering traditional martial arts, sports combat classes and combatives all together in the same school. They also teach self defense classes and fi****ms training. I’m sorry but, I think this is marketing bulls**t. There is no way they are truly capable and skilled in all of these areas let alone being able to teach them all.

A diamond is not created by adding to it, it is created by breaking away the excess material, chipping away the surroundings and polishing the rock to its finest and most beautiful state. A beautiful pot is not made by throwing more clay on it, it is created by removing the excess and molding it to perfection. A statute is created by chipping away the unneeded stone around it, not adding more stone.

We get to a certain point in our martial arts career when we need to start polishing and chipping away, not going to more seminars just to learn something new. Honing and perfecting our craft is a far better way to spend our time and energy. Becoming really good at a set of skills rather than mediocre at a wide variety of activities.

I literally lightened my tool box about a month ago. I took all of the extra screwdrivers, wrenches and additional tools I have collected over the years and gave them away. My tool box is now much lighter and compact and has everything I need to do what I am really good at.

I welcome you to do this with your tool box and your martial arts knowledge. Get better at what you already know, don’t just keep adding to the pile.

Until next time, train hard, refine your craft and perfect your skills.
For more information on our programs visit us at www.eastsidecombatives.com

Morning Wisdom from Wise Warrior

VIGILANCE Part 4 - the last installment in this series on Personal Protection and Self Defense

The OODA LOOP - how do we process information?

The OODA what? Yes, the OODA LOOP. Have you ever wondered how your mind goes through the process of making critical, immediate decisions in dangerous situations? Well the OODA LOOP is one way to describe how that works.

There are other words and acronyms that are used but I like OODA, and you will see why as you continue to read. It is easy to remember and we can have a little fun with it, which helps you remember it even better. This is not a definitive psychological explanation of how our mind makes decisions but it is one way to help us understand the process. There are many more complex versions and explanations out there so if you want more information start googling.

OODA stands for Observation, Orientation, Decision, Action or in the action form, Observe, Orient, Decide, Act.

Let’s break them down a bit. How do we observe? Well with our senses of course. Sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste, right? Wait, there is one missing. Yes, intuition is a sense, if you know how to use it properly.

The first 5 are pretty obvious. We can see, hear, touch, smell and taste danger. We can also feel it. That is the intuition kicking in and telling you something is not right, something is dangerous, out of place. It is very important to listen to this inner voice, it has saved many people from harm over the years and is one of your best allies. In his book, The Gift of Fear, Gavin De Becker, writes about several people who did and did not listen to their inner voice and the results of that choice. Some escaped danger, some were injured, some died.

That inner voice or intuition often manifests as fear. Fear is our friend. Just like the quote in the movie GI Jane, “pain is your friend, it lets you know you’re still alive, to get the job done and get the hell home.” Fear is your friend, it lets you know something is wrong, to pay attention and to get the hell out.

So now that we have established 6 senses for observations, let’s continue with Orientation. Being able to quickly and effectively orientate something in your environment requires that you have some base of knowledge about what you are observing. Let’s take a 1 on 1 self defense situation for an example. You are being approached by a large menacing person yelling and screaming about how they are going to harm you in unspeakable ways. There is little orientation required, it is pretty plain and easily understood. Now, change that scenario up a bit. You are standing at the bus stop, a person approaches from the side, you get an uneasy feeling in your stomach, something isn’t right. What is it? Why are you feeling this? You watch the person, nothing obvious stands out, but something isn’t right. Then you see the knife he is hiding under his coat, he closes the distance and you freeze. You have no idea how to respond, you have no orientation to what's happening and no choices to make for a response.

This happens to people all of the time. We see it in youtube videos, news reports, a person is attacked and does nothing. Gun shots are ringing out in the mall and people just stand there, looking around, having no orientation to the sounds, wondering what they are listening to, what to do.

This is what I call getting stuck in an OO (Oh Oh) moment. You Observe, try to Orient and get stuck at OO. You can’t get to D or A. Your mind is stuck and you can’t decide what to do, therefore you take no action.

This state of freezing up is common. It is usually experienced by people who have no training in personal protection or self defense. It is something that occurs with young, inexperienced drivers and why they tend to have more vehicle collisions. The mind simply can’t process what is happening fast enough. As those young drivers gain more experience, they tend to react faster and can get all the way through the OODA LOOP, making decisions and taking actions to brake, steer and avoid the collision.

Responding to danger in a self defense situation is the same. If you know what to pay attention to and have oriented yourself to a similar situation you can decide on an action and take it much quicker than if you have never seen or thought about the situation before. In some explanations of this process this is called prediction, the mind predicts what is about to happen based on preexisting intelligence it has from previous experiences. A really simple example can be a person approaches you, takes a swing with their right hand in a big haymaker style punch and you step to the side and deflect the punch, immediately counter attacking and running away as the attacker bends over with their breath knocked out of them. If you have never learned how to respond to this attack and what counters are available you will likely get punched in the face. Your brain can not orient to the danger fast enough to make a decision. This is why training and practicing are so important. Whether that be driver training, martial arts classes or practicing with your firearm to respond to threats, you must have some experience to get through your OODA LOOP and take action.

After you have the ability to observe danger cues and orient to them you can make decisions much faster. That may be to run away. It may be to close the distance and engage a violent person. It may be to dive for cover, unholster your gun and return fire from safety.

Fight or flight are choices we make using the OODA LOOP. Freezing means you got stuck in an OO moment and you need to move yourself out of it as fast as possible and complete the cycle.

I hope you have enjoyed our series of articles on VIGILANCE. Now learn, practice and STAY SAFE in that crazy world out there.

You can learn more about Personal Protection programs by visiting

Protect U ! Protect U! We offer several specialty programs that include active shooter response, work place violence, self defense, pepper spray and many others. Click to see more.

VIGILANCE Part 4 - the last installment in this series on Personal Protection and Self Defense

The OODA LOOP - how do we process information?

The OODA what? Yes, the OODA LOOP. Have you ever wondered how your mind goes through the process of making critical, immediate decisions in dangerous situations? Well the OODA LOOP is one way to describe how that works.

There are other words and acronyms that are used but I like OODA, and you will see why as you continue to read. It is easy to remember and we can have a little fun with it, which helps you remember it even better. This is not a definitive psychological explanation of how our mind makes decisions but it is one way to help us understand the process. There are many more complex versions and explanations out there so if you want more information start googling.

OODA stands for Observation, Orientation, Decision, Action or in the action form, Observe, Orient, Decide, Act.

Let’s break them down a bit. How do we observe? Well with our senses of course. Sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste, right? Wait, there is one missing. Yes, intuition is a sense, if you know how to use it properly.

The first 5 are pretty obvious. We can see, hear, touch, smell and taste danger. We can also feel it. That is the intuition kicking in and telling you something is not right, something is dangerous, out of place. It is very important to listen to this inner voice, it has saved many people from harm over the years and is one of your best allies. In his book, The Gift of Fear, Gavin De Becker, writes about several people who did and did not listen to their inner voice and the results of that choice. Some escaped danger, some were injured, some died.

That inner voice or intuition often manifests as fear. Fear is our friend. Just like the quote in the movie GI Jane, “pain is your friend, it lets you know you’re still alive, to get the job done and get the hell home.” Fear is your friend, it lets you know something is wrong, to pay attention and to get the hell out.

So now that we have established 6 senses for observations, let’s continue with Orientation. Being able to quickly and effectively orientate something in your environment requires that you have some base of knowledge about what you are observing. Let’s take a 1 on 1 self defense situation for an example. You are being approached by a large menacing person yelling and screaming about how they are going to harm you in unspeakable ways. There is little orientation required, it is pretty plain and easily understood. Now, change that scenario up a bit. You are standing at the bus stop, a person approaches from the side, you get an uneasy feeling in your stomach, something isn’t right. What is it? Why are you feeling this? You watch the person, nothing obvious stands out, but something isn’t right. Then you see the knife he is hiding under his coat, he closes the distance and you freeze. You have no idea how to respond, you have no orientation to what's happening and no choices to make for a response.

This happens to people all of the time. We see it in youtube videos, news reports, a person is attacked and does nothing. Gun shots are ringing out in the mall and people just stand there, looking around, having no orientation to the sounds, wondering what they are listening to, what to do.

This is what I call getting stuck in an OO (Oh Oh) moment. You Observe, try to Orient and get stuck at OO. You can’t get to D or A. Your mind is stuck and you can’t decide what to do, therefore you take no action.

This state of freezing up is common. It is usually experienced by people who have no training in personal protection or self defense. It is something that occurs with young, inexperienced drivers and why they tend to have more vehicle collisions. The mind simply can’t process what is happening fast enough. As those young drivers gain more experience, they tend to react faster and can get all the way through the OODA LOOP, making decisions and taking actions to brake, steer and avoid the collision.

Responding to danger in a self defense situation is the same. If you know what to pay attention to and have oriented yourself to a similar situation you can decide on an action and take it much quicker than if you have never seen or thought about the situation before. In some explanations of this process this is called prediction, the mind predicts what is about to happen based on preexisting intelligence it has from previous experiences. A really simple example can be a person approaches you, takes a swing with their right hand in a big haymaker style punch and you step to the side and deflect the punch, immediately counter attacking and running away as the attacker bends over with their breath knocked out of them. If you have never learned how to respond to this attack and what counters are available you will likely get punched in the face. Your brain can not orient to the danger fast enough to make a decision. This is why training and practicing are so important. Whether that be driver training, martial arts classes or practicing with your firearm to respond to threats, you must have some experience to get through your OODA LOOP and take action.

After you have the ability to observe danger cues and orient to them you can make decisions much faster. That may be to run away. It may be to close the distance and engage a violent person. It may be to dive for cover, unholster your gun and return fire from safety.

Fight or flight are choices we make using the OODA LOOP. Freezing means you got stuck in an OO moment and you need to move yourself out of it as fast as possible and complete the cycle.

I hope you have enjoyed our series of articles on VIGILANCE. Now learn, practice and STAY SAFE in that crazy world out there.

You can learn more about Personal Protection programs by visiting https://www.eastsidecombatives.com/protect_u.html.

Ancient Arts, Modern Methods

I have always loved this dichotomy in my personal philosophy regarding martial arts. I enjoy the traditional and historical aspects of martial arts and the functionality of modern systems of combat.

I have studied several systems and styles from China, Japan, Philippines, Korea and other places as well as modern combat systems from Russia, Israel, Canada and USA.

Personally I have benefited from both sides of this coin and incorporate traditional practices in my daily life for personal and spiritual growth. I meditate, practice Qi Gung and Tai Chi for my own development and teach a Tai Chi class for others also interested in these aspects of growth.

When it comes to teaching martial arts, combatives and personal protection however, I am much more interested in functionality, application, realistic skills, tactics and strategies.

Traditional systems have some of these but because they are traditional systems they are also slow to adapt and expand. I see traditional systems as great for personal development, teaching core values and abilities under certain constraints and definitions. They definitely have great value in many ways, but for modern combat and personal protection their methods, weapons and skill sets are often outdated and impractical.

On the other side the modern combatives systems have no traditions, are not focused on personal growth and spiritual attainment. They are focused on survival in violent situations, are highly functional and usually easier to learn and implement than traditional arts. When it comes to dealing with conflict and violence in our modern world, functionality is my prime directive.

Yes, of course there are traditional based arts that are highly functional and battle tested in our modern world but let's admit it, they are few and far between. Even those arts have developed and changed to meet the needs of our current situation and present modern alternatives in tactics and strategies.

Yes there are arts that have blended the ancient and modern very well but then the question arises, are they traditional anymore? I believe I blend the two, but I would never claim to be traditional in any way. I am a functionalist and a modernist if I have to label at all but I hate labels so I am just a person who lives a certain way of life.

Below I have attempted to break down some of the differences as I see them between ancient arts and modern methods. Read, enjoy and respond with your views, this is just my perspective.

Functionality in martial arts refers to the effectiveness and practicality of techniques, strategies, and training methods in real-world combat situations. A martial art is considered functional when its techniques can be applied successfully against resisting opponents, with an emphasis on efficiency, adaptability, and effectiveness.

Here are some key aspects of functionality in martial arts:
Effectiveness: Functional martial arts prioritize techniques that are proven to work in real combat scenarios. This often involves techniques that leverage biomechanics, leverage, and timing to overcome opponents.

Practicality: Functional martial arts focus on techniques that are practical and applicable in a variety of situations. This means techniques that can be executed in different environments, against different types of opponents, and under varying levels of stress.

Realistic Training: Functional martial arts emphasize realistic training methods that simulate actual combat conditions as closely as possible. This includes sparring, drills, scenario-based training, and pressure testing to develop practical skills under stress.

Adaptability: Functional martial arts teach practitioners to adapt to changing circumstances and opponents. This involves understanding principles and concepts rather than just memorizing techniques, allowing practitioners to apply their skills creatively and effectively in dynamic situations.

Minimalism: Functional martial arts often focus on a core set of techniques that are high-percentage and versatile, rather than a vast array of techniques that may be less practical in real combat situations.

Fitness and Conditioning: Functional martial arts emphasize physical conditioning and fitness as essential components of combat readiness. Strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness are all important for maintaining effectiveness in combat situations.

Self-Defense Orientation: While some martial arts focus on sport or competition, functional martial arts prioritize techniques and strategies that are applicable for self-defense purposes. This includes techniques for dealing with common types of attacks and situations encountered in real-life confrontations.

Overall, functionality in martial arts is about preparing practitioners to effectively defend themselves and others in real-world situations, with an emphasis on practicality, adaptability, and effectiveness.

Traditional martial arts encompass a wide range of systems and styles that have developed over centuries, often rooted in cultural and historical contexts. These martial arts typically have deep philosophical and spiritual components, in addition to their practical combat techniques.

Here are some key aspects of traditional martial arts:

Historical Roots: Traditional martial arts often have origins dating back hundreds or even thousands of years, with roots in ancient civilizations and cultures. These arts have been passed down through generations, preserving techniques, forms, and philosophies.

Philosophical Principles: Traditional martial arts are often guided by philosophical principles such as discipline, respect, humility, and self-improvement. These principles are integrated into training to develop not only physical skills but also character and morality.

Cultural Significance: Traditional martial arts are deeply intertwined with the cultures from which they originated. They may incorporate cultural practices, rituals, and symbols, and often play a significant role in cultural identity and heritage.

Forms and Kata: Many traditional martial arts include forms or kata, predetermined sequences of movements that practitioners practice repeatedly. These forms serve multiple purposes, including teaching techniques, developing muscle memory, and embodying the principles and concepts of the art.

Focus on Discipline and Etiquette: Traditional martial arts place a strong emphasis on discipline and etiquette within the training environment. Practitioners are expected to show respect to their instructors, fellow students, and the art itself, often through bowing rituals and adherence to codes of conduct.

Weapon Training: Traditional martial arts often include training with various traditional weapons such as swords, staffs, spears, and others. Weapon training not only teaches practical combat skills but also develops focus, coordination, and understanding of martial principles.

Holistic Approach to Training: Traditional martial arts typically offer a holistic approach to training, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual development. Training may include not only techniques but also meditation, breathing exercises, and philosophical study.

Self-Defense and Combat Skills: While traditional martial arts may emphasize philosophical and cultural aspects, they also include practical combat techniques for self-defense. These techniques are often based on principles of leverage, timing, and body mechanics.

Examples of traditional martial arts include karate, kung fu, taekwondo, judo, aikido, jiu-jitsu, and many others, each with its own unique history, techniques, and philosophy. While some traditional martial arts have evolved into modern sport-oriented forms, others continue to preserve their traditional practices and philosophies.

If you would like to learn more about our programs and what we offer please visit us at www.eastsidecombatives.com