Dealing with death is a fundamental issue in the martial arts. After all, self-defense, in its most extreme form, is a kill or be killed situation. Sounds scary, doesn’t it? Yep! Which is exactly why I find the martial arts to be so challenging and so profound. To truly master martial arts, you must determine…
Author: Ando Mierzwa
Ando Mierzwa is a martial arts teacher living in Los Angeles, CA.
Speed Training Will Save Your Life!
If you don’t include speed training into your martial arts practice, you’re making a big mistake. A mistake that could cost you your life. Wait—what about Tai Chi? They practice slowly. Are you saying millions of students are wasting their time? Not at all. I practice slowly, too. But I also practice at full speed…
The Attitude I Hate Most in Martial Arts
You run into lots of different attitudes in the martial arts. Let me tell which one I hate the most— Smug. Confident? I like. Cocky? I don’t mind. But smug? There is absolutely no place for that in the martial arts. Or anywhere. And yet… Years ago, after an Aikido class, I was sitting on…
3 Stupid Martial Arts Injuries
Some martial arts injuries are unavoidable, but others are just plain stupid! In this video, I discuss three stupid martial arts injuries and how to avoid them. If the video won’t play, you’ll find a summary below. Train safely! Stupid Injury #1: Spraining or jamming your fingers In the martial arts, your hands not only…
MMA for Self-Defense?
Can you use MMA for self-defense? The argument between mixed martial arts fans and traditional martial arts fans has been raging for decades. MMA fan: MMA is the greatest lab in history for testing fighting techniques that really work. TMA fan: Ha! MMA isn’t even a real martial art! MMA fan: You’re right—it’s better! MMA…
#23: Mind and Muscle in Self-Defense [Podcast]
Welcome to Episode #23 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Mind and Muscle in Self-Defense.” With the popularity of combat sports like MMA and BJJ, it’s easy to think that every martial artist must also be an elite athlete. But that’s not true at all! Sure, you can get into great shape through…
What It Takes To Be a Self-Defense Expert
What does it take to be a self-defense expert? Most people have no idea. Case in point… I was at dinner with a female friend the other night. Our conversation was interrupted when a gentleman walked past our table. It was obvious why. The gentleman was tall, handsome, and built like a superhero. She commented,…