Class

Learn how to provide something for nothing. The old saying tells us that there's no such thing as something for nothing, but if you want to spread word-of-mouth about your martial arts class, you'll have to suspend your disbelief. Why? You can't expect someone to up and register to your class simply because you believe it will help them. You have to actively demonstrate that you have real value to share. The best way to do that? Provide a free sample!

A free martial arts demonstration utilizes the same principle as the sample lady at your local grocery store: giving out something for free attract peoples' attention; once you have them reeled in, you want to tell them why they should pay you for more. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and if you're just starting out as a martial arts instructor, it's probably a necessity. Never underestimate the value you can get out of doing work for free!

Develop a full program. If you embrace the principle above but fail to deliver on the content once your students sign up to your class, you'll quickly find yourself in need of more marketing. Instead of waiting around for people to become great students themselves, make your program as good as you can make it. Make it comprehensive, challenging, but also common sense. Then, take this program and give out as much information on it as possible.

This, again, represents the "something-for-nothing" principle listed earlier on: if you can give away as much information as possible, and your information is high-quality, then people will want more, and they'll want personal instruction. Give away everything but the meat itself, and people will be more interested in your class than you might have thought. Then make sure that you class delivers on its promises so that students spread the word.

Photo Credits: Listen Missy!

Originally posted 2010-01-19 03:33:33.

Bullying.

What starts a fight in the first place? If you're of a certain age, then alcohol can be one of the leading contributors - two men fighting over a girl, for example, is a frequent theme around the world's bars and pubs. Understanding that alcohol can lead to these situations will hopefully encourage you to drink moderately, even when out with friends; losing control is exactly what the martial arts ask you not to do.

When you feel a fight coming on - and it's usually detectable simply by feeling the tension in the room, or observing the startled, frozen reactions of "bystanders" who are simply witness to it - it's time to be the calming presence. It's tempting to use your confidence gained through your mastery of martial arts in order to assert yourself over two people who are about to fight, but this can often just add fuel to the fire. There's already too much testosterone in the air, and the wise martial artist knows that more testosterone is not the answer.

So what do you do? You stay calm and try to shake the attention of the two fighters away from each other. If you have other people around, you enlist their help to separate the two fighters away before they can start hitting. It's important to stay calm and relaxed so that you don't add any more tension to a rope that's about to be cut - figuratively speaking, of course.

As mentioned already, prevention is the best way to avoid fighting anyone. Fights are generally a bad idea, as you never know when a stranger has friends waiting in the corner, or a weapon located on their person. Avoid them at all costs, and do it through a clear presence of mind, using other people to your advantage, and not adding any fuel to the fire. This should help you in the future.

Photo Credits: Chesi - Fotos CC

Originally posted 2009-12-08 03:47:23.

Self-disipline is the name of the game.

Tip #1: Learn the principle of "doing it anyway."

If self-discipline was easy, it wouldn't be self-discipline. At some point in your life, you're going to have to embrace some sort of level of hardship in order to work toward your goals and maintain a healthy, consistent lifestyle. Many people put off discipline because they can "do it tomorrow," but what's so different about tomorrow that will make it easier than today? In reality, that's just procrastination. You have to start feeling the discomfort of discipline and "do it anyway." You don't want to do thirty push-ups today? Too bad. Do it. You'll feel better afterward.

Tip #2: Organize.

Discipline is easier when you're organized and know exactly what you have to do on a daily basis. If you've had trouble showing up on time to your martial arts classes, buy a calendar and start organizing your schedule. Try to get most of your work done at the beginning of the day so you can relax later. The earlier you accomplish your daily goals, the less you'll have to procrastinate.

Make a list of daily habits that you can maintain, and accomplish them in the same order every day. When they're easy to remember, they're easier to maintain.

Tip #3: Give yourself a goal.

Discipline often has its own intrinsic rewards, but you can bring more motivation to the table if your discipline is working toward a definable goal. For example, let's say your goal is to attain the green belt in your chosen martial art. That will give you incentive to show up five minutes early to each class.

You have to realize that discipline is something no one else can do for you. You have to accept that growth requires challenging yourself.

Photo Credits: Ed-meister

Originally posted 2009-08-24 03:12:04.

Ultimate Fighter

Brazil. Brazilian jiu-jitsu has quickly become one of the most popular forms of martial arts on the planet, and if you're serious about mixed martial arts, then you need to be in Brazil, at least at some point in your life. The name of the country is in the fighting style! You can't miss by going to Brazil in order to shore up what UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fans would call your "ground game." This isn't the prettiest style of fighting - at least not for an audience - but it can help you gain advantage over an opponent who has you on the ground.

Japan. There is perhaps no place more famous for martial arts than Japan, the birthplace of Karate, which more accurately was generated in Okinowa. Although Karate itself has expanded to find homes all over the world, including in Canada and the United States, Japan is its birthplace, and sometimes there's no replacing that sense of history than by traveling to where it call began. You won't find any shortage of martial arts in Japan, and if you're a serious martial artist, you'll probably find yourself traveling there at some point, whether you originally planned on it or not.

The United States. The United States is, quite simply, where martial artists come to make it. Cities like Las Vegas provide arenas for some of the world's most popular martial arts events. If you want to make it as an Ultimate Fighter, you're going to have to go to Las Vegas at some point. If you want to find the best teachers around the world, many of them are in the United States, where the demand for martial arts training is high.

Photo Credits: Kaloozer

Originally posted 2009-11-26 03:42:42.