Martial Way Austin's Blog

Disguising 10,000 Reps!!!

martialwayaustin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:03:10 +0000

If you do anything for too long… you soon become bored with it.

So you have to change it up. This doesn’t necessarily mean you change what you do… just how you do it.

So how do you change up 10,000 reps in just 30 days???

If you were doing 10,000 push ups you could change up the following…

Hand Position

Foot Position

Body Angle

Range of Motion

Hand Structure

Hand Position could be anything from in front of your solders, close to your chest, center of your chest, far a part, fingers pointed in, etc.

Foot Position you could have your feet together, apart, crossed over each other, etc.

Body Angle could be parallel with the floor, feet up on some thing (body slanting down), hands up on something (body slanting up), upside down parallel to wall, etc.

Your Range of Motion could be standard with your arms all the way extended, half way extended or even a short range. You could push and clap your hands together or jump your whole body off the ground and clap your hands. You could do Hindu Push Ups in a forward and backward elliptical motions or even the Cabbage Patch which goes side to side. You could also do Stair Step Push Ups dropping your elbows to the floor. There are so many options including changing your depth on a Ball, Rack or even the TRX.

Last but not least and more challenging is you could change your Hand Structure. This would include doing it on your palms, knuckles, fingers spread, three fingers, two fingers, etc. This is more challenging so be careful!!!

My favorite way to change it up or disguise the reps though is the count themselves.

Try this…

Day One – Sets of 50 reps (less often)

Day Two – Sets of 25 reps (a little more often)

Day Three – Sets of 10 reps (very often – set your phone alarm and drop and give me 10

Day Four – 50-40-30-20-10 (every time you do them you knock off 10, gives you 150 total for each set!!!)

These are just some ways but you could combine them or come up with your own. The nice thing is your body will really enjoy the push of lots of reps one day. Then a slight lighter concept. I find my metabolism really enjoys the 10 reps very often.

Remember the goal is to take a big number and tackle it by doing a little something every day.

Even if you don’t have a chance to make it to the Academy… you can always hit some reps and still get a little workout going.

Try this and get busy… see you at the end of the month with 10,000 reps!!!

24 Hour Lock In Schedule is In!!!!

martialwayaustin — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:31:14 +0000

http://www.martialway.net

Ok here it is!!!!

You can train all 24 Hours for $25 and 20 canned goods or you can come up to any two hour sessions for 20 canned goods!!! Let us know what you want to participate in and we will save you a spot.

Remember our big goal is 1500+ pounds of food and every bit will help out. Clean our your pantry and help those in need. If you are short on time and can’t participate then please visit www.martialway.net (store – events) and you can donate in $5 increments or drop off a donation here at the school. Change, cash, credit… it all adds up folks so lets get busy!!!

Oh and today is the last day we will be taking cans for free training. Bring in ten cans and train a week for free or bring 40 cans and train for four weeks free!!! Get on it fast while there is still time. Remember who and what you wanted to accomplish and achieve this and previous years. Make it happen now and help those in need.

Lock In Schedule

December 10th starting at 10AM –
10 – Warm Up – Matt Watkins – Mother Earth Kicking from the Ground
1030 – Guest Instructor Mike Massie – Fitness & Conditioning

11 – Mr. Marcos Merritt – Guard Passes
1130 – Mr. Marcos Merritt – Side Control, Mount and Knee on Belly Submissions

12 – Snack – Matt Mangum – Wai Kru
1230 – Matt Mangum – Elbows & Knees from Thailand
1 – Sonja Botkin – Conditioning
130 – Sonja Botkin – Kettle Bell Training

2 – Lunch – Matt Henson – Jun Fan Ung Moon
230 – Matt Henson – Jun Fan Trapping Application
3 – Jake Norman – Tabata Kwon Do (longevity training)
330 – Shannon Molina – Butt Be Gone / Gut Be Gone

4 – Guest Instructor – Damon Stith – Capoeira
430 – Guest Instructor – Damon Stith – Warrior’s Edge (Sword Fitness)
5 – Guest Instructor – Marc Ritacco – Grappling Positions with Pressure
530 – Guest Instructor – Marc Ritacco – Darce Choke 101

6 – Dinner – Scott Williams – Kali Stick Disarms
630 – Marc Molina – Relaxing Speed
7 – Matt Watkins – Knife High Load vs Low Load Position
730 – Matt Watkins – Jun Fan Grappling Drill Entries

8 – Matt Watkins – Kettle Bell Training
830 – Sarah Jacobs – Cinch Striking
9 – Sarah Jacobs – Spinning Back Fist & Turn Side Kick Combo
930 – Gandi – Jun Fan Trapping

10 – Snack – Hector Gonzales – Advance Jun Fan Trapping
1030 – Gandi – Jun Fan ABC Drills
11 – Hector Gonzales – Jun Fan Wooden Dummy
1130 – Jamie Smith – Catch the Kick!!!

12 – Snack – Nicole Herrington – Balls!!!
1230 – Nicole Herrington – Long Lost Abs
1 – Anthony Ramirez – Tie Up Drills
130 – Oscar Sanabria – Takedowns

2 – Snack – Anthony Ramirez – Grappling Drills
230 – Oscar Sanabria – Takedowns to Grappling Drills
3 – Guro Larry St. Clair – Guro Larry St. Clair – Kali Long Range Single Stick
330 – Guro Larry St. Clair – Kali Stick Chokes

4 – Snack – Guro Larry St. Clair – Chi Sao meets Hubad
430 – Guro Larry St. Clair – Filipino Boxing
5 – Guro Larry St. Clair – Branch Up & Branch Down Locks
530 – Guro Larry St. Clair – Stand Up Sparring Drills

6 – Snack – Adam Herrman – Kali Knife
630 – Guro Larry St Clair – Lock Flows Drills
7 – Adam Herrman – Kali Double Stick to Empty Hand
730 – Guro Larry St. Clair – MMA Conditioning
830 – Guro Larry St. Clair – Kali Single Stick Sombratta
9 – Breakfast – Guro Larry St. Clair – Kali Six Foot Staff
930 – Guro Larry St. Clair – Stretching
10 – Celebrate!!!

–
Guro Larry, Lauren & Tori St. Clair
The Always Improving Martial Way Academy
American Top Team Trained and Certified MMA Affiliate
Martial Arts Training and Fitness Education at its Best
http://www.martialway.net
512-821-3637The old saying that knowledge is power is just that… execution… now that is POWER!!!

Develop the Leader Within…

martialwayaustin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:01:15 +0000

Recently we hosted a Board Breaking Graduation. During the ceremony we had the children go through our six basic positions in class. They all did pretty well but would occasionally copy each other. So I decided to have them all close their eyes. Then I made them do their positions again. Guess what happened??? They all did it perfectly!!! Amazing how that works. Our eyes often play tricks on us. We are naturally creatures of reflection. Therefore often enough what we see or hear is what we do. This brings truth to the saying “monkey see monkey do”. If we are to develop the leader within us as well as the leaders around us, we have to pause… close our eyes… and then take action.

The old saying that knowledge is power is just that… execution… now that is POWER!!!

Adapt…

martialwayaustin — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 18:44:47 +0000

As we “go” through life there are lots of changes. These can be with our work, activities and even loved ones. I use the term “go” because things do change and if we don’t adapt it is difficult to progress. We have to learn to adapt. There is a time to go with the flow and a time to take action on what is given to you.

An example of this is when you are driving down the road and someone changes lanes. Not that bad except you are right where they are changing lanes. To react would maybe put you into another lane with a car and an accident. To take action might be to slow down and honk your horn to let them know you are there. By taking this action you adapted to the situation.

Here is another example… you made your day around plans with a friend. Now that the day has arrived you cant get a hold of them. Your day is essentially on hold… or is it? How about at work? Your tasks and or your calender is set and then all the sudden a major project or fire lands on your desk… what do you do?

It took me a while to adjust to this concept. I always remember great times with students. Glory days of how things used to be. But that was then… and this is now.

Life throws us many curve balls… when it does, make a change… adapt and flow to the next progression in your life.

“Blessed are the flexible… because they never get bent out of shape.”

The old saying that knowledge is power is just that… execution… now that is POWER!!!

How You Can Help Us Help Your Community!!!

martialwayaustin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:36:40 +0000

I wanted to let you know we put together several additional ways you can help your community with our goal. As we mentioned before you can easily donate cans and we will give you free training. For TEN cans a free week and for 40 cans a free four weeks of training.

We also put together a small list to help you with other ideas that some of our students gave us.

I want to encourage all of you to try several different approaches to this.

#1 – bring in your cans
#2 – donate to the our change jug here at the school (change is great, but something the folds is wonderful)
#3 – donate online by click HERE!!!
#4 – find a local area business or even your work that will let you place a box for cans there
#5 – go and ask other people for donations or cans (give them the same list I just gave you)

Ok, here is an easy one… clean out your pantry )) Go to your neighbor and ask the same thing. Doesn’t get any easier or cheaper than that!!!

All of these are good; but remember one thing for me… “There is no Tomorrow!!!”. If you put it off until tomorrow then it might not happen. This weekend you will be purchasing your groceries, placing them in your pantry. It is the perfect time to either grab a few extra cans while shopping or clean out the ones you have.

I thank you for all your help on this and hope to hear from you soon.

–
Guro Larry, Lauren & Tori St. Clair
The Always Improving Martial Way Academy
American Top Team Trained and Certified MMA Affiliate
Martial Arts Training and Fitness Education at its Best

http://www.martialway.net

512-821-3637

The old saying that knowledge is power is just that… execution… now that is POWER!!!

“Celebrate our differences and learn from each other…”

martialwayaustin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:31:40 +0000

Life is all about communication. We have to have communication between our friends, family, co-workers…. even worst enemies ))

During this communication there are two big elements.

The first is presentation. We must present what ever we are talking about. Whether it be formal and planned out or just off the cuff, it all starts here.

The second is interpretation. This is the part where the person(s) translates what you are saying.

Often enough though, somewhere in the middle…. there can be a miscommunication.

This happens because no matter how well you present it there can still be an issue with the person understanding it.

We must take into consideration their experiences as a person and even if teaching what kind of a “learner” they are.

Our struggle in life should be to understand people. Be patient and enjoy our time communicating with each other. Celebrate our differences and learn from each other.

As Tony Robbins says… “Be fascinated with your frustration”

–
Guro Larry, Lauren & Tori St. Clair
The Always Improving Martial Way Academy
American Top Team Trained and Certified MMA Affiliate
Martial Arts Training and Fitness Education at its Best

http://www.martialway.net

512-821-3637

The old saying that knowledge is power is just that… execution… now that is POWER!!!

Lets change the world… one glass of water at a time!!!

martialwayaustin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:33:33 +0000

I was teaching our Tigers Children’s Character Development Class a few weeks ago and made mention of a situation I most recently noticed.

First of all… let me help you understand what we have been talking about.

For the past month of September we have been working on a Character Development Lesson towards “self-reliance”. Our goal is to help our community understand that they must keep trying to make something happen.

The old Japanese Maxim comes to mind…. “Fall down seven, get up eight”.

Our secondary message is that if you can’t do it, then ask for…. “Help!!!”

This I have noticed is a big problem in our younger generations. They would rather clam up or just be upset and not ask for help.

Two extremely good messages are here. Teach them to be strong and self-reliant. Teach them to be able to ask for help and even use Team Work to get big things accomplished!!!

This brings me to my point now….

As parents, we have all these fast paced schedules. Sometimes it our children’s events and other times it is our own. Either way there is a fast way to do things… especially if we are in a rush.

Our child asks or needs something… maybe we tell them where to find it or how to get it. Often enough though, because we are in a hurry we just grab it or do it for them.

You see where I am going right???

Hey, I am just as guilty of it; but we have to catch these super important moments. The are life changing moments!!! They don’t always happen in a row but they will repeat eventually.

I say lets break the pattern we have here. STOP!!!! Take a breath… and show them how to do something. Watch the pay off that those few minutes have on our children and see them grow.

If they or you are a few minutes late… everything will still be ok.

Why????

Because you just made a life lesson out of something simple like getting a glass of water or making a PB&J.

How cool is that???

Lets change the world… one glass of water at a time!!!

–
Guro Larry, Lauren & Tori St. Clair
The Always Improving Martial Way Academy
American Top Team Trained and Certified MMA Affiliate
Martial Arts Training and Fitness Education at its Best

http://www.martialway.net

512-821-3637

The old saying that knowledge is power is just that… execution… now that is POWER!!!

“Take the time to unplug….”

martialwayaustin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:59:56 +0000

Picked up my youngest today after not seeing her in a week…. was a great feeling.

Honestly it is the same pretty much every morning though.

Every time she sees me she just smiles ear to ear… super heart warming.

While I was out my oldest tried calling me several times. I was out of service so I couldn’t receive her call but I was able to listen to her messages a few days later.

She was definitely missing me. Telling me how her day went, etc. etc.

IT was extremely nice to be missed.

As I was thinking about these moments on the last few days of my journey, more reasons came to mind on why we should take a few days or even a week off.

Obviously to unplug…. like literally… no phone, text or internet…. OH MY!!!!

To let our mind, body and spirit just relax and even repair. Before leaving my shoulder was strained so a week off really did it some good. Also an interesting side note is that it takes you a day or two away to just stop thinking about all the things you normally do.

IT is also super important to have this away time to show yourself how much you miss the people in your lives as well as your favorite activities.

Nothing beats this!!!

Even more so for those in your lives to be missing you and your day to day interaction.

On of my top ten favorite parts of my morning so far is when my youngest and I went to have breakfast at Cafe Java. The owner Matt knows us well and had just seen the girls the day before.

After welcoming me back and saying hello he told me something my oldest said yesterday.

She said, “If you see my dad today or tomorrow before I do, be sure to give him a hug and kiss from me. Tell him I love him.”

I can’t wait to do my normal routine today and pick up my oldest from school so she can give me that hug and kiss herself.

Take the time to unplug….
for yourself…
and for those you love.

Guro Larry

http://www.martialway.net

Change Their/Your Thought… Change the World!!!

martialwayaustin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:53:57 +0000

I wanted to share what we discussed in Monday’s Class.

It was something extremely awesome that came up during our Date Night.

During the parts where we were not training we were of course doing Origami.

Many of the kiddos were saying… “I can’t do it…” (followed by sad face).

Then about an hour and a half into it… one said… “Can you teach me how”.

WOW!!!

I made a big deal out of this for all of them.

Afterwards everyone would say…. “Can you teach me how” or “Can you help me”.

WOW!!! (again)

Talk about an awesome transformation.

No more sad faces and just sponges ready to learn.

That is what our children are… sponges.

They are ready to absorb.

I just wanted to share with you this awesome moment because I think it makes a difference.

We are raised with the concept of negativity all around us.

“No” we say or “that is a NO NO”.

This always happens… but it is never too late to change it.

My oldest was sad last night because she didn’t get to do what she wanted to do.

We sat down and as soon as soon as we started discussing it… she cried

I first started with the same thing I and I am sure many of you have heard… “we don’t always get what we want.”

I then followed it up with something that I think is very powerful.

Now we can focus on the thing(s) that we didn’t get to do… or we can think about all the amazing things we did get to do.

I then began to list everything that we did yesterday.

A very long list of fun things. Many of which she asked to do.

The frown was then turned upside down

I think that if we can help them think positive about things and see the lessons and “silver linings” then we have a very strong chance of making a big difference.

Now, I say this about our children… but I believe it is never too late to make this adjustment in the way we think.

It may take longer to keep it going and to make it happen without us thinking about it directly.

But I think it is definitely worth it.

Lets rid the world’s vocabulary of four letter bad words like “can’t” and see what happens next!!!

Guro Larry
The Always Improving Martial Way Academy
American Top Team Trained and Certified MMA Affiliate
Martial Arts Training and Fitness Education at its Best

http://www.martialway.net

512-821-3637

The old saying that knowledge is power is just that… execution… now that is POWER!!!

10 Years Later… still loving it!!!

martialwayaustin — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:19:14 +0000

I started kickboxing at Martial Way in my early 20′s, then had to stop for a while when I was starting my career. I came back 8 years later and was welcomed with smiles and hugs. I loved it when I was 22 and I still love it at 32; It’s a great workout at any age. The instructors are fun, cool people whom I consider friends and they challenge me to do my personal best every class. The well-crafted lesson plans and motivation of working with the enthusiastic instructors and peers make this one of the most effective workouts I have ever done. My favorite thing about training at Martial Way is how it makes me feel: Strong!

Shana Horton