There is an overly simplistic adage that one should master one discipline before moving on to another. Well, it's not really much of a wise proverb outside of the often tribalistic and insular subculture of martial arts. Go to a regular school, and students are expected to not only study a wide range of subjects but often several similar subjects. Yet, when it comes to martial arts, there appears to be this pervading idea that you need to get to a certain level before you sho

Martial artists often seek ways to improve their skills beyond their primary discipline. For a competitive taekwondo athlete, refining balance, agility, and injury prevention is crucial. Recently, a unique training opportunity arose when a mother approached me to help her daughter, an advanced taekwondo competitor, with conditioning and cross-training. The daughter boards at a school far from her main taekwondo dojang and found the local options insufficient for her level. Al

When I began working with my client from Cotswold Karate School, a martial arts teacher deeply committed to improving his teaching methods, we focused on using Muay Thai personal training to enhance the existing elbow strike techniques in karate. This cross-training approach has opened new doors for both of us, especially in how his students can better incorporate elbow strikes into their sparring. Recently, we wrapped up a session that introduced the K-block and various comb

Teaching martial arts is a continuous journey of growth, not just for students but for instructors as well. As a martial arts teacher, you know the value of expanding your skill set to offer richer, more effective training to your students. One way I have seen this happen firsthand is through martial arts teacher training that incorporates techniques from different disciplines.