Inspiration beyond measure

I caught this video on someone's Facebook page and I must say it is one of the most informative and inspirational short videos I have seen.

It is about a female Judo master named Keiko Fukuda. She is currently the highest ranking women in Judo history (9th Degree Red Belt to be exact). The historical detail is awesome. I love reading or listening the stories of old, the history of various arts, and how they have developed over the years.

The reason I wanted to share this is because it teaches us some important lessons.

1. True mastery of an art only comes from consistency and patience.
2. True mastery is in the knowledge not the action.
3. Regardless of obstacles, you keep pushing forward until you reach your goal.
4. Age shouldn't keep you from doing or achieving your goals.

Check out the video!

How to properly fold your Karate uniform

I've been wanting to record a short instructional video on how to properly fold a karate uniform or gi for quite some time now.

To many times, I have seen students just throw their uniforms in their gym bags right after class. The next day, they would show up for class and pull it out of their gym bag in the same condition it was thrown in. They would come on the mat with a stinky and wrinkled uniform and they think that's okay.

This is a serious problem in my opinion. I believe that martial arts is not just about the kicks, punches, submissions, etc. I believe it is about discipline, development, respect, and honor.

If you come to class with a stinky and wrinkled uniform where is the discipline, where is the development as a martial artist, where is the respect for your gi, where is the honor in wearing your gi?

The uniform is an important part of training. When you put on your uniform you are representing the art and style you are learning. You also represent your school and teacher. Therefore, every student should make it a point to properly learn how to fold their gi and preserve a lost tradition.

I remember when I used to train with Sifu Vizzio in Union City, NJ back in the early 90's, he made folding the uniform part of class and testing. If you did not know how to properly fold your uniform, chances were you'd fail your promotion test. This is how important caring for your uniform was back then.

So with that said, I filmed a short video showing how to properly fold your gi. Keep in mind that this is only one way of doing so. If you choose to observe this tip, then that's great. If you don't, then that's okay too.

If your style has a different way of folding your gi, then I highly suggest that you adhere to your style's way and up hold their traditional way.

So without further-ado...





Additional points:

1. Wash your gi after every class - This may be difficult if you attend classes everyday. In this case, make sure you have more than one gi.

Most people like to hang dry their gi so it does not shrink. If you do this, then make sure you observe the following point.

If you dry your gi, then you don't have to iron it. You can simple take it out of the dryer and fold it. It will be ready for you to use for your next class.

2. Iron your gi before class - One of the worst things a student can do is come to class with a wrinkled uniform. If you take 5 minutes of your day to iron your gi it will reflect who you are as a person and how important your gi is to your training.

Staying in shape during Ramadan

Regardless of the fact that Muslims around the world are abstaining from food and water for almost the entire day for the month of Ramadan, many of us tend to gain weight during this month.

It is a strange phenomenon, but the reality is that it's true. The reason for it is that many of us try to do minimal physical activities so that we don't feel hydrated during the day. This is especially so this Ramadan since it fell during the summer season. This causes for the body's metabolism to slow down and not burn as many calories as one would if they were actively exercising.

In addition, many of us tend over eat when it is time to break our fast because our mind thinks that the stomach is starving. Although chowing down on some briyani or naan tastes great, we should remember to be moderate in our eating.

Keep in mind that our stomachs are shrinking due to the fast and over eating, even if it is less than you normally eat during the year, can cause some serious discomfort. Also, since the breaking of the fast is late, many of us do not have time to hit the treadmill to burn off the calories we just took in.

Many Muslims say, "I'll just burn it off during Taraweeh." You may be able to burn some, but not the necessary amount required to keep the food you just ate from turning into stored fat. Now image doing this for a period of 30 days. If this is the case, no wonder many of us gain 5 to 10 pounds during this month instead of shedding some weight.

Ramadan is a month not to only purify our hearts, but also our bodies. We should take advantage of this month to hit the reset button on our health and start fresh.

With that said, I wanted to share some friendly advice on how to stay in shape during Ramadan without having to hit the gym so hard.

1. Wake up for suhoor (the predawn meal) - The reason is that feeding the body, especially some healthy nutrients, kick your body into gear early during the day. Suhoor will help you stay full and hydrated and will be the fuel you need to burn calories during the day. Remember though, keep it healthy. I'd stay away from the fuul, naan, eggs, coffee, finish it off with a date breakfast. Dates and water are more than enough to keep you feeling good throughout the day.

Remember, it was reported by Anas bin Malik that the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him said): "Take the suhoor (the predawn meal) as there is blessing in it." (reported by Bukhari)

2. Stay active during the day - What I mean is do your normal activities, like walking, jogging, etc. If you feel that you are feeling dehydrated, then scale it back a bit, but don't sit on the couch all day waiting for Maghrib so you can break your fast. Live your normal life. Too many times, we become lazy during this month. However, we should remember this is the month to do more, spiritually and physically.

Stay away from heavy workouts, but do enough to get some calories burning and circulation to your body, even if its a nice walk after you break your fast.

3. Eat moderately - Don't grab a handful of everything on the table and put it on your plate. Eat slowly and moderately. There is no need to taste everything at iftaar. Just get what you feel you need. The idea is to break your fast and eat until you are satisfied, not to stuff yourself until you can't eat anymore. Listen to your stomach, not your taste buds.

Remember, Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib who said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah saying: 'No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.'" (Ahmad & At-Tirmidhi)

4. Get proper rest - I don't mean to sleep for hours on end, but the truth is the body needs to rest. If you can squeeze a nap (kaylula) after dhuhr prayer that would be awesome. For those who can't, try to get adequate sleep at night so that your body feels energized for another day of fasting. Sleep helps the body relax, reduces stress, and aids with digestion.

Insha'Allah this should be sufficient, if we observe it, to keep us fit and healthy during Ramadan.

Let's take advantage of this blessed month to come closer to Allah with our acts of 'ibaadah, purify our hearts, increase in good deeds, seek His mercy and forgiveness, and also purify our bodies so that we can be in shape for the rest of the year.

This is an advice to myself first and foremost. Whomsoever benefits from it, it is only from Allah.

2010 US Capitol Classics Highlight Video!!!

US Capitol Classics Recap

I haven't had a real chance to sit down and go through the highlights of the 2010 US Capitol Classics.

Quick recap:


1st in Open Jiu-Jitsu - Lightweight Divison
2nd in Advance Southern Traditional Kung-Fu

I also participated for the first time in the Black Belt Korean Traditional forms division. I was so nervous for this part of the tournament. I felt like a newbie, and to be quite honest, I was. I had people in my division who ranked from 1st degree up to 5th degree.

These guys kicks were straight out of a kung-fu flick. They had great technique, stances, and focus. It was simply amazing to even compete against them.

One thing that I did not like was the exaggerating ki-huping (yelling). It seems like some were there to simple put on a show and perform rather than displaying the art. It was a traditional division, but it felt more like an XMA division. I was disappointed about that and felt that the person who won only did so cause he punch his chest with his first, and yelled like a man mad after every technique.

I will elaborate more in my next post which I am calling: "Intensity or Insanity: A look into exaggerating the art of the ki-hup". (SMILE).

I have been working on a little video of my performances and it took me longer than expected.

Al-hamdulillah I did finish it just in time. I will post it shortly!!!

Now it's time to focus on Ramadhan.