My philosophy on Martial Arts training is simple: do it. Continue to train, regardless of your level. Life is a process, not a product. Once initiated, training becomes a life long learning experience and journey of self-discovery. Too many times, a black belt around the waist equals a foot in the grave. Attaining a black belt is not the completion of martial arts training. It is quite the opposite. True training begins at the black belt level and has no ending. 

Let me use the analogy of a craftsman. As an apprentice, you seek a journeyman, one who has already learned the basics of his craft and has all of his own tools. As a student of the Martial Arts, you seek out a teacher who has learned the basics and knows how to apply them. Once you have learned the basics and acquired your own “tools,” it is then time to “practice” your art. However, many see the black belt as some type of title equal to a championship belt. It is merely a milestone in the martial arts, not an ending point. You can also compare receiving a black belt to a college degree. It is worthless unless applied. My advice is to concentrate on the “process” and not the “product.” 

As a black belt, humble yourself. Remember you are a human being first, equal to all. Respect everyone. Do not put yourself on a pedestal, otherwise you set yourself up to fall. In the search for knowledge, allow yourself to switch roles between teacher and student. Only then can you gain a deeper understanding of the Martial Arts. Learning is a cycle. Learn to teach and teach to learn. There are many things you can learn from a “white belt.” Don’t be afraid to be wrong. Your mistakes make you better. Look at them as an opportunity to improve. Constantly push yourself. Don’t settle with what you already know. Remember if you don’t evolve, you will become obsolete. 

The world around us is constantly changing, so should your training. Tradition is important, but if it a technique or method becomes ineffective, discard it. This doesn’t mean to stop teaching the basics. Even though as adults we rarely crawl, children still must learn to crawl before they can walk, and walk before they can run. Although, if they are ready to run then there is no need to practice crawling. 

The Martial Arts encompasses development of the spirit, mind, and body. Training is not confined to the “dojo” or training hall. However, formal training and mastery of basic movements and concepts begins there. A Martial Artist, can learn, express, and practice his (her) art anywhere at anytime. Do not limit yourself, remain open minded. 

For the beginner, many of these concepts may at first be difficult to understand. Allow me to then address physical training. “Train as if your life depends on it.” It does. The most basic reason for studying the Martial Arts is for self-protection. Therefore, we must as Sijo Emperado says, “Train strong, to remain strong.” Kajukenbo training is extremely demanding and considered brutal. Kajukenbo practitioners believe in application of theory. (Kajukenbo techniques are characterized by rapid kenpo strikes, circular gung fu movements, judo throws, and jujitsu joint locks.) 

I am an advocate for cross training. It is an excellent way to stay motivated. Personally, I like to participate in athletic sports, dance, and outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking. I also enjoy circuit training. Circuits are various exercises that you perform for a given interval of time before going to the next exercise. For example, I do a 15-minute circuit with 5 stations: 1. Jump rope, 2. Heavy bag, 3. Power tower (pull ups, pushups, dips), 4. Dumbbell superset, and 5. Decline crunches. I stay at each for 1 minute. You’ll be surprised the quality workout you can get in 15 minutes 

One of the most overlooked aspects of Martial Arts training is cardiovascular exercise. However, the benefits are numerous. No one can argue that increased endurance will make you a better Martial Artist. Increased stamina also makes longer workouts possible. It will also increase the amount of knowledge you can attain. If you are tired, it is extremely difficult to learn. Remember that no matter how good your technique is, it cannot be properly executed if you are tired. “Fatigue makes cowards of all men.” 

The body will do what it is trained to do. Only the mind can limit the body. Push your limits. The mind will give up before the body does. Cardiovascular exercise can be used as a tool to strengthen the mind and spirit. When the body is tired, the mind tells it to give up. However, if you push yourself, you will develop mental toughness and a strong spirit to persevere. The body is amazing. The more you ask of it, the more it will do. 

Stretch. Stretch. Stretch. I cannot stress more the importance of making stretching a daily routine. Not only will it increase your flexibility but also it will decrease your chance of injury. Most injuries occur because the body is to tight and stretched beyond its limits. Stretching will also make you faster. Increased speed equals increased power. Think of your muscles like rubber bands. A thick rubber band is strong. However, it cannot be stretched easily and when pulled and shot, is very slow. A smaller, but more flexible rubber band may not be as strong. Yet, when pulled and shot goes faster and further. It also delivers more of a painful sting on contact. In a rubber band fight, I would much rather have the latter. 

Weight training is also important. This is another exercise that will help reduce the risk of injury. I like to use high repetitions and low weight. This strengthens and defines the muscles without the added bulk, which can make you tight and slow. I prefer doing exercises that use my own body weight as resistance, such as pull ups, pushups, dips and rope climbs. I also like supersets, which exercise opposing muscles. For example, instead of working only your biceps and resting between sets, a superset allows you to rest your biceps while working your triceps. This is very time efficient. 

My favorite exercise is hitting the bag. It is not only a good workout but also a great place to relieve stress and displace anger. Hitting a heavy bag is the best way to develop power in both your hand strikes and kicks. A double-ended bag is effective for developing speed and accuracy. Focus pads are an excellent tool to use when training with a partner. Combinations with defensive movements, such as slipping, counter striking, and footwork can be practiced. Timing and accuracy are also developed when using focus pads. 

Of course, I cannot forget sparring, both standing and grappling. This is by far the most effective method of learning. Here is where you can actually feel the flow. In actual combat, there is no right or wrong, only effective and ineffective. This is the part of training where you see what works best for you and what you need to work on more. Nothing teaches you better how to block and move than getting hit. Pain makes you faster. In other words, if you don’t like getting hit, you will learn to block or get out of the way. When sparring always remember safety. If you injure you partner, you will have no one to spar with and gauge your techniques. 

The most important idea when it comes to training is, as I said in the beginning, doing it. No matter how good you are, train. Stay active. This is the only way you can improve and grow. Aside from the physical aspects of training, train your mind. Think. Analyze. Question. And definitely read. Find a book about the Martial Arts, read it, and discuss it with a fellow Martial Artist. Visit other schools. Wear a white belt and continue to learn. Be a fan. Go to kickboxing matches or watch them on TV. Attend local tournaments and watch other styles compete. Appreciate the diversity in the Martial Arts. Remember as an art, it is an expression. 

Sifu Jeff Macalolooy