About The

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Sensei Ono, founder of Shinka Martial Arts, is a teacher and student of life. His passion for helping others and self improvement is the purpose behind this blog. -- "If your purpose in any way includes making the world a better place, I urge to you read, and share the knowledge."

Monday, May 31, 2010

Martial Arts = Higher Grades!

Science backs up Dojo's claims! 


For a long time now, various martial arts schools have mentioned that martial arts improves their student's self discipline, which, indirectly, has been responsible for them getting higher marks in school etc.

Recently, however, Shinka Martial Arts has upped the proverbial ante with the incorporation of "Neuro-Tech" (Neurodevelopmental Technology) which, they claim, improves the brain's aptitude by an average of 33%.

Intrigued?

They actually have run clinical trials, with actual brain specialists and doctors!
As amazing as it sounds...  Their students back up these claims.  Every student who attends class regularly, has had their grades skyrocket.


Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sensei's 10 Day Challenge - 3 Minute Meditation

Looking for a simple, easy to remember meditation?  This one is great for getting started, or, to add to your already existing repertoire.

It also only takes about 3-5 minutes, you can do it with your eyes open, and, perhaps most importantly, doesn't require any sort of awkward pose.

In fact, I often do it while I travel (though not while driving)

The challenge isn't being able to do it, of course, but to make the time to do it three times per day, for 10 days, without missing a single day.

That, is the current Sensei's 10 Day challenge!

Should you succeed, you will find an incredible increase in health, vitality and energy.


Why, you might ask?  Due to the increased circulation of lymph in your bloodstream, which directly impacts the lubrication of your red blood cells.  Put simply, your blood will flow smoother, and be free of toxin buildup with regular use of this meditation.

Now, I apologize that its so simple.  I wish I could find an incredibly hard way to get these same results, but, here it is:
  1. Breathe in for X, hold for 4X, exhale for 2X. 
  2. Take one normal, slow breath.
  3. Repeat this process 10 times.
So, for example, hold for 3 seconds, hold for 12 seconds and exhale for 6 seconds. 


The ratio is what is more important than the number itself, though, for more dramatic results, you'd want a number closer to 7, hold for 28, exhale for 14.  But you get the idea.

That's it!  Remember to subscribe for future challenges, as well as let me know of your results in the comments!

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Saturday, May 29, 2010

Juicer Reviews + What to Juice & How

Juicers.  For starters, what's a good one, that isn't too expensive?

If you've read the series of articles on the Alkaline Diet, you're no doubt in the market for a good juicer.  Some of them are about $1,200.  Yikes!  I like my veggie juice, but not that much!

I like the Greenstar, myself.  (and yes, I'm aware that their website looks like it was designed by a 5th grader; the product is still excellent and well-priced).  Its under $300, and works great.
Slightly cheaper options from the same quality company are the Solostar, and the Sampson, but the price difference doesn't really compare to the higher value of the Greenstar.

_____
I mean, yes, eating a big fistfull of kale in the morning is right up many people's alley.  But, most of us would like to have a healthy drink that we could make every morning which would alkalize and energize the body.


Most powders remove the energetic content of the food, which means you are getting more alkaline, and more healthy, but, you will notice a drop in your energy levels due to only receiving half the body-value of the foods.

What to juice, you ask?

Here's a complete list of Alkaline ingredients, some of which might surprise you!

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Friday, May 28, 2010

Ridding Yourself of Procrastination For Life!

Okay, so you have your Personal Recipe for Procrastination yes?

You've isolated the syntax of actions, that is, the order in which your personal ingredients are put in?

Just like brownies, if you put the flour in first, its different than if you put the milk in first.


Order/syntax is crucial.


Okay, now let's pay attention to the very first ingredient.  We're going to train ourselves to recognize the signs of that very first ingredient.  What is it?  A slight relaxing of the shoulders... a "maybe just one youtube video"...  whatever it is, that's our sign.  Our trigger.

Our next step, is building up a psychological response anchored to a physical and verbal sensation.  Or, to put it simply, we're going to create a counter-trigger we can create at will.


"Wait a second, are you saying we can program ourselves to simply feel emotions?"

Ayup.  That's what I'm saying.

I'm literally saying that you can choose a unique action, like pinching the skin between your index finger and thumb and saying "now!" and we can make it so that it causes you to immediately overpower the urge to procrastinate.  (which, by the way, is basically overcoming fear of action)

So, isolate the very first ingredient, and pick a unique action.  (Note that it has to be a unique action, something that won't get accidentally triggered during day to day activities)

After that, feel free to Program Yourself to Take Action!

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Thursday, May 27, 2010

Recipe for Procrastination

If you really stop and think, I'll bet you have your own physical, mental and emotional recipe for a lot of things.  Irrational anger, frustration, joy, love, and, today's subject: Procrastination.
In my opinion, procrastination is one of the most powerful, and most under-the-radar of self-imposed limitations.  You should pay the cable bill, but you don't.  You should file your taxes, but you don't.


Why?

You don't have time for youtube, for browsing craigslist, and yet, there you are.  Shouldn't you be cleaning your desk?  Why do we do these things when we know better?

Well, the short answer is self discipline, and the association of pain towards those activities.  Understandable.


The long answer, however, is quite revealing.

We all have a recipe for all of our actions (procrastination is an action - it is the action of inaction).
If you can discover yours, that could very well be the first step towards annihilating procrastination from your life altogether.

But, as they say, you first must recognize when something is about to happen, in order to prevent or interrupt it.

So what's your recipe?  What happens first?  Do you start thinking "oh man, I have to do..." or, do you do something physical first?  Maybe slouch, or gaze upwards, roll your eyes, sigh or breathe differently...
If you write down your recipe of procrastination, and pay special attention to the very first ingredients; that is, the syntax of thought in relation to your personal recipe, then you will have isolated the very beginnings of this silent killer.

Once you know how you start procrastination, the process of re-wiring your brain is really a lot of fun.
Take a moment, and figure out what your seedlings of procrastination are, then... read on!

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The Secret All Amazing Martial Artists Share

The Secret All Amazing Martial Artists Share?


Go to class. 


Train hard when you're there.

For years, I thought this was a given, and wouldn't mention it to students.  One would think "of course, people would know that the secret to getting good at anything... is to practice it with intensity!"

Not the case.

So many students who show up to class infrequently don't understand that the people they see when they do attend class, are also there on days that they are not.  Which is why they are getting better "faster".
We all tend to assume that other people are just like us; so, it stands to reason that people who attend class infrequently and inconsistently, would assume others were doing the same.

Conversely, people assume that attendance alone will improve their abilities.  If one person is coming ever day, but only giving 20% effort, and another person is coming in three days a week and consistently trying to increase what their 100% is, who would you bet onIf you practice your 20%, you will get good at giving 20%.  If you practice your 100%, your 100% will get good.


If you practice your 101%...  Your 100% gets better.

People who consistently give 20% in life also assume that others are the same as them.  As a result, they are often heard saying that others are just "naturally better" than them.  If you go back a few years, and look at the 'naturally better" students, often times they were the ones who really struggled at first (even if not in martial arts, in some form of their life previous)

Overcoming challenge is a habit.  A skill.


One of the things that teaching at Shinka Martial Arts has taught me, is that people who exceed their maximum on a consistent basis, always exceed those with any amount of natural skill.  


Always.  


Growth is about momentum.  So is apathy.  Growth is a habit.  So is apathy.

To students who look for the secret to an amazing body, to students who look for the secret to an amazing martial skill, to people who are wondering how to get better at eating poorly, complaining, or watching TV, the answer is the same:  Do it often, and exceed your previous records.

Anything you push yourself to improve in, you will.  The question is, what do you want to improve?


Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Fab 2 Flab: Step 11 - Bonus Step!

Fab 2 Flab: Step 11
Cigs & Booze
Congratulations again on completing the 10 step course to obesity.  You've done it!  Congratulations again, on choosing to view this special, bonus information.  You've gained the weight... now let's make sure we keep it!
But how do we do this?  We've all gained weight only to lose it again shortly thereafter.  What's the secret to permanent weight gain?

Answer? You need acidic habits.
Miracle Habit #1: regularly ingest beer.This is going to take some persistence.
Unlike some of the other habits we've done, this is really going to take some work. Your first try of this liquid will likely make you want to never try it again. Apparently it tastes very similar to human urine. But, the truly unhealthy swear, its an acquired taste.
(So... Acquire it!)

Stick with it. Get through a whole can (or bottle) in one sitting. It doesn't really matter what kind, what matters is that the beverage is fermented.
What that means to you, is that now not only are you eating an acidic lifestyle, but you are ingesting literal acid-factories.
Fermented foods produce acid! With regular ingestion of acid producing foods, you'll never have to worry about accidentally losing weight again!

Now, you should already have your unconscious snacking habits, and, if you can, pair your drinking with roasted, salted, oily (preferably hydrogenated oils) beer nuts or better, fatty, sweet, chicken wings.  Many restaurants offer unlimited versions of these foods, as well as French fries and chips.

The best part, is that once you attain your taste for the urine-beer, it will become part of your lifestyle!
Soon, you'll associate beer with social outings, and the hours upon hours of television you've trained yourself to view.
This lifestyle is a little more expensive of course. The pre-made foods, the beer, and the increased amounts of driving. But, its worth it to have the body you've worked so hard to attain, yes?

Want to get crazy?
Let's add in one step that'll be nearly impossible to forget to do!

...You guessed it.  Smoking.

"But wait, doesn't smoking lead to weight loss?"
No! That's a myth! Smoking is a great way to regularly introduce acid into your bloodstream and... Get this, they put in a chemical called nicotine which is highly addictive!
Which means that after a while, you'll remember to do this on the hour!!

There is a downside.
Its very, very hard to start smoking. What the process is, is you have to put a cylinder of cyanide (don't worry, it isn't enough to kill you in one shot, I know we want to be alive to enjoy our obesity, right?) tar (like on roads) and other harmful chemicals and light it on fire, while its in your mouth.
There is a "filter" but don't let that fool you, the filter is filled with asbestos and fiberglass, which will cut up your lungs and lead to more acid. So its all good.

The first time you try, just like alcohol, it'll be... Less than pleasant (sorry). Vomiting is common.
But, with perseverance, eventually you'll actually get cranky from not having it!!

That's it! Congratulations! If you've followed this step by step guide, you've gone from fab to flab!!!
It was a lot of work to overcome all those habits, but, you'll be unable to argue with the results!

There'll no doubt be some lingering habitual things like wanting to enjoy a sunny afternoon by hiking etc, but, don't worry. With this new body type, all those desires will soon fade with time.
Just remember, consistency is key. Keep up your acidic diet, and habits. Don't worry about increasing them, they tend to do that all on their own.
You have the momentum, now just coast into your desired lifestyle.

This is a facetious article
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Monday, May 24, 2010

Fab 2 Flab: Step 10 - More Little Habits

Fab Flab: Step 10More little habits

Your diet has changed, true, and, you've removed a lot of your little habits. That's great! There's still more to do, though!

You probably still subconsciously take the stairs instead of elevators. (but hopefully, that's become more of a challenge due to our lack of cardio and poor diet, yes?). Try not to jog, or move around at all, really.

If you have a physical job, and are unable to quit, consider eating at McDonald's for lunch, and drinking "Coke" instead of water as often as possible. If you can, get a more sedentary job to accelerate the process.
When offered fatty foods, remember, say yes, not no.  Baking things in cheese is often an option.  Do this whenever possible.  Not only is cheese high in fat, but, it also blocks your body's ability to properly process nutrients! 

Having a deep-fried version of the same meal, or adding bacon are other, recommended common add-ons.  Get into the habit of ordering these things until you don't even consider the consequences!

In general, think of your body as a car. You want to put more gas in than you burn. That means less exercise, more food. And, the worse food you can put in, the faster this whole process will work!

This is a facetious article
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Sunday, May 23, 2010

Fab 2 Flab: Step 9 - Solving Problems With Food!

Fab Flab: Step 9
Step 9: Solving Problems with Food


Remember when you were fab, and you changed your state via diaphramatic breath?  You can achieve the same results through over-eating!

Now that our diet is primarily acidic, whenever we feel stressed, we can eat, eat, eat, and this will help you relax!

The first time, you'll feel pretty awful, but, after a while, you'll actually start to crave such over-eating.
Just like before, when you were interested in gaining muscle, and craved exercise, now, think of this as a training regimine.  You need to stretch out that stomach just like it was a muscle!

Also, if possible, eat as much meat products as you can before going to bed.  As they take upwards of 9 hours to digest, that'll mean you get virtually no benefit from sleeping.  Which, in turn, will lead to greater acid, poorer working internal organs, and, of course, being tired all the time!

Remember:  Whenever you feel stressed, grab some food.  And, whenever you feel happy, grab some food.  Pretty soon, you'll re-wire your brain to solve pretty much everything with excess eating!

This is a facetious article
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Saturday, May 22, 2010

Fab 2 Flab: Step 8 - More Blood Work!

Fab 2 Flab: Step 8Step 8: More Blood Work

Now we get into the hardcore stuff. I'm talkin' red meat, sugar drinks and caffeine. "But wait!" You say, "Didn't I already add in my coffee?"

Oh sure. One lousy cup? Try adding two, to three cups throughout your day. Also, you can start supplementing your cravings for water or veggie juice with a product called "Coke".
You can find cans of "Coke" in a variety of flavors (sorry, they all taste kind of nasty, but you'll get used to it.) at nearly any grocery store.

The "Coke" product, and other colas of this nature are refined drinks, with a huge amount of sugar, caffeine, and toxic chemicals designed to help you retain fat.


If you can, get the "non-fat" ones filled with aspartame. 


Contrary to popular belief, those will actually accelerate the weight gain more than the regular ones. (they're tricky with that marketing, let me tell you!) The reason is, aspartame is a form of MSG.
MSG augments your actual genetic code so that you are less able to process fat and, (here's the kicker) your body will crave fat and sugar more!!!

Yes, you heard me right! This is how all those obese people have been doing it all these years. They've been sneakily labeling so many products "non-fat" that are filled with MSG derivatives! That's how they make it look so easy!

Once you start ingesting MSG, it'll have all kinds of great side-effects, including genetic manipulation of your ovaries! (good news: Your kids will be pre-disposed to all kinds of great things like diabetes and lower brain function! And, of course, much more likely to be obese!)

You may have guessed this already, but, yes, your next step is adding MSG to as much of your food as possible.

You can actually buy this stuff as a condiment in some states, though, it is illegal in some others due to rats producing too many tumors, so shop around! You may be able to get it online, or have a friend pick it up for you when they go somewhere less strict!

Feelin' flabby yet? I hope so!

You should be starting to notice some distinct love handles at this point, or, at the very least, be needing some new jeans!

This is a facetious article
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Friday, May 21, 2010

Fab 2 Flab: Step 7 - Posture, Posture, Posture!

Fab 2 Flab: Step 7Step 7: Posture, Posture, Posture

We hinted at it earlier... You're going to need to start slouching.  Physiology plays a huge role in your mindset.  If your body is still resisting these lifestyle changes, it is very likely related to your posture.  If you've been trying your best to get stressed out, and get into your new, acidic lifestyle, but you find yourself staying positive, take a good look at your posture.

Are you sitting up straight, even now?  Get that head down, right away!  The more rounded your shoulders, and lower your head, the less blood we'll get to that brain of yours, and, the crappier you'll feel!
Just imagine someone is yelling at you right now.  What would you do with your posture?  Be afraid, be timid, and shrink into yourself.  You have no idea the power of posture!

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Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Thursday, May 20, 2010

Fab 2 Flab: Step 6 - Morning Rituals

Fab 2 Flab: Step 6 Morning Rituals
I know you've probably slipped back into doing morning situps or meditations without consciously being aware of it. That's fine! Just keep at it, and remove them gradually.

To help, try replacing some morning rituals with things like reading newspapers and drinking coffee. The newspapers (or better yet, the TV) is filled with all kinds of negative, stress inducing stimuli, which can easily increase the acid in your body through stress chemicals.

And, the coffee (stomach as much as you can, the first time) will flood your body with both acidic chemicals, and addictive chemicals! Which means that after a while, you won't even have to try to remember because of your addiction! You'll actually feel lousy until you have your morning coffee!

Don't worry about the sudden jolt of energy you'll get from the caffeine. It won't last long, and, after a while, all the caffeine will do is return you back to "normal", and you'll still crash! The energy is caused by a poisonous reaction to the body, too, which, you guessed it, means more acid, more fat, and a worse digestive system!

Bonus: In your car, try listening to the radio for news and other forms of distraction when driving. Generally, the louder the DJ, the louder the music, so go loud! It should subtly increase the stress, while at the same time, help you ignore the lack of audio books or mental clarity.

Plus, your body is mostly water, and, the vibrations of loud music will disrupt its natural flow, increasing all kinds of subtle toxin buildups in the lymph nodes. We're on our way!

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Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Fab 2 Flab: Step 5 - Attack The Blood

Fab 2 Flab: Step 5Attack the blood.

I know you still have your preferred diet, and that's fine. You can keep your juicers, your veggies, and the rest of your alkaline diet.  That's fine, you can keep those. (for now).

What we're going to do, is start re-introducing acid into your diet. So, nothing as drastic as coffee or pop, but, start with sprinkling some sugar on appropriate foods.

Even salads are still quite tasty with the sugar on it, and, the increased acid will begin targeting your alkaline reserves. This is great! Once adding this refined acid to your foods becomes more and more of a habit, we can take more drastic steps.


Start ingesting acidic snacks. Things like chocolate chips will, again, fit in nicely with your alkaline snacks. (say, your bag of raw almonds).

Eventually, gradually replace the almonds with chocolate covered almonds, then, chocolate covered peanuts. Congrats! That's an entirely acidic snack!!

Now, the main meals. I know you don't want to hear it, but, we're going to have to get rid of the greens. All this acidic snacking we're doing is still going to be counteracted by your main staple: The salad.

Again, start small. Put some shredded carrots in there. They'll still taste healthy, but, they'll convert to sugar, which will convert to acid. Next, see if you can replace any kind of soy bacon bits with the real thing. (The nitrates in bacon will really accelerate the process if you can stomach them.)

Now, simply add some breaded meats to the salads. Things like KFC may be a bit much to handle, but, there are types of breaded chicken not quite as a jump in the health-levels that you can find in the less-healthy sections of your local supermarket.

Another transition you can slowly make, is with your pastas. Replace any form of whole wheat pasta with white flour pasta. Again, do this gradually. Start with adding 20% white flour pasta, and gradually increase to 50, then 70, then 100%.
We're really burning now!

Do the same with breads. There are plenty of "50/50" breads to help with the transition. White flour is really high in acid, and, again, acid = fat!

The plus side of all these changes, is, you're probably going to get sick more often. Which means that, hopefully, you'll generally have less energy. Less energy = less exercise! We're on our way!

This is a facetious article
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Weight Loss Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Fab 2 Flab: Step 4 - Stop Growing! (Kind of)

Fab 2 Flab: Step 4Stop Growing! (Kind of)

If you want to grow wide, you're going to have to stop growing as a person.

Often, those with fab bods are addicted to growing, both mentally and physically through habitual challenge.

You've got to nip that in the bud right away! Too much dopamine = too much happiness! Not to mention, if you keep your addiction to growth, you'll naturally want to start increasing your health, and your finances! The happier and more secure you are, the less likely you are to solve your problems with food (a later step)

So, put down those books, turn on that TV, and do your best to think of it as a kind of "meditation" only without any benefits!

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Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Monday, May 17, 2010

Fab 2 Flab: Step 3 - Stop That Laughing!

Fab 2 Flab: Step 3Stop That Laughing!

Laughing seems innocent enough, but did you know that it is a strong abdominal workout, and, it releases endorphins into your body!? Too much of those, and, while you're still in your transition between fab to flab, you'll still associate feeling good with wanting to move!

Remember, laughter and feeling happy is not just based on stimuli, but physiology as well. To avoid smiling and laughing, don the posture of someone with the weight of the world on your shoulders; even if you don't feel that way yet! The body is a powerful thing, and, with the right physiology, you'll actually convince your brain that you're sad! (which is definitely the first step to getting there!)

This will take practice.  Just think "my head is heavy" and keep at it!  Don't forget to keep applying steps 1-3!

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Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Fab 2 Flab: Step 2 - Attack the Support Systems

Fab 2 Flab: Step 2Attack the Support Systems

If you're fit, chances are, you have a support system of healthy people around you that you see regularly.

You probably take some kind of "fun fitness" like martial arts. I don't care how dedicated you are to becoming obese, if you have all these healthy, happy people around you constantly encouraging you to exercise and re-introduce healthy habits into your life, your willpower will eventually cave.

So get out of there, right away. And, if possible, try to hang out in bars, or MacDonald's to fill the time.
You don't have to eat anything there, yet. (Your bodies are probably still too healthy, and you'd just throw it up anyway). But hopefully you'll meet some new friends with more discouraging lifestyles. (oh, and don't worry... By the end of this treatment, you'll be able to down an entire meal there, more than once a day, and end the day with booze if you're persistent!!)

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Saturday, May 15, 2010

Fab2Flab - Step 1: Attack the mind.

If you are a healthy person wanting to become unhealthy, you may not realize this, but you have thousands of tiny habits that you do every day without thinking. Its habits like these, that will pull you back to health despite your desire to get into a different shape.

From hourglass to beanbag chair is going to take time, and perseverance. But don't you worry, we'll clog those arteries soon enough.

First, you have to stop all of your positive morning rituals.
Those set the theme for the entire day!! That means:
NO positive affirmations (being constantly reminded of health, wealth, and happiness? Those are fat-killers!!)
NO meditations  (releasing your fears? No fear = no anxiety = no acid in the blood to help you get fat!)
NO subliminals (how can you get fat if you program yourself to be fit??)
NO audio books
NO empowering questions
NO morning gratitude
NO communicating with mentors (cut those positive influences out of your life!)
NO fancy binaurels  (get stressed, not serene! The more stress we have, the more acid we have in the blood!)

Sound impossible?
What you may not understand, is these things, as habitual and nonchalant as you may feel about them, are not what the obese do! These will constantly correct any minor step we take towards obesity!


Gradually, as you eliminate one after another of these, you won't look forward to getting out of bed, which, in turn will limit your activities, and put a damper on all that excess energy that we have trained ourselves to use for exercise.

Plus, the less good we feel, and the less grateful we are, the more likely we are to eat to change our state, (That's right!  The same diaphragmatic breath you get from meditation, you can get from overeating, or even smoking!!  We'll get there!)

Now, if you really think back, there was a time where you had to try to do all of those things, right? Its the same thing. Just take it a day at a time.


Start with removing something easy, like audio books. Just get rid of your mp3 player for a while, or throw out your charger and wean yourself off.

Next, if you have any kind of reminders for your empowering daily questions, just take them down, and that'll help them fade.

Even better, replace them with "you have to" type statements, or "I hate Mondays" That'll be a double whammy!


Make sure your mentor understands that his guidance will no longer be needed and, if possible, get a friend who either smokes or drinks excessively. You can find them at local pubs, and they are generally very affordable. Buy them a few beers every now and then, and share your pizza (oops, sorry, getting ahead of ourselves. Yes, that's right... We're going to be eating pizza at one point... We'll get there!)

Now, I understand that giving up your daily meditations and gratitude exercises will be the most challenging, so first nix the affirmations, subliminals and binaurels. Again, this is a cumulative thing! Don't try to do this all in one day!

Keep in mind, we're going to be doing some posture exercises to get that slouch happening. With that, will come less likelihood to meditate as well, because it'll be uncomfortable. So don't worry if you can't get 100% on this rather ambitious first step!

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Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Friday, May 14, 2010

Get Overweight in 10 Easy Steps! Guaranteed!

FROM FAB TO FLAB: A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO OBESITY!

Are you tired of being constantly approached by the opposite sex?

Are you frequently inconvenienced by everyone expecting you to lift heavy things for them due to your toned bod?

Just follow our guaranteed, 10 step program, and we can take you from fab to flab, and, we'll keep you there!

So many of these "fast acting" diets just end up with people with healthy habits quickly returning to their old lifestyles.

Be it from exercise or healthy foods, you health-nuts always give in to your temptations and return to your old ways!


BUT NOT WITH THIS!
This diet is guaranteed to get you all the way from fab to flab, and we'll keep you there!


The key is: Moderation, and cumulative work.

You can't jump from an all-organic, frequent exercise, positive thinker to a slouching angry person stuffing down McDonald's in one night.  You'll just throw up and give up from the strain!
What you need to do, is baby-step your way to obesity.

Intrigued?

Read on!

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Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Thursday, May 13, 2010

How to pick a martial arts school 2

Okay, so you've decided on hard/soft, internal/external, and competitive/cooperative.

What about:
Transparency:  Secretive vs Open
  • Secretive styles are often mysterious and appealing to those seeking "forbidden knowledge", and view questions as impolite.
  • Open styles are often up front about their curriculum, and are open to answering questions.
Use: Sport vs Self Defense
  • Styles intended for sport are often competitive, and teach sport fighting.  Sports are filled with rules to ensure the safety of the fighters, which means that you are effectively learning to strike areas of the body which will do the least harm.
  • Styles intended for self defense can be competitive or cooperative.  Self defense can be taught just as safely as a sport style, but its application can range from neutralization of a threat to outright termination.
Character:  Students & Staff
Just as you can observe the body type of the majority of consumers of various food outlets, from organic groceries to McDonald's, so too can you observe the mindset of a school's students.  Ask yourself, are these people more, or less, like how you want to be?  Are they happy?  Are they determined?  Disciplined?  Make sure that where you're going is filled with students and instructors who walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

How to pick a martial arts school

Everyone should take martial arts. 


The question is... Which combination works for you?

Many people do not know that there are different types of martial arts, or different ways of teaching them.

As training in the martial arts has been described as the biggest decision people have made for themselves and their children, I strongly urge you to make an educated choice.


Method: Hard vs. Soft
  • Hard styles are "hard' because they focus on the joining of objects through speed, power and strength.  Often times they will put emphasis on sparring.
  • Soft styles are "soft" because they focus on the manipulation of pre-joined objects through redirection & leverage.
Development: Internal vs External
  • Internal styles are "internal" because they focus upon breathing & meditation techniques, and often incorporate flowing movements and skeletal alignments.
  • External styles are "external" because they focus more upon cardiovascular development and strength training.
Mindset: Competitive vs Cooperative
  • Competitive schools will often have "fight teams" and focus on winning/losing, competitions and trophies.  (Sport application)
  • Cooperative schools will focus on helping each other train, improvement of self esteem and aptitude.  (Self defense application)
All of the above examples can, of course, be merged together.  There can be hard and soft styles, internal and external focus etc.  The important thing, is to find your perfect mix, or have a professional help you find it.

(See part 2!)
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Instructor Interviews: Leslie Shamanski (Yoga)

Hi Leslie, thanks for taking the time out of your busy teaching schedule for us.
You're welcome Ono. It's always a pleasure to talk with you.


Right back at you Leslie!  So, clearly you have a passion for teaching Yoga. Do you mind if I ask why?
I love Yoga because we attend to the physical body, mind, emotions and spirit. We light the fire, keep in burning by staying connected with our truth, then toss whatever we don't need into the flame. Love it!


Awesome.  Where are you teaching now?
I'm teaching Yoga at Yyoga in Richmond, Lululemon at Oakridge and at the S.Arm United Church Pioneer Chapel.


What sorts of students do you generally attract?I
 love the weekend warriors who use and abuse their bodies on a regular basis to run, hike, bike, ski, board, ride, and play...but forgot to stretch!!! My classes are always accessible to all levels. We always have fun, get a good workout and play our edge.


What is the general "feel" to your classes?
Fun...it's gotta be fun. I want people to come to my classes to cultivate more happiness and joy in their lives.


My class is where you come to check in with your body, your state of mind, and build the connection between those two. This makes you feel good. Every person in my class has complete freedom to work at their own place of truth. Ultimately, it is your time on your mat to do what you want. To use your strength and get in touch with those places that need a little for love... breathing into those tight places, waiting... practicing patience...waiting... letting go of all the stuff you don't need and waiting for surrender.


Sounds like a lot of people would really enjoy it.  Alright, let's ask a different kind of question:  What would be your ideal situation in life?
I have it Ono. I'm so grateful. My current situation allows me to spend time with so many amazing people doing what I love.


That's fantastic!  I enjoy saying that health is maintained, not attained, and that is just as true for one's appreciation towards their life's journey.  Good for you, for living the dream! 


One thing I enjoy asking teachers, is for them to tell a favorite teaching/student-related story that they'd like to share.  Do you have one of those?
(Laughs) Great question Ono. I just went to a Yoga Workshop with the amazing Shiva Rea. A Yoga Teacher from California I love, a mentor.


So on day two of this Workshop we start off by dancing to these awesome tunes and I wind up right beside Shiva Rea. We're grooving to Led Zeppelin. (Yes, a very cool Yoga Workshop.)


Anyway,we all end up sitting side by side and I'm right beside her on the stage. In my mind I'm thinking, 'holy crap, how did this happen? I'm right beside Shiva Rea"...we're all holding hands, doing this amazing prayer circle. Totally surreal. I'm seeing this from outside myself, going "wow...you're sitting beside Shiva Rea, holding her hand and praying".

I guess it's my favorite story because we all build people up right? We idolize people we look up to and they become something other than human - extraordinary. Which she is, she's amazing, But ultimately we all human beings here doing our things, sharing our love and bliss with others. It was a very cool experience.



You're so right.  That's very true in the martial arts world as well.  We're all just people with different skill sets.  Okay (laughs) Let's get crazy, and say everyone on the planet had to listen to you for one hour a week for the next year. What message would you attempt to impart and how?
What an honour that would be Ono. Thank you for bringing that up. Well, I'd have to say, I would give my attention to all those who are dealing with Mental Health Issues. My message would be... come to your inner-strength and get on your path to wellness.

As a practicing Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) I have the privilege of working with people of all ages and backgrounds with Mental Health Issues. Stigma still exists for many. As an RPN I work from a Western Medical Treatment Model, but things are changing in Western Psychiatry.

I see evidence of Yoga helping with Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Post-traumatic Stress, Addiction and the process of Change. By knowing the truth of where you are at with your inner-strength you have a starting point. That is the point the path begins. The path leads to living from your truth, abundance & wealth, pleasure & delight in good things, and freedom from suffering to live your life as you wish.

Therapeutic Yoga helps people come back into themselves with courage and kindness. To cultivate patience and acceptance. We all have challenges and we all have gifts. Yoga is a path towards being happy.



Thank you so much for sharing your passion of teaching with the world, Leslie.
Big hugs!! Thank YOU! You inspire me Ono. All the best!! xo Leslie

Leslie can be booked for both private students and group classes at http://www.bumblebeeyoga.ca/

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Monday, May 10, 2010

Glasses & Martial Arts

"Can I take martial arts if I wear glasses?"

Yes!  A good school will focus on protecting your noggin, not floggin' your noggin.

Having said that, there will be the occasional time when it would be a good idea to take them off.


Clinching, for example, is a method of holding someone which involves squeezing the sides of the head; this would be uncomfortable if you were wearing glasses.


But, for the most part, glasses are a very common sight in the dojo. 


If you are sparring, I'd recommend taking them off.  Not so much for your safety, but for the quality of your training.

A partner is likely going to be hesitant about throwing side-impact strikes (ie a hook) if you wear glasses, which will give you two dimensional, biased sparring scenarios.

Basically, if it looks like there's going to be the chance for any head contact, even light, take off your glasses.


The rest of the time, keep them on!


Some arts are less glasses-friendly.  Jiu Jitsu, for example, is a contacts-only martial art.  (or, at the very least, some sport-goggles).

Conclusion:  Do not let glasses be your excuse, nor your crutch.  Get in there, and kick some butt!


Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Sunday, May 9, 2010

Dojo Review - Shinka Martial Arts

Shinka Martial Arts has won  "Best of" in the Dojo category.  It isn't hard to see why.

It dwarfs other schools, being seven thousand square feet, and has large video screens which the staff use to project very innovative teaching methods, including class notes and the instructor themselves (top down views etc)

But it doesn't end with the facility; what is most impressive, is the culture that the Shinka staff have created.
The students seem as if to be one large family, all seeking to help each other grow and evolve.

Some examples of this are on the mat, where people are helping each other with their martial arts; while other examples include teaching the younger students to read in the Shinka library, or some of the students teaching each other how to play chess in the study area.

Perhaps most impressive, is the bond between the instructors and the students themselves.  It truly is like a gigantic family.


That alone would give it 5 stars.  The cherry on top?  The school has partnered up with the city of Las Vegas: And as a result, gives $4,000 vacations to literally every student, every year.  Crazy!

Facility 5 Stars
Instruction Methods 5 Stars
Sensei/Student Relationships 5 Stars


I cannot say enough good things about this school. 
(I suppose that's why I decided to teach there)


Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Saturday, May 8, 2010

The Secret of the Alkaline Diet

One huge issue for people attempting to lose weight is their choices of diets.

First off:  All extreme diets that cause you stress are bad.

So, don't stress.

Be gradual in your transition.

Secondly: All diets are to be maintained.  Any diet that is only for a few weeks or months is going to be temporary.

Its basic math.  If the bad food outweighs the exercise and good food, the bad food wins, eventually.

Thirdly:  how you move, when you move, and how you breathe is also important.


A good martial arts school can teach you basic lymphacticly cleansing breathing techniques (which sound complicated but aren't).

So:  What is good food

Veggies.  That's it!  Oversimplified?  Maybe, but start there.

Make salad your snacks and major portion of your meals.  If you want to go all the way, research green drinks that both energize the ingredients with megahertz and contain high quality alkaline ingredients (types of grasses are best).

As you do this, it will change your biochemistry so that it does not crave the bad foods.  What I mean by this, is that you do not require willpower to do this once you have gained momentum.

This is the cure to weight problems that plague us as a society.  Up down, up down. Stop!  Do this for 30 days and you will have the momentum that will last you a lifetime!

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Friday, May 7, 2010

The Actions of Weight Loss



I know its obvious, but so many of us only target one of the basics.

In order to have the body you desire, you will need to have a healthy diet, and a healthy amount of exercise.

In all cases, moderation and gradual increase are essential.


Do not go on a crash diet, and do not suddenly go from "zero to hero" at the gym.

All this will do is cause massive lactic acid buildup, stress, and ultimately, defeat and failure.

Start small.  Take up something fun like martial arts or swimming.  The magic number is 3 times per week, for about an hour.

Next, consider an alkaline diet.  The basics of this involve reducing meat intake, adding green drinks and additional salads to your meals.

Take it slow, and reward yourself with something other than food for actions, not results.  ie "I tried my hardest today and grew as a person" is better than "I lost 2lbs".


Make weight loss a side effect of your lifestyle, not the goal, and it'll stick!


Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts



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Thursday, May 6, 2010

Go get 'em electron boy.

Ready to cry a little & be thankful for what you have?


The following story happened to a 13 year old boy in Seattle, who is dying of liver cancer, and whose last wish was to be a superhero for a day.


Erik Martin's day started like any other, with one, glaring exception.  Spiderman, who happened to know Erik's secret, gave him a call.  You see, few knew that Erik Martin... was Electron Boy.

Erik's jaw dropped in amazement as Spiderman guided him through his tale and pleaded for his help.  Spiderman remembered how Electron Boy's superhero outfit had been torn in his last battle, and had taken the liberty of delivering a brand new outfit for him.  In fact, it should be arriving, right about...


The doorbell rang.


Erik ran to answer it, sensing the urgency of the situation, and took the package from the delivery man.  He quickly ran to his room, bringing the phone with him, and opened the package.  

It was indeed, his Electron Boy superhero costume.


Spiderman then explained the gravity of the situation, in hushed tones.


"Dr. Dark" and "Blackout Boy" had imprisoned the Seattle Sounders (Erik's favorite sports team) in a locker room at Qwest Field. Only Electron Boy could free them.


Erik donned his powerful suit, and became... Electron Boy!  


Quickly, Moonshine Maid (his Mother) yelled that they needed to go right away, and they jumped into (wait for it...)


THE ELECTROMOBILE!  (A slick, tricked out DeLorean sports car with logos etc)


As Moonshine Maid sped the Electromobile down the highway, it was passed and escorted by over 20 motorcycle officers from the Bellevue Police Department, and King County and Snohomish sherriff's offices.  


They waved him on "Go get 'em Electron Boy!  Give 'em one for us!"


(They actually shut down the 405, and the I-90 highways for this particular feat, allowing for breakneck speeds)

At Qwest Field, Electron Boy was directed by frantic fans to the Sounders locker room, where the entire team was shouting for help behind jammed doors. 

Electron Boy's entire favorite sports team was held prisoner... and only he, had the lightsaber capable of unjamming their doors and freeing them.

Effortlessly, his blade opened the doors.  He marched towards the team, and again, prepared to free his team.

This time, even the mighty Electron Boy hesitated.  Their thick chains seemed daunting to even his great power.

Ignighting hig saber, and looking one last time at the thick chains which imprisoned the team, he swung it mightly at their bonds.  They sparked and were cleaved in two!  Even Electron Boy looked astounded as his previously-thought impotent weapon easily freed the team!

Moonshine Maid's eyes filled with tears as she cheered him on.



"Thank you, Electron Boy," said defender Taylor Graham.
"You saved us!" exclaimed forward Nate Jaqua.
"Good job, big man," said defender Tyrone Marshall. And forward Steve Zakuani mutely bowed his thanks.


The Jumbotron crackled to life, and he was projected up onto the huge screens, smiling and waving.  His team took some pictures with him, and gave him a jersey and autographed ball.  It seemed that this adventure was coming to a close.


When suddenly...  

"Electron Boy!" Came the evil cackle of Edgar Hansen "I am Dr. Dark and this is Blackout Boy!"


Electron Boy rose up, and glared at the villains, igniting his saber and preparing to do battle.


"We are here to take over Seattle and make it dark!"
On the Jumbotron, a video showed a Puget Sound Electric employee Jim Hutchinson trapped in the top of his bucket truck in front of PSE's Bellevue headquarters.

Only Electron Boy could save him.
As Electron Boy's motorcade — the DeLorean, the 25 motorcycle officers and a white limo — rolled through downtown Bellevue, pedestrians stopped in their tracks and pulled out their cameras to take pictures.


Clearly, somebody famous was in town. But who could it be?
"It's Electron Boy!!!" Erik's older sister shouted out the window of the limousine.
At this point, hundreds and hundreds of voices erupted in a cacophony of cheers as Electron Boy freed the trapped worker.


"It was so loud, people in office buildings were looking out the window," said Make-A-Wish communications director Jeannette Tarcha.
But Dr. Dark and Blackout Boy were still at large.


Electron Boy got a tip that the evil duo were at the Space Needle, where they had disabled the elevator and trapped people on the observation deck.


Racing back to Seattle, Electron Boy stepped out of the DeLorean to a cheering crowd of dozens of admirers, and confronted his nemesis.
"How did you find us, Electron Boy?" Dr. Dark demanded.
Erik wordlessly leaped at Dr. Dark with his lightning rod, impaling the villain and ending his reign of darkness, and effortlessly unlocked the elevator and freed the people trapped upstairs.
Bellevue police Officer Curtis McIvor snapped handcuffs on the badly wounded Dr. Dark and the cowering Blackout Boy, who attempted to con the hero.  "How can we thank you for saving our souls?" he smiled, going for a weapon.
A tiny smile played around Electron Boy's mouth and he quickly held his saber to Blackout Boy's throat and shook his head "no"


The crowd went wild. "Hip-hip, hooray!"
Seattle City Councilwoman Sally Bagshaw stepped forward with a key to the city and a proclamation that Thursday was Electron Boy Day.


Afterward, Erik posed for the TV cameras, flexed his muscles and spent some time astride a Bellevue police motorcycle.


"He's over the moon," said Foote. "This is definitely beyond anything we thought it would be."
Watching her son run across the plaza in front of the Space Needle, mom Judy Martin said Erik goes to school when he's able, but is often too tired. "He hasn't had this much energy in a long time," she said. "They called it the power of the wish, and they're right."
Like any good superhero, Electron Boy kept his innermost thoughts to himself. But he did have one important thing to say:
"This is the best day of my life."


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Written By
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts

Play for Weight Loss

If you feel as though you would like to upgrade that bod of yours, why not make it fun?

Take your goals and ask yourself the most fun, exciting and growth oriented way you could accomplish them!
Some of the most enjoyable weight loss methods are martial arts and swimming.

They are both "play", and both work out every possible muscle in your body.

Plus, you get to learn a skill that could save your life, which makes it more enjoyable. (I don't know about you, but running on a treadmill or lifting weights can get a little... dry)

The other most important aspect is the culture of health and self improvement.  When you go to a great martial arts school, you are surrounded by those with similar goals and mindsets to your own.

They are less likely to pull you back into old habits.

So, find a martial art you enjoy and do it because its fun!  Do it because its empowering!  Do it because you're learning and growing!

Get fit as a side effect.


Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The Mindset of Weight Loss

The Mindset of Weight Loss


The way that we set ourselves up for failure is all too common, and all to predictable.  We have a blueprint of what we are in our mind, and our subconscious does what it can to ensure we stay that way.  We associate more pain to the methods of losing weight, than we do to the pleasure of having it lost.

The solution then, is to ask yourself quality questions.

Ask yourself:  "How could I lose weight and love the process?"  (seriously, ask yourself out loud).

If you don't get an answer right away, keep asking!

A healthy body is a journey, not a destination It isn't something you attain, its something you maintain.  What that means to you, is that you must find a lifestyle you actually enjoy, which creates health.  Play and get fit, don't work and get fit.  If weight loss is painful or difficult, you will eventually find a way to avoid it.  If its fun and enjoyable, you'll find ways to do it more!


Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Actually Lose Weight: Make That New Years Resolution Stick!

Diet Resolutions are among the most common of all our New Years goals. And their success is less than 1%.

One Percent!

Why?

It primarily has to do with the method of goal setting, and the methods of weight loss chosen. How good at math would you be if once per year you decided to get better at it and then promptly forget the whole thing? And how good would you be if you practiced your math with sticks drawing in the sand instead of say, a calculator or sheet of paper?

Weight loss can (and must) be broken down into two categories.

1.The Mindset of Weight Loss

2.The Actions of Weight Loss
 
Read on!
Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts
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Monday, May 3, 2010

Goal Setting so it Actually Works!

Take your new years resolution (or any annual goal), and make it specific. Measurable in time, effort, money etc.

How much weight do you want to lose? Why? By When? Make your reasons emotional. "to look good" pfft. how about "To be a sexual goddess". Define that, what does that mean to you?
Next, break your goal down into 12 steps, then each of those 12, split in half.
(psst! reading this is great, but actually doing it is much better!!)
You now have 24 benchmarks to make throughout the year. Keep those benchmarks up on the fridge or bulleten board of your home and get to work doing them! Baby steps are much, much easier than huge insurmountable goals.
Remember, make it fun!

Sensei Ono, Shinka Martial Arts




"A Healthy Body is Maintained - not Attained"
Shinka.ca
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