As you might recall, I decided to work with a private company called Ooshirts for this giveaway. Ooshirts.com specializes in T-shirt printing, and here is the result from the ikigaiway project:

Since receiving the shirts, I have reached out to all three randomly selected winners of the contest. If you didn't hear from me, unfortunately it means you didn't have a lucky draw - but don't worry, there will be more giveaways in the future!

I'd like to take a moment and express my appreciation for the quality of easy process provided by Ooshirts. Their website is very intuitive, and made the design process a snap. I didn't have any issues with file type or size or formatting. Many of the hair pulling elements of working with online design were carefully avoided by Ooshirts.

The company also utilizes a friendly, hands-on customer service method. They provide free review of design by their internal graphic designers, who guide you and alert you to any complications that might arise BEFORE they go about printing.

Check em out, and thanks again to everyone involved.

Despite the amount of training I've done, I prefer to be honest with myself: the knife is one of the deadliest tools ever created. The probability of getting cut, stabbed, and killed is very high no matter what, especially if the bad guy doesn't want anything more than to hurt you.

That's why when a resource comes onto my radar about dagger defense, I make sure to watch it and learn whatever I can.

Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming is a highly respected Gongfu and Chin Na practitioner. He has published many dvds and books surrounding the Chinese arts. In this particular dvd, Dr. Yang breaks down multiple traditional ways for managing a knife attack. He covers how to:

• Distance and angle the body away from attack
• Use nearby items like belts and chairs as defense
• Utilize punching and kicking defense techniques
• Utilize Chin Na techniques
• Utilize Shuai Jiao wrestling type techniques

In each section Dr. Yang discusses particular defense methods, demonstrates their use, and then has his students come out and attempt the defense. During the student practice sessions Dr. Yang steps in and offers corrections, citing problems the viewer may encounter along the way.

Here's a video sneak peak at the quality and content of the video:

My Impressions of the DVD

For some reason a lot of martial arts products tend to be grossly overpriced for what you get. Sure, the content is a bit rare and certainly valuable, but I have some dvds that cost $30-$40 for 40 minutes of content. That's pricey!

This dvd, while $39.95 in price, comes with over 3 hours of content. It's not a lot of filler either. There is valuable discussion, demonstration, and a whole bunch of practice so you can observe the right and wrong ways to go about the techniques. The value-for-dollar is definitely high with this video.

As for the techniques themselves - most of them have a solid, logical foundation. For my taste, there was a lot more grabbing and manipulating than I care to do. Perhaps it's the Krav Maga influence, but I've always believed in quick and rapid response striking keeping the knife away from the body while not resorting to excessive entanglement.

I personally believe a dvd like this one would certainly be worth the investment, especially if you pair it with a military or Filipino based knife system.

In regards to the host Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming:

I find him to be very pleasant and knowledgeable. He has a kind way about him that helps keep the students safe and positive during their training experience. Unlike a lot of "street pros", Dr. Yang never talks down to the viewer or makes them feel embarassed for not knowing more about self defense. It's a pleasure listening to him share information and thoughts about handling the dagger.

Add It To Your Library

If you'd like to add more knowledge of knife self defense to your repertoire, this is a solid and well thought out resource. Grab it here.

As such, I'm always on the hunt for new and interesting perspectives on ways to enhance physical activity and keep away those winter doldrums. That's why I was pretty pumped when I got a chance to read The Warrior Fitness Guide to Striking Power, by Jonathan Haas.

The WF Guide promises low tech fitness routines specifically suited for practitioners of striking arts. I definitely fit that target audience.

Found Within the Pages

This ebook is focused on a select few tools that you can utilize to enhance your training. The author spends the first part of the book going over fitness basics and the importance of breathing, posture, and good habit development. He also introduces the reader to a handful of valuable principles and studies on the topic of training routines and method.

For those inclined to get active right away, don't worry - the author provides the needed information in a brief and easily digestible manner. He seems to know that the focus of the book is on action and moves the pace of the book along nicely.

After the initial exercise theory, the reader is introduced to the following low tech training tools:

• The Sledgehammer
• The Medicine Ball
• Resistance Bands
• Empty Hand Bodyweight

By keeping things very fundamental, the author stays focused on the dynamics of the body and how each exercise closely relates to martial art movement. He shows how to isolate the muscles and rotational components that are often used in striking techniques, along with means of strengthening posture and impact transmission.

My Impressions

I consider this book a timely and valuable addition to my information library. In a style like karate, striking power and speed are always high on the priority list. Furthermore, the methods described by the author keep the same spirit as Hojo Undo in classical karate, practiced for generations and made a mainstay in many karate styles.

Western practitioners don't have easy access to chiishi and kongo ken, but they can easily obtain the items used by Haas.

Another positive aspect of the book is the images. Although I would certainly enjoy video or extensive image series of each exercise in order to ensure proper technique, the images provided are clear and of good quality.

At 53 pages, this book is a manageable size and could even be printed for travel and dojo use.

Final Thoughts

I'm not a fitness buff, but I am a fitness enthusiast and am always on the prowl for ways to improve my art. As such, I feel like this book's tone and content was right for me. If you're in a similar boat it might be right for you as well.

Click here to find out more about the book.

Every now and then it's fun to explore the 'what ifs' of martial arts. Luckily, for those times, we have authors like Sarah Gerdes and novels like Chambers.

Chambers is a martial arts mystery whereupon two teens are thrust into their father's world of unusual artifacts, double crosses, and historical intrigue.

When Ms. Gerdes asked me if I might be interested in giving the book a read, I was happy to agree. The martial arts world is filled with spiritual and magical possibilities if we give ourselves permission to enjoy them (if only from time to time). When I found out that this book was interlaced with historical flavor from 15th Century China (an area and time not my specialty), I knew I'd be able to enjoy the read.

The story begins...

with two protagonists, Cage and Mia, who are a brother/sister team. They are both teens and exhibit some classic American qualities. Cage is a fiery martial arts student who is fairly confident in his own greatness. Mia is a very self-assured soccer player, aware of her budding attractiveness but often underplaying it.

The two find themselves mixed up in a scuffle between their dad and his boss, and before they realize the scope of their situation, they find themselves transported to a distant time and place - Ming Dynasty China, face to face with the 14 year old emporer.

As you can imagine, there is significant "fish out of water" elements to the story as the youngsters attempt to find their dad and save him (without altering history).

This book is good for...

any martial artist who wants to let imagination take over. The story is threaded with tidbits of real history and real training (the author is a martial artist herself), but for the most part raw action and magic rule the day. Cage exhibits skills well beyond his years and commands some intriguing powers as the story develops.

I think the best readership for this book is the teenage bracket, although adults (like myself) can certainly enjoy it. The mindsets and situations faced would speak most clearly to a teenager, especially one who is starting a martial art and is experiencing all the vast possibilities and unknown benefits that comes with it. Romances, conflict, and martial encounters (often with large groups of baddies) keep the pages turning and the story progressing.

The good news is...

if you like this book, there will be more to come. Ms. Gerdes plans to create a total of 5 novels in the series, following the adventures of Cage and Mia as they attempt to unravel the mysteries of their father's research. Furthermore, Chambers has been optioned by Warp Entertainment and producer Lucas Foster with plans to adapt the book into a movie. Certainly the scale and far-off-setting of the story will translate well onto the silver screen.

Right now Chambers is available via Kindle (which you can use on any Kindle ereader or PC via the free Kindle software), Nook from Barnes and Noble, and for Apple products. The price is extremely manageable at $2.99 a copy.

If you'd like to learn more about Chambers and join the growing community, check out the dedicated facebook page here. You can also learn more about Chambers' media progress via this youtube page.

I feel that The Karate Code was built using this kind of "traditional" model.

Jesse Enkamp, author of KarateByJesse.com, set out many months ago to create something he felt was missing from the pantheon of martial texts. He knew there were plenty of books on technique, kata, self defense, etc etc, but didn't think anyone was getting to the heart of karate. That's why he went about contacting some of the most senior sensei in the world to ask them a simple question: what does karate mean to you...and why?

The result is an intriguing collection of thoughts by individuals such as Takayoshi Nagamine, Teruyuki Okazaki, Hirokazu Kanazawa, Yoshio Kuba, and more. They each express their beliefs in a succinct, creative way that leaves the reader with plenty to ponder.

Jut like the aforementioned record or cd, this book is a collection of thoughts that go by all too quickly. You can read the whole thing in one sitting. Despite that, the return value is significant and you'll find yourself flipping through the pages to sneak another look at a line that won't let go of your imagination.

If you'd like to check it out for yourself, click The Karate Code. If the price is a little spicy for you, try the Kindle Version.

But living as close to Philadelphia as I do, I would be remiss to miss out on Chinatown so I recently took a trip down with some of my family.

Among Philly's many sectors (Old City, Fishtown, etc), Chinatown is a very authentic and sizable chunk. While it's impossible to replicate real immersion in a foreign country, Chinatown provides the sounds, sights, and smells (both good and bad) of the culture.

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The first landmark worth noting is the front gate as you approach the main market strip. It is beautifully adorned and kept in nice condition.  We didn't stop and marvel for too long though as it was 103 degrees out and we wanted to find a nice market or store that featured air conditioning.

Littered amongst the more pedestrian buildings were a few that captured my attention.

These buildings, while historic, were certainly wearing their age. I would have loved access to explore them but there is little doubt the interiors were rough at best, unsafe at worst. A shame because even with some decay they were far more impactful than the typical city row homes.

One of our main stops for the day was The Bazaar, a deep reaching variety shop that features everything from tourist gifts to traditional instruments. The Bazaar was easily the biggest physical location I've ever been in dedicated specifically to Asian goods.

I had to exercise extreme self control to avoid spending a bundle. There were so many interesting scrolls, kimonos, pieces of art, and oddities that it was tough to walk passed any aisle without a second look. It was also a pleasure spotting the curiously out of place items that made it onto the shelves (such as the complete Mr. Bean collection).

Chinatown had a lot of those little quirks that you hope and expect to find. For example, one candy store was running an excellent special on their floor:

I chose to go in the Pocky direction, but the floor was tempting too.

As we sampled various shops and bakeries I couldn't help but notice the steadfast street venders. Even out in the 100+ weather there were merchants with various forms of clothes, fish, produce, and undergarments. Basically everything you could need during your day. I chose not to indulge in the street fish though as we were headed to our primary restaurant destination.

The eatery on our radar was an unassuming facility located underneath a convention center overpass (not exactly prime real estate). Nevertheless, we had heard from a reliable Philly resource that this was a hidden treasure.

What the Dim Sum Garden lacked in flash it made up for in selection and speedy service. Traditionally, Dim Sum dishes are served by an attendant who wheels out multiple bamboo baskets with varying food items. You then take what appeals to you and are charged at the end. In fact, Dim Sum began as an exercise in tea tasting at roadside inns. Once the Chinese realized it was also pleasurable to snack while tasting tea, the destiny and development of Dim Sum was set.

Our food arrived with much less fanfare. The workings of the restaurant resembled that of a standard Chinese sit-down/take-out, except with a noticeably different kind of menu and procedure. As we ordered our Dim Sum items (such as pork and crab dumpling, steamed shrimp dumpling, etc), they came out in roughly 4-5 minute intervals. Before we knew it we had a whole sampling of delicious dishes in front of us and were enjoying it quite thoroughly.

We took a gamble heading into Chinatown during a prolonged heat wave, but we decided it was worth the trouble in order to enjoy the spirit of the neighborhood. If you ever find yourself in Philly, you could definitely do worse than a visit to Chinatown (no really, you could do a lot worse so don't wander around).

Of course, wellness may be the least glamorous part of training. After all, eating vegetables and legumes doesn't make for an exciting youtube clip.

Luckily I get to hang around a bunch of experienced practitioners who tell stories from time to time of their tough training. Personally, I've been an uke since age 11 and am becoming more acutely aware of how repeated impact affects the body.

It's because of these realizations that I recently read The Okinawa Program, a book describing the Okinawan way of life and how the Ryukyuans became the longest lived people on the planet. And fortunately, thanks to the good people at YMAA, I was able to follow up that research with Western Herbs: For Martial Artists and Contact Athletes.

Western Herbs is a unique addition to my library.

The Okinawa Program deftly lays out the lifestyle and diet of the Okinawans. Most other books regarding traditional Chinese medicine, including The Bubishi, discuss herbal concoctions that you will most likely never encounter. Western Herbs, on the other hand, takes that same pharmacological approach and applies it to vegetation and growth readily available in western countries.

Have you ever wondered how Aloe Vera works, and how to utilize it's full effects? Did you know the capsaicin in peppers (when prepared properly) can help relieve back pain and arthritis?

This is stuff that doesn't require a shady trip down back alleys in Chinatown. The best part is that this book grades each herbal claim via a 5 leaf system. Zero leaves means the claim of effect is completely unsubstantiated, while five leaves means you are good to go and can rely on the results.

The author, Susan Lynn Peterson, is a trained martial artist as well as researcher (she has a real P.H.D., not the weird "professorship" some martial artists prescribe themselves). Her approach is non-mystical with no heavy-handed desire to prove that eastern healing methods are the exclusive answer to all health problems. She mixes east and west in an approachable and fact-friendly way.

The book is broken up into digestible pieces that teach you...

• how to utilize herbs from a novice perspective.
• how to create various kinds of tinctures and concoctions.
• how to handle each of the most important herbs.
• how to assess your needs and safely begin herbal treatment.
• how to not make yourself dead by doing something stupid.

There's no question I won't be able absorb all this book has to offer in one sitting. That's why I intend to keep it nearby as a resource to access as I slowly increase my ability to understand and improve my own wellness.

Amongst Longwood's 1050 acres of finely tuned gardens and landscapes lies a very large conservatory. Areas inside the conservatory are dedicated to different climates and varieties of plant life. One such room is dedicated to bonsai.

For those unfamiliar, the term "bonsai" refers to the growing of miniature trees in pots or amidst small landscapes. "Bonsai" (bone-sigh) is not to be confused with "Banzai" (bahn-z-eye), which is used as a cry of enthusiasm meaning roughly "ten thousand years". Banzai also has a connection to Kamikaze pilots in World War II, so it is proper to understand the difference.

Bonsai are famous (and infamous) for the amount of skill and care that goes into their care. The number of species used in Bonsai planting is extremely vast, as is their longevity if properly cared for.

The goal of bonsai growing is to test the imagination and skill of the grower, as well as spur contemplation and appreciation in the viewer. It is not entirely unlike Ikebana, the art of flower arrangement.

Here are a select few Bonsai on display in the Longwood Conservatory. Note their age and the amount of careful guidance that has gone into their growth. Click any of the images below for a closer look, and please excuse some of the glare. These trees were kept behind glass in a carefully controlled environment.

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Japanese Black Pine Bonsai. Training begun 1949. This tree represents a recognizable and well known style of bonsai design.

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Sargent Juniper Bonsai. Training unstated. This tree has a particularly strong 'Karate Kid' feel to it. I know I'm lessening the artestry of it by saying that, but it's true.

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Loose Flower Hornbeam Bonsai. Training begun 1990. This was a really cool display as it was like a miniature forest. The ground moss helped perpetuate that feeling and worked in proper scale.

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Azalea Bonsai. Training unstated. Showed great symmetry and balance via the bifurcation in the trunk.

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Ginko Bonsai. Training begun 1909. This was a Chinese styled bonsai with an incredible age of over 100 years.

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Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper Bonsai. Training begun 1966. This is an interesting specimen because it shows the Japanese penchant for intentional asymmetry.

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The care and patience that goes into the development of these artful trees corresponds significantly with our martial arts. A product like this is not the result of a year of pruning, or even five years. It takes decades, and the more the tree grows the subtler it's beauty becomes.