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John Graden
Martial Arts Expert
Professional Achievements
- 8th Degree Black Belt
- Author of "Choose Your Battles Wisely"
- Founder of the Rapid Confidence System
- Featured as a Cover Story Profile in the Wall Street Journal
Certifications & Organizations
- Graduate of the Omni Hypnosis Academy
- Member of the Million Dollar Author Club and the Self-Published Hall of Fame
Favorite Piece of Advice
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Forum Comments (1)
1. First off, do not be influenced by degrees of black belt or competition titles. They have nothing to do with being a good instructor. Look for instructors who are MATA Certified (Martial Arts Teachers Association (MATA). That is a professional development standard.
2. Visit the school and watch beginners and advanced classes. Are the beginners taught practical skills or traditional imaginary make-believe skills? For instance, a staple of many schools is kata. Kata is an imaginary fight against pretend attackers. Kata is great for coordination but TERRIBLE for teaching practical skills. Shadow kickboxing is essentially the same but FAR more applicable.
3. Don’t take what the instructor says as law. Ask yourself, “Does this make any sense?”
Example of a practical approach: snapping the hand back to protect the face after a punch.
Example of an impractical approach: pulling the hand back to the hip after a punch while holding the other hand out in space.
4. Are the advanced students in shape? Skilled? Friendly? Respectful? These are the products of the school, so they will give you an indicator of the results the school produces.
Good luck!
Q&A Comments (2)
Co-authored Articles (30)
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Do a Kip Up (Kick Up)
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How to
Tie a Judo Belt
In Judo, practitioners wear a uniform called a “gi,” which is held by a belt called an “obi.” If you’re just starting out in Judo, you may have a bit of trouble learning how to tie your obi yourself. Fortunatel...
How to
Do a Kimura Submission in Jiu Jitsu
The kimura armbar is one of the most fundamental techniques in jiu-jitsu, and also one of the most feared. Since it can be applied from so many different positions, it's very difficult to defend against, making it a grea...
Are MMA and the UFC the Same Thing? Nope, and Here’s Why
Learn the difference between MMA and the UFCIn the world of fighting sports, MMA and the UFC are almost synonymous. But what’s the difference between them? If you aren’t sure, you’re not alone. Millions of people a...
How to
Be a Secret Agent
Secret agents may be all around us, working for government agencies, corporate entities, and private organizations to collect information and report back. If you want to trade in secrets, and you think you've got what it...
How to
Win a Swordfight
While many consider sword fighting to be a thing of the past, the sword and the art of sword-fighting still fascinates and inspires people. While you can have a lot of fun sword fighting, you should never use weapons th...
How to
Tie a Karate Belt
Doing karate is a great way to learn self-defense, strengthen your body, and focus on your inner balance. However, if you’re just starting out, tying the belt correctly can be a little intimidating. While using both si...
How to
Handcuff a Person
Whether you are a police officer, bail bondsman, or security guard, handcuffing people may be a daily occurrence in your line of work. Knowing how to use handcuffs correctly is important for ensuring that either you or t...
How to
Flip Someone over Your Shoulder
Have you ever wanted to flip someone over your shoulder? Well you've come to the right place. This article has instructions on how to perform this maneuver in martial art type training.
How to
Do a Figure Four Leg Lock
In professional wrestling, the figure four leg lock is a popular move to "force" an opponent into submission. However, with pro-wrestling moves, remember that you and your opponent must move in sync with each other in or...
How to
Learn to Use Nunchaku by Yourself
A step-by-step guide to mastering nunchuck basics Whether you're a seasoned martial artist or you just love Bruce Lee films, learning to use Nunchaku is a worthwhile and enjoyable pastime. With a focus on safety and prop...
How to
Fix a Punching Bag
Punching bags can withstand a lot, but even the best ones don’t last forever. Tears form, straps break, and even the filling inside your bag will wear out if you hit it enough. Instead of spending a lot of money on a n...
How to
Tie an Obi Belt
Obi belts are traditionally worn during martial arts to keep your uniform in place. More recently, they have also been used as a decorative feature over dresses, shirts, and kimonos. The knot for martial arts is quick an...
How to
Be Like Batman
Find out what it takes to be real-life Batman in mind & body The Dark Knight! The Vigilante! The Caped Crusader! If you want to move in shadows like Batman, you can learn to think, act, and look like him for fun.
How to
Make a Nunchaku
Nunchaku, often casually known as "nunchuks," are a traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon that is made of two sticks connected by a rope or a chain on one end. The Nunchaku make a great training weapon, which can help...
How to
Do a Dempsey Roll
Jack Dempsey was the heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1919-1926 known for his aggressive and dynamic fighting style. Although Dempsey was much smaller and had a shorter reach than many of his opponents, he w...
How to
Become a Pro Wrestler
Becoming a pro wrestler requires many of the same athletic and technical skills as those of a traditional, Olympic-style wrestler, but also has many unique aspects. Professional wrestling, for instance, emphasizes person...
How to
Fight with a Bo Staff
Fighting with the Bo staff is a handy skill, more likely to come to your aid in a street fight than the fancier weapons. Though the actual fighting is very different from the cool looking moves from martial arts movies, ...
How to
Put Someone in a Fingerlock
Amaze your friends at the next party or gathering you go to by putting a finger lock on an unsuspecting person. Learn how to perform this simple party trick, which seems to “lock” another person’s ring fingers when...
How to
Keep a Punching Bag Stand from Moving
Ugh! There’s nothing worse than a punching bag stand that just won’t stop shifting and sliding around while you’re in the middle of a great workout. Don’t lose your cool and take it out on the bag (or a nearby wa...
