Martial Arts Lessons, Baseball, Football, or Soccer?

As a boy, my parents took me to try out all the typical sports. As a an adult, I am now able to reflect back on all those activities --and I have an opinion about sports that might help you (parents), if you too are considering something athletic for your own child.

The martial arts lessons I took, hands down, left me with the most powerful memories, usable resources, and the richest experiences of all the sports I participated in. Just this morning for example, I was recalling something one of my teachers used to say, “If you can’t, then you must --and if you must, then you will.”

Even now as an adult, as I continue my training and the lessons learned continue to be valuable, as they reinforce the principles of Black Belt. like courage, honor, integrity, compassion, perseverance and respect. I am forever training to become a master and I will always explore areas of self defense that include more than just kicking and punching, like Diabetes awareness, obesity, body image, anger management, environmental self defense and community service.

My life is my dojo and my training has become a way of life, which it does eventually for many of my students.

Martial arts lessons will stick with your child. I’m more confident today, more capable, and better when the pressure is on -- and I attribute a lot of that to my martial arts training.

Parents, invest in lessons. They’re worth it!

Sensei Chris Feldt

Samurai Karate Studio

803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

The Great Bell Chant

One of our challenges, as members of the Ultimate Black Belt Test, is to meditate every day and work on developing what Thich Nhat Hahn calls "MINDFULLNESS". Learning how to meditate has been more difficult than I expected. Not that it's hard to sit, it's hard to "unclutter" my mind and to focus on nothing but my breathing.

The below video, offers breath taking images as well as beautiful chanting to music and bells.

Take a moment to watch it and see if it helps to bring yourself to a place of mindfulness?

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

Looking For The Unconventional!

The DOG POUND, below, is a unique structure. 

Unconventional. 

I am working very hard, to create A school that is unique and unconventional!

I am looking for students who are unique and unconventional; and willing to participate in my journey to personal excellence, in and OUT of the dojo!

This is work of a master instructor!  Yes?

 

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

Sam Mockbee: Master Teacher

Meet Samuel Mockbee!

He would be considered a master teacher.

He is the man who started the Alabama Project by bringing in college students into Greensboro, AL where they use their architectural skills to make a difference in the lives of many families in Greensboro.

The students interview the families that need help, decide who gets picked for the project, then construct the house from top to bottom using recycled materials and money raised through donations, from corporations, grants and organizations like the UBBT.


It's an amazing story of someone who cares!

I am proud to be a member of this group!



Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
803-462-9425
samuraikarate@bellsouth.net

Intelligent Curriculum

I’m involved in a rather revolutionary project involving a change in the what, when, why, and how of teaching people of all ages about self-defense.  The project has been launched by my martial arts teacher’s association, The One Hundred (The 100),  and involves a concept coined Intelligent Curriculum. Intelligent Curriculum is a process where web-technology is applied to teaching people about the depth and scope of self-defense as it applies to today’s world. For example, there isn’t a kick, punch, block, arm-bar, leg lock, or other martial arts maneuver on or anywhere close to a list of top 10 killers of men, women, or children in the Western world. But Diabetes is on the list. With Intelligent Curriculum the martial arts teacher brings a Diabetes disease primer into his or her curriculum, using the Internet, so that the student doesn’t go through years of “self-defense” training without addressing the topic. That’s an intelligent direction for the way we should be addressing self-defense in a world where Diabetes affects more than 25% of all Americans.

Some of the other issues Intelligent Curriculum is seeking to address include the media; bullying; anger; emergency situations; diet; care for the environment; and community involvement.  While all of these issues may not, at first glance, obviously relate to self-defense, they will in martial arts schools of the future. From a teacher’s perspective and from someone who has more than just a passing interest in self-defense, I find the approach to be refreshing and valuable.   There isn't a school in the Columbia area, that offers the curriculum that I do!  I don't say this to brag, but clearly to demonstrate that my school believes self defense is more than just kicking and punching.  My school is focused on fostering change and personal development, skills that will last a life time!

For more information on how I’m implementing Intelligent Curriculum in my school and in our community, contact me here;  Sensei Chris Feldt, Samurai Karate Studio, 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229, 803-462-9425, samuraikarate@bellsouth.net.

Ms. Georgia's House

As a member of the UBBT, one of our big projects for the year, is to serve the community of Greensboro, AL, one of the poorest sections in the United States.

This year, we are going to Alabama, to build Ms. Georgia, a home that will be warm and inviting; and perhaps most importantly, SAFE.

Take a look at the below video to see the home that Ms. Georgia currently lives in. It is NOT SAFE and has dirt floor and lacks quality running water.

This is what the martial arts is all about! Serving ourselves by getting fit and learning how to defend ourselves if necessary; as well as serving our community.

NOW, that is REAL self defense!

We are asking for donations in order to build Ms. Georgia's new house. If you can spare a few dollars, we sure would appreciate it.

Make your tax deductible check to HERO and send it to my attention, Sensei Chris Feldt, Samurai Karate Studio, 2000 Clemson Road, Suite # 9, Columbia, SC 29229.

On Respect and The Martial Artist

If you’re a senior or high-ranking martial artist (and, of course, I am speaking to --and about --myself), you have to, first, ask yourself why you need someone to show you “respect.” Do you think you deserve it? Is it important for you to be acknowledged?

When I am thinking clearly, I let go of my own expectations and needs with regards to respect, and I stand in a place where I don’t need anything, any “signs of respect” from people around me.


When I was younger I demanded it. The customs in my school included having everyone stand up when I walked in the room. Everyone was required to bow and give me a polite greeting; and I was addressed with a title before my name, always.


But as I looked more deeply at what I was doing, I began to shed my own need for outward signs of respect from other people. It’s not that I don’t like to be treated like a king, as I don’t mind that at all, but what I don’t want any part of is the attachment to what it means when someone does --or does not --acknowledge my superiorness, rank, experience, good looks, or whatever it is about myself that I personally hold in such high esteem.

I am better, more centered, more whole, and more in the moment when I bring my own respect with me, instead of looking for it from others.


As an exercise (a practice), I now try to only give respect. I acknowledge others, with a bow, with a Wai, with a smile, with a handshake or a hug, with some kind of recognition that in body language is designed to make them feel cared for and/or important.


I don’t ask to be called anything but “Tom.” I don’t expect a bow or any acknowledgment, as I am seeking to shed my need for it. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want or like to be treated like someone special, it means that I am looking deeply at what’s behind that kind of thinking / need.

On the other side of that, I feel it is a very important part of my own practice, for my own mindset, to show people around me respect, especially my seniors. When my teacher walks into the room, I stand up. I bow. I give a polite greeting --and I try to say, non-verbally, “I love you and am grateful to have you here today --and in my life.”

For me, at this time in my life, this is my practice.

Tom Callos


Tom Callos is my mentor and team coach for The Ultimate Black Belt Test and The 100, both are programs for master instructors and school owners.