WHAT BARNES MARTIAL ARTS REALLY DOES AS A MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

Barnes Martial Arts IS different from other Martial Arts schools in the area.

Although we, of course, teach kicking, punching and grappling, we are MORE than kicking, punching and grappling.

Although we teach the best in modern, real-world self-defense, we are MORE than just self-defense.

We believe that being a Black Belt –- or, as we call our students at B.M.A., a Black Belt in Training –- encompasses body, mind and spirit. To teach only the physical aspects of the Martial Arts, the fighting skills, without devoting equal time to the mental, character building and attitude facets is to do a great disservice to the practitioners.

We do not participate in sport karate tournaments, or chase trophies, because we believe the only true competitor is yourself. We believe that it is every one's duty to go to bed tonight having become just a little better than we were when we got up this morning. Therefore, we emphasize that the student has a responsibility to use their training in a way that not only best represents themselves and the Martial Arts, but in a manner that serves the greatest benefit to their families and communities as well.

We believe that a Black Belt means nothing without including service to others.

We believe in and teach ...

* Kindness

* Helping our fellow man

* Community

* Peace

* Compassion

* Empowering children to take a stand against bullies

* Positivity

* Awareness

* Building Character

* Respect for oneself and others

* The power of discipline

... and so much more.

We see ourselves as change makers, and in the wise words of one of my mentors, Tom Callos, “we are here to represent and realize the idea of true MASTERY; mastery over negative emotions and action; mastery over the foolishness of thinking you are what you own or can afford; mastery over apathy; mastery over disconnection, prejudice, and ignorance; mastery over the pitfalls of a diet without discipline, of a body let go, of a mind left unused.”

Though American Kenpo Karate informs our base, we are NOT restricted to the dictates, curriculum or dogma of any one style of Martial Art. We are open to the ideas of all systems. In this way we become unlimited in our potential. The style is merely a VEHICLE; it might be pretty, it probably has some value, but the car is not the journey; a car is made to take you on a journey.

And while teaching your children – yes, YOURS --  how to punch people in the face, choke them, and or defend themselves from the same — might seem on the surface like the mission of a Martial Arts teacher — I echo the view of Mr. Callos, that it is “not the MOST important work, NOT the work that really matters at that age, that might really bring about the change we have the potential to play a role in, or that might actually make these little people more powerful, participative, engaged, compassionate —and thus happier and more connected to that which it is best to be connected to.”

At Barnes Martial Arts we strive to be smart, connected, awake teachers, who use the martial arts to influence our students to participate in Life, not fights. Our aim is to provide the tools, experiences and viewpoints that speak of a better, more compassionate, less violent world.

We want to do this at a Level 10, directly affecting not only our students but our communities as well. We want to do it better than anyone else in our area (and I truly think that we already are), in our town, in our sphere of friends and peers, maybe as good as anyone in the nation or the world.

Barnes Martial Arts is going beyond the physical to redefine the very concept of self-defense – to include ANYTHING that might harm our bodies, minds and spirits.

Food? Yes, guarding what we put into this incredible machine (our body) IS self-defense.

Our environment? Of course. Pollution, littering, not caring for our land and water – all of those things directly affect our health and are, therefore, self-defense.

Our actions and behaviors? The things that we say and do out of anger or without thought bring about chains of suffering to ourselves and others.

These things, in addition to kicking and punching, etc., truly are at the core of what “self-defense” is today. By paying attention to our own actions and behaviors we think globally and act locally. We use our Martial Arts training and teaching to engage young people and adults in Acts of Kindness, in the importance of performing daily acts of goodness, compassion, care, connection — and what doing for others does for ourselves; THIS is the spine of our work. 

I am talking about focus, direction, and a deeper sense of connection to our world. I am talking about making a difference and forming a legacy for ALL of our students.

We have a Vision. A Grand Vision.

To my knowledge, no one in our area has EVER tried to accomplish what we are attempting -- a wholesale re-imagining of the role of the Martial Arts teacher and the Martial Arts school and integration into the community; elevating it above mere sport ... or a kid's activity ...or fighting. We aim to remove the Martial Arts Studio from the fringe and place it on a level of importance and vitality with mainstream education. Our students are our living testimony to that goal. 

If you support the initiative to take these lessons out of the Dojo and into the world at large ... if you think we are doing good work ... if you agree with our mission, we respectfully ask that you spread the word: tell others about us, SHARE this blog page on your own pages. The greatest compliment that you could possibly give us is to let others know about us.

Together we can continue to make a real difference.

Who Inspires You?

We live in a world that, unfortunately, tends to deify celebrity. The opinions thoughts, and actions of actors, singers, and sports figures are weighted disproportionately to the rest of us. These people are held up as heroes and role models -- and yet their behaviors and lifestyles (drinking, drug use, general disrespect) are often incongruent with the position we have assigned them.

I am inspired by very few so-called "celebrities" -- Chuck Norris and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama are the only two who come immediately to mind. 

A number of people inspire me in different ways -- my daughter, my parents, my fiance, my students, to name a few. In general, most of the folks whom I look up to are "real people", people you might actually meet at any given time. They inspire me with their strength; their attitude; their ability to overcome adversity; and the things they've done -- and continue to do -- with their lives.  They tend not to seek out the spotlight, and as a consequence, you may not have heard of them.

Tom Callos is a man whom I greatly admire.

We share a similar vision for the Martial Arts. THIS is what we strive for in our small dojo.

A Kindness Checklist

So you think that performing Random Acts of Kindness is a great idea (I do too!) but you don't know where to start. Here is a checklist of possible activities. You can do these for friends, family members even complete strangers (remember, though, if you are a younger student make sure Mom and Dad are there to supervise).

None of these take a lot of time, or cost a lot of money (most, in fact, cost nothing). The point is that Kindness is often found in the small gestures, the little things that someone does unexpectedly that can change a person's day.

Now ... get out there and change the world! I believe you will.

• Open the door for someone.
• Give a helping hand when you see someone carrying a lot of stuff.
• Give a homeless person your leftovers from a restaurant.
• Purchase a some umbrellas, blankets, ponchos at a dollar store and keep it in your trunk – when it’s a rainy/cold day, find a person who needs it and give them one.
•  Give a lottery ticket to a stranger.
• Leave anonymous thank you notes to teachers.
• Invite a friend to the movies or dinner.
• Put change in a vending machine.
• Leave a book you have already finished somewhere for someone else to read.
• Drop off a toy or game at a homeless shelter.
• Pay for a bridge toll for the person behind you.
• Send someone a small gift anonymously.
• Drop off flowers at your friend or neighbor’s house.
• Buy a meal for a homeless person.
• Buy a movie ticket for the person behind you in line.
• Pay for someone’s meal behind you at a fast-food drive-thru.
• Write an inspirational note to someone who needs inspiration.
• Send a card to someone in the military overseas.
• Put something you no longer need on craigslist.org for free.
• Drop off a toy or game at a hospital.
• At the post office, leave some extra stamps at the stamp machine.
• Buy a phone card and give to a homeless shelter for them to give to someone.
• Open the phone book, pick a name, and send them something (movie tickets, thank you card, book, etc.) anonymously.
•  Take flowers to a hospital ward and give them to someone who hasn’t had any visitors.
• Drop off teddy bear to police department to give to traumatized children.
• Drop a few coins in an area where children play, where they can easily find them.
• Write letters of appreciation to groups who are helping the community, the environment, etc.
• Go to a tourist spot and offer couples/families to take their pictures with their camera.
• If you know someone who is having a hard time financially, pop $5, $10 or $20 in an envelope, disguise your writing or type the envelope, and mail it to them.
•  Tape some change to a payphone with a card saying it is for whoever needs it.
• Write anonymous, loving post-its for strangers to find.
• At a restaurant, pay for a table’s lunch or dinner anonymously.
• Pay for someone’s groceries.
• Volunteer your time at a non-profit organization.
• Smile!
• Acknowledge the cashier who’s helping you and genuinely ask them how they’re doing.
• Wave back to children who wave at you.
• Say hello.
• Reach an item off a high shelf for someone.
• Give up your seat to someone who needs it more.
• Remove debris or other obstacles from a road or path.
• If you arrive at a stop sign at the same time as another driver, let them go first.
• Pay someone a compliment.
• Help someone with their groceries or bags.
• Offer to help an elderly neighbor with their household chores.
• Call a friend randomly and let them know you’re thinking of them.
• Bring a treat to work to share with your coworkers.

So You Say You Want a Revolution

From April 9, 1775 to September 3 1783 -- 8 years, 4 months, 2 weeks, and 1 day -- a rag-tag collection of Colonial American Patriots took up arms and fought against British oppressors to, ultimately, secure the sovereignty and freedom of the United States of America. 

I am calling for another Revolution against a foe no less dangerous, intractable and oppressive -- perhaps more so -- than the British of two centuries ago. 

We live in a culture which increasingly places profits above people; objectifies women in song, and reduces them to body parts on screen and in advertising; sells young girls on a standard of beauty that is not only unhealthy, but outright dangerous; in which bored thugs play the so-called "knockout game" for entertainment; in which elected officials routinely lie, cheat, and stick it to their constituents -- and in which voters have become so apathetic as to see this unethical behavior as merely the price of doing business. 

We live in a society that lifts overpaid, spoiled athletes and actors above teachers and healers; in which our racial and cultural differences are a source of division and divisiveness, rather than viewed with pride as a source of what makes this Nation great; in which we belittle others for being "this" or "that", instead of recognizing that "we" are all "One". 

     

I am not some starry-eyed, hippy, peace-freak, flower child ... I am simply a man, a father, a husband-to-be, a friend, a lifelong Martial Artist who is old enough and who has amassed enough life experience to recognize a fundamental problem in this world ... 

The problem: coldness. Callousness. A deep-seated lack of respect. For ourselves. For each other. For our world. I do not know how the world got to be this way or where, exactly, it went off the rails. I don't think anyone can point a finger at a single reason. 

I do know that there is a solution. 

A Kindness Revolution. 

This idea is neither new, nor original to me, but it is worthwhile. The more people who take up the challenge, the greater the effect. As a growing Martial Arts Studio, we are in a unique position to bring such a Revolution to fruition. 

 Instead of shouldering muskets like our forebears, our weapons will be awareness and compassion. Our duty, our mission, is to take this lesson out of the Dojo and into our community, to perform Acts of Kindness -- for our friends, families, neighbors, even (especially) strangers -- with no expectation of either thanks or payment. We do it simply because it is the right thing to do. Our fervent goal is that others witness our example, or benefit from our actions, and pay it forward. Like a pebble tossed into a still pool, our kind actions ripple outward, one act propelling another and another and another, each building on the previous until it becomes a tidal wave. 

The compassion of the individual becomes the compassion of the family ... becomes the compassion of the neighborhood ... becomes the compassion of the town or city ... becomes the compassion of the county ... state .... nation ... world. 

This is not a mere dream. All great movements begin with a thought, a belief that it can and must be accomplished. It must be given more than lip service or a token effort. It requires action and consistency. 

It is work, no doubt. But, as the saying goes, if it was easy, everyone would do it. Nonetheless, the movement need not start with some grand, sweeping gesture. Start small: anonymously pay for some one's coffee; mow some one's lawn; carry their groceries; wash their car; carry a classmate's books; shovel snow from a neighbor's walk; anything, really, that lightens the burden of another or otherwise brightens their day. 

Even one determined person, working alone, can make a huge difference. Imagine if one person -- you, perhaps -- performed just 3 Random Acts of Kindness per day ... that would be 21 per week ... 84 per month ... 1, 008 per year. And if we started at age 10 and lived an average of 83 years, that would be 73, 584 Random Acts of Kindness over the course of a single lifetime. 

What kind of effect would that have upon your school, job, community? 

What about a group of 100 people -- a Martial Arts Studio, for instance -- unified, doing the same thing? 300 Random Acts of Kindness per day ... 2,100 per week ... 8,400 per month ... 100, 800 per year ... and an ASTOUNDING 7, 358, 400 over the course of an average life. 

Envision the kind of world that would be!!

These numbers are definitely achievable!! 

I, for one, am tired of living in a cold, uncaring, often cruel world. But rather than sit back and complain, I am committed to fighting back with Kindness. 

I would like to invite you, my students, adults and kids alike, to join me; after all, the ultimate aim of the Martial Arts is the perfection of one's character. 

By requiring Acts of Kindness for progression through the ranks, it is my sincere hope and desire that we develop Kindness as a habit. Our tiny Studio can become the catalyst for a massive groundswell of local positivity. 

People may not remember the things you say or even the things you do, but they will always remember how you made them feel. At the end of the day, a legacy of Kindness, my friends, changes lives, and that is a great thing indeed. 

What is "The Art of Living"?

 "Martial arts practice; ethics; redefining self-defense; and taking the practice of Martial Arts out of the Dojo and into the World ... " -- Tom Callos, 6th Dan

Those goals are shared by Barnes Martial Arts.

When I was a young boy, someone who was bullied throughout my grade school and high school years, my impression of Martial Arts came mostly from watching Chuck Norris' movies. Those movies were pure escapism! I could imagine myself dispatching my foes with the same ease and ferocity that Mr. Norris did. It wasn't until later, when I actually enrolled in Martial Arts classes, I began to see that there was more -- MUCH MORE -- to the Arts than learning how to kick butt!

My training was tough and very physical, my instructor extremely demanding; but underlying every sore muscle, every bruise, every ache and pain, were deeper lessons of perseverance, honor, integrity, focus, and personal discipline. To me, these were warrior qualities that were missing in the world.

Still later, when I opened my first studio, I began to see an even bigger picture ... of how the Martial Arts could be a springboard for greater possibilities.

My teachers always stressed that Martial Arts are a way of life. And that is certainly true. But they are beyond that ... Martial Arts ARE life itself, and to incorporate their practice into our daily existence, to draw breath every day and to find and maintain our place in this world is the Art of Living.

Awhile ago I read something written by Tom Callos, a 6th degree Black Belt and internationally recognized authority on the Martial Arts. Tom is one of the loudest, funniest, most persistent voices in the martial arts community for things that represent the best of the best we can be as martial artists. He champions things like anger management training, dietary self-defense, community engagement, peace education, environmental issues, philanthropy, leadership training, transparent and ethical business practices, and any number of issues that stand for the "good stuff" in the martial arts community.

Anyway, many years ago, Tom wrote to Rosa Parks, the black woman who, by a singular act of defiance --refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person -- sparked the Civil Rights movement. He wrote to her, I suppose, to tell her how much he admired her and what a difference her example had made. In 1993, Ms. Parks wrote back. Her letter made Tom wonder if 100 martial arts MASTERS could, collectively, equal the power to influence, and make positive changes in the world as did the diminutive 42-year-old seamstress who, that historic day, simply refused to give up her seat.  

I am proud to say that in a small way, I am affiliated with Mr. Callos; we share the same Vision of the Martial Arts. I believe that we all – but ESPECIALLY Black Belts (AND Black Belts in Training!) – have a responsibility to our world; to leave it a better place than we found it.

Like Mr. Callos, our mission is to use all of our skills, experience, and determination to re-define the role of Martial Arts teachers, students and schools in today’s world.

To do that Barnes Martial Arts strives to redefine the meaning and definition of “self-defense.” In short – EVERYTHING is self-defense. Everything from understanding issues such as healthy eating, dietary health issues (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.), gender discrimination, violence, non-violent conflict resolution, leadership, bullying, and a number of other topics that make us smarter, better leaders and teachers, and more important, participating members of our communities and this world. It all counts – and as I learned early in my Martial Arts career, the “food” that enters our minds and Spirits is equally important as the food that enters our bodies.  

So welcome to "The Art of Living" -- the Official Blog of Barnes Martial Arts...

In these pages you will find informative articles, videos, and links designed to enhance not only your experience at our Studio, but to spark thinking and hopefully, action.

Consider this blog to be the digital, online newsletter of our Studio ... and so much more.

It is going to be an EPIC journey. I am so glad to have you along with me.