Participants at JDK;s Schenectady NY Seminar 2024 Beyond the Comfort Zone A trip to Schenectady, New York, for a martial arts seminar in January 2024 pushed me outside my comfort zone. It followed a successful seminar and book launch in Dallas the previous year and presented unique challenges, from planning a seminar without much of a lead time, to navigating unfamiliar territory, and reaching out to martial art schools. Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone While Dallas 2023 resonated deeply, the upcoming seminar in New York felt daunting. It was uncharted territory, a stark contrast to the famil ..read more

With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to a cherished member of our community, Mike Swope, who, at 55, left us on October 1, 2023, after a motorcycle accident. Beyond a publisher, Mike was a beacon of light, etching an indelible mark on our hearts and the martial arts world. Mike joined The Study of Taekwondo Facebook group in 2009, becoming an integral part of our community. His passion for martial arts resonated in every post, forging connections that transcended the digital realm. Colin Wee (left), and Mike Swope RIP (right) search out some amazing ribs during a lull between launching the book ..read more

The most rewarding aspect of being a writer in the martial arts niche is the opportunity to deeply connect with fellow practitioners who share my passion. This niche may not be a lucrative market, but the personal motivation behind my work stems from a genuine desire to contribute, inspire, leave a lasting impact, and to express my gratitude to those whom have contributed to my journey. The countless hours invested are fueled by the belief that sharing my insights and experiences can truly resonate with others on a profound level, fostering a sense of community and personal growth. It’s this s ..read more

Breaking Through: The Secrets of Bassai Dai Kata is a book written by a Taekwondo instructor that delves into the intricacies of Bassai Dai kata, a traditional martial arts form. While it seems focused on the one Karate kata, Breaking Through dismantles the boundaries of a stylistic approach to training. The book explores the concept of seeking efficiency, anticipating and circumventing the resistance from opponents, and preferencing modern training methodology to nurture individual practitioners. This shift in perspective expands our ability to extract value from fundamental techniques, and ..read more

One valuable aspect of martial arts training is the practice of mental visualization. Mental visualization is the process of creating vivid mental images or scenarios in your mind. It involves imagining yourself performing techniques, strategies, or movements with precision and success. While etiquette rules may seem unfamiliar at first, they play a significant role in cultivating a mindset that complements your training and martial readiness, including the practice of mental visualization. By adhering to etiquette guidelines, you learn to enter the training hall with intention and focus. As y ..read more

Introduction: “Breaking Through: The Secrets of Bassai Dai Kata” by Colin Wee is a groundbreaking publication that delves into the depths of martial arts philosophy and provides invaluable insights into Bassai Dai Kata. To commemorate this significant milestone, Colin was invited to lead a seminar in conjunction with the American Karate and Taekwondo Organization Annual Seminar and Banquet in Dallas, Texas, bringing together martial arts enthusiasts from near and far. In this blog post, we will take you on a journey through the unforgettable book launch event and the enlightening seminar that ..read more

We are overjoyed to share a momentous achievement with our readers – the captivating cover artwork from Colin Wee’s book, “Breaking Through: The Secrets of Bassai Dai Kata,” has been chosen to grace the cover of Totally Taekwondo Magazine in the May 2023 Issue 171 edition (see TotallyTKD on FB). Our artwork featured in Totally Taekwondo Magazine The Honored Cover Feature: Being chosen as the cover artwork for Totally Taekwondo Magazine is a prestigious honor. The cover artwork shows a current day practitioner performing a modern technique, with a backdrop of Shuri castle emerging from the mist ..read more

Snippets of Bassai Dai Bunkai from the Book Have you ever heard of Bassai or Passai? It’s a fascinating group of kata practiced in various styles of martial arts, including karate and Korean martial arts like Taekwondo. Kata are a set of choreographed movements that simulate combat situations, helping practitioners develop their techniques and skills (see Passai-Bassai-Patsai Applications and Resources). What sets Bassai apart and makes it unique is its profound emphasis on transforming disadvantage into advantage. Through the kata’s choreographed movements, practitioners learn to navigate ch ..read more