September 2, 2010 by andy  | 174 views | Comments (9)

Yesterday as I was walking out of the post office at Balmain a man walking past me caught my attention. Just for an instant I looked at him and him at me….I thought, “wow what an interesting hair cut and hey, tattoos…he is covered in them, he is not the usual person you would see walking the street in Balmain.”

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August 31, 2010 by andy  | 100 views | Comments (4)

What if?

 

 What if?  The possiblities are endless? You have a choice in each action, to open and embrace uncertainty or to be a prisoner to your own limitations.

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July 22, 2010 by andy  | 183 views | Comments (0)

A couple of quick questions for you….

Would you like your child to be getting great results at school?

Would you like your child to get into OC or selective high school?

Do you want a private school education for your child, fully paid for?

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July 1, 2010 by andy  | 115 views | Comments (0)

Little is known about Daito Ryu Aiki Ju jutsu in the West. Even in Japan, it has long been considered a relic of a pre war era, at best the poor cousin of its modern day cognate Aikido, but nothing could be further from the truth.Daito Ryu has always been a conservative and some what secretive martial art. Its most famous exponent Takeda Sokaku only ever taught people of high social standing such as politicians, teachers, police or military people.

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June 28, 2010 by andy  | 113 views | Comments (1)

The first night I worked as a bouncer was at a popular night club in Sydney city in the early 80′s  . At that time this particular nightclub was probably THE place to be seen when discos were at their peak of popularity. I did not need the money as I was working full time, I was just really keen to put myself under pressure to see how I would react. I was 22 years old, a black belt, and could handle myself pretty well…or so I thought.

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June 17, 2010 by andy  | 223 views | Comments (1)

When I was 24 I left the shores of Sydney and did not land again until I was 40 years old. I spent 16 years travelling, training and learning. By the time I was 24 I was already a Black Belt with many years experience and had competed many times. In a way I had out grown the local martial arts scene and was yearning for new challenges. So the best way for me to train, travel and earn a living was to become a flight attendant for Qantas.

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June 15, 2010 by andy  | 82 views | Comments (0)

Did you think that it was going to be easy? Did you think that Martial Arts was going to be like any other sport, pastime or hobby? I keep saying time and time again that martial arts is more than just a physical movement. Martial arts is marketed as a body , mind, spirit, way to health but most if not all martial arts teachers fall short of the mark and have no idea what the mind/ spirit part entails.

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May 27, 2010 by andy  | 72 views | Comments (0)


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May 20, 2010 by andy  | 280 views | Comments (2)

For a while there I would do anything for experience….Some times I would go to great lengths to see if I really had what it takes and to push my martial arts training to the limits. Upon getting my Black Belt at 21, I soon found myself craving real life fighting experience. Not that I was violent or aggressive, I just needed to see how I would handle myself under pressure, see how I would react, see if my  training would survive in the street.

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May 6, 2010 by andy  | 171 views | Comments (9)

Do martial arts hang onto their traditional roots just for the sake of it?Does it enhance or impinge your learning experience?

What would it do to martial arts if there were no uniforms, no stances, no bowing etc? Have a think about how you would feel?

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April 12, 2010 by andy  | 110 views | Comments (6)

Womens image.Over the last few years many men and women, children and parents  have seen the value in training in a martial arts  program that is easy to learn, gets you fit, is fun and there is no risk of injury. It is also a great way to meet new people.  Women too are enjoying the benefits of martial arts, at Northstar Martial Arts we are 50% women. 

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April 8, 2010 by andy  | 183 views | Comments (9)

SamaritanAre the days of the good samaritan over? You see a man hitting a woman on the street. You have never met these people before…

What would you do and why? As in all conflict the age old advice “look before you leap” is probably the best option before launching into something that you have no real idea of what is actually happening.

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March 31, 2010 by andy  | 194 views | Comments (6)

LoyaltySo many people profess to love you and say they are loyal yet the first sign that their ego may be threatened and they will cut your  throat, metaphorically speaking of coarse. Here is a news flash for most people are loyal only to the wims of their own ego! And what exactly is this ego anyway. In a nut shell, its all that you think that you are..more on that later!

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March 29, 2010 by andy  | 264 views | Comments (2)

This is a famous Daito Ryu move called Kotegaehsi


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March 25, 2010 by andy  | 116 views | Comments (4)

Martial arts foundationThere was a time when just being a Black Belt you were considered an expert, a lethal fighting machine, able to control your body and perform almost super natural feats of strength.  The Black Belt is an important beginning, the first rung on the ladder, and there is no doubt that it is a mark of excellence.

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March 22, 2010 by andy  | 23 views | Comments (1)

Take down to leg bar.


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March 22, 2010 by andy  | 55 views | Comments (3)


March 16, 2010 by andy  | 293 views | Comments (16)

AikidoWith the modernisation of martial arts, there has been an explosion of hybrid style competitions that are now far more popular than boxing or any other combat sports.  Competitions such as UFC and Pride in Japan, have taken blood sports to the next level. They call these kind of competitions “Mixed Martial Arts.”

Watch the attached video and share your comments. Read more…

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