Chris Thomas Martial Arts Enters the 21st Century
Me, blogging! I can't believe I'm entering the 21st century. People who know me, know that I am notoriously lax in using that 1980's...
Dishonor in the Martial Arts
Most of you who read this know who I am and you know my reputation. You may not all like me or agree with...
Why Not to Fight
I’m a minister and a pastor. I’m not supposed to advocate violence, yet I teach combat. I have on occasion taught the rare self...
Accepting Funakoshi’s Challenge
My favorite Gichin Funakoshi quote is: “Everything you encounter is an aspect of karate: find the marvelous truth there.”
By Thomas A. Newnam ~ Did...
The Privilege of Servitude
In this article I would like to explore two concepts about leadership. The first is the ability to follow. The second compares servitude to leadership.
The Warrior: I Am A Martial Artist
The Warrior
I am a martial artist
Dedicated to my cause
If confronted with aggression
I will answer without pause
Some people feel that I am dangerous
That I am...
Facing the Challenge of Self
In this journey there are many roads that we walk at different junctures of our lives. If nothing else, we learn that in this...
Promote Peace: Harmony and Unity in the Martial Arts Community
Anyone who knows me knows that I promote peace, harmony and unity in the martial arts community. Since the martial arts became popular in...
White Belt Karate for The Black Belt Fighter
White belt karate perfected to black belt level is karate at its efficient best. Let’s get back to real karate. Leave the esoteric stuff...
Martial Arts Training is a Practice in Balance
Training became a practice in balance, as I learned not just the techniques of martial arts but also how to live.
Martial arts training tests...
Draw Him A Cat
A rich man, fond of felines, asked a famous Zen ink painter to draw him a cat. The master agreed and asked the man...
Enlightenment – A Most Profound Universal Experience
We have all been taught by well-meaning and not so well-meaning people throughout the ages that enlightenment is the true answer for coming to...
Us vs Them Mentality in Martial Arts
When I started training in the Pekiti-Tirsia system in 1975, I was 14 years old. It very quickly became a major part of my...
Twenty-First Century Martial Arts
I’m a firm believer of growth and evolution. I’m not talking about the Darwinian concept of evolution but the evolution of growth and change...
Building On a Preexisting Foundation
Archaeologists often find older cities beneath cities that rose up later. I’m not sure why that is but maybe it is because they use...
Teaching Beginners . . .
I had almost forgotten the joy of taking the uninitiated and educating them in the way of the warrior from the very beginning.
