Why a write a Blog? To help build a community.

Since starting Rising Sun Martial Arts, we’ve grown a lot. I still remember when, in our first six months, we were excited to break past ten members. It is a touchstone that I use to stay grounded, especially now that we have had over 300 people train with us over the years.

As our community continues to grow, it may be difficult to get the one-on-one time with myself and the other instructors which is essential for getting an idea of who people are outside of the club. To help bridge that gap, I’ve decided to start this blog with a few goals in mind.

Firstly, it is a creative outlet for me to talk about ideas, concepts, martial arts history, and other related topics. I have more than a few thoughts rattling around in my head that I want to get out, and as a debater in high school I grew fond of analysing topics and arguing perspectives. Hopefully you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them!

Secondly, these posts will contain lessons and reflections that are valuable at every stage of training. Hopefully, they will give insight into not just martial arts but life as well. Some of the best advice I’ve received has come from my instructors. Martial arts training is an excellent avenue to hone the body, but also the mind.

So, here’s what to expect. Every second Sunday you’ll see another blog post go up. Some will offer practical advice for classes, some will focus on milestones and goal setting, and others will touch on mindset and philosophy.

My hope is that you’ll find something valuable in each one. In return, I’d love to know what you think. What topic did you enjoy most? Was there something you wish I’d included? Or perhaps something you’d never thought about before that made a difference? Is there a question you want to ask but class times never feel quite right to broach the topic?

Samuel Pitts