Ballinger’s Bushido Karate

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

TKA remaining tournaments of 2026 and 2027 itinerary

10/10/2026

PKC tournament Oct 10 and NOV 7th INDPLS IN Area.

09/27/2026

Great job today at the TKA / USAMA tournament in Ft Wayne IN. Congratulations to my little brother Mike Ballinger for his wins. 1st in Kumite, 2nd in Kata.

09/22/2026

Understanding the importance of spot checking your Kata. Tonight in class, I went back over the details of what we call spot checking your Kata. It’s been a while since we worked this with Kata. But some of the newer students have not been taught this. It was good review for the older students. We move 1 step at a time and fix everything that is wrong before we move to the next movement in the Kata. Explaining everything from look before moving, proper positioning, structure, stance, hikite position, punch Oui Tsuki orSeiken Tsuki position. Shoulder position and feet position. Kime and Chinkichi. Good class.

09/16/2026

Striving to stay relevant within the Martial Arts.

There was a time when as a younger student (KarateKa) you come to classes as expected and put in the time and work and train, train, train. As a young teenager growing up in the dojo. I remember all the older men in their late 40s and 50’s were our mentors and Sensei. We looked up to them and seen everything that they did to provide solid, healthy and meaningful training to give all of us. We would show up to regular classes and all the extra events that was offered. There were the state tournaments, but we also had small dojo tournaments amongst just 1 or 2 dojos that would come into our dojo and do competitions 1 or 2 rings at a time. It was a great time to remember. But our Sensei and other Sensei were Middle Aged men. They had a vision and they pushed it for us kids to have events to participate in. This kept us off the streets and active in the dojo.

Now I’m at the age that my Sensei and mentors were back then. And I’m looking at what my Role is as Sensei and Kyoshi within our system and associations. I see all the organizations some I belong to. Are doing many great things and it’s the guys now at my age and rank that are pulling these programs together. We’ve been training most of us now for 40+ years.

I’ve taught seminars. I’ve hosted many seminars and workshops to contribute and continue educating others who’s willing to participate. And it’s a lot of work to put these events together and hope ppl show up and are willing to appreciate I’m doing this for them. I gain nothing from hosting these events. I never take $1 from the contributions received. Anytime that I’ve hosted a seminar. I’ve always tried to maintain a fair entry rate for the event. I pay the rent of the space we use, and any & all extra made at the event goes to the individual teaching the seminar for their knowledge and time shared with us.

Anyone who been to my seminars knows I’ve never made the entry fee astronomical even when most seminars are running $150-$300 per event per person. I could probably charge that. But I feel like to me that’s counter productive. Unless the instructor I host specifies they need or want (X) amount for said assignment. Fortunately that has never been the case, we have an understanding I charge a fair door fee for the seminar. And outside the rent of the venue, they’ll get all the money made. It’s been a fair trade.

So with all that said October 3rd. Please come spend time and learn, and fellowship with us make new friends and just have a good time no matter what your skill level or rank is. Leave your DoGi & Obi (Gi’s & belts) at home. Dress in workout shorts, sweats or comfortable exercise clothes. If you really want to wear your Gi. I guess it’s ok. But you don’t have to. No egos. No ranks just ppl gathering to have fun and train and grow. As my instructors done before me, for all of us when we were younger. I’m giving back now and putting things together for all of you. 16yrs old +.

09/15/2026

As martial artists get older, is technique enough?

Many of us still want to train, but the body starts asking different questions.

--Do I have enough strength to keep moving well?
--Am I protecting my joints, balance, posture, and recovery?
--Can I keep showing up next week, next year, and ten years from now?

In this episode of the Shugyo 修行 podcast, Tori Brillantes talks about why muscle becomes a necessity as we age — not for appearance, but for movement, bone health, stability, recovery, and healthspan.

For martial artists over 40, this is an important reminder: strength training is not separate from martial arts. It may be what allows us to keep training longer.

Watch the clip here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSk72qwWrOw&t=36s

09/15/2026

You couldn’t have told me any different when I was younger.. years of beating up and abusing my body. Kicking the legs. Hitting hard things, having hard things hit my hands and body. All in the name of fun. But if you told me waaay back when that when I hit my 50’s my body would feel the repercussions of that abuse every day. I would have said. “Nah. I’ll be ok. I’ll deal with it then! “.. well here I am 40 years later. In my 50’s. And man, I’m mad at younger me for not taking better care of myself! Now older me is dealing with it. I hurt every day !! Hands, legs, feet, ankles, hips.. just all of it is dealing with something daily. But I’d do it all over again probably!! lol. 😆

09/12/2026

There are many different variations of Kihon Ippon Kumite. The techniques are different across styles. But to discount them in course training is discounting a very important tool and part of training that I feel adds value to your training overall.