Heber Valley Martial Arts Tora Jutsu

Your white belt is your most important belt!

People in the traditional martial arts world say this all the time. But, what does it mean?

A white belt is more a mindset than anything: open to learn, curious, excited, respectful, easily encouraged and easily corrected, humble, teachable, willing to practice over and over.

Far too often, as the months and years go by in training we forget and lose those key ingredients. We start making excuses why the martial arts are not for me anymore. We fault find in systems, schools, teachers, or even our own abilities.

Martial Arts students and teachers note carefully what we are about to share with you!

...we will never become the black belt martial artist we want to become unless we obtain and remain IN the white belt mindset. Period.

When we were training in Japan in Judo, we happily put on those white belts. It reminded us to BE OPEN to learn. We got curious. We engaged in the training. We dropped ego. Our Sensei tossed the ego right out of us!

What's the wait for? Drop "White Belt" in the comments to join the fun! Your future black belt awaits...👇☺️🙏💪💥

Training alone misses the point of traditional martial arts training.

One thing we learned while in Japan (and we have always sought to cultivate) is a sense of belonging and teamwork.

The dojo is a community based family that learns, grows, fails, and triumphs together.

Seen here is dojo family strength in action.

What are you waiting for? Drop "I'm ready" in the comments to take the first step into your martial arts family.

If your foundation is weak, you will fall.

Sounds intense, however it's absolutely true.

The thing about traditional martial arts training is that it builds the foundation of physical toughness and mental fortitude.

Instant gratification really isn't a part of the martial arts path. To build a strong foundation we train the basics repeatedly, and add more complexity over time as students are ready, and then we test that foundation for self defense readiness.

If you're on the fence with trying us out, take the leap and start the journey towards mental and physical toughness.

Drop READY in the comments if you're ready to become stronger.

Traditional martial arts are dead.

NOPE.

What does "traditional martial arts" even mean? Discipline. Focus. Repetition. Skill development. Fitness development. Mindset. And development of the peaceful warrior heart.

Traditional training goes way beyond the mat. Goes way beyond self defense. Way beyond punching and kicking.

Curious?

Come check us out at Heber Valley Martial Arts. We offer access to traditional training in Karate, Aikido, and Ninjutsu.

What do you think the differences are between traditional training and a fight gym? Let us know 👇 below.

Osu.

Have you embarked on the Martial Path?

Age ten I found a good old Karate dojo and instantly fell in love with the martial arts. Even before that as a kid I loved watching martial arts movies. It was just in me.

I meandered through my teen years. Some training here and there, but mostly was just trying to figure out life as a teen. I do believe I would have greatly benefitted by more formal training in those pivotal years.

Then something clicked inside of me once my early 20s hit. I found what was missing: the martial way. I started back in with Hapkido, then on the Ninpo, then on the Aikido. I still practice Aikido to this day. Along that path I started training in Capoiera as I was able. Then back to Karate with White Lion Karate. Aikido remained. Once I picked up Karate again that has also been a permanent part of the journey. Then came Tora Jutsu, an old Okinawan style that is so wonderful! Multiple seminars in Jujutsu. Ninjutsu came back on the scene. Hung Gar Kung Fu training for a time too. In Japan, Aikido, Judo, Karate, and kickboxing. Now in St George UT, I am studying Wado Ryu Karate.

Meanwhile our amazing school, Heber Valley Martial Arts, has settled into teaching Aikitorado, a fusion of Tora Jutsu, Aikido, and Ninjutsu. We all keep learning and growing and training.

The martial arts path is a winding path through the mountains. It is a vast journey across the seas of life.

I have been blessed to have amazing teachers. I still do to this day. I have had the honor to teach and test many many students.

Our HVMA school has the most well rounded traditional martial artists running it nowadays. They are tough. They are adaptable. They are kind. They are strong. Being a part of this school is one of the greatest honors of my life.

What have I learned from the martial path? Dedication, adaptation, focus, strength, speed, capacity... friendship and family! Commitment and honor. Respect and humility.

What has the martial path taught you?

If you haven't started yet, just think, you could now and start an endless journey into self improvement and deep connection to ancient systems and amazing teachers and friends.

From one student to another...it's worth it.

-Kwinten

What does commitment to perpetual improvement look like?

Kaizen: continual improvement. Always open. Always learning.

Training in Japan to improve our school in Heber is just one example of our commitment to Kaizen.

I have been a student for more years than I can remember at this point. I started my martial journey at age 10...

The fusion of effective traditional arts and training we have in Aikitorado gives us a sense of gratitude and joy. Building something from amazing systems and delivering it to Heber Valley and the fine people there brings us great joy.

This photo is from some of our training in Judo in Japan. Triforce Sennan is a great school.

We are improving our ability to teach, we are improving our students through more rigorous training. We have a comprehensive Kihon (curriculum) with solid testing rubric in place.

We have an amazing location to train in, the Mountain CrossFit gym right in the middle of Heber Valley.

For students ages 5 up to 95 come and see. Sign up for a free week of classes here:

https://hebervalleymartialarts.com/free-week-trial/

See you in class.

-Sensei Kwinten