Tatsu Dojo Martial Arts And Fitness

Should Little Kids Learn Marital Arts?

This is a picture from 1999 or so when my family and I lived in Georgia during a four-year military assignment. My oldest son, now in his mid-late 30s, nailed me with a knee shot to my thigh as he and his younger brother, also pictured here, were taught to do.

My kids had a choice growing up; you do sports or you train in martial arts but if it was the latter, they had to train with me. Why? Because I would have them train in all kinds of weather. They would do endless push-ups, sit-ups, jog with me, etc. They sparred with and without pads, learned how to throw, grapple and everything else I could throw at them. And they did it without too much complaining.

Here’s what they didn’t do…break boards, win trophies, wear patches or have multi colored belts. Their dojo was our backyard, the garage or the woods. Later, it would be the base gym where they trained with adults and had to keep up. Their training was harsh but it helped to make them into the formidable men they are today.

If you want your child to be involved in martial arts training, take your time in selecting the right teacher. Someone who speaks to your kids - - not you - - about training. Personally, I would be leery about contracts, multiple belt levels and frequent promotions. And remember, there is far more to discipline and respect than your child calling their sensei “sir” or “ma’am.”

If it’s fun and engaging all the time…it’s not martial arts. It should be mentally, emotionally and physically challenging.

Doesn’t sound like much fun for kids, right? I totally admit, the way I brought my kids up in martial arts is not the norm. But I honestly cannot think of a more loving way to raise boys into men.
https://www.tatsudojo.com/martialarts

Boxing And Nueroplasticity In Older Adults

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to “rewire” itself by developing neural pathways, which is an essential element in mental and physical health as we age.

During my time working in a nursing home in physical therapy, I frequently had patients do seated and standing boxing drills with me and it was a big hit…so the speak. This included people who had suffered a stroke, patients with Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders, even people who had suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury).

Here’s the simple reason it works so well for people; patterns. Hitting mitts, punching bags, doing footwork and learning how to “bob and weave” are all exercises in developing patterns. That’s why boxing is great for nueroplasticitiy, cardiovascular fitness and conditioning. I use boxing routines with many of our strength and conditioning clients as well as folks who are here for balance issues.

I’m Dave Magliano, owner of Tatsu Dojo Martial Arts & Fitness in Loveland. I specialize in helping adults in the 40s, 50s and beyond with building strength, overcoming chronic injury and improving balance and stamina for daily living. Give me a call at 513-600-2260, DM me or visit us at https://www.tatsudojo.com/personal-training and book a strength and mobility assessment today.

Three Reasons To Do Farmer's Carrys

I typically work farmer's carrys into strength routines, especially for clients with chronic shoulder issues. If you have been dealing with shoulder arthritis or tendonitis, chances are you have lost strength and stability which ultimately contributes to more pain and discomfort. So, here are three reasons to try this exercise:

1. Stabilization. Farmer's Carrys strengthens the entire shoulder complex, including the shoulder blade (scapular) muscles, especially if they are performed correctly.

2. Safety. This is an isometric contraction of the upper traps, rotator cuff and scapular muscles. So, for someone suffering from tendonitis, an isometric (static) contraction presents far less risk of further inflammation while still building tone and strength.

3. Balance. For some of our older clients with balance and gait issues, this exercise not only requires functional posture, but also proprioception -- basically, how your brain guides your body through movement. Even light weights effect balance which in turn, increases neuromuscular demands.

I'm Dave Magliano, owner of Tatsu Dojo Martial Arts & Fitness. I specialize in helping people in their 40s, 50s and beyond in building strength, stamina and over coming chronic injuries. I see one person at a time and develop programs to fit each individuals who comes through the door.

Give me a call at 513-600-2260, DM me, or visit us at
https://www.tatsudojo.com/personal-training

The Dojo House

I recently had my annual eye exam and the optometrist saw my shirt with our Tatsu Dojo logo and asked where I trained. When I told him that our dojo is right here in Loveland, he said, “Oh, you’re the dojo house.” And the fact is, this is not the first time I’ve taught martial arts classes out of a garage. Our first garage dojo was out of our home in Milford. Three days a week my neighbors saw people training in our two-car garage, the driveway and the backyard. I am surprised and relieved no one ever complained about the occasional yelling or the cars lined up in front of our house.

You know, before beautiful facilities with lots of space and showers, many teachers like myself trained people out of their homes or in parks. During my Air Force career, I taught classes in the base gym, usually out of a racquet ball court or a small room.

Ours is a “budo” dojo: A place (Jo) to study warrior principles (Bu) for the sake of physical and mental discipline (Do). And, we’re an adult only school offering instruction in Aikido and Karate. It is actually a very unique place to study martial arts.

If you live in our local area and you are interested in returning to martial arts or you’d like to begin training, call me at 513-600-2260, DM me or visit us at
https://www.tatsudojo.com/martialarts

Why Would You Go To A "Dojo" For Corrective Exercise And Strength Training?

Well, normally you wouldn't. When people hear the word "dojo," they tend to think of little kids in white pajamas breaking boards or perhaps people fighting and practicing self-defense.

But it might interest you to know that not too long ago, many martial arts teachers were also purveyors of health and healing arts. For example, Professor Henry Seishiro Okazaki, founder of Danan Ryu Jujutsu also saw people on a regular basis for massage and healing arts known as "kapo." In fact, kapo is still a part of the Danzan Ryu curriculum. I know this because I trained in a derivative of this art many years ago.

Traditional Japanese martial arts like karate and aikido, the arts we teach here at our dojo, are predicated on posture, strength training, and a holistic approach to life.

Most of our training clients are referred to me for chronic issues like arthritis, loss of strength, balance and other issues. When I train people, I not only do it from a clinical background, but I also draw from over 40 years of martial arts training. I cannot think of a better combination.

Looking for Corrective Exercise or Martial Arts in the Loveland area? I am Dave Magliano, owner of Tatsu Dojo Martial Arts & Fitness. Call me at 513-600-2260, DM me or visit us at
https://www.tatsudojo.com

Should You Use Machines Or Free Weights?

So, do you get more benefit from using machines or free weights when trying to build strength? First, we have to talk about muscular strength vs. mass.

Let's look at things from a rehabilitation perspective. Let's say you have total knee surgery and you go to physical therapy. Some of the first exercises your PT will give you are ones performed in "open chain," which means your feet are not on the ground. That's because your leg muscles were most likely atrophied prior to surgery and you lose even more mass and stability after the procedure. So the initial goal is muscle tone and eventually, mass, which can be achieved with machines like the one I'm using here (not right away, of course).

And depending on the type of surgical procedure, your therapist will then have you doing "closed-chain" activities, like a mini squat so you can do functional things like sit on a toilet. Closed-chain activities require a lot more neuromuscular involvement, which is important for balance and stability. And the more resistance we use, like a the back squat you see me doing here, the more neuromuscular recruitment we get.

Strength and performance coaches will use a combination of open and closed-chain exercises to achieve both - - strength and mass.

The majority of our clients are 40+ and they want to feel stronger, move better and do more. So most of our programs involve combinations of machines, free weights, body weight and exercise bands. Think of it this way; machines are really good for isolation. Free weights are good for stability and strength. That's a bit simplistic, but you get the idea.

I'm Dave Magliano, owner of Tatsu Dojo Martial Arts & Fitness in Loveland, Ohio. I specialize in working with adults 40+ who are interested in getting stronger, reducing pain and improving their quality of life. Give me a call at 513-600-2260, DM me or visit us at https://www.tatsudojo.com/personal-training

To Those Who Served And Those We've Lost

We are entering into Memorial Day weekend with the usual parades, parties and gatherings. It is more or less, the start of the summer season and I think for a lot of Americans, not all, of course, that's all it really is.

During my career in the Air Force, I lost friends and I treated my fair share of combat veterans. I had it easy. I never saw combat, but you can tell those who have because they most assuredly saw people die. Friends. Brothers and sisters who wore the same uniform and fought for the same flag.

The same flag that is so contested lately. I've been retired for 20 years now. and I remember not all of us believed in the same things, had the same politics, certainly not the same background...but we all served together.

So many men and women lost their lives for the sake of this country and freedom. So many mothers, fathers, husbands, wives and children have had to settle for a memory. All for the sake of freedom. Freedom. Some times I think some of our fellow Americans forget just how much they have and how many people died to provide it.

It's kind of sad that there is only ONE day to reflect on the sacrifice of the few so that many could have a chance to live abundantly.

You can have your opinions and you can share them...thanks to people who sacrificed everything. And those few who have the guts, the willingness and the physical capacity to sign their name on a line...yesterday and today.

When you see the flags flying this weekend, you can thank a vet for sure. All I ask is that you take a moment to think about the ones who are not around to hear it.

"Trainer" vs. "Specialist"

A lot of people think that all personal trainers are the same. We're not. I think most people believe personal trainers primarily help folks lose weight and look good in their clothes. But you might be surprised to learn that there are many different aspects to this field.

Most of us (personal trainers) enter into the profession because of our own experience in health and fitness. We enjoy working out and all of the physical and mental benefits that go along with it. And, most importantly, we want share that with other people. Who doesn't want to make a living doing what we love to do every day?

But like I said, we all have different motivations. As for me, I served 20 years in the United States Air Force as a Physical Medicine Specialist - physical therapist assistant. After the military, I worked in the civilian sector in that same role in hospitals, sports medicine clinics, orthopedics offices and nursings homes for another 16 years. Then, I decided to open my own training business but with a very specific skill set based on my years working in rehabilitation.

So, I dedicated a lot of time and effort to obtaining some of the highest certifications I could get, including Medical (and) Corrective Specialist, among others. Certifications that require a college degree and relevant field experience. Many of the clients I see in my garage studio seek me out or are referred to me for chronic joint/pain issues or just general strengthening.

If you live in or near the Milford/Loveland area and you're looking for a trainer/coach with a background in physical therapy, rehabilitation, and strength training, you can send me a DM, call me at 513-600-2260 or visit us at
https://www.tatsudojo.com/personal-training