All courses by Stephen K. Hayes

• Hombu February and August Curriculum

  This is what the Hombu is teaching during the months of February and August.

• Secrets to Transforming Fear

  What is the biggest enemy we face? It may be fear. Fear that you will not know the right thing to do in an emergency. Fear that an enemy might have more fierceness, more determination, more techniques, more toughness, and more experience than you. Fear that you will not live up to your own expectations […]

• Hombu January and July Curriculum

  

  Here are the To-Shin Do foundational kata for the month of July, as taught in the Hombu Dojo in Dayton, Ohio.

• Five Minds in the Middle of Conflict

  Traditional martial arts training, back when martial arts prepared the practitioner for living accurately and safely, offers us a series of five states of mind to explore while training and moving about in the world. 初 心 Sho-shin, the “beginners mind”,a state of awareness that remains fully prepared to enjoy things for the first time. […]

• Four Foundations of Movement

  

  An-shu Stephen K. Hayes teaches his approach to the four elements as four specific physio-emotional responses to an attack. Earth holding ground, water tactically repositioning, fire intercepting, and wind evading are the four key ways of movement to explore in your beginning study of To-Shin Do.

• Hombu May and November Curriculum

  

  Here are the To-Shin Do foundational kata for the months of May and November, as taught in the Hombu Dojo in Dayton, Ohio.

• Historical Ninja and their Secret Fighting Art

  Some scholars have in the past ten years translated into English some of the ancient classic books of ninja reference. An-shu Rumiko and I never considered doing such translation work. One, I did not think there was a big enough book buying audience to justify the enormous amount of work it would have taken. Two, […]

• Elements of the Mandala from a Martial Art Perspective

  

  Join An-shu as he delivers a one-hour virtual seminar on the elements of the mandala, from a martial art perspective.

• Austin Texas Seminar in 1993

  

  Teleport back to 1993 with this seminar from An-shu Stephen K. Hayes in Austin, Texas.

• Hombu April and October Curriculum

  

  The Hombu dojo in Dayton, Ohio teaches these techniques and lessons in April and October of every year.

• 3 Levels, 3 Tips

  After 50+ years of teaching martial arts, some things stand out. Let’s take a look at 12 bare-bones gotta-do-it To-Shin Do skills as minimal requirements. In To-Shin Do Level 1 classes (White and Yellow Belts) as you practice the 12 fight scenarios and basic striking and ground-hitting skills, you have to constantly remember 3 things: […]

• To-Shin Do Schools - Vision, Mission, and Values

  I was asked how I define our work, and specifically, what makes the Quest Center To-Shin Do schools stand out. Here is what I ended up replying: Vision: Life mastery through martial arts Mission: To encourage peace, happiness, friendship, and fulfillment through the practice of modern and classical protection, health and fitness, life organization, and […]

• Consistent Tiny Steps Win the Day

  “An ant on the move is more powerful than a dozing ox.” – Lao Tzu Even though we start from humble beginnings, we can rise to lead a extraordinary life. If little practices are repeated consistently over time, we can improve ourselves and advance in capabilities. We come to the dojo two or three times […]

• Concepts, Principles, and Techniques

  Something I will be emphasizing in seminars this year is the differentiation between concepts, principles, and technique instructions. If our students know the concept of good taijutsu and know the principle being taught, it may help them do their techniques more correctly. A CONCEPT is an overarching description that applies to everything we do. “Rely […]

• Why the 3-Part Student Creed?

  When people come into our schools as white belts, they learn a three-part Student Code, or student creed, and promise to abide by it. We tell them right up front: “These are the three things you must remember whenever you’re doing anything dangerous, whether it’s a surf board, or a bungee jump, or martial arts […]