In Koden Kan, we emphasize one more very important aspect of training; control. Desire is first because it is needed just to get through the front door the first time. Then, it's what keeps you coming in over months and years of regular attendance.

Professor Michael M. Foley is an 8th Degree Black Belt in Koden Kan Martial Arts and a 7th Degree Black Belt with the American Jujitsu Institute.

The Army helped a great deal in connecting him with some of the most prominent instructors of the day. He was sent to Japan three separate times to study different forms of martial arts.

The Army also sent him to Thailand to learn techniques of Muay Thai Kickboxing. This was during the period when Foley was actively competing as the All Army Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion and working with CID and the Drug Suppression Team. After leaving active duty and entering the Army Reserves, Foley enrolled as a student at the California State University, Sacramento to study Kinesiology. Professor Foley also started studying Tai Chi in Hawaii in 1977 and later received the Black Sash in Tai Chi Chuan Gung Fu.

(Left. Professor Foley leading recent Kickboxing class.)

This was the primary time of developing the arts and sciences of Koden Kan Martial Arts. He used his martial arts knowledge as the foundation of his studies and in so doing, developed Koden Kan Martial Arts as we learn it today. Our style is well known as a scientific, precise system with an incredible number of individual techniques.

Prof. Foley has taught all over the world including Japan, Korea, Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Hawaii, California, Germany, the Caribbean Islands, three years in Iraq and Most recently in Rwanda.

You need to Desire the physical workout, the mental conditioning, self-discovery and spiritual growth associated with martial arts training.

Dedication is a necessity to move up in ranking on a regular basis. Also to be dedicated to the strict adherence to all the rules of conduct for a serious practitioner of any martial art.

(Left. Professor Foley holding the training dummy for a student.)

Discipline is one of the most needed in our youth and young adults out of all these benefits. Most often the practitioner is given small doses of "outside" discipline, usually imposed by an instructor or upper belt student. Then as training progresses the practitioner begins to "self-discipline".

Simple activities begin to come automatically; this is a sign of maturing as a martial artist and of developing self-discipline. Self-discipline is also put to the test after the student reaches Blue belt and begins weapons, defensive arts and sparring.

The student must use a great deal of self-discipline when training with a partner, throwing full speed punches and kicks within an inch of the proper target.

(Right. Professor Foley teaching the younger generation.)

Which bring us to Control. Much like discipline, control is developed gradually, eventually turning into self control. I have a favorite saying that I use many times:

"Before you can control another person, you must first control yourself".

Think about this and see if you can apply it to anything else other than martial arts. Of course! It plays true in many ways, occurring in sports, play, work and home life. Not that we try to control others in life per se, but good self-control definitely enables you to influence others, hopefully in a positive way.

(Left. Professor Foley about to make the dummy glad he is made of rubber.)