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In this episode we look at two parables from the work known as the Zhuangzi that relate to things martial artists care about. Specifically the ideas of Wuwei (無為) non-action and Ziran (自然 - "Self-so") spontaneity. However, these aren't just high-minded philosophical jibber-jab. These have direct, practical applications to our martial arts. Take the training offline with a small book I put together pairing basic physical exercises with short quotes and meditations. You can find the book here: ⁠https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-krueger/pocket-training-volume-1/paperback/product-e7pqmyv.html

For any sufficiently strong mathematical theory, there are truths that cannot be proven by that theory. If martial arts systems are formal systems in the same sense that Gödel referred to them. How can we apply Gödel's incompleteness theorems to our training? I use examples from BJJ and Wing Chun in today's episode but would love to hear of examples for your own arts. Take the training offline with a small book I put together pairing basic physical exercises with short quotes and meditations. You can find the book here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-krueger/pocket-training-volume-1/paperback/product-e7pqmyv.html

Welcome to 2026. Let's look at a couple short quotes, one from "The Unfettered Mind" by Takuan Soho and another from "The Life-Giving Sword" by Yagyu Munenori to set the tone for this year. Take the training offline with a small book I put together pairing basic physical exercises with short quotes and meditations. You can find the book here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-krueger/pocket-training-volume-1/paperback/product-e7pqmyv.html

Closing out 2025 with a short meditation on the end of the year. Check out the pocket sized book of short quotes and meditations I wrote, paired with simple exercises valuable to any martial artist. Take your practice anywhere. Buy Here From Lulu.

Today, I meditate on how we should face death. Inspired by a chapter from the Budoushoshinshu by Daidouji Yuuzan that I had previously passed over. Drawing further quotes from Seneca's essay "On Old Age", Marcus Aurelius, the Old Testament, and the Hávamál.

It can be dangerous to discuss politics in general, let alone in the martial arts world. Yet, Jonathan Bluestein wrote a book about it. I highlight some interesting discussion to be had from the topics in his book though I only scratch the surface. You can find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Politics-Explained-History/dp/B0DHKS2XVS/ WWTT Episode: “Traditional vs. Modern” https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/walkingtengu/episodes/Traditional-vs-Modern-e3de4i

Ever been told to use less strength and focus on technique?This is both true and not entirely accurate. What we need to actually do is learn to regulate our tension.Let's take a look at what the classics have to say about regulating our strength.The Book of Five Ringshttps://archive.org/stream/MiyamotoMusashi-BookOfFiveRingsgoRinNoSho/Book_of_Five_Rings_djvu.txtSupport Walking With The Tengu by purchasing the small pocket volume of classical quotes with musings and training prompts. Buy it here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-krueger/pocket-training-volume-1/paperback/product-e7pqmyv.html

What happens when you give monkeys 3 measures of acorns in the morning and 4 at night? They get angry. But what happens when you give them 4 in the morning and 3 at night? They are content. This is true with martial artists as well. Our perceptions of the same thing presented two different ways can make all the difference in the world. Find a vast library of classical Chinese works to read for free at: ⁠ctext.org⁠ Support Walking With The Tengu by purchasing the small pocket volume of classical quotes with musings and training prompts. Buy it here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-krueger/pocket-training-volume-1/paperback/product-e7pqmyv.html

Have you ever been traveling, stuck somewhere, or whatever reason not been able to get in some training? Today I share for exercises for squeezing some extra training into your day that I've included in a little pocket volume that you can find here: https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-krueger/pocket-training-volume-1/paperback/product-e7pqmyv.html It contains a collection of short quotes from mostly classical works with a short meditation and paired with an overt and a covert training prompt. I have sourced these from Boxing, BJJ, Judo, Sumo, Shuai Jiao, and Iaido. These 12 solo exercises, 6 overt, 6 covert, can benefit anyone who practices just about any martial art. There is a brief description of each in the back.

What can one learn from a video instructional from a classical Japanese martial art? I think quite a bit, though it may not immediately be obvious. There are two ideas from the latest OHIR instructional that I think can be applied to any martial art. A lesson on initiative and a lesson on chaining techniques within the tempo of an encounter. Ono-ha Itto-ryu Volume 1: Kiriotoshi https://vimeo.com/ondemand/izt1d Classical Martial Arts Ideas https://walkingtengu.wixsite.com/tengu/post/classical-martial-arts-ideas

Today we look at just a small set of the lessons to be found in Jonathan Bluestein's book "The Martial Arts Teacher" These include assuming the best in different situations and the methods and ways of structuring a curriculum. You can find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Teacher-Practical-Guide/dp/B0C6VWP6NP

Today we look at the first book from the "Secrets of Itto-ryu" by Sasamori Junzo and translated by Mark Hague. Ono-ha Itto-ryu is closely linked with Kendo and was one of the two styles of swordsmanship personally patronized by the Tokugawa Shogunate. In this text we learn some lessons from the life and mistakes of the founder of the Itto-ryu, Ito Ittosai Kagehisa. Lessons both relevant and important to every martial artist today. To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the  "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well  as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about  disciplined martial arts training... go to: ⁠⁠walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu⁠⁠ and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

When an atrocity is committed against someone, are they justified in committing an atrocity in return? We look at what is a justifiable response in today's episode. To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the  "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well  as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about  disciplined martial arts training... go to: ⁠walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu⁠ and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

Today we have two short parables that contain big lessons for martial artists and we look at how this applies to determining if a martial art is useful. Find out how a bottle gourd, a hand cream, a twisted tree and a yak relate to determining how useful a martial art is. References: https://ctext.org/zhuangzi/enjoyment-in-untroubled-ease https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hui_Shi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuangzi_(book) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_raccoon_dog To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the  "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well  as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about  disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.

Did you know the Vikings had their own version of the crazy cat lady? Except his nickname was "the Sledgehammer" and his twenty magical cats were his bodyguards? Find out how Thorstein and his brothers handle their next challenge and why unnamed Norwegians in the sagas are Star Trek "red shirts." Plus, I talk through a simple headlock defense for the next time you have a crazy Viking cat man trying to drag you headlong into a swamp where you'll both sink to your deaths. Maps of locations mentioned in the Sagas: sagamap.hi.is To sign up for new episode notifications and to receive the  "Very Brief Introduction to Philosophy for Martial Artists" PDF as well  as a full translation of Chapter 51 of the Budoushoshinshu about  disciplined martial arts training... go to: walkingtengu.wix.com/tengu and scroll to the bottom to enter your email.