Is now a good time to take your fitness to the next level?

The discipline to keep showing up, the self bow and the commitment to personal development… these qualities are what Dojiva is really about.

There are many types of exercise that will keep you fit. Here’s a list of ten and at some point, I have taught all of these!

1. Aerobics/step
2. Circuit training
3. Spinning
4. Boxercise (martial fitness)
5. Martial arts
6. Interval training/HIIT
7. The gym (with strength machines, free weights and CV machines)
8. Pilates
9. Yoga
10. Dance (I’m a Shakti Dance teacher)

Then of course there is all manner of sports and everything from the world of athletics that can also keep you very fit.

If I was to choose just one of all these, one that most people find full-filling, one that gets great results and is enjoyable, hands down, it would be:

martial fitness

Now, this is different from martial arts which involves contact, a uniform and all the Dojo etiquette. Martial fitness shares many of the same principles but is something that you can do at home either on your own or with a training partner.

As well as the fun factor, these classes really do have everything… flexibility, strength, CV training, impact work, self defence, postural integrity, body awareness, self development, accomplishment and, it’s the best mood uplifter out there.

Even if you've never thrown a punch in your life, when your get into this, it somehow feels natural (like that primal instinct I wrote about last week) and you might find you want more!

So this week’s cluster follows on nicely from last week and I am recommending that you consider some purchases. Below is a list to read through. Check out the links and give it some serious thought, as I really believe you can take your physical and mental fitness to the next level the martial way. And the line:

change is as good as a rest

is very pertinent to your body and exercise, so it maybe time to give your body the variety it thrives on.

And whether martial fitness or another discipline, making a commitment to regular dynamic exercise can reveal previously unseen potential and bring support for other aspects of life. Here’s what you might discover:

• Improved focus for life, work and relationships
• Total elimination of stress
• Calmness under pressure 
• Self respect and respect for others
• Presence (a non negotiable in the Dojo) that translates into daily life 
• Self discipline
• Self development and a sense of achievement 
• Improved posture
• More grounded
• Better balance (so, less likely to fall)
• Overall self confidence and of course…
• A strong, flexible and capable body

To help enhance your inner Sensei, many of our Dojiva classes include elements of martial arts (e.g. certain steps and stretches but also blocks, punches, strikes, kicks, balance, how to use bags, voice power and of course… attitude. The membership site even has a sub-category called ‘martial fitness’.

Summary

I’ll finish today’s write up with a martial arts analogy about movement and commitment. It comes from the phase ‘success requires failure’. The message from the Sensei was to commit so much to a karate step that you might fall over in the process. In other words, commitment was of the essence and you were encouraged to go in with full abandonment and to not worry about making a mistake or embarrassing yourself. 

And there really is something refreshing and enlightening about testing yourself and going for it! So, as you go about your week and join in with the classes, have in mind a sense of commitment to self and body and for sure… have fun at the same time and be open to new levels of self potential.

Remember, you will always miss 100% of the chances you don’t take!

See bottom of page for the seven day class cluster

Martial arts - equipment ideas

These are suggestions only and go straight to UK Amazon. You might find that your local sports store has some of these.

Training with a partner 

Focus pads - A pair of these is the main tool for partner training. There are many varieties to choose from, so shop around. Click here for focus pads sample

Cotton inner gloves - (for hygiene when changing focus pads). Click here for glove liners

Strike shield - This is a large single strike pad that’s great for kicking. Click here for strike shield sample

Good bag gloves (separate fingers) - Click here

Extra padded gloves (boxing mittens) - Click here

Training on your own

You will need something to strike into and here are some options:

Aqua bag - Click here - In this brand, this 12” modal is the smallest but great for beginners/improvers. Other brands have a 9” bag which is the smallest they go. You will need to hang it from a sturdy ceiling or around a branch. Either way, best buy an adjustable cam-buckle tie down - click here for sample. Or you could use a wall bracket (see below).

Lightweight punch bag - You will need to fill this yourself with cut up old rags/clothes. Sample here - You can also buy pre-filled bags too but you might pay more for shipping. 

Free standing body-bag - This one is expensive but really good. The ‘tube’ versions are half price - Sample here

Wall mounted punch pad - Great if you have strong walls but a weak ceiling - Sample here

Wall mounted bracket - Instead of hanging from the ceiling, you can use a wall bracket - Sample here

For fun, fitness and co-ordination, get yourself a speed skipping rope - Click here - This one is adjustable.

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Drop me an email with any questions.

Thanks for reading

Take care

Danny

To access all Dojiva classes - take the 30 days for £30 offer

Members, login here

Here are this week’s recommended cluster of Dojiva classes:

For those with martial arts kit, swap any of this week’s there classes for a Martial Fitness session.

Sunday 6th July 2025 - Mindfulness 35 - In this eight minute class, we use voice power to help build body power. I demonstrate with a reverse karate punch, but you could simply say the word ‘bang’ really loud! Just warn others that you are about to make a racket.

Monday 7th - Mini fitness 38 - A low impact but high energy martial arts based interval training session. With front kicks, squat kicks, air punches and of course some clapping power press ups 

Tuesday 8th - Mobility 88 - We start with some tests of shoulder flexibility in the horizontal range (like tennis shots) and then do a series of movement and self massage techniques for the upper body.

Wednesday 9th - Meditation 24 - A guided practice to connect head, heart and body and open to the natural human state of flow. 

Thursday 10th - Workout 12 - Lots of martial arts here with kicking exercises to challenge and enhance standing leg strength/balance including with eyes closed. In total we have seven sets of strength training and three rounds of HIIT intervals.

Friday 11th - Mobility 127 - Inner thigh flexibility for sport and life

Saturday 12th - Mini fitness 28 - A great class to raise your ‘chi’. We have regular and martial arts based intervals (up to eight) all in just 30 minutes.