Gillis Warriorship Studies

10/03/2026

Domestic violence is something that has been part of my life since I can remember. As a child I was exposed to it regularly from birth to adulthood. As an adult I've struggled to find healthy ways to deal with my anger. And as a martial arts teacher and mentor it's a topic I've been trying to help navigate for 20 years.

Please do your part by sharing awareness about domestic violence and it's impacts, maybe reach out to someone in need, commit to dealing with your own issues, or donate to a charity, shelter, or other organization.

10/01/2026

In the martial arts that I offer at GWS, we use the term "keiko gi" or "dougi"

https://budojapan.com/feature-articles/20210824-2/?fbclid=IwdGRzaAUqsc9jbGNrBSqxy2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeeFnLQRcROoTUIrJAhU7lhB8Ls-YE3BYp0bTK5OKS8EERR-i2PNsONdLv-z0_aem_GITs9J5lceuMbhgkzWOZCA&sfnsn=mo

Information, articles and videos about Japanese martial-arts. Produced by BAB JAPAN, Tokyo

09/30/2026

09/23/2026

I try to base the GWS curriculum on a fundamental idea, conceptually simple, technically complex.

Its important to me that students are able to understand what they're working on and, more importantly, why they're doing it. Many of the concepts I use for this conceptual foundation can be understand by children as young as 8, and adults who have never trained, or train in different arts.

Some examples are my use of shapes, base 10 number system, and principles of biophysics.

The physical practice, however, needs to provide room for depth to support lifelong studies and enjoyment. The skills link to each other across the entire curriculum, and can continue to refined for life.

09/05/2026

Fine Advice

Nonoguchi Tanba, a retainer of Akechi Mitsuhide, once asked Yamanaka Shikanosuke, “I have engaged in single combat and taken an enemy’s head three times, yet I have no clear memory of the events—everything was a blur. Yet, there are those who can recall every detail of a single battle with perfect clarity. Is it that such people possess innate courage?” Shikanosuke was deeply impressed with Nonoguchi and replied, “You are an honest man—a rarity in a world where so many seek fame through flowery words and lies. When I had taken four or five enemy heads, I was just like you. By the time I had taken seven or eight, it was as if dawn had broken; and when I reached ten, I could clearly see the very spot on the enemy’s helmet where I would strike, felling them with my staff as easily as a child at play. As you gain experience, you will come to understand what I mean”

- Samurai History & Culture
Aug 24

08/11/2026

A good article discussing kata in Koryu Budo practice.
Enjoy.

A Guest Blog by Tobin Threadgill.

08/06/2026

"Good teaching, then, is the art of recognising that every student presents a different door. Each comes with a particular body, temperament, experience, set of habits, and way of understanding what is being shown. The skill of the teacher lies not only in finding the door through which that student can enter, but also in selecting the right key to open it. It is not enough simply to reach for whatever key happened to work on the last person. In kendo, where the same instruction can liberate one student and completely bewilder another, this ability to observe, interpret, and adapt is one of the surest marks of a genuinely accomplished teacher." - Alexander Bennett

07/16/2026

The whole GWS Curriculum from beginner to first degree black belt.

07/08/2026

Patootie is ready for

07/07/2026

Great news for Judo Canada, and all of Canadian martial arts

Judo Canada is proud to announce that in 2026, your federation has reached a historic level with 24,000 members across the country, setting the highest membership total in […]