Notes on self-defense, training, and the brain.

Thoughts on Filipino Martial Arts, Kajukenbo, and the neuroscience-based method behind how we teach, straight from our Midtown Manhattan studio.

Julie Murakami leading a Tai Chi class at Kajukenbo NYC, Midtown Manhattan

Journal

Find Your Calm: Tai Chi in Midtown Manhattan for Stress and Balance

Between managing a household and the constant mental load of keeping everything running, it's easy to lose time that belongs to your own body. Tai Chi, taught Tuesdays and Fridays 10-11am by Julie Murakami, LMT, was built for exactly that reset.

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Instructor demonstrating a Balintawak wrist control technique with a student in Midtown Manhattan

Journal

The Sweet Spot: How to Train Self-Defense After 40 Without Breaking Your Body

If you're over 40 and thinking about learning self-defense, you've probably run into two conflicting messages: train hard, or be careful with your joints. Both are true — here's how to reconcile them.

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