Stories from our members of how Arakan Martial Art has improved their lives
It warms our heart to hear of stories of how people how literally transformed their lives through training Arakan Martial Art®
We often hear the excuses ‘I’m too old, too fat, too sick, not fit enough…’ the list goes on.
To tell the truth, we all have ‘stuff’ going on in our lives, however it’s how we deal with that ‘stuff’ that determines whether we live a happy and fulfilled life, or not.
Dave shares his story of how he went from being a burnt-out, ‘old, sick, depressed, stressed out 35 year old guy’ to a ‘bulletproof 45 year old man’ who is fitter, faster and stronger than he has been in his whole life!
Dave tells of how training Arakan regularly and consistently transformed his health and wealth in all aspects of his life. He became more empowered and confident in his business, at home, in his relationships and now feels bulletproof.
Almost three years ago I received a call from my instructor Corey asking if I’d like to have a complimentary lesson with him. Almost three years ago I had my mind blown away. I’d just witnessed someone moving in a way I’d never seen before and carry himself with a confidence and humbleness I only ever dreamed of having. I never realised that along the way I’d stop dreaming and start acting to become the person I always wanted to be.
My journey started when I shared some medical results with my son. I had been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the Liver, ultimately if untreated it would lead to further health complications and diminished quality of life. I asked my doctor what was the cause, I was told it was related to me being over weight (Girth Size). I asked what treatment I needed. I was told "Just lose weight".
I spoke to my family about my condition and what the doctor said. My eldest son , who also does Arakan, said "I have just the thing for you".
All experiences in life whether good or bad, shape who we are and it is up to us to use them to create the best version of ourselves.
From the minute I hit the first pad I felt my Light turn on. At the time I had no idea what it was but I felt something happen that I liked and I wanted more.
Over the years I have discovered that 'Light' and have learnt to use it to heal my darkness. And discovered a passion to guide others to discover their Light, regardless of what has happened to them.
This year I have been lucky enough to be invited to attend a special orange belt group once a month on a Saturday morning with the Chief Instructor. It's been such a privilege to be invited to this class as Master Rob really starts to break down how the techniques of the Orange Belt grade really flow together.
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson said "Evil is the force that believes its knowledge is complete." In this class everyone has been training close to 10 years if not more and I get the real sense that no one at the class feels like their knowledge is complete and especially not after Master Rob begins to unveil how all the pieces fit together, the depth of knowledge Rob has on a seemingly simple technique is unfathomable.
Just on 5 years ago, my son Sam, at 11yo, started his Arakan Martial Art® training. Like anything new, learning takes time and application. He made progress quickly and this was aided very much by his initial instructor Ryan Robbie. Ryan’s patient, supportive instruction helped guide Sam through these early years working closely on developing his technique and timing.
In the following years Sam also trained with Nathan Hinga in his Level 1 class. The improvement he achieved in his technique, conditioning and feeding skills was easy to see. He was always pumped to attend his lessons and we noticed a maturity developing in him which we attributed to what he was learning and the time spent with his instructors and fellows students.
Former world champion bodybuilder, Nick Jones recently shared his thoughts on his Arakan Journey so far and his recent successful Yellow Belt Grading. Watch the video here now...
I think events and pressure situations, such as an Arakan Martial Art grading are good for us, as they give us an understanding of what we are capable of when we put our entire energy into something. For me this opportunity came with the series of Green belt gradings I did through-out 2017 and the final one this year...
he Orange Belt journey for me was an amazing process, that only after grading am I truly appreciating. Arakan has positively influenced my life in many ways and i have felt through the grading process those life changes accelerate as I was pushed through my comfort zone again and again forming new and more powerful habits...
I started Arakan 3 years ago after deciding that I needed fitness (was sick of the gym) and also wanted to learn to fight/defend myself, being a smaller bloke in the height category. So began my journey. The first year was a nice and slow understanding of the craft. I wanted to dedicate myself to turning up and creating a new routine and I didn’t want to do what most people do, go hard, feel like they have achieved something and then quit...
his is my second year attending the ladies seminar. In the 10 weeks, Rob teaches us techniques and about body mechanics to help us push through the initial reaction of panic and fight through the exhaustion and discomfort so you can find a way to get home safely. When I started two years ago, I wouldn't have guessed that I would be most grateful for the exposure to stimulus like grabs, hair pulling or being pinned to the ground so that if it ever were to happen outside of training, it is not the first time I've felt it....
Cities are becoming more densely populated, traffic is forever increasing, and drivers are becoming more and more frustrated. Out of all seminars I've attended through Arakan Martial Art, I've so far found road rage to be the most practical of all...
Renee has been training for over 6 years. She has been training hard for her Yellow Belt Grading, which she passed in earlier this year in July. Renee is a committed and dedicated student who is such a pleasure to teach. Renee’s courageous approach is an inspiration to us all....
Over 250 Arakan Warriors in one place, training hard in beautiful surroundings with the best intentions and energy for each other, how does it get any better than this? Thank you to all of our amazing members for the most magnificent day! I am forever grateful to have the privilege to share Arakan with you all....
I never thought it would ever happen to me. I had always considered myself a strong, confident, and independent woman, yet I became a victim of extreme, ongoing domestic violence (physical, emotional, mental, verbal, and financial abuse) where I came very close to losing my life. I lost everything; my home, my career, my friends, and all sense of who I was as a person. To stay safe, I had to live in a women’s refuge for 3 months when I first fled. My personality and character had been stripped bare and I carried a world’s worth of shame and embarrassment over my experience. In coming out of the refuge, I began the journey of putting my life back together, something I was determined to do from the day I fled from my ex-partner...
It’s always super exciting to teach these seminars, the intensity is always through the roof; I find myself flipping from smiling to cringing throughout the seminar. Thank you to all our amazing students who trained with such high level of intensity yet with so much care and respect for each other. Arakan has never been a competition style (hopefully never will be) so it’s our way of creating some exciting moments for our students whilst creating an environment where they can learn and grow as practitioners.
It really warms my heart to see so many beautiful, smiling faces of the Arakan junior students. Speaking on behalf of all of the Arakan Instructors, it is indeed a pleasure to be given the privilege of teaching your kids. Thanks for your trust, support, and patience with us. One of my greatest joys in life is to be part of a child’s growth towards greater levels of empowerment, so thank you again for the opportunity.
For a child, each stage of life is a fast transitional period. It’s great to see that Arakan plays such a big part in the lives of our youngest students from the age of three to our young adult students, up to nineteen years old.
One of the aspects of coaching that is most amazing to me is that when a child learns to become a good student of life, I.e. he/she learns how to watch and listen attentively, he/she learns how to focus intently and learns to increase his/her situational awareness, everything in this student’s life improves dramatically, including academically, socially and in other sporting areas.
I attended the Arakan Sydney Night Club Seminar in June.
In one word for the experience, wow, unbelievable. That’s two words!
The most amazing thing about the nightclub seminar was the level of energy - with all of us students as well as the instructors from the beginning to the end, it just multiplied exponentially....
Writing this, feels like a lot of Arakan lessons I teach. I always think to myself, "I have an hour to share as much as possible in an art that could easily go for a few lifetimes, yet I don't want to dilute anything". I guess that is one of the reasons why we are taught to always have urgency with what we do; there is so much to learn, so don't stuff around and make the most of the time that you have....
Both seminars started fast, we lined up uneasily awaiting what was ahead. You could feel the tension crackling. Not hesitating, the instructors lived their roles as prisoners, guards or night-clubbers looking for a good time. At Casablanca night club, in Sydney, the bouncers had us line up and show IDs. Once in, I was bumped into and confronted by drunkards looking for a drink…or a fight. Brawls erupted all around me as I tried to smooth talk my way out of buying an instructor a drink. It felt so eerily similar to what I’d seen when out clubbing, I was confronted. Bad Top 40s blaring, it felt like a sweaty night out in Sydney. Over the 2 hours we endured typical party situations, from standing up to sitting down from light presses to lightning fast cupping palms to groin shots, we learnt the ins and outs of martial nightclubbing. That night I could not help but be twitchy and hyper aware as I did actually navigate Sydney’s nightlife. Having dusted myself of from the Sydney seminar it was time for round two....
When I was invited to write about Training Day, I wondered if it was because, from what I saw, I was the only one who lost blood. More on that later.
The seven-strong Melbourne contingent landed on the Coast in 2 waves. My partner and I were in the later Friday night convoy. I remember being en route to the Coast in our Europcar rental and discussing with our friend (and fellow student) what we were anticipating for the next day. Descriptors like nervous, excited, trepidatious never strayed far from our expectations, which were largely speculative, as we were all first-timers at an Arakan Training Day....
I have been training Arakan Martial Art for over two years now, and this is the second Ladies seminar I have attended. The experiences I have had during this particular seminar have been absolutely mind blowing. Not only do we learn how to physically defend ourselves, but we also gain the "mental toughness" to recognise and handle threatening situations. We learn countless techniques to get out of dangerous situations, and also have the opportunity to practise and apply these techniques in a simulated and controlled environment. The care and passion the instructors show each and every week is amazing, putting their bodies on the line so we are able to apply self-defence techniques in real life scenarios.
here do I start about being the Chief Instructors student. Well I was trying my hardest to dodge writing this, because writing is definitely not my thing, but I know the Arakan way is; even if we don't like it, we still get it done. That’s the Warrior Way. So here I go; let me tell you a little story…
When I was 15, I turned up after school one day to play basketball. Little did I know there would be no basketball that day as one of my brother’s friends had seen Rob teaching someone at the school and asked him what they were doing. He said 'its called Arakan, a Burmese martial art.'
f as a parent, I left this world tomorrow, would I be comfortable with the knowledge and lessons that I have passed on to my daughter? Would I be satisfied that I have equipped her with the skills and knowledge to get through life with me no longer there to guide her? A confronting situation no doubt. But one that I have personally come to terms with over the years. Arakan has helped me discover my responsibility as a parent, and has given me the insight to understand the benefits that Arakan offers its junior students.
I love the journey. I enjoy training hard so that if a dangerous situation comes up, I can deal with it in a decent manner, and not be frightened...
I've always considered myself fairly tough and independent, but I've been in some unpleasant situations which I've tried to talk myself out of with little or no result. It's taken me a little while to realise it, but the unfortunate consequence of such occurrences is that my confidence in my strength has become incredibly fragile - something that is difficult for me to admit to myself, let alone others....
My name is Dylan and I am 16 years old. I enjoy singing, acting, writing, video games, reading and watching movies. I also have cerebral palsy.
I met Ryan in May 2013 at an expo in Robina and I was invited to come for an Arakan introductory free lesson. It took until September before I was able to take up the invite and I haven’t looked back....