Tatsu Dojo Martial Arts And Fitness

09/18/2026

Please like and share our September Blog Post, thanks!

I have a confession to make: I am Generation X. I just missed the Baby Boomers by one year (1964) but I still feel a connection. Of course, there are a lot of nostalgic things I can talk about, things like real cars with (maybe) a lap belt where your mom would let you lay on that little shelf under....

09/17/2026

Martial Arts At Tatsu Dojo In Loveland, Ohio

We offer two distinct, yet intertwined martial arts at our dojo: karate and aikido.

Our karate training is a mixture of techniques and philosophies of Japanese and Okinawan methods. For example, we train in force production and explosion often attributed to styles like Shotokan (Japanese). But we also incorporate close-quarter training and conditioning as seen in Okinawan systems such as GoJu Ryu.

On the flip side, our (soft) techniques are derived from aikido and jujutsu. Aikido is a form of ancient Japansese jujutsu, specifically from Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. Aikido is more than fighting; it is truly a method of self-perfection. It's techniques and principles look easy but take years to understand and perfect. It is a study of patience and humility.

It is difficult to find a dojo that incorporates all of the many aspects that ours offers. By design, we are not located in a commercial space. That's because I really want to share the same type of martial arts experience that I have enjoyed over the years with people who are looking for something similar.

If you are in our local area and looking for a unique place to study martial arts, call us at 513-600-2260 or visit us at https://www.tatsudojo.com/martialarts

09/16/2026

Would You Benefit From Assisted Stretching?

Assisted stretching is exactly what the name implies; some one is helping you stretch. But it's more than having another person crank on your leg or your shoulder. Let's break it down.

Tendons attach muscle to bone and have built in mechanisms that communicate with your brain to protect against over stretching and tearing. This is why you feel a pull when you attempt to stretch your hamstrings, for example.

Some of us stop when we feel the pull, or bounce a little. Others will try to force a stretch through pain; all of these methods are not good for your muscles and will not make you more flexible.

Slow, progressive and targeted stretching can reduce the possibility of injury and ultimately result in more flexibility. And having a qualified coach to not only lead you through ranges you probably will not achieve on your own, but also provide pointers for self-stretching is worth your time and money.

I'm Dave Magliano, owner of Tatsu Dojo Martial Arts & Fitness. I work one-on-one with adults in the 50s, 60s and beyond to over come chronic pain and injury, increase functional strength and stamina, and stay active.

Follow this link to our Personal Training page and book a FREE 15 minute phone consultation:
https://www.tatsudojo.com/personal-training or give me a call at 513-600-2260.

09/11/2026

Two Years Post Hip Surgery

I have been fortunate in the past couple of years to make some connections here on Facebook and on Instagram with a few people who have either had or were considering total hip surgery.

I thought I'd give an update.

Rehab took a lot longer than I expected (for myself). My first piece of advice: Don't be like me...be patient. I'm two years out and finally feel "normal."

Pain. For me, my agonizing joint pain was gone day of surgery. Of course, I had some chemical help, but I felt like Frodo Baggins in "Return Of The King" when he exclaims, "It's gone!" Since that day, I have had occasional nerve pain and tingling in my thigh. My hip flexors are sore a lot of the time, mainly because of kicking (karate) and an active life style. But nothing like I experienced in years prior.

What I've Had To Give Up. I can't take heavy falls anymore (aikido, jujutsu). And loading people for a hip toss is still uncomfortable. I've replaced distance running with jogging, walking, biking, and rowing. It just feels better, though I miss a good run. High impact kicks, e.g. side thrust or a lot of mid level round house kicks hurt the next day. I have to be careful with certain grappling maneuvers and I've learned to tap out a lot sooner for certain pins.

My Current Focus: Hip mobility, strength and smart training. I do a TON of posterior chain exercises to help take the load off the front of my hip and they are really necessary for just about any sport.

I scoured the net prior to my surgery looking for folks like me (judo, jujutsu, karate, etc.) who returned to their sport after hip surgery. I also looked for any current studies for post total hip surgery and return to combat sports....there's very little out there right now. I've seen a few dudes return to MMA training, but they were in their 40s...I'm 61.

If you are an aging athlete facing total joint surgery or you're in the thick of it trying to rehab and you'd like some perspective, please reply to this post or DM me. I'd be happy to connect.

You can also check out our website, https://www.tatsudojo.com

09/10/2026

Moving The Target

Our karate classes focus on many areas, including power generation. We call it, "moving the target."

I enjoy training on my own and encourage our students to hit hard things like punching bags and a maikiwara (striking post) on a regular basis. But I believe there is real education in attempting to kick or punch another human, especially when he or she is holding an air shield.

The ability to knock some one off balance or even push them back a few feet while they are holding a thick foam bag is a litmus test of sorts. Of course, it is not the only indication of one's skills or abilities, but it does provide a rough idea of your individual power and technique.

One of my favorite drills is to have a student hold striking bag and walk vigorously toward the other attempting to close the distance quickly. The defender's job is to stop his partner's approach, with kick. To make this happen, you need speed, timing, power and balance.

Looking for a martial arts school that focuses on real world application as well as the traditional aspects of a dojo? Call us at 513-600-2260 or visit us at https://www.tatsudojo.com/martialarts

09/09/2026

Can You Gain Strength With Resistance Bands?

The short answer is, yes. But here are three things to consider.

Level Of Resistance. This seems obvious, but depending on the exercise, you need to select the appropriate (weight) that will challenge targeting muscle groups, especially during the last 3-4 reps of a set. If you are not struggling to maintain good form, your resistance probably isn't challenging enough.

Range Of Motion. One of the nice things about using resistance bands is that you can usually work through a full range of joint motion, which is vital to muscular development.

Time Under Tension. One drawback to using bands is that the resistance is not constant throughout the exercise. The way to overcome this is to move slowly, especially at the end of a given range. Depending on the exercise, I typically having my clients hold resistance at end range for a send or two, placing maximum tension on muscles and tendons, which is what promotes growth.

I'm Dave Magliano, owner of Tatsu Dojo Martial Arts & Fitness in Loveland, Ohio. I specialize in helping adults in their 40s, 50s and beyond regain and maintain strength and stamina with individualized workout programs and private, one-on-one training sessions.

Call me at 513-600-2260 and let's talk about your goals and challenges. Or visit us at https://www.tatsudojo.com/personal-training

09/04/2026

Three Reasons Why Aikido Doesn’t Work

Aikido is a modern (1920s) derivative of the often brutal art of classical Japanese Jujutsu. Like judo, aikido’s techniques were altered so that they could be practiced repeatedly and safely by anyone willing to train.

Can aikido be effective for self-defense? Yes. But like any traditional martial art, there can be problems with its actual effectiveness.

Scripted Attacks. Many aikido schools rarely step outside of static or non-violent grabs and hand attacks designed for learning. If an aikidoka (student) wants to evaluate his or her techniques, they should train with partners who will use non-scripted attacks. This often changes the way any technique works.

Lack of Practical Knowledge. Modern Aikido is not a fighting art; it is a mental, physical and spiritual path to enlightenment. As such, students rarely get hit and that’s a problem. In order to really grasp how these techniques could work, you need to step outside the box and learn some basic punching and kicking skills. And you need to spar often. The best aikido people I’ve ever met had a background in striking arts and/or combat sports. Getting punched and kicked is educational. “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” Mike Tyson

In this video, for example, I’m applying a throw called “sumi otoshi.” Notice how I softened up my partner before I attempted this throw. At close range, this becomes less of a traditional projection and more of a takedown.

Physical and Mental Readiness. Martial arts training is worthless if you are overweight and out of fighting shape. Belts and titles don’t matter. What you did in the past doesn't matter. A serious martial artist follows a disciplined fitness routine that includes resistance training, explosion and cardio. And he or she maintains a fairly strict diet that avoids lousy food and too many substances. This type of discipline coupled with martial training leads to mental readiness.

Looking for a school that teaches practical aikido? Call us at 513-600-2260 or visit us at https://www.tatsudojo.com/martialarts

09/03/2026

Strength Training For Seniors

The majority of my personal/strength training clients are seniors; according to Google, if you’re over 50, you are in that category. And while I feel blessed to have clients of all ages, I really enjoy working with people that are in my “club”; I’m 61 this year with my own list of chronic issues. But I am still able to do just about everything I want to do, such as martial arts five days a week, cardio and strength workouts, heavy duty yard work, etc.

One of the main reasons I can maintain this kind of life style is strength training. Not the typical machines you find in big box gyms, but all kinds of resistance such as body weight, free weights, and resistance bands. I have spent a lifetime supplementing my martial arts career with resistance training and it continues to pay off.

Most of the folks that I work with have chronic joint issues, muscular imbalances, occasional loss of balance and decreased stamina. And when I develop training programs for people, I draw on my 35+ years of physical therapy and rehabilitation experience. My many years as a clinician coupled with my 61 years on the planet give me unique perspective.

If you live in our local area and you want to work with a seasoned professional who understands the challenges you face with chronic pain, weakness or injury, call me at 513-600-2260 or visit us at https://www.tatsudojo.com/personal-training

09/02/2026

Balance Training For Older Adults

Balance and proprioception (how your brain tells your body to navigate the environment), are two neuromuscular skills that we tend to lose over time, especially if we become sedentary.

This often happens after injury, chronic illness or surgery when a person has had a long rehab. Of course, the first step is physical therapy, but therapy’s main job is to bring an individual back to a functional level. And there is a difference between functional and optimal.

I’m Dave Magliano, owner of Tatsu Dojo Martial Arts & Fitness in Loveland, Ohio. I specialize in helping older adults over come chronic injuries, joint issues and overall weakness through highly structured medical exercise and strength training programs designed specifically for you.

Call me today at 513-600-2260 to discuss your particular issues and goals, or visit us at https://www.tatsudojo.com/personal-training

08/28/2026

Why “Women’s Self-Defense” Is A Flawed Concept

I have never been a fan of women’s self-defense classes. Not because I think women shouldn’t know how to protect themselves, but because I refuse to believe that women are somehow inferior and require a “special” class just for them.

Hear me out, ladies. Women’s self-defense classes are a by and large, a marketing tool. A means to get you in the door and hopefully sell you on a membership. Allow me to ask you a question: Do you believe that you are learning anything different than a man when it comes to self-defense?

The Truth: Surviving a life and death or sexual assault situation involves three factors.

Intent To Survive. Learning how to take fear and combine it with rage and also having the willingness to act. It also involves constant awareness. Intent to survive is a learned skill and state of mind that has nothing to do with gender.

Strength And Fitness. One of the deciding factors in the ability to fight is physical readiness. That means hitting the gym on a frequent basis; strength, conditioning and diet. Athletes do not enter any competition without preparation. Skill alone does not win games. Skill alone will not save anyone. Strength and Fitness are a choice and it has nothing to do with gender.

Martial Arts Skill. There is nothing gender-specific in close-quarter combat. Nothing. Elbows, knees and palms are the most fundamental tools we all have. Knowing how to fight from the ground and get off the ground is vital. Any martial arts school worth attending focuses on these very simplistic skills. You will do thousands of reps against people of varying weights and sizes. The more you train, the stronger your skill and ability. Skill requires effort and commitment and has absolutely nothing to do with gender.

Maybe you want to go to a women’s self-defense class because you’ll feel more comfortable. That’s understandable. But if you want to develop any usable skill and confidence, you have to be in a place that consistently makes you uncomfortable, intimidated and somewhat scared. That is the reality of combat and it has nothing to do with gender.

If you live in our local area and you are interested in martial arts training, give us a call at 513-600-2260 or visit us at https://www.tatsudojo.com/martialarts