Viewpoint: Breaking through limitations

Article

Alexander Kabiri, OD, who practices at Malik Eye Care in Queens, NY, is a third-degree black belt in Zujitsu, an eclectic style of martial arts rooted in multiple, traditional disciplines.

Alexander Kabiri, OD, is looking for ways to "lengthen his line."

His journey started 14 years ago, when he spotted an old friend working at a restaurant. "We used to roughhouse with each other," Dr. Kabiri said. "So I snuck up behind him and snatched him up in a chokehold, just like we did in high school. The next thing I knew, I went flying over his shoulder. He dumped me right on to a table, which collapsed. Thankfully, he kept his job and we had a good laugh about it."

Dr. Kabiri was so impressed by his friend's ability that he began exploring various martial arts disciplines. He chose to study Zujitsu, mainly because of its unique philosophy and versatility as a self-defense system.

He believes some forms of martial arts are watered down, providing students with simply a product. But studying Zujitsu, Dr. Kabiri said, is a developmental process. Students become aware of their physical, mental, and emotional limitations-which he calls "reference points"-and learn how to surpass them, moving on to more and more difficult challenges throughout their life.

Dr. Kabiri noted that one of the biggest differences between Zujitsu and many traditional martial arts is that the latter train students to use very specific techniques in wide open versus confined spaces. For example, students may learn how to fight an assailant wielding a knife or weapon or defend themselves against a group street attack. But the techniques aren't always realistic or adaptable to everyday life, especially for students living in urban environments.

Flexibility is key

"You could be in a small space like an elevator, subway, stairwell, or getting out of your car," Dr. Kabiri explained. "That's a different kind of fight and you have to train for it. We're trained in all types of situations, pretty much fighting every imaginable scenario."

For example, he has trained blindfolded, standing, seated, lying on the ground, in the water, and also with an armed person and unarmed group of opponents. Some of his students include police officers as well as a security guard and nurse who work in psychiatric facilities.

Dr. Kabiri recently uploaded three videos on YouTube that show him executing Zujitsu. To watch the videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/ and search for Alex Kabiri.

Newsletter

Want more insights like this? Subscribe to Optometry Times and get clinical pearls and practice tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Recent Videos
Devin Sasser, OD, shares his excitement for Acuvue Oasys MAX 1-Day multifocal for astigmatism, the first and only daily disposable multifocal toric contact lens.
Reviewing the State of Dry Eye Survey with Selina McGee, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO
Jessilin Quint, OD, MBA, FAAO, outlines her AOA's Optometry's Meeting 2025 presentation on nutrition and its impact on ocular health.
Carolyn Majcher, OD, FAAO, detailed a talk she gave alongside Mary Beth Yackey, OD, at Optometry's Meeting 2025.
Shelby Brogdon, OD, details opportunities for practices to answer the patient's concerns from the chair before they hit the internet for their contact lens needs.
Christi Closson, OD, FAAO, shares her excitement for the new Acuvue Oasys MAX 1-Day multifocal for astigmatism
Karen R. Hoffman, OD, shares how customizable scleral lenses can transform vision for patients with complex corneas, achieving 20/20 outcomes and enhanced comfort.
Janna Pham, OD, shares key takeaways from a corneal tomography session she presented alongside Travis Pfeifer, OD; and Matthew McGee, OD.
Jacob Lang, OD, FAAO, details early symptom relief demonstrated in as early as day 1 during AOA's Optometry's Meeting 2025.
When Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FEAOO, began fitting scleral lenses 20 years ago, there was limited knowledge about conjunctival characteristics, scleral shape, and lens behavior.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.