Q: Sticking a knife with no rotation is made possible by modifying the standard throwing grip. Wrap your hand loosely around the handle of the knife. Pinch the handle between your thumb and the length of your middle finger. Place your index finger flat against the spine of the blade at the knife’s center of balance. This is known as the “thumb grip,” or sometimes the “drive-finger grip,” as you’ll be using your thumb to guide the movement of the knife and your index finger to drive it forward as you release.  The thumb grip is used to neutralize the rotation of the blade after it leaves the hand. Every knife will have a slightly different center of balance. Locate the knife’s center of balance by laying it across one outstretched finger and adjusting it until it balances on its own. This is the section of the knife on which you should place the point of your finger. Hold your arm straight out in front of you with the tip of the blade trained on your target. Eyeball the exact spot you’re aiming for.  Pay close attention to the angle and position of your arm. This is where your arm will need to be at the moment you release the knife.  Pointing the knife in the direction of the target before you throw can help muscle memory take over, giving you a sense of exactly where your arm should be when you release. For better accuracy, make a quick initial lineup part of your throwing ritual. Keeping your shoulder fixed and your upper arm parallel with the ground, draw the knife back until it’s level with your head. Your elbow should be bent about 90 degrees, with the blade of the knife pointing straight up. Square your stance and take a small step forward with your opposite foot.  To get an idea of what position your shoulder and forearm need to be in, hold up your throwing arm as though you were making the “goal” gesture used by fans of American football. The Mumyou-Ryu technique was derived from a technique used by ancient Japanese warriors to throw circular projectiles (shuriken, or “throwing stars”) without rotation. It was adapted for use with straight, modern knives and spikes. Lean over your front foot as you prepare to throw. Let go of the knife while your throwing arm is at roughly a 45 degree angle—this will help compensate for gravity and create the relaxed arc that the knife will trace in the air. At the moment of release, lightly “brush” the length of the spine with your pointer finger. Straighten your arm so that you complete the throw pointing at your target. With any luck, you’ll hear the thump of a successful stick.  Bring your forearm and knife hand down in a circular path, in one quick movement. Your forearm should stay straight up and down throughout the windup and release.
A: Take the proper grip. Line the knife up with the target. Raise the knife up beside your head. Release the knife in a smooth slinging motion.

Q: Decide what motivates you, makes you stand out from the crowd, and defines you as a fitness model. For instance, perhaps you’ve built your physique after having several children, or overcame a struggle through fitness.  Your day job could help define your brand, too. Fitness magazines often use yoga instructors or personal trainers instead of standard fashion models. An instructor or trainer is more likely to execute a technique precisely while looking good for the camera. Once you've come up with your brand, you'll know which type of physique you need. To focus on competitions, for example, you'll need a more built, defined physique than mainstream magazine work. Knowing how to pose properly is just as important as your appearance, so it’s a good idea to hire a modeling coach or take a modeling class. You could also look online and scour fitness magazines to learn how models pose.  For example, you can watch videos of poses required by the National Gym Association. You can also search for images online or look for videos on YouTube. Practice different poses in front of the mirror to figure out what works best for your body. Set up Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat profiles and update them daily. Engage your followers by tracking your fitness journey, giving workout and meal prep tips, and sharing stories about what motivates you. Follow people in the industry, from models to photographers, to build a professional network and, hopefully, get discovered by a scout or sponsor. When you’re just starting out, creating a portfolio can be as simple as having a friend take snapshots of you in good natural lighting. A beginner’s portfolio should include 6 to 12 shots, and try to get as close to professional quality as possible. Once you start booking gigs, include published shots in your portfolio.  You don’t have to start assembling your professional portfolio until after signing with an agent and booking gigs. However, you will need up to date photographs of yourself to send to agencies and magazines. Fitness models will need to include body shots. Women should wear a sports bra and shorts, and men should wear only shorts.
A: Figure out your brand. Learn how to pose. Get active on social media. Create a portfolio.

Q: This will often come about once the band starts to work together and gel. Every individual's style will come together to form a unique sound. This includes an interesting band name and wearing certain clothes to live shows. If someone hears a hardcore band on stage they sound really great and then they look up and see a bunch of middle aged men with beer bellies wearing wife beaters and mesh shorts they are going to be turned off by them. They want what they see to match what they're hearing. Many bands have 1 or 2 members who write the basics for every song and then let the band take it from there. Other bands may write while jamming with the entire group, although this may take longer.
A: Start finding your sound. Make an image for the group. Figure out who's best to write your music.

Q: Depending on your niche's location, it may not have access to ample lighting, meaning the objects inside will be difficult to see. If this is the case, try adding accent lights to your wall compartment. Most people install small, low-watt spotlights inside their niche's ceiling, similar to a museum display. However, you can also install accent lights by:  Gluing a LED strip along the edges of the niche. Placing a tap light inside the niche. Pointing external spotlights at the niche. Unlike accent lights, which just add luminance, pendant lamps serve as both a lighting fixture and an artistic statement. Wired via a hole in the niche's ceiling, these lamps hang down and take up a large amount of space, pulling people's eyes to the area. Depending on your desired aesthetic, try going with a sleek, modern lamp or a more elegant fixture reminiscent of a chandelier. If your wall compartment has enough light already, try adding candles for purely aesthetic reasons. Large, tall candles will create an elegant look reminiscent of religious services and holidays. Small tea lights will create a more romantic display, bathing the area in warm light.
A:
Install accent lights to show off the objects inside your niche. Put in a pendant lamp for a more elegant look. Set candles in your niche to create more natural lighting.