“It’s not how much you know that counts, but how much you can recall under stress.” . Most effective martial artists, fighters and self-defense practitioners, have a ‘main toolkit’ which gives them something they can use in most situations, plus a larger collection of more specialized techniques that they may use if the right circumstances…
Month: July 2020
Always believe in yourself
Being successful and having a feeling of improving is a habit. There is a mindset, lifestyle, routine, and expectation, that comes with being successful. . Small accomplishments have a way of accumulating, and building momentum that you may not see, but that are necessary to lay the foundation for those bigger improvements down the road….
The art of fighting without fighting
I had so many comments on a post I made recently about self-defense and fighting. Many people could not see the distinction between the two. Most people are taught physical/fighting skills FIRST in a self-defense lesson…. Again; there IS an overlap with the two, but they are NOT the same. . Fighting is NOT self-defense/self-protection….
Self-protection, martial arts, and fighting, are not the same
“Self-protection, martial arts, and fighting, are not the same, they are related, but they are most definitely not the same.” ?? . . Iain Abernethy 7th Dan British Combat Association . As martial artists we need to understand the difference between these three concepts. They are distinctly different, but also overlap one another. . Many martial…
If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.
“There is a proverb that says – Nito oumono wa itto omo ezu (二兎追う者は一兎をも得ず). It translates to – If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.” ?? . Yasuhiro Uema 9th dan Shorin-Ryu Shubukan . A great master received a university professor who came to enquire about wisdom. . The master served tea….
Real karate is for self-defense
“Real karate is for self-defense and kata bunkai is the main tool for this.” . . Yoshio Kuba 10th dan Goju Ryu, repeating a quote from Gogen Yamaguchi. ? . . It is all in the kata. Understand the combative principles contained within them and you will find that you are able to extract a myriad…
Okinawan karate is more than martial arts
“Okinawan karate is more than martial arts. It is a way of cultivating the spirit.” . “We avoid conflicts and prefer peace — that is the legacy of Miyagi Sensei, founder of Goju-ryu. Karate is not for attacking people, there is no way you will deal the first blow in a fight. The greatest secret…
Learn the history and culture of Okinawan karate
“Do not become bored with your training, learn the history and culture of Okinawan karate….” ?? . Shintoku Takara 10th dan Uechi-ryu 90 years of age, certified holder for the prefecture designated intangible cultural property. . . Master Shintoku Takara was born 1930, in Okinawa. He was a student of Kenei Uechi the son of…
Control your ego
“Control your ego properly because the true enemy is inside yourself and this is the toughest opponent to beat.” ?? . Have you checked your ego lately? Keeping ego in check means we must examine who we are, what we want, how we treat others, and our overall actions. Keep self-importance under control: . Who are…