In the dojo recently we talked about “momentum” in a strike, punch or similar technique. Momentum can simply be defined as; “mass in motion.” All objects have mass; so if an object is moving, then it has momentum. . Our discussion was based upon moving our hands in an opposite direction to our target (moving…
Year: 2021
“A mistake should be your teacher, not your attacker.”
We all make mistakes, we lose our way. We focus on the wrong things. We pursue goals at all costs. We doggedly stick to our training routines that may not be effective. You can be a good, dedicated person and still exercise poor judgment. . Sometimes in these moments, we’re not the friend others deserve,…
Indulging in hate and revenge is like drinking saltwater, the thirst can only grow
Sometimes the best thing you can do is not ruminate, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. . At times, we struggle amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, so much so, that we get frustrated and are completely unaware of which way to go. Life is not going to happen according to you….
“If someone asks what Karate is, the answer is Kata.”
“If someone asks what Karate is, the answer is Kata. Karate is the act of inheriting a Kata from the master. It is the act of guarding the Kata inherited from the master. It is to nurture someone and make someone grow.” – Yamashiro Yoshitomo Okinawa Kenpo . What is the true meaning of the…
What works best…. is what works best.
Human beings are emotional creatures. In the battle between emotions, common sense and logic, emotions win, always . I prefer to look at my karate from a logical and common sense perspective, with a view to developing functional combative skill. . Logical thinking is a process of exploring different solutions to a given problem. ….
“If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”
Despite the differences in origin and style, most martial arts consist of similar techniques and skills that form a base for the art. . Most people believe that karate is a strike-only martial art. Wrong! Karate contains a whole arsenal of grabbing and throwing techniques in addition to striking. Traditional kata are full of it,…
How do you know if you’re dehydrated?
Your body needs water to function properly and stay healthy. Proper hydration also helps you maintain good health and will help you train harder at your chosen martial art. . How do you know if you’re dehydrated? . Here’s are a few signs to be aware of if you are not drinking enough water: ….
The common origin of technique.
The common origin of technique. . The commonality of a technique is that they all make use of biomechanics and weaknesses of the human anatomy. Where the various arts differ is in the rules, the goal, and the context that they are trained for. . In competitions you try to win. In consensual fights you…
Techniques that are effective for kumite and sparring in the dojo, are not necessarily sensible choices for self-protection.
The grappling of karate is not comparable to the highly skilled grappling exhibited by MMA or Judo practitioners. It is, by design, very crude by comparison. But karate’s grappling methods did exist long before the rise of MMA. . There are those that believe only Judo or BJJ can provide grappling and throws, and the…
Always do your best, learn everything you can…. Enjoy the journey.
“There is a saying; ‘Shikin nu tiyaui’ which means however much you train and get stronger, there is always someone who is better than you. So, we should always remember the time we first started karate, and be humble when dealing with the martial art.” (End quote) – Hiroshi Akamine 9th dan Ryukyu Kobudo &…
“The way of karate is the way of everyday life.”
In Japan, a number of time-honored everyday activities, such as making tea, arranging flowers, writing, some of which are traditionally deeply explored by their practitioners. . Students study how to make tea, write with a brush, or perform martial arts, in the most skillful way possible, to express themselves with maximum efficiency while trying to…
What is conditioning?
“Karate is another reason for being fit. I can prove to you I can still perform karate at my age.” – Nakahodo Tsutomu 10th dan Uechi Ryu, born 1933. . What is conditioning? . Conditioning training is a ‘keyword’ that is often interchanged with the word ‘fitness.’ You’ll often hear martial artists talk about what…