(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) It seems that self-defense is a topic people just can’t get their heads around, if my recent articles are anything to go by. . Instructors in particular often seem convinced that you have to fight first. Yet, many tell me they understand the importance of avoiding the fight, but […]
Protect Yourself – But Think First: The Art of Avoiding Trouble. Read More »
(2 minute 5 second read) Self-defense isn’t just about you – it could be about protecting those who rely on you. . My last article sparked another round of debate – no surprise there. It was apparently shared to another page without my knowing and the comments went wild there too. That happens. What doesn’t
Self-Defense Isn’t a Game: Time to Get Real. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) This is a follow-up to my recent article about fighting and self-defense – mainly because, based on the comments, it’s clear many people misunderstood the point. So let’s clear a few things up. . The fear of an attack can make many people want to fight back immediately. But
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) I once taught at a dojo where, for the most part, they were good people, strong spirit – but their idea of self-defense was almost entirely built around fighting and fitness. . That mindset wasn’t unique to them either. I’ve seen it many times. . In the same dojo,
Calling It Self-Defense Doesn’t Make It True: Most Dojos Teach Fighting. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) I’ve been writing articles for a few years now. And it never fails to amaze me when someone comments: “So many words.” . Reading – it’s one of the first things we’re taught. Yet these days, spending even two minutes reading something that might teach you something is too
Building Lasting Skill: The Uncomfortable Truth – Effort Pays Off. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) There comes a point in teaching where you stop chasing people. You realize that the ones who want it will turn up, and the ones who don’t – won’t. That’s not harsh. It’s just how it is. . I’ve had students disappear for months, then return expecting to pick
Show Up: The Mat’s Here for You, But You Walk Your Own Path. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) The dojo has a way of revealing what you’re really made of. It strips away excuses, exposes your habits, and tests your resolve. But it also offers something deeper – an opportunity to see what’s inside. . Marcus Aurelius once wrote, “Look well into thyself; there is a source
A Quiet Strength, a Will to Endure: The Strength That Waits Within. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) Why do some kata use closed hands and others open hands? Is it simply stylistic differences? . It’s a question that often arises, and it points to a common misunderstanding in modern karate training: the assumption that a fist or an open palm is simply a singular ‘technique’ for
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) Lately, I’ve had a lot of comments about how a particular technique is done in this or that style, with this or that detail. Some of these comments are thoughtful… but many miss the point. . If everything goes wrong and you have to fight, you don’t have the
It’s Not the Name – It’s What It Does: Techniques Must Remain Adaptable. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) When you are in the dojo watching your instructor demonstrate a technique, is that technique always successful? . It usually is, isn’t it? But why could that be a problem? . Because if you ever have to use those techniques in the real world, they will often fail –
Don’t Just Prove It – Disprove It: The Value of Getting It Wrong. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) Someone recently said they enjoy kata, but can’t see how movements like oi-zuki connect to kumite – it all feels too different. . My response was this: if kata and kumite feel completely disconnected, that’s often down to how they’re being taught. Kata should reflect principles that hold up
The Movement Inside the Technique: Oi-Zuki – More Than Just a Punch. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) “Practice makes perfect.” How many times have you heard that to motivate you? . The problem is, the phrase isn’t quite right. Practice doesn’t make perfect. It makes permanent. . It should really be: Perfect practice makes perfect. . Karate is known for its repetition. How often have you
Practice Makes Permanent: Train It Right from the Start. Read More »
