Hatsuko Machida is ranked 6th dan in Uechi-ryu. She teaches at the Ageda Women’s Dojo, which is unique in Okinawa for offering women only karate classes. She explained that many of her students had not been allowed to study karate when they were young, so now they embrace the opportunity to do so. . […]
“Many [female] students had not been allowed to study karate” Read More »
“You are your own worst enemy. Fortunately, you know all your weaknesses.” . You know yourself better than anyone and you know where you want to go. Therefore you need to create a path on which you are going to step in and on. . One of the problems about today’s society is that many
You are your own worst enemy. Read More »
“In Shogen-ryu there is no unnecessary movement. Everything is connected to the next move. And there is speed in that movement. I’m slow, but Taba Sensei’s karate was so fast, it was too quick to see with your eyes. I work hard to follow my teacher’s example, but it is very difficult.” (End quote)
“I work hard to follow my teacher’s example.” Read More »
“Never worry about what others are doing.” (end quote) – Zenpo Shimabukuro 10th dan Shorin-ryu Seibukan . . Some people that always seem to be preoccupied with what those around them are doing, and what those around them are saying, or posting on social media, can’t seem to get ahead with their own lives. They
“Never worry about what others are doing.” Read More »
Live in the moment. It sounds simple enough, but we as human beings have an incredibly difficult time staying in the moment. . Why is that? . I believe we spend so much time replaying past memories, or planning too much for the future, that we miss out on the great moments that are unveiling
Live in the moment. Read More »
“Karate is a culture. If you have a culture, you can talk with any great power on an equal footing. I hope that Okinawa’s proud traditional culture will continue to exist……[…]…I’m really happy to be involved in karate for such a long time…….” – Toyama Zenshu 10th dan Goju Ryu (end quote) . .
“Karate is a culture.” Read More »
“Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.” ~ Chinese Proverb . Great teachers are important. They can give you amazing insights and help point you in the right direction. But the real question is: What will you do with all of that great instruction? It’s not enough to just take a karate
“Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.” Read More »
How important is your martial arts lineage? . Just because somebody comes from a certain lineage does not mean he or she is a good teacher, or has certain skills. Lineage charts maybe questionable as they encourage people to believe that an instructor is a good one just because of his lineage. . What about
How important is your martial arts lineage? Read More »
Losing interest in your martial arts training will happen to everyone at some point. There are various reasons why this can happen. However, changing your perspective a little can be all it takes to rekindle your love of your art and keep you training. . The novelty of the training wears off, or an
The PAIN you feel today, will be the STRENGTH you feel tomorrow. Read More »
It is World Karate Day in Okinawa (Sunday October 25th). . This year, at the Shuri Dojo, we decided to do our part too, so we did 100 “Saifa” kata. . Here’s to next year. . .
100 Kata for a day. Read More »
We all make mistakes, and we do so with regularity. Some errors are small, some not so. No one enjoys being wrong. It’s an unpleasant emotional experience for all of us. The question is how do we respond when it turns out we WERE wrong? . Some of us admit we were wrong and say
“Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.” Read More »
Do you “Osu!” in your dojo? We do not “Osu!” in our dojo. So why do YOU keep using the term “OSU!”? . There is debate among karate-ka and karate scholars about the history of the term “Osu” and its correct usage. One thing that is known for certain, is that the term did not
Why do you keep saying “OSU!”? Read More »
