We all have a martial arts lineage of sorts, some remain faithful to one, others perhaps through no fault of their own, have several. There are those that believe who you follow is of the utmost importance, and there are others who couldn’t care less. . Anyone who has an interest in the history of […]
How important is lineage to you? Read More »
Students develop an interest in a subject for reasons that have meaning for them. They may be motivated by their interest in a topic, their prior success, a desire to please parents or their instructors, or simply by their own drive to succeed. . There are two main types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsically
“Learning is not simply about acquiring knowledge.” Read More »
Cooperation and sharing are basic life skills that enable us to make friends, work successfully in groups, and get along well with others. . “If you want to make friends, you have no time to make enemies.” – Seikichi Iha 10th Dan Shorin Ryu Shidokan; above quote from an interview with the Lansing City
“If you want to make friends, you have no time to make enemies.” Read More »
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain . So much of what you will accomplish in life is influenced by the people you surround yourself with. If you surround yourself with
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.” Read More »
If you are a serious martial artist, you won’t let anyone interfere with your martial arts. Training time is too important or valuable to be interfered with. It has to be done every day and takes priority over everything else. . Attending the Dojo, lessons and seminars are the same. They go in the calendar
Are you a serious martial artist? Read More »
For those of you who ‘laugh in the face of adversity’, and your response to all things is to fight, to always want to fight first….. You know who you are! . I want to stress the importance of attempting to solve a problem without a physical altercation. You should be trying your best to
Use your mind as your best weapon, fighting first is NOT your only option. Read More »
Zen Buddhism teaches a concept of “Shoshin“ (Beginner’s Mind), as a positive attribute that refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions, just as a beginner would. Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki said, in his book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice; “In the Beginner’s Mind there
Judging a person does not define who they are, it defines who you are. Read More »
“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body; it calls attention to the development of an unhealthy state of things.” – Winston Churchill (New Statesman interview, 7 January 1939) . Winston Churchill compared criticism to physical pain, and of course, he was absolutely
“So my pathetic friend… is there anything that you can do well?” Read More »
Tegumi (手組) or Mutō (無刀) is a traditional form of wrestling from Okinawa. A common practice in Okinawa’s Ryukyu Kingdom period, ‘tegumi’ nearly disappeared from the Okinawan martial arts curriculum. . It is believed by many researchers that tegumi was probably the original form of fighting from Okinawa. And those researchers believe that tegumi, along
History is a valuable teacher. If you care to take a look. Read More »
“Today, there are many instructors who boast of heroic episodes to their students. They are not qualified to be instructors.” – Eiichi Miyazato 10th dan Goju Ryu from the book Okinawa Den Gojuryu Karate-do . Humility is a very important human trait that all people should exercise in their lives. The core significance of being
“It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom.” Read More »
Kata was never meant to be used just to pass the next belt or simply practiced for aesthetic purposes. Kata should be practiced for the knowledge of the extremely effective techniques and principles upon which they are based, and practitioners should develop the ability to apply that knowledge. . Kata and sparring, often two words
“One cannot understand the true meaning of something without putting it into practice.” Read More »
The aim of education should be teaching students how to think, rather than what to think. But more than that, to create the “spark” – the curiosity, the passion, for further knowledge that helps them grow as martial artists. . The task of instructors is not just to educate students to perform techniques, drills, kata,
“Education means inspiring someone’s mind, not just filling their head.” Read More »
