“We learned karate that was to be used in real-life situations. If you don’t continue to train with that sense of there being a real opponent, you won’t be able to respond in that kind of situation.” – Takeshi Tamaki 10th dan Shogen-ryu . Kata, the management of failure. . What does this mean?…… In […]
Kata, the management of failure. Read More »
“Every day, there is a new discovery. Rather than merely hitting this way or hitting that way, i’m interested now in trying to evolve the foundations of my practice.” – Kenji Yamaki . You can learn all the technical skills you want. You can learn all the theories and understand the concepts down to the
Knowledge is power only when you truly understand and can apply it. Read More »
“A teacher, a really good sensei, is never a ‘giver’ of ‘truth’; he is a guide, a ‘pointer’ to the truth that the student must discover for himself.” – Bruce Lee . This quote by Bruce Lee doesn’t mean that a teacher will lie and lead you down the wrong path (or shouldn’t anyway). What
“Look for the answer inside your question.” Read More »
I hate the martial arts! . The martial arts are not for everyone. . The martial arts has always been about defense from violence, and is at the core of every martial art. It is through what we teach, and the concepts students ultimately learn, and absorb, that they develop both mentally and physically. .
I hate the martial arts! Read More »
“In the old days, underlying strength would be established. This was the way. Techniques were not taught at first. It was about persistent basic things, building the body, getting to know the character and teaching perseverance. Perhaps such discipline is necessary, until you have the motivation to train.” – Kenyu Chinen 9th dan Oshukai Okinawa
It is important to realize that kata are in fact kihon. Read More »
“Kata follows the essence of martial arts which is to minimize movement.” – Tsuguo Sakumoto 9th dan Ryuei Ryu . Karate for me is about efficiency of movement, efficiency of combat, and natural movement lies at the heart of this efficiency. . Karate has been described as unnatural movement that you do, until it becomes
“Kata follows the essence of martial arts which is to minimize movement.” Read More »
This is the second part to ‘Muchimi’, (explained here for reference to an earlier post) . The second meaning of the word muchimi derives from the Japanese word “muchi” (鞭 whip), thus implying you should use your body like a whip. Muchimi, defines a powerful technique linked to the progressive and fluid acceleration of that
Muchimi is relaxation, a more ‘flowing’ way of producing power. Read More »
What is a good age to retire from martial arts training and teaching? . NEVER, is the usual answer to this question. Why would you retire? . There is no age limit to practicing the martial arts, the only limit is the “self”. Your actual age does not limit you in any way from practicing
What is a good age to retire from martial arts training and teaching? Read More »
空手は湯の如し絶えず熱度を与えざれば元の水に還る – (karate wa yu no gotoshi taezu netsu o ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru) “Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state.” – Gichin Funakoshi . I believe this applies to anything that we do in life. Sometimes we end up sick, injured, and run-down, and at times
“Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state.” Read More »
“Karate, it’s both physical and mental. The ability to withstand pain and to become accustomed to fear. That requires both physical and mental sides.” – Kiyohide Shinjo 9th dan Uechi Ryu . You are your own worst enemy. Fortunately, you know all your weaknesses. . You know yourself better than anyone and you know
You are your own worst enemy. Fortunately, you know all your weaknesses. Read More »
“The first contact is the key. Rather than attacking each other at a distance, the point is how to reduce your own risk. So I make contact most of the time. I want to reduce the possibility of being attacked by the opponent as much as possible. [..] I don’t think you want to let
“In reality, it is often much easier to defend against an attacker at close range!” Read More »
“First, we’ll make a sacred pact. I promise to teach you karate. That is my part. You promise to learn. I say you do, no questions. That is your part.” – Nariyoshi Miyagi – Miyagi-do Karate . It’s all about priorities, right? After all, you only practice a couple of times a week….. “I have
So STOP making excuses. You know when class is! Read More »
