“Karate is not only physical techniques but a philosophy of life. Age is not important for someone who really wants to train in karate. Karate is a life journey, not a destination. It’s only when we look at it as a destination that we will stop training.” ?? ~ Minoru Higa 10th dan Shorin Ryu…
Category: Karate
Education should never be “just enough.”
“Karate training is a moral training, as well as a physical one for self-defense. It isn’t only concerned with developing fighting machines. Traditional karate, taught in the correct way, will cultivate people able to defend themselves, but just as importantly, it will cultivate within them a sense of responsibility, a sense of justice, and…
Okinawa is the birthplace of karate.
“Some people say that karate is moving zen. The mind is the most powerful weapon I have. I was in karate from 9 years old. I spent my life learning the techniques, now I am 72 (76 in Aug 2020). I am the highest master in all of Okinawa. Karate helped me to be a…
Names of the different parts of a karate gi
Keikogi (稽古着), or dogi (道着), is a uniform for training in Japanese martial arts and their derivatives. (Keiko means practice, gi means dress or clothes.) The prototype for the modern keikogi emerged in the late 19th century. The keikogi was developed by judo founder Kano Jigoro. Japanese martial arts historian Dave Lowry speculates Kano derived…
Once learned never forgotten
“If you want to be skilled at karate, do what skilled karate people do: train each day! If you get into the habit of daily training, you will surprise yourself with how much progress you can make.” Tatsuya Naka 7th dan Shotokan JKA. I often get asked “how can I improve my karate?” The answer…
Belief
As instructors and teachers, the most important, and rewarding part of our work is to recognize the vast potential within our students and to help them see it within themselves, and then support them in reaching that potential.. Looking towards the future with positive expectations is a powerful force on the present, as it affects…
Loyalty
“Some people aren’t loyal to you…. They are loyal to their NEED of you….Once their needs change, so does their loyalty.” Loyalty is a very important aspect in any relationship but especially so in the martial arts between a student, their instructor and their dojo. Trust and true loyalty take years to build and loyalty…
Martial Arts Education
“Do not put your main purpose in mastering the Karate techniques themselves…” “Do not put your main purpose in mastering the Karate techniques themselves, you should instead study the way of life through Karate.” ~ Meitatsu Yagi 10th dan Goju Ryu repeating a quote from Master MEITOKU YAGI The aim of education should be teaching…
Revenge
Ever wanted to get revenge? You know that “letting go” is probably the healthiest move right, but wanting revenge is often much more appealing. It all starts with our nature, since humans are protective beings, especially when we feel threatened; “If what we care about ….. is harmed or threatened in any way, it is…
Self-Defense
This Is Not Self-Defense “We often fall into the trap of simply trying a technique harder, rather than recognizing that it is a poorly chosen tool for the task at hand.” ~ Chris Matakas “Unarmed hand to hand fighting does not change through the ages; only the name changes, and it has only one rule:…
Rank Will Not Protect You
In a situation where you need to defend yourself, it is your skills, not your rank, that will protect you. Prevention is the best self-defense. Attackers, whatever their objectives, are looking for unsuspecting, vulnerable targets. Be aware of your surroundings, avoiding confrontation. If you can defuse a situation (talk someone down from physically…
Your purpose in karate is not to fight.
“Your purpose in karate is not to fight, but rather to end the fight”. ~ Yoshio Kuba 10th dan Goju Ryu ?? . In self-defense there are no rules. If you’re in danger, in trouble, or in anyway threatened, you do anything and everything you can to get away and get to safety. This is nothing…