“Recently, some Karate men have used funny and strange sounding names for their own styles of Karate. A Karate man of this kind does not have a real understanding or knowledge of the orthodox Karate or he has no confidence in his ability as a Karate man. He uses these funny sounding names for his…
Category: Martial Arts
“Do you want fries with that?”
“Do you want fries with that?” . There are some students after reaching the lower dan grades of karate, who believe they have enough knowledge to teach on their own, starting a dojo or school with just a fundamental knowledge of the martial arts. While there are some who can do this, unfortunately there are…
Kata is not an alternative or substitute for two-man training.
“If you can prove that the techniques that you are teaching are realistic and valid, then your Bunkai will stand up to scrutiny, in other words if it don’t work then don’t teach it.” ~ John Johnson 8th dan – Adaptive Karate . . 形. Kata is not an ‘alternative’ or ‘substitute’ for two-man training;…
OKINAWAN KARATE. THE ORIGINAL MMA. . We are all human. Therefore, every style is limited to the same movements. The only difference is in the method of training. Karate originated on the island of Okinawa, a melting pot of combative knowledge. Combined with their native form of wrestling (Tegumi), Okinawan karate began as an effective…
Nothing ever grows in the comfort zone.
“Everyone knows that karate is a martial art. But few people know what art really means. Art is not something you hang on the wall, art is something you do, and it always involves a learning process. The problem is, some people hate learning. I know why! Because to learn something new means admitting that…
“Ichi-go ichi-e”
Ichi-go ichi-e – ( 一期一会) “Ichi-go ichi-e” – literally “one time, one meeting”, is a Japanese term that is originally associated with the Japanese tea ceremony. It describes a cultural concept of treasuring the unrepeatable nature of a moment. The term has been translated as “for this time only,” and “once in a lifetime.” The…
Trust the process.
I’m going to ask you to trust me on this. ? What I’ve realized over the years in working with countless people, is that there is nothing as vital to a relationship, with your sensei, students, friend or family, as fragile as trust. Psychologists tell us that the first emotional bond we all develop is…
You will not be punished for your anger…
“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.” ~ Buddha Poison isn’t always something you eat or drink – it can be an emotion. And hate is one of them, eating you up inside and causing destruction. . Hatred is a feeling that we all have felt and…
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…