Martial Arts

The Three Faces: Yes, There Is Depth, But Don’t Hide the Truth.

(Approx 1 minute 25 second read) Someone recently suggested that a Japanese instructor might not show the correct application of karate techniques because of their “three faces”. . This phrase refers to the idea, often associated with Japanese culture, that individuals present themselves differently in various social contexts. . It is sometimes expressed as “three […]

The Three Faces: Yes, There Is Depth, But Don’t Hide the Truth. Read More »

When ‘Real’ Karate Isn’t Quite Real Enough: Static Steps or Dynamic Survival?

(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) I mentioned in an article recently that an Okinawan teacher showed his black belts a series of techniques meant to showcase ‘real’ karate. Unfortunately, expectations are never as exciting as reality. . Firstly, someone said to me in the comments section, “Can you provide a link to the video?”

When ‘Real’ Karate Isn’t Quite Real Enough: Static Steps or Dynamic Survival? Read More »

Respect Cannot Be Self-Appointed: If You Call Yourself Sensei, Have You Missed the Point?

(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Someone commented on an article I wrote, suggesting I was “getting carried away” and advising I should “spend time in Japan” to better understand Japanese traditions. . Assumptions often lead to misunderstanding and conflict. His comment was based on a misreading of my article; and he doesn’t know me

Respect Cannot Be Self-Appointed: If You Call Yourself Sensei, Have You Missed the Point? Read More »

Creativity in Motion: The Power of Possibility Through Asking the Right Questions.

(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) The problem with many karate techniques is that they are often taught as having a single, fixed use. Consider modern karate and the tools it provides. Let’s take an example: the “Jodan age uke”, the ubiquitous upper rising block. In modern karate, it’s typically used to block, deflect, or

Creativity in Motion: The Power of Possibility Through Asking the Right Questions. Read More »

Teaching Karate? Then Get It Right. When the Internet Gets It Wrong.

(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) After decades of practicing and teaching karate, and several years of writing about it, I’m still surprised by how many misconceptions and misinformation continue to swirl around this art. Whether in the dojo or online, I regularly encounter the same misunderstandings repeated. . Karate is not as complicated as

Teaching Karate? Then Get It Right. When the Internet Gets It Wrong. Read More »

The Trouble With Trying to Do It All: Have Clarity of Purpose and Choose the Right Path.

(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) All combat sports are one-on-one fights with rules. Self-protection, on the other hand, is not consensual fighting and should be approached differently. . Training for success in sport is designed to ensure success in sport. It makes little sense to train to develop one set of skills when they

The Trouble With Trying to Do It All: Have Clarity of Purpose and Choose the Right Path. Read More »

Common Ground: Universal Principles and a Shared Language – Different Paths, Similar Movements.

(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) The comments on my articles are inspiring, often funny, and sometimes, just uninformed. . To all the armchair enthusiasts, keyboard warriors, and practitioners from other methods who think kata is useless – let’s get this out of the way: You do not fight with kata. . The kata were

Common Ground: Universal Principles and a Shared Language – Different Paths, Similar Movements. Read More »

Practical Self-Defense: Ditch the Drama and Embrace Reality. Sitting Pretty or Prepared?

(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) It’s astonishing to me that I need to clarify this further, something as straightforward as practical self-defense, yet here we are. Once again, the armchair enthusiasts seem unable to grasp the situation with any common sense. . To set the record straight: regarding the article where I was asked

Practical Self-Defense: Ditch the Drama and Embrace Reality. Sitting Pretty or Prepared? Read More »