It’s the Journey, Not the Belt: The True Meaning of the Black-Belt in Karate.

(2 minute 4 second read) It’s the Journey, Not the Belt: The True Meaning of the Black-Belt in Karate. . ‘Shodan’ (初段), first-degree (first-level) black-belt, is the bedrock of your karate practice. It’s the foundation you build upon, the launchpad for your continued development. . Earning your Shodan signifies the completion of your initial training,…

Master the toolbox, not just the hammer….

(1 minute 40 second read) Imagine a toolbox filled with tools; wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, these tools can fix many things….. but how you use them depends on the job. . The martial arts are like those tools – different methods have different goals. . Karate, Judo, Jiu-jitsu, MMA, Boxing – these are all different fighting…

Don’t Just Do Your Kata….. Know Your Kata.

(2 minute 6 second read) I’ve been writing articles for several years now, and probably the most commented and contentious subject of all that I write about has to be Kata. . People just don’t get it. Sadly, there is widespread misunderstanding about this centuries old tradition. . I can’t blame them, as today most…

Finding Calm amidst the Chaos.

(1 minute 30 second read) Finding Calm amidst the Chaos. . In today’s frenetic world, anxiety seems to be a constant companion. With so many people these days leading hectic, over-stimulated, and sleep-deprived lives, it’s no wonder that worry and anxiety are at an all time high. . Our brains are hard wired to be…

Are you a traditionalist, a pragmatist, or both?

(2 minute 41 second read) From the comments on a recent article, many people seemed to be offended because of my use of the word “traditional”, some calling me insulting, rude, offensive and more. . I wrote the article with the intention of shedding light on instructors who falsely claim to teach self-defense, who are…