(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Many of us have had remarkable teachers, people who embodied the virtues of a true martial artist. We followed them, often without question, and some even became household names in the martial arts world. . But here’s the uncomfortable truth: no matter how great the teacher, the system they…
Category: Self-Protection
If This Is the Standard for Practical Karate, the Bar Isn’t High – It’s Buried.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) A friend of mine recently sent me a video of a JKA Shotokan Dan test weekend seminar, taught by a senior JKA instructor. And guess what, five step-kumite was being practiced and taught. . Now, I have written about step-kumite extensively, and in my opinion, if you need reminding,…
Reshaped by Time: Karate Then and Now – Practical, Purposeful, Real.
(Approx 2minute 30 second read) The comments on my articles are a great way for me to think about writing again, and one such comment got me thinking about history once more. . The article was about exercise in the dojo replacing karate. A person commented that Gogen Yamaguchi would only teach exercise for many…
Facing the Test: Practicality Is Born of Decades of Failure and Success.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Someone recently said to me that I force my opinions on others. That I believe in practicality above all else. That I think I am right all the time. . Let me be clear, I don’t force anything on anyone. I share what I’ve learned through decades of training,…
The Karate They Didn’t Teach You – Lessons from the Masters.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) Why is it so hard to see beyond what we were first taught? . Most people will say they have an open mind and are always interested in gaining additional knowledge. . But from my experience, if it’s not a direct extension of what they already know, it’s almost…
Remember Why You Started: Karate That Protects – Not Modern Performance.
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) When I started karate back in 1974 I wanted to learn to protect myself, I wanted self-defense. Someone said in a comment recently that “most people who do karate have very little interest in self-defense.” I disagree. . In my experience, most people begin karate because they want to…
From Stances to Movement – Good Karate Isn’t Static.
(Approx 1 minute 55 second read) Everyone starts the same way: we learn how to punch, kick, block….. and how to stand. . In everyday English, we use the word ‘stance’ to infer a fixed, unchanging position or viewpoint. This common usage of the word can confuse people into thinking that we utilize ‘stances’ in…
Nukite: From Misunderstood Strike to Practical Application.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) In my recent article I wrote about using Japanese terms to describe techniques, which in certain situations can be limiting. One such example I gave was nukite. . A couple of the comments stated you wouldn’t use that technique in a real fight. Of course they are right, when…
101 Techniques, No Time to Think – Too Many Names, Not Enough Application.
(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) What most witness and engage in today is often referred to as “Omote” in Japanese, translating to “surface” in English. . Essentially, it embodies the notion of the techniques you practice are “what you see is what you get!” . As an example. If a technique appears to be…
Back to the Future: Still Teaching Step-Kumite? Why?
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) Imagine you’ve spent months waiting for a black belt-only weekend course with your favorite Japanese sensei. A teacher as highly regarded as anyone could be. You apply early, pay your hard-earned fee, and look forward to some advanced karate. . For those who follow my page, you can probably…
How Many Kata Do You Really Need? One Kata, Three Years – Still Enough Today?
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) As I’ve mentioned before, the comments section of my articles often inspires me to write again, and my recent article on kata’s true purpose was no different. . This time, a reader asked a very thoughtful question. They explained how, despite training kata in both Shotokan and Kyokushin, they…
Understanding Karate’s True Purpose: Real Violence, Real Purpose and Why Kata Matters.
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) Kata was born in a time of real violence, not sport or rules. To think its creators couldn’t defend themselves is absurd. Context matters, and ignorance is not bliss. . I recently received a comment that read: “No fighter ever trains kata to learn how to fight. Only old…