On social media and comments I receive on some of my articles, the perception of Mixed Martial Arts as the ultimate solution for ALL self-defense scenarios has reached new heights. With individuals who have never received any formal self-defense training, confidently declaring that MMA is the be-all and end-all in real-life confrontations. . MMA’s visibility…
Category: Self-Protection
“The passage of time leaves its marks, but the spirit of karate is resilient, adapting and growing stronger with each challenge, proving that age is not a limit, but a testament to the enduring power within.”
The martial arts, with its rigorous training and physical demands, often fosters a culture of resilience and perseverance. How many times have you been told to ignore the pain, fight on, never give up? . Practitioners are often taught to push through pain, to persevere in the face of discomfort, and to cultivate mental toughness….
“Karate aims to build character, improve human behavior, and cultivate modesty; it does not, however, guarantee it.”
Personally I believe being polite serves us best. I receive many messages on social media with just a couple of words. As an example: “where are you?”, “who taught you?”, “how can I learn karate?”, “what is your style?”, “what black-belt do you have?”. And many, many more. . Nothing promotes silence from me more…
“The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time.”
The realm of martial arts is vast and diverse, encompassing various styles and techniques, each with its unique history and purpose. While tournaments serve as platforms for martial artists to showcase their skills and compete, the line between tournament techniques and self-defense is often blurred. Incorrectly teaching tournament techniques as self-defense can have serious consequences…
“It is not how much you have learned, but how much you have absorbed in what you have learned.”
The importance of basics, or foundational knowledge, cannot be overstated in almost any field or aspect of life. . Basics serve as the building blocks upon which more complex knowledge is constructed. Without a solid foundation, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand and work with advanced concepts. . Most karate practitioners come to understand that…
“None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.”
As you get older I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking about your own mortality. Recently I certainly have. The things I was capable of doing when I was younger seem so far away now. And living in a violent society made me wonder how much aging changes all of the body’s cells, tissues, and…
In a real life situation, most of the time, you have only one chance. One try is all you get to defend yourself or your loved ones.
What constitutes as personal protection today falls outside the scope of most martial arts classes. Irrespective of whether you think your martial art is perfect for the “street” (whatever that means) or not. Most martial arts only deal with the fighting aspect of personal protection. . In most cases, the student is actually only learning…
“In the face of an obstacle which is impossible to overcome, stubbornness is stupid.”
We often encounter practitioners who cling unwaveringly to their beliefs, resisting any attempt to persuade or alter their opinions. . How many times have you heard karate doesn’t work; that wouldn’t work in the ‘street’; kata is just a dance? . While it may be tempting to engage in debates or discussions with the hope…
“If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.”
Sport karate, offers numerous benefits, physical fitness, aesthetics, discipline, and sportsmanship. However, it is important to recognize that sport karate is not the ideal choice for individuals seeking practical self-defense skills. . Now before the comments start, in the 1970’s and ’80’s, sport karate was my main interest, I’m just trying to help some practitioners…
“Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.”
Personally I believe that analyzing kata and its applications from a logical or common sense perspective makes a compelling case for the best way to approach and dissect principles and techniques. . There is of course value in aesthetic, sporting and cultural aspects of karate and its kata – but for me, my main interest…
“We should open karate to the public and receive criticism, opinions and studies from other prominent fighting artists.”
The modern interpretation of karate, and its many variations, has evolved in to something quite different to which the original pioneers had in mind when it was first developed. . Many of the techniques of karate have become completely unrealistic in application, which unfortunately, are often passed off as real-world practical self-defense techniques. . What…
Do you practise kata as moving meditation?
A person who is interested in karate for artistic or aesthetic reasons, is unlikely to find themselves caring to much about the “real-world” self-defense applications found in kata. Modern karate competition practitioners are also unlikely to care about these applications because it has little relevance to competitive ‘kumite’. . Much of what is referred to…