(Approx 3 minute 20 second read) Some people will defend their style and their methods of practice until the very end. It doesn’t matter what evidence you provide showing that it might not serve the purpose it’s advertised for. . My recent articles on step-kumite proved this point. One individual posted a link to his […]
Stop Calling It Self-Defense: Understanding Step-Kumite’s True Purpose. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) What motivates phony martial artists?… Is it ego, money, or something else? . I’m sure by now everyone has heard the term McDojo – a place that’s found its way onto streets, into strip malls, and community halls all over the world. . What actually is a McDojo? .
As Rare as a Quiet Pub on a Friday Night: What Students Deserve to Know. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute read) Imagine stepping into an early Okinawan karate dojo around the turn of the 20th century. It was probably someone’s back garden, surrounded by a wall or fencing so no one could see what was going on. Unlike today, the environment was very different. . Teachers of the time passed down their
Old Karate, New Words: Understanding Karate’s Original Intent. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) The funny thing about writing on the martial arts is that sometimes people read what you said, nod in agreement – then repeat it back to you, only louder, rougher, and with more bravado. . I recently wrote that the martial arts aren’t about looking for a fight –
(Approx 2 minute 40 second read) In karate, a term that’s not heard very often is “Jissen” (実践 – じっせん). It translates directly to “actual fighting” or “real combat” – as in applying theory in real-world, practical situations. . This approach prioritizes what genuinely works in a real confrontation, often incorporating elements like grappling, throws,
Restraint Is a Technique Too: Training to Fight, Learning Not To. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) The martial arts teaches us many things, but one of the most valuable lessons is knowing when not to engage. You can spend years refining technique and self-discipline, but it takes real maturity to recognize that some battles just aren’t worth fighting. . And that maturity should come with
Ego Always Wants the Fight – Wisdom Knows When to Walk Away. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) The martial arts are great, aren’t they? So much diversity, so many differences – steeped in rich traditions and varied styles. . While the pursuit of proficiency and personal growth is what most of us strive for, it’s not uncommon to encounter practitioners who show a certain stubbornness when
One Path Known, One Path New: Which Path Would Your Teacher Choose Today? Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) When karate was widely introduced to the public through the school system in Japan in the early 1930s, it had to meet certain criteria. To be accepted, the curriculum needed to promote physical health, build confidence, improve endurance, enhance concentration, and so on. . It specifically could not be
Karate Then and Now: What Are We Really Studying? Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) I was recently asked this question: “Since your piece on not throwing punches from a chambered position, I have wondered if you have modified your katas?” . No, I still perform kata as close to the original form as possible. That’s how they were created – at least as
Hikite: It Was Never Meant to Power Your Punch. Read More »
(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) Not every patch is a symbol of trust. . Over the years, I’ve seen many martial arts groups rise and fall. Names change, alliances shift, and new banners are flown – but the questions stay the same. . What does it mean to be loyal? What should an association
Beyond the Patch: When Loyalty Is Tested. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) Over the years, I’ve had more than one conversation with experienced martial artists – and those with no interest in kata – about its purpose and function. . One question that comes up repeatedly is whether kata, as it’s practiced today, is really full of usable fighting techniques, or
The Living Language of Kata – If We Let It Speak Its Original Rhythm. Read More »
(Approx 2 minute read) Recently, I wrote an article asking whether karate builds character. We’re often told it does. . It’s a phrase passed down from instructor to student, repeated so often it becomes accepted as truth. It’s written on dojo walls, part of the budo creed. . And maybe – at times – it
Stripped of Illusion: Not All Who Wear the Belt Wear the Values. Read More »
