Student

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

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Kobudo, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Sensei, Student /

(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, […]

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Ditch the perfect demo and embrace the glorious messiness of real-world failure.

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(2 minute 13 second read) The martial arts require demonstration to supplement the whole teaching process. I get it. I demonstrate to my students. However, I always incorporate some level of failure into my demonstrations. . Why? Because a real life attack is unpredictable, chaotic, vicious, and brutal. Your techniques will probably not go as

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Master the toolbox, not just the hammer….

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(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

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

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(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

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Many dismissive comments I receive state; “Good luck fighting with your kata”.

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(2 minute 55 second read) Many dismissive comments I receive state; “Good luck fighting with your kata”. . Kata, often viewed as a choreographed routine, for passing a grade, showing no relation to actual combat. . “The other day I posted a video where I was applying the uppercut technique and a person in his

Many dismissive comments I receive state; “Good luck fighting with your kata”. Read More »

“If practiced properly, two or three kata will suffice as ‘your’ kata; all of the others can just be studied as sources of additional knowledge.”

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(2 minute 10 second read) How many kata are enough? . Over the years I have collected probably way too many, and although I have a core that I teach deeply, many of them are probably redundant, or at least very similar to each other. . What I find most interesting about kata is how

“If practiced properly, two or three kata will suffice as ‘your’ kata; all of the others can just be studied as sources of additional knowledge.” Read More »

The one who controls the distance in an encounter, is the one who controls the situation.

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Kobudo, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(1 minute 56 second read) The one who controls the distance in an encounter, is the one who controls the situation. . “Maai” (間合い) is a Japanese term that means “interval” or “space between”. It refers to the optimal engagement distance in combat, encompassing both physical separation, and the timing of the attack and defense

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Are you a traditionalist, a pragmatist, or both?

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(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

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It’s high time to confront a harsh reality: the karate you’re practicing, being taught, is a sham.

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(2 minute 14 second read) It’s high time to confront a harsh reality: the karate you’re practicing, being taught, is a sham. It’s utterly ineffective when it comes to actual real-world combat. . The crux of the issue lies in the fact that people are being duped into believing that traditional karate will protect you,

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“To understand breathing is to understand Karate. It’s a direct connection between your body and mind.”

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Sensei, Student /

(1 minute 22 second read) Breathing in the martial arts. Easy right? . The most basic function of our body, part of an autonomous system. We don’t have to learn how to do it, we just breathe automatically, we don’t have to think about it. . However, the way you breathe can make a significant

“To understand breathing is to understand Karate. It’s a direct connection between your body and mind.” Read More »

“We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.”

Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Sensei, Student /

(1 minute 41 second read) There is something very different about being a martial artist; it makes you different from other people, it sets you apart from the crowd. . We all know that anything great requires hard work and sacrifice. It will be tough, difficult, challenging, and it’s going to stretch you and make

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“Everyone thinks Shuto is a technique that uses the hand like a sword or knife. As the definition implies; therefore, the technique becomes deadlocked.”

Bunkai, Development, Dojo, Japan, Karate, Learning, Martial Arts, Masters, Motivation, Okinawa, Philosophy, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Sensei, Student /

(2 minute 3 second read) The effectiveness of karate for self-defense hinges on a fundamental principle: simplicity. . In the face of a sudden threat, clear, concise movements hold the key to an effective response, even if that response is simply to escape. . In the face of a sudden threat, you will experience a

“Everyone thinks Shuto is a technique that uses the hand like a sword or knife. As the definition implies; therefore, the technique becomes deadlocked.” Read More »