Imagine the fear. You have been training in your dojo for a few years, but a weird feeling is slowly creeping up on you, giving you that uncomfortable sensation in the pit of your stomach. . You gradually start noticing things. You start seeing stuff in a new light, and day by day you realize […]
Fake black belts and McDojo’s; Should We Get Angry? Read More »
“The most advanced thing you can do, are the basics, consistently.” ~ Morio Higaonna 10th Dan Goju Ryu . Train your basics everyday to improve in your karate training; it sounds so logical and makes so much sense. Now, it’s up to you, the student(s), to rise to the challenge. . It’s true, through daily
The most advanced thing you can do, are the basics. Read More »
“In karate, hitting, thrusting, and kicking are not the only methods, throwing techniques and pressure against joints are included.” ~ Gichin Funakoshi . Many students, and instructors, who stand toe-to-toe and exchange techniques, forget (or should that be neglect?) that at some point in a self-protection/self-defense scenario, you will undoubtably end up in a clinch.
“In karate, hitting, thrusting, and kicking are not the only methods..” Read More »
Continuing the McDojo theme…… In the field of psychology, the Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people with low ability at a task, overestimate their ability. . People believe that they are more knowledgeable and capable than they really are. Essentially, low ability people do not possess the skills needed to recognize their
Don’t be a dimwit! Read More »
You see and hear a lot of different titles in Japanese martial arts. Unfortunately, a lot of people have little or no idea how these titles and honorifics are actually used. . Now, if you are following Karate and using Japanese language in your dojo or school, then you should know how to use these
You never call yourself sensei. Read More »
The martial arts are known to enhance the abilities of students beyond just the physical. Growth can be seen in many areas such as self esteem, confidence, focus, self-defense, self-control, discipline. The positive changes students achieve in martial arts is significant. However, the positive effects do not stop there, an inspiring teacher, mentor, coach, or
Are you a good mentor, a good role model? Read More »
Walter Lippmann the author and political commentator said, “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in others the conviction and will to carry on.” ….. Ultimately, if your people can’t do it without you, you haven’t been successful in raising up other leaders. . We have all heard that “when the
“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” Read More »
“Now use head for something other than target.” ~ Nariyoshi Miyagi Miyago-do Karate . . When people don’t understand things, they often find it easier to create their own explanations rather than to actually find out the real explanation. We see this all the time, in every part of society. . To psychologists, this behavior
“Now use head for something other than target.” Read More »
“The meaning of the directions in kata is not well understood, and frequently mistakes are made in the interpretation of kata movements. In extreme cases, it is sometimes heard that “this kata moves in 8 directions so it is designed for fighting 8 opponents” or some such nonsense.” . Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952) founder of Shito-Ryu
“The meaning of the directions in kata is not well understood.” Read More »
“Do you want fries with that?” . There are some students after reaching the lower dan grades of karate, who believe they have enough knowledge to teach on their own, starting a dojo or school with just a fundamental knowledge of the martial arts. While there are some who can do this, unfortunately there are
“Do you want fries with that?” Read More »
“Everyone knows that karate is a martial art. But few people know what art really means. Art is not something you hang on the wall, art is something you do, and it always involves a learning process. The problem is, some people hate learning. I know why! Because to learn something new means admitting that
Nothing ever grows in the comfort zone. Read More »
“Karate training is a moral training, as well as a physical one for self-defense. It isn’t only concerned with developing fighting machines. Traditional karate, taught in the correct way, will cultivate people able to defend themselves, but just as importantly, it will cultivate within them a sense of responsibility, a sense of justice, and
Education should never be “just enough.” Read More »
