Ever wanted to get revenge? You know that “letting go” is probably the healthiest move right, but wanting revenge is often much more appealing. It all starts with our nature, since humans are protective beings, especially when we feel threatened; “If what we care about ….. is harmed or threatened in any way, it is […]
In a situation where you need to defend yourself, it is your skills, not your rank, that will protect you. Prevention is the best self-defense. Attackers, whatever their objectives, are looking for unsuspecting, vulnerable targets. Be aware of your surroundings, avoiding confrontation. If you can defuse a situation (talk someone down from physically
Rank Will Not Protect You Read More »
Having the hands held high in a tight guard is not a very smart thing to do in a self-defense situation. . To understand why it’s a bad idea, you need to appreciate that not all violence is the same, and there are HUGE differences between consensual violence (fighting) and non-consensual violence (self-defense). . The
A high and tight guard Read More »
“When I teach I’m not trying to convince you of anything. Karate is not a religion, it doesn’t need to be defended. I’m simply presenting the information. What you do with that is entirely up to you.” ~ Jesse Enkamp . Great words by Jesse Enkamp ?? . . The ability to influence a student successfully
When I teach I’m not trying to convince you of anything. Read More »
To become a martial arts master, or at the very least a great teacher, you must first become a great student. . You must take responsibility for your own learning and actively pursue knowledge and experience. . Recently I asked a black belt instructor from another ‘style’ to come train with us. He had the
You must become a great student Read More »
Recently a nidan from another part of our association, with whom we had not seen train before, asked us to grade him to sandan. “I have done part of it”, with another instructor he said. “…are you going to be a good Shihan?”….”I will do [insert syllabus] for my sandan.”….. (Oh oh…this does not bode
Should you ask for a black-belt? Read More »
“There is a proverb that says – Nito oumono wa itto omo ezu (二兎追う者は一兎をも得ず). It translates to – If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.” ?? . Yasuhiro Uema 9th dan Shorin-Ryu Shubukan . A great master received a university professor who came to enquire about wisdom. . The master served tea.
If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. Read More »
“Our focus is self-defense first. . As me and my brother are involved in MMA you learn a lot with those techniques. But when you do a little research, we found these techniques are already in karate. . Modern karate does not focus too much on self-defense, so they are losing the main technique of
Our focus is self-defense first. Read More »
“Karate is in the mind. Karate is in the heart. Karate is never about what you are wearing around your waist.” ~ Mr. Miyagi . . Look beyond the color of the belt around your waist. Shodan is just the beginning, the understanding of basics. Nidan the 2nd level, sandan the 3rd. . If you
Karate is never about what you are wearing around your waist. Read More »
“Inner to outer – we start by dissolving our attitude not by altering outer conditions.” . Bruce Lee . A real martial artist does the right thing, not what suits him. “Meiyo” (honor). It is the most important virtue of all. You only have one judge of your own honor, and that is yourself. The
Good morals always involve good manners. Read More »
“You can’t have a strong house without a strong foundation. The stronger the basics, the stronger the house – it’s as simple as that. Unfortunately a lot of practitioners don’t understand.” . Fumio Demura 9th dan Shito-Ryu . “The most advanced thing you can do, are the basics, consistently.” . You have to keep a
The most advanced thing you can do, are the basics, consistently. Read More »
