(Approx 1 minute 45 second read) Why are people so afraid of learning something new or different? Even if you’ve been doing something one particular way for years, there might be a different or better way. Wouldn’t it be interesting and great to discover and learn that? Why are so many people adamant that the…
Tag: Black-Belt
Delve deeper, for in asking the right questions, you’ll detect the absence of what truly matters.
(Approx 2 minute 15 second read) I used to love sport karate. In my late teens and twenties I just wanted to spar, fight in the dojo, and compete in tournaments. . In those early days, there was a stark contrast to the safety measures and equipment we see today. Those of us who have…
Brown belt or black belt. Reaching milestones can spark a new question: is the climb worth the view?
(1 minute 55 second read) It’s a familiar sight in any karate dojo: students you see today might be gone tomorrow. Life throws curveballs, and sometimes karate falls off the priority list. . There are so many adults that regret quitting the martial arts when they are young. I can almost guarantee that anyone who…
“I haven’t trained enough yet. I have clear images of many Sensei from long ago, and those are my goals.”
(2 minute 17 second read) We shouldn’t just do martial arts; we should contemplate them deeply. Keiko (稽古) often translated as “practice”, has two kanji, the first Kei (稽) meaning ‘to think or to consider’. The second, ko (古) means ‘old’. . When we perform keiko, we are refining and considering the things that came…
“We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.”
(2 minute 30 second read) Many of the articles that I write are created to ask the reader to view, perhaps something different, and discuss the content in a polite discussion. . Yeah right, who am I kidding? This is social media. . An opinion is this: the beliefs of a single person based on…
Sensei Under Fire: The Unexpected Downside of Karate Titles.
(2 minute 28 second read) If often receive damming comments when I write an article which has anything to do with belts, grades or titles. . The whole system of awarding belts, grades and titles, seems to be a sensitive topic for many karate practitioners….. and for those that don’t practice. . The “Shogo” (称号)…
It’s the Journey, Not the Belt: The True Meaning of the Black-Belt in Karate.
(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,…
Are you a traditionalist, a pragmatist, or both?
(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…
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
(1 minute 37 second read) While we may sometimes choose to follow the current and see where it leads, ultimately, our choices have lasting consequences. . Something that pops up with regularity is the decision for a practitioner to leave the dojo, and it is rarely a simple one. . It’s a complex and highly…
“The loudest claims of ‘no ego’ often echo with the loudest need to shift blame.”
(1 minute 35 second read) Recently someone commented that they have “no ego”, and I wondered why he would state this. . “I have no ego,” the words tumble out, a disarmingly humble shield against the rising tide of blame. But beneath this seemingly self-effacing declaration, a different truth might lurk: the art of shifting…
“How far does the way continue? How far can I go? What happens if I keep going? What did the generations of masters attain?”
(2 minute 5 second read) Karate-Do, the “way of the empty hand,” much more than the sum of its parts; a centuries-old tradition steeped in history, philosophy, and self-improvement. . Over generations, countless karate masters, including well-known figures such as Itosu, Higaonna, Funakoshi, Hanashiro, Kyan, Uechi, Miyagi, Toyama, Mabuni, Arakkaki, and many others, have dedicated…
Just because someone boasts an impressive lineage chart doesn’t automatically make them a good teacher.
(2 minute and 15 second read) Joining a martial arts school for the first time is an exciting and empowering endeavor for many individuals. The prospect of learning self-defense, perhaps wanting to compete, or just physical fitness, often attracts people to these schools. . However, a significant challenge arises when newcomers lack the knowledge to…