(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) Every time I walk into the dojo I pause and respectfully bow my head. I remove my shoes before I step onto the mats and just soak in the atmosphere, even when I’m alone. I don’t have to. No one’s watching. . It would be easy to just walk…
Tag: Bushido
Black Belts for Sale: What Happened to Earning It?
(Approx 2 minute 35 second read) When I took my shodan (a long time ago) I had no idea it was happening. I turned up for class as normal, always early, the first to arrive, as I helped teach the children class. . My instructor then informed me, “you’re taking shodan tonight.” Wait, what? There…
Am I Getting Angry at an Empty Boat? Zen, Karate, and Self-Defense.
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) Many martial artists think self-defense begins with a punch, and for many practitioners, it’s the only way they see it. . Maybe because I’m getting on in years now, I think more of my failings and my fallibility. Back in the day I loved to fight, boxing as a…
Karate Can Show the Way, but Only You Can Walk the Path.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) People often say that karate builds character. I don’t think so. Your character is shaped over many years and through many different experiences in life – not just by what you do in the dojo. . The Japanese term shūyō (修養) refers to the steady refinement of mind and…
礼儀怠るなかれ (Reigi okotaru nakare): Never neglect courtesy and etiquette.
Personally I believe being polite is the way to go. . I receive many personal messages on social-media and email with just a couple of words. As an example: “where are you?”, “who taught you?”, “how can I learn karate?”, “what is your style?”, “what black-belt do you have?”, “what makes you such an expert…
Honesty, Integrity, and Skill – What Gives a Martial Arts Title Meaning?
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) In recent years, it seems that rank and titles in the martial arts have become surprisingly easy to obtain – and very controversial. . Certificates can be printed, titles adopted, and positions claimed with little more than a website and a few followers. . But when we lose sight…
“If anything deserves our protection, it is the authenticity of the art, not the vanity of those who claim to own it.”
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) If you teach, you’ve probably noticed the difference between the student who can’t get enough and the one who’s just… well, there. Some people walk into the dojo full of enthusiasm and want to absorb everything they possibly can. . Others go through the motions and never quite seem…
Honesty, Integrity, and Skill: The Measure of a Martial Artist.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) What exactly has happened in karate? . Somewhere along the way, it seems rank has outpaced skill, and titles are sometimes gained faster than true understanding. . We’ve all seen examples of people switching styles, bypassing normal grade progression, and suddenly holding highly senior positions. The problem isn’t just…
The Most Underrated Skill in Martial Arts: Stop Talking. Start Listening.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) In the martial arts, one of the greatest skills we can develop has nothing to do with speed, strength, or technique. It’s the ability to truly listen. . Too often, conversations between martial artists – whether about training methods, kata interpretation, or self-defense – turn into battles of conviction….
When Confidence Becomes a Barrier: Learning to Question Yourself.
(Approx 2 minute 30 second read) I’m sure many of you are aware of the Dunning–Kruger effect – I’ve written about it before. It’s the tendency for people with limited knowledge or skill to overestimate their ability. . But without the ability to recognize your shortcomings, how can you hope to improve? . Here lies…
Respect Isn’t Silence. Martial Arts Without Question Is Just Obedience.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) Someone sent me a personal message saying that I “don’t understand the martial arts” and that if I did, I would “show respect”. . I have no idea what article he was referring to – he didn’t say. He just launched into several accusations. . Assumptions like that usually…
A Defining Moment – The Meeting That Redirected Karate.
(Approx 2 minute 25 second read) Today, there are many types of karate. But it’s worth saying what often gets left out: it didn’t used to be this way. . Originally, karate was a method of self-protection – pragmatic and rooted in application. The shift to having ‘many types’ of karate is not something that…